The 50 Best Dreamcast Games of All Time

What are the best Dreamcast games of all time?

Launched in 1998 and discontinued after only two years, the Sega Dreamcast didn’t have a long lifespan, but it did earn lifelong fans.

This is because Sega went above and beyond when it comes to incredible games on this console, and today, we’re taking a look at the top 50 Dreamcast games that stood out from all the rest.

The Best Dreamcast Games of All Time

The Dreamcast had a little bit of something for everyone, from RPG game fans to sports game fans, and we’ve rounded them all up in this article based on their popularity and sales.

Here’s our list of the 50 best Dreamcast games of all time:

50. Fur Fighters

Developed by Bizarre Creations, this game is undoubtedly bizarre but ridiculously entertaining.

Designed like your average third-person shooter, this game is characterized by its cartoonish style and its in-game world populated by adorable little animals.

However, it had plenty of cartoon-style violence as a shooter, making it equally hilarious and intense.

49. Jet Set Radio

This cel-shaded inline skating game is full of anti-establishment themes and references to Japanese pop culture.

The game’s goal is to tag walls and rival gang members with graffiti in three unique levels set throughout Tokyo.

You can also perform many cool skate tricks to earn bonus points in levels and access hard-to-reach areas.

48. Ultimate Fighting Championship

Fans of the UFC were in for a real treat with this Dreamcast game, and it was one of the most realistic fighting games of its time.

Featuring loads of professional fighters to choose from, this game was an instant hit when it was released and nearly received universal acclaim.

47. Test Drive Le Mans

This game challenges players to complete the entire 24-hour endurance course or take on individual arcade mode races across other unique courses based on the famous French race.

While the main course doesn’t take 24 hours, it features a day and night simulation and compressed time options that you can customize.

As you go through the course, your tires will gradually wear down, and your oil and fuel levels will drop, forcing you into a pit stop just like an actual race.

46. Bangai-O

Giving players control of a giant robot called Bangai-O, players have to face off against a galactic crime syndicate by blasting their way through 44 fast-paced levels.

Each level is filled with non-stop puzzles, arcade games, and towering bosses that challenge all of your gaming skills to beat.

It is easy to lose hours on this game since the action literally never stops.

45. Shenmue II

As the eagerly awaited sequel to the first game, Shenmue II is impeccably designed with open-world environments, a day and night system, epic brawler battles, numerous NPCs, and minigames.

Giving players control of Ryo Hazuki, a martial artist, as he seeks revenge for his father’s murder, the story was well-written and engaging. 

This game was ahead of its time, and even today, it holds up against some of the most popular video games right now in terms of dynamic gameplay, story, and world creation.

44. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

The third installment of the Resident Evil franchise gives players control of Jill Valentine as she attempts to escape the ruins of Racoon City.

There are ghoulish zombies around every corner in true Resident Evil fashion and new mutated threats to face off against.

The only things players can rely on are their wits and brutal force, carving their way through the hordes to discover the dark secrets hidden by the Umbrella Corporation.

43. Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike

Street Fighter is a classic fighting game series, and it has no shortage of diehard fans.

In Street Fighter III, players are treated to 18 unique brawlers and brand-new attacks to use against their competitors.

A new grading system was also created to assess players based on their performance after each battle.

Coupled with the seamless animations, fans went crazy over this game, and it remains one of the best Street Fighter titles ever made.

42. Bomberman Online

Despite its servers being shut down in 2003, fans can still play Bomberman online using one of the best Dreamcast emulators, though they will be regulated to offline play only.

In its heyday, this game had many multiplayer modes to challenge other players, but there were also several single-player levels that you could blast your way through with strategically placed bombs.

Although we miss the online fun today, it was, without a doubt, one of the best while it lasted.

41. Crazy Taxi 2

This racing game certainly is crazy, and this sequel features two new cities where players can pick people up and drop them off at their marked destinations.

Unlike the original Crazy Taxi, drivers could pick up multiple passengers, and there are new moves that players can use to save time and increase their total score.

40. The Typing Of The Dead

This unique game was ported to the Dreamcast in 2001 and required a keyboard to kill undead foes.

