Dreamcast lives on in 2007!

[Johnny]

Not new info of course, but for those that haven't heard, two more new Dreamcast releases are planned for 2007 - Last Hope (http://www.lasthope-dc.com/), a European developed homebrew game, and a port of arcade shmup Trigger Heart Exelica (http://www.warashi.co.jp/exelica/).

Added to the above were the two games released at the start of this year, Radilgy and Under Defeat, as well as a few others released after the Dreamcast had been officially discontinued by Sega.
Plus the fact that rumours are still floating around regarding a future DC port of Senko no Ronde Rev X which was released on the 360 in Japan earlier this year.

Just wondering if anyone was planning on picking either of these up besides me and your thoughts on the continued DC support. Also, what genre of games would you want to see in the future? Are you happy with a couple of new shooters each year or would a wider variety of games be better?
IMO it works out great that mainly arcade games are being released as the DC was, amongst other things, intended to be a console to bring Sega arcade games to the home.

[Chacranajxy]

I fully intend to buy Trigger Heart Excelica... I'll probably be picking up the LE version of it. I'm really happy that I've got a reason to keep the Dreamcast hooked up... since it seems like this system absolutely refuses to die even though the plug was pulled back in... March of 2001. I'm happy with just getting shmups on the system since stuff like Under Defeat has been unbelievably good. If anything, it'd be nice to see some 2D fighters on the system... but really, any of these uber-hardcore games that the DC's been getting in the last several years are fine by me.

[Johnny]

I fully intend to buy Trigger Heart Excelica... I'll probably be picking up the LE version of it. I'm really happy that I've got a reason to keep the Dreamcast hooked up... since it seems like this system absolutely refuses to die even though the plug was pulled back in... March of 2001. I'm happy with just getting shmups on the system since stuff like Under Defeat has been unbelievably good. If anything, it'd be nice to see some 2D fighters on the system... but really, any of these uber-hardcore games that the DC's been getting in the last several years are fine by me.

Yeah, some 2D fighters that are hitting arcades/getting location tests now like Arcana Heart (http://insomnia.ac/japan/arcana_heart/) or Battle Fantasia (http://insomnia.ac/japan/battle_fantasia/) would be fantastic, but in all honesty I'd probably prefer a PS3 port but would love to support a DC release too.

As for the Trigger Heart SE, if you haven't already preordered, have a look at this store (http://www.segagagadomain.com/Segagaga-Store/store.htm).
He's a poster on NTSC-UK (UK based gaming forum/review/info site catering to importers and the hardcore) who lives in Japan, loves Sega (his site, Segagagadomain can be found here (http://www.segagagadomain.com/)) and orders stuff like this and previous DC releases direct from Sega to sell on for a slightly cheaper price. If you order from him you also get a Sega coin and copy of his DC Shooter Special DVD (which is excellent btw) for free as well as free airmail shipping for a cheaper price than the likes of Playasia are offering.

[ic14]

Cant people let it die? Jeez.

Its only yet another 2d shoot em up anyway.

[Chacranajxy]

I fully intend to buy Trigger Heart Excelica... I'll probably be picking up the LE version of it. I'm really happy that I've got a reason to keep the Dreamcast hooked up... since it seems like this system absolutely refuses to die even though the plug was pulled back in... March of 2001. I'm happy with just getting shmups on the system since stuff like Under Defeat has been unbelievably good. If anything, it'd be nice to see some 2D fighters on the system... but really, any of these uber-hardcore games that the DC's been getting in the last several years are fine by me.

Yeah, some 2D fighters that are hitting arcades/getting location tests now like Arcana Heart (http://insomnia.ac/japan/arcana_heart/) or Battle Fantasia (http://insomnia.ac/japan/battle_fantasia/) would be fantastic, but in all honesty I'd probably prefer a PS3 port but would love to support a DC release too.

As for the Trigger Heart SE, if you haven't already preordered, have a look at this store (http://www.segagagadomain.com/Segagaga-Store/store.htm).
He's a poster on NTSC-UK (UK based gaming forum/review/info site catering to importers and the hardcore) who lives in Japan, loves Sega (his site, Segagagadomain can be found here (http://www.segagagadomain.com/)) and orders stuff like this and previous DC releases direct from Sega to sell on for a slightly cheaper price. If you order from him you also get a Sega coin and copy of his DC Shooter Special DVD (which is excellent btw) for free as well as free airmail shipping for a cheaper price than the likes of Playasia are offering.

I'd expect Battle Fantasia to come out on the PS3 or... hell, even the 360 since it's a widescreen game (looks incredible too.) Arcana Heart looks like something that'd come out on the Dreamcast or PS2 though... so who knows. But yeah, when a shmup or a 2D fighter comes out, they're usually really, really good now, so it's always something for me to get excited about.

