DC 52 Weeks

[StanJr]

We have the 2.0 Browser, but Aimee had it before she had the capability to utilize it, so we've never been online via the Dreamcast.

 

[Markimus of K.]

I've got the 3.0 browser and it's much nicer than the previous ones. Bit of a pain though, they wouldn't ship to Canada so I had them ship it to my step-brother in CT who forwarded it to me.

[Video]

I have and used the 2.0 and 3.0 browsers. The 3.0 was SO much better. It still filled up the DC's ram (or whatever happens to it) and eventually lags to a halt, but it was something I could deal with unlike the earlier versions.

 

I've heard that 2.6.2 was the best (of the official releases) but I've never been able to get a copy...I found one on ebay, and it got broke in the mail (seriously, who puts a nekid CD in an envelope?) so I never got one.

 

Anyhow, the Dreamcast was my first official web browsing machine, and stayed that untill about mid 02, when I finely got a modem for my Desktop (now days, you can't get a mobo without all that shit built in) Anyhow, the DC web browser certainly sucks by todays standards, but ti could do most anything a computer could at the time...or at least, everything useful, so I was happy with it. It was faster than my computer, but that's probably cause the computer has all that overhead bs in it that uses up it's memory. Anyhow, I eventually retired 3, when I got XDP, which you could update and get plugins for (if you had the memory for it that is, it saved all the updates to a memory card) In a way, I still liked 3 better.

 

I never used the messenger built in, by the time 3 came out, everybody had moved on, so I've never seen it in action (nor the voip that the 2+ versions had) But, I did use it as a messenger all the time, it worked fine with the old versions of IM Mobile and you just hooked up to that and ran as normal.

 

Unfortunately, the browser is now really dated, many features don't work anymore (like everybody has flash uh...what, 11 now?) I used to use it to read my email, but hotmail appears to be nolonger compatible (how the hell??) and other than that, it was how I joined Atariage way back when, and for a year or two, almost exclusively how I got on. I made my own board with it, which is still around, and set it up to work sith the DC more spacifically, though a few years back, I took off the HTML that controlled the size of everything to optimize it for TV viewiong. I wanted to get into flash (joe cartoon style, BTW, some of his older work, like Gerble Genocide still work) Unfortunately, as they updated it, apparently, they simply deleted the older flash creators, so I never got into it, I still want to, but I still want it to be compatible with old stuff too.

 

Anyhow, good times, some of the best years of the internet, I spent on the Dreamcst, and most of that was on v3. It's next to useless now, but I wonder if it would be collectable some day?

[Rev. Rob]

Nice post, Video.

 

 

 

Anyhow, good times, some of the best years of the internet, I spent on the Dreamcst, and most of that was on v3. It's next to useless now, but I wonder if it would be collectable some day?

 

Probably. Not a whole lot were made.

[Rev. Rob]

Dreamcast Game of the Week, Week 19: Charge 'N Blast

 

 

Charge 'N Blast

Released: February 8, 2001

Platform: Dreamcast

Publisher: Xicat Interactive

Developer: SIMS

Genre: Action

DB Link

 

One thing that SEGA had going for it was its huge arcade catalog. SEGA made some of the best arcade games of all time, and used that as a selling point for Master System, Genesis, 32X, Saturn, and to a lesser extent Dreamcast. By the time that Dreamcast came around, arcades were already on the decline. Nevertheless, SEGA ported a number of its arcade properties to its newest home console. Some, like Crazy Taxi, were smash hits. Others, like Charge 'N Blast never received wide exposure.

 

A lot of arcade games don't translate well to home consoles. They're short, lack depth, and don't have a lot of replay value. Charge 'N Blast definitely fits into this category, and unlike Crazy Taxi, there aren't a lot of extras crammed in for the home release.

 

This is a straight arcade port from SIMS, which was a SEGA subsidiary at the time (and is now independent), and is one example of several where SEGA opted to not publish its own game on its own console. Thanks be to Xicat for bringing this previously unreleased arcade game to US gamers.

 

The "plot" is typical. This time we're saving the world from bad aliens that come from meteors.

 

Though short and only moderately difficult, the game is fun and surprisingly unique. The player selects one of three characters to take care of the world saving. Each have slightly different sets of three weapons. The levels are divided into "war zones."

