3

I just noticed that there are free software to use old Sega games on Windows such as fusion364 (I think it is a free software because it is said at this link, please correct me if it is not).

Now the question is: what about the games themselves? One can easily find some zipped folders or iso files by searching online for old Sega games such as Sonic etc. But is it legal to just download those games without paying any fee and open them with these software on computer and play, or these games are still commercial and one should pay to buy them to play?

AmirHosein Sadeghimanesh
  • 141
  • 8

1 Answers1

6

It is illegal to download free copies of Sega’s games. Under US copyright law, works created after January 1st 1978 are usually protected for at least 70 years.

You can legally purchase ROMs for several of Sega’s games via the SEGA Mega Drive and Genesis Classics Collection, or by dumping backups from your own cartridges.

See also:

Stevoisiak
  • 38,057
  • 47
  • 170
  • 375
  • There are also quite a few Sega games from the 1980's and 1990's on the Nintendo Switch eShop, including several Sonic games, OutRun, Virtua Racing, Shinobi, Space Harrier, and the original Phantasy Star. Even the ethical argument of abandonware doesn't apply - this software has not been abandoned. – Robert Columbia Aug 20 '21 at 09:34
  • 1
    Personal advice, please get your retro games legally. It doesn't matter how - Steam, eShop, microconsoles, buying original cartridges from antiques dealers, etc. Buying from legal sources shows that there's a real market in retro games and encourages businesses to make them available. – Robert Columbia Aug 20 '21 at 11:07