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Sega Dreamcast

Sega Dreamcast (DC) was the first of the sixth generation consoles. It was also the last console that Sega created. It was released on September 9, 1999, and was discontinued on March 10, 2001. New games were made for it through 2007, though. 730 games have been released so far. Dreamcast was innovative in a few ways. For one, it was the first console to come with a modem, and it had many games that were playable online. It's controller allowed you to insert a VMU, or Visual Memory Unit, which provided memory for game saves, but also provided a separate LCD screen that could be used by the game to display information. DC games tend to look much better than PS2 games, but not quite as good as Xbox games. The DC has a design flaw that makes it fun to own. Without modification, it can play games off of CD-Rs. Commercial games were on GD-ROMs, which were CDs that could hold 1.2GB of data. Some games don't use all of that space, so they copy to CD-Rs quite well. Other games require music and movies to be downsampled or removed in order to fit. But many games are playable off of CD-Rs, which means you can enjoy most of the DC library of games even if you can't find the originals.

Specifications
CPU: SH-4 RISC CPU, 200 MHz, 360 MIPS, 1.4 GFLOPS
Graphics: PowerVR2, 7 million polygons per second
System RAM: 16 MB
Video RAM: 8 MB
Sound RAM: 2 MB
Resolution: 640 × 480, 32-bit color (16.8 million colors), VGA capable
Sound: 64 channels, XG MIDI
Media: GD-ROM, 12x, 1.2GB capacity
Interface: 4 controllers, expansion slot for 56K modem or LAN adapter
Price: $199 at launch, $49.99 after production ceased

102 Dalmatians
Genre: 3D Platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Comic Mischief
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

From Insomniac, the people that brought us the Spyro games. This game plays a lot like a less-polished Spyro game. It has pretty much nothing to do with the movie other than the characters, which is fine. I enjoyed playing it. It's one of the better 3D platformers on DC.


18 Wheeler
Genre: Racing
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This game, which is a port from the arcades, has you hauling cargo from one point to the other with a time limit. You have a rival that is trying to beat you to your destination, and lots of zany things happen along the way. It's pretty fun.


4 Wheel Thunder
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Race 4-wheel-drive trucks rally-style. It kind of reminds me of the old arcade game Off Road.


4x4 Evolution
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

Race ATVs. It didn't really do it for me.


Aerowings
Genre: Flight Sim
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

This game has you performing acrobatics in your plane to complete missions. The difficulty level is pretty high.


Aerowings 2
Genre: Flight Sim
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

I enjoyed this game more than the first. Probably because the difficulty level was reduced, and combat was included.


Air Force Delta
Genre: Flight Sim
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is pretty much the best combat flight sim on DC.


Alien Front Online
Genre: Action
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

Drive a tank around and take out aliens. That's about it. I have no idea what the "Online" part was about. It couldn't have been more than deathmatch with tanks.


Armada
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is a free-roaming, top-down shooter. You have to accomplish goals in an area, and then you can go to a map of the galaxy and move to other planets where there are further goals to accomplish. This game can be played co-op with up to 4 people. Cool!


Army Men:Sarge's Heroes
Genre: Action
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: T for Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

I know there have been a lot of Army Men games, but this is the only one on DC. I enjoyed playing it. You control your green army men to defeat the tan army men. Everything is done from a third-person perspective.


Atari Anniversary Collection
Genre: Arcade
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This includes these Atari arcade games: Asteroids, Battlezone, Crystal Castles, Gravitar, Millipede, Super Breakout, Tempest and Warlords. If you don't have MAME on a computer somewhere, this isn't a bad emulation. It saves your high scores to you memory card, which is nice.


BANG! Gunship Elite
Genre: Action
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is a space-based combat flight simulator. It's not as good as Starlancer, but it's pretty fun.


Bangaio
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence, Mild Language
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is a good vertical-scrolling shoot-em-up.


Blue Stinger
Genre: Action/Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Animated Blood, Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This game is played in a third-person perspective like Tomb Raider. The genre is kind of survival horror, but doesn't have much of an atmosphere.


Bomberman Online
Genre: Action
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E for Mild Violence
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

I like Bomberman games, and this one is no exception. The gameplay is simple. You try to lay bombs down in such a way that they will detonate on the other players. But you usually have to bomb your way through obstacles to get to the other players. There are many power-ups available that add to the fun. Sometimes the biggest challenge is to not blow yourself up! Great party game.


