Being a huge fan of Dreamcast and PlayStation (all 4 PlayStations which I still own/play), I often wonder how cool it would be to have something like Shenmue remade for the PlayStation 4. Or lesser classics like Zombie Revenge. It wouldn't be the first time Sony have released Dreamcast games when you remember the 5 game compilation that was brought out a few years back. It didn't shift massive amounts that much is true but that's because they (in my opinion) fired up the wrong tiles.
If they had made Speed Devils, Powerstone or the obvious Shenmue, it would have sold. And sold really well. The Sega Dreamcast was capable of so much more, and though its lifespan was pretty depressing, if you go and pick one up on eBay for something like £20, you will discover some extremely good games on Sega's little box of arcade classics.
And its with genuine sadness that we shall probably never see Shenmue 3 on the PS4. And its puzzling because from all the games forums and magazines that I'm involved in,, I know 100% fact that both Sony and Sega would make millions. And the entire trilogy on PS,4? I'm salivating just thinking about it. If even more than Resident Evil 2 remake.
So Sony and Sega, if on the off chance you reading this, pleased do the right thing 😎
On 9th September 1999, Sega released a new console to an excited public, the now legendary Dreamcast. Many would argue the first in Next Gen visuals, and online gaming, the Dreamcast was overtaken by Playstation2 but never forgotten. To this day, a decade on, it is still a powerful force in the gaming world. This is my tribute to the console and games, where a poet becomes fanboy.
Showing posts with label dreamcast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dreamcast. Show all posts
Thursday, 18 December 2014
Dreamcast on PS4?
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
Monday, 28 January 2013
Ultimate Dreamcast Pack
Bargainous!
These Ultimate Games Packs were popular when the Dreamcast first came out. This one a particularly decent line up; Metropolis Street Racer, Jet Set Radio and Virtua Fighter.
Sunday, 7 October 2012
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Thursday, 15 March 2012
Spot The Dreamcast
A typical view in my games room. Admittedly these consoles are tidier looking when I haven't got them displayed for photos.
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Shenmue and Skies Of Arcadia HD
Ok so we know that Jet Set Radio HD is being released by Sega this summer but the Dreamcast goodness doesn't stop there because hints of *take a breath* Shenmue and Skies Of Arcadia have been aired.
"Yes, definitely. I can tell you what’s it gonna be. It’s gonna be Shenmue and Skies of Arcadia as well. So those are the most requested games. I can’t say yes or no but we may be working on them."
Those are the words of Ben Harborne, the Associate Brand Manager of Sega during an interview with Gamereactor UK.
How exciting is this news? Well to a Dreamcast/Shenmue fanboy like myself its extremely exciting. Im almost buzzing over the fact that this could be amazing! If they pull it off it WILL be stunning and I for one can't wait to go back to Dobuita HD. And Yougame of course.
And make no mistake, this is great news for all game fans. Younger gamers who never got to play these titles on the Dreamcast can finally see why DC veterans make so much fuss over it.
"Yes, definitely. I can tell you what’s it gonna be. It’s gonna be Shenmue and Skies of Arcadia as well. So those are the most requested games. I can’t say yes or no but we may be working on them."
Those are the words of Ben Harborne, the Associate Brand Manager of Sega during an interview with Gamereactor UK.
How exciting is this news? Well to a Dreamcast/Shenmue fanboy like myself its extremely exciting. Im almost buzzing over the fact that this could be amazing! If they pull it off it WILL be stunning and I for one can't wait to go back to Dobuita HD. And Yougame of course.
And make no mistake, this is great news for all game fans. Younger gamers who never got to play these titles on the Dreamcast can finally see why DC veterans make so much fuss over it.
Friday, 24 February 2012
Praise Be Dreamcast!
I was on the wrong end of a few drinks when I filmed this *snigger* So when I get a little overly enthusiastic, you know why. Fanboy + Alkylol = sMUtTy ObsSEsSiOn. But you do get to see a fair bit of my games collection here. Enjoy!
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Sega Marine Fishing (US import)
This game is a vast improvement on Bass Fishing (which itself is a good game) because of the sheer amount of differnet fish you can catch. Even Mako sharks! (See below).
Hooking a shark
Monday, 31 January 2011
Spirit Of Speed 1937
Spirit Of Speed 1937 was released on June 9th, 2000 under developers Broadsword Interactive and published by Acclaim Entertainment, and like the title suggests it is based around the early days of Formula 1 racing in the 1930s. In the days before safety regulations and crash barriers, where the drivers raced with the very real danger of meeting death at every corner. (And no Murray Walker either!)
Players can race in some of the fastest cars of the day including the Mercedese Benz 125 and 154, Bugati 35B and the legendary Auto Union Type C designed by a certain Ferdinand Porsche.
Right, wheres the SatNav?
Circuits to race your tub, sorry F1 mean machine on are Brooklands, Donington, Montana, Montlhery, Monza, Pau, Roosevelt, Tripoli and Avus. And there are four modes in all ~ Quick Race, Single Race, Championship and Scenario, the latter being the chance to race in a famous race of yesteryear.
Spirit of Speed 1937 was largely panned by most gaming magazines but as ever I am going to go against the tide. Sure the load times can be a pain in the backside and some of the cars move like go~karts (this was the 30s remember?) but this game is NOT broken and not nearly as awful as some critics would have you think.
I had this back in 2000 and thought it looked and played pretty well, as I still do to this day. I booted it up last night for a spin and tracks like the dusty, palm tree lined Tripoli and the steep banks of Brooklands and Roosevelt felt pretty good to race on. Personally I think the reason some gave it a thumbs down is because the circuits proved too challenging for them and they couldn't understand the differences between racing in a modern day Ferrari compared to say a Napier Railton or Watson Flyer of the 1930s.
Of course they are going to be slower and feel 'rickity' to drive! This is pre WW2, duh! I think the attention to detail is spot on, even down to spectators standing behind hay bales and the jazz soundtrack that was popular in this era. And for those petrolheads among us there is the option to tinker with settings during pit stops.
Get your motor running
So there you have it. Spirit of Speed isn't the best racing game on the Dreamcast but its competent enough and is certainly not the worst racer available. In fact by going back to 1937 Broadsword Interactive have done something different, rather than sticking to the thrills of modern day Formula 1.
This can be picked up on the auction sites and car boots for as little as £1 or £2 (I paid just over £2 for my copy) and thats a steal if you fancy stepping away from that 2011 Ferrari.