 

In the war zone the objective is to destroy all of the attacking aliens before time runs out. The character's movement is limited to strafing left and right with the L and R triggers in order to dodge attacks and projectiles. To kill the enemies a weapon must first be charged by pressing X, Y, or B. The longer the weapon charges the more powerful the shot will be. The analog stick is used to aim the weapon, and then the A button is used to blast.

 

Several weapons have lock-on targeting which makes it easy to attack a number of enemies at one time. Further, others have splash damage.

 

Once each war zone is cleared, time is added to the clock and and you move on to the next war zone. At the end of each level there's a boss battle. Each boss has a shield generator which must be destroyed before the boss can take damage. Using any of the lock-on weapons makes this task pretty easy whether your battling a gigantic bug, Godzilla, or an bomb hurling octopus.

 

The environments are partially destructible, which is a nice touch. Sometimes there are hidden power ups to be found, and other times part of the objective is to not blow shit up.

 

Two player mode is particularly fun, but extremely frustrating if the other player isn't any good, because in co-op mode both players share the same life bar.

 

Charge 'N Blast isn't a "must own" game by any means, but is relatively cheap. For those who enjoy fast paced retro arcade action, this game is worth picking up.

 

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_5leA7FAVE

 

Box:

[Austin]

Not a bad pick for people that have already tapped most of the other arcade-style options out there, and it's cheap, too. I think I bought mine sealed on eBay for $10 after shipping, just under six months ago.

Edited February 7, 2010 by Austin

[Rev. Rob]

Not a bad pick for people that have already tapped most of the other arcade-style options out there, and it's cheap, too. I think I bought mine sealed on eBay for $10 after shipping, just under six months ago.

 

Ya, I only recently bought it and I paid less than $10 for a sealed copy shipped just a few weeks ago.

[Rev. Rob]

Dreamcast Game of the Week, Week 20: Dynamite Cop!

 

Dynamite Cop!

Released: March 17, 2000

Platform: Dreamcast

Publisher: Tecmo

Developer: Tecmo

Genre: Fighting

DB Link

 

In March 2000, the first thing that people noticed when they saw Dead or Alive 2 was how fucking great it looked compared to anything that had come before it.

 

The character 3D models were more detailed (and shiner) than those from Soul Calibur. The female characters' voluptuous bouncy breast but the SC girls to shame. The clothing was more detailed and the applied physics were apparent.

 

Furthermore, the environments were more varied, interactive, the terrain changed, and they were multi-tiered. Having the "high ground" made for a better offensive position, and there was nothing cooler than throwing your enemy through a window and pounding them when the landed on the street below.

 

The only thing that DOA2 didn't have, (and IMO the series has never gained), is the kind of depth that Soul Calibur has in spades. DOA2 is a bit button mashy. While that's good from a pick up and play perspective, it's not good when a novice can take down an experienced player on the first try. Some of the air combos are too easy. But that's not where the talent lies in this game. The skill comes in being able to counter and reverse opponents moves.

 

I suppose I should also mention that the characters are varied form hot ass ninja chicks, to ninja dudes, to Hulk Hogan, and everything in between.

 

The story mode is strictly for practice (it's extremely short). Any fun in DOA2 will come from versus mode combat, and if you're me, it comes from tag team versus combat, which is a lot of fun (see video).

 

For fans of the genre, Dead or Alive 2 is pretty much a must own for the Dreamcast. It's the best hand-to-hand 3D fighting game for the console, including AM2's disappointing Virtua Fighter 3tb, the eye-candy factor has held up well, and there's partial nudity in the game's opening sequence.

 

Gameplay:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dPOcShhmHg

 

Box front:

 

Box back:

[Mirage]

Okay, I need to get that one too... as always, thanks for the review. You have three references to Dynamite Cop though, in the title and sig. You must have been planning on doing that one instead?

[StanJr]

It is a bit button mashy and not as fun as SoulCalibur, and honestly once I went SC I never looked back. That said I will, guiltily, play it from time to time for the gratuitous eye candy. It's sad, I know... :embarassed:

[Rev. Rob]

Okay, I need to get that one too... as always, thanks for the review. You have three references to Dynamite Cop though, in the title and sig. You must have been planning on doing that one instead?

 

 

Ha, ha! Whoops!

 

I guess Dynamite Cop! can be next week.

[Video]

I'll have to look for chargenlbast, it looks kkind a like a 3D space invaders Cool.