Border Down
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

A nice scrolling shoot-em-up.


Bust-A-Move 4
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

Bust-A-Move on any platform is always a favorite of mine. It's a great puzzle game. It's fun to play single-player or against another human or CPU player. The gameplay involves shooting colored balls up to the top of the screen in order to get at least 3 of the same color together. The balls will pile up, and if they reach the bottom of the screen, you lose. Highly recommended.


Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
Genre: Action
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 1 out of 4 stars

The gameplay is from a third-person perspective, kind of like Toy Story: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue, but the gameplay is on rails instead of free-roaming, kind of like the old Crash Bandicoot games. I found the gameplay confusing and highly difficult. It's clearly supposed to be a game for kids, but no human kid will be able to finish even the first level. Probably no adult either (I couldn't).


Cannon Spike
Genre: Action Shooter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This game is similar to Ikari Warriors, Commando, Contra III:Alien Wars or Expendable. You control your character in an isometric perspective, and shoot everything that moves. You can choose from a variety of Capcom characters, like Mega-Man, or Arthur from Ghouls 'n' Ghosts.


Capcom vs. SNK 2: Millionaire Fighting 2001
Genre: 2D Fighter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Violence, Suggestive Themes
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

This is an outstanding 2D fighter combining characters from the Street Fighter, King of Fighters, Fatal Fury and Samurai Showdown games. It's pretty much the best 2D fighter for DC.


Carrier
Genre: Survival Horror
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Carrier takes place on an aircraft carrier, fighting mutants that are carrying a mutagen, thus a double meaning for the title. You play various characters that were separated at the beginning of the game in a surprise attack.


Centipede
Genre: Action
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

3D update to the classic arcade game. I don't usually like updates to classic games, but this one is pretty fun.


Championship Surfer
Genre: Sports
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
Score: 1 out of 4 stars

This game was difficult and boring. Don't bother.


Chaos Field
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Fantasy Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Another fun vertical-scrolling shoot-em-up.


Charge 'n' Blast
Genre: Action Shooter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

Another action shooter like Ikari Warriors or Commando with 3D graphics, but this one is really hard.


Chu Chu Rocket
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

This is a great puzzle game for parties. You lay down arrows to help direct your mice away from the cats and into the rockets. When playing multiplayer, you can put down arrows to misdirect your opponents mice. Fun stuff!


Chicken Run
Genre: Action/Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Comic Mischief
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Play as various characters in the movie to help them collect all the parts to make contraptions that will help them escape the farm. You have to avoid dogs and humans and other traps along the way. It's played in a third-person isometric point of view. It follows the movie plot, has cut scenes from the movie, and is a lot of fun.


Conflict Zone
Genre: Strategy
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

This is a modern combat strategy game. It suffers from the fact that it is a PC port to DC. The game is sluggish. The gameplay was also not very interesting. Also, it requires the full 128K of a memory card to save!


Cool Cool Tune
Genre: Music
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This Japanese game plays like Parappa the Rapper or Dance Dance Revolution. You have to move your controller and press buttons in sequence to the music. Even though the text is all Japanese, it's playable.


Cosmic Smash
Genre: Sports
Players: 1
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This Japanese game combines racquetball and breakout. It's fun, and can be played if you don't know Japanese.


Crazy Taxi
Genre: Racing Action
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Mild Animated Violence, Strong Language
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Pick up passengers and deliver them to their destination on time to earn money and increase the time on the clock. This game would be nearly perfect, if not for the harsh language and background song lyrics. You can't turn it off, either.


Crazy Taxi 2
Genre: Racing Action
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Mild Lyrics, Mild Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

It's like the first game, but with new locations, and you can now carry more than one passenger. It's ruined again by the harsh language and song lyrics. Boo!


Dave Mirra BMX
Genre: Sports
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Mild Language
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

It's kind of like Tony Hawk, but on bicycles, and not as fun.


Daytona USA 2001
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

It's a good game, but you just drive your car in oval tracks, which I find boring. But the presentation is good, and this is apparently one of the best oval racers out there.


Dead or Alive 2
Genre: 3D Fighting
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T Animated Violence, Suggestive Themes
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

I would have like the game more if not for the boob physics (although they are thankfully more subtle than in the first game), skimpy clothing and gratuitous panty shots. The intro movie has bare breasts in one scene. The gameplay is great, though. Fun fighter.


