The Best Dreamcast Games of All Time

The 18 best Dreamcast games

3 votes

Skies of Arcadia

JRPG Turn-Based Adventure

Survey scores · avg 4.5/5

Story4.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics4.0

Music5.0

Character5.0

Skies of Arcadia is a classic JRPG that follows the adventures of Vyse, Aika, and Fina as they journey across different floating islands as sky pirates. Explore a vast open sky with your fully customizable airship, discover hidden locations, and engage in strategic turn-based combat both on foot and in airship combat.

Survey voice

Chad / 30s / Male
Another underrated JRPG.

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3 votes

Shenmue

Adventure Action-Adventure Open World

Survey scores · avg 4.2/5

Story5.0

Gameplay4.7

Graphics4.0

Music3.3

Character4.7

Perhaps the first true open-world life-sim adventure, Shenmue helped break ground on trying to really simulate a place and time, in this case Yokohama of the late 1980s. Ryo Hazuki's revenge-fueled martial arts adventure begins in a tranquil part of the city and, if you so choose, can stay that way as Ryo mixes his breathless hunt for his father's killers with diversions to do odd jobs, speak with the locals, and collect gachapon toys. Shenmue's rich rendition of its environment took real advantage of games' unique ability to allow players to inhabit a space in a way movies and other media can't, and it did so with gusto.

Survey voice

DJ / 30s / Male
A great action-adventure game with bits of simulation.

Chad / 30s / Male
Proto-Yakuza, also probably why I loved Yakuza

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3 votes

Marvel vs Capcom 2

Action Fighting Multiplayer

Survey scores · avg 4.1/5

Story2.7

Gameplay4.7

Graphics4.3

Music4.7

Character4.7

Marvel vs Capcom 2 is probably one of the biggest crossover games despite its controversial release at the time. But now? It is looked at fondly. It's a fast-paced 3v3 tag fighter with characters from both the Marvel and Capcom franchise. It's flashy and highly technical so matches can go by in a second. It rewards quick and on the fly thinking. It also has one of the more iconic "jazz" style soundtracks in any fighting game.

Survey voice

DJ / 30s / Male
MvC 2 is an amazing fighting game with a lot of playable characters that still holds up to this day.

Joshua / 20s / Male
Peak. Especially on the dreamcast

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3 votes

Crazy Taxi

SimulationVehicle Simulation

Survey scores · avg 3.3/5

Story1.0

Gameplay4.3

Graphics4.0

Music4.0

Character3.3

Crazy Taxi for the Dreamcast was the home console version of the Arcade game of the same name. In Crazy Taxi, you must taxi people to their destinations while also keeping track of how much time you have left until they get impatient and leave the ride. You can pretty much drive as recklessly as you want as long as you manage to reach the destination in time. The game also featured a lot of challenge levels to truly test out your mastery of the game.

Survey voice

DJ / 30s / Male
Pure arcade fun

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2 votes

Sonic Adventure 1

Platformer3D PlatformerAction Adventure

Survey scores · avg 4.8/5

Story4.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics5.0

Music5.0

Character5.0

Sonic Adventure is a milestone in the 3D Sonic, taking on a fully 3D platforming design. Other than Sonic, it also features 5 other characters all with different gameplay mechanics and stories. You get introduced to a lot of important characters in the Sonic universe as well as play them and see their stories. You can also take a break from the action by visiting the newly introduced Chao Garden to take care of the cute little critters. Until now, 3D Sonic lovers are still chasing the high that Sonic Adventure 1 and Sonic Adventure 2 gave them.

Survey voice

Chad / 30s / Male
I played the demo for this so much and subsequently played the main game so much

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2 votes

Power Stone

ActionPlatform Fighter

Survey scores · avg 3.2/5

Story2.0

Gameplay4.5

Graphics3.5

Music3.0

Character5.0

Power Stone is a classic fast-paced chaotic arena brawler where you can choose from a diverse cast of characters, each capable of transforming and using unique abilities. Supporting up to 4 players, the game features interactive stages filled with random hazards and weapons that you can use during battle, which has its own system where you can combine different materials to unlock more weapons, adding even more replay value to the game.

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1 votes

Resident Evil: Code Veronica

HorrorSurvival Horror

Survey scores · avg 5.0/5

Story5.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics5.0

Music5.0

Character5.0

Resident Evil Code: Veronica continues Claire Redfield's search for her missing brother, Chris, after the events of Resident Evil 2. Trapped on a remote island controlled by the Ashford family, she must survive the bioweapons, uncover the island's secrets, and continue her search for Chris.

