Dreamcast love in

[dataDave]

I never played this. Which is weird because I loved Die Hard Arcade on the Saturn. Anyone know if it's generally the same?

It's generally the same, with a stronger focus on more explosive weapons which are scattered everywhere in abundance.

[MrKirov]

Finished work yesterday, and reorganised the gaming shelves and made myself a new spot for the Dreamcast stuff! (I'd post picture, but imgur on mobile seems to require an account now?)

Anyhoo, finished that and sat down with a couple more games- firstly, Silent Scope!

Now, I played this in the arcade, and on PS2- but the DC version seems to be much better than the PS2 one, but I cant really say why? Is the same game!

However, got the hang of the controls, and was having a blast, love the branching paths, the cut down or lengthened levels depending on routes- and absolutely love that you can kill the bosses in one hit with a headshot! Absolutely love the dodgy jazz music with the extra life when you find a sexy lady in your scope! This game is very hard, and the time limit is tough- but god its so much fun, spent about an hour on it before moving on. As soon as I figured out not to go for headshots on everyone, and that shooting them in the foot kills them, it got easier. Will be playing more!

Secondly I moved onto Power Stone.I had this when I was a kid, but didnt put a lot of time into it. Back in the later days of Dreamcast when you could pick up pre owned games from Gamestation for £4.99, id go into town with my pocket money and pick up a new game -this was one of the ones I got. Incidentally I remember picking up NFL Blitz, Shadow Man and NBA showtime for the same price!

Anyway, this game is a blast! So much fun, and a lot more mechanics I didnt realise when I played when I was younger. Multiple supers, trying to get moves out in enough time to still launch a super, choosing to pick up and throw, or push environmental stuff which I didnt realise you could do either. When the third stone drops and its a mad dash, its just crazy fun. I havent got the mechanics down yet, I seem to roll around alot when im knocked down, and not sure if theres a block button or anyway to dodge other then run about like a loon- but i'll certainly go back to this!

Bright, beautiful colours. Bug chunky characters, great art design. I understand why this is so well loved. HOWEVER the final boss "Vargas" can feck off. Back to the good old days of hard bosses... takes double damage, does double damage, and if he gets the three stones you may as well restart with the damage he does..! 45 mins it took me to finish, and about 30 mins of that was just him haha!

Not sure what i'll be picking up next..!

[dataDave]

Power Stone is a nice little arena fighter, and was spectacular at the time. The sequel loses the fighting mechanics and is more of a party game which me and my friends didn't play very much, despite all being huge fans of the first game.

[Asura]

Power Stone is a nice little arena fighter, and was spectacular at the time. The sequel loses the fighting mechanics and is more of a party game which me and my friends didn't play very much, despite all being huge fans of the first game.

Yeah; I like both - but the first one is quite a strong fighter, while the second one is a zany, anything-goes party action game.

[MrKirov]

Yeah; I like both - but the first one is quite a strong fighter, while the second one is a zany, anything-goes party action game.

I havent played the second one yet, though Ive got it ready to try. Not as good for single player then? Im assuming its got an arcade mode with CPU's occupying the other slots still?

[wakka]

Here's another reason to love the Dreamcast, that I just learned - its analogue sticks used Hall effect sensors rather than potentiometers, eliminating the possibility of drift. Even Microsoft and Sony's ridiculously priced Elite and Edge pads don't have these.

Maybe everyone else knew this but it's a TIL for me

[MrKirov]

Okay, so last night I thought "ive only got under an hour, lets try some pick up and play games"...then ended up playing multiple for much longer than an hour haha!

I started with Virtua Striker 2. This was tough. The back triggers dont do anything, there is no run button, the camera is realllly zoomed in, the controls felt a bit unresponsive, and for some reason you cant use the analog stick- only the dpad? I played a game practically without touching the ball. After that ended I went into options, confirmed the controls, and set it to easy. I returned again and still found the same issues but had a bit of a chance to get my bearings.

Its not a bad game, but feel theres probably some kind of learning curve there. Out of 4 games I got one goal, and my possession was probably like 30% at max. I'd like to try it again, but I might need to read up a little to understand some stuff- which you probably shouldnt need to do for a football game! I was loving the colours and the visuals though, and the fact it wasnt super serious, and it was bright and colourful.

I then went onto something I knew i'd like as a pallette cleanser, Zombie Revenge. What fun!! Just jeez, this game is HARD. The timer gives you no leeway, you're getting pummelled alot, and the controls felt a bit slow, at least at first. Run and block being on the same button whether youre moving or not got me in trouble, as did while running, pressing your shoot button will do some super attack when I just wanted to fire my gun! Same goes for thee being a weapon on the ground I want to pick up in a pinch, you cant just do it quickly.

