Sega Dreamcast Christmas Games! The Complete List of Christmas Related Games on the Dreamcast

 

As Christmas quickly approaches, I thought it would be fun to take a look at all of the Sega Dreamcast games that take place during the holiday season or otherwise have Christmas-related content. So here it is: The complete list of Sega Dreamcast Christmas games!

"Merry Christmas, and let's challenge the stamps!"

Blue Stinger

Definitely the most Christmas-y game on the Dreamcast, Blue Stinger is a cult classic horror adventure game that takes place during the Christmas season and really leans into the holiday atmosphere. The environments are decked out with decorations, one of the main characters wears a Santa suit for a significant chunk of the game, and there's a catchy Christmas jingle that plays in certain parts of the town. It's a great and very unique game, one of the Dreamcast best exclusives, and all of the Christmas cheer it contains makes it a great game to play during the holiday season. It's become a yearly tradition for me to play it every December. Best Christmas game ever!

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D2

Another horror game for the Dreamcast that just so happens to take place during Christmas is WARP's D2, the final game in the D series that also included the original D and Enemy Zero. Kenji Eno's Dreamcast exclusive magnum opus has you take control of Laura Parton in the snowy, monster-infested landscapes of Canada after surviving a plane crash. The Christmas theme here is somewhat light, but the game does have numerous references to the holiday in its story and presentation, and the desolate snow-covered mountains you traverse throughout the game definitely provide a nice wintery atmosphere. D2 is one of the Dreamcast's most high profile exclusive games, and one that makes for a great playthrough for the December holiday season.

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Shenmue

Yu Suzuki's iconic Dreamcast RPG Shenmue is another game that takes place during the Christmas season. While the game starts in late November, the majority of the game will take place through December and into the New Year (depending on how fast you progress the story). When the in-game calendar reaches the 14th of December, the Dobuita area gets decked out with Christmas decorations, and carols like "Jingle Bells" and "Silent Night" are blared through the outdoor loudspeakers as you pass by. When the real time weather system blesses you with a snowy day during this period, it really gives the game a nice comfy Christmas feeling. Shenmue should be in every Dreamcast owner's collection, and it's a great game to play during the season.

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Toy Commander

Official Dreamcast Magazine commissioned Toy Commander developer No Cliché to create an exclusive Christmas-themed expansion level for their Janurary 2001 Holiday demo disc. You control a jet pack-wielding Santa Claus as you search for presents hidden in the level so you can deliver them under the Christmas tree. While it's only one stage, it's a great little side-mission to get you into the Christmas spirit. And while the retail release of Toy Commander isn't exactly a Christmas game, I think it also fits the spirit of this list as a game that would likely remind you of playing with all of the new toys you got for Christmas during your childhood. It's a fantastic game that's still exclusive to the Sega Dreamcast!

Shop for the Dreamcast Magazine Holiday demo disc on eBay!

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The Grinch

The Grinch is a game based off of the Dr. Seuss classic How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and the Jim Carrey movie of the same name. You play as the title character, attempting to ruin Christmas for all of the Whos in Whoville. It's mostly a platforming style game with some stealth elements. And while it's no forgotten masterpiece or anything, you can still have some fun here. It's a port of a game that was originally developed with the PlayStation as the target platform, so the graphics are fairly lacking for a Dreamcast game, but don't let that stop you from checking it out if you're looking for another Christmas related game to play on Sega's little white box.

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Pen Pen TriIcelon

Pen Pen TriIcelon is a pretty iconic racing game for the Sega Dreamcast, being one of the first titles shown for the upcoming Japanese launch of the console in 1998, and the Dreamcast is still the only platform you can play it on. It's a fun, wacky, and colorful character-based racing game, and it has a light Christmas theme in some stages. The Sweets courses in the game feature snowy tracks filled with candy, Christmas trees, and lights. Some of the characters in the game even had a crossover role in Blue Stinger, too!

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Games with Christmas DLC

There are also a few games that aren't Christmas-related by default, but feature Christmas-themed bonus content via DLC that are listed below.

Sonic Adventure

Sonic Adventure features a ton of downloadable "Events" for additional seasonal and promotional content. There are 2 Christmas DLC events, the 1998 Japanese Christmas event, and the 1999 Christmas event. Both will work on North American and PAL copies of the game, adding Christmas trees and music to Station Square, along with several messages wishing you a Merry Christmas. It's super cozy! And while the vanilla game of Sonic Adventure isn't really Christmas related, thanks to my childhood nostalgia of getting the game as a Christmas present and playing it that day, it will always be a game that gets me into the spirit of the holidays.

