Perfect article! It's very important nowadays to put some facts into place. There's a awesome thread in Sega-16 Forum with the title "PS2 vs Dreamcast Graphics" which is really great and informative (about poly counts, effects, frame rate, etc of different games in both consoles). A serious mistake however, has been said about F1 World Grand Prix. Someone took it for granted that F1 World Grand Prix series was just improve ports from the N64 versions, whats is (as you correctly pointed) not, IN ANYWAY, the case. Someone even give the title of "shit port" because Video System uses the PLAYSTATION logo in the Prost Team cars. It's just misinformation, since Prost Team actually had Playtstaion's sponsorship in those years. Video System said at that time (in magazines, websites, etc) that the game engine was made FROM SCRATCH for the Dreamcast, which is pretty obvious to anyone familiar with Dreamcast racing games (F1 Racing Championship 1999 is a PC port, from the old Ubisoft engine, for example). Some observations: I don't play anything past the Sixth Generation, so the Frame Rate issue is not a big deal for me :), but I'm curious if a Overclocked Dreamcast solve these frame rate issues.
About the distribution, is important to remember that F1 World Grand Prix 1 is ALMOST a first party title (SEGA published the game in US/Europe and gave great support in development for Video System) and its sales was, sadly, very weak). The numbers show it:
USA - DC F1 WORLD GRAND PRIX Apr-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 20 - 9,842 (NPD total sales n in US. This and all other US sales were well spread over the internet back then)
JAPAN - F1 World Grand Prix for Dreamcast (Video System) - 35,915 (Total Sales in Japan)
F1 World Grand Prix 2 for Dreamcast (Video System) - 5,184 (Total Sales in Japan).
Japan Sales numbers are from Dorimaga. (Dorimaga Sales: Japanese Dreamcast Software LTD ~11/1998 - Q3/2001~ From Nov. 27, 1998 - Aug. 31, 2001 Sales: Japanese Dreamcast Software LTD ~11/1998 - Q3/2001~). I found it in Neogaf forums.
So, with poor sales, maybe Video System thought selling the second game rights to Konami in Europe would be a good choice. I was always very curious to know the sales of both games in Europe, but I never found any information about it.
And finally, YES!! F1 World Grand Prix 2 is the best F1 game for the Dreamcast, by far (a lot of minor improvements from F1 - WGP 1. In The end it's a much more polished experience overall).
Hi Julio, thanks for the fascinating reply (as always!). Seeing those sales figures is quite a revelation, and yes you're right - maybe bringing Konami in to help with distribution helped to offset the associated costs. I did discover on the defunt Video System website that they had a UK office in Manchester quite close to where I used to live, so that was also a bit of a surprise. I wasn't aware that people generally thought of the Dreamcast version as a port - it is clearly using a different engine to the N64 game...and yes regarding the PlayStation branding on the Prost vehicles - simply keeping the accurate sponsor logos. Thanks again for your insightful comment :)
Thank you Tom for the excellent article, as usual!! Just to put this F1 World Grand Prix sales figures in perspective... This is a list I'm making with as much official data as I can find so far on the internet. Sadly there very few reports about PAL territories sales. Just some estimates and some figures that you end up doing by inference when you have Worlwide data sales worldwide + sales in the USA and Japan (So you end up deducing that the rest is from all over Europe + Asia and South America). This is the top 50 WORLDWIDE sales with the information I've found SO FAR.
This list is a WORK IN PROGRESS:
(*Obs1 - I skipped some games that I only have information from the US Sales and which were not released in Japan (eg, Hydro Thunder. Even with no Europe figures Hydro Thunder sold more than some of the top 50 Worldwide). With just one source it is more difficult to Wild Guessing the numbers for Europe and the rest of the world. I'll post separate lists with the top 50 from the US and the full list that I found from Japan.)
Best-selling Dreamcast Games WORLDWIDE - Top 50 (Part 1)
01. Sonic Adventure - 2.500 Million (SEGA - 1.059.252 in US, 475.152 in Japan. Sonic Adventure: International 28,682 in Japan) 02. Crazy Taxi - 1.810 Million (SEGA - 966,665 in US, 160.515 in Japan) 03. NFL 2K - 1.200 Million (SEGA - 990,282 in US. 31,836 in Japan) 04. Shenmue - 1.180 Million (SEGA - 458,977 in US, 392.111 in Japan. US Shenmue (Sega) - 2,817 in Japan) 05. Resident Evil - Code: Veronica - 1.167 Million (CAPCOM - 351,926 in US, 469.813 in Japan. Biohazard CODE: Veronica Complete - Capcom - 26,549 in Japan) 06. NFL 2K1 - 1.09 Million (SEGA - 904,184 in US, 4,326 in Japan) 07. Soul Calibur - 1 Million + (NAMCO - 573,619 in US, 359.345 in Japan) 09. NBA 2K - 1 Million + (SEGA - 725,045 in US, 66,341 in Japan) 10. Sega Rally 2 - 850,000 + (SEGA - 145,942 in US, 421,836 in Japan) 11. NBA 2K1 - 850,000 + (SEGA - 741,208 in US, 15,609 in Japan) 12. The House of the Dead 2 - 800,000 + (SEGA - 339,721 in US + 277,351 in Japan) 13. Sonic Adventure 2 - 750,000 + (SEGA - 390,291 in US, 109,286 in Japan) 14. Phantasy Star Online + Phantasy Star Online Ver.2 - 750,000 + (SEGA - 166,824 v1 + 46,609 v2 in US, 178,747 v1 + 167,341 v2 in Japan) 15. Seaman - 700,000 + (SEGA 98,555 in US, 539,367 in Japan) 16. Virtua Fighter 3TB - 600,000+ (SEGA 96,416 in US, 373,749 in Japan) 17. Ready to Rumble - 600,000+ (Midway - 466,687 in US, 43,823 in Japan) 18. Sega Bass Fishing - 600,000 + (SEGA - 340,035 in US. 145,535 in Japan) 19. SEGA GT - 580,000+ (SEGA - 202,123 in US. 178,956 in Japan) 20. Grandia 2 - 500,000+ (Ubisoft 146,918 in US. Game Arts 206,448 in Japan) 21. Virtua Striker 2 - 500,000+ (SEGA - 47,836 in US, 319,825 in Japan) 22. Blue Stinger - 500,000+ (Activision - 193,347 in US. SEGA - 140,135 in Japan) 23. Virtua Tennis - 500,000 + (SEGA 368,035 in US.) 24. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 - 500,000 + (Activision - 354,381 in US) 25. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation - 500,000 + (EIDOS - 300,835 in US. CAPCOM - 29,160 in Japan) 26. Power Stone - 500,000+ (Capcom - 193,923 in US. 169,795 in Japan) 27. Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes - 500,000+ (Capcom - 213,691 in US. 146,454 in Japan) 28. Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes - 480,000+ (Capcom - 199,286 in US. 160,322 in Japan) 29. Dead or Alive - 450,000+ (Tecmo - 209,176 in US. 127,948 in Japan) 30. Tokyo Xtreme Racer - 430,000+ (Crave - 138,625 in US. Genki - 177,605 in Japan)
Best-selling Dreamcast Games WORLDWIDE - Top 50 (Part 2)
