You’re first question might be, “What is a Blind Spot, dear Sega Addicts?”
“Well,” I would say. “A Blind Spot is a game from the past that has some sort of famous reputation, in which, we have not played and sort of wish we had.”
“Oh, I get it,” you exclaim with delight. “So, all these games on this list are Sega Saturn Dreamcast games none of the Sega Addicts have played?”
“No, not exactly,” I state while gently sliding off my winter jacket as I come in the door. “The way this list works is all the staff voted for games they never played but wished they had. So, while some of us have played many of the games on this list there are quite a few of us who haven’t. It’s kind of a general overview of our staff’s experience with the Saturn Dreamcast library.”
“That sounds really interesting. I suppose I’ll have to hit the jump to find out more?”
“Yes, you should.”
10. Phantasy Star Online
Josh Newey: It’s not often that I want to play an MMO, but I have to admit that Phantasy Star Online has always had me interested. Back in the days of the Dreamcast, my parents were terrified by the concept of me with any kind of monthly subscription, so Sega Net simply wasn’t a possibility. As a young whipper snapper, I had no choice but to sit and watch as the rest of my Dreamcast-loving pals got lost in the first major console MMO, enamored by its size and addictive fun. As a fan of the original Genesis classics, it kills me that I’ve never partaken in the series’ online evolution. Next to Final Fantasy, Phantasy Star is easily one of the most recognizable names in all of RPGs, and it’s quite possibly the only name that could lure me into trying this notoriously life-consuming genre. Now, PSO may be the only game in the Dreamcast’s library that I could never experience in the way it was meant to be experienced. I loved me some frenetic Quake III action against the CPU, and I burned through plenty of Alien Front Online while my modem gathered dust, but the Internet (and a booming online community) is absolutely mandatory if I’m going to live in the colorful world of Phantasy Star Online. Sadly, for PSO, it’s just too late for that. Single tear.
9. Rez
Josh Newey: It’s rare that I consider an unplayed game to be a “secret shame,” but no term better describes my relationship (or lack thereof) with everybody’s favorite tripped out spacey game of adventure and music…or something. For one thing, it’s readily available on XBLA, but it has always sat at the back of my purchase mind, a glaring unchecked box on my “To Do” list that has remained inexcusably ignored for the past several years. Making matters worse is the fact that so many people consider Rez to be an almost indescribable experience, and to offer any context or description appears to be tantamount to blasphemy for anyone who has played the game before. This utter lack of context has made it enormously difficult to will myself into picking the game up. I remember eying it back in the day, intrigued by the generally glowing reviews and its apparently music-focused theme, but somehow I decided to spend my money on frustrating crap like Trick Style and Slave Zero instead. At least with those games, I knew exactly what I was getting (GLOWY HOVERBOARDS AND ROBOTS!!!!). These days, I realize just how many of my best Dreamcast experiences came from unpredictable and nearly indescribable titles like Chu Chu Rocket and Illbleed. With this realization in tow, maybe my shame will finally coerce me into downloading this beloved niche game once and for all.
8. Samba de Amigo
Alex Riggen: The main reason I’ve never played Samba de Amigo is because I’ve never been a big fan of rhythm games. I’ll play some of the more unique ones like Space Channel 5 or Rez (which is kind of a rhythm game) but when extra peripherals get involved I usually get disinterested. However, I would like to someday see if this game appeals to me where other games like it don’t. I have played the Wii version which was terrible but from what I hear the Dreamcast game was leagues better so I don’t let that cloud my vision. Right now, it’s the high price tag for the game and the maracas that stop me from checking it out.
7. Pen Pen Tricelon
John Doherty: Pen Pen TriIcelon is one of the cutest looking games I’ve ever seen. It’s actually refreshing to look a screenshots of it nowadays. When you compare it to the super serious tone modern games have, games like this remind me of simpler times.
Despite how charming it may be I’ve never gotten around to playing it. Most gaming sites tend to say the game is just decent. However there seems to be a love of this game amongst Dreamcast fans that almost makes me feel shamed that I’ve never tried it myself.
I know almost nothing about the game either. I think it’s about aliens who participate in a triathlon on ice, named a trilcelon. How great is that name?
Hopefully someday soon I will get a chance to play this game. Till then I’ll just sit here and pout about never putting some time into it.
6. Illbleed
Sven Wohl: Illbleed has always been one of these games I keep on seeing and keep on hearing about, but never actually played. However, Illbleed has always evaded in me in some way. The thing is, I really love horror games, especially from that generation. As far as I can see, the scenarios are really varied, weird and intense. The focus doesn’t seem to lie that much on battles but more on observing your surroundings and finding traps. There aren’t many true horror games these days anymore, so actually finding stuff you missed out on from the earlier days is pretty much all you have. Illbleed, some day, I’m going to play you. Hopefully soon!