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Sonic Adventure 2

Sonic Adventure 2's Christmas DLC isn't quite as festive as it was in the first game, basically just dressing the main character models in festive outfits like a Santa suit for Sonic. Still, it's nice that they included it and it's a fun novelty to play around with..

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And that's it, every Christmas game released for the Sega Dreamcast! Hopefully Santa leaves some of them under the tree for you this year!

Sega Saturn Games That Are Still Exclusive - The Complete List Of All Saturn Exclusives

 

Even though the Sega Saturn was released almost 30 years ago, there's still a fairly large number of games released for it that remain exclusive to the system. Here's our complete list of all of the games that are only available on the Sega Saturn (we'll be counting games that were also released in the arcades as exclusive as long as the Saturn version is the only home release of the title).

So, what Sega Saturn games are still exclusives?

Sega Saturn Exclusive Games Released in North America and/or Europe:

-Titles that were released in Europe but not North America are in italics

-Titles that were released in North America but not Europe are in bold

*Titles that were also released in arcades are noted with an asterisk*

Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean

Astal

Battle Monsters

Black Fire

Burning Rangers

Christmas NiGHTS

Clockwork Knight

Clockwork Knight 2

Congo The Movie: The Lost City of Zinj

CrimeWave

Cyber Speedway

Dark Savior

Deep Fear

Fighters Megamix

Ghen War

*Golden Axe: The Duel

Gungriffon

*Hang-On GP

High Velocity

Iron Storm

Keio Flying Squadron 2

The Legend of Oasis

Lunacy (AKA Torico)

Magic Knight Rayearth

The Mansion of Hidden Souls

Mr. Bones

Mystaria: The Realms of Lore (AKA Blazing Heroes)

NBA Action

NFL '97

NHL All-Star Hockey

NHL All-Star Hockey 98

Panzer Dragoon II Zwei

Panzer Dragoon Saga

Robotica

Saturn Bomberman

Scud: The Disposable Assassin

Shining Force III

Shining the Holy Ark

Shining Wisdom

Shinobi Legions (AKA Shinobi X)

Sonic Jam

*Steep Slope Sliders

*Virtua Fighter Kids

Virtual Hydlide

Virtual Open Tennis

VR Virtua Racing (different version than the other releases of the game)

Wing Arms

World Series Baseball

World Series Baseball II

World Series Baseball '98

Worldwide Soccer: Sega International Victory Goal

Notable Japan-Only Saturn Exclusive Games:

(Although there were many more Saturn exclusives that were only released in Japan, most of these are very text-heavy and not terribly import-friendly, like visual novels. We've chosen to just highlight some of the more notable Japanese Saturn exclusives here. Luckily fans have been busy translating many of these games into English, so plenty are playable without having to know Japanese!)

Games that have received fan translations or are easily playable without knowing Japanese are in bold

Assault Suit Leynos 2

Bulk Slash (English translation patch)

Choro Q Park

D-Xhird

Death Crimson

Dragon Force II (English translation patch)

Dungeon Master Nexus (English translation patch)

*Final Fight Revenge

*Funky Head Boxers

*Gale Racer

*Groove On Fight

Gungriffon II (English translation patch)

*Hanagumi Taisen Columns

Keriotosse!

*Legend of Dragoon Elan-Doree

Linkle Liver Story (English translation patch)

Nanatsu Kaze no Shima Monogatari

Ninpen Manmaru (English translation patch)

*Purikura Daisakusen

*Puzzle & Action: Treasure Hunt

Quo Vadis

Quo Vadis 2

Ronde

Saturn Bomberman Fight!!

Segata Sanshirō Shinken Yūgi

SteamGear Mash

Stellar Assault SS (English translation patch)

Super Tempo

Touge King: The Spirits 2

Virtual Volleyball

Wachenröder (English translation patch)

Willy Wombat

Copyright 2023 www.blast-processing.com

Related posts:

Top Ten Sega Saturn Exclusive Games Ranked

Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games that are still exclusive

Sega Dreamcast games that are still exclusive

F355 Challenge for the Sega Dreamcast Now Playable Online Again!

 

Great news for everyone that's still playing Sega Dreamcast online multiplayer games in 2023 - Sega's F355 Challenge: Passione Rossa has had its online features restored by fans and is now once again playable online for the first time in over a decade!