The game’s premise is to quickly type out specific words to kill zombies, something that immediately set it apart from all other games at the time.

Although this game is educational in that it improves typing skills, its difficulty, humor, and original premise quickly made it a favorite of many players.

39. Unreal Tournament

Unreal Tournament puts players’ reflexes to the test in 30 different deadly arenas where you can take on your friends or customizable bots.

There are also loads of multiplayer levels, such as capture the flag and deathmatch, as well as new weapons like a rocket-powered nuke and crushing Impact Hammer.

38. Illbleed

This survival horror game quickly gained a cult following for its “B movie” style themes, elements, and acting.

Consisting of six stages designed to mimic movie theaters, players have to complete specific goals while avoiding enemies and traps designed to kill them.

It has loads of mutated monsters and over 1000 traps, all fused with humor that makes it both terrifying and wacky.

37. Capcom Vs. SNK 2

Tweaking aspects from the first game, Capcom Vs. SNK 2 allows players to freely choose characters and build teams of up to three people.

With 48 characters in total, there is a lot of room for players to mix and match their teams and challenge their friends or play through the story to become the ultimate fighter.

Although this game did very well on the Dreamcast, it later became a GameCube and Xbox port so that fans lacking the old console could still replay this classic.

36. Resident Evil 2

In this survival horror classic, players control fan-favorite characters, Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield, as they try to escape Racoon City after a zombie outbreak.

Like the original game, there was still a focus on combat, exploration, and puzzles. However, this game features branching storylines focused on the two playable characters, something that made it stand out from its predecessor.

Along with the Resident Evil 3 remake, this game was remastered in 2019 for the PS4 and Xbox One, allowing fans new and old to experience it in high-definition.

35. Space Channel 5

Following the antics of space reporter Ulala while she investigates an alien invasion, this music video game doubles as a rhythm game where you need to follow the right beat to defeat enemies.

Although it was designed to be marketed toward a female audience, players of all ages and genders found something to love about this game, and it ended up receiving a lot of praise from fans and critics alike.

34. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2

The Pro Skater Series inspired a generation of skateboarders and allowed anyone to live out their skateboarding dreams no matter their real-life abilities.

In Pro Skater 2, players can choose from 13 pro skaters, including Tony Hawk himself, and play through career mode or a free-skate mode where anything goes.

Better yet, players can also design their own skate parks and custom skaters, which makes the game even more engaging and fun.

33. Seaman

Seaman was one of the few Sega Dreamcast games that took advantage of microphones, and its dark humor, bizarre style, and engaging gameplay quickly turned it into a cult classic.

The game’s premise is to care for and feed the Seaman, an ever-evolving aquatic creature with a human face, to prevent it from dying.

Players can interact with the Seaman via the microphone and watch it grow from a fish creature to an amphibious frog-like creature.

It becomes increasingly unsettling but hilarious, and Leonard Nimoy narrates everything wonderfully which makes it a must-play for everyone. 

32. Samba de Amigo

Samba de Amigo is recognized as one of the best rhythm games ever developed, and the original arcade game was released in both arcades and on the Dreamcast in 1999.

Using a pair of maracas, players have to shake their controllers at the right height to the beat of the music.

The better you do, the more people will gather and become more animated, but if you do poorly, people will leave, resulting in Amigo the monkey being left alone, looking sad and dejected.

31. Metropolis Street Racer

When Metropolis Street Racer was released, it is one of the best racing games of all time and certainly one of the most advanced to ever be created.

Noted for introducing the ‘kudos’ system, which rewards players based on how fast and stylishly they complete races, this game also stands out for its detailed recreations of cities like London and Tokyo.

There is even an internal clock that accurately simulates the time of day in cities across the world, and with 262 tracks in total, players aren’t left empty-handed for lack of content. 

30. NFL 2K2

Undoubtedly one of the best sports games released on the Dreamcast, NFL 2K2 received universal acclaim with its amazing graphics and intuitive controls.

Whether you were looking to challenge your friends or other players with online play, this was the go-to football game of 2001.

29. Chu Chu Rocket

This action-puzzle game was the first game on the system to support online play, and it challenged players to lead mice through a board to prevent the cats from getting them.