Players can race in some of the fastest cars of the day including the Mercedese Benz 125 and 154, Bugati 35B and the legendary Auto Union Type C designed by a certain Ferdinand Porsche.
Right, wheres the SatNav?
Circuits to race your tub, sorry F1 mean machine on are Brooklands, Donington, Montana, Montlhery, Monza, Pau, Roosevelt, Tripoli and Avus. And there are four modes in all ~ Quick Race, Single Race, Championship and Scenario, the latter being the chance to race in a famous race of yesteryear.
Spirit of Speed 1937 was largely panned by most gaming magazines but as ever I am going to go against the tide. Sure the load times can be a pain in the backside and some of the cars move like go~karts (this was the 30s remember?) but this game is NOT broken and not nearly as awful as some critics would have you think.
I had this back in 2000 and thought it looked and played pretty well, as I still do to this day. I booted it up last night for a spin and tracks like the dusty, palm tree lined Tripoli and the steep banks of Brooklands and Roosevelt felt pretty good to race on. Personally I think the reason some gave it a thumbs down is because the circuits proved too challenging for them and they couldn't understand the differences between racing in a modern day Ferrari compared to say a Napier Railton or Watson Flyer of the 1930s.
Of course they are going to be slower and feel 'rickity' to drive! This is pre WW2, duh! I think the attention to detail is spot on, even down to spectators standing behind hay bales and the jazz soundtrack that was popular in this era. And for those petrolheads among us there is the option to tinker with settings during pit stops.
Get your motor runningSo there you have it. Spirit of Speed isn't the best racing game on the Dreamcast but its competent enough and is certainly not the worst racer available. In fact by going back to 1937 Broadsword Interactive have done something different, rather than sticking to the thrills of modern day Formula 1.
This can be picked up on the auction sites and car boots for as little as £1 or £2 (I paid just over £2 for my copy) and thats a steal if you fancy stepping away from that 2011 Ferrari.
Friday, 14 January 2011
The Dreamcast Collection Released !
A mile wide smile spread across my face this morning when I signed into Twitter and saw the news on Sega's 'Tweet'. It announced the release of the 'Dreamcast Collection', proving what we DC fans already knew ~ there's life in the Dreamcast yet. But its not all rainbows as you'll see below in the announcement:
LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (January 14th 2011) – SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that a packaged compilation of classic titles from SEGA’s popular Dreamcast™ console will hit retail shelves on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and the PC. The Dreamcast Collection will be available on February 25th 2011 in Europe and February 22nd in North America.
The Dreamcast Collection includes the fan favourites Sonic Adventure™, Crazy Taxi™, SEGA Bass Fishing™ and Space Channel 5™: Part 2. Players will get to enjoy four very different Dreamcast experiences, from hopping behind the steering wheel of Crazy Taxi, to taking things a little slower by luring in their fish before catching them hook, line and sinker with SEGA Bass Fishing. Alternatively, take over as intergalactic news reporter Ulala in Space Channel 5: Part 2 and dance your way past the evil Rhythm Rogues, or make it all about speed in Sonic’s first Dreamcast outing, Sonic Adventure!
SEGA’s Dreamcast Collection features enhanced graphics for both platforms versions, providing an even more engaging experience. In addition to this, achievements and online leader boards will be available for each game providing a competitive edge and allowing players to prove their skills!
“The Dreamcast console is still remembered as a pioneering console for online gaming,” commented Gary Knight, VP of Marketing at SEGA of America and SEGA Europe “We are delighted to be able to offer to our large community of dedicated fans a collection such as Dreamcast Collection for them to enjoy old favourites on this generation of consoles."
My Opinion ~ Its fantastic news for Dreamcast lovers, and especially now as this new DC splurge will revive interest in a younger audience who never gor the chance first time around but ! (Ah theres always one) the titles in this collection is not the best Sega might have offered up. People will have already downloaded Crazy Taxi and Sonic Adventure if they have any sense and Sega Bass Fishing, while not being a bad game, wasn't the best.
Still we DCites mustn't grumble as this collection will hopefully pave the way for better releases in the near future.
LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (January 14th 2011) – SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that a packaged compilation of classic titles from SEGA’s popular Dreamcast™ console will hit retail shelves on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and the PC. The Dreamcast Collection will be available on February 25th 2011 in Europe and February 22nd in North America.
The Dreamcast Collection includes the fan favourites Sonic Adventure™, Crazy Taxi™, SEGA Bass Fishing™ and Space Channel 5™: Part 2. Players will get to enjoy four very different Dreamcast experiences, from hopping behind the steering wheel of Crazy Taxi, to taking things a little slower by luring in their fish before catching them hook, line and sinker with SEGA Bass Fishing. Alternatively, take over as intergalactic news reporter Ulala in Space Channel 5: Part 2 and dance your way past the evil Rhythm Rogues, or make it all about speed in Sonic’s first Dreamcast outing, Sonic Adventure!
SEGA’s Dreamcast Collection features enhanced graphics for both platforms versions, providing an even more engaging experience. In addition to this, achievements and online leader boards will be available for each game providing a competitive edge and allowing players to prove their skills!
“The Dreamcast console is still remembered as a pioneering console for online gaming,” commented Gary Knight, VP of Marketing at SEGA of America and SEGA Europe “We are delighted to be able to offer to our large community of dedicated fans a collection such as Dreamcast Collection for them to enjoy old favourites on this generation of consoles."
My Opinion ~ Its fantastic news for Dreamcast lovers, and especially now as this new DC splurge will revive interest in a younger audience who never gor the chance first time around but ! (Ah theres always one) the titles in this collection is not the best Sega might have offered up. People will have already downloaded Crazy Taxi and Sonic Adventure if they have any sense and Sega Bass Fishing, while not being a bad game, wasn't the best.
Still we DCites mustn't grumble as this collection will hopefully pave the way for better releases in the near future.
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Chicken Run
Developers ~ Blitz Games Publishers ~ Eidos Interactive Released 24 Nov, 2000.
Chicken Run is a game based on the animated film of the same name and is suprisingly playable compared to the other film-to-game disasters. The story is simple: you must escape Tweedy Farm with all of your domesticated fowl chums by building catapults, see-saws and other comical escape devices. Its a parody of The Great Escape and hen houses look like POW barracks and are fenced in behind barbed wire. It also plays in parts similar to Metal Gear Solid where you must avoid search lights and sneak around with your feathery back to the wall.
Lookswise it can be a little blocky but not so much as to ruin the game, and in truth it only crops up in a few close up shots. Characters move well enough and it does feel like you're in a cartoon. The cut scenes of course are sublime and are straight out of the films animation drawer.
