Suggestions (Dreamcast)

[Raz1r]

I picked up a DC awhile ago from EB for $20 with PSO v.2, Evolution 2 and Dino crisis. I never really got around to playing it until now. I am stopping collecting for all my other systems until I feel that my Dreamcast collection is complete.

Since then my friend gave me all of his games for his DC that was sold years ago. His taste wasn't all that good, or I should say his brother's taste wasn't, since he inherited the DC when his bro bought a PS2. This is my collection so far.

Dreamcast Console
Official Sega Controller
"High Frequency" Memory card
A/V Leads + power cord

Dino Crisis (my fave in my collection)
Evolution 2: Far Off Promise
MTV Sports Skateboarding featuring Andy Macdonald
Floigan Brothers (ugh)
Ms. Pac Man Maze Madness
Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge
Sega Marine fishing (got it for $1!)
Phantasy Star Online Version 2
NFL 2K1
World Series Baseball 2K1
NBA 2K1
Sega GT

I figured I'd start off playing Dino Crisis, as I'd played the second one when I was younger and loved it. I'm about halfway through, and it is just as good as the second. Now I'd like to get some more Dreamcast stuff, but I need some guidance as to what I should buy. I love every genre besides sports (I've had quite enough of it as you can see, but I am still open to it if it's an exceptional experience) and I have quite enough RPGs on my Playstation.

Are there any hardware problems that the DC is commonly associated with? I heard about controller ports busting, or something similar. How do I keep my DC in tip-top shape?

I plan on getting a DC VGA\S-video\AV box and devoting an older 17" Dell monitor for just the Dreamcast. (It's getting a facelift too, I'm painting it to match my DC)

I'm not a huge fighting game fan, but I did like the thought of having a fight stick after playing with my Sega Genesis 6-button joystick. Are they really worth the $50? Also, should I get a mouse + keyboard so I can play Quake 3, Unreal Tournament and Outtrigger (if I can find it)? And is it worth it to buy a Lightgun just for House Of the Dead 2? Which gun should I get if it is?

And what is the best way for storing data, should I buy the actual VMU or will most 3rd-party memory cards work well as the one I am using is? Is there any difference between tremor packs and the official rumble pack?

What are good multiplayer games, are they worth buying 3 more controllers for my friends?

I am sorry for the huge wall of text, but I am really excited about getting into the Dreamcast scene and building my collection. I welcome any suggestions.

[Mozgus]

I picked up a DC awhile ago from EB for $20 with PSO v.2, Evolution 2 and Dino crisis.

Steal! Great find.

Floigan Brothers (ugh)

This game is so unfairly bashed. The only reason anyone should have any major issues with this game is if looney toons style wackiness severely annoys them. I think this game has fantastic visuals and animation, fluid controls, authentic cartoon voice acting and sound effects, and balanced item-based problem solving and exploration. Give it a chance, man.

I figured I'd start off playing Dino Crisis, as I'd played the second one when I was younger and loved it. I'm about halfway through, and it is just as good as the second.

I really wish the sequel was ported to DC. The first game is such a massive upgrade on Dreamcast over PS1. I only played for an hour so far, but I liked it.

Are there any hardware problems that the DC is commonly associated with? I heard about controller ports busting, or something similar. How do I keep my DC in tip-top shape?

Yes, thats a common issue down the road. A fix can be read about here http://devcast.dcemulation.com/mods/repair/repair.php

Also, should I get a mouse + keyboard so I can play Quake 3, Unreal Tournament and Outtrigger (if I can find it)?

Not if you can acquire them for PC, except for the DC exclusive Outtrigger. Both of those games perform better on PC and look better and still have active online communities and tons of mods. Quake 3's music was vastly improved on Dreamcast however. And does Outtrigger even support the mouse/keyboard? I haven't played in years, and for some reason I remember the game not having any real control configuration options.

And what is the best way for storing data, should I buy the actual VMU or will most 3rd-party memory cards work well as the one I am using is? Is there any difference between tremor packs and the official rumble pack?

I'd suggest the 4x mem card with PC Parallel linkup by Nexus. It's a great card, with 800 blocks, and seems very stable as long as you dont unlock the extra blocks through a homebrew method. If you're going to buy a rumble pack, try to go official. I got some unofficial brands that are very strange. They often get locked in rumble mode and dont stop rumbling until I power off.

What are good multiplayer games, are they worth buying 3 more controllers for my friends?

DC has a lot of great multiplayer titles, and you should probably be able to find official dc pads for 2.50 or so by many methods. DC thrives on multiplayer, and really wasn't built around single player experiences as much as the PS2 was. DC is honestly the best party-system I've ever owned. I've had an easy time getting friends to approach it with me.

Anyways, the very first title to buy or dl is Powerstone 2. 4 players, easy to learn, hard to master, etc. It's universally loved.