In single-player, the goal is to save all of the mice, while in online multiplayer, the winner is the one who saves the most overall.

It is simple but addictive, and its cute Japanese aesthetic makes it hard not to love.

28. Resident Evil: Code Veronica

This Resident Evil series installment is set three months after Resident Evil 2. It follows Claire and Chris Redfield as they try to survive an outbreak on a remote island in the Southern Ocean.

Unlike the previous games, Resident Evil: Code Veronica uses real-time 3D environments and a gothic horror design that makes it stand out from the usual American horror themes.

27. Project Justice

This Capcom 3D fighting game serves as a sequel to Rival Schools: United By Fate and it was first released as an arcade game before being ported to the Dreamcast.

While it brings back the fighting system from Rival Schools, it makes some considerable changes, such as adding new attacks and team attacks where up to three characters can take part.

26. Dead Or Alive 2

Dead or Alive 2 was another arcade game that was ported to the Dreamcast.

While the console version is almost identical to the arcade version, it did add Versus, Sparring, and Team Battle modes, as well as a simplified hold system to make it easier to play using the Dreamcast.

25. Rayman 2: The Great Escape

Rayman is one of the most popular video game characters of all time, and in this 1999 platformer, he really stood out.

Tasked with saving the land from the robotic army of Admiral Razorbeard, players have to fight enemies, solve puzzles, and collect lums to complete stages and grow more powerful.

24. Street Fighter III: Double Impact

Combining the original Street Fighter III and Street Fighter III: 2nd Impact, this two-in-one compilation comes with a new lineup of fighters and boasts improvements to actions such as parrying and two-punch fighting styles.

It has all of the non-stop action that gamers had come to expect from the series, and the fact that Dreamcast players got two games rolled into one just sweetened the deal even more.

23. Blue Stinger

This action survival horror game takes players to Dinasaur island, which rose from the Yucatan Peninsula after the meteor strike that wiped out the dinosaurs.

Set in 2018, players control Eliot Ballade, who witnesses something strange fall from the sky when investigating the island, leaving him sealed under a strange energy dome.

There are loads of fascinating secrets to uncover, and despite detractors criticizing the dubbing, the story in Blue Stinger was inventive and kept you wanting to know more.

22. Grandia II

This turn-based RPG revolves around a mercenary named Ryudo, who ends up being tasked to protect a priestess set up to be a sacrifice to prevent the return of the God of Darkness, Valmar.

However, nothing is ever straightforward about the battle between light and darkness, and fans and critics praise the story that plays out.

With loads of lengthy dungeons, thought-provoking puzzles, and solid RPG elements, Grandia II immediately became a fan favorite for Dreamcast players.

21. Garou: Mark Of The Wolves

While the name may remind you of one of the best One Punch man characters, Garou: Mark of the Wolves has nothing to do with anime and, instead, is one of the best fighting games to be ported to the Dreamcast. 

Serving as the final game in the Fatal Fury series, if the player completes the arcade mode rounds with at least a AAA rating, a final boss can be faced, unlocking a special ending that normally wouldn’t be available. 

20. Ikaruga

This shooter game was initially released in Japanese arcades and ported to the Dreamcast in 2002.

It quickly gained a cult following, and its vertical scrolling shoot ’em up mechanics made it stand out from many other shooters at the time.

Featuring three difficulty settings and single-player or cooperative modes, this game is as addicting as Galaga but has fantastic graphics and music that help to set it apart.

19. Power Stone 2

Building on the initiative gameplay that its predecessor established, Power Stone 2 added a new combo system, new character voices, and a new status bar.

There are four different game modes: an unpredictable adventure storyline, an original multiplayer mode, and a one-on-one battle mode.

With over 120 items to use in battle, this grab-anything combat system was an immediate hit.

18. Hydro Thunder

If driving race cars doesn’t appeal to you, Hydro Thunder switches things up and gives players the ability to race powerboats through treacherous waters.

Players can pick up boosts, knock other boats into the air, and perform hydro jumps to try and finish first.

Boats range from easy to hard, depending on whether you want speed or controllability, with easy boats being slower but easier to handle and hard boats being the fastest but most challenging to control.

