Mean Dream Machine

Enjoying Gran Turismo 2 on your Sony Playstation consoles? Still think that this game is the ultimate in driving games? Well, I think you better wake up and starting counting your bits, because in our opinion, a new king has just entered into the scene of video game driving: Sega Dreamcast.

The world’s first 128-bit system, the Sega Dreamcast is just one heck of a wonder machine. Though it’s unusually understated outside being white and a bit of gray with little swirls here and there, this wonder console packs a punch which would even make the Playstation and N64 cry and whimper. The specs itself are a gamer’s dream. Aside from the 128-bit main graphics engine, the Dreamcast is powered by NEC’s second generation PowerVR graphics chip which can render 3 million polygons per second with complete lighting and transparency effects. Still can’t picture it? Imagine the Playstation with all its graphic effects put in multiply it by 150; that’s how powerful the Sega Dreamcast is.

Aside from the fantastic graphics, the Dreamcast has an intelligent sound processor to match the visuals. Known as the Yamaha Super Intelligent Sound Processor, this 64-bit sound chip can handle a lot of sound effects such as reverb, delay, surround sound and true 3D audio. The main difference between the approach of Sega and Sony is that Sony has always incorporated their sound processing into the console’s main memory and chip, thus depriving it of useful computing power for graphics. On the other hand, since the Saturn, Sega has always separated the two, allowing better optimization. In fact, the Dreamcast’s sound system has its own dedicated CPU, RISC and 2MB of RAM.

From the obvious, to the sublime, the Dreamcast is also the first video game console powered by a modified version of Microsoft’s Windows CE operating system. Although most people remember the CE as one of those pathetic, crash prone OS, Sega has taken the liberty to modify the CE to suit the Dreamcast. The main advantage is that programmers will now take less time in translating games from the PC to the Dreamcast, and several games such as Quake 2 could be Dreamcast ready in less than six months.

If you think that a 128-bit processor, 16MB of main RAM, 8MB of video RAM, 2MB of sound RAM and a 12x GD-ROM (1.7 GB capacity) isn’t enough consider this: four control pad slots and a built-in modem. Multi-playing wasn’t this fun or extensive before! What’s more is that the control pads themselves are built for the enjoyment of among others, racing games. Why? Well, because two of the Dreamcast’s seven action buttons are analog triggers, similar to a car’s gas and brake pedals. These plus an analog directional pad make for great driving responses when it comes to racing games. Why? Let’s look at it this way–you will be able to accelerate, turn and / or brake by very small fractions rather than just the typical on / off routine with the normal control pad! Seems that Sega has though of it all!

Now, we come to the most important question of all: software. Though the Sega Dreamcast has over 75 titles already available in the US and more than 300 titles in Japan, ranging from Sonic Adventure to the best fighting game of the year, Namco’s Soul Calibur, we’d like to concentrate more on the available driving games, since we’re a car magazine.

Sega Rally Championship 2
Overall Verdict: 9.5 / 10
More than just a port of the smash arcade hit, Sega Rally 2 is one addictive and difficult game. Though not quite arcade perfect, because the frame rate isn’t at the consistent 60 frames-per-second, the amazing graphics, sound and driving experience make up for it all. Imagine this, 20 selectable cars (there were only 6 in the arcade) and 19 tracks make this a game that would last a lifetime. The weakness though is that its two-player mode is hit hard by graphic pop-up and slowdown.

However, for a one player racing game, Sega Rally will make sure your thumbs will hurt after playing with this game for more than an hour. When I first tried it, I was quickly amazed with all those reflections that pass on the car, especially in the night stage, where the cars look so REAL! Aside from the usual sun reflections, the cars actually get dirty when you pass them over gravel, mud or snow. Add to that the detail of seeing spectators running for cover as your speeding vehicle passes by or seeing the helicopter consistently bugging you throughout the Indonesian-inspired course, Muddy Stage. Sega’s AM R&D # 3 worked so hard with this game that even the sounds of the rally cars are authentic. In fact, Sega’s team had to stay for more than a year in Europe trying on each of the cars in this game to see how they really feel, sound and handle. In fact, when I tried at least 4 cars already, I could even feel the difference in the handling of each. For instance, one car would drift more easily, or another would understeer more; it’s quite an extra- ordinary game experience. Car selection in this game include: Subaru Impreza WRC and 555; Mitsubishi Evolution III, IV and V; Toyota Corolla, Celica 205GT4 and 185GT4; Lancia Delta Integrale HF, Integrale 16-valve and Stratos; Renault Maxi Megane, Peugeot 206, 306, plus many, many more. Of course, all of these cars are fully customizable from tires, suspension, brakes, steering and even, the navigator’s voice!