F355 Challenge was originally released in the arcades as a deluxe racing cabinet, with some of these cabinets notably featuring three different screens to better simulate the experience of 3D space, with each screen positioned to simulate driving in a car via a first-person perspective. The game was produced and directed by the legendary Yu Suzuki of Sega AM2 and was heralded as a huge leap for realism in video games, as well as just being a fantastic racing game. And although it was an arcade game, it definitely falls under the simulation side gameplay-wise, with very realistic driving physics. The game was later ported to the Sega Dreamcast, which had online multiplayer where players could take part in a solo race and compare their race times with the other players. It wasn't real-time multiplayer, unfortunately, but it was a nice bonus feature that sadly had been lost to time when the official servers for the game were shut down in the early 2000's.

On November 30th, 2023, Dreamcast-talk user flyinghead posted a thread stating that he had been working on restoring the online functioning of the game, and on December 1st, 2023 testing was completed and everything was confirmed to be working. The online features can be accessed straight from the official GD-ROM with no special mods or hardware needed, although you'll obviously need a working internet connection to your Dreamcast to play it - it's been confirmed working on Dreampi and emulators, and should also work with the official Dreamcast dial-up modem as well.

It's yet another Sega Dreamcast game that has had its online multiplayer functionality restored through the efforts of fans. We're row reaching the point where almost every Dreamcast game that featured online play has been made playable again through private servers and reverse engineering. For a full list of games that have been brought back online, check out our list of Dreamcast games that are still online.

Cool Cool Toon For Sega Dreamcast Unofficial Fan Translation English Patch Download

Great news! Cool Cool Toon for the Sega Dreamcast is finally playable for the first time in English! This stylish and quirky rhythm game by SNK is one of the more notable Dreamcast exclusives that never left Japan. It was released in 2000 and features some very Dreamcast-y aesthetics with lots of very colorful flat-shaded polygons and a stylized cartoony look somewhat similar to Jet Set Radio. Being a fairly text-heavy game has made it not very import-friendly, but now thanks to the hard work of Derek Pascarella and others, the game can now be patched with an English translation. Can't wait to finally be able to play it!

Download:

Github

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Sega Dreamcast Games That Used The Microphone - List of Dreamcast Games with Microphone Support

Released in 1999 in Japan and 2000 in North America, the Sega Dreamcast microphone was a rather unique peripheral for its time that allowed gamers to interact with their games via voice. While it wasn't the first microphone accessory released for home consoles, coming out after Nintendo's Voice Recognition Unit which was released in conjunction with Hey You, Pikachu!, it definitely had a more lasting impact on the industry, as the Sega Dreamcast was the first console to support online voice chat. So, what Dreamcast games supported the microphone? Read on to find out!

Seaman

You're going to need the Dreamcast Microphone if you want to play Seaman, Sega's absolutely bizarre virtual pet simulator. If you're somehow not familiar with the game, Seaman has you raising a fish with a human face that you have conversations with through use of the microphone. You'll have to monitor things like temperature, air levels, and feeding time while also talking to Seaman and watching him grow. Your Seaman will ask you questions about yourself, offer some deep and insightful musings on life, and usually just be an insulting jerk. It's kind of like having a Furby but much more terrifying, and the game features the narration of Leonard Nimoy. The voice recognition here was really ahead of its time, and it remains a very interesting playthrough today. It's one of the Dreamcast's most unique and iconic experiences, and any self-respecting Dreamcast owner should have this game in their collection.

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Alien Front Online

Alien Front Online is an arcade arena combat game where you control either tanks or alien spacecraft (depending on which side you choose) and blast away at your enemies. As referenced in the title, the focus of this game was definitely the online multiplayer, featuring different game modes like capture the flag and your basic team deathmatch. The game used the microphone for online voice chat, allowing players to record short voice clips that would then be sent to the other players. So it wasn't real-time voice chat, but it was still really cool, and thanks to the hard work of fans, Alien Front Online's online multiplayer has been restored and can still be enjoyed today.

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Planet Ring

Planet Ring was a Europe-exclusive online-only party game by Sega that was aimed at introducing casual players to online gaming and featured real time voice chat via the Dreamcast microphone. The game had an online community system, allowing you to create your own avatar and explore the game's world while interacting and competing with other players in four casual-style minigames. It was a very cool and revolutionary game for its time, and did a great job in showcasing the unique experiences that could be had through online console games. The game became unplayable after the official servers shut down back in the day, but the online play has now been fully restored by fans so it can once again be enjoyed by gamers today.

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Mr. Driller

Namco's Mr Driller is an action-puzzle game that has you strategically drilling blocks to get to the bottom of the stage while trying not to get crushed. It's a spiritual sequel to Dig Dug, and if you like action-oriented puzzle games it's definitely a good game to check out. The game supports even supports the microphone as an unadvertised feature, allowing you to shout to drill the blocks instead of using a button. It's basically just a fun novelty, but it's really cool that Namco went out of their way to add microphone functionality for what was otherwise a straight arcade port.