31. Evolution: The World of Sacred Device - 400,000+ (Ubisoft - 145,701 in US. SEGA/ESP/Sting - 162,396 in Japan) 32. Shenmue 2 - 320,000+ (SEGA - 125.781 in Japan, November 2001. 150,000 + in Japan PROBABLY. 150,000+ in Europe PROBABLY) 33. Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage - 310,000+ (Eidos - 113,803 in US. ASCII - 115,633 in Japan) 34. Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram - 300,000+ (SEGA - 180,460 in Japan. Activision - 57,813 in US) 35. Skies of Arcadia - 300,000+ (SEGA - 106,042 in US. 93,387 in Japan) 36. Space Channel 5 - 300,000+ (Sega - 86,360 in US. 177,011 in Japan) 37. Zombie Revenge - 300,000+ (SEGA - 123,518 in US. 92,052 in Japan) 38. Dynamite Cop (Dynamite Deka 2) - 250,000+ (SEGA - 71,221 in US. 104,608 in Japan) 39. Resident Evil 2 - 250,000+ (CAPCOM - 65,922 in US. 93,116 in Japan) 40. Maken X - 230,00+ (SEGA - 51,609 in US. Atlus - 133,042 in Japan) 41. Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2 - 230,000+ (Crave - 61,975 in US. Genki - 114,258 in Japan) 42. ChuChu Rocket! - 205,000+ (SEGA - 56,996 in US. 98,256 in Japan) 43. The King of Fighters: Dream Match 1999 - 175,000+ (SNK - 62,355 in US. 110,655 in Japan) 44. Gundam Side Story 0079: Rise from the Ashes - 176,899 (Bandai - 42,358 in US. 134,541 in Japan) 45. D2 - 170,877 (SEGA - 36,922 in US. 133,955 in Japan) 46. Project Justice - Project Justice: Rival Schools 2 - 165,000+ (CAPCOM - 31,952 in US. 96,956 in Japan) 47. Psychic Force 2012 - 160,000+ (Acclaim - 39,129 in US. Taito - 90,585 in Japan) 48. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure - 152,000+ (CAPCOM - 25,023 in US. 109,292 in Japan) 49. The King of Fighters: Evolution - 135,000+ (AGETEC - 34,476 in US. SNK - 95,327 in Japan) 50. The Typing of the Dead - 115,000+ (SEGA - 14,489 in US. 99,587 in Japan)
01. Sonic Adventure Sep-99 Sega of America 1,059,252 (1,270,232 - With Bundle/pressed) 02. NFL 2K Sep-99 Sega of America 990,282 (1,227,639 - With Bundle/Pressed) 03. Crazy Taxi Feb-00 Sega of America 966,665 (1,110,000 +) 04. NFL 2K1 Sep-00 Sega of America 904,184 (1,056,784 - Bundle/pressed) 05. NBA 2K1 Nov-00 Sega of America 741,208 (893,809 - Bundle/pressed) 06. NBA 2K Nov-99 Sega of America 725,045 (962,402 - Bundle/pressed) 07. Soul Calibur Sep Namco 573,619 08. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Sep Midway 466,687 09. Shenmue Nov Sega of America 458,977 10. World Series Baseball 2K1 July-00 Sega of America 415,487 (568,088 - Bundle/pressed) 11. Sonic Adventure 2 June-01 Sega of America 390,291 12. Virtua Tennis July-00 Sega of America 368,035 13. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 Nov Activision 354,381 14. Resident Evil: Code Veronica Mar Capcom USA 351,926 15. Sega Bass Fishing Oct-99 Sega of America 340,035 16. House of the Dead 2 Sep Sega of America 339,721 17. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater May Crave Entertainment 338,547 18. NFL 2K2 Sep-01 Sega of America 335,375 19. NHL 2K Feb-00 Sega of America 316,582 20. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation Mar Eidos Interactive 300,835 21. Jet Grind Radio Oct-00 Sega of America 226 291,609 22. NBA 2K2 Oct-01 Sega of America 160 252,727 23. Crazy Taxi 2 May-01 Sega of America 168 244,367 24. Sports Bundle Sep Sega of America 2 237,357 25. NFL Blitz 2000 Sep Midway 12 233,821 26. WWF Royal Rumble Aug THQ 29 228,908 27. NCAA College Football 2K2 Aug-01 Sega of America 146 221,964 28. Marvel VS. Capcom Oct Capcom Usa 6 213,691 29. Dead or Alive 2 Mar-00 Tecmo 209,176 30. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Jan Eidos Interactive 44 207,879 31. Ultimate Fighting Championship Sep Crave Entertainment 40 205,975 32. Sega GT Sep Sega of America 18 202,123 33. Hydro Thunder Sep Midway 4 200,230 34. Marvel VS. Capcom 2 June Capcom Usa 6 199,286 35. WWF Attitude Nov Acclaim Entertainment 29 199,239 36. Power Stone Sep Capcom Usa 24 193,923 37. Blue Stinger Sep Activision 10 193,347 38. Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX Nov Acclaim Entertainment 32 189,208 39. Toy Commander Nov-99 Sega of America 184 188,427 40. World Series Baseball 2K2 Aug-01 Sega of America 462 184,901 41. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six May-00 Majesco 258 183,948 42. Sega Smash Pack Vol. 1 Apr- Sega of America 90 181,623 (304,466 - Bundle) 42. Mortal Kombat Gold Sep Midway 2 180,873 $7.47 43. Test Drive 6 Dec-99 Infogrames 511 178,208 45. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Round 2 Oct Midway 16 173,612 47. Phantasy Star Online Jan-01 Sega of America 210 166,824 48. Fighting Force 2 Dec Eidos Interactive 31 160,764 49. NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC Nov Midway 36 158,729 50. Rippin' Riders Nov Sega of America 31 153,650
11. The House of the Dead 2 (Sega) - 277,351 12. Pro Yakyuu Team o Tsukurou! (Sega) - 240,305 13. Grandia II (Game Arts) - 206,448 14. Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram (Sega) - 180,460 15. Sega GT Homologation Special (Sega) - 178,956 16. Phantasy Star Online (Sega) - 178,747 17. Shutoko Battle ((Tokyo Xtreme Racer)) (Genki) - 177,605 18. Soccer Tsuku Tokudai Gou ~J League Pro Soccer Club o Tsukurou~ (Sega) - 177,141 19. Space Channel 5 (Sega) - 177,011 20. Sakura Taisen (Sega) - 171,296
21. Power Stone (Capcom) - 169,795 22. Shinkisekai Evolution ((Evolution: The World of Sacred Device)) (Sega/ESP/Sting) - 162,396 23. Crazy Taxi (Sega) - 160,515 24. Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (Capcom) - 160,322 25. Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 (Sega) - 148,881 26. Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes (Capcom) - 146,454 27. Get Bass (Sega) - 145,535 28. Blue Stinger (Sega) - 140,135 29. D2 (WARP) - 133,955 30. Sakura Taisen 2 (Sega) - 136,875
31. Mobile Suit Gundam Gaiden: Colony no Ochichita Chide... (Bandai) - 134,541 32. Maken X (Atlus) - 133,042 33. Guilty Gear X (Sammy) - 130,030 34. Dead or Alive 2 (Tecmo) - 127,948 35. New Japan Pro Wrestling: Toukon Retsuden 4 (Tomy) - 119,351 36. Roommania #203 (Sega) - 119,124 37. Berserk: Millennium Falcon Hen Wasurebana no Shou (ASCII) - 115,633 38. Shutoko Battle 2 ((Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2)) - 114,258 39. The King of Fighters Dream Match 1999 (SNK) - 110,655 40. Jojo no Kimyouna Bouken: Miraihe no Isan ((Jojo's Bizarre Adventure)) (Capcom) - 109,292
41. Sonic Adventure 2 (Sega) - 109,286 42. July (Fortyfive) - 105,863 43. Godzilla Generations (Sega) - 105,646 44. Dynamite Deka 2 ((Dynamite Cop!)) (Sega) - 104,608 45. Sunrise Eiyuutan (Sunrise Interactive) - 104,169 46. The Typing of the Dead (Sega) - 99,587 47. REVIVE... Sosei (Data East) - 99,346 48. Derby Tsuku ~Derby Uma o Tsukurou!~ (Sega) - 98,952 49. Sentimental Graffiti 2 (NEC Interchannel) - 98,443 50. Chu Chu Rocket! (Sega) - 98,256
(I tried to copy the full japan list but the post must be at most 4,096 characters only. So, here is the link for the full list: https://www.neogaf.com/threads/dorimaga-sales-japanese-dreamcast-software-ltd-11-1998-q3-2001.368000/)
Just for curiosity, the games released from Sega of America. Sadly, F1 World Grand Prix was the game that SOLD THE LEAST :-(. (Yes, We all know that F1 Series is not that popular in the US, but less than 10,000 copies is a ridiculous number. It's a shame really. Especially considering that the game was released in the first half of 2000, when Dreamcast games were still selling relatively well. The numbers are lower than some games from 2001, when the Dreamcast market shrank A LOT in the USA. If you want to know the numbers of any US game that didn't make the US TOP 50, and were not relesead by SEGA, let me know, ok?).