Deep Fighter
Genre: Action
Players: 1
ESRB: T Animated Blood, Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Pilot a submarine in third person to accomplish various goals.


Demolition Racer: No Exit
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

The gameplay focuses on damaging the other cars. I found the gameplay and controls pretty bad, though.


Dino Crisis
Genre: Survival Horror
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

I don't play a lot of survival horror, but I enjoyed this one. It kind of feels like Jurassic Park but on a larger scale, and more scary.


Disney's Dinosaur
Genre: Action
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is an isometric-perspective action/adventure/puzzle game. Although aimed at kids, I can't see a kid being able to play it successfully.


Draconus: Cult of the Wyrm
Genre: Action/Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Blood, Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is a hack 'n' slash with adventure elements. It's fun.


Dragon Riders - Chronicles of Pern
Genre: Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Violence
Score: 1 out of 4 stars

The game is very slow paced, and you'd think that a game called Dragon Riders would have you riding dragons, but it doesn't. Avoid.


Dynamite Cop
Genre: Beat 'em Up
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Violence, Suggestive Themes
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

Dynamite Cop is like a modern Double Dragon or Final Fight. It has nice graphics and good gameplay.


Ecco the Dolphin
Genre: Action Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Blood
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

Although the graphics and controls are great, I couldn't figure out what to do. If your goal is to control a dolphin swimming around in third-person perspective, then you'll enjoy this game. If you want to PLAY something, then this game isn't for you.


EGG: Elemental Gimmick Gear
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

This is a more traditional 2D turn-based RPG, similar to the Lunar games, and with amazing graphics. However, the gameplay is quite difficult. You'll have to level up a LOT in order to fight bosses.


ESPN International Track and Field
Genre: Sports
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Plays like an updated Decathlon or Track and Field, complete with button mashing. Good for parties. Way better than Virtua Athlete 2K.


Expendable
Genre: Action Shooter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

Like an updated Ikari Warriors or Commando set in the future, but the high difficulty level ruins it.


Fatal Fury: Mark of the Wolves
Genre: 2D Fighter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T Suggestive Themes, Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

A fun 2D fighter. AKA Garou: Mark of the Wolves.


Fighting Force 2
Genre: Beat 'em Up
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Blood, Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Plays like Double Dragon or Final Fight, but with modern 3D graphics.


Fighting Vipers 2
Genre: 3D Fighter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This Japanese 3D fighter is pretty fun, but is not the best.


Floigan Brothers
Genre: Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Comic Mischief, Mild Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

I enjoyed this puzzle-heavy action/adventure game. You control the two brothers to solve various puzzles. It's a bit short, though.


Frame Gride
Genre: Action
Players: 1
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This Japanese game has you controlling a mech and fighting other mechs. Pretty fun, but all the text is Japanese.


Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge
Genre: Action
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Here's another surprisingly good update to a classic game. I really enjoyed playing it.


Fur Fighters
Genre: 3D Platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Violence, Comic Mischief, Suggestive Themes
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

I really enjoyed this game. The controls take some getting used to, but once you master them, the gameplay is great. It involves switching between characters to solve puzzles and rescue the babies of the same species as your current character. The T rating is heavily exaggerated. It's no more violent than a Bugs Bunny cartoon.


Gauntlet Legends
Genre: Action
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: T for Animated Blood, Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is a port straight from the arcades. It plays like the older Gauntlet games, but with much improved graphics.


Giga Wing
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is an arcade port. It's a vertical shooter. A nice feature of this game is the 2-player co-op.


Giga Wing 2
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E for Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This vertical shooter sequel, and also an arcade port, is more of the same, but now adding up to 4-player co-op.


Godzilla Generations: Maximum Impact
Genre: 3D Shooter
Players: 1
ESRB: N/A
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

It's a Japanese, on-rails 3D shooter starring Godzilla. You play from a third-person isometric perspective. It didn't capture my interest.


Grandia 2
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Mild Animated Violence, Mild Language
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

This is one of the two great RPGs for Dreamcast. Unlike its 2D predecessor, this one is fully 3D. The graphics are awesome, and so is the music. The storyline has a lot of religion and mythology in it, and has a lot of depth. It kept me hooked all the way to the end. Highly recommended.


Guilty Gear X
Genre: 2D Fighting
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Blood, Violence
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

This is a great 2D fighter that includes the use of weapons.


Gun Bird 2
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Mild Animated Violence, Suggestive Themes
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is an arcade port of a pretty zany vertical shooter.