[jejune]

Wow...Trigger Heart Exelica looks hard-core. I have a hard time with tough shooters because I'm a suck at reflexes, but I might very well pick that up. Dreamcast is my favorite console ever. Got my Gameshark so I've been itching to get a good import.

Still need to pick up Ikaruga (either DC or GC) and Chaos Field (GC).

[Chacranajxy]

Wow...Trigger Heart Exelica looks hard-core. I have a hard time with tough shooters because I'm a suck at reflexes, but I might very well pick that up. Dreamcast is my favorite console ever. Got my Gameshark so I've been itching to get a good import.

Still need to pick up Ikaruga (either DC or GC) and Chaos Field (GC).

I'd recommend the GC version of Ikaruga and not buying Chaos Field.

[jejune]

Still need to pick up Ikaruga (either DC or GC) and Chaos Field (GC).

I'd recommend the GC version of Ikaruga and not buying Chaos Field.

GC version of Ikaruga would probably be easier to track down anyway. Were there problems with the DC version, or did the 'cube just have improvements?

On a Ikaruga-related side note, I have a lot of fun with homestarrunner.com's Marshie-ween shooter. (http://www.homestarrunner.com/weengame.html) Little bit of slow down, though.

And no Chaos field? Why not? Too easy? (For me that would be a good thing) Just plain not fun? Local game shop has it new for $15 - it's been a choice between that, Chibi Robo, Animal Crossing, or Fire Emblem (all around the same price). Not that I don't have a bunch of stuff to play already.

On the Schmup front I've been playing Sidearms (TG-16) and Sigma Star Saga (GBA). And one of my old favorites G Darius (PSOne). That reminds me that I need to get a good Raiden game. The arcade near work got rid of their copy of Raiden Fighters, and I'm going through withdrawal.

[Johnny]

And no Chaos field? Why not? Too easy? (For me that would be a good thing) Just plain not fun?

It's not that it's a bad game. The gameplay is different from most shooters as it's more or less a series of boss and mini-boss fights with a zoomed in camera which feels odd because your ship feels almost too big.

That reminds me that I need to get a good Raiden game. The arcade near work got rid of their copy of Raiden Fighters, and I'm going through withdrawal.

We got Raiden III in Europe during the summer. It's a fun game but personally I'm more of a modern/Cave shmup fan - the likes of ESPgaluda, Ibara and Mushihimesama are more appealing to me than the older stuff but that's not to say I don't enjoy classics like Gradius and am super excited about Konami's January PSP lineup - Twinbee, Salamander and Parodius comps :D

[Gatts]

Its only yet another 2d shoot em up anyway.

If you like 2D shumps then what's the problem? The system still works and it's easy and cheap to develop for (especially since Sega made the development kit available). You also understand that not everyone can afford to develop for the 360 and PS3 right?

[Chacranajxy]

Its only yet another 2d shoot em up anyway.

If you like 2D shumps then what's the problem? The system still works and it's easy and cheap to develop for (especially since Sega made the development kit available). You also understand that not everyone can afford to develop for the 360 and PS3 right?

It's also worth noting that there's quite a few arcade games out there that are still built on Naomi hardware... so it's extremely easy for devs to make a perfect port over to the Dreamcast... as is the case with Under Defeat and Excelica.

[jejune]

...super excited about Konami's January PSP lineup - Twinbee, Salamander and Parodius comps :D

You know, I never really considered the PSP at all before, as I tend to go for 2D and artsy type graphics over hyper real polygonal. But with all of the classic compilations and 2D RPG's out for it I've gotta say I'm suddenly very impressed by the PSP these days. (Though I'm way too cheap to shell out $200 for it. It'll be GBA for me for a while longer.)

[jecca-neko]

Cant people let it die? Jeez.


Hey now. No video game console dies as long as someone is there to play its games. The NES still lives! And all of the others! :P

[DeadlyMessiah]

WTF? New DC games? It has been what, 5 years? That would be awesome, except how can you buy them? Would my emulator I got with Shenmue II work?

[Gatts]

That would be awesome, except how can you buy them?

Most good import shops carry the new Dreamcast games. Took all of 5 seconds to find it on NCS (http://hh141.hiphip.com/default.asp)
Last Hope (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-x-49-en-70-1lza.html) is on the front page of Play Asia and it's not hard to find four different versions of Trigger Heart (http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-x-49-en-70-1qgd.html) there too.

Himeya has Trigger Heart (http://www.himeyashop.com/product_info.php/products_id/6000) and you can probably email Palet mail (http://www.paletweb.com/) to ask if they could pick it up. They won't be hard to find.

