- List of Enix home computer games
-
The Japanese company Enix was established as a publisher of home computer games in August 1982, after founder Yasuhiro Fukushima noticed how popular these were in the United States.[1] Fukushima had no programming knowledge and did not employ internal programmers or game designers. Instead, he held a contest for programming hobbyists in order to pool talents and publish selected games, with a ¥1 million award for the top prize (US$5,000). Due to a lack of brand recognition and the unusually high award (several times more than other contests of the time), few entries were received in the first month; however, after a successful marketing campaign on television and in appliance stores, hobby clubs, and computer and manga magazines promising that the award was real, three hundred entries were received by the end of the "First Game Hobby Program Contest".[2][3]
This contest allowed Enix to release numerous games with a wide variety of genres early on, as thirteen winning entries were polished and chosen for release in February 1983.[1][2] Among these were Morita no Battle Field by Kazurou Morita; Door Door by Koichi Nakamura; and Love Match Tennis by Yuji Horii, a young columnist for Weekly Shōnen Jump. In addition to two more contests, Enix began recruiting developers on a project basis. For each project, Enix outsourced development and handled production and promotion duties, which made cost control more efficient. Unlike software houses of the time, Fukushima tried to instill a commercial mindset in his developers, as he thought games should be treated as books or movies in terms of copyright. He employed a royalty payment between the company and the developer, so that the latter would be compensated proportionally to the sales of their games. Each of Enix's home computer release featured a photo and resume of the developer on the back cover of the package.[1][2]
Enix's home computer games were commercially successful; on their release, the first batch of February 1983 ranked first, second, third, fifth and seventh in the top ten Japanese best-selling games, leading to other game releases and a profit of ¥300 million (US$1.5 million) by the end of the year.[2] Some of the most successful games were ported for the rising Famicom console market, starting with Door Door, which sold 200,000 copies,[1] and Portopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken, which sold 700,000.[2] Enix eventually focused on the console market, which became bigger than the home computer one. With the exception of the character designer Akira Toriyama, the development team of Enix's future flagship series Dragon Quest was recruited thanks to the company's programming contests: Horii and Nakamura had won the first contest, and Koichi Sugiyama was contacted after sending in a questionnaire postcard for Morita Kazurou no Shogi.[1]
Contents
List by year
1983
Month Title Platform(s) Details February
(winning entries in the 1st Game Hobby Program Contest)Morita no Battle Field (森田のバトルフィールド Morita no Batoru Fīrudo ) NEC PC-8801 - Turn-based strategy game by Kazurou Morita.[4]
Door Door (ドア・ドア Doa Doa ) NEC PC-8801, other models - Puzzle game by Koichi Nakamura.[5]
- Ported to the Famicom in 1985 and mobile phones in 2004.[5][6]
Guest Mariko Hashimoto (マリちゃん危機一髪 Mari-chan Kikiippatsu ) FM-8, other models - Adult game by Tadashi Makimura.[7]
Cosmic Soldier (宇宙の戦士 Uchū no Senshi ) NEC PC-8801 - Shooter game by Yoshiyuki Okada.[8]
D.I.S Airport (D・I・Sエアポート D.I.S Eapōto ) Sharp X1 - Game by Seiji Fujihara.[citation needed]
Seiko's Adventure (星子のアドベンチャー Seiko no Adobenchā ) NEC PC-8801 - Adventure game by Toshiyuki Asanuma.[9]