897 DC SONIC ADVENTURE Sep-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 691 1,059,252 941 DC CHUCHU ROCKET Mar-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 560 56,996 992 DC WORLD SER BASEBALL 2K2 Aug-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 462 184,901 1007 DC SEGA BASS FISHING Oct-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 442 340,035 1018 DC TENNIS 2K2 Oct-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 430 68,976 1022 DC CRAZY TAXI Feb-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 426 966,665 1037 DC VIRTUA TENNIS Jul-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 391 368,035 1039 DC SPACE CHANNEL 5 Jun-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 389 86,360 1069 DC NFL 2K1 Sep-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 324 904,184 1079 DC TIME STALKERS Mar-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 311 71,276 1087 DC MAKEN X Apr-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 303 51,609 1094 DC SEGA MARINE FISHING Oct-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 293 140,357 1126 DC NFL 2K Sep-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 249 990,282 1133 DC QUAKE III ARENA Oct-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 237 131,418 1136 DC ALIENFRONT ONLNE W/MIC Aug-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 233 29,118 1144 DC JET GRIND RADIO Oct-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 226 291,609 1161 DC NHL 2K Feb-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 211 316,582 1163 DC PHANTASY STAR ONLINE Jan-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 210 166,824 1168 DC PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2 Sep-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 208 46,609 1188 DC NBA 2K1 Nov-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 190 741,208 1190 DC WORLD SER BASEBALL 2K1 Jul-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 189 415,487 1192 DC TOY COMMANDER Nov-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 184 188,427 1193 DC SONIC ADVENTURE 2 Jun-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 183 390,291 1206 DC NBA 2K Nov-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 172 725,045 1211 DC CRAZY TAXI 2 May-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 168 244,367 1212 DC TYPING OF THE DEAD Jan-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 167 14,489 1217 DC NBA 2K2 Oct-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 160 252,727 1222 DC SKIES OF ARCADIA Nov-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 158 106,042 1231 DC OOGA BOOGA Sep-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 149 13,446 1232 DC NFL 2K2 Sep-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 147 335,375 1233 DC NCAA FOOTBALL 2K2 Aug-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 146 221,964 1246 DC FLOIGAN BROTHERS Jul-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 138 19,886 1257 DC NHL 2K2 Feb-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 129 32,542 1258 DC SEAMAN Aug-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 129 98,555 1266 DC BOMBERMAN ONLINE Oct-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 123 18,790 1270 DC SAMBA DE AMIGO Oct-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 120 23,225 1287 DC SHENMUE Nov-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 110 458,977 1324 DC D-2 Aug-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 90 36,922 1325 DC SEGA SMASH PK VOL. 1 Apr-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 90 181,623 1341 DC SONIC SHUFFLE Nov-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 82 99,301 1359 DC SEGA RALLY 2 Nov-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 74 145,942 1393 DC ZOMBIE REVENGE Jan-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 62 123,518 1410 DC SEGA BASS FISHING 2 Aug-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 58 25,807 1439 DC ECCO THE DOLPHIN Aug-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 51 110,062 1468 DC OUTTRIGGER Jul-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 46 29,209 1476 DC DYNAMITE COP Nov-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 44 71,221 1543 DC RIPPIN' RIDERS Nov-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 31 153,650 1561 DC 18 WHEELER PRO TRUCKER May-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 29 102,325 1586 DC VIRTUA FIGHTER 3TB Oct-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 26 96,416 1648 DC F1 WORLD GRAND PRIX Apr-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 20 9,842 1664 DC HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2 Sep-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 19 339,721 1679 DC SEGA GT Sep-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 18 202,123 1721 DC VIRTUA STRIKER 2 Mar-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 14 47,836 1749 DC CART FLAG TO FLAG Sep-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 13 51,313 1978 DC METROPOLIS STREET RACR Jan-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 6 101,757 2050 DC CONFIDENTIAL MISSION May-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 3 37,849 2586 DC ECCO W/DREAMSHOCK 2 Dec-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 0 1,265
Thanks again Julio, this is really fascinating information. I knew that a lot of Dreamcast titles suffered from some really low sales figures outside of the 'big hitters' but the full list you linked to is rather depressing reading. It would be equally fascinating to somehow discover EU/PAL sales figures...I imagine they wouldn't be much better.
Played the first one more, as it was one of the first handfull of games I bought for the Dreamcast. They are very much alike. Good games, better than the other F1 games on Dreamcast for sure, but I prefer the Bizarre Creations games on PS1. Just a shame the license is now exclusively with Codemasters. None of their F1 games are great...
I was always a fan of these games but for some reason struggled to get into them as much as the N64 versions in terms of completing full championships etc. But they were well ahead of their time on visuals and features like the safety car, and coming back to them in 2022 they stand up pretty well visually. I always found the original World Grand Prix frustrating because the AI is all over the place - on 'hard' you can win easy but on 'super hard' you suddenly find all the AI cars zipping past you on the straights and cutting corners to fly past you before virtually stopping dead. They definitely tidied that up for the sequel, although I too was surprised at how bad the slowdown feels these days when there's a lot going on on-screen.