I got my head around it all though, and went through a blast as Linda Rotta! I felt like I was doing little damage and wondering how you were supposed to get through on the time limit- Then after 5 mins I realised if you wait before you shoot, and the recticle turns darker, you do more damage! Game changer! I managed to get to the boss of level 4 (chemical plant I think?) And then ran out of continues on the default options. Im goign to be saving this one for two player I think!

This game looks great, love the character models and animation, and the music being like a HOTD spinoff is brilliant. Early on I was at a computer and had to pick a card? I wonder what that does. Branching paths? Enemy differences? Ending? Will be fun to find out! Only weird thing I found on this one, I thought my VMU was broken, as it wasnt showing an image on the game at all, It was saving okay etc- but the screen was blank. I dont know if this game has anything on the VMU in game? Other games seemed to show stuff just fine.

That led me onto another weird VMU thing- I went back to the console menu, to play with the memory card blocks, and then noticed a Capcom logo is on my VMU! I dont know why that is, I havent done anythign to change it- can you change it? Was it just because there are so many Capcom games on my memory card? A fun mystery to solve!

Anyway, I then went onto Virtua Tennis. I dont think ive played the OG before, so booted it up, and decioded to take a sup of my can of coke next to me, and I heard an intro start playing, only to hear the voice of BARRY BURTON. TALKING ABOUT TENNIS. I smiled and enjoyed that far too much, only to find when playing the game, he is the announcer!! Before really picking up the controller the game was 11/10.

I booted up arcade mode and picked Tim Henman. The first couple of games were easy, and wasnt struggling at all, or having to really engage with the mechanics, or even use more than the one button. At first I thought, maybe this was one of those overhyped games, or maybe improved in sequels. However I got to the third match and this guy was a step above in difficulty. Lobbing me, playing close to the net, then back at the end of the court, mixing me up, and havign to make me work for it. I started having the think a little more and pick my tactics and shots better- thats when the game started to shine. After three losses, I decided to come back another time. Damn that Phillipopopoululupopulis.

For the final game, I decided to try out Confidential Mission. Ive never played this before, but enjoy rail shooters and HOTD so I was looking forward to it. After booting up the game, and watching the intro, I SWEAR I could have heard Mr Barry f-ing Burton do a voice for a second time. But I put that down to the voice living rent free in my head.... However I swear to god it him when I played more ingame! Twice in one night! Whats the chances!! 11/10 once again.

I really enjoyed this. Im playing on controller, but still operates and plays well. Much slower than HOTD, with less emphasis on smashing the shoot button, and more on being a bit slower and accurate with your shots. But not that its a bad thing its a silly fun game! Civilians running in out of nowhere, enemies John Woo diving onto the screen, crazy scenarios where peoples heads pop out of a silly place and start shooting you. Fun!

The game cemented its status as great in two places, in the first level. One, was having an inagme QTE kinda thing where I had to shoot my grapple gun at a specific spot- I hit it, but I wonder what happens if I didnt..! The second one was the boos fight with the ratty little fella in the museum. The stone pillars that randomly open up to turn into turrets, brilliant! Shooting them, and the enemies that pop up, while the boss waddles about the level, crawlig across the floor, trying to hide from view- this is gonna be great for replays and two player! However its making me want a decent CRT and guns!!

[Asura]

Anyway, I then went onto Virtua Tennis. I dont think ive played the OG before, so booted it up, and decioded to take a sup of my can of coke next to me, and I heard an intro start playing, only to hear the voice of BARRY BURTON. TALKING ABOUT TENNIS. I smiled and enjoyed that far too much, only to find when playing the game, he is the announcer!! Before really picking up the controller the game was 11/10.

I booted up arcade mode and picked Tim Henman. The first couple of games were easy, and wasnt struggling at all, or having to really engage with the mechanics, or even use more than the one button. At first I thought, maybe this was one of those overhyped games, or maybe improved in sequels. However I got to the third match and this guy was a step above in difficulty. Lobbing me, playing close to the net, then back at the end of the court, mixing me up, and havign to make me work for it. I started having the think a little more and pick my tactics and shots better- thats when the game started to shine. After three losses, I decided to come back another time. Damn that Phillipopopoululupopulis.

Make sure you try it in 2-player! Honestly, it's one of the best games ever made in 2-player. I actually prefer it to the sequel.

[Baseley09]

One of my friends once commented that Virtua Striker 2 is like Dragons Lair, I tend to agree. Amazing in some respects, at others it feels like you're not taking part

[wakka]

Glad to hear you're having so much fun Mr Kirov.

Agreed with Asura, I also prefer Virtua Tennis 1 to 2. It's such a brilliantly playable game, one of those ones that Sega of that era did so well where they just comprehensively nailed the execution on version 1 (much like Crazy Taxi or Super Monkey Ball).

[MrKirov]

Okay, another day, another batch of games tried!