Underground Monster (地底のモンスター Chitei no Monsutā ) NEC PC-8801, other models Bacteria Escape (バクテリアエスケープ Bakuteria Esukēpu ) FM-7, other models Napoleon (ナポレオン Naporeon ) NEC PC-6001 - Card game by Hiroaki Shimada.[citation needed]
Love Match Tennis (ラブマッチテニス Rabu Macchi Tenisu ) NEC PC-6001 - Tennis game by Yuji Horii.[3]
Bōsō! Orient Kyūkō (暴走!オリエント急行 Bōsō! Oriento Kyūkō ) Sharp MZ-80K, other models - Action game by Toshiyuki Nagase.[13]
Piranha-kun no Isshūkan (ピラニア君の一週間 Pirania-kun no Isshūkan ) Sharp MZ-80B, other models - Action game by Atsushi Shirai.[citation needed]
Poker Extra (ポーカーエキストラ Pōka Ēkisutora ) NEC PC-8001, other models - Card game by Masahiro Kawaguchi.[citation needed]
June Alphos (アルフォス Arufosu ) NEC PC-8801, other models - Shoot 'em up by Random House (Kazurou Morita's company), based on Namco's title Xevious.[14][15]
Portopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken (ポートピア連続殺人事件 Pōtopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken ) NEC PC-6001, other models - Adventure game designed by Yuji Horii.[16]
- Ported to the Famicom in 1985 and mobile phones in 2001.[16][17]
Raita no Growing Up (雷太のグローイングアップ Raita no Gurōinguappu ) NEC PC-6001, other models - Action game by Hiroaki Shimada.[18]
Titan Bōeisen (タイタン防衛戦 Taitan Bōeisen ) Sharp X1 Gekisen! Minamitaiheiyō (激戦!南太平洋 ) NEC PC-8801, other models - Action game by Osamu Hasegawa.[19]
Joshiryō Panic (女子寮パニック Joshiryō Panikku ) FM-7, other models - Adventure game by Tadashi Makimura.[20]
Light Flipper (ライト・フリッパー Raito Furippā ) NEC PC-8801, other models Toward 8 (トワード8 Towādo 8 ) Sharp X1, other models October
(winning entries in the 2nd Game Hobby Program Contest)Fan Fun (ファンファン Fan Fan ) NEC PC-8001, other models - Action game by Yasuhiro Miyata.[22]
Game Kyōjin no Uchū Ryokō (芸夢狂人の宇宙旅行 ) NEC PC-8001mkII, other models - Shoot 'em up by Takanari Suzuki.[23]
Dokuron no Kan (ドクロンの館 ) Sharp X1, other models - Action game by Takashi Goto.[24]
Kagirinaki Tatakai (限りなき戦い ) Sharp X1, other models - Run & gun shooter game by Hiroshi Ishikawa.[25][26]
Lolita Syndrome (ロリータ・シンドローム Rorīta Shindorōmu ) FM-7, other models - Adult game by Katsumi Mochizuki.[27]
Fushigi na Tabi (不思議な旅 ) FM-7, other models - Adventure game by Tadashi Sugie.[28]
Tropical Boy (トロピカルボーイ Toropikaru Boī ) NEC PC-8801 - Action game by Takeshi Nakazawa.[29]
Mazenand Sharp MZ-700 Magnetic Field (マグネチックフィールド Magunechikku Fīrudo ) NEC PC-8001mkII, other models - Puzzle game by Hideyuki A.[30]
PushMan (プッシュマン Pusshuman ) NEC PC-8001, other models - Puzzle game by Masashi Hijikata.[31]
Checker Flag (チェッカーフラッグ Chiekkā Furaggu ) NEC PC-8801, other models - Racing game by Masao Aoba.[citation needed]
Cosmo Crash (コスモクラッシュ Kosumo Kurasshu ) FM-7 - Shoot 'em up by Kazuhiro Hasegawa.[32]
Lovely Asuka (Lovely飛鳥 ) FM-7 - Adventure game by Hiroyuki Odawara.[33]
November Parallel World (パラレルワールド Parareru Wārudo ) Sharp X1, other models - Role-playing game by Toshiyuki Nagase.[34]
1984
Month Title Platform(s) Details May Newtron (ニュートロン Nyūtoron ) NEC PC-8801, other models - Puzzle game by Chunsoft (Koichi Nakamura's company).[35]
- Ported to mobile phones in 2004.[35]
New Fan Fun (ニューファンファン Nyūfanfan ) NEC PC-6001mkII, other models - Action game by Yasuhiro Miyata.[36]
No.1 Golf (No.1ゴルフ No.1 Gorufu ) Sharp X1, other models June Blizzard (ブリザード Burizādo ) Sharp-1500 High School Adventure (ハイスクールアドベンチャー Hai Sukūru Adobenchā ) FM77 July Gootsn (グッツン Guttsun ) Sharp X1 - Puzzle game by Komei Kato.
Rukteu Dark Castle: Dragon Angel's Miracle Voyage (暗黒城 Ankoku Shiro ) FM-7, other models - Game by Random House.[14]
Flipflop (フリップフロップ Furippufuroppu ) FM-7, other models August Karakuri Ninpou (カラクリ忍法 ) NEC PC-8801 - Game by Takeshi Nakazawa.
Swarm (スウォーム Sūōmu ) Sharp X1, other models Zarth (ザース Zāsu ) FM-7, other models - Game by Studio Jandora.