[Johnny]

WTF? New DC games? It has been what, 5 years? That would be awesome, except how can you buy them? Would my emulator I got with Shenmue II work?

Well it's been less than one year actually. Radilgy and Under Defeat came out early this year.
Any disk-swap based softmod will work fine with these games. Lost Hope is a European developed game but will be printed on region free disks so it'll play anywhere in the world with no problems.

[Suwako Moriya]

No video game console dies as long as someone is there to play its games.

Actually you're wrong the system can still die. However the said system does in fact join the ranks of the undead. Yes be afraid as the Dreamcast haunts unsuspecting players. While I have kind of neglected the Dreamcast over all, I still find it interesting there are still games being made for it. Although I'd probably say the same thing about any system that has become a member of the undead.

[Daniel_Perales]

Cant people let it die? Jeez.


Hey now. No video game console dies as long as someone is there to play its games. The NES still lives! And all of the others! :P


Yep. I still have a working Atari 2600 (vintage 1979), and I still play Super Breakout with it from time to time.


Danny

[Johnny]

Make room for another Dreamcast release next year. Karous (http://www.mile-stone.co.jp/product/krs/krs_top.html) has always been rumoured/expected to be getting a DC port, but it now seems to be official (http://www.racketboy.com/retro/2006/12/karous-yet-another-shmup-ported-to.html) and is being released on the 8th March.

[Chacranajxy]

Make room for another Dreamcast release next year. Karous (http://www.mile-stone.co.jp/product/krs/krs_top.html) has always been rumoured/expected to be getting a DC port, but it now seems to be official (http://www.racketboy.com/retro/2006/12/karous-yet-another-shmup-ported-to.html) and is being released on the 8th March.

Any idea how good that was supposed to be? I heard it was similar to Radilgy and Chaos Field, but I really don't know too much about it. I know I'll be picking up Excelica, but I can't quite pull the trigger on this yet.

Amazing that we're getting a DC game every month for the first 3 months of 2007.

[Johnny]

Make room for another Dreamcast release next year. Karous (http://www.mile-stone.co.jp/product/krs/krs_top.html) has always been rumoured/expected to be getting a DC port, but it now seems to be official (http://www.racketboy.com/retro/2006/12/karous-yet-another-shmup-ported-to.html) and is being released on the 8th March.

Any idea how good that was supposed to be? I heard it was similar to Radilgy and Chaos Field, but I really don't know too much about it. I know I'll be picking up Excelica, but I can't quite pull the trigger on this yet.



There is a video on the official site (http://www.mile-stone.co.jp/product/krs/krs_top.html) that shows some gameplay. Graphically it's pretty much identical to Radilgy which is a great thing as I'm a fan of gorgeous cel shading. (The anime visuals (http://insomnia.ac/japan/karous_and_futari/karous_and_futari_02.jpg) used in posters is lovely too)
In terms of gameplay, Insomnia (http://insomnia.ac/japan/karous_and_futari/) have a write up of it and said the following:

It seems to work the same way as Rajirugi -- you build up the barrier weapon, then crash into bullets and enemies to collect bonus items -- but there are now experience points and some sort of a level-up system in play. The bullet patterns are more dense, and the visuals have been improved significantly, with richer textures for the enemies, and a darker overall look. The drum & bass score also seems to fit the game well.

This sits well with me as I thought Radilgy has the slight edge over Under Defeat. While UD was technically much more impressive and, in terms of gameplay, it was probably superior, I had more of a blast playing through Radilgy.

Not sure whether I'm looking forward to this or Trigger Heart more. Lost Hope will be cool too and I've got that on preorder as well, but the other two are the biggies as far as I'm concerned.

[Chacranajxy]

After watching that gameplay video... yeah, I'll prolly pick it up. It has definite potential as it looks pretty good and the melee attack concept looks pretty cool.

Man, all this talk of DC shmups makes me wanna play Under Defeat again. It's strange, because the slower pace of that game makes it feel like what I call "dramatic shooting (tm)." The pacing in that game is perfect in that it's not too slow, yet it's not so fast that you can't think your way through every situation you're in. Well, and the music is perfect too which makes the game even better.

[SpaceButler]

I told my bro-in-law that I wanted to play these shumps you guys are talking about for Dreamcast, and he gave me his DC for the low price of a pack of cigarettes. Only problem is he didn't have a controller or memory card for it. Anyone know where I can get my hands on some controllers and VMUs?

I found some lots for some brand new controllers and VMUs on eBay, but they were from the UK. Would those work on a NA DC? I don't mind getting used stuff, its just "new controllers and VMUs" had such a nice ring to it.

Also, what are some must buy Dreamcast games? Now that I've got one again I might as well make use of it.

