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[RetroGamingUK]

This isn’t a thread to compare specs and graphics as these console topics often descend into. It’s to appreciate and discuss the less tangible things like art styles, music and aesthetic.

So, let’s compare it to its contemporaries first


PlayStation 2

Minimalist and slick, it’s designed for any living room to complement a flat WEGA TV or Hi-Fi. Big games tend to be a bit darker and more mature than contemporaries, appealing to post-pub PES/FIFA sessions

Demographic: 19yr old clubbers
Vibe games: WipEout Fusion/Pulse, MGS, Silent Hill, GT, The Getaway



Xbox

Chunky tank of a console, it’s powerful, large and in charge. It’s all about online fragging and kicking ass. It’s Dwayne Johnson telling Bill Gates to shut up. It’s the pickup truck of consoles

Demographic: 17yr old dudebros and jocks
Vibe games: Halo 1/2, Forza, Doom 3, NFL Fever, Unreal Championship



GameCube

Cutesy purple lunchbox, it’s the total opposite of the above. While great games should be enjoyed by all ages and Nintendo has the most of any company, it’s aimed squarely at kids bedrooms.

Demographic: 9yr olds
Vibe games: Wind Waker, Pikmin, Mario Sunshine, Animal Crossing



Dreamcast

So where does this fit in? It’s a bit small and cute like the GameCube (along with the Fisher Price looking controller), but a bit more sleek like the PS1. Whether it’s the US/JP orange or the UK/EU blue, it’s inspires summer vibes.

Demographic: 14yr old arcade lovers
Vibe games: Sonic Adventure, Power Stone, Jet Set Radio, Daytona


But it’s the games that really stand out here, particularly those of Sega Japan and Capcom.

The visuals and worlds feel so warm and welcoming, it’s always sunny with blue blue skies in Dreamcast land. The music is always upbeat, and often energetic and dancey.

 

[dreamstation]

Love my Dreamcast (still have it). Sonic Adventure, Power Stone, Crazy Taxi, House of the Dead 2, Shenmue. Those games make the machine for me and my memories. Still remember putting the dream key CD in and accessing comma.com here in Australia. And taking the VMU to school with my Chao on. Amazing!

 

[IDKFA]

Arguments could be made for a number of games on that list.

For me, it would have to be Sonic Adventure. Whenever I see that game I just think of Dreamcast. It has such a late 90s vibe. When the console was approaching launch, I remember news channels showing videos of that game.

You know the scene. The one where Sonic is running away from a Orca. That one scene is burned onto my brain.

 

[deriks]

It's Sonic for sure

The characters kinda dancing while standing. The vivid colors at 480p. CGI that still holds up. And a new standard of music for the series

 

[RetroGamingUK]

 

[Swim Good]

Arguments could be made for a number of games on that list.

For me, it would have to be Sonic Adventure. Whenever I see that game I just think of Dreamcast. It has such a late 90s vibe. When the console was approaching launch, I remember news channels showing videos of that game.

You know the scene. The one where Sonic is running away from a Orca. That one scene is burned onto my brain.

I heard the Emerald Coast guitar riff in my head while reading this.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

I heard the Emerald Coast guitar riff in my head while reading this.

First time I ever played a Dreamcast was a demo pod in the Odeon cinema during Phantom Menace’s release day

The demo was a few stages of Sonic Adventure and the Emerald Coast action level was the first thing I ever played on the console

Blue skies, upbeat music, golden sand, yeah this is what Dreamcast is all about to me…

 

[Synless]

As I’ve aged I miss older gen’s of gaming. Dreamcast was a great system.

Games these days objectively are better overall, no doubts there but creativity is objectively worse imo.

 

[AyraSutoraifu]

Dreamcast great sure… overrated due to nostalgia and fans, absolutely.

 

[fatmarco]

Framing every other console with their legendary games but then framing Xbox with "NFL Fever" lmao? The console was coloured by Knights of the Old Republic, Morrowind, Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive, Fable and so on. Of those non-Halo titles, the main games that defined its aesthetic were probably "Dead or Alive" related, then its WRPGS, and then its PC ports.

I also feel like "Wipeout" as a vibe was PS1 / 90's thing more than PS2 thing, especially given they only released one title on the system proper (Pulse 3 years into the PS3's lifecycle absolutely does not count hahah).

I do agree that Dreamcast had the most explicitly consistent vibe, but that's in large part due to its short life, focus on Sega developed titles, and limited 3rd party support.

