SEGA Classics Set for Exciting Revivals – What’s on the Horizon?

SEGA created waves at The Game Awards by announcing modern revivals of its beloved franchises like Crazy Taxi and Jet Set Radio.

But their teaser’s mysterious “and more” hints at additional nostalgic surprises in store.

As per rumor, around 12+ SEGA classics are gearing up for comebacks.

SEGA already greenlit around 10 reboots between 2020 and 2021.

Five of them were confirmed at The Game Awards –  Jet Set Radio, Shinobi, Golden Axe, Streets of Rage, and Crazy Taxi.

According to Insider Gaming, they have added three more anime classic games in their revival mission and they’re already in the early development stage.

1. Panzer Dragoon

Panzer Dragoon is a series of cult classic rail shooter video games developed by Sega.

The first game, released in 1995 for the Sega Saturn, follows the story of a hunter who becomes the rider of a powerful dragon.

The player controls a flying dragon and shoots enemies while the dragon flies through 3D environments on a predetermined track.

The game received positive reviews and was followed by several sequels and a remake in 2020.

Now if the leak is true we’re likely to witness a classic shoot-’em-up-style action-adventure game gracing our screens soon.

2. Neon Genesis Evangelion

Neon Genesis Evangelion is a classic mecha anime from 1995 and is being prepped for a new interactive video game adaptation in early development.

The series revolves around the members of Nerv as they battle against rebellious Angels to trigger further cataclysms. Along the way, they investigated the underlying causes of events and the motivations behind human actions.

It is inspired by many mythologies including Shinto cosmology, as well as Jewish and Christian mystical traditions, such as Midrashic stories and Kabbalah.

Neon Genesis Evangelion received critical acclaim, being widely considered one of the greatest anime series of all time, despite of its abstract and confusing ending.

The series also received multiple game adaptations in 1996 for Sega Saturn with Neon Genesis Evangelion: Girlfriend of Steel being the most notable one, and also released on PS2.

Following that, a series of minigames, multimedia discs, and mahjong games were released in succession.

The 1999 Nintendo 64 game brought the series into full 3D action and added a lot more action to the combat.

There have also been life-sim management games, a detective spin-off, and crossovers with properties like Super Robot Wars and Taiko no Tatsujin.

While details are scarce about the new Evangelion game, we hope Sega will bring a stunning visual and exciting interactive experience for fans of the groundbreaking mecha anime.

3. / Sakura War

Sakura Taisen, a JRPG/visual novel game series enjoyed immense popularity in Japan in the 1990s but remains obscure in the West.

The game is based on an alternate Taishō period where the groups of women with magical abilities battle against the demonic forces.

The first game in the series was released in 1996 for the Sega Saturn, with ports to Dreamcast, Windows, and mobile devices.A PS2 remake titled Sakura Wars: In Hot Blood came in 2003.

Its sequel Sakura Wars 2 released on Saturn in 1998 with later Dreamcast and Windows ports.

Sakura Wars 3 and 4 launched on the Dreamcast in 2001 and 2002 respectively, with later Windows ports.

Sakura Wars V was released on PS2 in 2005, and localized as So Long, My Love in the West in 2010.

The sixth mainline entry, Sakura Wars (titled Shin Sakura Wars in Japan), came as a soft reboot for PS4 in 2019/2020.

The series has expanded to include pachinko games and mobile adaptations as well.

With its setting in the Taisho era, characters inspired by anime, and strategic mech combat, Sakura Taisen has the potential for global success.

SEGA might just have an unexpected hit in their hand.

What Else is in Store?

So far 5 games have been confirmed and 3 are rumoured out of 10 greenlit games in the 2020-2021 period.

However, SEGA’s recent trademark filing gives us clues.

SEGA filed for a total of 12 trademarks which leaked on December 6, 2023.

New filings included 5 confirmed games + 8 more revivals like Outrun, Altered Beast, Alex Kidd, and more.

Here are all game confirmed and rumors so far:

5 Announced

1. Jet Set Radio, 
2. Shinobi, 
3. Golden Axe, 
4. Streets of Rage, 
5. Crazy Taxi.

+8 Spotted in Tradmarks Filling

1. Alex Kidd
2. After Burner
3. House of the Dead
4. Outrun
5. Super Monkey Ball
6. Altered Beast Eternal
7. Champions Kid
8. Chameleon

+3 New rumored revivals

1. Panzer Dragoon, 
2. Neon Genesis Evangelion,
3. Sakura Taisen 

It’s interesting to see how Sega revives these games and which genres they will encompass. Stay connected with us for further developments.