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There were also a handful of other games that offered microphone support, but these were Japan-exclusive titles that would be impossible to play if you can't speak and read Japanese. We'll list them below for completion's sake, however:

• Battle Beaster
• Christmas Seaman: Omoi o Tsutaeru Mou Hitotsu no Houhou
• Death Crimson 2: Meranito no Saidan
• Dream Passport 3
• Dream Passport Premier
• Heisei Mahjong Sou
• Jahmong
• Kiteretsu Boy's Gangagan
• Marionette Handler 2
• O.to.i.Re: Dreamcast Sequencer
• Sakura Momoko Gekijou: Coji Coji
• Seaman: Kindan no Pet: 2001 Nen Taiouban

The PAL web browser Dreamkey Version 2.0 also supported the microphone, allowing users to send 10-second voice clips to online friends.

Don't own a Dreamcast microphone yet? It was originally packaged together with Seaman and Alien Front Online, so complete in box copies of both games should include one (make sure before you buy), but you can also buy it separately online.

Shop for the Dreamcast Microphone on eBay

16-Bit Survival Horror Classic Returns: Clock Tower Announced for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PS5, XBox, and PC

In an exciting announcement for survival horror fans, CAPCOM, Sunsoft, WayForward, and Limited Run Games have joined forces to breathe new life into the seminal Super Famicom horror game Clock Tower. The landmark horror title, a pioneer of the survival horror genre, will be reborn with a port/enhanced remaster, set to release in early 2024 for modern consoles.

Clock Tower, originally released for the Super Famicom in 1995 only in Japan and developed by Human Entertainment, has gained a cult following for its tense gameplay, atmospheric storytelling, and innovative gameplay mechanics. The game was a point-and-click adventure game focused on the survival of protagonist Jennifer Simpson, who found herself trapped in a nightmarish mansion while being relentlessly pursued by the hideously deformed Scissorman. Clock Tower has the honor of being the best Super Nintendo horror game ever made, in our opinion. Several sequels to the game later followed on the Sony PlayStation 1 and PlayStation 2.

Clock Tower is set to launch simultaneously on multiple platforms. Fans can look forward to experiencing the horror classic on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and PC via Steam.

Tomba! Returns: Limited Run Games Announces the Classic Platformer for Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and PC

Get ready to swing back into action as Limited Run Games, in collaboration with creator Tokuro Fujiwara, has announced Tomba! for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC. This beloved platforming gem from the past will be resurrected on modern consoles, thanks to the power of the Carbon Engine. Additionally, fans will be treated to a new soundtrack by the legendary FUJITA HARUMI, further enhancing the nostalgic experience.

Tomba!, also known as Tombi! in PAL territories, originally debuted on the Sony PlayStation as a first-party mascot platformer back in 1997. Developed by Whoopee Camp and created by the acclaimed Tokuro Fujiwara, the game introduced players to the energetic and pink-haired hero, Tomba. Known for its colorful visuals, classic 2D platforming gameplay, and quirky humor, Tomba! quickly won the hearts of players and became a cult classic.

Adding to the excitement, the talented composer Harumi Fujita of the original Tomba! and many other classic games, has returned to craft a new soundtrack for the game's revival on modern consoles.

Limited Run Games Announces Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution: Cancelled Game Boy Advance Shantae Game to be Released for GBA

Limited Run Games is teaming up with WayForward to publish the previously unreleased Game Boy Advance game Shantae Advance: Risky Revolution on a physical cartridge for the GBA. The game was being developed back in 2002 but was cancelled as the developer was unable to find a publisher for the game as the first game, Shantae on the Game Boy Color, was received well by the press and fans but didn't sell very well at retail.

Shantae, the half-genie guardian of Scuttle Town, has become a beloved character in the gaming world since her debut in 2002. Known for her distinctive hair-whip attacks, shape-shifting abilities, and vibrant personality, Shantae was an instant hit with gamers who played the first game on the Game Boy Color, spawning four sequels across multiple consoles and handhelds, not including the previously unreleased Shantae Advance.

The game looks like it'll be a solid entry to both the series and the Game Boy Advance's platforming library. Shantae Advance will even support 4-player support via the GBA link cable. It's awesome to see a new Game Boy Advance game being released physically, especially one that was cancelled back in the day, giving the game a chance to finally be enjoyed.

There's no word on a release date yet, with Limited Run Games only saying that the game would come out "in the near future".

