Summary
While some publishers are striving to give new players a plethora of places to enjoy their bursting back-catalog of legacy titles,Sega has recently announcedthat theirGenesis/Mega Drive Classics&Dreamcast Classics Collection"will be delisted from virtual stores, becoming unavailable for new purchases." While some titles will be available on services such as Nintendo Switch Online, a laundry list of classic Sega titles is slated to be delisted and will not be playable unless purchased prior.
Ranging from 2D and 3D first-party classics from Sega’s 16-bit peak and sixth-generation low, the catalog of titles that are slated to be delisted is astonishing.
Setwithin the bounds of stylized comic book pages, and developed in-house for the 16-bit Sega Genesis, 1995’sComix Zoneshows a level of metanarrative storytelling and artistic flair that arguably even some of the best titles of the era couldn’t compete with.
Following the panel-smashing beat ‘em up journey of Sketch Turner,Comix Zoneis unashamedly of its time in its aesthetic and appeal, as the 90s charm almost bleeds from the virtual pages. Despite some spikes in difficulty and somewhat derivative gameplay,Comix Zoneis not only a fantastic Sega title but one of the generation’s most creative and expressive works.
Witha motion picture reportedly in the worksby Universal Pictures, and acclaimed asone of the greatest video games of all time, 1989’sThe Revenge of Shinobiis not just a genre-defining action-platformer but a Sega staple. With stellar level design and tight 16-bit gameplay,The Revenge of Shinobiis arguably one of the fourth console generation’s quintessential titles.
At its core,The Revenge of Shinobiis an archetypal sequel - having only been theShinobiseries’ second console title - as it expands and elaborates on not only the gameplay and setting but also the title’s 16-bit style. Despite some peculiar boss fights against Spiderman, Batman, and a T-800 Terminator that exudeThe Revenge of Shinobi’s 1980s pulp charm, the title is still an extremely enjoyable ninja-themed romp as players hack and slash through antagonistic Neo Zeed forces.
3Gunstar Heroes
A Quintessential Run & Gun Title From The Fourth Generation
While it may have beenSin & Punishmentdeveloper Treasure’s inaugural title, the aplomb with which the burgeoning studio released the much-acclaimedGunstar Heroesis definitely to be commended. The run-and-gun title has remained not only seeminglyone of the 16-bit era’s most prestigious titlesbut also a fast-paced shooter that has stood the test of time asone of the best examplesof what the video game industry can offer.
While arguably played best on theSega Genesis / Mega Drive Classicscompilation, the renowned title also found its way into other platform libraries in the more than thirty years since its initial release. From Sega’s own Game Gear portable, and hardware-rival Nintendo’s hardware within its Virtual Console and Nintendo Switch Online frameworks, to even mobile devices.
Although the bright colors, heart-thumping soundtrack, and gut-wrenching gameplay ofCrazy Taxiwere originally positioned as one of Sega’s quintessential arcade experiences, arguably its greatest renown is that ofone of the Sega Dreamcast’s very best titles. With a unique fast-paced arcade racing gameplay loop that defined a generation, Sega AM3’s action-racer is very much unlike many other titles - yet it’s arguably all the better for that.
In dropping off chummy tweens at quintessentially Californian locales after careening off of a stomach-churning ramp, and winding through the streets as pedestrians vault out of the way of the series' classic yellow taxi cab,Crazy Taxiremains arguably one of Sega’s most innovative and loved titles.
While Sega’s hardware rival Nintendo had a thorough working relationship with RPG giant SquareSoft, that is not to say the library of the Sega Genesis was lacking in strong RPG content. The 16-bit Sega console had a seeming prevalence of tactical role-playing games, such asShining Force, which went on to havea somewhat successful stint on Sega’s ill-fated Sega Saturnconsole.
Developed by Climax Entertainment and Camelot Software, the duology of 16-bit fantasy-esque SRPG titles were expansions within the renownedShininguniverse. Despite this, they were reportedly created on a somewhat shoestring budget. However, their place within the annals of Sega’s history sits firmly as formative titles in the Genesis' software library.
Despite twenty-three years, and an Xbox-exclusive sequel, there is arguably no Dreamcast title that exudes the same amount of raw heart and attitude as Sega’s internally-developed action-sports titleJet Set Radio.Whilethe pop-punk rebellious natureof theTony Hawk’s Pro Skater-esque rollerblading title has remained core to the series' identity, it persists as not only a title indicative of Sega’s golden years but a touchstone for modern titles with creative movement systems.
With a soundtrack featuring a whole slew of genres - from Acid Jazz and Dance tracks to Funk and Trip Pop - the eccentric creativity on display from one of Sega’s effective swan song titles is on full display, all the time. With its foothold within Sony and Microsoft ecosystems, alongside ports to PC, iOS, and Android systems, the heart-thumping imagination ofJet Set Radioremains a solid reminder of Sega’s capabilities in the industry.
Proclaimed as “the explosive finale” of Sega’sinternally-developed six-year fantasy RPG seriesthat started in 1987,Phantasy Star 4’s release continued the turn-based RPG exploration that Sega had cultivated. Now widely accepted asarguably the best role-playing experience on Sega’s 16-bit system,Phantasy Star 4’s gameplay, visuals, and narrative are all seemingly second to none in the fourth console generation.
As a pseudo-prequel toPhantasy Star 3, Sega’s 1993 RPG expanded the series' illustrative style and concentrated on the title’s close relationships between gameplay systems. Having been brought into the fold of multiple Sega-themed compilations, and aPhantasy Starcollection on Sega’s poorly-received Sega Saturn, thankfullyPhantasy Star 4’s unique polish and expanse have no real fear of being lost to time.
8NiGHTS Into Dreams
The Pseduo-Psychedelic Sega-Developed Platformer From The Sega Saturn
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 andmultimedia smorgasbord that isNiGHTS Into Dreamsis arguably still - nearly thirty years later - as important to Sega’s heritage as the Blue Blur.
What at first seems like a somewhat by-the-numbers 2.5D action-platformer is very swiftly replaced by the title’s unique design and aesthetic, as its Freudian-esque soundtrack and visuals create a semi-psychedelic experience. However, whileNiGHTS Into Dreams' distinctive allure seemingly chased some possible players away, its characters are still close to Sega as they can be found in other projects such asSonic & Sega All-Star Racing: Transformedand a limited comic-book series from 1998.
