The Japanese video game company released two mini versions of its acclaimed Sega Mega Drive 16-bit console - known as the Sega Genesis in North America - in September 2019 and October 2022, both pre-loaded with multiple classic titles, including 'Sonic The Hedgehog', 'Golden Axe', 'Out Run' and 'Streets of Rage' among others.

Both consoles were hugely popular, and fans were hoping for mini versions of the Sega Master System, Sega Saturn and Sega Dreamcast, but Utsumi - the CEO of Sega America and Europe - has ruled out the release of these consoles because he doesn't want Sega to be known as a "retro company".

In an interview with The Guardian newspaper, he said: "I’m not going for the mini direction. It’s not me. I want to embrace modern gamers.

"We are not a retro company. We really appreciate our legacy, we value it, but at the same time, we want to deliver something new – otherwise we’ll become history. That’s not what we’re aiming for.”

In 2025, Utsumi and Sega will introducing gamers to new versions of 'Golden Axe', 'Virtua Fighter' and 'Jet Set Radio' and his goal is to get a new audience for those iconic franchises.

He said: "We have some great pillars – such as Sonic, Persona and Yakuza. But at the same time, we have other properties that really show the style, attitude and context of Sega. I think gamers will love it if we do this right. It will be a challenge – there are great expectations – but if we can respond to that, we can get back to being Sega."

And Utsumi is adamant these new titles will not be pure gaming nostalgia.

He said: "Gamers loved Sega because we showed a new style, attitude and lifestyle to gamers. I want to bring that feeling back. But we are not just a nostalgic company, we need to be innovative. We need to appeal to modern gamers, too. We respect the old IPs but I’m also demanding that the developers think about innovation in each of the projects."