One of the coolest things about Chicken Run is the music. Again its very Great Escape with cheery brass band sections, that really do stir you onward in missions. (Well they do with me!) Voice overs are the genuine artice too.
Another neat touch are the mini games like The Bunty Eggs-Press game where you must feed a hen by tapping the blue button until its full then catch the eggs she lays before they smash on the floor. Neat!
You play three characters ~ Ginger (the main one), Rocky and Nick & Fetcher. Its all mainly gathering the bits and bobs you need to built the devices, while avoiding the Tweedy's and those pesky guard dogs. (You can lure the mutts away by lobbing sprouts around, like the knock-on-wall trick that Snake used in MGS.) When I first played this a decade ago, those dogs were genuinely frightening. It was that close up shot afer they caught you and bared those teeth that did it. Mrs Tweedy too is pretty spooky in a Wicked Witch of the West kinda way.
Im enjoying playing this again after all these years, the only downside is that while the camera can be moved with left/right d-pad dabs its not entirely helpful in allowing you to see your surroundings. I have often ended up in farmer Tweedys torchlight owing to the camera being an awkward swine. Thankfully your position (and those of your enemies) is marked on the little radar at the bottom of the screen (another nod to MGS) so its not utterly frustrating.
All in all Chicken Run is a decent game and for the price of a few pints you can't go far wrong. Wings up!
Chicken Run is a game based on the animated film of the same name and is suprisingly playable compared to the other film-to-game disasters. The story is simple: you must escape Tweedy Farm with all of your domesticated fowl chums by building catapults, see-saws and other comical escape devices. Its a parody of The Great Escape and hen houses look like POW barracks and are fenced in behind barbed wire. It also plays in parts similar to Metal Gear Solid where you must avoid search lights and sneak around with your feathery back to the wall.
Lookswise it can be a little blocky but not so much as to ruin the game, and in truth it only crops up in a few close up shots. Characters move well enough and it does feel like you're in a cartoon. The cut scenes of course are sublime and are straight out of the films animation drawer.
One of the coolest things about Chicken Run is the music. Again its very Great Escape with cheery brass band sections, that really do stir you onward in missions. (Well they do with me!) Voice overs are the genuine artice too.
Another neat touch are the mini games like The Bunty Eggs-Press game where you must feed a hen by tapping the blue button until its full then catch the eggs she lays before they smash on the floor. Neat!
You play three characters ~ Ginger (the main one), Rocky and Nick & Fetcher. Its all mainly gathering the bits and bobs you need to built the devices, while avoiding the Tweedy's and those pesky guard dogs. (You can lure the mutts away by lobbing sprouts around, like the knock-on-wall trick that Snake used in MGS.) When I first played this a decade ago, those dogs were genuinely frightening. It was that close up shot afer they caught you and bared those teeth that did it. Mrs Tweedy too is pretty spooky in a Wicked Witch of the West kinda way.
Im enjoying playing this again after all these years, the only downside is that while the camera can be moved with left/right d-pad dabs its not entirely helpful in allowing you to see your surroundings. I have often ended up in farmer Tweedys torchlight owing to the camera being an awkward swine. Thankfully your position (and those of your enemies) is marked on the little radar at the bottom of the screen (another nod to MGS) so its not utterly frustrating.
All in all Chicken Run is a decent game and for the price of a few pints you can't go far wrong. Wings up!
Wednesday, 17 November 2010
Top Ten Dreamcast Downloads
Lots of excitement around the fact that PSN and XBLA are now making Dreamcast titles available for download. It seems there might be one a month which is very cool news for veteran Dreamcast players, and those who didn't get to play them on the machine the first time around.
In anticipation of which games will make the download jump here is my TOP TEN wishlist in no particular order. Pay attention Playstation and Xbox download dudes.
N.B. You can read what I think of these games in more depth by going to the relevant review on this blog.
1. CRAZY TAXI
This fantastic game is already confirmed (it could even be available as I type) which pleases me greatly. Hopefully you can mess around with the music too as the only bad thing I have to say about Crazy Taxi was having to listen to The Offspring constantly.
This is near perfect for online shenanigans too.
On the highway to Dreamcast Heaven
2. HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2
Brilliant game and another which would be satisfying online. Rankings on leaderboards, togther with different boss challenges.
3. SILENT SCOPE
Cool game and what else would be cool would the ability to target others online. Good for a Hi-Score table also.
4. SPEED DEVILS
One of the best racers ive ever played. Think about it; you can place bets in Speed Devils and having the chance to bet (and possibly lose) your own vehicles in online races would make for more nteresting battles. And imagine downloading new tracks and vehicles like in Motorstorm. Count me in!
Imagine this in HD on a 50" screen
5. SHENMUE
Need I say more?
6. READY 2 RUMBLE 2
I want to punch out complete strangers in a different country while they are dressed as Bill Clinton. WIN!
7. ZOMBIE REVENGE
An awesome zombie shooter is essential because blasting zombies in the face is fun.
8. POWERSTONE
Either the first one or the second, im not fussed but one of them HAS to be included.
9. VIRTUA TENNIS
The best tennis game on ANY console ever. Online tournaments, new trophies, leaderboards, rankings, its all possible with tennis.
10. GUNBIRD 2
In anticipation of which games will make the download jump here is my TOP TEN wishlist in no particular order. Pay attention Playstation and Xbox download dudes.
N.B. You can read what I think of these games in more depth by going to the relevant review on this blog.
1. CRAZY TAXI
This fantastic game is already confirmed (it could even be available as I type) which pleases me greatly. Hopefully you can mess around with the music too as the only bad thing I have to say about Crazy Taxi was having to listen to The Offspring constantly.
This is near perfect for online shenanigans too.
On the highway to Dreamcast Heaven
2. HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2
Brilliant game and another which would be satisfying online. Rankings on leaderboards, togther with different boss challenges.
3. SILENT SCOPE
Cool game and what else would be cool would the ability to target others online. Good for a Hi-Score table also.
4. SPEED DEVILS
One of the best racers ive ever played. Think about it; you can place bets in Speed Devils and having the chance to bet (and possibly lose) your own vehicles in online races would make for more nteresting battles. And imagine downloading new tracks and vehicles like in Motorstorm. Count me in!
Imagine this in HD on a 50" screen
5. SHENMUE
Need I say more?
6. READY 2 RUMBLE 2
I want to punch out complete strangers in a different country while they are dressed as Bill Clinton. WIN!
