In a surprise Game Awards reveal, Sega announced full-on reboots of not just one but FIVE beloved retro franchises. We’re talking new games for Shinobi, Jet Set Radio, Crazy Taxi, Streets of Rage AND Golden Axe – a retro fan’s dream lineup!
The adrenaline-pumping trailer proudly hailed the coming of “New Era, New Energy!” before name-checking each sequel in active development. For longtime players, it read like a hit list of iconic Sega series across Genesis and Dreamcast, now modernized for current hardware.
While no firm release dates were given, Sega COO Shuji Utsumi told Variety to expect the first revival within two years. The rebooted games will reportedly blend new innovations with enough classic flair to court veteran fans and newcomers alike.
It’s easy to see this as Sega capitalizing on gaming nostalgia, with Streets of Rage and Golden Axe enjoying particular resurgences lately. But Utsumi also compared it to their successful Sonic movie strategy – using games to build beloved worlds ripe for multimedia potential.
“If we are creating the world and the characters that gamers love, that means if filmmakers love that kind of direction, [that can inspire] the movies,” he explained. “So, why not?”
Between a Streets of Rage film already confirmed and more likely to follow, Sega is clearly all-in on updating these franchises for modern audiences across gaming and beyond.
As both a retro fan and casual player, I can appreciate this reboot spree from every angle. Reviving not just one but five cult classic series shows major confidence in the strength of Sega IP. And I can’t wait to see how series like Crazy Taxi hold up with a fresh coat of paint! Now to agonize over which remake to play first…