Gundam Side Story 0079
Genre: FPS
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Control a mech to battle and complete objectives.


Half-Life
Genre: FPS
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Animated Blood, Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This never-released port from the PC is obviously better on the PC (better graphics, better control), but it's still a great game.


Headhunter
Genre: Action Shooter
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Blood, Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Similar to Metal Gear Solid or Syphon Filter, this game was never released in the US. I enjoyed it.


Heavy Metal:Geomatrix
Genre: 3D Fighter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: M for Blood, Strong Lyrics, Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

This is a 3D fighter with weapons. There is a gratuitous amount of gore, and the heavy metal music is just grating.


Hello Kitty Waku Waku Cookies
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1
ESRB: N/A
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

The game is entirely in Japanese, which makes it tough to figure out.


Hidden and Dangerous
Genre: Action Shooter
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Animated Blood, Animated Violence
Score: 1 out of 4 stars

Walk your guy for several minutes until you finally find combat. Get killed in one shot before you can even lift your gun. Repeat. Dismal game.


Hydro Thunder
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

Perfect port of the arcade game. The gameplay involves racing speedboats. Too bad the DC version doesn't support 4 players like N64.


Ikaruga
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E for Violence
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

Awesome arcade port of a vertical shooter. It has interesting dark/light gameplay, and has 2-player co-op. Amazing graphics. Recommended.


Illbleed
Genre: Survival Horror
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Blood and Gore, Mature Sexual Themes, Violence
Score: 1 out of 4 stars

Interesting concept, but poorly executed. The gameplay and controls leave much to be desired. Avoid.


Incoming
Genre: Action
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Mild Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

This is a first-person helicopter sim. Not very fun, though.


Industrial Spy: Operation Espionage
Genre: Action
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

This game has you controlling multiple characters to solve puzzles to get through the levels. It has a great premise, but it is poorly executed. Not much fun.


Iron Aces
Genre: Flight Sim
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

WWII-themed combat flight sim.


Jeremy McGrath Supercross 2000
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

I suppose they tried to make up for the lack of fun by giving it a lengthy title. It's dirt bike racing, but it's pretty bland.


Jet Grind Radio
Genre: Action
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Violence, Mild Language
Score: 1 out of 4 stars

I just couldn't enjoy this game. The whole point is to be a juvenile delinquent, riding around on your skateboard and painting graffiti everywhere while avoiding police. All this while accompanied by music with offensive lyrics. Pass.


Jimmy White's Cueball 2
Genre: Sports
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

It has a clunky interface, awkward controls and choppy framerate. But it's the only pool game for DC.


JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Genre: 2D Fighting
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Violence, Suggestive Themes
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

This 2D fighter includes two games, which are ports of arcade games. The games are based on the manga/anime series of the same name featuring people with unique capabilities that fight each other. I didn't find either game very fun, though. Seemed pretty mediocre.


Kao the Kangaroo
Genre: 3D Platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 1 out of 4 stars

Terrible controls and boring gameplay make this game one to avoid.


King of Fighters 2002
Genre: 2D Fighter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Blood, Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

I personally prefer the Street Fighter series, but this is a great 2D fighter. The text is all Japanese, but it is still playable.


Last Blade 2: Heart of the Samurai
Genre: 2D Fighter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

2D fighting with weapons.


Looney Tunes Space Race
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is similar to Mario Kart, but has you flying hovercraft with Looney Tunes characters.


Macross M3
Genre: Flight Sim
Players: 1
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This Japanese game has you piloting a Veritech fighter, and features Max and Miria from the anime.


Mag Force Racing
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

This game feels a lot like the Wipeout series, but not as fun. The interface is somewhat clunky as well.


Maken X
Genre: FPS
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

I suppose calling it a First Person Shooter is a bit off, since it involves swords. It's an interesting game.


Mars Matrix
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Another arcade conversion vertical shooter. Challenging gameplay.


Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
Genre: 2D Fighting
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Blood, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Pit the characters of Capcom games (Street Fighter, Darkstalkers, Mega Man, Resident Evil, Star Gladiator, Cyberbots, Strider, Captain Commando, SonSon) against characters from Marvel Comics (X-Men, Avengers, Spider-Man, Ghost Rider, Fantastic Four, Doctor Strange, Cable, Marrow). It's over-the-top fun.


Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX
Genre: Sports
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E for Blood, Mild Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

It's Tony Hawk with bicycles. But it's better than Dave Mirra BMX.