5. Bangai-O
Tom Kyzivat: I’ve made it perfectly clear on the podcast that I totally suck at shmups. Like, really suck. Like, it’d be a cold day in bullet hell before I’d ever be able to beat one. So, while most shooters kind of went under my radar, I was intrigued by the fact that Treasure developed Bangai-O for the Dreamcast. I’ve always been big fan of Treasure’s games (Gunstar Heroes got me hooked–even faking my way through the shooter stage), so I know, even though the game would probably school me, Bangai-O would be filled with beauteous sprites, innovative gameplay and a well-told story. Of course, having never played it, I can’t say for sure. By the Dreamcast era, I was mostly concerned with sweet SNK and Capcom fighting games (and there were plenty to go around) and adventure games like Sonic Adventure. And, to be honest, I was too much of a skin flint to actually buy games myself for the Dreamcast (with the exception of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure and Street Fighter Alpha 3), so I was pretty much at the mercy of whatever Mike wanted to play. So I guess I should really be asking him why I never played it. But here’s the bottom line: giant robot mech suits, bullets and lasers and bombs (oh my!), and sweet, sweet vengeance. That’s what Bangai-O’s about, and one of these days I’ll experience it first hand!
4. Record of Lodoss War
Flake: Secret of Mana, Gauntlet Legends, Diablo – I like games where you walk around and poke things with a sword. For some odd reason, I have never gotten my hands on Record of Lodoss War, the premier Dreamcast ‘poke things with swords’ simulator. I really do not have an excuse or reason for this: It is not like money is that big of a barrier (though it might be for some) as I easily waste greater amounts of money on less relevant things.
Record of Lodoss War is also based on one of the few Japanese cartoons that I honestly enjoy – though I have to say that I do not know how well it integrates any of the characters or plot elements of the show. It cannot be too far off though, what with the swords and the poking. I also know that Record of Lodoss War is what Diablo wanted to be if it ever grew up and got released on the Dreamcast. I am also told that it is very hard.
I have a feeling this is one of those games that I will pick up randomly one day, fall in love with, and then lecture others who have not played it on its virtues as though I was a believer from day one.
3. Cannon Spike
Mike Kyzivat: From what I’ve heard about it and from what I’ve seen on YouTube, Cannon Spike seems like a game right up my alley. So why haven’t I played it before you may ask? Well I’m not really sure why, I think it’s a combination of me being cheap and just not picking it up at a proper time. At the time I didn’t have a lot of money, and I had heard that Cannon Spike is a short game so I decided to wait till the price came down before buying it. Unfortunately I didn’t realize that the Dreamcast wasn’t long for this world, and so Capcom didn’t print as many copies of Cannon Spike as they would most games, so before it could get low enough to my price point it was gone from store shelves, and I’ve just been too busy/lazy to pick up a copy on the after market. Maybe some day I’ll play it, as it looks like a fun game in the same vein as smash TV (except with maybe more focus on bosses) And I’m a big fan of the VS. series so having all the different Capcom characters is another big appeal. I’m just overwhelmed with games I haven’t even opened yet, so it may be a while before I have the time. Perhaps when I retire.
2. Space Channel 5: Part 2
Flake: Number one reason I know I need to play Space Channel 5: Part 2? I think Space Channel 5: Part 1 is among the greatest games on this blue and beautiful planet of ours…even though I SUCK at it. The music in Space Channel 5 was so much fun, the setting is so cool, and Ulala somehow manages to be an amazing character even though she is dressed like all of gaming’s worst female stereotypes.
Supposedly, Part 2 fixes a few of the problems that the original had and raises the ante with real time graphics in the back ground instead of the pre-rendered videos. Yes, Space Channel 5 was really just a glorified FMV game. Oh, but such glory!
I am honestly not sure why it is I have not played Part 2 yet. It is available (by my estimation) on more consoles than the original game is. Given my obsession with games where Ulala cameos (Beach Spikers!) you would think I would be breaking down people’s doors to get my hands on Part 2.
1. Dynamite Cop
Alex Riggen: I think the reason I never got around to playing the full game of Dynamite Cop was because the demo was so good. I’ve probably blasted through that 10 minute demo with a second player close to 100 times and always felt satisfied in the end. Sure, I wanted to see what the rest of the game held for me but when I only had the budget to buy a new Dreamcast game every couple of months or so Dynamite Cop was far from the top of my list. Now, that the game is fairly cheap I need to go back and finally play through it for once.
Great list guys, funny to see Pen Pen there. That game was pretty much grail back when the system was first released in Japan and that was practically the only game out for a long time that was the least bit good. Remember Godzilla Generations?
And Josh, you’re actually still in luck. With a little bit of creativity there is still a way to play PSO online via the Dreamcast. I do it all the time, there are always a handful of people playing across the world, too. I actually do it wirelessly, too, via the Broadband adapter and then that connected to this cheap little wireless bridge that connects me to the rest of my network. We even sometimes partake in the legendary soccer games up on the, what is it, 22nd floor or something?
If you want to find out more how to play it, check this out:
http://dreamcast.onlineconsoles.com/phpBB2/psoaccess.php
I’d also argue that PSO is just as enjoyable offline as it is online. I’ve played it both ways but I’ve always preferred adventuring alone as you can really tell your character is getting stronger as you level up and find better loot. I don’t play any modern Phantasy Star game online until I’ve completed the game offline first.
Oh man, good to know guys. I might have to give it a go.