7. ZOMBIE REVENGE
An awesome zombie shooter is essential because blasting zombies in the face is fun.
8. POWERSTONE
Either the first one or the second, im not fussed but one of them HAS to be included.
9. VIRTUA TENNIS
The best tennis game on ANY console ever. Online tournaments, new trophies, leaderboards, rankings, its all possible with tennis.
10. GUNBIRD 2
Monday, 2 August 2010
Urban Chaos
Developer Mucky Foot * Publishers Eidos Interactive. Released 6th October 2000.
Urban Chaos is a third person action/adventure game based in the fictitional Union City, which is for the most part free roaming allowing you to go almost anywhere. In the beginning you play rookie cop Darci Stern, a no nonsense police officer who believes in getting the job done. (Don't they all, these young kick ass lawmen? Or woman in this case.) Later in the game a partner appears called Roper, who is a bit of a mystery ex military chappie who sports a cool beard in a tramp kind of way.
Union City is being plagued by a gang going by the seriously naff name The Wilcats, who are being run by Bane, the games big baddie. You and your cop buddies are out to turn the cats into kittens by using a bit more than stern words and a rolled up newspaper. (Or is that for dogs? Cats never listen anyway.)
I first played this on the Playstation because it was released a few months earlier on Sony's console and I just couldn't wait to start arresting perps or running them over in my squad car. Police brutality? You betcha!
Having only just got a copy for my Dreamcast I was expecting some fond memories to come flooding back but alas the memories were replaced by shock as soon as I got in control of Darci. Guiding her through the training level assault course was a frustrating affair due to the joystick nub being ultra sensitive, making simple obstacles a nightmare to get over. Add the fact that the camera has a mind of its own and contol of that requires use of the D pad while STILL attempting to manoeuvre Darci and you can understand how bad it gets. I don't recall it being like this on Playstation and as that joypad didn't have a joystick nub it couldn't have been.
Its a shame too because the game itself is quite good and with better contols Id be all over it with praise. I mean when a game allows you to slide tackle pedestrians then leave them handcuffed on the road in front of oncoming traffic it gets a BIG thumbs up from yours truly. Honestly, I spent WAY too long doing this.
There is a decent list of fighting moves on offer too, ranging from straight forward kicks and punches to back roundhouse kicks and grabs. As well that awesome sliding tackle! Also bats, batons and of course firearms can be picked up. But once again the controls mess it up because targetting a hoodlum is a point and hope system and you can't aim at specific people like say in Grand Theft Auto IV. You simply walk into a gang with gun drawn and hope the target cycle lands on a gun wielding thug. Not very confident in missions then.
Looks wise its okay, the cars are a little blocky and pedestrians are almost all clones (hookers and thugs mainly) but thats how games were ten years ago so those blips can be forgiven.
I tried to enjoy Urban Chaos because it has some neat touches but I cannot recommend it because the control system is so flawed and frustrating. In all honesty if I wasn't going for a complete Dreamcast PAL collection I would have chucked this back up for sale. I still go back to it but only when I feel like abusing innocent city dwellers, which is a dubious kind of plus.
Another plus was that I only paid £1 for it which is all its worth if you still really fancy a punt on it. 4/10
Urban Chaos is a third person action/adventure game based in the fictitional Union City, which is for the most part free roaming allowing you to go almost anywhere. In the beginning you play rookie cop Darci Stern, a no nonsense police officer who believes in getting the job done. (Don't they all, these young kick ass lawmen? Or woman in this case.) Later in the game a partner appears called Roper, who is a bit of a mystery ex military chappie who sports a cool beard in a tramp kind of way.
Union City is being plagued by a gang going by the seriously naff name The Wilcats, who are being run by Bane, the games big baddie. You and your cop buddies are out to turn the cats into kittens by using a bit more than stern words and a rolled up newspaper. (Or is that for dogs? Cats never listen anyway.)
I first played this on the Playstation because it was released a few months earlier on Sony's console and I just couldn't wait to start arresting perps or running them over in my squad car. Police brutality? You betcha!
Having only just got a copy for my Dreamcast I was expecting some fond memories to come flooding back but alas the memories were replaced by shock as soon as I got in control of Darci. Guiding her through the training level assault course was a frustrating affair due to the joystick nub being ultra sensitive, making simple obstacles a nightmare to get over. Add the fact that the camera has a mind of its own and contol of that requires use of the D pad while STILL attempting to manoeuvre Darci and you can understand how bad it gets. I don't recall it being like this on Playstation and as that joypad didn't have a joystick nub it couldn't have been.
Its a shame too because the game itself is quite good and with better contols Id be all over it with praise. I mean when a game allows you to slide tackle pedestrians then leave them handcuffed on the road in front of oncoming traffic it gets a BIG thumbs up from yours truly. Honestly, I spent WAY too long doing this.
There is a decent list of fighting moves on offer too, ranging from straight forward kicks and punches to back roundhouse kicks and grabs. As well that awesome sliding tackle! Also bats, batons and of course firearms can be picked up. But once again the controls mess it up because targetting a hoodlum is a point and hope system and you can't aim at specific people like say in Grand Theft Auto IV. You simply walk into a gang with gun drawn and hope the target cycle lands on a gun wielding thug. Not very confident in missions then.
Looks wise its okay, the cars are a little blocky and pedestrians are almost all clones (hookers and thugs mainly) but thats how games were ten years ago so those blips can be forgiven.
I tried to enjoy Urban Chaos because it has some neat touches but I cannot recommend it because the control system is so flawed and frustrating. In all honesty if I wasn't going for a complete Dreamcast PAL collection I would have chucked this back up for sale. I still go back to it but only when I feel like abusing innocent city dwellers, which is a dubious kind of plus.
Another plus was that I only paid £1 for it which is all its worth if you still really fancy a punt on it. 4/10
Friday, 30 July 2010
Daytona USA 2001
Developed by Sega-AM2/AM4 and published by Sega, Daytona USA 2001 was released in Europe on 11th May, 2001 and is a cracking conversion of the immensly popular arcade game. Candy colours, fast cars, excited voice-overs, great racing circuits, it all adds up to what Sega does best, creating near arcade experiences for your living room. Anyone with a Dreamcast probably played this title, even if they weren't a big racing fan. I definately did! I remember getting this on launch day then crowing about it on Dreamarena like most over eager gamers did back then.