MDK 2
Genre: FPS
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Blood, Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is a fun and silly FPS starting some wacky characters. Definitely an entertaining game. But I prefer the PC version due to better controls (mouse/keyboard is the best choice for FPS).


Metropolis Street Racer
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

Street racing in London, San Francisco and Tokyo. It's the prequel to the Project Gotham Racing series on Xbox and Xbox 360. Great graphics and gameplay. Lengthy game.


Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits Volume 1
Genre: Arcade
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Includes the following Midway arcade games: Joust, Defender, Defender 2, Robotron 2084, Sinistar and Bubbles.


Midway's Greatest Arcade Hits Volume 2
Genre: Arcade
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Blood, Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Includes the following Midway arcade games: 720, Spy Hunter, Gauntlet, Rampage, Paperboy, Moon Patrol.


Mr. Driller
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is an action puzzle game staring the son of the main character in Dig-Dug. Your goal is to drill down to the bottom while avoiding the falling bricks from above. It's not a great game, but it's entertaining to play for a few minutes.


Ms. Pac-Man Maze Madness
Genre: Action
Players: 4
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Another fun classic arcade updated. This adds a storyline. Pretty fun.


Namco Museum
Genre: Arcade
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Includes the following Namco arcade games: Dig-Dug, Galaga, Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaxian, Pole Position.


Next Tetris, The
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Tetris with some slight improvements, like 2-player modes.


Ooga Booga
Genre: Fighting Action
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E for Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

Deathmatch in large 3D arenas with a Hawaiian theme. It didn't capture my interest.


Outtrigger
Genre: FPS
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

It's a fairly generic FPS.


Pen Pen TriIceLon
Genre: Sports
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Penguin-like characters called Pen Pens have a triathlon-type competition in the snow and ice, thus the name Pen Pen TriIceLon. It's pretty fun, and good for parties.


Plasma Sword 2
Genre: 2D Fighting
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This Japanese 2D fighter with 3D graphics features weapon combat.


Plus Plumb
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: N/A
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

This Japanese involves dropping colored plums on to a balance at the bottom of the screen. If the balance tips all the way to one side or the other, you lose. Placing 3 of the same color plum together causes them to disappear, but causes surrounding plums to change to that color. It's a slight twist on Puyo Puyo, but it didn't do it for me.


POD SpeedZone
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

This is a futuristic racing game that is ruined by poor controls and difficult game play. Your cars are hard to control, and it is way too easy to crash.


Power Stone 2
Genre: Fighting
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This game is great for parties! You can have up to 4 people fighting in large 3D arenas. Everything is shown from a third-person perspective. You can pick up many power-ups to use during your battles. Fun stuff.


Pro Pinball Trio
Genre: Pinball
Players: 1
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

A fairly decent pinball game with 3 tables.


Project Justice - Rival Schools 2
Genre: 2D Fighting
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Violence, Suggestive Themes
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This game has a very anime feel about it. It also doesn't take itself very seriously. Characters often have special moves that relate to their favorite class in school or sports. It's a fun game.


Psychic Force 2012
Genre: 3D Fighting
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This fighting game separates itself from others by having your characters floating in the air as they fight.


Psyvariar 2
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Yet another arcade port of a vertical shooter.


Puyo Puyo 4
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This Japanese puzzle game, AKA Puyo Puyon (yon=4 in Japanese), has you dropping pairs of colored balls from the top of the screen to the pile below. If you put 4 or more of the same color together, they disappear.


Puyo Puyo Da
Genre: Music
Players: 1
ESRB: N/A
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

This Japanese music game is similar to Parappa the Rapper, but starring characters from the Puyo Puyo games. It isn't very good, though.


Puyo Puyo Fever
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This Japanese puzzle game, called Puyo Pop Fever in its U.S. release on GC and DS, is the sequel to Puyo Puyo 4. The main addition it brings to the game is Fever mode, which happens when you get rid of enough garbage puyos, and causes a special attack of puyos on your opponent. The special attack is different for each character.


