Sega Forever Explained

Sega Forever
Developer:Sega
Type:Online service
Released:June 22, 2017
Platform:Android, iOS
Status:Defunct

Sega Forever was a service from the Japanese video game developer Sega for re-releasing past games from the company on modern platforms. The service was launched for Android and iOS devices on June 22, 2017. By 2020, the service included over 30 games. In September of 2023 Sega quietly discontinued services by de-listing applications and leaving their social media pages inactive.[1]

Background

Sega Forever is a service by Sega to re-release their previously developed video games on Android and iOS-based platforms.[2] [3] [4] [5] Games included on the service are free to play, although they display with advertisements that can be permanently disabled per-game by purchasing them.[6] [7] Game types vary between releases—while some are direct ports, others are emulated versions of the originals.[6] While Sega stated that mobile devices were the initial focus for the service, they also stated it may also expand to other platforms in the future, such as PC and video game consoles.[8] Similar to Nintendo's strategy of using mobile games and apps to attract attention to their console games, Sega hopes to release games to not only to promote their console games, but also to monitor game usage and use it as a metric to determine which franchises to make new games with in the future as well. The end-goal is to eventually create a service similar to Netflix for their games.[9]

Games

The initial wave of games were from Sega's Genesis/Mega Drive console, with the service later adding games from the Dreamcast, Sega CD, and arcade.[9] During the testing phases of the system, Sega 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.[8] Games such as Panzer Dragoon have been 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.[9] Sega is also open to releasing games that had not previously had English localizations, such as the Yuji Naka-designed game, Girl's Garden.

Games have new features added, such as leaderboards and cloud saves, and touchscreen controls, though they also have controller support as well.[10] Games are also playable offline without an internet connection.[11] Five games were available at launch, with more games being added over time.[12] In March 2018, Sega announced their intention on releasing native ports, rather than emulated, for the service.[13] 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.[13] At the same time, Sega announced that games on the service had been downloaded more than 40 million times.[13]

List

† = Native ports as opposed to being emulated

TitleOriginal platformRelease dateReference
Sonic the Hedgehog†Sega GenesisJune 22, 2017[14]
Phantasy Star II
Comix Zone
Kid Chameleon
Altered Beast
Virtua Tennis Challenge†Android, iOSJuly 12, 2017[15]
The Revenge of ShinobiSega GenesisJuly 27, 2017[16]
RistarAugust 10, 2017[17]
Golden AxeAugust 31, 2017[18]
Crazy Taxi†DreamcastSeptember 13, 2017[19]
Space Harrier IISega Genesis
Beyond OasisOctober 11, 2017[20]
Decap AttackOctober 25, 2017[21]
November 8, 2017[22]
Sonic the Hedgehog 2†November 21, 2017[23]
Streets of RageDecember 6, 2017[24]
Gunstar HeroesDecember 20, 2017[25]
Sonic CD†Sega CDFebruary 1, 2018[26]
Dynamite HeaddySega GenesisApril 18, 2018[27]
Super Monkey Ball

Sakura Edition†

Android, iOSMay 17, 2018[28]
VectormanSega GenesisJune 21, 2018[29]
†Android, iOSAugust 2, 2018[30]
Streets of Rage 2Sega GenesisSeptember 20, 2018[31]
Shining in the DarknessOctober 24, 2018[32]
Shining Force
Shining Force II
Golden Axe IIJanuary 17, 2019[33]
Golden Axe III
Phantasy Star IIIFebruary 21, 2019[34]
Phantasy Star IV
After Burner Climax†ArcadeApril 4, 2019[35]

