9 Classic Sega Games that Deserve Another Chance

There has always been a special place in my heart for Sega and there likely always will be. My first ever game console was a Sega Genesis purchased for me by my father from Target. I have fond memories of weekends consumed by Sonic the Hedgehog, Columns, General Chaos, Dynamite Headdy, and whatever game my Dad let me rent at the time. It was a simpler, more carefree time for gaming. There were just three buttons and a cardboard box of game cartridges.

As of late many Sega classics have found themselves being revived on the Nintendo Wii. Such hits as Samba De Amigo, Nights: Journey of Dreams, Alien Syndrome, Sega Bass Fishing, Super Monkey Ball, House of the Dead, and other classics have gotten a second chance on the Wii. Then there's the truly awe-inspiring inclusion of Sonic the Hedgehog in Super Smash Brothers Brawl. All in all, Sega has quite a lot to be proud of. It just begs the question though. What other Sega classics deserve to be revived for the modern age? I'm not just talking about a re-release on the Virtual Console or in a retro compilation, I mean a brand new title or at least a polished remake. What Sega games deserve another chance?

1. Gunstar Heroes

What does it deserve?
A Sequel..

Best console for it?
Nintendo Wii or Nintendo 3DS.

When Metal Slug Anthology released for the Nintendo Wii in 2006, many gamers deemed it the best reproduction of the hit arcade series. Running and gunning with the Wii remote and nunchuk in Metal Slug 1-6 and X was extremely addictive. This Sega rival to Metal Slug and Contra, Gunstar Heroes, would benefit from similar treatment. Following the success of Sin & Punishment: Star Successor, Gunstar Heroes could take inspiration from its modern gameplay elements. With bright, explosive 3D graphics, IR support, motion controls, and co-op, a Gunstar Heroes Wii could be an absolute hit- be it sequel or 3D remake.

2. Columns

What does it deserve?
A Remake.

Best console for it?
Nintendo DS or Sony PSP.

This one would be pretty easy to make happen. Columns wasn't the Tetris killer that some hoped it would be, but this game of matching crisp gems was an addictive Genesis title. Remaking Columns for a portable system like the DS or PSP in a bright, flashy stylus controlled remake would be great. Remixing the classic music tracks we all came to love as well as including the originals would be a great feature too.

3. Seaman

What does it deserve?
A Remake.

Best console for it?
Nintendo DS or Microsoft Xbox 360.

It's hard to describe Seaman to someone without them thinking you're insane. It's a pet simulation game where you talk to and raise man-faced fish with a microphone and Spock as the announcer. Plus, the game was called 'Seaman'. Weird, huh? A remake for the Nintendo DS would fit right in with other pet sims like Nintendogs and the built-in microphone would perfectly emulate the original's gameplay. No added peripheral, just the DS's own microphone and touch screen. A console version could work great with the 360's Kinect camera- so far my only idea for something useful to do with the peripheral.

4. Shenmue

What does it deserve?
A Sequel.

Best console for it?
Sony Playstation 3.

I'll keep this one brief since Shenmue 3 has been begged for so many times by countless gamers. Shenmue fans would love to not only see the conclusion of the Shenmue series, but also in HD. The combat could be refined, the open-world made much larger, and the visuals polished to be top-notch. With all the comparisons made between Yakuza and Shenmue, why not pair the two up on PS3?

5. Space Channel 5

What does it deserve?
A Sequel.

Best console for it?
Nintendo Wii.

While there's talk of a Space Channel 5 title being developed for the Nintendo Wii, there's nothing solid yet and therefore its fair game. This Dreamcast gem centers around the groovy space reporter Ulala. The pink-haired protagonist charmed gamers with her musical, memory-based gameplay and catchy songs. The chance to 'left', 'right', 'chu' might be daunting for those inexperienced with motion controls, but a polished Space Channel 5: Part 3 would be a fantastic Wii exclusive. A Wii remake would be acceptable too, but a full-on sequel would be much better. Come on Sega, let's see Ulala, Jaguar, Pudding, and Space Michael Jackson all dance once more!

6. Amazing Island

What does it deserve?
A Sequel.

Best console for it?
Nintendo Wii.

This GameCube exclusive was an imaginative party game with in-depth creature creation and mini-games. Amazing Island was colorful and creative, filled to the brim with charm. The GC audience loved the title for its fun gameplay and aesthetic appeal, but disliked the games more frustrating elements and at times repetitive segments. A sequel on Wii would find a very friendly party-game atmosphere, an audience that loves vibrant, colorful graphics, and the motion controls necessary to back up the nature of the game.

7. Phantasy Star

What does it deserve?
A Sequel.

Best console for it?
Nintendo Wii or Sony Playstation 3.

For these next two, I'll be ignoring the recently released mediocre sequels- Golden Axe: Beast Rider and Phantasy Star Universe. In the case of Phantasy Star, gaming needs a return to the fantastic efforts Sega put on the Dreamcast and GameCube. This highly addictive online co-op RPG series would be a hit amid the subpar console RPGs of recent memory. Free online play on the Wii or PS3 would be exactly what the series needs to build a following on current gen consoles. The wonders of the Wii remote could be the second step to reinventing the series.

8. Golden Axe

What does it deserve?
A Remake.

Best console for it?
Sony Playstation 3 or Microsoft Xbox 360.

There was a time when nothing beat sitting down with a friend and playing the original Golden Axe. Tackling the mythical monsters in this co-op hack & slash, beat 'um up was a great deal of fun for Genesis gamers. With a focus on 2-4 player co-op, larger than life bosses, and an open world of monsters and magic- an HD Golden Axe remake could be amazing. Keeping the action over-the-top instead of bloody and realistic would be necessary though.

9. Crazy Taxi

What does it deserve?
A Spin-off.

Best console for it?
Nintendo Wii.

There are times when I ask myself... what the heck happened to Crazy Taxi? I was addicted to it in arcades and I was addicted to it on my Dreamcast. Why has this over-the-top, race around the city series disappeared? A spin-off or sequel bundled with the Wii Wheel would be a lot of fun. The Wii remote's steering controls coupled with the system's bright, stylized graphical forte would be a perfect match. Lacking much of a continuity, a spin-off would be a fine revival if a full-fledged sequel wasn't possible.

Nowadays opinions on Sega are split. There are those that share my fond memories, those with disdain for the company's recent efforts, and those that simply don't care. While people love to point at Sega's failures of recent years- Sonic '06, Golden Axe: Beast Rider, Phantasy Star Universe, and Sonic Riders: Free Riders. They choose to ignore the Sega masterpieces and successes of recent days- Sonic Colors, The Conduit, Yakuza 3, Sonic Rush, House of the Dead: Overkill, Sonic and the Black Knight, Mario and Sonic At the Olympics, and many others. Sega, work your magic on these great titles. Make a few dreams come true.