Our last and final installment covering the hottest Dreamcast games from E3. Well, okay maybe some of these games aren't all that "hot" but they are games. So I was at least telling 50% of the truth.
Midway didn't have an abundance of games for the Dreamcast, but what they had looked decent enough. I was expecting Hydro Thunder 2, but instead we get 4 Wheel Thunder. Of course Midway staples like Ready to Rumble and NFL Blitz have new installments on the way.
4 Wheel Thunder
This game didn't start off as being a "Thunder" game, it was only pasted into the format well into its development time. That could only spell one thing: Disappointment. The graphics have none of the luster that Hydro Thunder had and the gameplay is equally as drab. Sorry, didn't like it.
NFL Blitz 2001
How can you not like this one? It's over the top in every way and it looks even nicer than last year's installment. It would be nice if this one was developed with the Dreamcast in mind however, as last year's game didn't look quite as nice as it could have.
Gauntlet Legends
4-player simultaneous play. How many games can boast that? GL is essentially the same game as the N64 and PSX versions, but with souped up graphics and sound. You're either a fan or you're not.
Ready 2 Rumble Boxing: Round 2
Essentially the same game as the first one, with more players and new costumes. It plays well and looks great. Expect some super secret characters that I can't reveal here. This one will also be available on the PS2.
Rush 2049
Not content with just porting over the excellent arcade game, Midway is including exclusive Dreamcast track layouts, to ensure your experience will be a unique and enjoyable one. This one looks and plays great and will more than likely be a "must have" when it is released.
Ripcord has a few games in the works for the DC, most of which are related to each other in some way. Check it out:
Gorkamorka
Based on Warhammer, this combat racing title might just be what fans of Warhammer are looking for. It will feature head to head combat, team multi-player modes and on-line play. I was told it was a "totally fresh entry in the racing game genre". Let's hope the hype is ripe.
Legend of the Blade Masters
Help Erik find the 7 blades that will help vanquish the evil Guardians. Another RPG for the DC takes a crack at the genre. Will this be the one that satisfies those DC owners hungry for a thrilling, life-consuming RPG? Wait and see.
Spec Ops: M.O.U.T.
Ah, urban warfare. Is there any better kind of warfare? This title stands for Military Operations in Urban Territory, and hopefully it will generate some great gameplay excitement. Play on-line with up to 8 players or take on the terrorists yourself. Could be cool.
Spec Ops: Omega Squad
Developed directly for the DC, this FPS might turn some heads. More military based than the urban missions, Omega Squad will please Soldier of Fortune wannabe's, I'm sure of it. If you find yourself playing this game in army fatigues and face paint, then you are 110% certifiably nutzoid.
Oh these guys are going to put a smile on that chubby little face of yours. No doubt. Half Life and Swat 3. That says it all.
Half Life
One of the greatest FPS of all time comes to the consoles and will allow on-line multiplay no less! This game looks great, unfortunately, I found it (and Quake III) virtually unplayable with the DC control pad. These games need mouse and a keyboard support, which means someone will have to make a mouse peripheral for the DC. If you've never played Half Life on the PC then you may be able to get used to the control scheme.
Hoyle Casino
8 classic casino games with over 100 variations. Play BlackJack, Craps, Slots, Poker, Roulette etc. Think of this like a Vegas tutorial that will train you before you hit the Strip.
SWAT 3
One of my favorite PC games of all time. Save LA from kooks, crooks and international terrorists. You can even play in The LACC (LA Convention Center) where E3 is held every year. A great game that deserves to be played by every self respecting gamer.
With their lock on the MTV games, and the Evil Dead license, expect THQ to make some noise this year on the DC.
Evil Dead: Hail to the King
The most impressive aspect of this game was how much the character looked like Bruce Campbell. Other than that, unless some fun and interesting gameplay is injected into this game, reviewers are going to tear it to shreds like demons unleashed in a cabin somewhere. The only other interesting thing is that finally the Evil Dead sound bytes found in games like Duke Nukem, will be in their rightful place. I hope this one improves, but I don't have much hope.
MTV Skateboarding
Unless you are going to out-Tony, Tony Hawk, why bother? I didn't play this one, so I will reserve judgement. However, if it turns out to be another "Grind Session" which was basically EA's way of saying, "We aren't going to take the time to make our own skateboarding game, so let's copy Tony's game" then I'll hoof this game across the room and ollie on it with golf shoes. Enough said.
A lot of titles are coming from these guys. Their line up will include games that will please fans of almost every genre. It makes me nervous and more than a little suspicious, when a publisher has a ton of title on the go. That means that invariably some titles aren't getting the attention they deserve or at the very least, need.
Arcatera
An adventure with RPG elements which is a dark tale of satanic proportions that takes place in medieval times. The games boasts multiple outcomes (at least 10) which allows you to really decide your fate. You'll be able to enter the living breathing world of Arcatera soon.
Dinosaur
We all suspected dinosaurs were cute and cuddly and could speak English, so thanks to Disney for the confirmation. Thanks also to Ubi Soft for suckling at the licensing trough and coming up with this one, which will undoubtedly be better than Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty for the PS2. Can you tell I'm vexed? Kiddies might like it.
Deep Fighter
Fight under the ocean and save your civilization from extinction. You'll have your choice of 8 different vehicles and be able to play through 6 expansive underwater environments. Could be cool.
Evil Twin: Cyprien's Chronicles
Evil Twin is a 3D action-adventure set in a world inspired by comic books and black and white horror films. This game promises to have everything: over 100 characters, dialogue, 8 islands, combat, adventure.. you name it.)
Evolution 2
The sequel to the first RPG on the Dreamcast. Mag Launcher is still hunting through ruins for ancient artifacts while getting himself out of jams. Hey, why ruin a good thing. If you liked the first one, then count on this one to entertain you all over again.
Stupid Invaders
Inspired by the TV series, Space Goofs, this cartoon-like universe might prove to be highly entertaining. 5 strange aliens have crashed on Earth and are under attack by the evil scientist, Dr. Sakarine and Bolok. The game has a great look to it and from what I saw was pretty funny. Loaded with tons of references to pop culture, this one will at the very least entertain you.
Road to El Dorado
Play as the heroes from the animated movie, Tulio and Miguel. It's classic adventure gameplay. Search for the lost city of gold (El Dorado) while solving puzzles and avoiding danger at every turn.
I didn't get a chance to play any of their Dreamcast products, but if they are anything like their PSX and N64 products than they are immediately doomed to failure. I haven't witnessed pure unadulterated crap like that in a long time. Seadoo games and Snowmobile games that looked like pre-first generation titles on the PSX and N64.
Sea-Doo Hydrocross
The press hype for this game reads: "Test drive the actual 2001 Sea-Doo models". Right. Without leaving my house or getting wet? That's kind of like sampling a Big Mac by eating the newspaper ad for it. The PSX and N64 versions of this game looked absolutely horrifying. Think of the water in Wave Race and how good it looked. Well, this water looks like a brown quilt and I don't think it's going to improve. The DC version may sport better looking water than the PSX or N64 version, but if it actually sports better looking water than Wave Race for N64, I will personally eat my copy of this game, live, on the internet. Guess what? I'm not worried.
The Next Tetris
It's pretty hard to screw up Tetris, and considering this a port over anyway, I think we are pretty safe. I know it sounds ludicrous, but this is the best-looking Tetris yet. Finally, a Tetris game that looks great! I'm kidding, we all know that Tetris isn't about graphics.
There you have it! The entire DC lineup shown at E3. There is some exciting stuff coming out, and some of it may even be out already! Stay tuned for our PlayStation coverage.