Titled Ultimate Genesis, this emulator program is scheduled to be released onto the App Store in early February for the low, low price of free. The software will come bundled with one free game, Space Harrier 2, and will launch with four games available to buy as in-app purchases: Sonic the Hedgehog ($5.99), Golden Axe ($4.99), Ecco the Dolphin ($2.99), and Shining Force ($2.99).
It's a small, humble beginning of course, but this opens up the door to a truly amazing opportunity for iPhone users. It may only have a few games right now, but it's only a matter of time until we're blasting away in Gunstar Heroes and embarking on epic quests in some amazing RPGs. Granted SEGA doesn't quite stack up to the SNES when it comes to RPGs, but there are some bonafide classics on Genesis as well.
Emulators are a great means of preserving video game history, and we're glad to see they're taking off on the iPhone. Not only do they preserve the code, but they keep prices reasonable so that you don't have to pay $200 for a copy of a rare game just because it wasn't very popular in its day.
Hopefully Sega's working on a Saturn emulator next!
Sonic the Hedgehog
9 Comments
Shining Force!
Instant buy.
Hey guys from STP,
Do you know if it will be possible to download for free the games that you already have?
I own Sonic for instance, am I be able to download the game again for free? Can I delete the Sonic App and use it through the emulator?
No one was able to answer that question yet....and I try.....and try....and try....
Cheers,
Bruno
Yeah, per LS650 below, I'm pretty sure that Sega is real interested in getting your filthy cash.
Otherwise, their business plan would be underwear gnome all the way down.
That would be very cool and would make sense, but I suspect the answer is no. We can hope, anyway.
I'm pretty sure the answer is 'no' to all your questions...
This is a good thing when the whole issue of legality comes into play. I would like to see a price drop on Sonic though. I would also like to see other Sonic games - Sonic I was weakest 2D Sonic game produced by Sega IMO. It was the logical place to start with... but they need to get the ball rolling. Start releasing Sonic 2, 3, Sonic and Knuckles, and so on.
I am very excited about the prospect of a Sonic CD release - because that is the only one I have never played for the older systems.
I am also eagerly awaiting the Sonic game promised in SEGA's really exciting teaser trailor a while back.
tim
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NOTE: I would really be excited if SEGA started porting their GBA and DS collections over. Now that would be great!
An new exclusive Phantasy Star game with an offline campaign and online deathmatch (like Eliminate Pro) would be insane!
I really appreciate the sentimate SEGA... It really cool to have a back library of classic SEGA games (epsecially ones like shining force and sonic) but what would really sell well would be some fresh new titles with online play.
The Phantasy Star idea would make serious $$$$! Especially if it had in-App purchases like Eliminate does - minus the terrible matchmaking system.
---I have been playing against level 38-52 recently and I am on level 23!!!
Is anyone else thinking prices of $3 to $6 are a wee bit high? C'mon, Sega; these are 15-year old games that have been sitting in your sotware vault not earning any money. Not too many people are going to be willing to spend $3 a pop per ROM, or at most will just buy one or two games at that price.
On the other hand if the price were .99 a game, I can see people saying "Well, I can afford to blow $5 on a library of classic games..."
No, $3 to $6 is not too high.
Long overdue!! Happy to pay to get back my old 16 bit games...Genesis Does, You Can't Do This on Nintendo :)
Bit more news on the topic: http://www.businessinsider.com/throwback-video-games-are-getting-big-as-gamers-age-2010-1
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