[Raz1r]

This game is so unfairly bashed. The only reason anyone should have any major issues with this game is if looney toons style wackiness severely annoys them. I think this game has fantastic visuals and animation, fluid controls, authentic cartoon voice acting and sound effects, and balanced item-based problem solving and exploration. Give it a chance, man.

Floigan Brothers is just too over-the-top for me I guess. I will give it a chance though, seeing as I'm only about 30 minutes in.

I really wish the sequel was ported to DC. The first game is such a massive upgrade on Dreamcast over PS1. I only played for an hour so far, but I liked it.

Are the Resident Evil ports as well done as Dino Crisis? I have RE2 for PS1 but I figured I'd pick up RE3 if it was better on the DC. And No, I don't have a Gamecube.

I'd suggest the 4x mem card with PC Parallel linkup by Nexus. It's a great card, with 800 blocks, and seems very stable as long as you dont unlock the extra blocks through a homebrew method. If you're going to buy a rumble pack, try to go official. I got some unofficial brands that are very strange. They often get locked in rumble mode and dont stop rumbling until I power off.

I don't have a Parallel port on my PC. Could I buy a PCI Parallel card for my PC and have it work then?


I plan on getting an Agetec stick, what is an easily approachable fighter that I could play with both a controller or a stick?

[Mozgus]

Are the Resident Evil ports as well done as Dino Crisis? I have RE2 for PS1 but I figured I'd pick up RE3 if it was better on the DC. And No, I don't have a Gamecube.

Actually, RE3 has one major flaw on dreamcast. For some reason, the backgrounds appear to be worse looking than they were on PS1. It's like they compressed them a second time in a really sloppy way. RE2 on Dreamcast however was superior to the PS1 in all ways that I could find. I completed it on both systems back to back. Also know that RE3 on PC and Gamecube recieved partially upgraded backgrounds. Basically, key noticible portions of the backgrounds were updated in 640X480 resolution, while the rest of the portions were left at 320x240. Here's a pic a took showing what I mean:

I don't have a Parallel port on my PC. Could I buy a PCI Parallel card for my PC and have it work then?

Well, there are USB adaptors out there.

I plan on getting an Agetec stick, what is an easily approachable fighter that I could play with both a controller or a stick?

Try Project Justice.

[racketboy]

I plan on getting an Agetec stick, what is an easily approachable fighter that I could play with both a controller or a stick?

Try Project Justice.

Soul Calibur and Virtua Fighter 3tb would fit in with those requirements as well.
Actually, I like VF3 better with the gamepad as the dodging seems more logical with the triggers.

BTW, awesome job with the responses, Mozgus!

[tHePhAnToM!??!]

Suggestion??? Almost every game you can find for the dreamcast get it. nah just kiddin. Definitely get project justice if you can. It really depends on what type of game you like. My wife and I love playing armada. I just got a kick out of playing Speed Devils. And MDK2 is always a good time. There is Sword of Berserk, Record of Lodoss War, Fatal Fury :Mark of the Wolves, Star Wars Pod Racer, Fur Fighters, Ecco, Samba De Amigo, Power Stone 1 and 2, Skies of Arcadia, Timestalkers, Grandia 2, Toy Commander, Mortal Kombat Gold, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Shenmue 1 and 2, Spawn in the Demon's Hand is a pretty nice multiplayer game, Capcom vs SNK, Marvel vs Capcom 1 and 2, Headhunter is not bad. There are a lot of games out there for the Dreamcast that were really good. O and Vitual On and Jet Grind Radio are a must. AND try to get the best accessories for the system as you can. A lot of the official ones are being taken right now and it blows.

[Raz1r]

Ok, so I've kind of figured out a list of stuff I want to get.

DC VGA Box
VMU
Official Rumble Pack (Do the Jap ones work ok? I thought I saw some on Play-Asia)
Fight Stick
2 Official Controllers

Shenmue
Soul Calibur / Dead Or Alive 2
Jet Grind Radio
Project Justice (If I can find it for cheap)
Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram
Ecco The Dolphin (Always wanted to try an Ecco game, how is the genny version?)
Giga Wing, Cannon Spike or Armada
and Resident Evil 2/3/CV if I can find it for cheap

Does that pretty much cover every genre to start with?

[GSZX1337]

(Always wanted to try an Ecco game, how is the genny version?)

The Genesis version was great! I played it when I was a lad. Fun times, fun times.

[Ivo]

(Always wanted to try an Ecco game, how is the genny version?)

The Genesis version was great! I played it when I was a lad. Fun times, fun times.

The Genesis game is excellent, although I think its fair to say it isn't for everyone.

I haven't played the DC one, but it is bound to be quite different even if only due to the jump to 3D. Should be a good game though (I'm trying to get it myself).

Ivo.

[Ivo]

A quick search revealed no Nexus memory cards for the Dreamcast. At least not in the UK ebay. Is there any advice on where to find these things? I found it on a shop called consoles and gadgets for some 15 GBP, 18 GBP with the cable (about 30 and 37 bucks respectively).

Does that seem the usual price or should I keep looking?

Ivo.