Reception

Reception at launch was mixed, with critics noting that the service had a number of technical issues, mostly regarding the frame rate.[36] Sega later resolved most of the issues in a July 2017 update.[37] In September 2023, publications started to note that some games had been delisted, with downloaded versions having messages saying that support for the games had been discontinued.[38]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sega Forever Games Are Being Delisted from iOS and Android . September 28, 2023 .
  2. Web site: Sega Forever makes Genesis classics free on mobile. Engadget. June 21, 2017 .
  3. Web site: Frank . Allegra . Sega Forever makes your favorite classic games free to play . Polygon . June 21, 2017 . 12 April 2020.
  4. Web site: Webster . Andrew . Sega launches free retro game collection for iPhone and Android . The Verge . June 21, 2017 . 12 April 2020.
  5. Web site: McFerran . Damien . 30 March 2020 . Sega Forever Isn't Just About Smartphone Games Anymore . 12 April 2020 . Nintendo Life.
  6. Web site: Sega Forever brings retro games to iOS and Android for free. June 21, 2017.
  7. Web site: The classic game streaming service SEGA Forever kicks off tomorrow on iOS. June 22, 2017 .
  8. Web site: Sega Forever: The nostalgia trip that could change the company's future. June 21, 2017 .
  9. Web site: Sega wants to turn its classic catalogue into "the Netflix of retro gaming". Nick. Statt. June 21, 2017. The Verge.
  10. Web site: Sega is bringing Sonic, other classic games to phones for free.
  11. Web site: Sega announces Sega Forever, a collection of free classic games for mobile devices - Gematsu. June 21, 2017.
  12. Web site: Sega launches free retro game collection for iPhone and Android. Andrew. Webster. June 21, 2017. The Verge.
  13. Web site: Dotson. Carter. Sega Forever to Focus on Ported Titles in 2018. TouchArcade. March 2018. March 2, 2018.
  14. Web site: Sega's back catalogue is headed to mobile with Sega Forever. Christian. Donlan. . June 21, 2017.
  15. Web site: Virtua Tennis Challenge joins the Sega Forever roster on iOS and Android. pocketgamer.co.uk. July 12, 2017 .
  16. Web site: 'SEGA Forever' (ALL) Adds The Revenge of Shinobi. worthplaying.com.
  17. News: Ristar doesn't have Sonic's legacy, but it does have Sega Forever's blessing. Minotti. Mike. August 10, 2017. VentureBeat. en-US.
  18. Web site: 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. August 31, 2017. August 31, 2017.
  19. Web site: Space Harrier II now a part of SEGA Forever. TouchArcade. September 13, 2017. September 13, 2017.
  20. Web site: Funnell. Rob. Classic Action RPG 'Beyond Oasis' Is the Latest Game in the SEGA Forever Series, Out Now on the App Store. TouchArcade. October 11, 2017. October 13, 2017.
  21. Web site: Riaz. Adnan. Decap Attack Comes to Sega Forever. Hardcore Gamer. October 25, 2017 . November 9, 2017.
  22. Web site: Musgrave. Shaun. 'ESWAT: City Under Siege' Review - The Suit Fits, the Controls Don't. TouchArcade. November 14, 2017. November 14, 2017.
  23. Web site: Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Added to Sega Forever Collection. Adnan. Riaz. November 21, 2017. Hardcore Gamer.
  24. Web site: England. Rachel. 'Streets of Rage' comes to mobiles with local multiplayer. Engadget. December 7, 2017 . December 7, 2017.
  25. Web site: Workman. Robert. Legendary Run-And-Gun Shooter Gunstar Heroes Joins The Sega Forever Mobile Line-Up. ComicBook.com. December 20, 2017 . December 20, 2017.
  26. Web site: Workman. Robert. Sonic CD Is Now Free On Sega Forever For Mobile Devices. ComicBook.com. February 2018 . February 1, 2018.
  27. Web site: Glagowski . Peter . Dynamite Headdy is coming to blow up your smartphones . Destructoid . April 18, 2018 . June 24, 2018.
  28. Web site: Wong . Alistair . Super Monkey Ball: Sakura Edition Joins Sega Forever Lineup As Free-To-Play Game . Siliconera . May 17, 2018 . June 24, 2018.
  29. Web site: Glagowski . Peter . Vectorman, possibly the best Genesis game, is now available on Sega Forever . Destructoid . June 21, 2018 . June 24, 2018.
  30. Web site: Sholtz . Matthew . Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode II re-released as a SEGA Forever title . AndroidPolice.com . August 2, 2018 . August 6, 2018.
  31. News: Streets of Rage 2 Classic is the latest SEGA Forever title on the Play Store. September 20, 2018. Android Police. October 31, 2018. en-US.
  32. News: Shining Force Classics is the latest SEGA Forever release on the Play Store. October 24, 2018. Android Police. October 31, 2018. en-US.
  33. Web site: Save the world from chaos in Golden Axe II and Golden Axe III, now part of Golden Axe Classics, free on iOS & Android!. Forever. SEGA. January 17, 2019. @SEGAForever. en. March 11, 2019.
  34. Web site: 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!. Forever. SEGA. February 21, 2019. @SEGAForever. en. March 11, 2019.
  35. Web site: Soar above your high score! After Burner Climax has joined the ranks of SEGA Forever. April 4, 2019. Twitter. en. April 7, 2019.
  36. Web site: Sega releases classic games on mobile, for free, but at what cost?. Jeffrey. Matulef. June 21, 2017. eurogamer.net.
  37. Web site: Best iPhone Game Updates: 'Altered Beast', '868-HACK', 'Candy Crush Soda Saga', 'Survivalcraft 2', and More. July 17, 2017. toucharcade.com.
  38. Web site: Select 'SEGA Forever' Games Have Been Delisted on iOS and Android, "End of Service" Notifications In-Game for Some – TouchArcade . September 26, 2023 .

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