September Arare no Janpu Up (アラレのジャンプUP ) NEC PC-8001mkII Magic Garden (マジックガーデン Majikku Gāden ) NEC PC-8801, other models - Game by Toru Hidaka.
November Wingman (ウイングマン Uinguman ) NEC PC-8801, other models - Game by Tam Tam, based on the Wingman manga series.
Shabon Tama Arare (シャボン玉アラレ ) NEC PC-6001mkII December Gumball (ガムボール Gamubōru ) NEC PC-8801mkII, other models - Japanese version of the game of the same name developed by Brøderbund.
December
(winning entries in the 3rd Game Hobby Program Contest)Blue Fox (ブルーフォックス Burū Fokkusu ) FM-7, other models Zunou 4989 (頭脳4989 ) FM-7, other models - Game by Kazuo Ohashi.
Again (アゲイン Agein ) FM-7, other models - Adventure game by Yuhei Yamaguchi, co-published by Enix and Random House.
Unknown Dr. Slump Bubble Daisakusen (Dr.スランプ バブル大作戦 Dr. Suranpu Baburu Daisakusen ) - Shooter game by K. Okamoto, based on the manga Dr. Slump.
1985
Month Title Platform(s) Details January El Dorado Denki (エルドラド伝奇 Eru Dorado Denki ) FM-7, other models February Door Door mk2 (ドアドアmk2 Doa Doa mk2 ) Sharp MZ-1500, other models Hashire Senbeisan (走れせんべいさん ) Sharp X1, other models Zaxus (ザクサス Zakusasu ) NEC PC-8001, other models - Game by Yasuhiro Miyata.
Typing Exercise (ゲームDeタイプ Gēmu De Taipu ) April Tokyo Nampa Street (Tokyoナンパストリート Tokyo Nanpa Sutorīto ) FM-7, other models May Karuizawa Yūkai Annai (軽井沢誘拐案内 ) NEC PC-8801, other models - Adventure game by Yuji Horii.
- Ported to mobile phones in 2001.[17]
July World Golf (ワールドゴルフ Wārudo Gorufu ) August Morita Kazurou no Shogi (森田和郎の将棋 ) NEC PC-9801, other models November Xevious (ゼビウス Zebiusu ) NEC PC-8801 Savior (セイバー Seibā ) NEC PC-9801E, other models The Earth Fighter Rayieza (地球戦士ライーザ Chikyū Senshi Raīza ) FM-7, other models - Role-playing game by Makoto Kuba.
Pakkurando (パックランド ) NEC PC-8001mkII Unknown Brain Breaker (ブレインブレイカー Burein Bureikā ) Sharp X1, other models - Open-world platform-adventure game by Hiroshi Ishikawa.[26]
Phalanx[39] MSX 1986
Month Title Platform(s) Details April Wingman 2: Kītakurā no Fukkatsu (ウイングマン2 キータクラーの復活 Uinguman 2: Kītakurā no Fukkatsu ) - Sequel of Wingman
May Cannon Shot (キャノンショット Kyanon Shotto ) SMC-777 November Dragon Quest (ドラゴンクエスト Doragon Kuesuto ) MSX2, other models Unknown Hokuto no Ken (北斗の拳 ) - Game by Toru Hidaka, based on the Fist of the North Star manga series.
1987
Month Title Platform(s) Details April Jesus (ジーザス Jīzasu ) NEC PC-8801 VA, other models - Adventure game by Game Kyojin.
May Gandhara: Buddha no Seisen (ガンダーラ 仏陀の聖戦 Gandāra: Budda no Seisen ) NEC PC-8801 VA, other models - Game by Toru Hidaka.
July Animal Land Satsujin Jiken (アニマルランド殺人事件 Animaru Rando Satsujin Jiken ) MSX August Dragon Buster (ドラゴンバスター Doragon Basutā ) NEC PC-8801 VA, other models October World Golf 2 (ワールドゴルフ2 Wārudo Gorufu 2 ) NEC PC-8801 VA, other models December Wingman Special (ウイングマンスペシャル Uinguman Supesharu ) NEC PC-8801 FA, other models - The sequel to Wingman 2.
1988
Month Title Platform(s) Details February Dragon Quest II (ドラゴンクエストII Doragon Kuesuto II ) MSX December The Old Village Story NEC PC-8801 FE, other models 1989
Month Title Platform(s) Details February Burning Point (バーニングポイント Bāningu Pointo ) NEC PC-8801 FE, other models March Morita Shogi 2 (森田将棋2 ) NEC PC-9801 RA, other models May Angelus: The Gospel on Evil[41] (アンジェラス~悪魔の福音~ Anjierasu: Akuma no Fukuin ) NEC PC-8801 FE, other models - Adventure game composed by Koichi Sugiyama.
