Sega has maintained its status as one of the legendary video game companies by leasing out its classic titles on other consoles. Part of this rollout included listing its titles on digital storefronts. However, in a shocking turn of events, Sega announced that it would be delisting more than 70 of its iconic video game titles from digital storefronts.
These games will be pulled starting December 6, 2024, at 11:59 PM PST on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox. Sega has not given an official explanation for the move, with many fans speculating and worried about what’s to come next. Players who already have these video games in their collection don’t need to worry about these delistings as these games won’t be removed from their library and select Sega games will also still be available to Switch Online subscribers.
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Over 70 Sega Titles Will Be Delisted
The various games being delisted range from collections of classics to individual titles. Xbox and Steam are seeing the most individual titles removed from their platforms. The current list is as follows:
- PlayStation
- Nintendo Switch
- 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 gamers consider Sega’s legacy to be of the utmost importance. If Sega is truly getting rid of these games from digital storefronts entirely, it could be damaging to the company’s branding and its standing with fans. Therefore, Sega should offer these titles to fans in a new format or collection to justify the delisting while still having the titles available.
It’s clear that Sega understands that nostalgia is an important part of its branding. A key example of this was the release of the Sega Genesis Mini in 2019, which allowed gamers to play classic titles in a new format. The new console was so successful that Sega released a survey in 2022 to gauge interest in a follow-up to the Genesis Mini, though no new console has been announced.
How Sega Can Justify the Delisting
Some of the titles being delisted are in the same franchise, like Sonic and Streets of Rage, not to mention the entirety of Sega Genesis Classics being removed on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox. This leaves room for these games to be included in collections or bundles.
Nintendo has teased new Sega Genesis games for Nintendo Switch Online in 2025. This delisting could have effects on this announcement, but it seems more likely that these delisted games will appear alongside the newly teased ones. This delisting makes more sense in the context of the Switch 2, which is set to release in 2025. Perhaps these games will be relisted alongside the new console’s release, and may hopefully indicate that these classics are being revived in some capacity.
Bundles and Collections of Sega’s Past
Sega has also set a precedent for delisting and relisting games in bundles in the past. A prime example is Sonic Generations, which was delisted by Sega before returning as part of Xbox’s Sonic Legacy Bundle this past July. With several Sonic titles mentioned in the delisting, it’s possible that they’ll simply follow in the footsteps of Sonic Generations.
Sega’s silence on the delisting may point towards these collections actually happening. While including Sonic Generations in the Sonic Legacy Bundle was a good move, gamers weren’t thrilled that this new collection was the only official way to purchase the game again. A key issue was the bundle’s initial price tag of $60, which many did not find justifiable as the bundle mostly contained Xbox 360 games and fewer rare titles. If Sega is planning to repeat this move with the titles it’s delisted, the company likely does not want to advertise this controversial strategy to its playerbase.
Though the future for Sega remains unclear thanks to this mass delisting of iconic titles on digital storefronts, fans can be assured that there will likely be a way to play these titles going forward. Until bundles or collections are officially announced by Sega, fans have until December 6 to purchase the aforementioned games on Steam, for Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation.
SegaSonic the Hedgehog
- Platform(s)
- Arcade
- Released
- September 1, 1993
- Multiplayer
- Local Co-Op