Puzzle Fighter 2X
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: N/A
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

This Japanese puzzle game, called Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo in the U.S., is an awesome puzzle game starring characters from various Capcom fighting games, such as Street Fighter and Darkstalkers. The title is a joke making fun of the lengthy Street Fighter titles. There were no previous versions of the game. It involves colored gems falling from the top of the screen and piling up on the bottom. Similar colored gems can merge together to create larger gems. Occasionally, a crash gem will fall. It will cause all gems of the same color to disappear when touched. Eliminating gems causes attacks against your opponent. The attack is increased if there are many gems together, or many merged gems. The attack causes gems to fall in a certain pattern on your opponent. The pattern varies between characters. Attacks are accompanied by fighting animations between the super-deformed, ultra-cute depictions of the characters on the screen. It's extremely fun. Highly recommended.


Q*Bert
Genre: Action
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is another fun update of an arcade classic. The gameplay of the classic is expanded in this game. I enjoyed it.


Quake 3 Arena
Genre: FPS
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: M for Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is a great conversion, and I like the 4-player mode, but you're better off playing it on a PC.


Radilgy
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Yet another Japanese arcade vertical shooter ported to DC.


Rainbow Cotton
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1
ESRB: N/A
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

This Japanese 3D shooter on rails features a cute witch named Cotton, and is one of a series of Cotton games. I found the gameplay to be pretty tricky.


Rainbow Six: Rogue Spear
Genre: FPS
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
Score: 1 out of 4 stars

This PC port suffered in the process. It takes forever to load, and the gameplay is quite choppy. I found it too annoying to play.


Rayman 2: The Great Escape
Genre: 3D Platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Mild Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is a fun 3D platformer. It's not great, but it is fun.


Re-Volt
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This racer features RC cars with weapons. The locations and gameplay make it a lot of fun, especially with multiple players.


Red Dog
Genre: Action
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

Drive a futuristic tank in third-person perspective over hilly terrain and complete objectives. I wasn't very impressed.


Rez
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Mild Violence
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

This is an amazing game. It's a third-person 3D shooter on rails with amazing graphics and interactive music. You'll need to crank up the stereo. Sadly, it was never released in the US, but this version is superior to the PS2 version that did get a US release. Challenging but fun.


Ring, The
Genre: Survival Horror
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

Pretty bad game with a corny premise. There was a Japanese movie about an 8mm movie that would curse anyone who watched it with death. In this game, there is a computer virus with the same effect. Blah.


Rippin' Riders
Genre: Sports
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is a fun snowboarding game, but it is no SSX.


Sakura Taisen: Hanagumi Taisen Columns 2
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This Japanese puzzle game is Columns with a storyline. The text is all in Japanese, but the game is playable.


San Francisco Rush 2049
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

An excellent port of the arcade game. Good fun.


Sega GT
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Plays like Gran Turismo, but not quite as good.


Sega Rally 2
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Rally car racing on dirt tracks. Pretty good.


Sega Smash Pack Vol. 1
Genre: Emulation
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

Has the following Sega Genesis games: Altered Beast, Columns, Golden Axe, Phantasy Star II, Revenge of Shinobi, Sega Swirl (DC bonus game), Shining Force, Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage 2, Vectorman, Virtua Cop 2, Wrestle War. There are better homebrew Genesis emulators out there now.


Shenmue
Genre: Action Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Violence, Strong Language, Use of Tobacco and Alcohol
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This adventure game takes place in modern day Japan. The main character is trying to find who murdered his father. This was supposed to be the first of a series of games. The gameplay is pretty slow-paced, so I never got into it, but it is an outstanding game.


Shenmue 2
Genre: Action Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Gambling, Use of Tobacco and Alcohol, Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This sequel was never released in the US. Somehow Microsoft encouraged Sega to not release it here so people would want to purchase the Xbox version. A large sum of money surely was involved. This version is identical to the Xbox version in every way.


Shikigami no Shiro 2
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Another Japanese arcade vertical shooter port.


Skies of Arcadia
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Mild Animated Violence, Suggestive Themes
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

One of the two best RPGs on DC. It involves a group of sky pirates that end up having to save the world. The graphics, music, storyline and gameplay are outstanding. I enjoyed every aspect of this game.


Soldier of Fortune
Genre: FPS
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

Another badly done PC port that has choppy gameplay and long load times.


Sonic Adventure
Genre: 3D Platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

A 3D conversion of the classic Genesis games that fared pretty well in the process. I beat the game and enjoyed most of it.


Sonic Adventure 2
Genre: 3D Platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This sequel isn't as good as the original. You are able to play as more characters, but I found that I really didn't care about the other characters so much. Their parts were kind of boring. I also was unable to complete the game because of increased difficulty compared to the original. It's still a good game, though.


