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4:33 pm
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August 21, 2012
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I can see how others like the system, but I find it confusing how it gets so much reverence these days. I actually like the DC myself, but I can’t help but feel that it’s overrated. It’s true that the system had a lot of great games, but a lot of them have been ported. Sonic Adventure 1 & 2, Crazy Taxi, Ikaruga, Skies of Arcadia, Resident Evil: Code Veronica, etc, have been ported and with extra features in some cases. As for SoulCalibur, what’s so good about the game TODAY even when there’s SC II and III? The DC may have a lot of great fighting games, but what good is that when the standard controller doesn’t have a suitable D-pad? Making matters worse, the arcade sticks (good ones) are expensive as hell.
Another thing I don’t understand is that people claim that the PS2 killed the DC. I kinda have to laugh at it though. How can the PS2 kill the Dreamcast in a matter of a few months (a year in Japan)? Where are the sales charts comparing the DC and PS2 sales during late 2000-early 2001?
Is it just me or is it that nostalgia is a big factor in all this?
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5:10 pm
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March 14, 2012
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If I owned a video game company, I would place a sign in the main room that reads: “Think your current game as the last game you ever make. One day, you will be right.”
The most remarkable thing about the Dreamcast was the upswing in quality games coming from Sega, whether they were
ported or not. It is sad that at Sega’s last game console, they put out their best effort since the Genesis. But the losses from the Saturn were too much and only a Wii sales miracle could have saved the Dreamcast.
But it wasn’t coincidence. Sega put out their best effort because they knew it was high probability that this was their last effort as a console company. It is famously known that politicians last speeches are their best speeches. When you know things are going to end, your effort and quality exceed expectations. I think that is why it is fondly remembered.
As to why It is still PLAYED despite ports, I can only give a guess to this from personal experience. I play all these SNES games ON ACTUAL HARDWARE. Emulation just feels off, and despite the fact that we can get damn close to perfect anymore, it is still not perfect. Even virtual console games feel off to me in cases such as platformers and run and guns.
Games used to be built with particular platforms in mind, which is why SEGA and SNES game are VASTLY different with few exceptions. A game plays best on that hardware, pure and simple. On the system the game was paired with at conception.
Exploring the New World on Nintendo Switch. Currently Playing: Zelda BOTW, Octopath Traveler, Sonic Mania, Yoku's Island Express, Mega Man 11. Currently Watching: Marble Hornets, Luther, Black Mirror, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 5. Currently Reading: Influence by Robert Cialdini.
5:27 pm
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May 12, 2012
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I never owned a sega system untill early 2011, i think. I dont remember when i imported my genesis to be honest. But the dreamcast always interested me. Ive never owned one, and ive never planned to get one really. Maybe if a deal comes along down the road. But i dont think its overrated. more like underrated. I believe it was officially supported only for 2 years, and people still make NEW games for it. Not just releasing scrapped games, or porting something, but actual newly developed games. Most other older consoles gets recycled games at best as “new games”. So whilst i dont know enough about it to say if it was great or bad, i do believe it has earned its place in the history books of gaming, because of the modem, online gameplay and other innovations it was the first, or one of the first, to introduce to gamers.
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3:22 am
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February 11, 2012
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I liked the Dreamcat because I think it was the first system to make 3D games look really good. Looking at it now, many of the N64 and Playstation’s 3D graphics didn’t age very well and looked a bit off even back then. I still think Sonic Adventure looks good today.
Secondly, there are a lot of quality games for the system, it’s easy to play games from other countries, and like grimm mentioned, people are still developing games for it now.
Lastly the system will be famous for being among the first to allow online multiplayer to the masses.
Also, I never had a problem with the controller. I didn’t have a problem with the N64 controller either. Go figure.
8:02 am
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August 21, 2012
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Masamune said
I liked the Dreamcat because I think it was the first system to make 3D games look really good. Looking at it now, many of the N64 and Playstation’s 3D graphics didn’t age very well and looked a bit off even back then. I still think Sonic Adventure looks good today.Secondly, there are a lot of quality games for the system, it’s easy to play games from other countries, and like grimm mentioned, people are still developing games for it now.
Lastly the system will be famous for being among the first to allow online multiplayer to the masses.
Also, I never had a problem with the controller. I didn’t have a problem with the N64 controller either. Go figure.
The DC controller actually isn’t too bad at all. Sure it felt impractical playing fighters with it (for me, at least), but for the most part, many DC games that I’ve played work fine with it. I kinda wish there was a 2nd analog stick though.
