Bad news for classic and nostalgic fans, Sega’s universe of classic video games is about to take a major cutas the veteran company announced that it will be removing from digital platforms a wide selection of retro titles that marked an era and defined its identity in the industry. Affecting such iconic games and franchises as Sonic the Hedgehog, Crazy Taxi, and Jet Set Radio, the decision leaves the future of some of video game fans’ most cherished memories up in the air. Now, what does this measure really mean, and what can we expect from Sega’s classics from here?

Sega announced that As of December 6, 2024, her extensive list of classic titles will no longer be available available for purchase on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Xbox. Among the affected games are iconic names that have marked the history of the company and the video game industry in general. Of course, they can still be purchased, and players who have already purchased these titles will still be able to access them in their digital libraries. What will not be possible, of course, is to get them from this date.

Titles that will be affected include gems such as Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio and several games in the Sonic the Hedgehog series, as well as cult classics such as Golden Axe, Streets of Rage and Phantasy Star. Each of these games represent a golden era for Sega, and their downloads leave fans wondering if they’ll ever be available again on another format or platform. The list is extensive and varies by platform (you can find it at the end of this article) and includes titles that were pillars of the Sega catalog and still maintain their legacy among the most nostalgic gamers.

Image: Evan-Amos

Sega’s decision to pull these games sparked interest possible reasons for the measure. Although the company has not offered an official explanation, some analysts and fans have speculated that this could be related to the preparation of future remasters or a collection that re-releases these titles in an updated form. It’s a strategy that other companies have adopted to keep their classic titles current, and one that would allow the veteran company to offer players a renewed experience of its most renowned works.

Gaming community he reacted with mixed feelings. On the one hand, there is the fear that these games will be forgotten, especially for new generations who may have more limited or even impossible access to these titles. On the other hand, the possibility that Sega is planning something special for these games leaves the door open to hope. Nostalgic gamers in particular hope that the company will not only preserve these classics, but give them the space and treatment they deserve.

List of games by platform

Steam (PC)

• Alex Kidd in the Enchanted Castle
• Alien soldier
• Alien storm
• A changed beast
• Behind the Oasis
• The biohazard battle
• Bonanza Bros.
• Columns
• Column III
• Comix zone
• Crack Down
• Crazy taxi
• Decap Attack
• Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine
• Dreamcast Collection Pack
• Dynamite Headdy
• Ecco Jr.
• Dolphin Ecco
• Ecco: Tides of Time
• ESWAT: A City Under Siege
• Eternal champions
• Fatal Labyrinth
• Flicky
• Galaxy Force II
• Gain a foothold
• golden axe
• Golden Ax II
• Golden Ax III
• Gunstar Heroes
• Jet Set Radio
• A little chameleon
• Landstalker: Treasures of King Nole
• Light Crusader
• Mega Drive and Genesis Classic Bundle
• NIGHTS into dreams
• Fantasy Star II
• Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom
• Phantasy Star IV: End of the Millennium
• Ristar
• SEGA Bass Fishing
• Shadow Dancer
• Radiant power
• Shining Power II
• Glowing in the dark
• Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
• Sonic 3D Blast
• Sonic Spinball
• Space Channel 5: Part 2
• Space Harrier II
• Street Rage
• Streets of Rage 2
• Streets of Rage 3
• Super Thunder Blade
• Vermilion Sword
• Revenge of the Shinobi
• ToeJam & Earl
• ToeJam & Earl in Panic at Funkoton
• Vector Man
• Vector Man 2
• Virtua Fighter 2
• Wonder Boy in Monster World
• Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair

Nintendo Switch and PlayStation

• SEGA Mega Drive Classics

Xbox

• A changed beast
• Crazy taxi
• SEGA Mega Drive Classics
• golden axe
• The world of monsters
• NIGHTS into dreams
• SEGA Bass Fishing
• Shinobi
• Sonic the Fighters
• Street Rage
• SVC: ToeJam & Earl
• Virtua Fighter 2