17. NFL 2K1

NFL 2K1 serves as a more fleshed-out and well-rounded version of its predecessor, and it was the first to allow you to play against other people online.

It boasts an intelligent AI system and impressively realistic graphics for its time.

For sports fans, this game was a must-have when it was released and today it is still worth replaying just for the experience. 

16. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

Taking place 1500 years after the events of the first game, Blood Omen, this game introduces players to the story of Raziel, a lieutenant to Kain, the Vampire Lord.

Although Kain kills Raziel, he is resurrected by the Elder God and becomes a soul reaver to enact his revenge.

Praised by critics for its gothic story and superior graphics, this action-adventure game sold over a million copies worldwide and quickly gained popularity with a solid fan base.

15. Skies Of Arcadia

This RPG was developed especially for the Dreamcast, and it gives players control of a young Air Pirate who, along with his friends, has to try and stop the Evil Valuan Empire from getting their hands on weapons to destroy the world.

Using traditional Japanese RPG systems such as turn-based combat, Skies of Arcadia also emphasizes exploration by allowing the player to fly an airship through a 3D space to find new destinations.

14. Quake III Arena

Quake III Arena is a multiplayer-focused FPS that differs from previous Quake games by excluding a story-based single-player mode.

Instead, the focus is on multiplayer, and in single-player mode, players have to compete against AI enemies.

At the time, Quake III Arena was a groundbreaking FPS multiplayer, and even today, it can stand up against some of the best first-person shooter PS4 games, which shows how impressive it is.

13. The House of The Dead 2

A little over a year after the events of the first House of the Dead game, this sequel follows the story of several AMS agents tasked with investigating a zombie outbreak in Italy.

As a first-person light gun shooter, players need to shoot their way through hordes of the undead and make decisions that will impact the course of the game.

What made this game unique was the many branching paths that could be unlocked, leading to different locations that may not otherwise be discovered.

12. Virtua Tennis

Even if you’d never picked up a racket before, there was just something addicting about Virtua Tennis that made this game hard to put down.

With eight professional players to choose from and secret ones to unlock, this game features a traditional arcade mode and a world circuit mode that you can play through to become the best tennis player.

This game is incredibly realistic, and it almost makes you wish for some strawberries and cream while playing.

11. Power Stone

This fully 3D fighting game, created by Capcom, featured 10 unique playable characters which you will fight one at a time after choosing one to play for yourself.

During every battle, Power Stones will appear in the arena, and if you collect them, you can transform your character into a more powerful version, giving you a much-needed edge.

10. Crazy Taxi

This open-world racing game was the first in the Crazy Taxi series, and all of the gameplay is based around picking up riders and getting them to their destinations as quickly as possible for the most points.

While the premise sounds simple enough, it was easy to get addicted, and it was so popular that it even influenced some stories in Forza Horizon 4 and the creation of other hit games like Simpsons Road Rage.

9. Rez

Developed by the same team behind Space Channel 5, Rez is a music rail shooter that follows the journey of a hacker through a malfunctioning AI.

This game melded rave culture and traditional rail shooter mechanics with an epic soundtrack that made every level stand out.

While it doesn’t have any of the toughest video game bosses of all time, this game can be challenging in its own right, and players can easily lose hours running through the exciting levels.

8. Marvel Vs. Capcom 2

Fans went crazy when Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 was released with 56 characters, including Jill Valentine and Mega Man from Capcom and Hulk and Wolverine from Marvel.

Players can choose from either single-player or multiplayer modes, with the arcade mode offering an experience system to help unlock more characters.

Facing off with some of the best characters in gaming and comic book history is a blast, and it’s no surprise that this game has been ported to modern consoles, including the PS3 and Xbox 360.

7. Daytona USA

Daytona USA is one of the most popular arcade racing games on the Dreamcast, and it features every course from the original Daytona USA and Champion Circuit Edition.

There are several game modes to play through, and you can even play a split-screen mode with friends.

6. Spider-Man

After being framed by a doppelganger, it is up to players to clear the name of everyone’s favorite web-slinger.