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10:32 am
July 27, 2012
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The Dreamcast was the last true otaku machine, it seems. Actually, there are a lot of comparisons to the 360, and it has more or less taken over the spot that the Dreamcast once held.
In case anyone doesn’t know this, the Megadrive (Genesis) was not a big success in Japan. Before the Super Famicom came along, the PC Engine (Turbografx 16) had established itself as the primary 16-bit system in Japan, and it enjoyed quite a lot of popularity as the Famicom grew older. In the same way, the Genesis was released as the “next best thing” in the US, and it became the primary 16-bit console until the SNES came along. Nintendo’s cutthroat business stipulations strangled the Turbografx, so it never became popular in America. So while in the US, it was the NES -> Genesis/SNES, in Japan it was the NES ->PC Engine -> Super Famicom. Sega of America then became overrun by the Lizard People or something, and they started making some real dumb decisions, like pushing out the 32X right before the Sega Saturn was released. The Saturn flopped in the US, while it thrived in Japan for years. In fact, I remember in ’98 when I first visited Japan, I saw larger Saturn game sections than for the N64.
So while the Saturn was a success in Japan, the Dreamcast suddenly wasn’t. I guess everyone was Playstation crazy by that time. Removing two buttons from the Saturn analog controller and making it the DC controller didn’t help either, I bet. Regardless, even though it didn’t have many RPGs (although the ones on it were fantastic), the DC had so many great games for it. It became the de-facto console for shmups (and the PS2 eventually became that until the 360 was released), it had great racing games, an awesome number of fighting games (especially thanks to Capcom and SNK), great action games, and most importantly, the DC wasn’t afraid to innovate with some very wild games. Space Channel 5, Rez, Samba de Amigo, Seaman (although I never played it), Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, and so many other great games I can’t think of.
In many ways, the DC was ahead of its time. The VMU was great, but it ate CR2032 batters like crazy. The console was the first to introduce online gaming, although it was at a time when everyone was still using dialup Internet connections and the console lacked a hard drive.
The Dreamcast was just so very, very fun and I loved it. While Sega of America did get better once they canned Bernie Stolar, there are still many great games that never made it into English.
5:01 pm
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May 12, 2012
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Didnt actually the genesis start the online console gaming with that modem it had? i know it was primarily used for the sega channel, but i want to remember you could use it for dailup online gaming too? I could definetly be wrong though.
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9:14 am
July 27, 2012
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Ah, you’re right. The network for the Genesis was only available in places like California, IIRC. The Saturn had a modem too (called the Netlink), and a few games like Virtual On supported it. Nobody really used those services. In Japan, the Super Famicom had the BSX Satellaview, with which some games were broadcast via satellite for downloading in interval chunks. (There was even a Zelda game exclusive to this service.) The Dreamcast’s online gaming service was the first to have any sort of mild success, though. Even though it eventually had a broadband adapter for a LAN cable though, it was still ahead of its time.
8:55 am
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May 23, 2012
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I like the Dreamcast, miles better then the Saturn. I bought one a few months back. Really nice machine and the pads are good too.
12:52 pm
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May 12, 2012
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About the satellaview, ive been hunting one down for quite a while now.. If you ever come across one greg, thats in good cosmetic shape and working order (as much as it can with the service having been discontinued) for a good price over there in japan, let me know?
I have one of the games that used to be exclusive for the satellaview, but later got an official cartridge release in 98.. Sutte Hakkun. A cute and difficult puzzler… Sorry for sidetracking again but had to comment on the satellaview.
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2:49 pm
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May 23, 2012
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Haven’t played Sutte Hakkun Grimm but since I knew of it, which is like 3 or 4 yrs ago it’s price has shot up. To think I baulked at paying £30 for it complete and now….. 
Satellaview has always interested me and it would be nice to own but it’s very expensive and doesn’t operate so priorities don’t see it coming to my address any time soon. Always liked the look of that Mario Exitebike game for it though, that would of been a hoot!
10:56 am
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February 12, 2013
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What made the DC so great is that it had a ton of high-quality releases in a very short time span (around 2 years outside Japan). Many of these games were very innovative and original (Jet Grind Radio, Seaman, Shenmue, etc., etc.).
It was also the first console to do online right.
The DC was very special when it was “alive” since it offered a lot of new and creative experiences that you really couldn’t get anywhere else. We’ll probably never see a system with as many innovative games as the DC; it’s just too risky these days.
In hindsight, the DC is still a fun platform, but to the TC’s point, many of it’s best games have already been ported. That’s not a knock on its library (which is still stellar), but the DC doesn’t offer much you can’t find elsewhere in 2013.
