Submitted on: 09/27/2008 by
Kris Watson
The Sega Dreamcast may not have broken any sales records or established a following that kept the console profitable to this day, but it did help to elevate sports games to a new level. How did it do that? By pumping out some of the best sports games ever. So, here’s my personal list of the top 5 reasons why the Dreamcast ruled the sports gaming industry.
5. Virtua Tennis
When the biggest knock on a sports game is that it became “too hard” to beat the computer, then that says a lot about that video game. The A.I. that made VT so difficult led to a sense of accomplishment when you won a match or a set. While the game had simple controls, Virtua Tennis actually felt closer to real tennis than any other tennis game had to date. This was not only due to the graphics, but also the way the players moved. Your style of play was constructed to adapt to positions on the court, which differed from player to player. Also the idea of battling up the ranks to be number one stole hours of precious time away from actually playing real tennis outside.
4. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
Is skateboarding a sport? It depends. When you're competing with other skaters for medals on say ESPN, I'd say for sure. When you go to a local skate park with your boys and stand around in a semi-circle, while having conversations about fresh new wheels or crazy sick decks as you munch down a bag of Cheetos and chase it down with Mountain Dew instead of ever riding, then that isn’t a sport by definition. Here’s the intensity of "real" skateboarding.
Brody: Dude can I have some of your cheese curls?
Kyle: Get lost dude.
Brody: Your're up on the pipe next dude.
Kyle: Oh yeah…
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 gave you more to talk about with its massive levels containing hidden secrets, delightful graphics, plenty of characters, and endless amounts of tricks. The interactive environments still work today -- plus the game didn't leave your fingertips orange or get stuck between your teeth.
NFL Football on the Dreamcast....sigh.
3. NFL 2K1
It was the sports game that put the Dreamcast on the map. A computer opponent that gave you fits; players that looked like football players rather than scissor-cut gingerbread men; and controls that made you convert the plays yourself rather then watch the programming take over. Not to mention it was the first sports game to reach out to an online audience on consoles. Madden had nothing on 2K1, and the game still holds up somewhat well today.
2. World Series Baseball 2K2
I know I’m going to take a lot of abuse for choosing this game, but in terms of pure extras, this was a big step in baseball video game history. First things first, you could play full seasons with player and team stats tracked in 13 different categories. For stat lovers everywhere, this was a welcomed change. Despite the suspect gameplay, the statistics made suffering through this monstrosity worth the time. You could even monitor All-Star voting to see if your players received league recognition. World Series Baseball also carried players’ stats over from the year before in the franchise mode (another first). The franchise mode also contained newspaper headlines that explained your deals as a general manager, player or coach. The local media responded to your moves and gave their two cents. Brilliant if you ask me.
Another outstanding addition was the create-a-player mode. There were 13 different appearance settings, allowing you the ability to choose the coolest uniform edits, like which undershirt to wear. You could also edit attributes and make your players the way you felt they deserved to be created in the first place. In fact, WSB 2K2 is similar to the present 2K baseball series -- offering quality extras with so-so game control.
1. NBA 2K1
Analog controls have obviously taken over gaming, but nothing in the world was better than the joystick on the Sega Dreamcast -- especially when it came to playing NBA 2K1. The control you felt in 2K1 when handling the basketball is still unmatched by my standards. There was something special about the way your point guard responded to your controller's touch, like somehow the ball fit perfectly into his virtual hand.
Whether it was playing online against people from other countries, or playing your secluded season, NBA 2K1 provided you with total satisfaction in terms of authenticity.
So which games did I miss? Do you folks have your own personal "Top 5" when it comes to the Dreamcast?
. Then rebought a Dreamcast, but was never able to find the black one again.
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