The Dreamcast was released two decades ago with a humble collection of games that showcased its prowess amidst competition from Nintendo and PlayStation. And while the console enjoyed a brief period that didn’t last long, The Dreamcast amassed a handful of great and experimental games. The kind of games that other developers took years to discover and replicate in the years to come.
Some of these games are hack and slash titles. While not plentiful on the Dreamcast — and not as refined as titles that followed years after — the few that made it to the market were worth every second spent playing. What are some of the best hack and slash games on the Dreamcast? check it out below
 | Maken X™1999 |   |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date November 25, 1999 | |
 | Developer Atlus |
 | Publisher SEGA |
| Genre Hack & Slash | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective First-Person | |
| Interaction Real-Time | |
| Concept Sci-Fi | |
| Players Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
 | Country of Origin Japan |
| Dreamcast Releases | |
|---|---|
| 1999-11 |     |
Maken slashes through this list as the number one recommended hack and slash game. Atlus, renowned for crafting some of the best JRPGs out there, once ventured through an experimentation phase, ultimately birthing Maken X.
This is a first-person hack and slasher with an emphasis on speed, reflexes, and a variety of sci-fi elements. Players control Maken, but there isn’t just one protagonist in the game. Through the enigmatic ability of Maken, brainjacking, protagonists seamlessly shift, each host a canvas for diverse playstyles — quick-footed for some, long-range slayers for others.
Though flipping through hosts may lend you the power to walk through the game, it doesn’t make it any easier. Challenging bosses await from the get-go; each with their own unique movement that demands memorization to conquer. Button-mashing through Maken X will yield you nothing but an embarrassing defeat.
 | Draconus Cult of the Wyrm™2000 | |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date June 22, 2000 | |
 | Developer Treyarch |
 | Publisher Crave Entertainment |
| Genre Action Adventure | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Third-Person | |
| Interaction Real-Time | |
| Concept Medieval | |
| Players Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
 | Country of Origin United States |
| Dreamcast Releases | |
|---|---|
| 2000-06 |  |
Treyarch, the developer behind the multi-million Call of Duty franchise once made a medieval action-adventure game exclusively on the Dreamcast. Who would have guessed?
Despite being a Dreamcast game from two decades ago, Draconus remains a blast to enjoy today. It boasts an easy to master gameplay, with two playable characters: a male knight Cynric and a brave sorceress Aeowin. Each class offers a unique gameplay perspective, and fortunately, they don’t affect the game’s storyline.
The game involves traversing stages, battling monsters, leveling up, unlocking abilities, completing side quests, and more. And while these elements do make the game great, the selling factor of Draconus is the fluid gameplay that requires minimal effort to enjoy. Casuals or hardcore alike will find bits to enjoy about Draconus Cult of the Wyvern at the end of the day.
 | Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage1999 | |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date December 16, 1999 | |
 | Developer Yuke's |
| Publisher Eidos Interactive, ASCII Entertainment | |
 | Franchise Berserk |
| Genre Hack & Slash | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Third-Person | |
| Interaction Real-Time | |
| Concept Anime | |
| Players Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin Japan |
| Dreamcast Releases | |
|---|---|
| 1999-12-16 | |
| 2000-03-16 | |
| 2000-05-19 |  |
Sword of the Berserk Guts Rage is a game you’ll either ignore or come to appreciate two decades after its original launch. Set in Kentaro Miura’s dark fantasy universe, Sword of the Berserk Guts Rage follows a standalone story separate from the manga’s events. What makes it all the way interesting is the fact that Kentaro was involved with the making of the game as well. As the Black Knight Guts, you battle various monsters while struggling with your inner demons.
The game sees the player traversing through levels, slaying monsters to shreds, and progressing the story. The gameplay holds up well for a Dreamcast title, but there is one issue you’ll come to hate. A major frustration arises from Guts’ sword frequently getting stuck in walls during combos.
This issue can be a mood breaker, leaving players defenseless against fatal blows when Guts’ sword gets stuck, significantly impacting the experience. Additionally, It’s important to note that the game provides only 8 credits; once depleted, players must restart from the beginning. Remember this before you start the game.
 | Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver1999 |     |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date August 16, 1999 | |
 | Developer Crystal Dynamics |
 | Publisher Square Enix |
 | Franchise Legacy of Kain |
| Genre Action Adventure | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Third-Person | |
| Interaction Real-Time | |
| Concept Vampire | |
| Players Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin United States |
| Dreamcast Releases | |
|---|---|
| 2000-01-27 |  |
| 2000-02-25 | |
Soul Reaver may not be peddled as a hack and slash; it leans more toward traditional action-adventure gameplay, with limited combo mechanics. Fortunately, this isn’t a problem as the game is a blast from start to finish.
Players step into the role of Raziel, a once-vampire betrayed by his own kin simply because of fear. Centuries later, Raziel returns to life as an entirely different creature only to be faced with the obscure reality that things haven’t been the same as he left them when he still roamed the land as a vampire. Raziel must uncover the truth about what happened and, in doing so, discover more about his identity and his pivotal role in shaping the events of Nosgoth.
 | Phantasy Star™ Online2000 | |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date December 21, 2000 | |
 | Developer Sonic Team |
| Publisher SEGA |
 | Franchise Phantasy Star™ |
| Genre JRPG | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Third-Person | |
| Interaction Real-Time | |
| Concept Sci-Fi | |
| Players Online Co-Op, Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
| Country of Origin Japan |
| Dreamcast Releases | |
|---|---|
| 2000-12-21 | |
| 2001-01-30 | |
| 2001-02-15 |  |
Phantasy Star Online defies the test of time. Whenever you decide to play, it doesn’t matter—today, tomorrow, or next year—because its magic keeps you focused, easily overlooking its aging limitations.
As one of the best JRPGs to grace the Dreamcast , Phantasy Star Online offers an abundance of fun. From the moment you press start, a variety of activities await, including the inevitable grind. (Sorry, that’s a must in every JRPG) However, its easy-to-understand gameplay ensures you’ll have a great time without turning this game into a side job. (I’m talking about the grind)
Additionally, the music plays a greater role in enhancing the overall experience. Whether energizing beats driving your conquests or soothing tracks acting as a therapeutic backdrop, the soundtrack adds depth to the game.
 | Nightmare Creatures II™2000 | |
| About | |
|---|---|
| Release Date May 23, 2000 | |
 | Developer Kalisto Entertainment |
 | Publisher Konami |
| Genre Action Adventure | |
| Graphics 3D | |
| Perspective Third-Person | |
| Interaction Real-Time | |
| Players Single Player | |
| Monetization Buy to Play | |
 | Country of Origin France |
| Dreamcast Releases | |
|---|---|
| 2000-06 |   |
Nightmare Creatures 2 immerses players in an eerie world reminiscent of a gothic horror comic come to life. Every aspect of the game contributes to an overwhelming sense of dread—from the dimly-lit environments to the unsettling enemy designs and the pervasive presence of blood. All these elements are complimented by a superb atmosphere that players wished it lasted longer.
Inspired by literary works like ‘The Anubis Gates’ by Tim Power, Nightmare Creatures 2 unabashedly embraces its influences to offer a stellar experience of slashing and kicking your way through horror like it’s a Saturday night. The combat remains enjoyable even after all these years, though the camera can be bothersome at times. Nonetheless, if you’re a fan of horror games, especially in the style of Bloodborne, then this game is a must-have.
That’s it for the article. Thank you for reading.
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FreeckyCake
I'm just your average gamer who enjoys hunting hidden gems and underrated games. My love for Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams is like a truck and I recommend that you play it.
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