 | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Sega |
| Type | Online service |
| Launch date | June 22, 2017 |
| Platform | iOS, Android |
| Status | Active |
| Website | forever |
Sega Forever is a service from the Japanese video game developer Sega for re-releasing past games from the company on modern platforms. The service was first made available for iOS and Android devices on June 22, 2017, with plans to potentially come to other platforms in the future.
Premise[]
The service is a means for Sega to re-release their previously developed video games on iOS and Android-based platforms.[1] While Sega stated that mobile devices were the initial focus, the service may also expand to other platforms in the future, such as PC or video game consoles such as the Nintendo Switch,[2] PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.[3] The service will be free to play, with games possessing in-game advertisements that can be removed with a purchase for each game.[4][5] Game types vary between releases—while some games will be direct ports, others will be emulated versions of the originals.[4] Similar to Nintendo's strategy of using mobile games and apps to attract attention to their console games, Sega will release titles not only to promote console games, but also to monitor game usage and buying and use it as a metric to determine which intellectual properties to make new games with in the future as well.[6] The end-goal is to eventually create a service similar to Netflix, instead using Sega-based video games.[3]
Software[]
The initial wave of games were from Sega's Genesis/Mega Drive, Game Gear, and Master System platforms, although they plan on adding games from the SG-1000, Sega Saturn, and Dreamcast platforms as well.[3] During the testing phases of the system, Saturn and Dreamcast games did not perform satisfactorily, though Sega has on-going R&D efforts working on improving them in hopes of future release.[2] Games such as Panzer Dragoon are being considered for the service, but could not be successfully emulated in the testing phase, meaning that such a release would hypothetically require a lengthy porting process instead.[3] Sega is also open to releasing games that had not previously had English localizations, such as the Yuji Naka-designed game, Girl's Garden.[6]
Games have new features added, such as leaderboards and cloud saves, and touchscreen controls, though they also have controller support as well.[7] Games are also playable offline without an internet connection.[8][6] Five games were available at launch, with more games being added over time.[9] In March 2018, Sega announced their intention on releasing native ports, rather than emulated, for the service throughout 2018.[10] Sega also stated that while they would continue to release emulated games, the change to primarily making native ports will result in fewer new games being released overall.[10] At the same time, Sega announced that games on the service had been downloaded more than 40 million times.[10]
List of games[]
† = Native ports as opposed to being emulated
| Title | Original platform | Release date | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic the Hedgehog† | Sega Genesis | June 22, 2017 | [6] |
| Phantasy Star II | |||
| Comix Zone | |||
| Kid Chameleon | |||
| Altered Beast | |||
| Virtua Tennis Challenge† | Android, iOS | July 12, 2017 | [11] |
| The Revenge of Shinobi | Sega Genesis | July 27, 2017 | [12] |
| Ristar | August 10, 2017 | [13] | |
| Golden Axe | August 31, 2017 | [14] | |
| Crazy Taxi† | Dreamcast | September 13, 2017 | [15] |
| Space Harrier II | Sega Genesis | ||
| Beyond Oasis | October 11, 2017 | [16] | |
| Decap Attack | October 25, 2017 | [17] | |
| ESWAT: City under Siege | November 8, 2017 | [18] | |
| Sonic the Hedgehog 2† | November 21, 2017 | [19] | |
| Streets of Rage | December 6, 2017 | [20] | |
| Gunstar Heroes | December 20, 2017 | [21] | |
| Sonic CD† | Sega CD | February 1, 2018 | [22] |
| Dynamite Headdy | Sega Genesis | April 18, 2018 | [23] |
| Super Monkey Ball: Sakura Edition† | Android, iOS | May 17, 2018 | [24] |
| Vectorman | Sega Genesis | June 21, 2018 | [25] |
| Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II† | Android, iOS | August 2, 2018 | [26] |
| Streets of Rage 2 | Sega Genesis | September 20, 2018 | [27] |
| Shining in the Darkness | October 24, 2018 | [28] | |
| Shining Force | |||
| Shining Force II | |||
| Golden Axe II | January 17, 2019 | [29] | |
| Golden Axe III | |||
| Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom | February 21, 2019 | [30] | |
| Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium | |||
| After Burner Climax† | Arcade | April 4, 2019 | [31] |
Reception[]
Reception at launch was mixed, with critics noting that the service had a number of technical issues, mostly regarding the frame rate.[32] Sega later resolved most of the issues in a July 2017 update.[33]
References[]
- ↑ "Sega Forever makes Genesis classics free on mobile". Engadget.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Sega Forever: The nostalgia trip that could change the company's future".
{{cite web}}: - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Statt, Nick (June 21, 2017). "Sega wants to turn its classic catalogue into "the Netflix of retro gaming"". The Verge.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Sega Forever brings retro games to iOS and Android for free".
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "The classic game streaming service SEGA Forever kicks off tomorrow on iOS".
{{cite web}}: - ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Donlan, Christian (June 21, 2017). "Sega's back catalogue is headed to mobile with Sega Forever".
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Sega is bringing Sonic, other classic games to phones for free".