December Prajator: Image Ranger (プラジェータ Purajiēta ) NEC PC-8801 FE, other models 1990
Month Title Platform(s) Details March Misty Blue (ミスティ・ブルー Misutei Burū ) NEC PC-8801 MC, other models April Ryūou Hanyuu Yoshiharu Jissen Shū (竜王 羽生善治実践集 ) NEC PC-9801 RA, other models - By Random House.[40]
May 46 Okunen Monogatari The Shinkaron (46億年物語THE進化論 ) NEC PC-9801 VM, other models July Formula C.M.S NEC PC-8801 SR, other models September Shutendouji (手天童子 ) NEC PC-9801 VM, other models October World Golf 3 (ワールドゴルフ3 Wārudo Gorufu 3 ) NEC PC-8801 SR, other models 1991
Month Title Platform(s) Details January Raihisurittā (ライヒスリッター ) NEC PC-9801 RA, other models March Jesus 2 (ジーザス2 Jīzasu 2 ) - Sequel to Jesus.
August Gunyū Sangokushi (群雄三国志 ) NEC PC-9801 VM, other models November Code-0 (コード0 Kōdo 0 ) Sharp X68000 - Shooter game by Random House.[40]
December Fangs: The Saga of Wolf Blood (ファングス Fangusu ) NEC PC-8801 FH, other models 1993
Month Title Platform(s) Details October Morita Shogi 4 (森田将棋4 ) NEC PC-9801 DA, other models References
- "Enix Game History" (in Japanese). Enix. August 10, 1998. Archived from the original on March 1, 2000. http://web.archive.org/web/20000301135950/http://www.enix.co.jp/news/game/ghistoryJ.html. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e Daiji Fujii (January 2006) (PDF). Entrepreneurial choices of strategic options in Japan's RPG development. Faculty of Economics, Okayama University. pp. 13–14, 17. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070930074121/http://www.e.okayama-u.ac.jp/~dfujii/Option.pdf. Retrieved July 24, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e Yoshiyuki Iwamoto (2006). "Companies Doing Well". Japan on the Upswing: Why the Bubble Burst and Japan's Economic Renewal (trade paper ed.). New York City: Algora Publishing. pp. 200–203. ISBN 9780875864617.
- ^ a b Chris Kohler (2004). "Quests and Fantasies: The Japanese RPG". Power-Up: How Japanese Video Games Gave the World an Extra Life. Indianapolis, Indiana: BradyGames. pp. 85–87. ISBN 9780744004243.
- ^ Back cover of Morita no Battle Field (in Japanese). Enix. February 1983.
- ^ a b "ドアドア" (in Japanese). Square Enix. http://www.square-enix.com/jp/archive/doadoa/. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
- ^ ""iチュンソフト"で懐かしの『ドアドア』が配信される!" (in Japanese). Famitsu. February 27, 2004. http://www.famitsu.com/game/mobile/2004/02/27/274,1077872473,22000,0,0.html. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
- ^ Laver (June 21, 2007). "マリちゃん危機一髪" (in Japanese). Oh!FM-7. http://www.retropc.net/fm-7/museum/softhouse/enix/030500100.html. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
- ^ Back cover of Cosmic Soldier (in Japanese). Enix. February 1983.
- ^ Toshiyuki Asanuma (February 1983). Title screen of Seiko's Adventure (in Japanese). Enix.
- ^ Back cover of Underground Monster (NEC PC-8801 version) (in Japanese). Enix. February 1983.
- ^ "作品" (in Japanese). Softnica. September 26, 2007. http://www.softnica.com/work/index.html. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
- ^ "沿革" (in Japanese). Softnica. September 26, 2007. http://www.softnica.com/profile/index.html. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
- ^ Toshiyuki Nagase (February 1983). Title screen of Bōsō! Orient Kyūkō (Sharp MZ-80K version) (in Japanese). Enix.
