Complete DC newbie needs help!

[a9801Rob]

I like to think that I'm fairly open minded as regards the gaming scene; I've access to most modern consoles, with decent games from all genres. However, for reasons I can't even begin to fathom now, I chose to ignore the DC. Completely.

Until now.

So, having bought an official RGB cable and arcade stick, I'm after some informed opinions.

Dreamcast: I'd like a console that'll play anything I throw at it, but in full speed, no borders + in RGB (though I understand this is game dependant). Is a modded PAL console up to the job, or is a modded NTSC console preferable, and why? I'm good for a stepdown if it's required.

Games: Your top 12 to 15 DC games (inc which version)? A mix of genres would be nice!

Finally, what else do I need - I'm not concerned with the online capabilities of the machine (should I be nowadays?) but any memory cards, cables (s-video?), joypads or other bits and bobs that I'd need? Also, where should I go about getting this little lot?

Cheers in advance,

Rob

[Roost]

After last nights session all i can say for DC games is:

Racing: F355.

[Rabasaurus]

Dc games, hmmmmm

Soul Calibur - fighting

Street Fighter 3 3rd Strike - fighting

Capcom Vs SNK 2 - fighting

Guilty Gear X - fighting

King of Fighters 2000 - fighting

Grandia 2 - RPG

Skies of arcadia - RPG

MSR - Racing

F355 - Racing

Sonic Adventure 1 - platform

Resident Evil Code Veronica - action/adventure

Phantasy Star Online - action/adventure (online also)

Ikaruga - shooter

Loads more, cant remember off the top of my head

[RLench]

I was in a similar position about 4-5 months ago after starting a DC collection from scratch - I'm now up to 34 games


Some great choices above - but IMO you also need:

Virtua Tennis (or the sequel) - probably the best sports gane ever
Crazy Taxi - fantastic arcade fun
Chu Chu Rocket - brilliant little puzzle game that you can pick up for a few pound if you shop around.
Daytona 2001 - 40 cars in a race. Simple as that. Fantastic game
Shenmue/Shenmue 2 - brilliant adventure games.


There's loads more though, best thing to do is go to 2nd hand stores and look through the bargains.

[Garibaldi Biscuit]

Hmmm, pretty heavy emphasis on fighting there, prob why I never really got into this console.

I'd be interested in hearing a lot of fave games for this system, as I feel kind of remiss not to pick one up now that they're so cheap, but by the same token I've got to be true to myself with what kinds of games I enjoy.

[C']

It's a crime no one has mentioned Jet Set Radio yet. Truly a marvelous game.

Other personal faves include:

Vampire Chronicle for Matching Service
Power Stone
Zero Gunner 2

And everything mentioned above is definitely worth considering.

[a9801Rob]

Cheers guys, it's really appreciated!

Anyone got any thoughts on which version of the console to buy: modded PAL or modded NTSC?

Also, Rabasaurus/RLench - are the games you're mentioning UK/US/Jap?

Ta muchly!

[Papercut]

see this cool discussion of exclusive Dreamcast games here:

http://ntsc-uk.domino.org/viewtopic.php?t=5919

[fuzzybee]

I have a modded all region Jap console and a modded all region pal console, the pal console never gets used. Although nothings wrong with it some ntsc games only boot in 50hz so you get borders and 17% slower gameplay(Ikaruga for example), however the modded Jap console runs everything fullspeed and fullscreen.
so my advice would be get a ntsc modded console but remember all pheripherals are universal,
You will also need a RGB scart cable and a s-video cable as some ntsc games won't display through a RGB cable.
My top 15 DC games would be

Vampire Chronicles 2d fighter Jap only RGB locked
REZ Superb techno 3d shooter
Ferrari F355 serious racer
Daytona USA not so serious but superb arcade racing
Soul Caliber stunning 3d fighter
SF3 Third Strike 2d fighter
Garou Mark of the Wolves 2d fighter Jap/US only
Cosmic Smash a stunning 3d breakout Jap only
Ikaruga Stunning vertical shooter Jap only
Skies of Arcadia very deep RPG US version RGB locked
Zero Gunner 2 stunning vertical shooter Jap only
Capcom v's SNK 2d fighter
Marvel v's Capcom 2 2d fighter
Virtua Tennis fantastic tennis game
Silver yes i know but i like it

The list of great DC games is vast so get everything 8)

[Papercut]

Anyone got any thoughts on which version of the console to buy: modded PAL or modded NTSC?

Depends whether you will be buying mostly PAL or NTSC games.

A modded PAL console with DC-X is the most compatible (will run anything). The only hassle would be having to use DC-X to force some NTSC games to 60Hz mode.

An NTSC console is the least hassle if you have a lot of NTSC games, no need for the DC-X. However, some PAL games will crash on boot with an NTSC console, and the DC-X can't force 50Hz to fix them. You also need an extra hardware patch to enable PAL output, so that 50Hz games work without the screen rolling.

[mid]

A handy thing to know is that most games will use the VGA out if you buy a ?10 or so connector box. The picture through VGA is just absolutely stunning, and every game that will use it runs at 60Hz even if you're running on a PAL machine and using a chip rather than DC-X.

[a9801Rob]

Right... so I'm thinking modded PAL machine with DC-X, providing the vast majority of PAL games are well translated: 60Hz modes, fullscreen etc or well optimised. Opinions?

Useful stuff, keep it coming!

[Papercut]

Right... so I'm thinking modded PAL machine with DC-X, providing the vast majority of PAL games are well translated: 60Hz modes, fullscreen etc or well optimised. Opinions?

Dreamcast PAL conversions are about as good as it gets. Many games have a 60Hz option, almost all of the Sega titles do (apart from Sega Rally 2). There are also a lot of well optimised 50Hz versions with full or near-full screen, like Jet Set Radio and Resident Evil: Code Veronica. Also, lots and lots of PAL games support the VGA adaptor, even if it isn't labelled on the box.

Dreamcast is just about the only console I don't mind having PAL versions for at all.

If you are unsure about 60Hz support in a PAL game, someone on these forums is bound to know too

[a9801Rob]

Cheers Papercut, sounds like PAL will do me fine.

Last few questions to the floor - what's the best way to go about getting the machine? Buy one then get it chipped (if so what chip and by whom)? Or buy it pre-chipped (again where)?

[Papercut]

Chipping the Dreamcast is quite simple (compared to the PS2), I'd get hold of one whichever way is cheapest.

For chipping, if you're not too handy with a soldering iron, I'd get in touch with Saurian on these boards. I'm not sure whether he does Dreamcasts, but if not he might know someone who does.