There was just something a little bit tighter about the N64 games, for all they were a blurry mess, that kept me going back to them - but I'm determined to get into WGP2 now because I know people who hold it up as the best F1 game of this era. Oddly, I'm more of a fan of the Monaco GP/F1 Racing Championship handling and physics, because everything feels a bit slower and more technical. When you get into it you can really shave tenths off your lap times and for all it's graphically unappealing, I've always seen F1 Racing Championship on the Dreamcast as a bit of an overlooked gem myself given it's identical to Monaco GP but with the official licence.
Thursday, March 03, 2022
[Image]For a console that lived and died in such a relatively short span of time, the Dreamcast sure did rack up a veritable bounty of top class racers. No doubt if you're a fan of either the genre, the Dreamcast, or both - as I am - then you don't need me to list the big hitters here. If you're not au fait though, rest assured that if you're new to the Dreamcast and you're partial to navigating large, wheeled boxes down tarmac lanes at wholly ridiculous speeds, then you're in for a treat.[Image]As a sub-genre of racing games then, the Formula 1 fan is equally well catered for when it comes to the Dreamcast library. There are no less than 5 separate F1 titles on the platform (well, 6 if you count Spirit of Speed, but in truth that's barely a game; and 7 if you count Super Speed Racing / CART Flag to Flag), each offering its own unique take on the real world motorsport and we have covered them all - albeit briefly - here at the Junkyard in the semi-distant past. But in this retrospective I wanted to focus on the game many aficionados consider to be the pinnacle of F1 racing on the Dreamcast, and also a title - it turns out - which has a fairly interesting origin story and an equally curious legacy: F1 World Grand Prix II for Dreamcast.[Image]Before we even attempt to discuss the game's many positives and numerous failings, I think it is worth investigating the history of the F1 World Grand Prix franchise, and the enigmatic firm behind it - Video System. Video System Co Ltd was a Japanese developer and publisher that began putting out games in the 1980s in both the arcades and on home consoles such as the TurboGrafx-16 and Nintendo Entertainment System. Video System's foray into the world of F1 games began in 1991 with F1 Grand Prix on the Super Nintendo and in arcades; and this game spawned two sequels - F1 Grand Prix: Part II and Part III in 1992 and 1993 respectively.[Image]F1 Grand Prix: Part II is playable on MAMEIt was in 1998 that the series was rebooted as F1 World Grand Prix for the Nintendo 64, a game which was developed in partnership with a studio called Paradigm Entertainment. It's here where things start to get interesting, as the Nintendo 64 game and its 1999 sequel (F1 World Grand Prix II) are completely separate titles to the games that made an appearance on the Dreamcast, and they share very little other than a name. The Dreamcast version of F1 World Grand Prix was developed in-house by Video System, and received the suffix 'for Dreamcast,' simply to differentiate it from the Nintendo 64 version. [Image]The N64 version of F1 World Grand PrixLikewise, that game's sequel - the subject of this very article - was developed by Video System in a silo away from the Nintendo 64 version of F1 World Grand Prix II and comparing the two titles side by side demonstrates just how different they are in almost every way. If they didn't share a title and a publisher, you'd be forgiven for thinking they were from totally separate franchises that featured an FIA license. It gets even more curious when you learn that neither sequel was given a US release (though the prequels were), and the Dreamcast game was distributed in Europe by Konami.[Image]Distributed exclusively by Konami...for some reasonThere's precious little information available online about why this was, as Video System was still in a position to distribute its own games in the early 2000s; so why Konami - of all firms - was engaged to distribute F1 World Grand Prix II for Dreamcast in European markets is something of a mystery. Are you still with me here? OK - it gets a bit more interesting now. According to recently published information over at the Lost Media Wiki, a third game in the Nintendo 64 series - imaginatively titled F1 World Grand Prix III - was around 80% complete and fully playable before it was cancelled due to the console's waning popularity. There's no information on whether a similar 'for Dreamcast' iteration of F1 World Grand Prix III was in development, but due to the totally divorced development cycles of the two previous games, I'd wager it wasn't...and just like that, F1 World Grand Prix III for Dreamcast is brought into existence and instantly goes the way of Geoff Crammond's Grand Prix 3 Dreamcast port. Phew...who knew dusty old F1 games could be so interesting/boring (delete as applicable)?[Image]The Game Boy Color recieved two F1 World Grand Prix gamesThe story doesn't end there though, as Video System was clearly still keen to break the lucrative Game Boy Color and PlayStation markets. To attempt this, Video System took the F1 World Grand Prix name and charged ITL and Eutechnyx respectively to develop entries for respective platforms. The Game Boy Color games (there are two on the GBC) are widely regarded as pretty good; while the PlayStation game (which was also ported to Windows and published by Eidos) was considered to be fairly lacklustre compared to the other F1 offerings from Bizarre Creations and Psygnosis on Sony's system. And so ends the long and storied (and bloody confusing!) story of the - now dormant since Video System folded in 2006 - F1 World Grand Prix series.[Image][Image]As a further footnote, it is worth mentioning that Video System also worked with Ubisoft to publish F1 Racing Championship on Dreamcast and various other platforms, so it is fairly obvious that somebody working there had a bit of a thing for F1 games. But that's enough of that. Let us now turn our attention fully to the main event - F1 World Grand Prix II for Dreamcast.[Image][Image]Released in 2000, the game is based on the 1999 Formula One World Championship and as such features all of the circuits, teams and drivers that took part (although neither Stéphane Sarrazin or Mika Salo are included as playable drivers - more on this later). As you'd expect, F1 World Grand Prix II for Dreamcast has the full FIA license and features a traditional Championship mode alongside Single Race and Time Attack options. There's also a Tutorial mode, but rather than task the player with actually driving a course and completing tasks ala Gran Turismo's licenses (braking, accelerating, cornering etc.) the game simply shows an AI vehicle driving around the circuit and text pops up on the screen at various points to explain the best vehicle setup to successfully negotiate the section. It's an interesting addition, but also represents a missed opportunity to ease players in to the unforgiving nature of the handling model.[Image][Image]Alongside these main gameplay options, there are a couple of nice additional modes which bolster the overall content package provided. The first is a Gallery which allows you to inspect a polygonal model of the vehicles, read detailed profiles of the drivers (spoiler: they all seem to enjoy mountain biking) and also - and quite bizarrely - gives full address, contact details and phone/fax numbers for all of the teams involved. Just seems odd that F1 teams would want to dox themselves like this...although 2000 was a different time I guess. The other mode worth mentioning is Broadcast, where an accurate simulation of the races from the 1999 season can be viewed from the actual camera angles used during the TV broadcasts.