Sega's Genesis/MegaDrive titles for Nintendo Revolution - "everything ready to go"'
16-bit Sega back catalogue looms
Don't mention the war!
Speaking to SPOnG today, a source close to Nintendo has stated that Sega will soon announce a massive back catalogue line-up for Nintendo Revolution, with the MegaDrive leading the way on the pay-to-play service.
Our long-term, trusted source told us, under terms of strick anonymity, that Sega is "on the brink of being in a position to announce exactly what it has agreed [with Nintendo]" with the 16-bit console's first-party catalogue to lead the way. Our source was unable to shed light on the possibility of Master System, GameGear, Mega CD, 32X and, dare we say it, Saturn games featuring on Revolution, though an announcement regarding the Genesis range will be made at E3 at the latest.
Our source continued, "Sega essentially has everything ready to go, as the Dreamcast was due to host a selection of downloadable back-catalogue, a program that it can pretty much hand over on a plate. There is some legal involvement with NEC, though I think this is in the process of being ironed out"
Of course, rumour of Sega supporting the Revolution has existed for sometime, though common sense dictates that adding back catalogue content to the Revolution's download system is something of a no-brainer. Sega is also freed from certain platform-holder constraints, as our source explained; "Sega is sick of having its IP undervalued, especially by Sony. The amount of back catalogue games required per new release for the US market is huge, with Sony rejecting offerings at will. In Japan things are a little more relaxed though the US has been a massive problem. The Revolution will ease this to a degree, offering immediate returns for a much smaller risk and offering potential customers more choice."
This just leaves the thorny issue of third-party licensing support for older software on the Revolution, as Nintendo's gestating console is currently known. At this point in time, SPOnG speculates that certain companies are in the process of signing with Nintendo, with Konami and Capcom rumoured to have agreements in place at this time. However, at time of press, no one was able to shed light on this key element of of what is shaping up to be pure retro joy courtesy of the magic box in development in Kyoto.
Stay tuned for dedicated Revolution coverage as it breaks.
Our long-term, trusted source told us, under terms of strick anonymity, that Sega is "on the brink of being in a position to announce exactly what it has agreed [with Nintendo]" with the 16-bit console's first-party catalogue to lead the way. Our source was unable to shed light on the possibility of Master System, GameGear, Mega CD, 32X and, dare we say it, Saturn games featuring on Revolution, though an announcement regarding the Genesis range will be made at E3 at the latest.
Our source continued, "Sega essentially has everything ready to go, as the Dreamcast was due to host a selection of downloadable back-catalogue, a program that it can pretty much hand over on a plate. There is some legal involvement with NEC, though I think this is in the process of being ironed out"
Of course, rumour of Sega supporting the Revolution has existed for sometime, though common sense dictates that adding back catalogue content to the Revolution's download system is something of a no-brainer. Sega is also freed from certain platform-holder constraints, as our source explained; "Sega is sick of having its IP undervalued, especially by Sony. The amount of back catalogue games required per new release for the US market is huge, with Sony rejecting offerings at will. In Japan things are a little more relaxed though the US has been a massive problem. The Revolution will ease this to a degree, offering immediate returns for a much smaller risk and offering potential customers more choice."
This just leaves the thorny issue of third-party licensing support for older software on the Revolution, as Nintendo's gestating console is currently known. At this point in time, SPOnG speculates that certain companies are in the process of signing with Nintendo, with Konami and Capcom rumoured to have agreements in place at this time. However, at time of press, no one was able to shed light on this key element of of what is shaping up to be pure retro joy courtesy of the magic box in development in Kyoto.
Stay tuned for dedicated Revolution coverage as it breaks.
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Comments
jmm36 21 Dec 2005 11:50
1/15
Nintendo and Sega together have the capacity to break Sony's back, never mind MS. In McD's words, I'm lovin it.
Nintendo is both the past and the future with Revolution. The Revolution is the next NES, not the next GameCube, and this return to the Big N's roots bodes well for all gamers.
Nintendo is both the past and the future with Revolution. The Revolution is the next NES, not the next GameCube, and this return to the Big N's roots bodes well for all gamers.
NiktheGreek 21 Dec 2005 12:20
2/15
jmm36 wrote:
Nintendo and Sega together have the capacity to break Sony's back, never mind MS. In McD's words, I'm lovin it.
As much as I like Nintendo and Sega, I'm not sure that the huge wealth of back catalogue stuff would be enough to win over customers. It's a selling point no doubt, but that Sega content is potentially not exclusive - don't forget, the company has also signed up to the Xbox Live Arcade service for 360.
