Arc System Works

Arc System Works Co., Ltd. (アークシステムワークス株式会社) is a publisher and developer based in Yokohama, Japan. Minoru Kidooka (木戸岡稔) is the president. The company was established in May 1988 as Arc Co., Ltd. (株式会社アーク) In 1991, it was renamed and moved from the Nishi ward to the Kohoku ward. [1]

Originally only a contract developer, Arc System Works started publishing its own games in 1995 with the release of Exector for the PlayStation. Today, Arc is best known for the Guilty Gear and BlazBlue series. [2] In 2015, Arc acquired the rights to the Technos Japan catalog including the Kunio-kun series and Double Dragon. [3] (Interestingly, Double Dragon for the Master System was one of the first games Arc developed.)

Kidooka once worked as a programmer at Sega. He and some other staff left to start a company that fell apart after about a year and a half. With the money they made from making a Famicom simulation game (Dokuganryu Masamune?), they set up Arc. [4]

Some early Arc staff left to start Minato Giken. Other staff left to start StarLight Marry in 1996. Aplus is an affiliated development company established in 2010.

This entry focuses on games that were not self-published.

Research Methods: Actual mentions, interviews, print, online resources, shared staff

Arcade

• Hokuto no Ken (Sega)
• Persona 4: The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena (Atlus)
• Persona 4: The Ultimax Ultra Suplex Hold (Atlus)
• Quiz Gakuen Paradise (sound) (Face)
• Tokoro-san no Mah-Mahjong (Sega)

DS

• Dragon Ball Z: Bukuu Ressen / Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 (US/AU Publisher: Atari; JP/EU Publisher: Bandai)

Production: Cavia; Some Graphics: Cepia, Studio Peacock; Sound: Studio PJ

• Gyakuten Kenji / Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth (some graphics) (JP/US/AU/EU Publisher: Capcom)

Some Planning, Programming, Some Graphics: I.T.L; Some Graphics: Amazing, J.C. Staff; Some Music, Sound Effects: Reeb

Famicom/NES

• Armadillo (sound driver) (JP Publisher: IGS)
• Chiyonofuji no Ooichou (JP Publisher: Face)

Some Programming, Some Graphics: Sankindo?

• Final Lap (programming, sound?) (JP Publisher: Namco)

Planning? Graphics?: Nova

• Great Battle Cyber (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
• Hissatsu Shigoto Nin (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
• Ide Yousuke Meijin no Jissen Mahjong II (programming?) (JP Publisher: Capcom)
• Kyouryuu Sentai Zyuranger (JP Publisher: Angel)
• Mappy Kids (JP Publisher: Namco)
• Ningen Heiki: Dead Fox / Code Name: Viper (programming?) (JP/US Publisher: Capcom)
• Pizza Pop! (JP Publisher: Jaleco)
• Rolling Thunder (programming, sound?) (JP Publisher: Namco; US Publisher: Tengen)

Planning? Graphics?: Nova

• SD Sengoku Bushou Retsuden: Rekka no Gotoku Tenka o Tore! (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
• Shufflepuck Cafe (JP Publisher: Pony Canyon)

Game Boy

• Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon (JP Publisher: Angel)
• Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon R (JP Publisher: Angel) [5]
• Minesweeper (JP Publisher: Pack-In-Video)
• Ranma 1/2: Netsuretsu Kakutou-hen (music) (JP Publisher: Banpresto)

Developer: Amorphous

Game Boy Advance

• Dragon Ball Z: Bukuu Tougeki / Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors / Dragon Ball Z: Mugongtugeuk (JP Publisher: Banpresto; US Publisher: Atari; EU Publisher: Bandai; KR Publisher: Daiwon C&A)

Production: Cavia; Sound: Studio PJ

• Naruto: Ninjutsu Zenkai! Saikyou Ninja Daikesshuu / Naruto: Ninja Council (JP Publisher: Tomy; US Publisher: D3Publisher)

Game Boy Color

• Love Hina Party (JP Publisher: Marvelous Entertainment)
• Muteki-ou Tri-Zenon (co-developed with TNS) (JP Publisher: Marvelous Entertainment)

