As someone who grew up with a Sega Genesis console, this news about Sega’s mass delisting of iconic titles has left me feeling a bit like Eggman after losing his latest robotic masterpiece to Sonic – utterly dismayed and bewildered!
As an ardent fan, I’ve always admired the legendary status that Sega has held within the gaming world, and one reason for this is their strategic approach to keeping classic games alive by making them available on various consoles. This strategy even extended to listing these titles on digital storefronts. However, in an unexpected twist, Sega recently announced that they would be removing over 70 of their most iconic video game titles from these digital marketplaces.
Starting on December 6, 2024, at 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time, these games will no longer be accessible on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms. Sega hasn’t provided an official reason for this decision yet, leading to much speculation and concern among fans. Fortunately, if you already own these video games, they won’t be taken away from your collection. Moreover, some Sega games will still be accessible for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.
Over 70 Sega Titles Will Be Delisted
A diverse array of games, encompassing classic collections and standalone titles, are being taken off the market across different platforms. Notably, Xbox and Steam are witnessing a significant number of individual games being de-listed from their respective platforms. Here’s the current rundown:
- PlayStation
- Sega Genesis Classics
- Nintendo Switch
- Sega Genesis Classics
- Xbox
- Altered Beast
- Crazy Taxi
- Sega Genesis Classics
- Golden Axe
- Monster World
- Nights into Dreams
- Sega Bass Fishing
- Shinobi
- Sonic the Fighters
- Street of Rage
- SVC: ToeJam and Earl
- Virtua Fighter 2
- Steam
- Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
- Alien Soldier
- Alien Storm
- Altered Beast
- Beyond Oasis
- Bio-Hazard Battle
- Bonanza Bros
- Columns
- Columns 3
- Comix Zone
- Crack Down
- Crazy Taxi
- Decap Attack
- Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
- Dreamcast Collection Bundle
- Dynamite Headdy
- Ecco Jr.
- Ecco the Dolphion
- Ecco: The Tides of Time
- ESWAT: City Under Siege
- Eternal Champions
- Fatal Labyrinth
- Flicky
- Galaxy Force 2
- Gain Ground
- Golden Axe
- Golden Axe 2
- Golden Axe 3
- Gunstar Heroes
- Jet Set Radio
- Kid Chameleon
- Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole
- Light Crusader
- Mega Drive and Genesis Classic Bundle
- Nights into Dreams
- Phantasy Star 2
- Phantasy Star 3: Generations of Doom
- Phantasy Star 4: The End of the Millenium
- RiStar
- Sega Bass Fishing
- Shadow Dancer
- Shining Force
- Shining Force 2
- Shining in the Darkness
- Shinobi 3: Return of the Ninja Master
- Sonic 3D Blast
- Sonic Spinball
- Space Channel 5: Part 2
- Space Harrier 2
- Streets of Rage
- Streets of Rage 2
- Streets of Rage 3
- Super Thunder Blade
- Sword of Vermillion
- The Revenge of Shinobi
- ToeJam and Earl
- ToeJam and Earl in Panic on Funkoton
- VectorMan
- VectorMan 2
- Virtua Fighter 2
- Wonder Boy in Monster World
- Wonder Boy 3: Monster Lair
Many gaming enthusiasts highly value Sega’s historical contributions. Removing these games entirely from digital marketplaces might negatively impact Sega’s image and its relationship with fans. To mitigate this, Sega could release these games in a fresh format or compilation, thus explaining their removal while ensuring they remain accessible for fans.
It’s evident that Sega recognizes the role of nostalgia in its identity. A notable demonstration of this was the launch of the Sega Genesis Mini back in 2019, which enabled players to enjoy old favorites in a fresh way. The revamped console proved quite popular, leading Sega to conduct a survey in 2022 to assess interest for a sequel to the Genesis Mini, although no new console has been officially announced yet.
How Sega Can Justify the Delisting
In this instance, certain game titles are being taken down, such as those from the same series like Sonic and Streets of Rage, along with the complete Sega Genesis Classics collection on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox. This opens up possibilities for these games to be incorporated into new collections or bundles.
It appears Nintendo has hinted at upcoming Sega Genesis games for their Nintendo Switch Online service in 2025. The removal of certain games (known as delisting) might influence this announcement, but it seems plausible that the removed games will be reintroduced alongside the newly teased ones. This delisting may be strategically timed with the release of the anticipated Switch 2 in 2025. It’s possible these games could be re-released along with the new console, which might suggest a revival or renewal of these classic titles.
Bundles and Collections of Sega’s Past
Back when I was gaming, Sega had a habit of removing and then re-releasing games in packs. Take Sonic Generations for instance, which got yanked out before resurfacing as part of Xbox’s Sonic Legacy Bundle last July. Given that other Sonic titles were taken down too, it wouldn’t surprise me if they decide to follow the same path as Sonic Generations in the future.
The lack of comment from Sega about the game delistings might imply that these collections are indeed on the horizon. Including Sonic Generations in the Sonic Legacy Bundle was a smart decision, but fans weren’t pleased when they realized it was the only way to reacquire the game. A significant concern was the bundle’s high price of $60, which many felt was excessive given that most of the games were from Xbox 360 and there were fewer rare titles. If Sega intends to follow this approach with the delisted games, it seems they prefer not to alert their players about such a potentially contentious strategy.
Despite some uncertainty about Sega’s future due to the removal of many classic games from digital stores, it’s likely that these games will still be playable in the long run. Until official bundles or collections are released by Sega, fans can buy these games on Steam, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation before December 6.
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2024-11-11 01:04