 

Dead or alive 2...oh HELL YEAH. Man, I was burned out on fighting games, but the detal of the environments and the interactivity was just amazing on this game. And you could hardly think of the DC as an inferior hardware compared to PS2/Xbox when you had this game. It was just damn good. And I liked to just see what you could break by thworing people intow alls or on the ground....yeah. Oh, and I guess it didn't hurt any that the chicks had er...jiggly boobs

 

I eventually picked it up for the box too, and it was a little smoother, but a lot a like otherwise. Never got any of the others. Think one of my friends has it, but he probably just stares at the half nekid chicks or something

[Mirage]

I just made the jiggly boobs game a priority since I can now watch them play it on a 52" TV

[Rev. Rob]

Dreamcast game of the week, week 21: Dynamite Cop!

 

Dynamite Cop!

Released: November 3, 1999

Platform: Dreamcast

Publisher: SEGA

Developer: WOW Entertainment

Genre: Action

DB Link

 

The DCGW two weeks ago was an obscure arcade game, so here's another.

 

Remember Die Hard Arcade? AKA the "good" video game based off of the Die Hard movies? (That's probably because it originally had nothing to do with Die Hard. Any resemblance was a mere coincidence.) It was released in 1996 in the arcades using the ST-V (Sega Titan Video game system), and saw a home release a year later for Sega Saturn.

 

Die Hard Arcade is kind of what you would expect of you took Streets of Rage and turned it into a 3D game. There are battles in an isometric view with crazy weapons and ridiculous bosses, and a few QTE events for good measure.

 

What's this have to do with Dynamite Cop!? Well, Die Hard 2 was originally going to take place on a boat. Sega must've caught wind of this and began designing a sequel to the hit Die Hard Arcade. In the end Die Hard 2 ended up taking place in an airport, but Sega had developed a game on a boat on their Model 3 arcade board. Model 3, by the way, was a whole generation behind NAOMI, the arcade hardware that the Dreamcast is was based on.

 

Dynamite Cop! is exactly like Die Hard Arcade with improved graphics and a different "plot." Without the Die Hard moniker and the overall decline of arcades, it never became the hit that its predecessor was.

 

Nevertheless, Sega thought that it would be a fantastic idea to port Dynamite Cop! quickly to the Dreamcast, where it would be instantly overlooked, and immediately forgotten. Maybe this is why they left Charge 'N Blast and Virtual On: Ontario Tangram to be picked up by other publishers, and never even bothered to release Planet Harriers or Jambo! Safari (I'll never forgive them for passing up Planet Harriers.)

 

The game just looks antiquated. It's not up to the par of Dremacast caliber graphics at all. It's more comparable to an N64, to be honest. Sega made virtually no enhancements* for the home conversion. If they had, then the success if the game would've been different. Why? Because it's actually fun, especially when playing co-op, and for the same reasons why we loved Streets of Rage, Battletoads, and Double Dragon in years past. Classic beat-em-ups are fun, and that's what Dynamite Cop! is.

 

Box:

 

Gameplay:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGNaUL5LpB4

 

*The SEGA arcade game from 1980, Tranquilizer Gun, is included as a bonus feature. As far as I can tell, this game was never released for any console until 1999. Here's some guy's video review (which is pretty good once it gets past the intro):

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_uib0ZdHqU

[Rev. Rob]

Dreamcast game of the week, week 22: Sega Bass Fishing

 

"Fish!"

 

Sega Bass Fishing

Released: October 6, 1999

Platform: Dreamcast

Publisher: SEGA

Developer: SEGA

Genre: Sports

DB Link

 

This is one of those games that I pretty much passed up when the Dreamcast was new. There were a lot of other games coming out to spend my money on. But the Dreamcast came with a demo disc that included Sega Bass Fishing. It was actually fun, reminiscent of classic arcades.

 

There's not a whole lot to the game. You fish, catch fish, time gets added to the clock. (Ya, it's one of those challenge the clock games.) Sounds boring, but it's not.

 

I didn't pick up a copy for myself until years after the Dreamcast was done for. A friend of mine gave me the special fishing controller and I got a used copy of the game for $0.99.

 

Gameplay:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEq07NF2iOw

 

Box:

Edited February 25, 2010 by Rev. Rob

[Austin]

Nice write-up of Dynamite Cop. For those wondering, this game is really cheap, as is the Japanese version (Dynamite Dekka 2)..

 

Next, if it hasn't been done yet, you should do a review of one of the other DC/Arcade beat 'em ups, Zombie Revenge.

[Catsmasher]

Yes please

Love the Zombie games!

