Best Sega Games That Will Be Delisted In December 2024

Key Takeaways

Sega Genesis & Dreamcast Classics will be delisted from digital stores soon.
Popular classic Sega titles will no longer be available for new purchases.
Certain Sega games like Comix Zone and The Revenge of Shinobi will be affected by the delisting.

As a longtime gamer with a particular fondness for Sega’s golden years, I can confidently say that the games developed by this iconic company are nothing short of legendary. Among these gems, there are a handful of titles that stand out as absolute masterpieces – games that continue to captivate me even decades after their initial release.

Instead of adding more locations for up-and-coming gamers to experience their wealth of old-school titles, Sega has announced that they’ll remove their Genesis/Mega Drive Classics and Dreamcast Classics Collection from online stores, making them unavailable for future purchases. Although some games will still be accessible through services like Nintendo Switch Online, a significant number of classic Sega games are set to disappear from digital platforms unless bought beforehand.

The list of games set to be removed from availability spans from classic 2D and 3D titles originating from Sega during their 16-bit prime and the low end of the sixth generation – this upcoming removal is nothing short of astounding.

1 Comix Zone

A Uniquely Styled 2D Beat ‘Em Up From Sega’s In-House Developers

1995’s “Comix Zone,” designed on stylized comic book pages for the 16-bit Sega Genesis, boasted a unique blend of metanarrative storytelling and artistic panache that rivaled, if not surpassed, many top games of its time.

Exploring the comic book-style brawler adventure of Sketch Turner, “Comix Zone” proudly showcases its era in both visual appeal and charm. The 90s vibe seems to ooze from every virtual page. Though it may have moments of challenging difficulty and some elements that hint at derivation in gameplay, “Comix Zone” stands out as not just a remarkable Sega game but also one of the most innovative and expressive titles of its generation.

2 The Revenge Of Shinobi

A 16-Bit Triumph & Arguable Series Peak For The Shinobi Series

Universal Pictures is rumored to be developing a movie, and “The Revenge of Shinobi” from 1989, recognized as one of the best video games ever made, isn’t just a game that defined an action-platformer genre but a classic for Sega. With exceptional level design and polished 16-bit gameplay, “The Revenge of Shinobi” is considered one of the essential games from the fourth console generation.

Fundamentally, “The Revenge of Shinobi” can be seen as a typical sequel given it was just the second console game in the “Shinobi” series. It builds upon and enhances aspects like gameplay, setting, and the 16-bit aesthetic of the original title. Despite some unusual boss battles against characters such as Spiderman, Batman, and a T-800 Terminator, which retain the 80s pulp appeal of “The Revenge of Shinobi”, the game remains an immensely fun ninja adventure where players fight their way through the malicious Neo Zeed forces.

3 Gunstar Heroes

A Quintessential Run & Gun Title From The Fourth Generation

Released: September 10, 1993
Developer: Treasure
Platform(s): PC, Sega Genesis, Sega Game Gear, iOS
Genre(s): Run & Gun

In their early days, Treasure – the creators of “Sin & Punishment” – demonstrated remarkable skill by releasing the critically acclaimed “Gunstar Heroes”. This run-and-gun game not only became a standout title from the 16-bit era but also a fast-paced shooter that has proven its worth over time, being recognized as one of the best examples of what the gaming industry is capable of.

Although it’s widely considered to shine brightest on the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive Classics collection, this popular game has also been made available across various gaming platforms over the past thirty years following its initial launch. This includes Sega’s own Game Gear handheld, as well as Nintendo hardware through their Virtual Console and Nintendo Switch Online services, not to mention mobile devices too.

4 Crazy Taxi

An Arcade Racer-Turned Dreamcast Classic With A Wholly Unique Premise

Initially, Crazy Taxi was marketed as a standout arcade game by Sega. However, its true claim to fame lies in being one of the exceptional games on the Sega Dreamcast console. The thrilling color scheme, pulse-pounding soundtrack, and intense gameplay mechanics set it apart, making it a favorite among many. In essence, Crazy Taxi, developed by Sega AM3, offers a distinctive fast-paced racing experience that shaped an entire generation. Despite its uniqueness compared to other games, it is often praised for this very quality.

