During The Game Awards last week, SEGA revealed what it's getting up to via its 'Power Surge' trailer - unveiling five new games based on some of its most famous IP. At this stage, most of these series' have been dormant for decades, and in a new chat with The Washington Post, the company said that it felt the timing was right to start revisiting these franchises.
SEGA's Shuji Utsumi returned to the company a few years ago, and began looking back at some of its historic titles. In turn, he got the team working to bring back some of its "treasure trove" of IP - including one series that's always been closely tied to Xbox: Jet Set Radio.
"The concept of games like ‘Jet Set Radio’ is advanced. The original creators are involved again, and its time is now,
It’s a good time where people can appreciate all kinds of concepts."
Jet Set Radio isn't the only series making its comeback - as we said, a total of five games have been announced so far including a modern reimagining of Crazy Taxi. However, it seems that the company is also looking at other franchises that weren't formally announced during TGA 2023:
"We are evaluating right now. Virtua Fighter doesn’t use so many tricks, special moves like in Street Fighter, it’s very realistic,
How can we make it more dramatic? It’s something we’re working on."
We're really, really looking forward to both Jet Set Radio and Crazy Taxi making a comeback at some point in the future, and who knows, maybe the classic Virtua Fighter franchise is also set for a return one day.
Which SEGA franchise are you hyped to play again on modern platforms? Tell us down below!
[source washingtonpost.com]
Comments 24
So are these reboots? Sequels? That's what I wanna know.
I'm really hoping for Nights or Panzer Dragoon... but I feel like the Saturn IP may be a lot lower on their priority list.
Jet Set Radio comeback is much needed. I truly hope the devs still have that spark to make something as vibrant, engaging and unique as they did back in 2002.
I’m glad to learn the original creators of JSR are involved in the new one. I loved the original on Dreamcast, it’s the reason I bought the OG Xbox. Can’t wait for the new game.
It’s been a good time to revisit these IP for quite awhile now. They have so many IP just sitting there. It was about time some of them came back.
@rpawlos15133 They tried recently with Panzer Dragoon and the Remake was not well received. As for Nights the Saturn game was remade and was well received. It is available in Steam and Xbox via BC.
@EvilSilentFrame To be fair SEGA ips are not as dormant as it may seem. In the last years we had new Streets of Rage, Panzer Dragoon, House of the Dead, Virtua Fighter and more. Still, I would love to have as much SEGA as possible! Where is Outrun, Daytona, Phantasy Star etc.?
@belmont yeah, I own both and still revisit them fairly often. I'd like to see new entries in these series, but I know that's unlikely.
I'm not very optimistic about these IP making a successful comeback. Maybe it's from watching them fumble sonic for the last 15 years or that I just don't think there is much interest from the under 30 crowd.
@belmont It’s just going to take time getting to them all. Being a huge SEGA fan as a kid, I just wanted more of the “variety” from them again. Some of these were sitting dormant close to 20 years and there’s still more Ecco, Altered Beast, Toe Jam & Earl, Column…. The amount of IP they have is crazy. The five they revealed gives me hope for the future!
@BacklogBrad I thought about that too. There were some Sonic games I thought needed more time or should have been shelved. What’s giving me hope is the different teams within SEGA. It’s not all going to be from the same people who made the bad Sonic games. Bringing back some of the original creators, maybe they brought back some of the team behind it as well with some new blood. I can totally see where one would have doubts, I’m hopeful they turned things around over there.
They could redo House Of The Dead 2, Virtua Cop and even Daytona
@EvilSilentFrame it will definitely be interesting to see how they approach them today. I liked crazy taxi back in the day but how well does that gameplay loop hold up today? I don't think I would enjoy that for more than an hour or two and wouldn't really be excited to pay for that experience.
I like emulating a lot and play some of these from time to time but I think it will be a tall order to make them work in a modern game. Hopefully it works out for them but I am doubting them for now. I don't think original creator involved means it will solve the translation to modern gaming.
It's kind of a halo situation of do you alienate the older fan base by making drastic changes, do you alienate the younger players by keeping it old-school? The most likely scenario is the most risky where you try to appease both.
I'm looking forward to new entries for streets of rage & Golden Axe.
I'd like to see something done with Road rash as well, loved that game as a kid.
I was blown away by this trailer. I consider Shinobi 3 to be one of my favorite games ever. I can't wait!
Just give me a reimagined version of Outrun.
@Vipor007 The classic light gun games could easily transfer to VR.
Streets of Rage 4 was an instant classic in my opinion. I'm not sure how that series or Golden Axe will translate to 3D but I'm hopeful Sega will surprise us!
@BacklogBrad I can totally see that point. Trying to find the balance of bringing these older games to a modern game but still capturing the feel of the older games. They seem to have quite a few games they are working on, I don’t think they’ll all hit, but I’m hopeful a few of them will at least.
As for the original creators being involved, I’m happy about that so it’s not taken in a completely different direction. That was one of my fears with JSR. That’s one I think could translate with today’s audience if it’s done well. Crazy Taxi was a blast, but that one would need to evolve a bit…. I’m hopeful for the best, but mentally preparing for the worst so I’m not disappointed if it’s not good.
@BacklogBrad Totally could see Crazy Taxi as an open world quest oriented game. More like a RPG with a taxi….
It's good to see SEGA acknowledges its great list of IP
Wouldn't be surprised if the real and only reason Sega's doing this is to retain the rights.
Please someone develop light gun technology that works with modern tvs so we can have the Virtua Cop games again.
Super Hang On I think would be good
Tell them that to us Sega GT/Sega Rally seekers. But for their others IPs sure.
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