Okay i'll be the first to admit that handling of the cars took a little getting used to but as there are options to tinker with the vehicles contols to suit your preferrences then it isn't like the player is stuck with a bathtub on wheels. There are 4 cars to begin with: Hornet, Grasshopper, Falcon and Lightning. And also 6 unlockable machines: Unicorn, Red Cat, Pywackett Barchetta, Rule Of The 9th, Javelin and the Paywackett Barchetta Super. Each car has different strengths and weaknesses such as better grip for the Hornet but lacking acceleration, or speed for the Lightning at the cost of handling. Personally the Grasshopper is my most driven car because for me its a decent all rounder.
One albeit very minor grumble are the decals. I wanted to splash my ride with skulls and cheesy go-fast flames but instead am limited to changing only the bodywork colour. Like I say, its not important to the overall game but it would have been nice to see bonnets and doors adorned with crazy designs. But its certainly not a game breaker.
Tracks wise there are 5 accessable from the off: Three Seven Speedway, Dinosaur Canyon, Sea Side Street Galaxy, National Park Speedway and Desert City. These were circuits from the arcade version but Dreamcast has 3 bonus ones: Circuit Pixie, Rin Rin Rink and the figure eight shaped Mermaid Lake.
Each one has their own special features and all provide enough thrills and indeed spills to satisfy everyone. Opponents AI are 'in the zone' so getting ahead of the pack (and staying there) requires steely concentration. Mistakes WILL result in you flying off the road while the rest of the drivers leave you choking in bitter dust.
Daytona USA 2001 is a fantastic racer and surely up there with the Gran Turismos of that era. And it can be picked up for anything between £4 to £8. It can go for more but I think those are more than fair prices. Fabulous Dreamcast title. 9/10
Okay i'll be the first to admit that handling of the cars took a little getting used to but as there are options to tinker with the vehicles contols to suit your preferrences then it isn't like the player is stuck with a bathtub on wheels. There are 4 cars to begin with: Hornet, Grasshopper, Falcon and Lightning. And also 6 unlockable machines: Unicorn, Red Cat, Pywackett Barchetta, Rule Of The 9th, Javelin and the Paywackett Barchetta Super. Each car has different strengths and weaknesses such as better grip for the Hornet but lacking acceleration, or speed for the Lightning at the cost of handling. Personally the Grasshopper is my most driven car because for me its a decent all rounder.
One albeit very minor grumble are the decals. I wanted to splash my ride with skulls and cheesy go-fast flames but instead am limited to changing only the bodywork colour. Like I say, its not important to the overall game but it would have been nice to see bonnets and doors adorned with crazy designs. But its certainly not a game breaker.
Tracks wise there are 5 accessable from the off: Three Seven Speedway, Dinosaur Canyon, Sea Side Street Galaxy, National Park Speedway and Desert City. These were circuits from the arcade version but Dreamcast has 3 bonus ones: Circuit Pixie, Rin Rin Rink and the figure eight shaped Mermaid Lake.
Each one has their own special features and all provide enough thrills and indeed spills to satisfy everyone. Opponents AI are 'in the zone' so getting ahead of the pack (and staying there) requires steely concentration. Mistakes WILL result in you flying off the road while the rest of the drivers leave you choking in bitter dust.
Daytona USA 2001 is a fantastic racer and surely up there with the Gran Turismos of that era. And it can be picked up for anything between £4 to £8. It can go for more but I think those are more than fair prices. Fabulous Dreamcast title. 9/10
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Hydro Thunder
Hydro Thunder was a Sega Dreamcast launch title (September 9th, 1999) developed and published by the fantastic Midway and is a pretty fabulous game in itself. Its a racing game where you pilot a futuristic speedboat through a number of really cool and brilliantly detailed waterways, racing rivals as you go. And believe me, for a title that was released just over ten years ago it STILL packs a great arcade clout.
Shamefully this was another launcher that I missed first time around on the Dreamcast carousel (blame Shenmue) but having recently added it to my collection I have rarely given the disc a chance to stop spinning. Its that good. Every track has its own distinctive features and keep pulling you back for another stab at beating a previous time or better position.
It all looks great and you hardly notice you're playing a decade old game. The boats look good and handle really well. And they even have brilliant names, 'Damn The Torpedo' and 'Mis Behave' spring to mind. The only niggle I could find was when the boats went over ramps or high drops it was impossible to land on dry land due to an invisible wall obviously designed to keep the player on their watery track. Now when racing on good old H20 you don't want to land on the shore, but when flying through the air and obviously heading toward land, it does spoil the experience somewhat to find your boat suddenly bouncing off thin air and returning to the circuit.
Still its nothing drastic and when the rest of the game is so good im not going to knock it for, when it boils down to it, having a rather helpful 'glitch'.
There are 13 circuits in all:
EASY - Thunder Park, Lost Island and Artic Circle (complete with killer whales!)
MEDIUM - Greek Isles, Lake Powell and The Far East
HARD - Ships Graveyard, Venice Canals and New York Disaster
There are 4 tougher BONUS races too but I don't want to spoil the fun by revealing them all. Suffice to say earning them is well worth it. As ive said the detail in each track is pure eye candy, from skull rocks and smoking volcanoes in Lost Island through to the eerie underground section of Lake Powell, it all makes for a thrilling race ro the finish line.
Controls are as easy as an easy pie as they often are in Dreamcast racers and all in all Hydro Thunder is a peach of a game. Plus it goes for around £1 to £3, making it a very tasty peach indeed. Excellent stuff!
**** Check my video out ****
Shamefully this was another launcher that I missed first time around on the Dreamcast carousel (blame Shenmue) but having recently added it to my collection I have rarely given the disc a chance to stop spinning. Its that good. Every track has its own distinctive features and keep pulling you back for another stab at beating a previous time or better position.
It all looks great and you hardly notice you're playing a decade old game. The boats look good and handle really well. And they even have brilliant names, 'Damn The Torpedo' and 'Mis Behave' spring to mind. The only niggle I could find was when the boats went over ramps or high drops it was impossible to land on dry land due to an invisible wall obviously designed to keep the player on their watery track. Now when racing on good old H20 you don't want to land on the shore, but when flying through the air and obviously heading toward land, it does spoil the experience somewhat to find your boat suddenly bouncing off thin air and returning to the circuit.
Still its nothing drastic and when the rest of the game is so good im not going to knock it for, when it boils down to it, having a rather helpful 'glitch'.
There are 13 circuits in all:
EASY - Thunder Park, Lost Island and Artic Circle (complete with killer whales!)