CART: Flag to Flag
Overall Verdict: 8.4 / 10
This racing game launched by Sega of America is inferior graphics-wise toSega Rally 2. However, Flag-to-Flag has been designed primarily for the fans of the FedEx CART Series. With the complete line-up of 27 cars plus 5 secret cars and 19 tracks, this game is a must for those who enjoy the speed of ovals.

Though it looks complicated, CART Flag-to-Flag is a fairly simple game to finish, although a bit tiring later on because the CPU seems to be lacking in cornering abilities. In fact, in some road course, you can even take the lead from last place with just two laps down. However, car options look promising such as fuel level, suspension stiffness level and so-forth, but when I play the game, what I usually do it just half my fuel capacity, adjust my front and rear wing level to minimal and be off (and it works!)

The fun part in this game is when you try to play against the computer in the championship mode. Why? Well, there’s this option where you can turn your car damage off. To win, you can just ram the rear part of everyone’s car! I did that to Alex Zanardi a couple of times already. Hehehehe.

Part of the first batch of Dreamcast game releases, Flag-to-Flag is great for those who consider drifting a bit too much annoying, and those who just want to have a great time without even having getting through a steep learning curve.

Tokyo Xtreme Racer
Overall Verdict: 9.0 / 10
One of the surprises for Dreamcast is Tokyo Xtreme Racer. This game has received so little publicity when compared to the likes of Sega Rally 2 or Flag-to-Flag. It’s a sort of a dark horse, because Genki suddenly appeared out of nowhere to produce one of the best selling Dreamcast titles in Japan. Why? First of all, is the huge selection of favorite Japanese tuning cars from the Honda Civic Type-R to the Nissan Skyline GTR. Second, the game runs at a jaw-dropping 60 frames-per-second with full car reflection and lighting effects. Third, all the cars here, except for the Honda S2000 and new Toyota Celica are fully customizable from aeroparts, mags, color and even engine, suspension and transmission upgrades.

This of course is important when you learn the object of the game. Unlike typical racing games, TXR uses a new kind of SP Battle Point system, wherein two cars will battle it not against time or who gets to this point first, but through a life bar system, similar to a fighting game. What’s more, for every victory, you get money from your beaten opponent, which you can use to buy new parts or even a new car. This is important as the rivals get more and more difficult as days pass.

While playing with TXR, I find myself laughing when I finally drove a race-trim Civic Type-R with 320 bhp at 8000 rpm and a weight of 999 kg. It’s amazing on what you can do with these cars here! What’s more is that you’ll easily take pride in the car you’ve just tuned because each individual players can race their tuned cars even in the versus race mode. It’s an addicting and great game.

The only turn off is that the car noises tend to sound the same, except for some which are truly unique like the Subaru Impreza WRX fully tuned to 506 bhp! Also, there is only one very long highway course, with your choice of clockwise and counterclockwise. However, because of the fun factor of this game, with battle against a rival and other traffic, this game is well worth it, and could easily capture a slot as one of Dreamcast’s best.

What’s Coming
The Dreamcast will really become the heaven of racing fans everywhere when Sega unleashes new titles next year. In the line-up are Metropolis Midnight Racer (a graphically stunning game from European developers); Crazy Taxi (an arcade port, where the objective is to find the shortest route to the destination possible, even if that means destroying other cars, walls and solid objects in the way); and finally Sega GT, Sega’s response to Sony’s Gran Tourismo 2000 for the Playstation 2. Sega GT will have more than 34 car manufacturers, everything from Toyota to McLaren.

So what’s the verdict for the Dreamcast? Don’t wait for the Playstation 2! This is the console to have! It’s got the games, it’s got the power. It can only get better as new games come up. And they are coming up quickly. So, what are you waiting for; it’s time to jump to the new age of video gaming…Sega’s back on top and it shows.

P.S. To date, Sega of America has already sold more than 1 million Dreamcast units in a span of 3 months. Sega of Europe has sold 500,000 Dreamcast units in a 2-month period…its all a record. In Japan? The Dreamcast has already overtaken the stagnant N64 and will soon try to go for the biggest fish in gaming.

Text By Ulysses Ang
Photos Courtesy of dreamcast.ign.com