Sonic Shuffle
Genre: Party
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

Sonic Shuffle tries to be Mario Party, but falls flat. The minigames are difficult and not very fun.


Soul Calibur
Genre: 3D Fighting
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Violence, Suggestive Themes
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

Easily the best 3D fighter I have played. Soul Calibur features weapons-based combat. The graphics, sound and music are top-notch. There is a lot of polish on this game. There is a ton of stuff to do that will keep you busy a while.


Space Channel 5
Genre: Music
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Mild Animated Violence, Suggestive Themes
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

This interesting music game, which plays like Parappa the Rapper, is ruined by characters in stupidly indecent clothing. Sad.


Speed Devils
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This racing game features tracks with obstacles such as boulders and dinosaurs (yep, dinosaurs) in various exotic locations.


Spider-Man
Genre: Action Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This is a fun game that does a good job portraying Spider-Man. The game is played in the third-person perspective. The difficulty ramps up too high toward the end, though.


Sports Jam
Genre: Sports
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This Japanese game has minigames based on Baseball, Football, Basketball, Soccer and Tennis. The text is all Japanese, but it is playable.


Star Wars Demolition
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 1 out of 4 stars

Most Star War games are bad. This is certainly no exception. It isn't even remotely fun. Terrible.


Star Wars Episode 1: Jedi Power Battles
Genre: Action
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This game plays like Double Dragon or Final Fight in the Star Wars universe. Pretty fun, although not great.


Star Wars Episode 1: Racer
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

A fun racer based on the pod racing in Star Wars Episode 1.


Starlancer
Genre: Flight Sim
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

A space combat flight sim ported well from PC.


Street Fighter Alpha 3
Genre: 2D Fighting
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

A well-done arcade port of the last and best of the Street Fighter Alpha series. I still prefer the original Street Fighter 2, though.


Street Fighter III:Third Strike
Genre: 2D Fighting
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

A well-done arcade port of the last and best of the Street Fighter III series, which is the sequel to the Street Fighter Alpha series. I still prefer the original Street Fighter 2, though.


Stunt GP
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Race RC cars around stunt tracks.


Super Magnetic Neo
Genre: 3D Platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Comic Mischief
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

A platformer based on attracting or repelling with magnets. Interesting, but challenging.


Super Runabout
Genre: Racing Action
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Mild Animated Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

The controls are pretty bad, and the graphics are kind of choppy, but once I got used to it, I really enjoyed the game. But it's not for everyone.


Super Street Fighter 2X
Genre: 2D Fighting
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This Japanese game is a perfect arcade port. It's called Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo here in the US.


Surf Rocket Racer
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This plays like Hydro Thunder or Wave Race, but not as good. You race jet skis.


Suzuki Alstare Racing
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Motorcycle racing.


Sword of the Berzerk: Guts' Rage
Genre: Action Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This game has a lot of blood and gore. It also has some strong language. It does have an interesting storyline and fun gameplay, though. You control a large guy with a large sword in medieval-ish times.


Sydney 2000
Genre: Sports
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

A pretty good Olympics game with lots of button mashing.


Tech Romancer
Genre: 3D Fighting
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Fighting with mechs. By Capcom, makers of the Street Fighter games.


Tee Off Golf
Genre: Sports
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Plays like Hot Shots Golf on PS1 and PS2.


Test Drive 6
Genre: Racing
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Mild Language
Score: 1 out of 4 stars

I have never played a worse racing game. Except maybe Star Wars Demolition.


Test Drive V-Rally
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Racing with rally cars on dirt tracks. Pretty fun.


Time Stalkers
Genre: RPG
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Mild Animated Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes
Score: 1 out of 4 stars

Outdated graphics, outdated gameplay, a terribly storyline, lame characters, bad sound and music, and dungeons that are randomly generated each time you enter. And most of all, it's not fun to play.


Tokyo Extreme Racer 2
Genre: Racing
Players: 1
ESRB: E
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

Nice graphics, but the gameplay didn't capture my interested. Basically, you drive around in circles on Tokyo highways until you see an opponent. Then you race with him for a short distance on the same highway. Repeat.


Tomb Raider 4:The Last Revelation
Genre: Action Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Blood, Animated Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

Lara Croft, whose already ridiculously-oversized breasts increase in size with every sequel, doing more of the same. If Lara's body doesn't keep you from playing the game, the controls probably will.