 

[kevboard]

Framing every other console with their legendary games but then framing Xbox with "NFL Fever" lmao? The console was coloured by Knights of the Old Republic, Morrowind, Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive, Fable and so on. Of those non-Halo titles, the main games that defined its aesthetic were probably "Dead or Alive" related, then its WRPGS, and then its PC ports.

also Crazy Taxi 3, Jet Set Radio Future, Shenmue 2, and Panzer Dragoon Orta...
aka. Sega games

 

[Moridianae]

I lost many hours in Phantasy Star Online and Shenmue. The former was my first "MMO" so to speak.

Both of those are the only occasions where I've ever imported games(ver.2 for PSO and Shenmue II for DC) so I could play them on the original console.

It's been a while, but I recall just a few years ago people had private servers up for the Dreamcast PSO. Not sure if that's still the case, though.

Dreamcast is one of my favorite systems. We recently had a vintage shop open and though it's great, I find it and many others don't have a lot of Dreamcast stuff for me to build up my collection.

The man had a TON of Saturn/32X/Sega CD though.

 

[fatmarco]

also Crazy Taxi 3, Jet Set Radio Future, Shenmue 2, and Panzer Dragoon Orta...
aka. Sega games

Yeah so it could easily be framed by many as the continuation of Dreamcast as its "vibe" considering it basically took 90% of Dreamcast titles that were in development.

As far as Sega exclusives there was also Gun Valkyrie, House of the Dead 3, Sega GT 2002/Online, Project Gotham 1 and 2 (sequels to Metropolis Street Racer), Outrun 2, Toe Jam and Earl 3, Otogi 1 and 2, GunGriffon Allied Strike, and then a bunch of non exclusive Sega games too.

 

[Parazels]

I'm still confused, why GameCube failed that generation. I remember very optimistic previews and reviews in game magazines, and those shockingly good Resident Evil Remake screenshots!..

 

[SkylineRKR]

I'm still confused, why GameCube failed that generation. I remember very optimistic previews and reviews in game magazines, and those shockingly good Resident Evil Remake screenshots!..

The GC missed out on a lot of third party games the console crowd usually went for. The GC also looked like a toy. The PS2 was the new Playstation and thus the de facto choice for many PS1 owners and the Xbox resonated with American teenagers and young adults who wanted to play shooters and sports games online. The GC was the odd one out and usually overlooked during these years, it didn't really find an audience beyond the hardcore fans.

 

[Parazels]

The GC missed out on a lot of third party games the console crowd usually went for. The GC also looked like a toy. The PS2 was the new Playstation and thus the de facto choice for many PS1 owners and the Xbox resonated with American teenagers and young adults who wanted to play shooters and sports games online. The GC was the odd one out and usually overlooked during these years, it didn't really find an audience beyond the hardcore fans.

You've just described... Nintendo Switch!

 

[SkylineRKR]

You've just described... Nintendo Switch!

The Switch fused both their home console and handheld audience together, which is why its so succesful. If you're in it for Nintendo handheld gaming you'll need a Switch as well.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Yeah so it could easily be framed by many as the continuation of Dreamcast as its "vibe" considering it basically took 90% of Dreamcast titles that were in development.

As far as Sega exclusives there was also Gun Valkyrie, House of the Dead 3, Sega GT 2002/Online, Project Gotham 1 and 2 (sequels to Metropolis Street Racer), Outrun 2, Toe Jam and Earl 3, Otogi 1 and 2, GunGriffon Allied Strike, and then a bunch of non exclusive Sega games too.

I was merely trying to look at what made the 4 6th gen consoles distinct by virtue of overlooking what they had in common, that’s all.

Once you overlook that you’ll find that the consoles all have their own distinct personality which is fascinating.

They all ooze personality in their own way compared to modern consoles, but I wanted this thread to focus on Dreamcast’s distinct style.

 

[Gamer79]

For me it was Crazy Taxi. I still play sometimes

 

[kevboard]

Yeah so it could easily be framed by many as the continuation of Dreamcast as its "vibe" considering it basically took 90% of Dreamcast titles that were in development.

As far as Sega exclusives there was also Gun Valkyrie, House of the Dead 3, Sega GT 2002/Online, Project Gotham 1 and 2 (sequels to Metropolis Street Racer), Outrun 2, Toe Jam and Earl 3, Otogi 1 and 2, GunGriffon Allied Strike, and then a bunch of non exclusive Sega games too.

yup. which is why it's always funny to me when people say they wanted a Dreamcast 2... like, guys... it already existed.

 

[Isa]

All great choices that could go either way according to one's personal preferences. While I loved my PS2, GC and Xbox(the most) the Dreamcast despite being older was far cleaner in image compared to my PS2 which was often blurry and muddy. Great games but it had a darker atmosphere overall to my sister and I. So after the DC we migrated to all systems lol but preferred the Xbox and GC. I'd also add RE Code Veronica, that Zombie brawler and Grandia 2.