Gex Trilogy Announced for PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series S/X, and PC

Limited Run Games, in collaboration with Square Enix, has made an exciting announcement: the release of the Gex Trilogy for modern consoles. Fans of the wisecracking gecko will soon have the opportunity to relive the classic platforming adventures on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Steam). The collection includes Gex, Gex: Enter the Gecko, and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko.

Gex, the charismatic and pop culture-savvy gecko, first emerged on the gaming scene in 1994. Developed by Crystal Dynamics, Gex quickly became a mascot character for the 32-bit generation. The first game, titled Gex, was initially released on the 3DO, PC, and SEGA Saturn, before making its way to the PlayStation. It introduced players to the world of Gex and was a 2D platforming game, filled with references to pop culture and challenging levels based on classic movies and TV shows.

Gex: Enter the Gecko marked the gecko's return and first foray into 3D, this time gracing the PlayStation, Nintendo 64, and PC platforms. It was a solid early 3D platforming game that expanded on the series' humorous take on the genre.

Finally, Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko took players on an action-packed 3D adventure across multiple platforms, including the PlayStation, Nintendo 64, and PC.

There aren't many details about this upcoming collection yet, and it's not clear at this time whether this release will feature simple ports or full-on remakes of the classic games.

Sega Saturn RPGs - The Complete List of the Best Sega Saturn Role-Playing Games!

While the original Sony PlayStation may have stolen the show when it came to role-playing games in the 32-bit era, the Sega Saturn was definitely no slouch in the RPG department. The system featured quite a number of original, unique, and very enjoyable titles in the genre. And somewhat shockingly, almost all of the Saturn RPG games we'll cover here have remained exclusive to the platform. So, without further ado, let's take a look at some of the best RPGs the Sega Saturn had to offer in this complete list of every Saturn role-playing game currently playable in English.

Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean

Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean is your typical run-of-the-mill Japanese RPG that does a lot of things really well - its 2D graphics look great, the turn-based battles are intuitive and well-executed, and the adventure is engaging throughout. The game doesn't attempt to reinvent the genre or try to be the next big thing in J-RPG gaming - it's just a simple, well-made RPG with an enjoyable quest. And that's a good thing! This is actually one of the more polished and well-rounded RPGs on the Sega Saturn. If you're looking for a traditional turn-based Japanese RPG for your Saturn collection, Albert Odyssey is a great option to check out.

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Dragon Force

Dragon Force is a very deep strategy RPG that features epic battles with hundreds of soldiers on screen at once. The game is hardcore and pretty intimidating for first time players - reading the manual here is going to be a must. You'll spend a lot of time managing your troops and castles outside of battles, and you need to strategize which castles you'll attempt to take over based on a lot of different factors. Dragon Force offers 8 different storylines depending on which character you choose to play as, so there's plenty of replay value here. If you want a very in-depth strategy RPG for your Sega Saturn, look no further than Dragon Force

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The Legend of Oasis

The Legend of Oasis (known as The Story of Thor 2 in Europe) is a sequel to the underrated action-RPG Beyond Oasis for the Sega Genesis. The game offers an overhead 2D Zelda-like experience filled with puzzles and exploration. Combat here is quick and responsive with a lot of different moves and attacks you can perform - there's even a combo system in place, making the combat feel sort of like a beat-'em-up game. The game also has a unique buddy system allowing you to summon elemental spirits that you unlock as you progress to help you solve puzzles and fight enemies. All in all it's a fantastic action-adventure RPG and a great addition to the Sega Saturn's library.

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Dark Savior

Dark Savior is a game in Climax Entertainment's LandStalker series, combining platforming and RPG elements in a unique adventure. If you're familiar with LandStalker you'll have a good idea on how this one plays. There's a lot of very tricky platforming thanks to the game's isometric viewpoint, but it definitely becomes easier once you get used to it. Battles in the game are pretty interesting, taking inspiration from one-on-one fighting games. Dark Savior also has plenty of replay value with branching storylines where the choices you make impact the rest of the game. It's a great platforming-heavy action-RPG that is still exclusive to the Sega Saturn.

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Shining Wisdom

Shining Wisdom is an overhead Zelda style action-RPG spinoff game in the Shining Force series. It's nowhere near as polished as your average Legend of Zelda game, but it offers a cute and engaging action-RPG adventure with some small quirks and flaws. The game features real-time combat, exploration and puzzle-solving that requires the use of the new abilities you learn as you progress throughout the game, similar to Zelda, along with a compelling story and charming characters. There weren't many Zelda-like games released on the Sega Saturn, and despite some of Shining Wisdom's minor peculiarities, it's still a good action-RPG that's exclusive to the Saturn and worth checking out.

