Sega may have had their last two consoles assassinated and killed, but they are not about to let the same happen to some of their classic games. Sega are no strangers to re-releasing the oldies, but 2 of the forthcoming re-releases may come as a bit of a shock to some. Or not as the case may be.

In a slightly surprise move, but not really, Sega will be bringing House of the dead 2 and 3 to Wii. I’m not entirely sure why the first game has been left out. It could may well be unlockable. But when it comes to unlockables, Sega always go stingy take all that shit out for European releases. Sonic gems collection had all 3 Streets of rage games as unlockables, but they were left out of the European release. Virtua fighter 4: Evolution had an anniversary version Virtua fighter 1 as an unlockable, again…left out for the Euro release. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Japanese release of House of the dead 2 & 3 Return featured House of the dead 1, 4 and Virtua cop 1, 2 and 3 as unlockables, whilst Europe got Typing of the dead and Columns as an unlockables instead.

House of the dead for Wii may please die hard fans, but I can’t see it selling all that well. If Nintendo actually bothered to release a hard drive for Wii, Sega could’ve just released it via the Virtual console for cheap. I also have a feeling that gamers will not get treated to updated graphics, audio and new features. Instead just getting straight ports of the arcade version with a time attack and a limited options menu thrown in.

You wait for a sequel to a loved, adored and seemingly forgotten about game and after 10 years you get a sequel and a remake come at once! Sega’s Saturn classic NiGHTS into dreams is to be remade for PlayStation 2 – featuring a re-worked soundtrack, updated graphics and some extra game modes. The game is slated to release in Japan in February 2008, with no confirmation on whether it will release elsewhere.

Sega’s timing with this remake is way off. Their focus right now should be on the Wii sequel. Announcing a re-make of the original game before the long awaited sequel is even out the door lessens the impact of the sequel. I also wonder how well the remake will sell, considering most hardcore NiGHTS and Sega Saturn fans hold deep grudges against Sony for having the PS1 and PS2 consoles headshot the Saturn and the Dreamcast out of the console race.

It probably would’ve made sense for Sony to not have removed PS2 backward compatibility from the cheapo PS3 model. I don’t see how you can still market PS2 games alongside PS3 ones, but have a PS3 model on the market that can’t play PS2 games. I’m not even going to try and wonder why Sony did that. Every decision they’ve made concerning the PS3 so far has been a bad one. The removal of backward compatibility with PS2 games is just another in a long list. But if you own a PS3 model that can play PS2 games or you own a PS2 that is still wired up and you’re a NiGHTS fan, then kneel right now and pray for Sega to give this a release outside of Japan. It wouldn’t surprise me if they chose not to though. Or if they make fans outside of Japan wait another 10 years.

I’m all for Sega re-releasing classics, but I can think of better games I’d like to see them bring back. I’m sure you can think of a few and that you have your personal faves that you’d like to see re-released and sequalized. I know I do. But that’s a whole ‘nother post.