 

[El Muerto]

Any Sega game is a vibe. They all had super chill or jazzy music which no other games had. But the Shenmue aesthetic and vibe is on point.

 

[Azelover]

Other.. Shenmue 1 and 2..

 

[HerjansEagleFeeder]

It sure wasn't a great game, but visually I'd say Blue Stinger represents the system pretty well. It looks like absolute dogshit today, but back then it turned heads and got many people excited for the console.

 

[BigDeadFreak]

The one big gaming regret that I have is that I never experienced Phantasy Star Online when it came out. Everyone said it was the perfect MMO experience as it was just a hard core of gamers with no trolls or dickheads.

 

[RCX]

Legit model 3 arcade machine in my living room. Could not believe it back then that such a thing existed and it didn't disappoint when I managed to get it on import when I was living in the UK.

Power stone with friends was, and still is, a tier 1 gaming memory..

 

[Drew1440]

I chose Daytona originally, but thinking about it that's more of a Saturn/Model 2 Arcade thing. The likes of Crazy Taxi/Jet Set and Blue Stringer saw a new chapter in Sega's design.

I'm still confused, why GameCube failed that generation. I remember very optimistic previews and reviews in game magazines, and those shockingly good Resident Evil Remake screenshots!..

It wasn't that powerful and struggled to run PS2/Xbox ports of games. Fram a design point of view, they chose the wrong colour to market it, the silver console should have been chosen as that looked sleek and matched the trend of silver TV/DVD players that were common in the early 2000s.

 

[Alexios]

Soulcalibur turned heads whether you were a SEGA fan or not & hyped it as better than (at the time still relevant and the best graphics to see anywhere) arcades (granted it came from an outdated board but kudos to Namco for a fast yet slick visual remake) vs Sega Rally 2's miss. Though VF3tb wasn't technically inferior (even slightly downgraded from the arcade, specs like polygons per second are up there with the best fighters of the gen, outside some Xbox games) it was a bit crude being an once pioneering 1996 game at heart (hence DOA2 flexing how it should be done instead). The Shenmues too of course. Daytona is great but underrated and misunderstood while other games weren't big and/or came after it lost steam to Sony's marketing blitz, though PSO is also famous and big enough as one of the first such online console games and Jet Set Radio and Crazy Taxi are also big & unique (shame Crazy Taxi 2 is so panned for not being the original - so the diehards that play such score driven arcade games didn't wanna learn new cities and to the rest it was more of the same - as it's so much nicer to look at with its ace draw distance). Hydro Thunder has sway too.

I guess the likes of Quake III also gave it the PC port vibe but I feel that to cement that (like Xbox) it should have had way more (and better ported, SEGA's own arena games like Alien Front, Propeller Arena and Outtrigger perform so much better that ~30fps seems doable for some potentially more complex maps and modes but they can't even maintain that in small, simple, low pop maps in Quake and Unreal so something's seriously wrong there), games like the ace StarLancer it got and that whole era. If only it had Freespace, Battlezone and other pre/post 2000 gems it could handle, maybe a MechWarrior (playing like a more simy Gundam Rise from the Ashes with support for Virtual On's twin stick), Tribes, etc., instead it got some more lesser stuff like Deep Fighter, Gunship and I guess the better of that lot (I was never a big fan of), Incoming. Red Dog also gave me PC game vibes though it wasn't one, as did MDK2 (though it was on DC first). F355 & Le Mans (or the mentioned DOA2, Under Defeat and other titles) showed it could do way more than most thought or claimed on its deathbed too, as GTAIII and other fan efforts keep doing now.

Ps: nothing here is emulated (I'm only not 100% sure of ST4, but like some other games here the capture isn't even great so it's normally even better) & lol @ saying those tiny, low fps gifs are better than the real deal when half of the games shown are flawless 60fps on the DC (and all are 480p).

WTF @ saying it couldn't do lighting/effects?! Launch games like Soulcalibur & Sonic are famous for those, as well as random games like MDK2 with its great lighting & particles and of course big hitters like the Shenmues and Le Mans with their real time day/night cycle & other bells & whistles!​

 

[ReBurn]

I bought it because it really brought the feel of arcade games home for me. Crazy Taxi and Soul Calibur 2 were spinning all the time in my Dreamcast.

 

[digdug2]

I got a Dreamcast on 9/9/99 with a few games. The Blue Stinger experience was painful, and at the end of the day I think it fully embodies the overall Dreamcast experience. Now, as far as aesthetics are considered, I still find myself thinking about Sonic Adventure way more than I should.

 

[Geometric-Crusher]

let the Dreamcast rest

 

[EverydayBeast]

Unbelievable thread OP, I think describing PS2 has a mature system is precise.