MEDIUM - Greek Isles, Lake Powell and The Far East
HARD - Ships Graveyard, Venice Canals and New York Disaster
There are 4 tougher BONUS races too but I don't want to spoil the fun by revealing them all. Suffice to say earning them is well worth it. As ive said the detail in each track is pure eye candy, from skull rocks and smoking volcanoes in Lost Island through to the eerie underground section of Lake Powell, it all makes for a thrilling race ro the finish line.
Controls are as easy as an easy pie as they often are in Dreamcast racers and all in all Hydro Thunder is a peach of a game. Plus it goes for around £1 to £3, making it a very tasty peach indeed. Excellent stuff!
**** Check my video out ****
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Full PAL Dreamcast List
The X marks the ones I have -
1. 102 Dalmatians: Puppies To The Rescue
2. 18 Wheeler American Pro Tucker X
3. 4 Wheel Thunder X
4. 90 Minutes: Sega Championship Football X
5. Aero Wings
6.Aero Wings 2: Air Strike
7. Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare
8. Army Men: Sarge's Heroes
9. Aqua GT
10. Bangai-O
11. Blue Stinger
12. Buggy Heat
13. Bust A Move 4
14. Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
15. Caesars Palace 2000
16. Cannon Spike
17. Capcom vs SNK: Millennium Fight 2000
18. Carrier
19. Championship Surfer
20. Charge 'N' Blast X
21. Chicken Run X
22. Chu Chu Rocket! X
23. Coaster Works
24. Confidential Mission
25. Conflict Zone
26. Crazy Taxi X
27. Crazy Taxi 2
28. Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX
29. Daytona USA 2001 X
30. Dead or Alive 2
31. Deadly Skies
32. Deep Fighter
33. Dino Crisis
34. Disney's Dinosaur
35. Donald Duck: Quack Attack
36. Dragon Riders: Chronicles of Pern
37. Dragons Blood
38. Ducati World X
39. Dynamite Cop
40. Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future
41. ECW Anarchy Rulz
42. ECW Hardcore Revolution
43. European Super League
44. Evil Dead: Hail to the King X
45. Evil Twin Cyprien's Chronicles
46. Evolution: The World of Sacred Devices
47. Evolution 2: Far off Promise
48. Exhibition of Speed
49. F1 Racing Championship
50. F1 World Grand Prix X
51. F1 World Grand Prix 2
52. F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa X
53. Fighting Force 2 X
54. Fighting Vipers 2
55. Floigan Brothers: episode one X
56. Freestyle Scooter X
57. Fur Fighters X
58. Gauntlet Legends
59. Giant Killers
60. Giga Wing
61. Grand Theft Auto 2
62. Grandia II
63. Grinch, The
64. Gunbird 2 X
65. Headhunter
66. Heavy Metal Geomatrix
67. Hidden and Dangerous X
68. House of the Dead 2, The X
69. Hydro Thunder X
70. Incoming
71. International Track and Field
72. Iron Aces
73. Jeremy McGrath Supercross 2000
74. Jet Set Radio X
75. Jimmy White 2: Cueball
76. Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
77. Kao the Kangaroo
78. Kiss Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child X
79. Le Mans 24 Hours
80. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
81. Looney Tunes: Space Racing
82. Magforce Racing
83. Maken
84. Marvel vs Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes X
85. Marvel vs Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
86. MDK 2
87. Metropolis Street Racer X
88. Midway's Greatest Hits - Volume 1 -
89. Millennium Soldier: Expendable
90. MoHo
91. Mortal Kombat Gold
92. Mr Driller
93. MTV Sports Skateboarding
94. NBA 2K X
95. NBA 2K2
96. NBA Hoopz
97. NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC
98. Next Tetris, The
99. NFL Blitz 2000
100. NFL Quarterback Club 2000
101. NHL 2K
102. Nightmare Creatures 2
103. Nomad Soul, The
104. Outtrigger
105. Pen Pen Triicelon
106. Phantasy Star Online
107. Phantasy Star Online Version 2
108. Planet Ring (*1)
109. Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein
110. POD 2: Multiplayer Online
111. Power Stone X
112. Power Stone 2
113. Pro Pinball Trilogy X
114. Project Justice: Rival Schools 2
115. Psychic Force 2012
116. Quake III Arena X
117. Racing Simulator: Monaco Grand Prix
118. Racing Simulator 2: Monaco Grand Prix Online
119. Railroad Tycoon II
120. Rayman 2: The Great Escape
121. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing X
122. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2 X
123. Record of Lodoss War
124. Red Dog: Superior Firepower
125. Resident Evil 2 X
126. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
127. Resident Evil Code: Veronica X
128. Re-Volt
129. Rez
130. Roadsters
131. Samba De Amigo
132. San Francisco Rush 2049
133. Sega Bass Fishing X
134. Sega Extreme Sports X
135. Sega GT
136. Sega Rally 2 X
137. Sega Swirl
138. Sega Worldwide Soccer 2000
139. Sega Worldwide Soccer 2000: Euro Edition
140. Shadowman X
141. Shenmue X
142. Shenmue 2 X
143. Silent Scope X
144. Silver
145. Skies of Arcadia
146. Slave Zero
147. Sno Cross: Championship Racing
148. Snow Surfers X
149. Soldier of Fortune
150. Sonic Adventure X
151. Sonic Adventure 2
152. Sonic Shuffle
153. Soul Calibur X
154. Soul Fighter X
155.South Park: Chef's Luv Shack
156. South Park Rally
157. Space Channel 5
158. Spawn in the Demon's Hand
159. Spec Ops 2: Omega Squad
160. Speed Devils X
161. Speed Devils Online
162. Spiderman X
163. Spirit of Speed 1937
164. Starlancer
165. Star Wars: Demolition
166. Star Wars: Episode 1 Jedi Power Battles
167. Star Wars: Episode 1 Racer
168. Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike
169. Street Fighter 3: Double Impact
170. Street Fighter Alpha 3
171. Stunt GP
172. Stupid Invaders
173. Super Magnetic Neo
174. Super Runabout: The Golden State
175. Surf Rocket Racers
176. Suzuki Alstare Extreme Racing X
177. Sword of the Berserk: Gut's Rage
178. Sydney 2000 X
179. Taxi - Le Jeu (France Only)
180. Tech Romancer
181. Tee off X
182. Time Stalkers
183. Tokyo Highway Challenge
184. Tokyo Highway Challenge 2
185. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six
186. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Rouge Spear X
187. Tomb Raider Chronicles
188. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation X
189. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
190. Tony Hawk's Skateboarding
191. Toy Commander
192. Toy Racer X
193. Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue!
