Seriously, why did Sega let Ristar die? (+ other stuff)

[Original_Name]

That character had so much iconic potential: simple and cute, yet kinda cool in a way. Much like Sonic. The concept was rad as could be, and a transition onto the Saturn could've turned into a beautiful 2D experience. But no, they've just let the character whither away, but why? Has anyone at Sega ever stated a particular reason they never continued use of that marvel of character design? A Ristar game would be a great fit for the DS, where you could tap an area on the screen, and Ristar would grab it. He never lost his potential in the 2D space (a 3D Ristar would be do-able, but probably awkward), yet Sega never even vaguely attempted to realize it. He's just stayed lost as a semi-forgotten swan song to the uncerimoniously neglected Genesis.

Also: what happened to Fantasy Zone!?!? The Opa-Opa is an amazing figure, and was for a time a great Sega icon. Dead now. He lies among hundreds of other genius concepts left to waste.

It just bothers me how if you bring up Nintendo, images of Mario, Link, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Samus, Star Fox, Kirby, and even Captain Falcon spring into peoples' heads, yet all anyone can seem to conjur up of Sega is lonely old Sonic. Not even a measly Gillius Thunderhead seems to pop into people's minds.

I don't know if it's a good or bad thing that Sega neglected so many characters on their way towards... wherever they are. Sure, I hate that Sega's concocted so many absolutely astounding designs and concepts, only to neglect them to the point that no one seems to know about them; let alone remember them. Yet, I can't help but be infinitely more impressed by Sega's hundreds of amazing games with hundreds of different characters than Nintendo's hundreds of amazing games with about ten different characters. If Sega should be remembered for anything, it's originality. Still, I can't help but fear for the Sega of new, who haven't invented a good original concept since Super Monkey Ball (although that was such an early Gamecube title that I think it might've been originally intended to be a Dreamcast game, so that credit may go to the old Sega as well); they really should start thinking about excersizing more on their old properties.

[ZeroAX]

They haven't even made a new streets of rage, that actually sold back in the day. I think Ristar can wait.

[Pingfa]

No Ristar until they've made a decent Sonic game for a home console (handhelds not included).

I could imagine Ristar making a successful transition into 3D... but I think it'll be a love or hate game. We can only hope.

[GagaMan]

It was just a one off game that was made out of a rejected Sonic concept. As great as it was, I don't think it's anything more than a cult hit. What's more the platformer craze is long gone, so sadly games like this don't sell as well as they once did.

[Original_Name]

Well, I'm not asking why Sega isn't working on a Ristar right NOW exactly, but why they have such a weird habit of constructing so many great concepts, only to let them go to waste. The fact that that the past decade hasn't seen a Ristar 2, or sequels to hundreds of other worthy games yet is just odd to me.

[ZeroAX]

Well, I'm not asking why Sega isn't working on a Ristar right NOW exactly, but why they have such a weird habit of constructing so many great concepts, only to let them go to waste. The fact that that the past decade hasn't seen a Ristar 2, or sequels to hundreds of other worthy games yet is just odd to me.

shenmue 3 maybe? The cult gaming demographic has been crying for a shenmue 3 for years and they won't make that. Ristar is even less known. Probably has to do with their console failures. If no one buys their quality games but buys 2 crappy sonic games a year why bother with it?

[lisalover1]

Ristar was a great game. So was Comix Zone. And Pulseman, Vectorman, and Strider. We never really heard much from these great Genesis series again, except for an obscure Strider sequel that nobody paid much attention to. Ristar would be great on the Wii, Strider would be great on the 360, and Vectorman would be great on the PS3. Sega needs to realize that it has dedicated fans. It actually shouldn't be appealing to the general public, they should give the fans fanservice. That's what people remember Sega for; great obscure games that need to come back. They're on the right track with the new NiGHTS game and Sega Superstars, but they need more. Please, Sega, listen to the people who got you where you are today!

[Pulsar_t]

lisalover1, Strider is actually owned by Capcom. And Capcom are doing a fine job as it is resurrecting some of their old franchises. Anyway Ristar was a decent platformer but I doubt there's much to go on in this day and age. I was saddened by the cancellation of Vectorman, but when I saw the 3D sequel in action I changed my mind. Sega fouled up with the 32X and MegaCD and paid dearly for it for two generations before becoming 3rd party software makers. Sega's demographic is too small for that fact to change (unless Sega adopts Nintendo's new business model and start aiming for newer audiences). However as a 3rd party company there's no reason why they shouldn't indulge us every now and then. But keep in mind the company today does not staff most of the old talents compared to what it used to 10-15 years ago. As for me I'm glad the company is still around at all. If it hadn't been for the fact a Japanese company owns Sega it would have dissolved many moons ago.

Their priority is to be profitable, not to indulge us.

[lisalover1]

Yes, of course I know it was made by Capcom. I also know it was released on the NES and TG-16, as well. It's just that people remember the Genesis port the most, and most fans regard it as a Genesis game.

[Pulsar_t]

Yes the Megadrive/Genesis conversion was the most faithful and it indeed was the most popular Hopefully Capcom can make more 8/16bit-inspired games if Mega Man 9 performs well!