[+thegoldenband]

*The SEGA arcade game from 1980, Tranquilizer Gun, is included as a bonus feature. As far as I can tell, this game was never released for any console until 1999.

Actually, a port was released for the Sega SG-1000 under the title Safari Hunting. I wouldn't have otherwise recognized the arcade game, but I've played the SG-1000 version a bit. It might have also been released under the title Safari Hunt, which is confusing if true, as there's a totally different game for the SMS with the same name.

Edited February 26, 2010 by thegoldenband

[Rev. Rob]

*The SEGA arcade game from 1980, Tranquilizer Gun, is included as a bonus feature. As far as I can tell, this game was never released for any console until 1999.

Actually, a port was released for the Sega SG-1000 under the title Safari Hunting. I wouldn't have otherwise recognized the arcade game, but I've played the SG-1000 version a bit. It might have also been released under the title Safari Hunt, which is confusing if true, as there's a totally different game for the SMS with the same name.

 

Thanks, I had no idea!

[StanJr]

Tangentially, a AA perennial, liquid_sky is famous for playing every game he could with that stupid fishing controller.

 

I have always had a bizarre curiosity about fishing games. Something about them makes me want to play them, but I can never quite bring myself to go in for one. If the action is more arcade oriented that increases the chance of me giving it a try.

 

Thanks Rev!

[Rev. Rob]

Dreamcast Game of the Week, Week 23: Super Magnetic Neo

 

Super Magnetic Neo

Released: July 31, 2000

Platform: Dreamcast

Publisher: Crave Entertainment

Developer: Genki

Genre: Platform

DB Link

 

Awww... shit. Crave thought they had a cool new platform star with enough power to run with Sonic, Mario, and Crash in Neo, the lead character in Super Magnetic Neo. I guess they didn't, but at least Neo is a lot cooler than Kao.

 

It's not for lack of a good effort, either. Super Magnetic Neo is actually a pretty good game. It's not easy to start up a new platformer franchise. In the 90s the genre was overdone, and a lot of it didn't translate well to 3D. Even today a lot of the "newer" franchises in the genre incorporate driving and shooting to enhance the game play.

 

Not Neo. He was born in 3D and the game was made specifically for the Sega Dreamcast. The visuals were bright and colorful. The character were large, and developer Genki threw in a lot of Japanese flavor that has been missing from the US market (and still is). The game looks a lot like a bright cartoon.

 

There's a story, though it's really not all that important to the game play. It involves a professor who invented Neo and Pinki, the cutesy evil baby villain, and her gang of baddies. All pretty typical wacky, strange, and wired Japanese fare.

 

In the game there are four themed worlds, each has four levels that are quite varied. Neo will be dashing through lush green levels like Sonic, skidding down snow gullies like Nights, running through caves dodging boulders, avoiding lava pits, and riding in mine carts like Indy, carefully platforming on tenuous ledges in the sky like Mario, and dashing around on a horse like Link. Each level is linear, moving forward, but some turn into 3D side scrolling action. As gamers have come to expect, each world is rounded out by a boss fight.

 

What makes the game unique is that Neo is superly magnetically charged. He can use positive or negative polarity to repel, or entrap enemies, grab on to other object, and repel himself throughout levels. This part is crucial. Using the wrong polarity at the wrong time will fucking get your ass dead.

 

If you like platformers and own a Dreamcast, then Super Magnetic Neo should be in your collection. It's not up to par with Sonic Adventure or Mario 64, but among other second tier platforming games, it's a bit above the rest.

 

Gameplay:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POYhJoRrJHE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ky17VQoD9VA

 

Box:

[Austin]

What?! No Zombie Revenge?!

 

This was a good one, though.. Unique gameplay aspects aside, it's essentially the closest thing the Dreamcast got to a Crash Bandicoot game with the 'behind-the-back' elements. Definitely need to grab this one again..

Edited February 28, 2010 by Austin

[StanJr]

yeah, I remember this little dude's image being plastered everywhere back in the day, but not owning a DC I glossed. Yet another DC title, I need to hunt down when I get out of debt.

 

Rev, you are doing wonders for my DC collection!

[Video]

Neat, I must harvest Neo for my DC. It reminds me of Crash Bandicoot, like the 3d/2d games like that (thought eh first crash is the only onbe I can think of like that)

[Rev. Rob]

What?! No Zombie Revenge?!

 

 

Not yet. Feel free to send me a copy.

 

I actually haven't played this one outside of the arcade. I might pick it up to give it a proper review.