In 2000? Now that was a different story…
Now playing: SNES - Phalanx, R-Type III, Genesis - Bio Hazard Battle, PS3 - Dragon's Crown
12:02 pm
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February 12, 2013
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the Dreamcast had so many obscure games, and it was very well ahead of its time. it is relatively easy to collect games for, because a lot of them are not too expensive. I think it was Sega’s best console, even though it is probably what made them go under as a company. the Sonic Adventure games are probably my favorite, Power Stone was a great series as well. I remember playing House of the Dead on it, it was awesome. really the fighting games genre was strong point in my opinion. so many awesome fighting games to choose from really that are still played today competitively.
sure some of the games have been ported to other consoles and the computer, but that goes the same for a lot of the old school systems.
12:22 pm
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February 12, 2013
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t3tr1s said
the Dreamcast had so many obscure games, and it was very well ahead of its time. it is relatively easy to collect games for, because a lot of them are not too expensive. I think it was Sega’s best console, even though it is probably what made them go under as a company. the Sonic Adventure games are probably my favorite, Power Stone was a great series as well. I remember playing House of the Dead on it, it was awesome. really the fighting games genre was strong point in my opinion. so many awesome fighting games to choose from really that are still played today competitively.sure some of the games have been ported to other consoles and the computer, but that goes the same for a lot of the old school systems.
It’s amazing Capcom hasn’t done anything with the Power Stone franchise. The second game especially is a great format. It would really lend itself well to a Smash Bros style company mascot game.
Now playing: SNES - Phalanx, R-Type III, Genesis - Bio Hazard Battle, PS3 - Dragon's Crown
12:16 pm
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January 18, 2013
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Not that I’ve particularly looked into it since I last watched “Icons” on G4TV, but here’s what I recollect about the Dreamcast:
- unprecedented 128-bit capabilities
- online support (you’re right about that, grimm and Masamune)
- great third-party support (Capcom’s best output since the Super Nintendo, but I could be wrong)
- a killer marketing campaign, leading up to its debut at least (9/9/99, anyone?)
I also think what worked in the Dreamcast’s favor was that the PlayStation 2’s immediate game lineup sucked (or so I’ve heard).
12:49 pm
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February 12, 2013
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Those points are pretty on the money, with the exception of third party support which was mixed. Capcom gave the system a lot of love, but many other companies were a bit more cautious and some overlooked the system all together (notably EA).
You’re right about the DC’s lineup crushing the PS2’s launch games, but sadly this didn’t work in Sega’s favour (i.e. the general gaming public didn’t care).
Specifically, in the fall of 2000, the DC got Skies of Arcadia, Shenmue, Grandia II, Jet Grind Radio and an online Quake 3 arena. This was in addition to its existing library (MvC2, SoulCalibur, Resident Evil Code Veronica, etc.).
The PS2 on the other hand had Tekken Tag Tournament, SSX and Timesplitters 1. Tekken Tag Tournament in particular looked notably worse then SoulCalibur. Still, the PS2 was all anyone cared about that year.
Now playing: SNES - Phalanx, R-Type III, Genesis - Bio Hazard Battle, PS3 - Dragon's Crown
1:56 pm
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January 18, 2013
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You know what was a knock against the Dreamcast? It didn’t play DVDs. The PlayStation 2 did, and back when the technology was new they were the biggest-selling DVD players around.
3:12 pm
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February 12, 2013
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Absolutely! When it launched, the PS2 was the best and cheapest DVD player on the market. In its first few months, more people were using it to watch the Matrix then play Madden.
Another huge factor in the DC’s demise was piracy. The DC has the dubious honour of being one of the few disc-based systems that could play pirated games without requiring any modding (the last model of the DC corrected this, but the damage had already been done at this point).
Ease of piracy combined with the fact that most people were just starting to get internet access and CD burners around the time DC launched proved a terrible combination for Sega. DC actually had a respectable install base, but when a significant portion of the audience was downloading their games instead of buying them, what was the point?
Now playing: SNES - Phalanx, R-Type III, Genesis - Bio Hazard Battle, PS3 - Dragon's Crown
11:05 pm
February 12, 2013
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That same piracy is something that is really making the Dreamcast popular today. It is considered a retro gamers best system because you can emulate just about any preSNES video game system on it like a dream. I’ve emulated a lot of 8 bit games on my Dreamcast and they run so well and the controller works perfect for so many games.
2:47 pm
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February 11, 2012
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I didn’t know people use the Dreamcast to emulate NES games of all things. Well it’s truly an amazing system. I have one of those DC X-boot discs so I could easily play Japanese games on my North American Dreamcast.
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