Why did Godzilla, Batman, and Rambo appear in this old Sega game? Because of Marvel

SEGA is ready to revive one of its most iconic franchises, Revenge of Shinobi, on the occasion of its 60th anniversary. This 1989 classic stood out not only for its challenging gameplay but also for the controversy surrounding its characters, which included versions similar to recognizable figures like Spider-Man, Batman, Hulk, and Godzilla, without having the proper licenses in its original release.

To avoid legal issues when bringing the game to international audiences, SEGA made significant modifications. Godzilla was replaced by Monster-G, while Batman and Rambo underwent design changes, resulting in noticeably altered characters. Despite these alterations, the charm of the original game remains a point of discussion in video game history.

The Justification for This Madness: The Metamorpher

The idiosyncrasies of the game are partly due to SEGA’s close relationship with Marvel, which allowed for the inclusion of a convenient character, the Metamorpher, who was credited as responsible for the changing enemies in the game. This tactic provided SEGA with a legal loophole at a time when copyright boundaries were more ambiguous than today.

Over the years, SEGA released several revisions of the game, as character licenses and copyright issues complicated its legacy. In 2009, the last significant revision of Revenge of Shinobi was made, which included additional adjustments to comply with contemporary copyright regulations.

Now, as they proceed with the revival of their franchises, SEGA is considering a resurgence of Shinobi, although the original characters may not return. However, the future of the Metamorpher in this new chapter could still be at stake, suggesting a return to creative innovation. SEGA has shown that, in the world of video games, “impossible” is just another word.

Steam DOWNLOAD