Segahas 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,Segaannounced that it would be delisting more than 70 of its iconic video game titles from digital storefronts.
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:
Many gamersconsider Sega’s legacyto 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 afollow-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, likeSonicandStreets of Rage, not to mention the entirety ofSega Genesis Classicsbeing 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 gamesfor 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 primeexample isSonic Generations, which was delisted by Sega before returning as part of Xbox’sSonic Legacy Bundlethis past July. With severalSonictitles mentioned in the delisting, it’s possible that they’ll simply follow in the footsteps ofSonic Generations.
Sega’s silence on the delisting may point towards these collections actually happening. While includingSonic GenerationsintheSonic Legacy Bundlewas 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. Untilbundles 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.
