ROSTER OF GAMES READY FOR DEBUT.

Byline: David Bloom Staff Writer

The Dreamcast will be blessed with a record array of games when it launches, only a few of which I've personally played. But several have caught my eye and are worth checking out as you try to figure out what to try first.

One unlikely title that I'm picking as a surprise hit is Sega Bass Fishing, which uses Sega's fishing-rod controller (another $34.95, but worth it for this game).

I don't even like to fish, much less gut, clean and cook what I've caught, but this title was absolutely an addictive, and beautifully wrought, treat that is fun for all ages. And talk about the ultimate catch-and-release policy.

Here are other games that look interesting:

Sonic Adventure. Sega is putting a huge amount of resources behinds its own game, featuring everyone's favorite blue hedgehog. The game is appropriate for all ages, is blindingly fast, looks great and has a great deal of depth in both the range of challenges it provides and opportunities for long-term playability as Sega creates more downloadable add-ons and mini-games.

The Dreamcast will have at least four or five fighting games available from virtually Day One. Though such games aren't much to my taste, and several of the titles are extremely similar to their arcade.

Soul Calibur. It's getting great buzz but it's definitely for more grown-up players, given its violent nature.

Ready2Rumble Boxing. This boxing title features the trademark ``Let's get ready to rumble'' cry of ring announcer Michael Buffer, and a raft of wildly different boxers throwing taunts and left hooks with equal abandon. The violence here is cartoonish and gently handled, so I can feel more comfortable recommending this one for somewhat younger gamers, perhaps age 10 and up.

House of the Dead 2.Another gory grown-up hit in the making. Blast zombies in a creepy city at night. Not much in redeeming social value, but stimulating fun for adult gamers.

NFL 2K. I'm not a huge fan of football games on consoles, but this title from Sega will be the only one of its type on launch day (Acclaim comes out with Quarterback Club 2000, an excellent challenger, on Oct. 1). NFL 2K, as Sega calls it, looks fabulous and comes loaded with goodies. This is definitely a game that benefits from having a human opponent, and virtual memory units in each controller, because you'll be able to secretly select your defensive set and offensive play without your opponent seeing.

If these games aren't particularly to your taste, have faith. Sega expects as many as 24 titles on launch day, and perhaps as many as 45 titles available by Christmas.

By this time next year, the company projects as many as 100 different games will run on the Dreamcast. And with its Windows CE operating system making game conversions from the PC relatively easier for developers, there could be a flood of jointly developed titles should the machine take off in popularity.

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Photo: NFL 2K is one of 24 games expected to be available, the most ever for a new gaming system.