Visual Arts Production

Not to be confused with the publisher VAP

Visual Arts Production (株式会社ビジュアルアーツプロダクション) (V.A.P) was a company in Nerima City, Tokyo, involved in the planning and production of animated films, TV commercials and promotional videos, and video games. It was established on June 13, 1983. [1] Tooru Yamamoto (山本徹) was the president. [2] As to video games, V.A.P mostly did dot graphics work for Taito.

Algo-Nicus was allegedly started by former staff. [3]

Research Methods: Actual mentions, shared staff

Arcade

• Akkanvader / Space Invaders '95: The Attack of the Lunar Loonies (some graphics) (Taito)
• Aqua Jack (some graphics) (Taito)
• Arabian Magic (some graphics) (Taito)
• Cadash (some graphics) (Taito)
• Darius Gaiden (some graphics) (Taito)

Some Graphics: A Wave, NJK Techno

• Dead Connection (some graphics) (Taito)

Some Graphics: A Wave

• Don Doko Don (some graphics) (Taito)
• Dr. Toppel Tankentai / Dr. Toppel's Adventure (some graphics) (Taito)

Programming, Some Graphics?: Kaneko

• Double Axle (some graphics) (Taito) [4]
• Elevator Action Returns / Elevator Action II (some graphics) (Taito)
• Gridseeker: Project Storm Hammer (some graphics) (Taito)
• Gunbuster (some graphics) (Taito)
• Kaiser Knuckle / Global Champion (some graphics) (Taito)
• Metal Black (some graphics) (Taito)

Some Graphics: A Wave

• Mizubaku Daibouken / Liquid Kids (some graphics) (Taito)
• The Ninja Warriors (some graphics) (Taito)

Some Graphics: Animation 20

• Puzzle Bobble 2 / Puzzle Bobble 2X / Bust-A-Move Again (some graphics) (Taito)

Programming, Some Graphics: NJK Techno

• Quiz Jinsei Gekijou (some graphics) (Taito)
• Quiz Theater: 3tsu no Monogatari (some graphics) (Taito)

Some Graphics: NJK Techno

• RayForce / Gunlock (some graphics) (Taito)
• Recalhorn (some graphics) (Taito)
• Riding Fight (some graphics) (Taito)

Some Graphics: Natsume

• Space Gun (some graphics) (Taito)
• Top Ranking Stars / Prime Time Fighter (some graphics) (Taito)

PlayStation

• Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo 3: Seiryuu Densetsu Satsujin Jiken (some coloring) (JP Publisher: Kodansha)
• Kisetsu o Dakishimete (some digital operation) (JP Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment)

Super Famicom/Super NES

• Hat Trick Hero / Super Soccer Champ / Euro Football Champ (JP/US/EU Publisher: Taito)

Graphic designer Hitoshi Sasaki claims to have worked on this as his game industry debut. [5] However, neither he nor any other V.A.P staff is credited.

• Hit the Ice (US Publisher: Taito)

Pinch-Punch

Pinch-Punch was the name of Visual Arts Production's sound department, which operated from about 1988 to 1992. It was dissolved due to management difficulties. [6]

The following games are listed on the Secret Hiding Place of Pinch-Punch website:

Arcade

• Cadash (music, sound effects) (Taito)
• Cameltry (Taito) *
• Continental Circus (Taito) *
• Dino Rex (some music, some sound) (Taito)
• Fighting Hawk (Taito) **
• Gunbuster (Taito) *
• Jigoku Meguri / Bonze Adventure (some sound) (Taito)
• Mahjong Quest (sound) (Taito)

Developer: Santos

• Master of Weapon (Taito) *
• The Ninja Kids (some sound) (Taito)
• Rambo III (some sound) (Taito)
• Violence Fight (Taito) *

?

• Exceed Limit
• Green Spirits
• Tenkuu no Shiro

* - No Pinch-Punch members listed in sound credits
** - No in-game credits at all

Links

• Graphic designer Hitoshi Sasaki on Facebook (Japanese)
• Hitoshi Sasaki on GameStaff@wiki (Japanese)
• Secret Hiding Place of Pinch-Punch (Japanese)
• Pinch-Punch on Best 100 Game Music Decided by Everyone Wiki (Japanese)