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Virtual Hydlide

Virtual Hydlide is a remake of the classic action RPG Hydlide. This is the only western-style RPG released for the Sega Saturn in North America, playing kind of like an early Elder Scrolls game. While the game has a poor reputation due to its poor framerate and somewhat janky gameplay, if you can get used to its quirks there's actually a good adventure to be had here. You'll embark on a quest to save the princess, battling monsters while exploring a vast 3D world. If you're looking for an RPG for the Saturn that's very different from the standard fare, Virtual Hydlide is a unique and underrated exclusive RPG for the system that might be up your alley.

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Shining Force III

Shining Force III is the Sega Saturn exclusive third game in Sega's classic strategy-RPG series Shining Force. The game offers a tactical RPG experience with an epic adventure set in a richly detailed medieval world. Fans of the Shining Force series will feel right at home here as Shining Force III features the same classic gameplay formula as the earlier games, but this time with a 3D presentation.  The game's branching storyline and tactical depth make it a standout entry in the Shining series. Sadly, Shining Force III as we know it in the west was only the first of three separate releases in Japan, with each game offering a different scenario with its own plotline. Even though we never got the full game outside of Japan, Shining Force III is a great (and extremely expensive) tactical role-playing game that is a must-play for every Saturn RPG fan.

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Herc's Adventures

Herc's Adventures takes a comedic twist on the RPG genre, offering a lighthearted adventure inspired by Greek mythology. It's very similar to Zombies Ate My Neighbors from the same development team, appearing to run on an updated version of that game's engine, but Herc's Adventures takes place in a large open world with action-RPG elements. You can control one of three heroes - Herc, Atlanta, or Jason - in a quest to save the goddess Persephone from Hades and restore balance to the world. The game features action-oriented overhead gameplay with plenty of puzzles to solve, a humorous story, and even a cooperative multiplayer mode. Herc's Adventure's is definitely a hidden gem for the Saturn, offering a fantastic 2D action-RPG that's brimming with personality.

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Blazing Heroes/Mystaria: The Realms of Lore

Blazing Heroes, also released as Mystaria: The Realms of Lore, is a turn-based strategy RPG in the same vein as the Shining Force games. The majority of the game is spent in grid-based tactical battles, although there are some towns and other areas to explore outside of battles as well. It's your typical strategy RPG, and it's actually really well done. Definitely a hidden gem on the Sega Saturn for strategy RPG enthusiasts.

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Guardian Heroes

Guardian Heroes is a beat-em-up with some light RPG elements made by legendary developer Treasure. While the game is really all about the action, your character levels up as you gain experience through fighting enemies, allowing you to upgrade your stats at the end of each level, and you're presented with decisions at times which lead to many branching paths. It's also a lot heavier on story than most games in the genre as well, and features plenty of cutscenes and dialogue. This brawler also features a 2-player co-op mode so you and a friend can play through the story together, as well as a chaotic 6-payer melee mode that's very reminiscent of the Super Smash Bros games. The aesthetics are also on-point, with some great 2D graphics and a fantastic soundtrack. All in all, Guardian Heroes is a fairly deep and extremely fun beat-em-up/RPG mash-up that offers hours of entertainment with a cool story and plenty of replay value. This unique game is definitely one of the best ever made for the Saturn and should be experienced by every fan of the system.

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Shining the Holy Ark

Shining the Holy Ark is the sequel to the Sega Genesis game Shining in the Darkness, and is yet another game in Sega's Shining series to make an appearance on this list, joining Shining Wisdom and Shining Force III. Unlike the previously mentioned games, Shining the Holy Ark offers a traditional dungeon-crawling RPG experience, played from the first-person perspective. You'll assemble a party of adventurers to explore labyrinthine dungeons, battle monsters, and unravel the mysteries of the Holy Ark. The game features an engaging story, challenging battles, and a richly detailed world portrayed with a unique art style and some great graphics for the console. If you like these old-school dungeon crawlers, Shining the Holy Ark is another Sega Saturn exclusive RPG that shouldn't be missed.