In driving around friendly teenagers to iconic California spots after speeding down a nerve-wracking ramp and zigzagging through streets where people leap aside from the game’s famous yellow taxi cab, it’s safe to say that Crazy Taxi continues to be one of Sega’s most imaginative and cherished games.

5 Shining Force / Shining Force 2

A Duology Of Genre-Defining Tactical RPGs On Sega’s 16-Bit Console

Although Nintendo’s competitor, Sega, didn’t collaborate extensively with RPG powerhouse SquareSoft like they did, it doesn’t mean the Sega Genesis library was devoid of robust role-playing games. In fact, the 16-bit Sega console was known for its abundance of strategic role-playing games, including the popular title “Shining Force,” which managed to enjoy a modest revival on Sega’s Saturn console, despite it eventually facing failure.

The pair of 16-bit role-playing game strategy titles, known as Shining Force I and II, were produced by Climax Entertainment and Camelot Software and are considered expansions within the acclaimed Shining universe. Despite being developed on a limited budget, they hold a significant place in Sega’s history as groundbreaking games in the Genesis console’s software library.

6 Jet Set Radio

A Post-Punk, Graffiti-Stained Swan Song For Sega’s Failed Dreamcast

Even after twenty-three years and an Xbox exclusive sequel, few Dreamcast games carry the same raw emotion and edge as Sega’s own action-sports production, Jet Set Radio. Although the rebellious spirit of its skateboarding game counterpart, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, has always been a defining trait of the series, Jet Set Radio stands out not just as a symbol of Sega’s golden era but also as a benchmark for modern games with innovative movement mechanics.

The game “Jet Set Radio” showcases Sega’s versatility and creativity with its diverse soundtrack spanning genres such as Acid Jazz, Dance, Funk, and Trip Pop. This title, which has found a place not only on Sega platforms but also Sony, Microsoft, PC, iOS, and Android systems, serves as an enduring testament to Sega’s industry prowess.

7 Phantasy Star 4: The End Of The Millenium

The Expansive Resolution To Sega’s Critically-Revered 16-Bit RPG Series

Announced as the thrilling climax of Sega’s self-produced six-year fantasy RPG series that began in 1987, Phantasy Star 4 carried on the turn-based RPG adventure that Sega had been nurturing. Now universally recognized as one of the finest role-playing experiences on Sega’s 16-bit platform, the gameplay, visuals, and storyline in Phantasy Star 4 are generally considered unmatched among fourth-generation consoles.

Back in the gaming world, I found myself immersed in a captivating continuation that could be considered as a prequel to Phantasy Star 3. This game, Phantasy Star 4, was Sega’s masterpiece in the RPG genre back in ’93. It not only elevated the series’ artistic flair but also delved deep into the intricate connections between its gameplay systems. Over the years, it’s been honored with inclusion in various Sega-themed anthologies, and even graced the ill-fated Sega Saturn as part of a Phantasy Star collection. Fortunately, the distinctive charm and grandeur of Phantasy Star 4 have managed to evade the grasp of time, ensuring its legacy lives on.

8 NiGHTS Into Dreams

The Pseduo-Psychedelic Sega-Developed Platformer From The Sega Saturn

Released: July 05, 1996
Developer: Sonic Team
Platform(s): Sega Saturn, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Genre(s): Platformer

It is relatively fair to state that the industry highs and nostalgic lows of Sega’s Genesis and Dreamcast systems have been deeply represented through Sega’s contemporary porting efforts. However, when it comes to the Sonic developer’s fifth-generation console – the Sega Saturn – such heaped praise is a little harder to come by. As such, the dizzying quality and multimedia smorgasbord that is NiGHTS Into Dreams is arguably still – nearly thirty years later – as important to Sega’s heritage as the Blue Blur.

Initially appearing like a typical 2.5D action-platformer, the game soon distinguishes itself with its unique design and style, offering a somewhat psychedelic journey thanks to its Freudian-inspired soundtrack and visuals. Although some potential players might have been deterred by the distinct charm of NiGHTS Into Dreams, its characters remain connected to Sega, as they appear in other projects like Sonic & Sega All-Star Racing: Transformed and a 1998 comic book series.

2024-11-16 15:06