For those wondering about the legal situation with NEC, this is due to the existing DreamLibrary service that actually made it to release - further than the source seems to suggest (though it has ended now). The problem is the use of NEC PC Engine (Turbografx-16) games, which featured alongside Mega Drive games on the service due to an agreement with Sega (relations being good due to use of NEC PowerVR tech in the DC) and their large popularity in Japan.
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Funky 21 Dec 2005 15:39
3/15
Oh noes I guess I'll have to delete my 660 Megadrive ROMs and buy them all through Nintendo's little back-catalogue service...
Why are Nintendo going backwards with their new console? They're not going to win any new fans with it...
Why are Nintendo going backwards with their new console? They're not going to win any new fans with it...
Nielsen 21 Dec 2005 16:08
4/15
Nintendo has always been where things are at, they have always had it, but have lost their way. I really hope there will be more to the Revolution than an awesome controller no one will exploit. The idea of having to pay for age old games regardless of how good they are is no next gen. Awesome old games for free is one thing which will take things forward - paying in business terms makes sense but not pragmatic.
LUPOS 21 Dec 2005 16:11
5/15
Funky wrote:
They're not going to win any new fans with it...
actually when polling japaneese gammers about the 360 a lot of them said that if it played old saturn/dreamcast games they woudl be alot more inclined to buy one... which sounds odd to me... but seems to matter to them... the prospect of old sega games on demand woul draw alot of people... of course the ability to actually use the DC games i have sitting at home on the console would be even more apealing... eliminate some of those extra consoles i have scattered aroudn the living room.
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emperorsamoth 21 Dec 2005 17:38
6/15
I loved that ad "Genesis does what Nintendon't" and the jingle that came with it. Isn't this ironic? Sega was badly burned by Nintendo on the 8-bit wars and now ended up being buddy-buddy with them. Talk about sleeping with the enemy.
I was actually hoping for the Sega games to make into Xbox Live Arcade. I can care less about Nintendo's online service, but Xbox Live is already here and working.
Online achievements baby!
I was actually hoping for the Sega games to make into Xbox Live Arcade. I can care less about Nintendo's online service, but Xbox Live is already here and working.
Online achievements baby!
LUPOS 21 Dec 2005 18:35
7/15
in speakign with some people working on xboxlive arcade i have had it confirmed that there will be some sega stuff in the works... thankfully a lot of segas home games where arcade games first so they can give the arcade version to MS and the home versions to nintendo... no sonic for MS... but better version of the arcade stuff... thats just my assumption.
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soanso 21 Dec 2005 20:07
8/15
Old SEGA games for download sound great but they'd sound even better if they were joined by new ones.
It'd be good if all SEGA games were up for grabs and not just 8/16 bit stuff and SEGA has some absolute gems in it's back catalogue that surely need rediscovering.
It'd be good if all SEGA games were up for grabs and not just 8/16 bit stuff and SEGA has some absolute gems in it's back catalogue that surely need rediscovering.
beave 21 Dec 2005 22:06
9/15
Funky wrote:
They're not going to win any new fans with it...
What about iTunes? You can illegally download just about any song for free so why do people use it?
Maybe not all people are pirates like yourself.
Anyway, what is stopping people from sharing their downloaded games? Surely you could copy them to a computer?
dmgice 21 Dec 2005 23:54
10/15
beave wrote:
Anyway, what is stopping people from sharing their downloaded games? Surely you could copy them to a computer?
I think people overestimate the Rom-Kiddie crowd and underestimate Nintendo's ability to make confusing encryption schemes.
That said, a lot of the back catalogue will have slightly enhanced versions for sale on the Revolution service. So, you could -in "theory"- purchase Sonic The Hedgehog 2, a motion compatible version of Sonic The Hedgehog 2, an enhanced graphics version, extra levels for any of those versions, etc. So, not only will you get the retro versions, you'll get versions that would NOT be from any previous game systems. I think that makes it worth even more. I doubt anyone will complain when they are downloading Toe Jam & Earl for $1.00USD, then downloading a few BRAND NEW LEVEL expansions for that game for $0.25 each. If you are seriously so cheap that you balk at spending less than the price of a can of soda for new flavors of old school goodness; then you should the gaming world a favor and stop breathing the air for a long, long time.
jodo4 22 Dec 2005 02:57
11/15
besides, the revolution is not done showing what it can do, reggie, shugiru miyamoto, and satoru iwata have dropped a lot of hints about that. There is something new coming up and it will.... rocks my socks.