194. Trickstyle X
195. UEFA Dream Soccer
196. UEFA Striker
197. Ultimate Fighting Championship
198. Unreal Tournament
199. Urban Chaos X
200. Vanishing Point
201. Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense
202. Virtua Athlete 2K
203. Virtua Fighters 3 Team Battle
204. Virtua Striker 2 (ver 2000.1)
205. Virtua Tennis X
206. Virtua Tennis 2
207. V-Rally 2 Expert Edition
208. Wacky Racers
209. Walt Disney World Quest: Magical Racing Tour X
210. Wetrix+
211. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? X
212. Wild Metal
213. Worms Armageddon
214. Worms World Party
215. WWF Attitude X
216. WWF Royal Rumble X
217. Zombie Revenge X
1. 102 Dalmatians: Puppies To The Rescue
2. 18 Wheeler American Pro Tucker X
3. 4 Wheel Thunder X
4. 90 Minutes: Sega Championship Football X
5. Aero Wings
6.Aero Wings 2: Air Strike
7. Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare
8. Army Men: Sarge's Heroes
9. Aqua GT
10. Bangai-O
11. Blue Stinger
12. Buggy Heat
13. Bust A Move 4
14. Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
15. Caesars Palace 2000
16. Cannon Spike
17. Capcom vs SNK: Millennium Fight 2000
18. Carrier
19. Championship Surfer
20. Charge 'N' Blast X
21. Chicken Run X
22. Chu Chu Rocket! X
23. Coaster Works
24. Confidential Mission
25. Conflict Zone
26. Crazy Taxi X
27. Crazy Taxi 2
28. Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX
29. Daytona USA 2001 X
30. Dead or Alive 2
31. Deadly Skies
32. Deep Fighter
33. Dino Crisis
34. Disney's Dinosaur
35. Donald Duck: Quack Attack
36. Dragon Riders: Chronicles of Pern
37. Dragons Blood
38. Ducati World X
39. Dynamite Cop
40. Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future
41. ECW Anarchy Rulz
42. ECW Hardcore Revolution
43. European Super League
44. Evil Dead: Hail to the King X
45. Evil Twin Cyprien's Chronicles
46. Evolution: The World of Sacred Devices
47. Evolution 2: Far off Promise
48. Exhibition of Speed
49. F1 Racing Championship
50. F1 World Grand Prix X
51. F1 World Grand Prix 2
52. F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa X
53. Fighting Force 2 X
54. Fighting Vipers 2
55. Floigan Brothers: episode one X
56. Freestyle Scooter X
57. Fur Fighters X
58. Gauntlet Legends
59. Giant Killers
60. Giga Wing
61. Grand Theft Auto 2
62. Grandia II
63. Grinch, The
64. Gunbird 2 X
65. Headhunter
66. Heavy Metal Geomatrix
67. Hidden and Dangerous X
68. House of the Dead 2, The X
69. Hydro Thunder X
70. Incoming
71. International Track and Field
72. Iron Aces
73. Jeremy McGrath Supercross 2000
74. Jet Set Radio X
75. Jimmy White 2: Cueball
76. Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
77. Kao the Kangaroo
78. Kiss Psycho Circus: The Nightmare Child X
79. Le Mans 24 Hours
80. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
81. Looney Tunes: Space Racing
82. Magforce Racing
83. Maken
84. Marvel vs Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes X
85. Marvel vs Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
86. MDK 2
87. Metropolis Street Racer X
88. Midway's Greatest Hits - Volume 1 -
89. Millennium Soldier: Expendable
90. MoHo
91. Mortal Kombat Gold
92. Mr Driller
93. MTV Sports Skateboarding
94. NBA 2K X
95. NBA 2K2
96. NBA Hoopz
97. NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC
98. Next Tetris, The
99. NFL Blitz 2000
100. NFL Quarterback Club 2000
101. NHL 2K
102. Nightmare Creatures 2
103. Nomad Soul, The
104. Outtrigger
105. Pen Pen Triicelon
106. Phantasy Star Online
107. Phantasy Star Online Version 2
108. Planet Ring (*1)
109. Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein
110. POD 2: Multiplayer Online
111. Power Stone X
112. Power Stone 2
113. Pro Pinball Trilogy X
114. Project Justice: Rival Schools 2
115. Psychic Force 2012
116. Quake III Arena X
117. Racing Simulator: Monaco Grand Prix
118. Racing Simulator 2: Monaco Grand Prix Online
119. Railroad Tycoon II
120. Rayman 2: The Great Escape
121. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing X
122. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2 X
123. Record of Lodoss War
124. Red Dog: Superior Firepower
125. Resident Evil 2 X
126. Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
127. Resident Evil Code: Veronica X
128. Re-Volt
129. Rez
130. Roadsters
131. Samba De Amigo
132. San Francisco Rush 2049
133. Sega Bass Fishing X
134. Sega Extreme Sports X
135. Sega GT
136. Sega Rally 2 X
137. Sega Swirl
138. Sega Worldwide Soccer 2000
139. Sega Worldwide Soccer 2000: Euro Edition
140. Shadowman X
141. Shenmue X
142. Shenmue 2 X
143. Silent Scope X
144. Silver
145. Skies of Arcadia
146. Slave Zero
147. Sno Cross: Championship Racing
148. Snow Surfers X
149. Soldier of Fortune
150. Sonic Adventure X
151. Sonic Adventure 2
152. Sonic Shuffle
153. Soul Calibur X
154. Soul Fighter X
155.South Park: Chef's Luv Shack
156. South Park Rally
157. Space Channel 5
158. Spawn in the Demon's Hand
159. Spec Ops 2: Omega Squad
160. Speed Devils X
161. Speed Devils Online
162. Spiderman X
163. Spirit of Speed 1937
164. Starlancer
165. Star Wars: Demolition
166. Star Wars: Episode 1 Jedi Power Battles
167. Star Wars: Episode 1 Racer
168. Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike
169. Street Fighter 3: Double Impact
170. Street Fighter Alpha 3
171. Stunt GP
172. Stupid Invaders
173. Super Magnetic Neo
174. Super Runabout: The Golden State
175. Surf Rocket Racers
176. Suzuki Alstare Extreme Racing X
177. Sword of the Berserk: Gut's Rage
178. Sydney 2000 X
179. Taxi - Le Jeu (France Only)
180. Tech Romancer
181. Tee off X
182. Time Stalkers
183. Tokyo Highway Challenge
184. Tokyo Highway Challenge 2
185. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six
186. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Rouge Spear X
187. Tomb Raider Chronicles
188. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation X
189. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
190. Tony Hawk's Skateboarding
191. Toy Commander
192. Toy Racer X
193. Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue!
