Sega has officially ruled out producing more Mini consoles, putting an end to hopes for a Saturn or Dreamcast revival. The company, known for its iconic games like Sonic the Hedgehog, has released a series of nostalgia-fueled Mini consoles based on its Genesis console, but has yet to continue the trend with Mini versions of its 1994 Saturn or 1998 Dreamcast, the latter being Sega’s final console.
Fans of the company have been eagerly awaiting the possibility of more Mini consoles, but in an interview with The Guardian, Sega’s America and Europe CEO, Shuji Utsumi, revealed that the company is focusing on the future rather than the past. “I’m not going for the Mini direction,” he said. “It’s not me. I want to embrace modern gamers.”
Utsumi emphasizes that Sega is not a “retro company,” but rather one that values its legacy while focusing on delivering new and exciting experiences. He believes that if the company were to stagnate by only revisiting its past, it would become irrelevant. “We are not a retro company. We really appreciate our legacy, we value it, but at the same time, we want to deliver something new — otherwise, we’ll become history. That’s not what we’re aiming for.”
Although Sega won’t be revisiting its older consoles, the company is working on reviving its classic intellectual properties with modern twists. Big new games in the Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Shinobi, Golden Axe, Streets of Rage, and Virtua Fighter franchises are in the works. These games will join the successful Sonic, Persona, and Yakuza series, as well as the ongoing Total War and Alien Isolation franchises.
In addition, Sega is reportedly considering launching its own video game subscription service, similar to EA Play, Xbox Game Pass, and PlayStation Plus. When asked about the idea, Utsumi simply stated, “We’re thinking something — and discussing something — we cannot disclose right now.”
It seems that Sega is shifting its focus towards the future, leaving fans of its older consoles to hold onto memories of its classic games. As the company moves forward, gamers can look forward to new takes on beloved franchises and innovative games that showcase the company’s evolution.