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Magic Knight Rayearth

Magic Knight Rayearth is a bit of a bittersweet game for the Sega Saturn, as it was the last Saturn game released in North America. It's based on the popular manga and anime series Magic Knight Rayearth, and the Saturn-exclusive game is an action RPG where you play as three schoolgirls transported to the magical land of Cephiro. The game plays similarly to titles like The Legend of Zelda and especially The Secret of Mana, as you'll explore the world in a top-down 2D perspective and engage in real-time battles with enemies, switching between the three characters on the fly to take advantage of each girl's unique abilities. It's a fantastic action RPG with great graphics, nice anime cutscenes, and an endearing story. As a highly sought-after and rare release, it'll cost you a small fortune for an authentic copy of the game, but serious Saturn collectors and RPG players are going to want to have this awesome game in their collection.

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Panzer Dragoon Saga

Here it is, the holy grail of the Sega Saturn. Panzer Dragoon Saga is a legendary RPG that was only released on the Sega Saturn, and seeing as the source code for the game was lost long ago, it will most likely remain an exclusive to the console. The game takes the lore and aesthetics of the first two Panzer Dragoon and transforms the series from the arcade-style rail shooters of Panzer Dragoon 1 & 2 into an epic RPG adventure. The battles are a lot more action-oriented than your standard RPG fare, as you'll constantly have to change positions on the fly to gain the advantage. The game's story, cutscenes, and atmosphere will have you hooked into its intricately designed world of fantasy, with some of the nicest art direction of the 32-bit era. From the graphics to the gameplay, Panzer Dragoon Saga is a role-playing adventure that simply should not be missed - be prepared to shell out a large sum of money if you want a North American copy of the game, but it's well worth it for its collectability and the fantastic journey it takes you on. Sega and Team Andromeda really outdid themselves with this title. A true classic in every sense of the word, and one of the best RPGs ever made!

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That's all of the RPGs for the Sega Saturn that were released in North America and Europe. However, there are a handful of Japan-only role-playing releases that have been translated into English by fans. We'll take a look at these titles below:

GameCube Horror Games - The Complete List of the Best and Scariest Nintendo GameCube Survival Horror Games

The Nintendo GameCube had a number of noteworthy survival horror and horror-themed games released for it during its lifetime. While it doesn't match the PS2 or the Sega Dreamcast when it comes to the amount of horror games available on the platform, it has a solid list of titles in the genre that are well worth seeking out. Here's a complete list of horror games that were released on the Nintendo GameCube:

Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem

Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem, developed by Silicon Knights and published by Nintendo, is a great exclusive horror title on the GameCube with an interesting emphasis on psychological horror. You play through multiple interconnected storylines across different time periods as you investigate the murder of your grandfather, encountering ancient evils and unraveling a dark conspiracy. The game was heavily influenced by the works of H.P. Lovecraft, and certainly draws a lot of inspiration from the survival horror pioneer Alone in the Dark. The game is probably most well-known for its unique sanity mechanic that messes with your perception when your sanity meter gets too low. The game's unique storyline and gameplay mechanics and haunting atmosphere make Eternal Darkness a truly unforgettable horror experience, and one that you can only experience on the GameCube.

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Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4, the long-awaited and often-delayed sequel, burst onto the scene as a late GameCube release and redefined the survival horror genre, setting a new standard for horror games. You'll once again step into the shoes of Leon S. Kennedy, this time investigating a mysterious village full of strange and violent inhabitants. RE4 throws out just about everything the series up until then was known for and reinvents it with a creepy and surreal yet action-focused adventure played from an over-the-shoulder perspective. The game features plenty of intense combat and tons of over-the-top set pieces while still maintaining the atmospheric horror from its precursor Resident Evil: Code Veronica. Resident Evil 4 is one of the best horror games ever made for the GameCube, or any system for that matter.

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Resident Evil

The GameCube remake of the original Resident Evil was a fantastic new adaptation of the iconic PlayStation horror classic. The game was completely redone from the ground up, with new backgrounds, character models, enemies, gameplay mechanics, areas, and story segments. It's still the classic original Resident Evil at its heart, just with a new coat of paint - the game holds up just as well graphically as it does in the gameplay department. If you own a GameCube, you should have this game in your library.

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Resident Evil Zero

Resident Evil Zero serves as a prequel to the Resident Evil series, exploring the origins of the T-Virus outbreak. Running on the same engine as the GameCube remake of the first game, it's yet more classic RE-style action. Players control Rebecca Chambers from the first game and series newcomer Billy Coen as they investigate a train overrun by nightmarish creatures. The game has a unique character-switching mechanic where you'll have to swap between both characters in order to solve puzzles and progress through the game. If you like the classic Resident Evil series, Resident Evil Zero is an atmospheric and suspenseful horror adventure and a great addition to any GameCube collection.

