Next month, Sega will once again prove correct the old adage that not all good things last forever. The publisher plans to delist over 60 classic Sega Genesis and Dreamcast games on December 6, 2024.
Sega games are being removed from digital stores across all major platforms, affecting PC via Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. Steam users will be hit the hardest as 60 games are getting removed from the storefront. Xbox users will lose 11 Genesis games with Mega Drive Classics. PlayStation and Switch users will lose Mega Drive Classics.
Sega prepares to unplug 60 games in December
Sega hasn’t explained why the games are getting the boot. The FAQ page on its support site is sadly rather barren, confirming what games are being delisted, the date and time of their departure, and whether or not you can still play the titles you already own. You can, by the way. So, hurrah!
The likely reason for the upcoming delist-a-geddon is that Sega may be preparing a new suite of bundles for its classic games. The Sega Mega Drive and Genesis Classics collection has been bouncing around for over 14 years. It’s been the best way to experience Genesis roms without paying collectors absurd prices or hoisting the sails. The same can be said for its Dreamcast Collection. While a smaller bundle with only six games (plus NiGHTS), it was still the preferred way to gather classics like Sonic Adventure DX and Crazy Taxi.
There’s still plenty of time to pick up any Sega Genesis and Dreamcast games you want before they’re delisted. On Steam, buying the Dreamcast Collection as a bundle applies a hefty discount to the total.
The timing of the news is certainly peculiar, especially in light of Sega’s recent enthusiasm over revitalizing its dusty IPs with new games and adapting some of them for TV and film. Here’s hoping the company is planning for some new way to experience these golden oldies. Game preservation enthusiasts don’t need any more roadblocks than they have already.