[Johnny]

I found some lots for some brand new controllers and VMUs on eBay, but they were from the UK. Would those work on a NA DC? I don't mind getting used stuff, its just "new controllers and VMUs" had such a nice ring to it.

Yep, accessories will work anywhere in the world. Bear in mind that Euro DC stuff (console, controllers etc) feature a blue swirl as opposed to the proper red one in the US/Japan. It was due to a UK/Euro company having a red swirl as a logo IIRC so it was changed.
As for new/sealed stuff, try eBay but it'll be pretty hard to find stuff in that condition. A visit to Akihabara may prove more successful ;)

Also, what are some must buy Dreamcast games? Now that I've got one again I might as well make use of it.

This (http://www.planetdreamcast.com/games/best/) would be a good starting point.

[BigPants]

Also, what are some must buy Dreamcast games? Now that I've got one again I might as well make use of it.

This (http://www.planetdreamcast.com/games/best/) would be a good starting point.

Wow. I'm surprised at how many of those I owned. There isn't a game I'd take off of that list.

As for my recommendations from that list: Power Stone 2, Shen Mue, Crazy Taxi, and NFL2k1 (or even 2k2). I'd put Phantasy Star Online on there, but it really isn't the same without being able to play it online. ^^:

[ape2020]

Also, what are some must buy Dreamcast games? Now that I've got one again I might as well make use of it.

This (http://www.planetdreamcast.com/games/best/) would be a good starting point.

Wow. I'm surprised at how many of those I owned. There isn't a game I'd take off of that list.

As for my recommendations from that list: Power Stone 2, Shen Mue, Crazy Taxi, and NFL2k1 (or even 2k2). I'd put Phantasy Star Online on there, but it really isn't the same without being able to play it online. ^^:

Same here I use to own many of those games. I would also add Space Channel 5 - Ulala, Puddin, Aliens, and The Gloved One.

-Ape2020

[jecca-neko]

Also, what are some must buy Dreamcast games? Now that I've got one again I might as well make use of it.

This (http://www.planetdreamcast.com/games/best/) would be a good starting point.

A big game that's missing is Time Stalkers. It's an awesome dungeon crawler RPG.

[Gatts]

A big game that's missing is Time Stalkers. It's an awesome dungeon crawler RPG.

There's a couple of big omissions, but I don't think Time Stalkers was one of them. I found Evolution 2 to be a better Dungeon crawler. PSO would also count as a dungeon crawler in the single player mode.

They also didn't list any of the survival horror games on the DC that were great. Well, Code Veronica, but that was released on other consoles, although the dreamcast version was the best IMO. Illbleed (hey, I love Illbleed even if is a goofy b-movie type game), Blue Stinger?

Then the racing game list... really now. Wacky Races over Metropolis Street Racer or even Tokyo Xtreme Racer? No Daytona USA? No Vanishing Point?

Now I can forgive them for messing up the Puzzle Games (no Puyo Puyo) and shumps (too many to mention) mainly because those are import games and thus do not qualify, but fighting games? Did they miss that Dreamcast was and still is the best system EVER for 2D fighters? It beat out even the Saturn in my book and that's pretty tough competition. Go to SRK or FE and ask them if they still play their dreamcasts. I'm sure many will say yes.

But other than that, yeah, it's a night starter list.

[Greywing]

A big game that's missing is Time Stalkers. It's an awesome dungeon crawler RPG.

There's a couple of big omissions, but I don't think Time Stalkers was one of them. I found Evolution 2 to be a better Dungeon crawler. PSO would also count as a dungeon crawler in the single player mode.

They also didn't list any of the survival horror games on the DC that were great. Well, Code Veronica, but that was released on other consoles, although the dreamcast version was the best IMO. Illbleed (hey, I love Illbleed even if is a goofy b-movie type game), Blue Stinger?

Then the racing game list... really now. Wacky Races over Metropolis Street Racer or even Tokyo Xtreme Racer? No Daytona USA? No Vanishing Point?

Now I can forgive them for messing up the Puzzle Games (no Puyo Puyo) and shumps (too many to mention) mainly because those are import games and thus do not qualify, but fighting games? Did they miss that Dreamcast was and still is the best system EVER for 2D fighters? It beat out even the Saturn in my book and that's pretty tough competition. Go to SRK or FE and ask them if they still play their dreamcasts. I'm sure many will say yes.

But other than that, yeah, it's a night starter list.

It seems that list was written when the Dreamcast was still in production for the US. That would explain some errors and omissions.

[jejune]

Then the racing game list... really now. Wacky Races over Metropolis Street Racer or even Tokyo Xtreme Racer? No Daytona USA? No Vanishing Point?

Now now, I had a lot of fun with Wacky Races. Probably enjoyed it even better than Mario Cart Double Dash.