- ^ a b c "ランダムハウスの昭和の業績 – 昭和58年度~昭和63年度の業績" (in Japanese). Random House. September 28, 1998. Archived from the original on December 5, 1998. http://web.archive.org/web/19981205104150/http://www.randomhouse.co.jp/sub/rh_recode/showa.htm. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
- ^ Kuboken (April 1, 2008). "KUBOKEN vs 古籏 一浩 XEVIOUS対談~TinyXEVIOUS for MZ-700誕生まで~" (in Japanese). Monthly Famicomania. http://famicomania.com/kuboken/0804_2.html. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
- ^ a b "ポートピア連続殺人事件" (in Japanese). Square Enix. http://www.square-enix.com/jp/archive/portpia/. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
- ^ a b "『ポートピア』、『オホーツク』がなんとiアプリで遊べる!" (in Japanese). Famitsu. October 15, 2001. Archived from the original on December 3, 2002. http://web.archive.org/web/20021203232248/http://www.famitsu.com/entertainment/news/2001/10/15/n03.html. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
- ^ Hiroaki Shimada (June 1983). Title screen of Raita no Growing Up (in Japanese). Enix.
- ^ Back cover of Gekisen! Minamitaiheiyō (NEC PC-8801 version) (in Japanese). Enix. June 1983.
- ^ Back cover of Joshiryō Panic (FM-7 version) (in Japanese). Enix. June 1983.
- ^ Back cover of Light Flipper (NEC PC-8801 version) (in Japanese). Enix. June 1983.
- ^ Back cover of Fan Fun (NEC PC-8001 version) (in Japanese). Enix. October 1983.
- ^ Takanari Suzuki (October 1983). Title screen of Game Kyōjin no Uchū Ryokō (NEC PC-8001mkII version) (in Japanese). Enix.
- ^ Takashi Goto (October 1983). Title screen of Dokuron no Kan (Sharp X1 version) (in Japanese). Enix.
- ^ Back cover of Kagirinaki Tatakai (Sharp X1 version) (in Japanese). Enix. October 1983.
- ^ a b "Retro Japanese Computers: Gaming's Final Frontier Retro Japanese Computers". Hardcore Gaming 101. p. 4. http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/JPNcomputers/Japanesecomputers4.htm. Retrieved 2011-03-24. Reprinted from Retro Gamer (67), 2009.
- ^ Back cover of Lolita Syndrome (FM-7 version) (in Japanese). Enix. October 1983.
- ^ Tadashi Sugie (October 1983). Title screen of Fushigi na Tabi (FM-7 version) (in Japanese). Enix.
- ^ Takeshi Nakazawa (October 1983). Title screen of Tropical Boy (in Japanese). Enix.
- ^ Hideyuki A. (October 1983). Title screen of Magnetic Field (in Japanese). Enix.
- ^ Back cover of PushMan (NEC PC-8001 version) (in Japanese). Enix. October 1983.
- ^ Kazuhiro Hasegawa (October 1983). Title screen of Cosmo Crash (in Japanese). Enix.
- ^ Laver (June 21, 2007). "Lovely飛鳥" (in Japanese). Oh!FM-7. http://www.retropc.net/fm-7/museum/softhouse/enix/030500800.html. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
- ^ Back cover of Parallel World (NEC PC-8801 version) (in Japanese). Enix. May 1984.
- ^ a b Katsuo Ishida (April 2, 2004). "チュンソフト、「ドアドア」に続く懐かしのタイトル iモード「ニュートロン」を配信" (in Japanese). Game Watch. http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20040402/newt.htm. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
- ^ Yasuhiro Miyata (May 1984). Title screen of New Fan Fun (NEC PC-6001mkII version) (in Japanese). Enix.
- ^ a b c d "会社概要" (in Japanese). Clap Hanz. April 9, 2010. http://www.claphanz.co.jp/company/company_top.htm. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
- ^ a b c d "クラップハンズ社長村守のゴルフゲーム遍歴" (in Japanese). Clap Hanz. September 19, 2008. http://www.claphanz.co.jp/column/history/history.htm. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
- ^ "レトロゲームファンサイト". http://ww3.tiki.ne.jp/~b-hawk/master/phalanx.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
- ^ a b c d "ランダムハウスの平成の業績(1) – 平成元年度~平成5年度の業績" (in Japanese). Random House. September 28, 1998. Archived from the original on December 5, 1998. http://web.archive.org/web/19981205125004/www.randomhouse.co.jp/sub/rh_recode/heisei1_5.htm. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
- ^ (1988) Album notes for Angelus: Akuma no Fukuin by Koichi Sugiyama [CD cover]. Japan: Apollon Music Industrial Corp. (BY30-5205).
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