Music: Studio PJ

Game Gear

• Ax Battler: Golden Axe Densetsu / Ax Battler: Legend of Golden Axe / Golden Axe (programming?) (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II (programming) (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Battletoads (US Publisher: Tradewest; EU/JP Publisher: Sega)
• Gamble Panic (programming) (JP Publisher: Sega)

Sound: USP

• Kuni-chan no Game Tengoku (programming?) (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Pengo (JP/EU Publisher: Sega; KR Publisher: Samsung)
• Sega Game Pack 4 in 1 (programming?) (EU Publisher: Sega)
• Sonic Drift (programming) (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Sonic Drift 2 (programming) (JP/EU/US Publisher: Sega)
• Sonic the Hedgehog (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

Yuzo Koshiro (in Untold History Vol. 1) and Ancient's Twitter account have said the Game Gear version was done before the Master System version. However, Arc has taken credit for the Game Gear version in its 25th anniversary book and its 30th anniversary music video (no platform given, but the date is the Japanese release).

• Super Monaco GP (programming?) (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy; KR Publisher: Samsung)
• Taisen Mahjong Hao Pai (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Taisen Mahjong Hao Pai 2 (programming) (JP Publisher: Sega)

Mark III/Master System

• Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II (programming) (EU/AU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy; KR Publisher: Samsung)
• Battle Out Run (programming) (EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Double Dragon (programming?) (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Ghouls 'n Ghosts (programming?) (US/EU/AU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy; KR Publisher: ?)
• Michael Jackson's Moonwalker / Moonwalker (programming) (US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy; SK Publisher: Samsung)

The AC and MD versions are listed in Arc System Works 25th Anniversary Official Character Collection, but not the SMS version. However, there are no credits in the AC version, and there doesn't appear to be anybody from Arc in the MD credits.

• Scramble Spirits (programming?) (EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Super Monaco GP (programming?) (US/EU/AU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Vigilante (programming?) (US/EU/AU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

Mega CD/Sega CD

• 3x3 Eyes Seima Densetsu (some game and animation programming) (JP Publisher: Sega)

Mega Drive/Genesis

• Battletoads (US Publisher: Tradewest; EU/JP/AS Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon (co-developed with TNS) (JP Publisher: Ma-Ba)

Mobile

• Ys IV: Mask of the Sun (JP Publisher: Taito)

Neo Geo Pocket Color

• Bikkuriman 2000: Viva! Pocket Festiva! (JP Publisher: Sega Toys)

PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16

• Cross Wiber: Cyber Combat Police (music programming) (JP Publisher: Face)
• Final Lap Twin (programming?) (JP Publisher: Namco; US Publisher: NEC)

Developer: Nova

• Fushigi no Yumi no Alice (programming assistance, music composition) (JP Publisher: Face)
• Hany in the Sky (some programming?, sound) (JP Publisher: Face)
• Hany on the Road (JP Publisher: Face)
• Mahjong Gakuen: Touma Soushirou Toujou / Mahjong Gakuen: Touma Soushirou Toujou Mild ([some?] programming, sound) (JP Publisher: Face)
• Obocchama-kun (JP Publisher: Namco)

Some Graphics: Graffiti Lab

• Operation Wolf (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
• Zipang (JP Publisher: Pack-In-Video)

PC Engine CD/TurboGrafx-CD

• Hihou Densetsu: Chris no Bouken (JP Publisher: Pack-In-Video)
• Minesweeper (JP Publisher: Pack-In-Video)
• Road Spirits (JP Publisher: Pack-In-Video)
• Yu Yu Hakusho: Yami Shoubu!! Ankoku Bujutsukai (co-developed with TNS) (JP Publisher: Banpresto)

Pico

• Bakuryuu Sentai Abaranger (JP Publisher: Sega Toys)
• Conveni de Okaimono! (JP Publisher: Sega Toys)
• Doubutsu Pico: Hamster Land (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Gu~chokorantan Minna de Oekaki! Tanoshii Asobi mo ippai! (JP Publisher: Sega Toys)
• Kamen Rider 555 (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Kamen Rider Agito and Kuuga: Wild Battle (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• NHK o-Kaasan to Issho Do Re Mi Fa Do~nuts! Oekaki Daaisuki! Omoshiro Oekaki Daishuugou! (JP Publisher: Sega Toys)
• Ninpuu Sentai Hurricanger & Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger: Chou Sentai Super Battle (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Ongaku Daisuki Snoopy (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Paddington no Sekai Ryokou (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Pocket Monsters: Suuji o Tsukamaeyou! (JP Publisher: Sega Toys)
• Shinseiki Ultraman Densetsu (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Snoopy no Gakugeikai (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Ultra Hero (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Ultraman vs Kaijuu Gundan!! (JP Publisher: Bandai)

