Today, Sega confirmed the good news that has been leaking for months, revealing that it would bring two Dreamcast classics to Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network. It's a good first step, but where should it go from here?
The Dreamcast library was varied and strong, and many of the games that made us adore Sega's late 90s console—SoulCalibur, Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram, Rez, Ikaruga, Marvel vs. Capcom 2—are also the reason we love Xbox Live Arcade. The Sega Dreamcast may have been short lived, but it spawned plenty of classics that we haven't been able to play elsewhere and, for many of us, on our current generation consoles.
Sega, if you're listening, these are the next Dreamcast games we want on XBLA and PSN.
Jet Grind Radio
Smilebit's creative inline skating and graffiti game was just dripping with style, from its cel-shaded graphics to its unforgettable soundtrack to its quirky characters. It was succeeded by the stylish, but more shallow Jet Set Radio Future. We'd love to play the original again with updated visuals and absolutely nothing else changed.
Skies of Arcadia
One of the Dreamcast's best RPGs should find a new audience, one that will more vocally demand a sequel. Wii owners may want to hunt down a copy of the GameCube port Skies of Arcadia Legends, but the rest of us would like a digital release as soon as its convenient, please and thank you.
The Typing of the Dead
It's a great multiplayer game and its edutational. Plus how often does one get the chance to frantically type "Rental underwear" under the pressure of an impending zombie attack? We really need USB keyboard support for this to happen, of course, but since there is a PC version of the game, that should make it easier on you, Sega.
Chu Chu Rocket
Sonic Team's brilliant puzzle game of cats and mice is, for some insane reason, not already an Xbox Live Arcade/PlayStation Network game. Someone, please correct this oversight!
Virtua Tennis
Sega's Virtua Tennis series has spanned multiple consoles, including the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii, but a downloadable version of the highly addictive original for, say, 10 bucks would be an instant purchase if you threw in some online multiplayer, you know.
Space Channel 5/Space Channel 5 Part 2
Just think, Sega, there have to be some parents out there who would mistakenly download a copy of Space Channel 5 for their kids, thinking its a Just Dance game. UGA's fun and fabulous rhythm game can be had cheaply on the PlayStation 2 and Dreamcast, but both should get a higher-definition tweak. Space Michael would have wanted it that way.
Seaman
Raising this amphibious curmudgeon was a bizarre experience, something I certainly wouldn't mind suffering through again using my Xbox 360 microphone or Bluetooth headset. Just imagine how good that vivarium would look at 720p, Sega!
Alien Front Online
Downloadable arcade-style shooters work and Alien Front Online may be Sega's best option. A better choice than the so-so Outrigger and a game that came too late in the Dreamcast's lifecycle for enough gamers to properly enjoy.
Power Stone & Power Stone 2
Sega, phone up Capcom and help them get the Power Stone games online. These two light-hearted brawlers are begging for online multiplayer action. Get more third-parties on board and help them bring their Dreamcast games to PSN/XBLA.
Bangai-O
Treasure's weirdo puzzle-shooter deserves a bigger audience too and, at the very least, a bigger screen than the Nintendo DS on which to play its successor Bangai-O Spirits. Everybody loves a Treasure game, so why not get them to fix up the Dreamcast version of Bangai-O for the PS3 and 360?
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Readers, what other Dreamcast games must Sega bring to Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network? If you really, really, really, really, really, really, really want that port of Shenmue (or Shenmue II), speak up!