Sega Genesis Classics (called Sega Mega Drive Classics in PAL regions) is a collection of Sega Genesis video games released for Windows, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The games are organized into "Volumes" for PC versions only. The first four Volumes were released both physically and digitally, while the fifth Volume was only available digitally.
Background
Sega re-released the first four physically sold volumes of Sega Genesis games for PC only as the Sega Genesis Classic Collection: Gold Edition (Sega Mega Drive Classics: Gold Edition in PAL regions). This collection includes 46 Sega Genesis games from the first four volumes on four discs. It includes keyboard controls that can be adjusted for a personalized gaming experience and a multiplayer mode for some games. All games in the collection have save and load features, allowing players to resume games from where they left off.
On April 28, 2016, Sega released a free application called the Sega Genesis Classics Hub (Sega Mega Drive Classics Hub in PAL regions) on Steam. The application creates a virtual space, designed to look like a bedroom of a Sega fan, where players can access all released Sega Genesis games. The Hub supports Steam Workshop integration, allowing users to add ROM hacks for these games. Within a day of its release, several existing ROM hacks were added by users. Any Sega Genesis games previously bought on Steam, including collections, automatically appear in players’ game libraries through the Hub. A few weeks after the Hub’s release, Sega reported over 350,000 new purchases of games supported by the software. As of July 1, 2018, the Sega Mega Drive and Genesis Classics compilation had sold 1,514,485 digital copies on Steam.
On May 29, 2018, Sega released a compilation of all games from previous collections (with some exceptions) as Sega Genesis Classics (Sega Mega Drive Classics in PAL regions) for Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. This version uses the same interface as the Sega Genesis Classics Hub but adds features like achievements and the ability to rewind in-game. These features were later added to the Hub. Some games can also be played in their original Japanese versions. The compilation was later released for Nintendo Switch on December 6, 2018. Earlier versions of the Steam collection did not include Sonic the Hedgehog or ToeJam & Earl games, which were only available in Sonic-related compilations. These games are now included in the Steam collection. Players can buy individual games, though Sonic games cost more.
On May 20, 2022, Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2, and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles were removed from individual and compilation sales on Steam. These titles were replaced by the Sonic Origins compilation, which includes those games and Sonic CD. Sonic CD was also removed from sale, making it impossible to earn all achievements.
On November 6, 2024, it was announced that the bundle and collection would no longer be available for purchase digitally on all major platforms by December 6, 2024.
Reception
Sega Genesis Classics received mostly positive reviews, as reported by the website Metacritic, which collects reviews from many sources.