PlayStation

• Hyper Final Match Tennis (JP Publisher: Human; EU Publisher: JVC)
• Mario Mushano no Chou Shougi Juku (JP Publisher: King Records)
• Yume Iroiro (JP Publisher: Feathered)
• Zork I: The Great Underground Empire (JP Publisher: Shoeisha)

Music: Ancient; Sound Effects: Feathered Sound Works

PlayStation 2

• Grappler Baki: Baki Saikyou Retsuden / Fighting Fury (JP Publisher: Tomy; EU Publisher: Midas Interactive Entertainment)

Sound: Brainstorm; Debugging: Proba Works

• Hokuto no Ken: Shinpan no Sousousei Kengou Retsuden (JP Publisher: Sega)
• NBA 2K2
• NBA 2K3
• NFL 2K3
• Sengoku Basara X (JP/KR Publisher: Capcom)

Some Storyboarding: SIMS; Character Key Animation: Floor

• Ys III: Wanderers from Ys (JP Publisher: Taito)

Developer: Access

• Ys IV: Mask of the Sun: A New Theory (JP Publisher: Taito)

Illustrations: Peacock; 3D Backgrounds: Studio ZAN, buildup, DiGiPLANNET; 3D Character Modeling: Imageepoch; Sound: Quintet; Debugging: Dreams

• Ys V: Lost Kefin, Kingdom of Sand (JP Publisher: Taito)

Developer: Access

PlayStation 3

• Hard Corps: Uprising [PSN] (US/JP/EU/AU/KR Publisher: Konami)
• Persona 4: The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena / Persona 4 Arena
• Persona 4: The Ultimax Ultra Suplex Hold / Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

Saturn

• Momotarou Douchuuki (some programming?) (JP Publisher: Hudson)

Developer: SIMS

• Virtual Open Tennis (under subcontract with SIMS?) (JP Publisher: Imagineer; EU/US Publisher: Acclaim)
• Zork I: The Great Underground Empire (JP Publisher: Shoeisha)

Music: Ancient; Sound Effects: Feathered Sound Works

Super Famicom/Super NES

• Battle Commander: Hachi Bushuu Shura no Hyouhou (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
• Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon / Sailor Moon (JP Publisher: Angel; FR Publisher: Bandai) [6] [7]
• Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Another Story (JP Publisher: Angel)

Developer: TNS

• Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon R (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Jougai Rantou!? Shuyaku Soudatsusen (co-developed with TNS) (JP Publisher: Angel)
• Future GPX Cyber Formula / Cyber Spin (JP/US Publisher: Takara)
• Gaia Savior: Hero Saidai no Sakusen (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
• Honoo no Doukyuuji: Dodge Danpei (co-developed with TNS) (JP Publisher: Sunsoft)
• Mouko Densetsu '95: Hanshin Tigers (unreleased) (Angel) [8]
• Ongaku Tsukuuru: Kanadeeru (programming) (JP Publisher: ASCII) [9]
• Shougi Club (JP Publisher: Hect)
• Suzuka 8 Hours (JP/US Publisher: Namco)

Windows

• Wizard's Harmony (JP Publisher: DreamCube)
• Wizard's Harmony 2 (JP Publisher: Kobi)

Xbox 360

• Hard Corps: Uprising [XBLA] (US/EU/JP Publisher: Konami)
• Persona 4: The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena / Persona 4 Arena
• Persona 4 Arena Ultimax

Links

• Official website (Japanese)
• Makoto Shiozumi's (former Arc programmer, president of E-Smile) profile (Internet Archive Wayback Machine) (Japanese)

Blog entries by Shiozumi about games he worked on at Arc (Japanese)

• "An Afternoon at Arc System Works" (Internet Archive Wayback Machine) (French)