 

[West Texas CEO]

Bloobs

 

[chokotoureiki]

Skies of Arcadia, Space Channel 5, and Sonic Adventure. Those games were full of vibrant positivity....just like the system and its white color scheme.

 

[SirTerry-T]

I was going to take this seriously until I got to the GameCube is for 9 year olds bit...

 

[Ozzie666]

Off topic, but I think the design of the box and colors was extremely pleasing. Minimalmist but nice form factor. The joystick held it back. Console is pretty slick.

For me games like House of the Dead 2, Craxi Taxi, Confidential Mission and others were the last bastions of Sega Aracde games to the home, as arcades died.

Combined with some wacky Sega type games like Space channel 5 and Samba.

 

[Stu_Hart]

It's a nice, compact and clean little console. I like the looks of it, but when the ps2 came out, it looked so dated beside the sleek and modern looking ps2 with its black and blue aesthetics.

 

[Esppiral]

You forgot to put Space Channel 5 and Rez in the list.

 

[lame gag1990]

Awesome system. So many cool games but Jet Set Radio always sticks out as the poster game for me. So fresh and so cool. I still think it's fresh today.

 

[Quezacolt]

It wasn't that powerful and struggled to run PS2/Xbox ports

The Gamecube was actually quite a lot more powerful than the ps2. Usually, if a gamecube port ran worse than a ps2 version, it either came down to poor optimization, or the game being made with the ps2 in mind.

Don't forget, back then, each console were very very different from each other. And sometimes porting games wasnt so easy thanks to those differences.

 

[Brigandier]

I absolutely love the DC and always will but it was such ashame they released a console with the worst controller ever made, why single analogue lol so dumb.

When I think of the DC I think of blue skies... Sonic, Soul Calibur, Skies of Arcadia, Crazy Taxi and Shenmue 1 and 2.

Edit- For the Poll I choose other, Either Skies of Arcadia or Shenmue 1 and 2. They all epitomise the DC.

 

[Brigandier]

let the Dreamcast rest

Fucking hate posts like this.... yes let's stop all discussion about a console from the past on a "Video game forum"

 

[Geometric-Crusher]

The Gamecube was actually quite a lot more powerful than the ps2. Usually, if a gamecube port ran worse than a ps2 version, it either came down to poor optimization, or the game being made with the ps2 in mind.

I thought it was because the PS2 had higher specs like more media , higher fill rate, more system RAM, more video memory, greater polygonal capacity, sad to know that the developers are Sony fanboys and they didn't use the magic of fitting 4.7GB of data into 1,5GB.

 

[Quezacolt]

I thought it was because the PS2 had higher specs like more media , higher fill rate, more system RAM, more video memory, greater polygonal capacity, sad to know that the developers are Sony fanboys.

Only advantage the ps2 had was the higher fill rate and bigger storage media.
Everything else, the gamecube was much more capable.
And it's not that devs were fanboys. Ps2 sold a lot more, so it was the main system for wich games were made. Sometimes the ports for gamecube and xbox were even made by another team, we even got different versions of games thanks to that.

 

[Judge Magister]

Not sure what vibe game means, i thought Final Fantasy X for PS2 was a well known game.

I voted Sonic Adventures because i prefer Jet Set Radio Future over the original.
I like Dreamcast but i ended up playing mainly ports like Resident Evil 3, Tomb Raider Last Revelation, GTA 2 or Alone in the Dark.

 

[PrefectAboro]

Something about Dreamcast's color palette is gorgeous to me. Plus seeing them run in HD on redream makes them look even better!

 

[Alan Wake]

It's not my favourite game but Crazy Taxi sort of embodies the Dreamcast experience and Sega of that time. Cocky, rock'n roll, roll the dice sort of attitude. I mean, look at this European ad.

 

[BlackTron]

Sonic Adventure and PSO. PSO's opening CGI cinematic would loop between its ambient title screen after I'd logged out of the game for a four hour session.

 

[SirTerry-T]

Fucking hate posts like this.... yes let's stop all discussion about a console from the past on a "Video game forum"

I wouldn't let this post bother you too much, the poster is a repeat offender when it comes to shitting up Sega threads.

Back on topic...
The Power VR chip in the Dreamcast gave wonderful pixel quality. Reds and blues in particular looked really good...some other machines really struggled with those hues.

 

[Geometric-Crusher]

there is no distinct style on the Dreamcast
firstly because almost all of the great Dreamcast games as well as their sequels were ported to the ps2 and gamecube, so any so-called Dreamcast style is by association a ''ps2 and gamecube style'' as well since these games are on those platforms.
Second, if we separate the more blockish games on PS2 and GC we will find something that can be called Dreamcast style by association .