194. Trickstyle X
195. UEFA Dream Soccer
196. UEFA Striker
197. Ultimate Fighting Championship
198. Unreal Tournament
199. Urban Chaos X
200. Vanishing Point
201. Vigilante 8: 2nd Offense
202. Virtua Athlete 2K
203. Virtua Fighters 3 Team Battle
204. Virtua Striker 2 (ver 2000.1)
205. Virtua Tennis X
206. Virtua Tennis 2
207. V-Rally 2 Expert Edition
208. Wacky Racers
209. Walt Disney World Quest: Magical Racing Tour X
210. Wetrix+
211. Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? X
212. Wild Metal
213. Worms Armageddon
214. Worms World Party
215. WWF Attitude X
216. WWF Royal Rumble X
217. Zombie Revenge X
Monday, 10 May 2010
Silent Scope
Ah Konami! Everyone loves Konami! At least they ought to if they claim to have a love for videogames. They truly are one of gamings greatest publishers/developers, and when they announced they would be porting the highly successful arcade title Silent Scope onto the Dreamcast gamers the world over exhaled a collective sigh of relief because we knew Konami would score a direct hit (to keep it in sniper-speak.)
Silent Scope arrived on November 17th, 2000, which suprised me as I thought I remembered it as one of the Dreamcasts launch titles but a quick spot of research shows me to be mistaken.
Nevertheless I do recall the excitement I felt as previews and screenshots of the game appeared in magazines (internet wasn't so popular back then), and I vividly remember wanting to get my hands on it ASAP. It looked so cool.
Okay, what type of game is it? Its another on-rails shooter, this time putting the player in the shoes of a highly trained police sniper hunting down terrorists who have kidnapped the First Family. (First Family = the President of course.) Basically you go from one scenario to another picking off targets as they pop up in front of your sniper's scope.
In the arcades you literally had a rifle peripheal but on the Dreamcast version the zoom in screen was actually WITHIN the main screen. Very clever Konami. It works well too and zeroing in on targets is simple via a squeeze on the shoulder/trigger button or the B button. Brilliant!
As you would expect Silent Scope looks fantastic and is very faithful to its arcade counterpart, even down to when the sight scope cursor turns into a heart whenever you spy a sexy cartoon lady. Top marks there too.
In the Main Story (in Arcade mode) there are a number of different stages to complete; Downtown, Stadium, Highway, Hotel, Night Vision and Big Boss. Each one getting progessively more difficult, as well as having their own unique styles. I particularly love the Stadium stage where Cobra (bad guy) is carrying the President's hapless daughter across an American football pitch as you attempt to snipe him from a helicopter. Cool as you like.
Together with the main story in Arcade mode you also have both indoor and outdoor shooting ranges which are a nice plus.
Silent Scope is a fabulous game and still highly playable today. I love spending a few hours honing my shooting 'skills' with it and it has Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 to compete with nowadays. Not bad for a game which is 10 years old!
The only downside is the paltry amount of other play modes on offer; two. Ranking, where you move up the ranks and the better Training Mode where you set a scene (Farm, River & Cave) and shoot wooden targets, careful not to plug an innocent civilian target that occasionaly pop up. I say this is the better of the two extra modes because of the variety of challenges on offer; Time Attack, Perfect Shot, Pop Up Targets and Quick Shot.
So eventhough I say the few extras are a downside, there really is a fair bit to them. I guess with the current climate of downloadable content available for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, im feeling the pinch of Silent Scopes limited extras. However thats certainly no fault of either the Dreamcast or Konami's game, the fault lies at my greedy chops because as ive said Silent Scope is an excellent shooter and a Must Have title for any serious Dreamcast enthusiast/gamer.
This usually goes for around the £7 mark but more often than not you can pick it up cheaper. I paid £4 for my copy which was rather nice. Love the game. 8/10
**** Check video out ****
Silent Scope arrived on November 17th, 2000, which suprised me as I thought I remembered it as one of the Dreamcasts launch titles but a quick spot of research shows me to be mistaken.
Nevertheless I do recall the excitement I felt as previews and screenshots of the game appeared in magazines (internet wasn't so popular back then), and I vividly remember wanting to get my hands on it ASAP. It looked so cool.
Okay, what type of game is it? Its another on-rails shooter, this time putting the player in the shoes of a highly trained police sniper hunting down terrorists who have kidnapped the First Family. (First Family = the President of course.) Basically you go from one scenario to another picking off targets as they pop up in front of your sniper's scope.
In the arcades you literally had a rifle peripheal but on the Dreamcast version the zoom in screen was actually WITHIN the main screen. Very clever Konami. It works well too and zeroing in on targets is simple via a squeeze on the shoulder/trigger button or the B button. Brilliant!
As you would expect Silent Scope looks fantastic and is very faithful to its arcade counterpart, even down to when the sight scope cursor turns into a heart whenever you spy a sexy cartoon lady. Top marks there too.
In the Main Story (in Arcade mode) there are a number of different stages to complete; Downtown, Stadium, Highway, Hotel, Night Vision and Big Boss. Each one getting progessively more difficult, as well as having their own unique styles. I particularly love the Stadium stage where Cobra (bad guy) is carrying the President's hapless daughter across an American football pitch as you attempt to snipe him from a helicopter. Cool as you like.
Together with the main story in Arcade mode you also have both indoor and outdoor shooting ranges which are a nice plus.
Silent Scope is a fabulous game and still highly playable today. I love spending a few hours honing my shooting 'skills' with it and it has Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 to compete with nowadays. Not bad for a game which is 10 years old!
The only downside is the paltry amount of other play modes on offer; two. Ranking, where you move up the ranks and the better Training Mode where you set a scene (Farm, River & Cave) and shoot wooden targets, careful not to plug an innocent civilian target that occasionaly pop up. I say this is the better of the two extra modes because of the variety of challenges on offer; Time Attack, Perfect Shot, Pop Up Targets and Quick Shot.
So eventhough I say the few extras are a downside, there really is a fair bit to them. I guess with the current climate of downloadable content available for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, im feeling the pinch of Silent Scopes limited extras. However thats certainly no fault of either the Dreamcast or Konami's game, the fault lies at my greedy chops because as ive said Silent Scope is an excellent shooter and a Must Have title for any serious Dreamcast enthusiast/gamer.
This usually goes for around the £7 mark but more often than not you can pick it up cheaper. I paid £4 for my copy which was rather nice. Love the game. 8/10
**** Check video out ****
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