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1 votes

Sakura Wars series

Survey scores · avg 5.0/5

Story5.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics5.0

Music5.0

Character5.0

Sakura Taisen is a multi-genre "dramatic adventure" franchise that combines tactical role-playing, visual novel, and dating sim elements, a feat that inspired the Fire Emblem series. The story, presented in an anime episodic format, is set in an alternate version of Japan's Taisho era and follows the exploits of the Imperial Combat Revue, an all-female military unit that defends Tokyo from demons using steam-powered mechas all the while maintaining their disguise as a theater troupe. With the exception of the two reboots Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love (2005) and Shin Sakura Wars (2019) and several anime adaptations, the original four games in the Dreamcast were never localized in English, making it one of the highly demanded Japan-exclusive games by fans of the genre.

Survey voice

らしまる
It's genuinely a masterpiece. I can't forgive that the new entry flopped.
Show original (日本語)
ガチで名作です。新作でコケたのが許せません

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1 votes

Sonic Adventure 2

Action Platformer

Survey scores · avg 5.0/5

Story5.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics5.0

Music5.0

Character5.0

Sonic Adventure 2 is probably the most iconic of the 3D Sonics. The story is split into two. The Hero stage features Sonic with his usual speedy platforming format. He's accompanied by Tails, riding his mech for a shooting-platformer experience and Knuckles where you play a hot-and-cold treasure hunt. The Dark side introduces the now iconic Shadow the Hedgehog who plays like Sonic, Dr. Robotnik who plays like Tails and Rouge the Bat who plays like Knuckles. After the stages you can also relax by taking care of the Chao at the Chao Garden. It's one of the most beloved 3D Sonics

Survey voice

Chad / 30s / Male
Peak 3D Sonic. Also enjoyed playing the barebones multiplayers with my friend

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1 votes

Grandia II

RPG JRPG Turn-Based

Survey scores · avg 4.5/5

Story5.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics4.0

Music4.0

Character5.0

Grandia II follows the journey of Ryudo, a mercenary who is hired to escort Elena to the city of St. Heim. As their adventure unfolds, they become entangled in an ancient conflict that sets the stage for the game's story. Featuring a dynamic turn-based combat system that rewards timing and positioning, Grandia II offers a unique gameplay experience that was ahead of its time.

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1 votes

Sakura Taisen 3

RPG Tactical RPG Turn-Based

Survey scores · avg 4.5/5

Story5.0

Gameplay4.0

Graphics4.0

Music5.0

Character5.0

Sakura Wars 3 takes the steam-powered storm of romance international as protagonist Ohgami is shipped off to Paris to help establish the Paris Combat Revue. As the first Sakura Wars entry on the Dreamcast, the game takes advantage of the consoles' then-powerful 3D graphical capabilities to show off new, unique mecha designs and new twists on the game's LIPS dialog and interaction system. Through it all it retains the series' classic emphasis on balancing romance, visual novel storytelling, and tactical combat, while freeing the system from the square grid tile format of earlier entries. All the while, the game also introduces a new cast of strong-willed heroines, this time leading dual lives in the Combat Revue and as performers in the Moulin Rouge-like Parisienne nightclub Le Chat Noire.

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1 votes

Jet Set Radio

Action Platformer

Survey scores · avg 4.2/5

Story3.0

Gameplay4.0

Graphics5.0

Music5.0

Character5.0

Jet Set Radio is a stylish cel-shaded game about rollerblading around and tagging the city's walls with graffiti all the while showing off your rollerblade skills. You're accompanied by an amazing soundtrack composed by the talented Hideki Naganuma. It's a game that's oozing with personality, edge, and unapologetic style.

Survey voice

Chad / 30s / Male
Stylish af

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1 votes

Sakura Taisen 1 and 2

RPG Tactical RPG Turn-Based

Survey scores · avg 4.2/5

Story5.0

Gameplay4.0

Graphics3.0

Music5.0

Character5.0

The classic anime-inflected tactical RPGs have yet to be released officially overseas, but their legacy as a beloved part of Sega's Saturn- and Dreamcast-era legacy ensures that they won't be forgotten. Its unique fusion of dating sim style relationship-building and strong tactical game fundamentals meshes well with its alternate-history presentation. Set in a fantastical steampunk rendition of Japan's Taisho era, Sakura Wars 1 and 2 stir up a romance-tinged storm as the members of the Imperial Combat Revue balance their careers as famed stage actors with defending the capital of Tokyo from demonic incursions led by the foul Tenkai and his Four Heavenly Kings.

