Top 5 SEGA original Xbox exclusives that deserve ports on Steam
Back in 2015, SEGA ported Sonic Lost World to PC via Valve’s Steam service. That same year, Gamasutra reported that John Clark, VP of Commercial Publishing for SEGA Europe, was pleased to bring Sonic Lost World to PC. Clark made the following statement;
“This is the latest in a string of high quality PC ports of past SEGA titles that we will be building on in the coming months and years.”
This top 5 lineup consists of Sega games released on Microsoft’s original Xbox console, which didn’t get the recognition or attention deserved. Given SEGA’s enthusiasm to port older games from their catalog, here would be an excellent start.
5) Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller
In 1999, the original Crazy Taxi was not only widely acclaimed at the arcades, but on the Sega Dreamcast in 2000 as well. Subsequently, the frantic and speedy arcade experience has made its way onto various platforms ranging from Sony consoles, Xbox Live Arcade, mobile devices, etc.
However, the sequels went largely unnoticed due to the demise of Sega’s Dreamcast. One of those entries was Crazy Taxi 3: High Roller, released on Microsoft’s Xbox in 2002 and Windows PC in 2004. Crazy Taxy 3: High Roller takes place in Glitter Oasis à la Viva Las Vegas. It featured more of the same, but boasted updated visuals and included the West Coast map from Crazy Taxi and Small Apple from Crazy Taxi 2.
4) ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth
The ToeJam & Earl series, which embarked on the Sega Genesis was hardly a commercial success, but has since garnered a cult following. Recently, Toejam and Earl: Back in the Groove was made possible by Kickstarter fundraising with a release set for the Nintendo Switch.
ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth was released exclusively on the original Xbox console, but barely received any attention. This sequel takes full advantage of the original Xbox’s hardware capabilities and has aged decently. Also, not only did ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth feature a dedicated single-player campaign, but included an amusing multiplayer segment as well.
3) Jet Set Radio Future
The original Jet Set Radio, developed by Smilebit and disbanded in 2004, was released on Sega Dreamcast in 2000 and met with positive reactions. The game was later ported to PSN, Xbox Live Arcade, Steam, and mobile devices.
Sadly, it’s sequel Jet Set Radio Future was only released as an Xbox original exclusive. It was received favorably well by critics, but still maintained a low-key reputation. Jet Set Radio Future stays true to the original with fun gameplay and wacky music, yet embraced a major graphic overhaul.
2) Shenmue II
Many Sega nerds would expect Shenmue II to make number one on this list. However, with Shenmue III currently in development for PS4 and PC, there’s a strong possibility a port is likely to happen. Especially with constant rumors surfacing the net relating to Shenmue and Shenmue II HD remasters.
Shenmue II was released on Dreamcast in 2001 and exclusively for Xbox in North America the following year. Without a doubt, Shenmue II is generally considered perfection amongst Sega nerds, in which mastermind Yu Zuzuki expands on the original in both story and scope.
Thus, if Sega ever did decide to remaster Shenmue II, they’d essentially be bringing the complete Dreamcast experience to a new wave of gamers and old fans alike.
1) Panzer Dragoon Orta
If there is one Sega game that deserves more recognition via a Steam port, it’s Smilebit’s Panzer Dragoon Orta. Indefinitely, it was released as an exclusive on Xbox in 2002.
The previous installment, Panzer Dragoon Saga was released on Sega Saturn and introduced RPG elements. Yet, Panzer Dragoon Orta returns to the series roots as a rail shooter. This sequel remains one of the finest entries in the series with beautiful music composed by Saori Kobayashi and Yutaka Minobe. Also, the breathtaking visuals fully exploit what the original Xbox was capable of.
In many ways, Panzer Dragoon Saga tends to overshadow Panzer Dragoon Orta. Regardless, Panzer Dragoon Orta is still a worthy entry in the series.
[source: Gamasutra]
