Sega recently declared that by December 6, 2024, a number of its games will no longer be available on digital marketplaces across many platforms. Although Sega isn’t as big of a console seller as it once was, the business has done a good job of concentrating on creating and releasing video games. It has done a fantastic job of preserving the brand, even collaborating with erstwhile rivals like Nintendo and Sony to create and release games for its former rivals’ systems.
Why Sega made the decision
Sega’s legacy is seen by many as being extremely significant. Gamers were able to enjoy vintage games with a hint of nostalgia when the Sega Genesis Mini was released in 2019. The firm really commissioned a Sega Genesis Mini 2 in response to the platform’s successful launching, and it debuted in October 2022. Although no additional information was provided, a survey conducted later that year hinted at what supporters of the Sega Mini system would like to see next. However, Sega games from later systems, including the Dreamcast, have been seen elsewhere. Fans may need to move fast, though, if they want to play many of the games on hardware from this generation.
What will be removed?
A number of titles will be removed from digital shops by December 6, 2024, according to a recent announcement from Sega. A variety of games will be delisted on Steam, the Nintendo Switch, the PlayStation, and other platforms. The Sega Genesis Classics collection will no longer be available on the PlayStation and Switch, but numerous individual games will no longer be available on the Xbox and Steam platforms. These consist of several Streets of Rage entries, Crazy Taxi, the Dreamcast Collection Bundle, and more. The business has confirmed that Switch Online customers will still be able to access a few Sega games, though.
List of games being removed
PlayStation
- Sega Genesis Classics
Nintendo Switch
- Sega Genesis Classics
Xbox
- Crazy Taxi
- Altered Beast
- Monster World
- Nights into Dreams
- Golden Axe
- Sega Genesis Classics
- Sega Bass Fishing
- SVC: ToeJam and Earl
- Virtua Fighter 2
- Shinobi
- Sonic the Fighters
- Streets of Rage
Steam
- Beyond Oasis
- Alien Soldier
- Altered Beast
- Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
- Bio-Hazard Battle
- Bonanza Bros
- Columns
- Columns 3
- Comix Zone
- Alien Storm
- Crack Down
- Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
- Crazy Taxi
- Flicky
- Galaxy Force 2
- Gain Ground
- Golden Axe
- Golden Axe 2
- Golden Axe 3
- Gunstar HeroesDecap Attack
- Dreamcast Collection Bundle
- Dynamite Headdy
- Ecco Jr.
- Ecco the Dolphion
- Ecco: The Tides of Time
- ESWAT: City Under Siege
- Eternal Champions
- Fatal Labyrinth
- 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
Is there an explanation by Sega?
Although Sega has not provided an explanation for this change, people are making assumptions about its motivation. A lot of fans are hoping it’s because Sega might be working on a new bundle that would showcase the games. Some people think this is because the firm doesn’t want gamers to mistake some of the remakes for the original games. Fans are concerned that this announcement may have an impact on the 2025 release of new Sega Genesis titles for Nintendo Switch Online, which Nintendo has already hinted at.
Relief for game buyers
Those who have already bought the games shouldn’t be too concerned because users who have purchased any of the titles in their library will still be able to access the delisted ones. However, there’s a chance that some of these will eventually make their way back to retail establishments. This is the case with Sonic Generations, which was delisted at first but returned in July 2024 as a part of Xbox’s Sonic Legacy Bundle. Many of the games on the list are ones that fans would want to check out so they can still access them after the delisting.