Despite being a wanted criminal, Spidy still has to fight against a symbiote invasion created by Doc Ock and Carnage, because evil never takes a day off. 

Numerous classic villains appear as bosses, including Venom, Scorpion, Rhino, and Mysterio, and it even features narration from the amazing Stan Lee.

5. Sonic Adventure 2

Before featuring in his own movie and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, one of the best multiplayer games of all time, Sonic was making waves on the Dreamcast.

This Sonic Adventure features six characters to play, along with all-new moves, over 30 different levels, and three unique two-player game modes that help make it a fan favorite.

While the story revolves around facing down a new, evil Shadow, players have the freedom to be the hero or dabble in the dark side.

4. Phantasy Star Online

Phantasy Star Online was the first worldwide online RPG for console players, and it allows up to three people to adventure together to complete quests and collect items in real-time.

Before this game, online RPGs were limited to PC games like Diablo or EverQuest, but Phantasy Star Online sparked a revolution that inspired games and other dungeon Crawlers like the Monster Hunter Series.

Set on an uncharted planet, there is so much for players to explore together throughout four unique biomes where you can collect special items and grow more powerful.

3. Shenmue

This action-adventure game kicked off the Shenmue series and featured one of the fastest open-world environments on the Dreamcast.

Following Ryo Hazuki, as he tries to get revenge for the murder of his father, this game is filled with great battles, memorable characters, an intuitive day and night system, and loads of exciting minigames and interactive objects.

Breaking records to become the most expensive video game ever developed at the time, the cost certainly paid off as Shenmue went on to win numerous awards and many dedicated fans.

2. Sonic Adventure

The first game in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, this platformer features complete 3D gameplay and numerous minigames, such as racing and caring for Chao, a virtual pet.

In-game, players can control one of six characters and race through levels collecting rings to get to and defeat Doctor Robotnik and his army.

Each character has their own story and attack methods, and all of them have become icons of video game history.

1. Soulcalibur

The second in the series that paved the way for Soulcalibur II, one of the best GameCube games of all time, the original Soulcalibur introduced players to its iconic characters and the infamous Soul Edge Blade.

Earning the title of the fourth highest-rated video game of all time, players of the game can face off with their friends or play through the story, taking on each of the other characters as they all try to gain possession of the legendary sword.

The gameplay is engaging, and it introduces many innovations that changed the way fighting games were developed, with many subsequent releases owing their success to the unique system that this game featured.

Summary

We hope you enjoyed our list of the best Dreamcast games of all time!

Despite its short lifespan, the Dreamcast home console played host to some of the most amazing and revolutionary video games in history.

While the console may be long gone, each of these games are remembered fondly by their fans.

Here’s a quick recap of the 50 best Dreamcast games of all time:

1. Soulcalibur
2. Sonic Adventure
3. Shenmue
4. Phantasy Star Online
5. Sonic Adventure 2
6. Spider-Man
7. Daytona USA
8. Marvel Vs. Capcom 2
9. Rez
10. Crazy Taxi
11. Power Stone
12. Virtua Tennis
13. The House of The Dead 2
14. Quake III Arena
15. Skies Of Arcadia
16. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
17. NFL 2K1
18. Hydro Thunder
19. Power Stone 2
20. Ikaruga
21. Garou: Mark Of The Wolves
22. Grandia II
23. Blue Stinger
24. Street Fighter III: Double Impact
25. Rayman 2: The Great Escape
26. Dead Or Alive 2
27. Project Justice
28. Resident Evil: Code Veronica
29. Chu Chu Rocket
30. NFL 2K2
31. Metropolis Street Racer
32. Samba de Amigo
33. Seaman
34. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2
35. Space Channel 5
36. Resident Evil 2
37. Capcom Vs. SNK 2
38. Illbleed
39. Unreal Tournament
40. The Typing Of The Dead
41. Crazy Taxi 2
42. Bomberman Online
43. Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike
44. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
45. Shenmue II
46. Bangai-O
47. Test Drive Le Mans
48. Ultimate Fighting Championship
49. Jet Set Radio
50. Fur Fighters

What’s the best Dreamcast game of all time, in your opinion? Leave a comment below.