Sega is Giving Up on Retro Gaming and Many of Its Legacy Game Franchises?

“We are not a retro company.”

This statement from Sega’s CEO casts a shadow over the future of the company’s beloved legacy franchises. While competitors like Nintendo and Sony have embraced their storied pasts with new games and nostalgia-rich celebrations, Sega seems reluctant to revisit many IPs that once made it a gaming powerhouse.

Beyond Sonic the Hedgehog, Sega’s vault is filled with legendary titles that defined genres and inspired generations of gamers. Yet many of these franchises—from Golden Axe to Shinobi—have been left to gather dust, raising questions about Sega’s commitment to its heritage. Let’s take a closer look at these iconic series, their impact, and their current status.

Golden Axe: The King of Co-Op Beat-Em-Ups

Debuting in 1989, Golden Axe was a co-op arcade masterpiece that let players hack and slash their way through a high-fantasy world. The game’s iconic characters—Ax Battler, Tyris Flare, and Gilius Thunderhead—became instant fan favorites. At its peak, Golden Axe was a pillar of Sega’s arcade dominance, later ported to the Sega Genesis and becoming a staple in its library.

• Last Appearance: The franchise saw a brief revival with Golden Axe: Beast Rider in 2008, which was poorly received. Reports from a Reddit thread suggest that a Golden Axe reboot was in development but possibly scrapped due to internal disagreements about its direction. An animated adult comedy series based on the franchise has also been announced, but details are sparse.

Space Harrier: Ahead of Its Time

Yu Suzuki’s Space Harrier (1985) was revolutionary for its pseudo-3D visuals and fast-paced gameplay. The game influenced countless rail shooters and stood as a testament to Sega’s innovative spirit during the arcade golden age.

• Last Appearance: Aside from occasional re-releases and cameos in Sega’s crossover games, Space Harrier has largely remained dormant. An arcade sequel called Planet Harriers was released in 2000.

Shinobi: The Original Stealth Ninja

Sega’s Shinobi series, first launched in 1987, set the standard for ninja-themed action games. Players took on the role of Joe Musashi, a stealthy yet lethal warrior tasked with battling criminal organizations. The game’s intricate level designs and challenging gameplay earned it a loyal following.

• Last Appearance: The last major entry, Shinobi (2011) for the Nintendo 3DS, brought the series back to its roots but failed to generate enough interest for future titles.

Space Channel 5: Funky and Fresh

Space Channel 5 (1999) was a rhythm game like no other. With its quirky protagonist Ulala and groovy soundtrack, it became a cult hit on the Sega Dreamcast. It was a bold, creative venture that showcased Sega’s willingness to experiment.

• Last Appearance: A VR game, Space Channel 5 VR: Kinda Funky News Flash!, launched in 2020, but it didn’t resonate with a wider audience.

Phantasy Star: RPG Royalty

Launched in 1987, Phantasy Star was one of the earliest console RPGs to combine a sci-fi setting with deep storytelling. The series transitioned into the online gaming space with Phantasy Star Online (2000), a groundbreaking MMORPG that redefined multiplayer experiences.

• Current Status: The Phantasy Star Online series lives on with Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis (2021), but the original turn-based RPG series has been shelved. However, Sega recently teased potential expansions to their RPG portfolio in a press release, indicating that new projects are in development.

Altered Beast: “Rise from Your Grave!”

Altered Beast (1988) was an arcade hit known for its transformation mechanics and mythical setting. It became synonymous with the Sega Genesis, as it was bundled with the console during its early days.

• Last Appearance: Apart from a 2005 reboot on the PlayStation 2 (released only in Japan), the franchise has been largely ignored.

Alex Kidd: Sega’s Pre-Sonic Mascot

Before Sonic, Sega’s face was Alex Kidd. Debuting in Alex Kidd in Miracle World (1986), this platformer was Sega’s answer to Super Mario Bros. While Alex had charm, he never reached Mario’s level of popularity.

• Last Appearance: A faithful remake of Alex Kidd in Miracle World launched in 2021 by Merge Games, a third-party developer, but there’s no indication of future entries.

Comparing Sega to Nintendo and Sony

Sega’s approach to its legacy stands in stark contrast to competitors like Nintendo and Sony. Nintendo continually revitalizes its classic IPs with fresh entries (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Super Mario Wonder) and celebrates its history through initiatives like the Super Nintendo World theme park. Even Sony has leaned into nostalgia with projects like Astro Bot, which serves as a love letter to PlayStation’s heritage.

By contrast, Sega’s reluctance to embrace its past is palpable. The company’s CEO’s declaration of “not being a retro company” underscores a strategy that focuses on future innovations at the cost of nostalgia-driven initiatives. While Sega occasionally re-releases its older games or adds them to compilations, there’s little effort to breathe new life into these franchises.

Sega’s Controversial Delisting of Classic Games

Sega is delisting several bundles of classic games from digital storefronts, including Steam, along with “select individual” titles, on December 6, 2024. This action impacts over 60 games, including fan favorites like the Streets of Rage trilogy, Crazy Taxi, and Jet Set Radio. According to Sega, this move is part of their efforts to promote the SEGA Mega Drive and Genesis Classics and Dreamcast Classics bundles, which will remain available until the delisting date. After December 6, the games will no longer be available for purchase but will remain playable for those who already own them.

In an official statement, Sega said, “No worries if you already own a game or bundle. These gems will still live in your Steam library. You can download and play SEGA Classics games whenever you want, as long as you own them before December 6th.”

While the bundles offer enhanced features like save states, the decision to remove individual games has frustrated fans, particularly since some titles, like Virtua Fighter 2, will not have a standalone replacement. This move has reignited discussions about digital preservation and Sega’s approach to its back catalog. Unlike competitors like Nintendo, which actively reintroduces classic games through platforms like the Switch Online service, Sega’s strategy appears to focus on monetization through bundling rather than maximizing accessibility.

As retro gaming continues to thrive, fans lament the potential loss of easy access to Sega’s storied past, questioning whether such moves undermine efforts to preserve gaming’s cultural legacy.

Sega Rules Out More Mini Consoles

For fans hoping for a mini console revival featuring the Sega Saturn or Dreamcast, there’s disappointing news. Sega CEO Shuji Utsumi has definitively ruled out the possibility, stating, “I’m not going for the Mini direction. It’s not me. I want to embrace modern gamers.” This aligns with Utsumi’s broader philosophy of looking forward rather than relying on nostalgia to sustain the company. While earlier releases like the Sega Mega Drive Mini were lauded for honoring Sega’s legacy, the company has no plans for similar projects in the future.

Instead, Sega’s focus appears to be on reimagining its classic franchises in ways that appeal to “modern audiences” rather than merely recreating them for existing fans. Utsumi emphasized that while Sega appreciates its legacy, the company’s goal is to innovate and avoid becoming a “museum piece.” Whether this approach will satisfy longtime Sega enthusiasts remains to be seen.

What’s Next for Sega’s Legacy?

With the success of retro revivals across the industry, it’s hard to understand Sega’s stance. These dormant franchises hold immense potential, whether through remakes, sequels, or even spiritual successors. Sega’s recent press release hinted at “major announcements” for 2024, which could signal a change in strategy. Fans continue to clamor for the return of classic titles, but for now, it seems many iconic names will remain buried in the past.

Is it time for Sega to rise from its grave? Let’s hope someone at Sega HQ is paying attention.

Sources:

• VGChartz, Historical Sales Data
• IGN Interviews with Sega Executives
• Polygon Retrospectives on Sega Franchises
• Sega Press Release, December 2023
• Reddit Gaming Leaks Thread on Golden Axe Reboot