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1 votes

Shenmue II

Adventure Action-Adventure Open World

Survey scores · avg 4.0/5

Story5.0

Gameplay4.0

Graphics4.0

Music3.0

Character5.0

Shenmue II builds further on the systems introduced by Shenmue, taking Ryo's quest to the crowded city of Hong Kong. The additional freedom afforded by Ryo's residency in the city further cements Shenmue's legacy as a foundation stone on which the iconic Yakuza/Like A Dragon franchise was built. In Hong Kong, Ryo can freely choose activities to support his lifestyle, learning martial arts alongside taking part in a variety of minigames to earn money, or collect capsule toys and even play well-constructed ports of classic Sega arcade titles. Shenmue II underscored the value to be found in focusing obsessively on detail, pushing players to immerse themselves in the period and be drawn further along with Ryo on his journey.

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1 votes

MARVEL VS. CAPCOM CLASH OF SUPER HEROES

Action Fighting

Survey scores · avg 3.8/5

Story3.0

Gameplay4.0

Graphics5.0

Music3.0

Character4.0

Marvel vs Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes is a 2D fighting game with 15 iconic playable characters across the Marvel and Capcom IPs. On top of that, there are 22 Special Characters that can be called upon as support as you fight. It's mostly known for its vibrant visuals and even flashier combat played across multiple platforms.

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1 votes

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater

SportsSkateboarding

Survey scores · avg 3.8/5

Story1.0

Gameplay5.0

Graphics4.0

Music5.0

Character3.0

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater is "the" skateboarding game. Understanding at first that you can do what a normal skater would do and then realizing that you can chain insane combos to reach millions of points doing the most optimal lines possible to set your own high scores. It's far from grounded and realistic. This arcade style skateboarding game is perfect for those who love mastery of combos, flow, and movement.

Survey voice

Joshua / 20s / Male
Unsure how to rate character design in a game like this

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1 votes

Rayman 2 The Great Escape

Action Platformer

Survey scores · avg 3.5/5

Story3.0

Gameplay4.0

Graphics3.0

Music4.0

Character4.0

Rayman 2: The Great Escape takes Rayman into a new dimension as a 3D platformer, and fully dedicates to it with 360 degrees of traversal. Although levels are more linear than the collectible-heavy games of the era, the traversal is deep, as players will dive down into the depths of a lake to rescue a trapped whale, fly up through the caverns of a lava dungeon using Rayman's hair as a helicopter, and more across over 20 levels through varied landscapes. Rayman 2's art design brings together different elements for a unique concoction, with one foot firmly in the "dark fairy tale" realm, but with mechanical elements mixed in via the Robot Pirate antagonists. The setting could make for some surprisingly dark turns, like when a cutscene shows the grand total of 1000 Lums – fairies which Rayman rescues throughout the game – decrease to 999 after the Robot Pirate captain Admiral Razorbeard decides to try one as a snack.

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1 votes

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2

SportsSkateboarding

Survey scores

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 took the OG's success and absolutely ran with it. The sequel added new levels, more skaters, and new objectives. You can even skate as Spiderman. Ahead of its time, it also introduced the ability to make fully custom skaters and skateparks. It's everything anyone would want from a sequel.

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Hidden gems on Dreamcast

Lesser-known Dreamcast games our players loved.

Power Stone 2

Hidden Gem

Power Stone 2

4.2/5

Power Stone 2 is an arena fighting game that stands out for its chaotic multiplayer action and highly interactive stages. Instead of traditional one-on-one matches like its predecessor, up to four players battle across dynamic arenas filled with traps, moving platforms, and weapons that can be picked up and used. Collecting all three Power Stones transforms your character into a powerful form with devastating special attacks. Its colorful cast of over-the-top characters, each with distinct personalities and anime-inspired designs, gives the game plenty of charm.

Cannon SpikeHidden Gem

Cannon Spike

2.5/5

Cannon Spike is a top-down arena shooter featuring familiar Capcom characters such as Cammy and Charlie from Street Fighter, BB Hood from Darkstalkers, and Megaman. In this game, you go through multiple waves of enemies in action-packed levels. If you're a fan of arcade-style shooters and Capcom crossovers, this game is for you.

FAQ

How were these best Dreamcast games chosen?

From a survey of 241 players who recommended Dreamcast games. Available five-axis ratings and curated comments are shown. Titles are ranked by mention count, then average score.

What is the top Dreamcast game?

Skies of Arcadia ranks #1 with 3 votes.

How to find the best Dreamcast games

The best Dreamcast games according to 241 surveyed players — ranked by votes with average score as the tie-breaker, with the survey scores and curated player comments available in the source data.

Already cleared the Top 18? Check the hidden gems above — lesser-known Dreamcast titles our players rated highly.

Still thinking about a game we missed?

Your vote decides this ranking — tell us the games you'd recommend.

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