And I love segas old games, they were great and multiplayer online for the games capable for that functionality, maybe not free, sega may charge for it's games online but it could be worth it.
And I love segas old games, they were great and multiplayer online for the games capable for that functionality, maybe not free, sega may charge for it's games online but it could be worth it.
Mister Radtastic 22 Dec 2005 21:08
12/15
They are with me. Now even though I have a bunch of roms from the Genesis, SNES, etc. I still will like it alot better to play them on a system then the computer. Because playing Super Mario Kart or Sonic 3 on the computer is really just not as fun. Playing it on the PSP 500 times more fun. Now playing it on my 32 inch tv, with a REAL controller, thats gonna be a 1000 times more fun. Im going to be more than willing to plop down 5-10 bucks for classic games even though I can get them for free.
Also just to note, are you spong guys supposed to be journalists? Then do some journalist work for crying out loud! Sega didnt just have the downloadable game things sitting on the side for the dreamcast, they had it RUNNING on the Genesis. You guys ever remember Sega Channel? You could like download 6 games at a time or something for 40 bucks a month I think it was. We had it for my genesis way back. It was the coolest thing. So its going to be alot easier for sega. They already did it 10 years ago!
Also just to note, are you spong guys supposed to be journalists? Then do some journalist work for crying out loud! Sega didnt just have the downloadable game things sitting on the side for the dreamcast, they had it RUNNING on the Genesis. You guys ever remember Sega Channel? You could like download 6 games at a time or something for 40 bucks a month I think it was. We had it for my genesis way back. It was the coolest thing. So its going to be alot easier for sega. They already did it 10 years ago!
NiktheGreek 22 Dec 2005 21:59
13/15
Mister Radtastic wrote:
Also just to note, are you spong guys supposed to be journalists? Then do some journalist work for crying out loud! Sega didnt just have the downloadable game things sitting on the side for the dreamcast, they had it RUNNING on the Genesis. You guys ever remember Sega Channel? You could like download 6 games at a time or something for 40 bucks a month I think it was. We had it for my genesis way back. It was the coolest thing. So its going to be alot easier for sega. They already did it 10 years ago!
The difference is, this was a service that wasn't widely available, ran via cable TV and subscription rather than the internet and pay-per-play (which is really the most likely payment scenario), and offered a limited selection of recent games (some of them cut-down versions). A more apt comparison would be the short-lived Mega Modem service, which offered some smaller games for download.
The difference is that the Revolution service will be a wide-ranging and integral part of the machine and it's sales strategy, trying to score a second round of revenue off older games. There are new questions of storage and of emulation. There's also pricing and range to consider. It won't be easy.
majin dboy 22 Dec 2005 23:32
14/15
it will be interseting to see how Nintendo advertise this function.Technically its not a USP(unique selling point but Nintendo can make it such.
i hope this post makes sense because that idiotic "Jump IN" add is in the way.
whaen are they going?
i hope this post makes sense because that idiotic "Jump IN" add is in the way.
whaen are they going?
Joji 27 Dec 2005 00:06
15/15
I'm glad to hear Sega will be on board since both themand Nintendo have a similar philosophy about games. Both also produce some of the best games on the market.
Judging by how Nintendo handled the DS online functions I'm sure they'll be okay with the Rev too. Sega will also be bringingsome experience to the table to aid Nintendo in this new field of retro gaming.
The japanese love their retro games but they aren't alone in that department. There's a market for retro gaming that Nintendo have fed before with the GBA/NES/SNES Mario series.
This will bring a lot of people in and while MS have Xbox LA, I doubt that it will match the tag team of Nintendo and Sega (could easily be wrong), with output spanning several past consoles lifetimes. Even some 32x and Saturn stuff could be in there too, or maybe even a lot of japanese games we never say officially.
If the download prices are right I'll be buying.
Judging by how Nintendo handled the DS online functions I'm sure they'll be okay with the Rev too. Sega will also be bringingsome experience to the table to aid Nintendo in this new field of retro gaming.
The japanese love their retro games but they aren't alone in that department. There's a market for retro gaming that Nintendo have fed before with the GBA/NES/SNES Mario series.
This will bring a lot of people in and while MS have Xbox LA, I doubt that it will match the tag team of Nintendo and Sega (could easily be wrong), with output spanning several past consoles lifetimes. Even some 32x and Saturn stuff could be in there too, or maybe even a lot of japanese games we never say officially.
If the download prices are right I'll be buying.