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Sega announces Sega Forever, a collection of free classic games for mobile devices - Gematsu". June 21, 2017.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Webster, Andrew (June 21, 2017). "Sega launches free retro game collection for iPhone and Android". The Verge.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Dotson, Carter. "Sega Forever to Focus on Ported Titles in 2018". TouchArcade. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Virtua Tennis Challenge joins the Sega Forever roster on iOS and Android". pocketgamer.co.uk.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "'SEGA Forever' (ALL) Adds The Revenge of Shinobi". worthplaying.com.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Minotti, Mike (August 10, 2017). "Ristar doesn’t have Sonic’s legacy, but it does have Sega Forever’s blessing" (in en-US). VentureBeat. https://venturebeat.com/2017/08/10/ristar-doesnt-have-sonics-legacy-but-it-does-have-sega-forevers-blessing/.
- ↑ Funnell, Rob. "Classic Beat 'Em Up 'Golden Axe' Is the Next Game in the SEGA Forever Series, Out Now on the App Store". Touch Arcade. Retrieved August 31, 2017.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Space Harrier II now a part of SEGA Forever". TouchArcade. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Funnell, Rob. "Classic Action RPG 'Beyond Oasis' Is the Latest Game in the SEGA Forever Series, Out Now on the App Store". TouchArcade. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Riaz, Adnan. "Decap Attack Comes to Sega Forever". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Musgrave, Shaun. "'ESWAT: City Under Siege' Review - The Suit Fits, the Controls Don't". TouchArcade. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Riaz, Adnan (November 21, 2017). "Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Added to Sega Forever Collection". Hardcore Gamer.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ England, Rachel. "'Streets of Rage' comes to mobiles with local multiplayer". Engadget. Retrieved December 7, 2017.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Workman, Robert. "Legendary Run-And-Gun Shooter Gunstar Heroes Joins The Sega Forever Mobile Line-Up". ComicBook.com. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Workman, Robert. "Sonic CD Is Now Free On Sega Forever For Mobile Devices". ComicBook.com. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Glagowski, Peter. "Dynamite Headdy is coming to blow up your smartphones". Destructoid. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Wong, Alistair. "Super Monkey Ball: Sakura Edition Joins Sega Forever Lineup As Free-To-Play Game". Siliconera. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Glagowski, Peter. "Vectorman, possibly the best Genesis game, is now available on Sega Forever". Destructoid. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Sholtz, Matthew. "Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode II re-released as a SEGA Forever title". AndroidPolice.com. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Streets of Rage 2 Classic is the latest SEGA Forever title on the Play Store" (in en-US). Android Police. September 20, 2018. https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/09/20/streets-rage-2-classic-latest-sega-forever-title-play-store/.
- ↑ "Shining Force Classics is the latest SEGA Forever release on the Play Store" (in en-US). Android Police. October 24, 2018. https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/10/24/shining-force-classics-latest-sega-forever-release-play-store/.
- ↑ Forever, SEGA (January 17, 2019). "Save the world from chaos in Golden Axe II and Golden Axe III, now part of Golden Axe Classics, free on iOS & Android!". @SEGAForever. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Forever, SEGA (February 21, 2019). "What's your Phantasy? Whether it's Phantasy Star II, III, or IV, your collection just got an upgrade! Download free on iOS & Android now!". @SEGAForever. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Soar above your high score! After Burner Climax has joined the ranks of SEGA Forever". Twitter. April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Matulef, Jeffrey (June 21, 2017). "Sega releases classic games on mobile, for free, but at what cost?". eurogamer.net.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Best iPhone Game Updates: 'Altered Beast', '868-HACK', 'Candy Crush Soda Saga', 'Survivalcraft 2', and More". toucharcade.com. July 17, 2017.
{{cite web}}: ;
External links[]
 Sega
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Arcade systems | Arcade games • Pinball machines • R-360 • VR-1 • Aurora | |
| Video game consoles | SG-1000 • Master System • Genesis (CD • 32X) • Pico • Saturn • Dreamcast | |
| Portable devices | Game Gear • Nomad | |
| Dual systems | LaserActive • TeraDrive • Amstrad Mega PC | |
| Licensed consoles | Sega Zone | |
| Online gaming services | Sega Meganet • Sega Channel • SegaNet • ALL.Net • Sega Forever | |
| Accessories | DC Broadband and Modem Adapter • Dreamcast Gun • Dreamcast VGA • Dreameye • GD-ROM • Lock-On • Master Gear • Menacer • Sega Card • Sega Net Link • Sega VR • VMU | |
| Related | Development studios • Gulf and Western Industries • Sega Technical Institute • Sonic Team • Sega Sammy Holdings • SCSK Corporation • Sega v. Accolade • SegaWorld • Video game franchises (List of games) | |
| Sega video game compilations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sega | Sega Classics Arcade Collection • Sega Ages • Phantasy Star Collection • Sega Smash Pack • Sega Arcade Gallery • Sega Genesis Collection • Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection • Sega Genesis Classics • Dreamcast Collection • Sega 3D Classics Collection • Sega Forever | |
| Sonic the Hedgehog | Sonic Jam • Sonic Mega Collection (Plus) • Sonic Gems Collection • Sonic Classic Collection | |
| Related | 3D Classics • Coleco Sonic • Sega Genesis Mini | |