[Image][Image]It looks great and really shows off the level of visual detail crammed into the environments; however there is a slightly odd omission. Earlier I mentioned drivers Stéphane Sarrazin and Mika Salo, both of whom took part in a handful of races throughout the 1999 season (with Salo standing in for the injured Michael Schumacher at one point). However if you simulate the races they were involved in, the driver they replaced is named as taking part. It's a tiny irregularity and I imagine there are approximately zero other people on planet Earth right now who give even the slightest hint of a toss about this oversight, but I thought it worth mentioning. I've already mentioned that the environments look great so I will continue that thread - F1 World Grand Prix II for Dreamcast looks lovely. All of the circuits, the trackside furniture, grandstands, crowds, vehicles...it all looks fantastic and is clearly a generational leap ahead of the Paradigm Entertainment developed Nintendo 64 version. That said, it isn't perfect. There is some pretty brutal 'level of detail' (or 'LOD' - thanks Digital Foundry) pop in, where vehicles and scenery are swapped for lower quality models when they get a certain distance from the 'camera,' and it can be very noticeable in replays. There is no ambient occlusion either (I'd imagine - I don't even know what that is, but it always sounds impressive when they mention it). Also, there appears to be an odd glitch when the game is played from any of the first person views, where camera flashes from the crowds seem to fire off at the edge of the screen in succession as you turn. It is quite difficult to describe, but once you notice it, it is impossible to unsee. The vehicles too look superb - they are modelled in meticulous detail, right down to the wing shapes and the various sponsors (check out the accurate PlayStation branding on the Prost liveries) and even driver-accurate fully modelled steering wheels. Another nice touch is the effect employed on the tyres - if you look closely you'll spot the optical illusion which occurs in real life where the markings on the tyres appear to 'reverse' as the wheels spin faster, until eventually the lettering simply becomes a blur. F1 World Grand Prix II for Dreamcast is full of these nice little incidental details.[Image][Image]Perhaps the biggest negative when it comes to F1 World Grand Prix II for Dreamcast's visuals though, is the somewhat erratic frame rate. It is far from unplayable and the game does a good job of staying fairly stable for most of the time, but when things heat up and there are multiple vehicles jostling on-screen, or lots of particle effects or spray from wet tires is being kicked up, the frame rate takes a tumble and it really detracts from the overall experience. On the one hand this game is a true demonstration of just how much more advanced the Dreamcast was compared to its contemporary competition, but on the other hand it is also a perfect demonstration of how games can look gorgeous in still screenshots but induce seizures when seen in motion. OK, it's not that bad and perhaps I'm being overly harsh on it simply as I can now, in 2021, enjoy F1 2021 on an Xbox Series X in 4K at a solid 60fps; but I don't recall F1 World Grand Prix II for Dreamcast being anywhere near as choppy when I originally played it back in 2000. Time to get my rose tinted spectacles prescription updated I think. Stutters aside though, Video System's title offers a solid experience for F1 fans. The full championship offers all the tinkering options you could ever want, along with full race weekend sessions and qualifying. There are numerous options to change how the game assists vehicle handling (be that in terms of acceleration, braking or steering) and it is worth trying to play with these aids turned on as a newcomer. That's because the difficulty level can be fairly brutal initially, and it's where a decent tutorial would have been welcomed.[Image][Image]Analogue controls for both acceleration and braking are something of a necessity when the vehicles are as prone to spinning out as they are in F1 World Grand Prix II for Dreamcast, but with time and patience mastery of the handling model can be achieved and at that point the fun can truly begin. Races which can feel punishing initially - not just because of the rival AI, but also because of the unforgiving controls - lend an air of accomplishment once the controls are grasped, and of course there is the option to tune your vehicle setup to give greater downforce at the expense of top speeds, gear ratios, and tire compound grip properties etc. The aids aren't as intrusive as in something like Ferarri F355 Challenge, but they can be useful when you are learning the ropes. One area where there are no complaints whatsoever is in the game's sound design. The music is perfectly serviceable during the menus, and the music which plays during the races is equally inoffensive (and can be muted if you prefer). But the engine sounds and ambience are superb, lots of distant screams of high powered engines and roaring crowds; and the pit crew come through the radio loud and clear offering valuable nuggets of information on the current race leaders, who is trying to pass you etc. And of course, there is the whine of your own highly tuned propulsion system, which simpy sounds great - especially if you play from a cockpit view. Oh, and secial mention must go the to 'above the driver's head' camera angle, which also features a polygonal driver's helmet that reacts realistically to the various G-forces as the car twists and turns.[Image][Image][Image]The VMU shows a plan of the circuit while you're racing There is a two player mode thrown in for good measure, although no four player and not even the slightest hint of any online functionality (for that, see Racing Simulation: Monaco Online), but F1 World Grand Prix II for Dreamcast is chiefly all about the single player experience. Like yearly soccer, hockey and basketball games, titles based on a certain period of a sport's history can age poorly and be disregarded as junk; but in the case of the Dreamcast's collection of F1 titles they offer an interesting glimpse back to a different time, a snapshot caught on a GD-ROM. Obviously in this case it is 1999 and (omissions of certain drivers aside) it does a fine job of recreating the spectacle of the sport in that era. The authentic broadcast overlay graphics, the fine ambient audio and slightly crazy dance soundtrack (which compliments the high-pitched whine of the vehicle engines perfectly, I should add) and the overall premium feel of the game make it one that is still worth checking out even today.[Image]So the question remains - is it the best F1 game on the Dreamcast? I would say yes, but only just. The frame rate is an issue at times but if you can look past that and appreciate F1 World Grand Prix II for Dreamcast for what it is - an ambitious reply to Psygnosis and Bizarre Creations' awesome Formula 1 games on the PlayStation - then you won't be disappointed.[Image][Image]To close out this retrospective, I thought it might be useful to once again appeal for any information anybody might have on the mysterious F1 World Grand Prix II custom Dreamcast we featured here a few years ago. The console was listed on eBay and was purchased by somebody with far more money than I could ever hope to spend on such frivolities, but it still intrigues me. Is it simply a really good fan made custom job, or was this a prize in some competition the details of which have been lost to time? If you own this console, let us know![Image][Image][Image]
"Retrospective: F1 World Grand Prix II for Dreamcast"
11 Comments -
Perfect article! It's very important nowadays to put some facts into place. There's a awesome thread in Sega-16 Forum with the title "PS2 vs Dreamcast Graphics" which is really great and informative (about poly counts, effects, frame rate, etc of different games in both consoles). A serious mistake however, has been said about F1 World Grand Prix. Someone took it for granted that F1 World Grand Prix series was just improve ports from the N64 versions, whats is (as you correctly pointed) not, IN ANYWAY, the case. Someone even give the title of "shit port" because Video System uses the PLAYSTATION logo in the Prost Team cars. It's just misinformation, since Prost Team actually had Playtstaion's sponsorship in those years. Video System said at that time (in magazines, websites, etc) that the game engine was made FROM SCRATCH for the Dreamcast, which is pretty obvious to anyone familiar with Dreamcast racing games (F1 Racing Championship 1999 is a PC port, from the old Ubisoft engine, for example). Some observations: I don't play anything past the Sixth Generation, so the Frame Rate issue is not a big deal for me :), but I'm curious if a Overclocked Dreamcast solve these frame rate issues.
About the distribution, is important to remember that F1 World Grand Prix 1 is ALMOST a first party title (SEGA published the game in US/Europe and gave great support in development for Video System) and its sales was, sadly, very weak).
The numbers show it:
USA - DC F1 WORLD GRAND PRIX Apr-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 20 - 9,842 (NPD total sales n in US. This and all other US sales were well spread over the internet back then)
JAPAN - F1 World Grand Prix for Dreamcast (Video System) - 35,915 (Total Sales in Japan)
F1 World Grand Prix 2 for Dreamcast (Video System) - 5,184 (Total Sales in Japan).
