Best Japanese Imports?

[pcwzrd13]

What are some of the best games for the Dreamcast that were only released in Japan? I would like to get some but I wouldn't know where to start. Any genre is fine. Obviously they would have to be playable without having to read Japanese. I look through eBay for Dreamcast stuff all the time and I usually see a ton of Japanese imports.

[Neohound]

There are tons of japanese games which I haven't played but of the ones I have tried these are some of the best:

L.O.L. is one of the best computer games ever made, period. I know I go on a bit when talking about this game but, truthfully, you MUST get hold of it. You owe it to yourself I had a discussion here about whether or not it's capable of outputting VGA but sadly the general consensus was that you have to put up with S-Video or RGB Scart only.

Densha De Go is one of those games that only really makes sense when you get hold of the dedicated controller. It makes the game and whether you wanted to be an engine driver when you were a wee nipper or not, you'll find it an addictive experience and mastering the gameplay is very rewarding. The graphics could have been better (it's a simple ps1 port I think), but they are still acceptable and fairly detailed if a little blocky.

Tokyo Bus Guide is a fun game and has DREAMCAST GEM written all over it. It's actually quite tough to master but, as sims go, it's a very enjoyable ride.

D2: The US version is one of the best games on the Dreamcast so once you've played that, then check out the japanese version for extra content.

Frame Gride is a Mech game with a twist. There is a translation in the works but it's still playable in it's original state. Oh, Ultrapro likes this game a lot ! I do too but I'm more of a Virtual On fan(another great game).

Bomber Hehhe is a a quirky sim where you strategically blow up buildings lol Great fun it is too and I wonder why more folks haven't played it.

Roommania is a strange Life Sim, for want of a better explanation. I had to consult a fair few faqs to complete it but I found it to be a pretty decent game with superb graphics and some great moments. Not to everyone's taste but if you're looking for something a little different then it's well worth owning.

Napple Tale: Well there is some argument whether this is playable without understanding japanese. Well I can tell you it is ! I had to consult a faq to fill in some of the story for me but otherwise I completed it without knowing a single word of the language. And what a game ! Some of the platform section are a joy to play with this surreal, dreamlike atmosphere. Totally enchanting it is.

Golden Logres is a very basic pinball sim and, if you like pinball as I do, then you'll like this lol

Zusar Vasar is a chariot racing game. With all sorts of strange mehanised animals. Yes, it is WEIRD lol But pretty neat also ! Especially in two player.

Golf Siyouyo 1 & 2 are excellent games with an expansion available with extra courses. I played the hell out of japanese golf games on the DC(there's another title but I'm damned if I can remember what it's called) when they first came out and I still go back to them now. Multiplayer is where it's at with these games.

Dancing Blade 1 & 2 are brilliant games. You won't have a clue what's going on but the style and graphics are so good you won't care ! They are basically interactive cartoons with branching stories and multiple endings. These games are STUNNING to look at even now. All DC collectors should own them even if you never understand what the hell is going on in them ! lol

There are loads of fishing games with some that use the rod controller. Personally, I like em but I realise they aren't everyone cup of tea.

That's about it from me for now cos I can't remember owt else

[pcwzrd13]

Looked up a few of them on YouTube. Quite a few awesome looking games there. L.O.L. looks a little strange. Not sure it's quite my type of game but maybe worth a blank CD. Tokyo Bus Guide might be interesting, is it easy to play without translation? Frame Gride I have seen before (from DCUltrapro), I definitely want to pick up a copy of that. I've seen Roommania on YouTube before but it didn't seem like something that would be worth playing without translation. The concept sounds interesting though (the video poster explained it). Zusar Vasar looks awesome! I will look into getting that one for sure! Overall, some cool suggestions there. Thanks!

[Neohound]

Yes, Tokyo Bus Guide is very easy to understand. You'll have no problems there.

I just thought of a couple more games .........

Death Crimson OX & 2: You will need the japanese versions to use the PAL lightguns. I dig these games and think they are quite underrated. Everyone's played HOTD and TOTD, Confidential Mission etc but noone ever mentions the Death Crimson series in the same breath. Strange, cos they are both worth playing. Awsome graphics too.

Pop N Music series with dedicated controller. My girlfriend made me put that lol They are great fun though if you're in that kind of a mood.

[Neohound]

This is a little quiz question cos I can't remember this game's name:

It's a 'maze' game. You have to control this King(I seem to think) through these mazes and obstacles. Ermm that's about all I remember lol

Anyone got any idea what it's called ?

[Macabre]

Ikaruga....


I've tried some of the dating sims, because I really wanted to know what the big hype was. I found a good translation/assist guide for Bittersweet Fools, and it was...interesting. That genre is something I feel I wasted time with although.


They have a pretty good tank game called Panzer something something. The graphics are pretty good, very nice scaling.


I'm very fond of the Aero Dancing series, and Aero Dancing F & Aero Dancing I are both excellent games with amazing graphics that you don't really expect to see on a dreamcast. This is an honest and valiant attempt at an arcade running game on the system. Whats better? Both of these games work with the Madkatz Flight stick (and to a degree the Saturn Mission Stick with a total control adapter). Even better yet? They are also system-link games so you can do 2player with two setups.

An impressive display, if you have someone else who is interested in this sort of game. But it is an expensive investment, and I'm having trouble finding friends who want to dogfight / flight sim with me in that situation. They all tend to want to play voot or f355.

[pcwzrd13]

How did I know you would say Ikaruga, Macabre? lol I believe the tank game you are referring to is Panzer Front. Looks pretty neat as far as I can tell on YouTube. I do have Aero Wings which I just purchased recently. That's the NTSC-U version of Aero Dancing, correct? I haven't played it yet though.

[mazonemayu]

don't forget to ass musapey's chocomarker to the list, its a crazy true 3d puzzle game

[pcwzrd13]

don't forget to ass musapey's chocomarker to the list, its a crazy true 3d puzzle game

Meh, I've looked at it before and I just don't think it's something I'd like. I'm not a big fan of the "block games".

[mazonemayu]

problem is, most folks don't like block games, coz usually they're hard as fuck