Started off with Blue Stinger. I actually remember liking this game, so I wondered if it held up. I recall as a kid knowing it was a bit goofy, and the setting is totally tongue in cheek- but I seem to remember fun gameplay, inventive scenarios and locations, and a great soundtrack, I was interested to see if it held up.

Initially, found the opening cutscene to be super unclear. Very low bitrate, highly pixelated- but the ingame cutscenes and graphics were super shar and clear. That Dreamcast untextured look in full force here.

After the first ingame cutscene, I noticed the sound was off. Lips moving when speech had ended, that kind of thing, I didn’t recall it as bad as this, but didn’t think much of it.

Gameplay wise, it’s exactly as I remember! A weird run cycle, somewhat fiddly camera with the lack of a second stick, but it’s workable. I always wanted to try the Japanese version with fixed angles!

Anyway, I played on until the elevator section that you need to save in 120 seconds, and all the while some weird stuff was happening with cutscenes, all the speech was started halfway through the cutscene, models not moving until it had ended, gaining control before the speech had ended- it was too consistent to be memory. At first I thought it was a duff copy- then I looked online and found it was a known bug!

Apparently running the PAL version through VGA throws the timing off, and breaks key interactions and locks you out of progression. As it was an optimised PAL50 port, running it at 60 breaks it!

I abandoned this for now, as I couldn’t be bothered to change cables. But what I did play seems to match up to my memory, so I’m looking forward to it!

Next up was Power Stone 2. I’m not sure if this is controversial, but… I’m not sure I’m a fan. The change from 2 player to 4 player seems to lessen this game a bit, at least in single player.

The first was a focussed arena fighter, but the second just seems to be chaos. Really low readability on whatever is happening, constantly stunlocked from multiple attacks, bosses that were a bit rough. I tried a few of the different modes, but even the 1 vs 1 felt quite rough in comparison. Is this just me? Maybe I need to give it a bit more time? But didn’t grab me by the enjoyment balls as the first one did.

Finally? I jumped onto House of the Dead 2. What a game. I had this as a child with the gun and a big CRT, and I loved it. Playing it again with a controller, does lessen the experience, but it’s still super fun and balanced without a gun.

I don’t remember this being so hard though! I remember smashing this with the gun, and finishing the game in a credit or two! I barely got past the third boss ��

Graphically, this was one that was mind blowing as when it came out. Couldn’t believe how it lookedC and it stayed that way in my minds eye. Playing it now, some textures are rough, it’s muddy in places and doesn’t look like I remember. BUT that doesn’t mean it doesn’t look good! The character models are great, as is the deformation of the enemies, and all the breakables. Definately doesn’t look bad, just not quite like my rose tinted glasses made it out to be!

Of course, the cutscenes and voice acting need no mention. Just incredible ��

I only had a quick blast of the arcade mode, but I recall there being a brilliant original mode with unlocks and weapons etc- I’ll give that a try next! I don’t know if you can do that on 2 player though? If so, I’m going to look forward to that especially!

So some ups and downs last night, however when dealing with older consoles and PAL ports etc, that’s the life we choose!

[Asura]

Next up was Power Stone 2. I’m not sure if this is controversial, but… I’m not sure I’m a fan. The change from 2 player to 4 player seems to lessen this game a bit, at least in single player.

The first was a focussed arena fighter, but the second just seems to be chaos. Really low readability on whatever is happening, constantly stunlocked from multiple attacks, bosses that were a bit rough. I tried a few of the different modes, but even the 1 vs 1 felt quite rough in comparison. Is this just me? Maybe I need to give it a bit more time? But didn’t grab me by the enjoyment balls as the first one did.

Nah, you've hit the nail on the head. The second one is pretty fun as a 4-player game with some friends, but as a single player (or two-player) game it's most defininitely the weaker.

[Atticus]

Blue Stinger was a ropey game that had two things going for it as I remember: one, it came out when there was very little else to play on the Dreamcast, two, it had some Christmas charm. I never got far in it though.

Also agree on Powerstone. I like the first one a lot more. What a game!

[wakka]

House of the Dead 2 is a great game, but I can't imagine doing the boss rush on a pad. It's exhausting enough on a lightgun. The problem is that the bosses are way too bullet spongey. It's a shame because the game is otherwise really good.

[samanosuke]

Next up was Power Stone 2. I’m not sure if this is controversial, but… I’m not sure I’m a fan. The change from 2 player to 4 player seems to lessen this game a bit, at least in single player.

This is not an uncommon opinion, however what I would say is that with three mates, Power Stone 2 suddenly becomes better than the original by order of magnitude. Back in the day I used to play this with a bunch of mates in 4 vs 4 and 2 vs 2 modes and it was an absolute hoot. It’d have us in stitches it was so much fun, one of the best party games around. Shame it’s so difficult arranging a meet up down the pub with mates these days, never mind convincing them to come round for a Dreamcast sesh.