Tomb Raider Chronicles
Genre: Action Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB: T for Animated Blood, Animated Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

More over-sized breasts and difficult controls.


Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
Genre: Sports
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Mild Animated Violence, Mild Language
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Do all the required skateboard tricks to move on to the next level. This is one of the last good Tony Hawk games before they turned "bad".


Toy Commander
Genre: Action
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Take military toys on missions in a house. You can switch between various types of toys to complete all the objectives. There are tanks, jeeps and planes. Lots of fun.


Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue
Genre: 3D Platformer
Players: 1
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Fun platformer based on characters from the second Toy Story movie. As Buzz, you have to rescue the other characters that are scattered around the house and yard.


Trickstyle
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

Racing on hoverboards, but hard to play.


Trizeal
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Yet another Japanese arcade vertical shooter port.


Twinkle Star Sprites
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This Japanese game is like a vertical shooter and puzzle game combined. If you shoot down whole groups of enemies, a fireball is sent to your opponents screen. That fireball can also be shot and reflected back.


Ultimate Fighting Championship
Genre: Fighting
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Blood, Animated Violence
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

Based on the Saturday morning TV series. Mixed martial arts fighting. It didn't capture my interests, but that's probably because I've never cared for professional wrestling, and UFC is almost worse.


Under Defeat
Genre: Shooter
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Yet another Japanese arcade vertical shooter port. This one has you flying a helicopter, and the helicopter can rotate, which is an interesting idea.


Unreal Tournament
Genre: FPS
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: M for Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

A decent port of the PC game, but as usual, it's better on PC.


Urban Chaos
Genre: Action Shooter
Players: 1
ESRB: M for Animated Blood and Gore, Animated Violence, Strong Language
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Like Ikari Warriors or Commando, everything is played from an isometric perspective.


Vanishing Point
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Another good racing game, although the handling is a bit tricky.


Vigilante 8:Second Offense
Genre: Vehicle Combat
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Plays like Twisted Metal. Drive around cars with mounted weapons in large arenas, and try to take out the other cars. The steering is a bit too sensitive.


Virtua Athlete 2K
Genre: Sports
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
Score: 2 out of 4 stars

Play track and field games with button mashing. This one is pretty hard to play, though.


Virtua Fighter 3tb
Genre: 3D Fighting
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Although the graphics are outdated, this is a good arcade port. The "tb" in the title stands for team battle.


Virtua Striker 2
Genre: Sports
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

It's soccer.


Virtua Tennis
Genre: Sports
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

You would have to play Wii Sports to get a better tennis game.


Virtua Tennis 2K2
Genre: Sports
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

Identical to the original, except it adds female players. AKA Sega Sports Tennis 2K2.


Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram
Genre: Action
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: T for Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Fly around in mechs and fight other mechs. Nice graphics.


Wacky Races
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Race with characters based on the 70s cartoon. Plays like Mario Kart.


Walt Disney World Magical Racing Tour
Genre: Racing
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E for Comic Mischief
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Race in Walt Disney World locations with Disney characters. Plays like Mario Kart.


Wetrix Plus
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

In this game, you must use falling pieces to build up or lower terrain so it will hold water.


World Series Baseball 2K2
Genre: Sports
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Although I don't play many sports games, I found this baseball game enjoyable. Nothing compares to Intellivision Major League Baseball, though.


Worms Armageddon
Genre: Action
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E for Animated Violence
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

I've enjoyed all of the Worms games since its beginning on Amiga. This is the 3rd in the series. Great for parties. You control a team of worms that can use various weapons (some quite outrageous) to take out your opponents' teams. The gameplay is quite funny.


Worms World Party
Genre: Action
Players: 1 to 4
ESRB: E for Animated Violence, Mild Language
Score: 4 out of 4 stars

This is the 4th and last of the Worms series. It's pretty much like Worms Armageddon. It added multiplayer over the Internet.


Xtreme Sports
Genre: Sports
Players: 1 or 2
ESRB: E for Mild Animated Violence
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Races with ATVs, snowboards, hang gliders and mountain bikes.


Yu Suzuki Gameworks Vol. 1
Genre: Arcade
Players: 1
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

This Japanese game includes the following arcade games: Hang On, Space Harrier, Outrun, Afterburner II and Power Drift.


Zero Gunner 2
Genre: Shooter
Players: 2
ESRB: N/A
Score: 3 out of 4 stars

Yet another Japanese arcade vertical shooter port. This one features a helicopter with rotation ability.