Japan Sales numbers are from Dorimaga. (Dorimaga Sales: Japanese Dreamcast Software LTD ~11/1998 - Q3/2001~ From Nov. 27, 1998 - Aug. 31, 2001 Sales: Japanese Dreamcast Software LTD ~11/1998 - Q3/2001~). I found it in Neogaf forums.
So, with poor sales, maybe Video System thought selling the second game rights to Konami in Europe would be a good choice. I was always very curious to know the sales of both games in Europe, but I never found any information about it.
And finally, YES!! F1 World Grand Prix 2 is the best F1 game for the Dreamcast, by far (a lot of minor improvements from F1 - WGP 1. In The end it's a much more polished experience overall).
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Hi Julio, thanks for the fascinating reply (as always!). Seeing those sales figures is quite a revelation, and yes you're right - maybe bringing Konami in to help with distribution helped to offset the associated costs. I did discover on the defunt Video System website that they had a UK office in Manchester quite close to where I used to live, so that was also a bit of a surprise. I wasn't aware that people generally thought of the Dreamcast version as a port - it is clearly using a different engine to the N64 game...and yes regarding the PlayStation branding on the Prost vehicles - simply keeping the accurate sponsor logos. Thanks again for your insightful comment :)
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Thank you Tom for the excellent article, as usual!! Just to put this F1 World Grand Prix sales figures in perspective... This is a list I'm making with as much official data as I can find so far on the internet. Sadly there very few reports about PAL territories sales. Just some estimates and some figures that you end up doing by inference when you have Worlwide data sales worldwide + sales in the USA and Japan (So you end up deducing that the rest is from all over Europe + Asia and South America). This is the top 50 WORLDWIDE sales with the information I've found SO FAR.
This list is a WORK IN PROGRESS:
(*Obs1 - I skipped some games that I only have information from the US Sales and which were not released in Japan (eg, Hydro Thunder. Even with no Europe figures Hydro Thunder sold more than some of the top 50 Worldwide). With just one source it is more difficult to Wild Guessing the numbers for Europe and the rest of the world. I'll post separate lists with the top 50 from the US and the full list that I found from Japan.)
Best-selling Dreamcast Games WORLDWIDE - Top 50 (Part 1)
01. Sonic Adventure - 2.500 Million (SEGA - 1.059.252 in US, 475.152 in Japan. Sonic Adventure: International 28,682 in Japan)
02. Crazy Taxi - 1.810 Million (SEGA - 966,665 in US, 160.515 in Japan)
03. NFL 2K - 1.200 Million (SEGA - 990,282 in US. 31,836 in Japan)
04. Shenmue - 1.180 Million (SEGA - 458,977 in US, 392.111 in Japan. US Shenmue (Sega) - 2,817 in Japan)
05. Resident Evil - Code: Veronica - 1.167 Million (CAPCOM - 351,926 in US, 469.813 in Japan. Biohazard CODE: Veronica Complete - Capcom - 26,549 in Japan)
06. NFL 2K1 - 1.09 Million (SEGA - 904,184 in US, 4,326 in Japan)
07. Soul Calibur - 1 Million + (NAMCO - 573,619 in US, 359.345 in Japan)
09. NBA 2K - 1 Million + (SEGA - 725,045 in US, 66,341 in Japan)
10. Sega Rally 2 - 850,000 + (SEGA - 145,942 in US, 421,836 in Japan)
11. NBA 2K1 - 850,000 + (SEGA - 741,208 in US, 15,609 in Japan)
12. The House of the Dead 2 - 800,000 + (SEGA - 339,721 in US + 277,351 in Japan)
13. Sonic Adventure 2 - 750,000 + (SEGA - 390,291 in US, 109,286 in Japan)
14. Phantasy Star Online + Phantasy Star Online Ver.2 - 750,000 + (SEGA - 166,824 v1 + 46,609 v2 in US, 178,747 v1 + 167,341 v2 in Japan)
15. Seaman - 700,000 + (SEGA 98,555 in US, 539,367 in Japan)
16. Virtua Fighter 3TB - 600,000+ (SEGA 96,416 in US, 373,749 in Japan)
17. Ready to Rumble - 600,000+ (Midway - 466,687 in US, 43,823 in Japan)
18. Sega Bass Fishing - 600,000 + (SEGA - 340,035 in US. 145,535 in Japan)
19. SEGA GT - 580,000+ (SEGA - 202,123 in US. 178,956 in Japan)
20. Grandia 2 - 500,000+ (Ubisoft 146,918 in US. Game Arts 206,448 in Japan)
21. Virtua Striker 2 - 500,000+ (SEGA - 47,836 in US, 319,825 in Japan)
22. Blue Stinger - 500,000+ (Activision - 193,347 in US. SEGA - 140,135 in Japan)
23. Virtua Tennis - 500,000 + (SEGA 368,035 in US.)
24. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 - 500,000 + (Activision - 354,381 in US)
25. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation - 500,000 + (EIDOS - 300,835 in US. CAPCOM - 29,160 in Japan)
26. Power Stone - 500,000+ (Capcom - 193,923 in US. 169,795 in Japan)
27. Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes - 500,000+ (Capcom - 213,691 in US. 146,454 in Japan)
28. Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes - 480,000+ (Capcom - 199,286 in US. 160,322 in Japan)
29. Dead or Alive - 450,000+ (Tecmo - 209,176 in US. 127,948 in Japan)
30. Tokyo Xtreme Racer - 430,000+ (Crave - 138,625 in US. Genki - 177,605 in Japan)
Wednesday, December 01, 2021
Best-selling Dreamcast Games WORLDWIDE - Top 50 (Part 2)
31. Evolution: The World of Sacred Device - 400,000+ (Ubisoft - 145,701 in US. SEGA/ESP/Sting - 162,396 in Japan)
32. Shenmue 2 - 320,000+ (SEGA - 125.781 in Japan, November 2001. 150,000 + in Japan PROBABLY. 150,000+ in Europe PROBABLY)
33. Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage - 310,000+ (Eidos - 113,803 in US. ASCII - 115,633 in Japan)
34. Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram - 300,000+ (SEGA - 180,460 in Japan. Activision - 57,813 in US)
35. Skies of Arcadia - 300,000+ (SEGA - 106,042 in US. 93,387 in Japan)
36. Space Channel 5 - 300,000+ (Sega - 86,360 in US. 177,011 in Japan)
37. Zombie Revenge - 300,000+ (SEGA - 123,518 in US. 92,052 in Japan)
38. Dynamite Cop (Dynamite Deka 2) - 250,000+ (SEGA - 71,221 in US. 104,608 in Japan)
39. Resident Evil 2 - 250,000+ (CAPCOM - 65,922 in US. 93,116 in Japan)
40. Maken X - 230,00+ (SEGA - 51,609 in US. Atlus - 133,042 in Japan)
41. Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2 - 230,000+ (Crave - 61,975 in US. Genki - 114,258 in Japan)
42. ChuChu Rocket! - 205,000+ (SEGA - 56,996 in US. 98,256 in Japan)
43. The King of Fighters: Dream Match 1999 - 175,000+ (SNK - 62,355 in US. 110,655 in Japan)
44. Gundam Side Story 0079: Rise from the Ashes - 176,899 (Bandai - 42,358 in US. 134,541 in Japan)
45. D2 - 170,877 (SEGA - 36,922 in US. 133,955 in Japan)
46. Project Justice - Project Justice: Rival Schools 2 - 165,000+ (CAPCOM - 31,952 in US. 96,956 in Japan)
47. Psychic Force 2012 - 160,000+ (Acclaim - 39,129 in US. Taito - 90,585 in Japan)
48. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure - 152,000+ (CAPCOM - 25,023 in US. 109,292 in Japan)