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Resident Evil: Code Veronica X

Resident Evil: Code Veronica X is a port of the classic yet somewhat overlooked entry in the series that was originally developed and released for the Sega Dreamcast. Code: Veronica was the first fully 3D game in the main series - while it maintains the fixed camera angles from the previous games, the camera is now free to move around, providing some nice cinematic moments. All of the series' staples are here - zombies, item management, puzzle-solving, and tons of back-tracking. It's a fantastic horror game that is one of the best in the classic Resident Evil series and on the GameCube.

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Resident Evil 3: Nemesis

Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, the third installment in the series, follows Jill Valentine's harrowing escape from Raccoon City. This is a straight no-frills port of the PS1/PC/Sega Dreamcast game - no upgraded graphics here. With that said, Resident Evil 3 is still a classic entry in the survival horror series. It's not revolutionary, but it provides plenty of intense moments with the classic RE puzzle solving and horror adventure gameplay.

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Resident Evil 2

Resident Evil 2 is another straight port of the horror classic that also appeared on the PlayStation, PC, Sega Dreamcast, and N64. This sequel expanded on the first installment in the series with a more action-focused approach and higher production values as you explore the Racoon City Police Department while trying to make your escape from the city. It's another classic survival horror game from Capcom, full of zombies to kill and puzzles to solve. The GameCube version of the game is probably the best all-around version of the game, making it a great game to add to your collection.

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BloodRayne

BloodRayne is a third-person action-adventure game starring a sexy vampire named Rayne in an atmospheric and gore-filled adventure. Set in the same universe as Terminal Reality's earlier Nocturne survival horror games, the game plays like a combination of a third-person shooter, melee hack-n-slash, and platformer all mixed into one while you take on zombies and Nazi soldiers. Since you're a vampire, the game also has a blood-sucking mechanic that allows you to heal your character and even use your prey as shields while you do so. BloodRayne is a somewhat unpolished but fun horror action game and a worthwhile game to check out for the GameCube.

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Killer7

Killer7 is a downright bizarre, surreal, and trippy horror adventure developed by Grasshopper Manufacture, helmed by industry legend Suda51. It's a weird mix of genres with unusual gameplay mechanics - character movement is on-rails and enemy encounters take place in a fixed first-person perspective. While there is some action here, the game is mostly a weird visual novel/interactive movie-style game with some puzzle-solving along the same lines as Snatcher and the D series. The story is probably even stranger than the gameplay, mixing a schizophrenic plot with plenty of mature themes and a grindhouse, Japanese schlock-film style. With its distinctive cel-shaded visuals and psychological narrative, Killer 7 is a truly mind-bending horror adventure. It definitely won't be for everyone, but if you enjoy the strange and unusual, Killer7 definitely doesn't disappoint in that regard.

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Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds is an action-packed action-adventure game based on the popular TV series. Set sometime during the fifth season of the show, you'll play as Buffy, Xander, Willow, Spike, Faith, and even Sid The Dummy as you battle against a variety of supernatural threats in third-person melee-based combat. The game features a very faithful representation of the show's characters and quirky sense of humor, so if you're a fan of the show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chaos Bleeds is a must-have. It's a surprisingly great video game adaptation of the classic TV series.

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Hunter: The Reckoning

Hunter: The Reckoning is a cool horror-themed hack-n-slash game with some light RPG elements. The game plays like a 3D version of Gauntlet or Smash TV as you have to defeat waves of zombies and other terrifying monsters while trying to make your way through the levels and levelup your character. You'll have plenty of guns, melee weapons like swords and chainsaws, and magic attacks at your dispensal as you make your way through hordes of enemies. The game also has a fantastic co-operative multi-player mode, making this one of the few horror games that can be played through with friends.

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Blood Omen 2

Blood Omen 2 is a sequel to the PS1 classic Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain. This action-adventure game plunges you into a gothic vampire-filled world, playing as the vampire Kain on a quest for revenge against an army of vampire hunters. The game has an atmospheric gothic setting similar to the Castlevania games - it's not a true horror game, but the game features plenty of monsters and a blood-sucking mechanic, which makes sense seeing as you play as a vampire. If you're looking for a solid action-adventure game with some Zelda/Metroid elements, Blood Omen 2 offers a solid adventure with a classic horror theme.

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Luigi's Mansion

Now we'll look at some kid-friendly horror-themed gaming on the GameCube. Luigi's Mansion won't scare you with its cartoony visuals and silly story and presentation, but it has a light horror theme so it makes it on this list as an honorable mention. It's an action-adventure game with a focus on solving puzzles and capturing ghosts by sucking them up with a vacuum. It's a fun, well-made game by Nintendo, just don't expect it to be a scary survival horror game or anything.

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