Sega Nerds

Is Sega bumbling the Virtual Console?

Posted by Chris. Filed under Chris, News, Virtual Console.

One of my favorite features of this generation’s consoles is the inclusion of downloadable classic games. Each system has its own program, but for some reason, Sega has solely released its games on the Wii’s Virtual Console.

With the Virtual Console, Sega has a tremendous opportunity to not only make a butt load of money, but to also allow younger gamers, who have never played a Genesis or Saturn, to play their classic games for the very first time.

However, I feel like Sega is missing its opportunity and is only rehashing games we’ve all seen recently.

Take for example, Sega releasing Sega Genesis Collection on the PS2 and PSP a few months ago. As you may know, I loved the game and even said it’s the best retro compilation ever made. The game has nearly 30 of the Genesis’ best games including Sonic the Hedgehog, Ristar, Altered Beast, Golden Axe, Ecco the Dolphin and Columns. Also, Sega released an updated version of Sonic the Hedgehog on the Gameboy Advance, as well.

Do you see a problem here? These same games from the Genesis Collection and Sonic GBA are the same ones Sega has released on the Virtual Console. Of the 10 Sega games on the VC, six are available on the Genesis Collection.

Also, let’s look at what Sega has in the pipeline for the Virtual Console. According to Wikipedia, Bonanza Bros., Comix Zone and Gain Ground will be available on Jan. 28, with Bio-Hazard Battle and Streets of Rage coming later this quarter. Again, all of next week’s games are available on the Sega Genesis Collection.

I’ve already talked about the injustice of having to pay $8 for a single Genesis game on the Virtual Console when you can get the same game for less than $1 on the Genesis Collection, so I won’t do that here.

My current problem with how Sega is handling the Virtual Console is that for every great title Sega releases, we have to also wade through four or five games that are available on other consoles for much cheaper.

Throwing the Sega Genesis Collection games on the Virtual Console is the easy way for Sega to turn a buck. These games have already been in the public eye for a few months so why not try to go to the well a few more times before it dries out, right?

Well, I think this is a slap in the face to all the Sega Nerds out there. Where is Shining Force, Beyond Oasis, Sonic & Knuckles, Strider, X-Men or any of the great Mickey Mouse games?

Beyond that, why hasn’t Sega done anything with its great library of Saturn games? Nintendo has a few Nintendo 64 games available, so I don’t see why Sega can’t get a workable emulator going and give us a chance to experience some of the great Saturn games like Panzer Dragoon Saga, NiGHTs into Dreams, the Shining games or Clockwork Knight?

Having Saturn games available on the Virtual Console would be a cream dream and would certainly be money in the bank for Sega as soon as it released these games.

Now, don’t get me wrong, Sega has done good with a few of its games, namely Gunstar Heroes and Toe Jam and Earl, and I can’t wait to see Streets of Rage available to buy. But Sega has such a wonderful assortment of classic games at its disposal, and it pains me to see, in my mind, Sega doing very little for its fans.

Sega, please give us the great Genesis games that we can’t get anywhere else other than eBay. Give us some Saturn games on the Virtual Console. We will pay you handsomely for it. I promise.