49. The King of Fighters: Evolution - 135,000+ (AGETEC - 34,476 in US. SNK - 95,327 in Japan)
50. The Typing of the Dead - 115,000+ (SEGA - 14,489 in US. 99,587 in Japan)
Wednesday, December 01, 2021
Dreamcast TOP 50 US Software Sales
01. Sonic Adventure Sep-99 Sega of America 1,059,252 (1,270,232 - With Bundle/pressed)
02. NFL 2K Sep-99 Sega of America 990,282 (1,227,639 - With Bundle/Pressed)
03. Crazy Taxi Feb-00 Sega of America 966,665 (1,110,000 +)
04. NFL 2K1 Sep-00 Sega of America 904,184 (1,056,784 - Bundle/pressed)
05. NBA 2K1 Nov-00 Sega of America 741,208 (893,809 - Bundle/pressed)
06. NBA 2K Nov-99 Sega of America 725,045 (962,402 - Bundle/pressed)
07. Soul Calibur Sep Namco 573,619
08. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Sep Midway 466,687
09. Shenmue Nov Sega of America 458,977
10. World Series Baseball 2K1 July-00 Sega of America 415,487 (568,088 - Bundle/pressed)
11. Sonic Adventure 2 June-01 Sega of America 390,291
12. Virtua Tennis July-00 Sega of America 368,035
13. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 Nov Activision 354,381
14. Resident Evil: Code Veronica Mar Capcom USA 351,926
15. Sega Bass Fishing Oct-99 Sega of America 340,035
16. House of the Dead 2 Sep Sega of America 339,721
17. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater May Crave Entertainment 338,547
18. NFL 2K2 Sep-01 Sega of America 335,375
19. NHL 2K Feb-00 Sega of America 316,582
20. Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation Mar Eidos Interactive 300,835
21. Jet Grind Radio Oct-00 Sega of America 226 291,609
22. NBA 2K2 Oct-01 Sega of America 160 252,727
23. Crazy Taxi 2 May-01 Sega of America 168 244,367
24. Sports Bundle Sep Sega of America 2 237,357
25. NFL Blitz 2000 Sep Midway 12 233,821
26. WWF Royal Rumble Aug THQ 29 228,908
27. NCAA College Football 2K2 Aug-01 Sega of America 146 221,964
28. Marvel VS. Capcom Oct Capcom Usa 6 213,691
29. Dead or Alive 2 Mar-00 Tecmo 209,176
30. Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver Jan Eidos Interactive 44 207,879 31. Ultimate Fighting Championship Sep Crave Entertainment 40 205,975
32. Sega GT Sep Sega of America 18 202,123
33. Hydro Thunder Sep Midway 4 200,230
34. Marvel VS. Capcom 2 June Capcom Usa 6 199,286
35. WWF Attitude Nov Acclaim Entertainment 29 199,239
36. Power Stone Sep Capcom Usa 24 193,923
37. Blue Stinger Sep Activision 10 193,347
38. Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX Nov Acclaim Entertainment 32 189,208
39. Toy Commander Nov-99 Sega of America 184 188,427
40. World Series Baseball 2K2 Aug-01 Sega of America 462 184,901
41. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six May-00 Majesco 258 183,948
42. Sega Smash Pack Vol. 1 Apr- Sega of America 90 181,623 (304,466 - Bundle)
42. Mortal Kombat Gold Sep Midway 2 180,873 $7.47
43. Test Drive 6 Dec-99 Infogrames 511 178,208
45. Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Round 2 Oct Midway 16 173,612
47. Phantasy Star Online Jan-01 Sega of America 210 166,824
48. Fighting Force 2 Dec Eidos Interactive 31 160,764
49. NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC Nov Midway 36 158,729
50. Rippin' Riders Nov Sega of America 31 153,650
Wednesday, December 01, 2021
Dorimaga Sales: Japanese Dreamcast Software LTD ~11/1998 - Q3/2001~
From Nov. 27, 1998 - Aug. 31, 2001
01. Seaman (Sega) - 539,367
02. Sonic Adventure (Sega) - 475,152
03. Biohazard CODE: Veronica (Capcom) - 469,813
04. Sega Rally 2 (Sega) - 421,836
05. Shenme (Sega) - 392,111
06. Virtua Fighter 3tb (Sega) - 373,749
07. J League Pro Soccer Club oh Tsukurou! (Sega) - 369,116
08. Soul Calibur (Namco) - 359,346
09. Virtua Striker 2 Ver. 2000.1 (SEGA) - 319,825
10. Sakura Taien 3 (Sega) - 314,597
11. The House of the Dead 2 (Sega) - 277,351
12. Pro Yakyuu Team o Tsukurou! (Sega) - 240,305
13. Grandia II (Game Arts) - 206,448
14. Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram (Sega) - 180,460
15. Sega GT Homologation Special (Sega) - 178,956
16. Phantasy Star Online (Sega) - 178,747
17. Shutoko Battle ((Tokyo Xtreme Racer)) (Genki) - 177,605
18. Soccer Tsuku Tokudai Gou ~J League Pro Soccer Club o Tsukurou~ (Sega) - 177,141
19. Space Channel 5 (Sega) - 177,011
20. Sakura Taisen (Sega) - 171,296
21. Power Stone (Capcom) - 169,795
22. Shinkisekai Evolution ((Evolution: The World of Sacred Device)) (Sega/ESP/Sting) - 162,396
23. Crazy Taxi (Sega) - 160,515
24. Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (Capcom) - 160,322
25. Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 (Sega) - 148,881
26. Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes (Capcom) - 146,454
27. Get Bass (Sega) - 145,535
28. Blue Stinger (Sega) - 140,135
29. D2 (WARP) - 133,955
30. Sakura Taisen 2 (Sega) - 136,875
31. Mobile Suit Gundam Gaiden: Colony no Ochichita Chide... (Bandai) - 134,541
32. Maken X (Atlus) - 133,042
33. Guilty Gear X (Sammy) - 130,030
34. Dead or Alive 2 (Tecmo) - 127,948
35. New Japan Pro Wrestling: Toukon Retsuden 4 (Tomy) - 119,351
36. Roommania #203 (Sega) - 119,124
37. Berserk: Millennium Falcon Hen Wasurebana no Shou (ASCII) - 115,633
38. Shutoko Battle 2 ((Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2)) - 114,258
39. The King of Fighters Dream Match 1999 (SNK) - 110,655
40. Jojo no Kimyouna Bouken: Miraihe no Isan ((Jojo's Bizarre Adventure)) (Capcom) - 109,292
41. Sonic Adventure 2 (Sega) - 109,286
42. July (Fortyfive) - 105,863
43. Godzilla Generations (Sega) - 105,646
44. Dynamite Deka 2 ((Dynamite Cop!)) (Sega) - 104,608
45. Sunrise Eiyuutan (Sunrise Interactive) - 104,169
46. The Typing of the Dead (Sega) - 99,587
47. REVIVE... Sosei (Data East) - 99,346
48. Derby Tsuku ~Derby Uma o Tsukurou!~ (Sega) - 98,952
49. Sentimental Graffiti 2 (NEC Interchannel) - 98,443
50. Chu Chu Rocket! (Sega) - 98,256
(I tried to copy the full japan list but the post must be at most 4,096 characters only. So, here is the link for the full list: https://www.neogaf.com/threads/dorimaga-sales-japanese-dreamcast-software-ltd-11-1998-q3-2001.368000/)
Wednesday, December 01, 2021
Just for curiosity, the games released from Sega of America. Sadly, F1 World Grand Prix was the game that SOLD THE LEAST :-(. (Yes, We all know that F1 Series is not that popular in the US, but less than 10,000 copies is a ridiculous number. It's a shame really. Especially considering that the game was released in the first half of 2000, when Dreamcast games were still selling relatively well. The numbers are lower than some games from 2001, when the Dreamcast market shrank A LOT in the USA. If you want to know the numbers of any US game that didn't make the US TOP 50, and were not relesead by SEGA, let me know, ok?).
897 DC SONIC ADVENTURE Sep-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 691 1,059,252
941 DC CHUCHU ROCKET Mar-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 560 56,996
992 DC WORLD SER BASEBALL 2K2 Aug-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 462 184,901
1007 DC SEGA BASS FISHING Oct-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 442 340,035
1018 DC TENNIS 2K2 Oct-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 430 68,976
1022 DC CRAZY TAXI Feb-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 426 966,665
1037 DC VIRTUA TENNIS Jul-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 391 368,035
1039 DC SPACE CHANNEL 5 Jun-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 389 86,360
1069 DC NFL 2K1 Sep-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 324 904,184
1079 DC TIME STALKERS Mar-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 311 71,276
1087 DC MAKEN X Apr-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 303 51,609
1094 DC SEGA MARINE FISHING Oct-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 293 140,357
1126 DC NFL 2K Sep-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 249 990,282
1133 DC QUAKE III ARENA Oct-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 237 131,418
1136 DC ALIENFRONT ONLNE W/MIC Aug-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 233 29,118
1144 DC JET GRIND RADIO Oct-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 226 291,609
1161 DC NHL 2K Feb-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 211 316,582
1163 DC PHANTASY STAR ONLINE Jan-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 210 166,824
1168 DC PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2 Sep-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 208 46,609
1188 DC NBA 2K1 Nov-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 190 741,208
1190 DC WORLD SER BASEBALL 2K1 Jul-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 189 415,487
1192 DC TOY COMMANDER Nov-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 184 188,427
1193 DC SONIC ADVENTURE 2 Jun-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 183 390,291
1206 DC NBA 2K Nov-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 172 725,045
1211 DC CRAZY TAXI 2 May-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 168 244,367
1212 DC TYPING OF THE DEAD Jan-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 167 14,489
1217 DC NBA 2K2 Oct-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 160 252,727
1222 DC SKIES OF ARCADIA Nov-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 158 106,042
1231 DC OOGA BOOGA Sep-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 149 13,446
1232 DC NFL 2K2 Sep-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 147 335,375
1233 DC NCAA FOOTBALL 2K2 Aug-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 146 221,964
1246 DC FLOIGAN BROTHERS Jul-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 138 19,886
1257 DC NHL 2K2 Feb-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 129 32,542
1258 DC SEAMAN Aug-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 129 98,555
1266 DC BOMBERMAN ONLINE Oct-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 123 18,790
1270 DC SAMBA DE AMIGO Oct-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 120 23,225
1287 DC SHENMUE Nov-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 110 458,977
1324 DC D-2 Aug-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 90 36,922
1325 DC SEGA SMASH PK VOL. 1 Apr-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 90 181,623
1341 DC SONIC SHUFFLE Nov-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 82 99,301
1359 DC SEGA RALLY 2 Nov-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 74 145,942
1393 DC ZOMBIE REVENGE Jan-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 62 123,518
1410 DC SEGA BASS FISHING 2 Aug-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 58 25,807
1439 DC ECCO THE DOLPHIN Aug-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 51 110,062
1468 DC OUTTRIGGER Jul-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 46 29,209
1476 DC DYNAMITE COP Nov-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 44 71,221
1543 DC RIPPIN' RIDERS Nov-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 31 153,650
1561 DC 18 WHEELER PRO TRUCKER May-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 29 102,325
1586 DC VIRTUA FIGHTER 3TB Oct-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 26 96,416
1648 DC F1 WORLD GRAND PRIX Apr-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 20 9,842
1664 DC HOUSE OF THE DEAD 2 Sep-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 19 339,721
1679 DC SEGA GT Sep-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 18 202,123
1721 DC VIRTUA STRIKER 2 Mar-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 14 47,836
1749 DC CART FLAG TO FLAG Sep-99 SEGA OF AMERICA 13 51,313
1978 DC METROPOLIS STREET RACR Jan-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 6 101,757
2050 DC CONFIDENTIAL MISSION May-03 SEGA OF AMERICA 3 37,849
2586 DC ECCO W/DREAMSHOCK 2 Dec-00 SEGA OF AMERICA 0 1,265
Wednesday, December 01, 2021
Thanks again Julio, this is really fascinating information. I knew that a lot of Dreamcast titles suffered from some really low sales figures outside of the 'big hitters' but the full list you linked to is rather depressing reading. It would be equally fascinating to somehow discover EU/PAL sales figures...I imagine they wouldn't be much better.
Wednesday, December 01, 2021
Overclocked Dreamcast = Redream emulator,e.g. minimizes the pop up situations of crazy taxi to a very good level
Friday, December 03, 2021
Played the first one more, as it was one of the first handfull of games I bought for the Dreamcast. They are very much alike. Good games, better than the other F1 games on Dreamcast for sure, but I prefer the Bizarre Creations games on PS1. Just a shame the license is now exclusively with Codemasters. None of their F1 games are great...
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
I was always a fan of these games but for some reason struggled to get into them as much as the N64 versions in terms of completing full championships etc. But they were well ahead of their time on visuals and features like the safety car, and coming back to them in 2022 they stand up pretty well visually. I always found the original World Grand Prix frustrating because the AI is all over the place - on 'hard' you can win easy but on 'super hard' you suddenly find all the AI cars zipping past you on the straights and cutting corners to fly past you before virtually stopping dead. They definitely tidied that up for the sequel, although I too was surprised at how bad the slowdown feels these days when there's a lot going on on-screen.
There was just something a little bit tighter about the N64 games, for all they were a blurry mess, that kept me going back to them - but I'm determined to get into WGP2 now because I know people who hold it up as the best F1 game of this era. Oddly, I'm more of a fan of the Monaco GP/F1 Racing Championship handling and physics, because everything feels a bit slower and more technical. When you get into it you can really shave tenths off your lap times and for all it's graphically unappealing, I've always seen F1 Racing Championship on the Dreamcast as a bit of an overlooked gem myself given it's identical to Monaco GP but with the official licence.
Thursday, March 03, 2022