SIMS

Current SIMS logo

SIMS Co., Ltd. (シムス株式会社) is a publisher and developer established on June 12, 1991 [1], by former Sanritsu president Mamoru Shigeta (重田守) with backing from Sega Enterprises. At the time, Sega owned 67% of the company, and Shigeta owned 31%. [2] ¹ Most of the original 50 employees came from Sanritsu. [3] ²

As a Sega subsidiary, SIMS developed games for most Sega platforms and also non-Sega platforms, namely the PlayStation and the WonderSwan, even before its parent company left the console business. Starting with the Dreamcast version of Sega Bass Fishing, the Shibuya, Tokyo-based firm found a niche as a maker of fishing games.

Shigeta was the first president of SIMS. (Game Machine 1991/8/15, pg. 7) He was replaced by Noboru Machida (町田登) after Shigeta became Sega's director of consumer software. [4] Machida was formerly development director at Sanritsu [5], served on SIMS' board of directors, and was SIMS' head of development. (Game Machine 1991/8/15, pg. 7)

On June 25, 2004, Machida acquired SIMS from Sega. [6] (SIMS had become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sega by this point. [7]) He continues to own and operate the company today, primarily as a temporary staffing business. [8]

Footnotes:
1. Game Machine (1991/8/15, pg. 7) has a slightly different breakdown: "The new company, SIMS, was established on June 12 with a capital of 50 million yen, 67% of which was invested by Sega, and 33% by Shigeta and his internal staff."
2. Mega Drive Fan (1991/11, pg. 99) [9]: "Established by the former president of Sanritsu Denki, the company has nothing to do with Sanritsu Denki."

Research Methods: Actual mentions, code comparisons, online resources, shared staff [10] [11]

3DS

• Alien Panic! [eShop] (JP Publisher: Starsign)
• Beyblade: Evolution / Metal Fight Beyblade 4DxZEROG Ultimate Tournament (US/AU/EU Publisher: Rising Star Games; JP Publisher: Intergrow)
• Bingo de NouTore: BinTore / Bingo Collection [eShop] (JP/US Publisher: Starsign)
• Danger Road / Dangerous Road [eShop] (JP/US Publisher: Starsign)
• Deaidama / Collide-a-Ball [eShop] (JP/US/EU Publisher: Starsign)
• Fish On / Fish On 3D (JP Publisher: ASCII Media Works; US/EU Publisher: Agetec)
• Genkai! Yamazumi Battle / Stack 'em High [eShop] (JP/US Publisher: Starsign)
• Imomushi Wars [eShop] (JP Publisher: Starsign)
• Ping Pong Trick Shot [eShop] (JP/US/EU Publisher: Starsign)
• Ping Pong Trick Shot 2 [eShop] (JP/US Publisher: Starsign)

Arcade

• Gun Survivor 2: Biohazard Code: Veronica (co-developed with Nextech) (Capcom)
• Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jan (AQ Interactive)
• Manic Panic Ghosts! (co-developed with Aspect) (Sega) [12]

Movies: Visual Entertainment R&D Dept.

• Maximum Speed (Sammy)
• Quiz Aa Megami-sama: Tatakau Tsubasa to Tomo ni (Sega)
• Sega Marine Fishing (programming, graphics, sound) (Sega)

Production, Planning, Direction: Wow Entertainment

• Sports Shooting USA (Sammy)

Dreamcast

• Charge'n Blast (JP Publisher: SIMS; US/EU Publisher: Xicat Interactive)
• Get Bass / Sega Bass Fishing (JP/US/CA/UK/AU Publisher: Sega)
• Harusame Youbi (JP Publisher: NEC Interchannel)

Event CG: Mink

• Maboroshi Tsukiyo (JP Publisher: SIMS)

Background Art: Bihou, Studio Tulip

• Quiz Aa Megami-sama: Tatakau Tsubasa to Tomo ni (JP Publisher: Sega)

Production, Sound: Wow Entertainment; Script Support: OLM Digital

• Sega Marine Fishing (programming, graphics, sound) (US/JP Publisher: Sega)

Production, Planning, Direction: Wow Entertainment

Game Boy Advance

• Elemix! (JP Publisher: SIMS)

Game Gear

• Alien Syndrome (JP Publisher: SIMS; US/EU Publisher: Sega)

Programming: Hidaka Electronics

• Baku Baku Animal: Sekai Shiiku Gakari Senshuken / Baku Baku (JP/US Publisher: Sega)

Programming: Minato Giken

• Buster Fight (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Disney's Aladdin (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sega)
• Doraemon: Waku Waku Pocket Paradise (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Fred Couples Golf (JP/US Publisher: Sega)
• Godzilla: Kaijuu Daishingeki (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Heavyweight Champ / George Foreman's KO Boxing (JP Publisher: SIMS; US/EU Publisher: Flying Edge)
• Honoo no Toukyuuji: Dodge Danpei (JP Publisher: Sega)

Programming: Opera House

• In the Wake of Vampire / Vampire: Master of Darkness (JP Publisher: SIMS; US Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• J.League GG Pro Striker '94 (JP Publisher: Sega)
• J.League Soccer: Dream Eleven (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Kaitou Saint Tail (direction, sound support) (JP Publisher: Sega)

Developer: Minato Giken

• Kick & Rush / Tengen World Cup Soccer (JP Publisher: SIMS; US/EU Publisher: Tengen)
• McDonald's: Donald no Magical World (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Megami Tensei Gaiden: Last Bible Special (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (US Publisher: Sega)
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (US Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Out Run (JP/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Pet Club: Inu Daisuki! (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Putt & Putter / Minigolf (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sega; KR Publisher: Samsung; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

Programming: Natsu System?

• Scratch Golf (production?, sound) (JP/US Publisher: VIC Tokai)

Developer: Eleca

• Slam Dunk, From TV Animation: Shouri e no Starting 5 (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Sonic Labyrinth (direction) (JP/US Publisher: Sega)

Developer: Minato Giken

• Tempo Jr. (JP/US Publisher: Sega)
• Tom and Jerry: The Movie (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Wimbledon (EU/JP Publisher: Sega)

GameCube

• Mark Davis Pro Bass Challenge (US Publisher: Natsume)
• Top Angler: Real Bass Fishing (EU/US Publisher: Xicat Interactive)

Mark III/Master System

• Air Rescue (EU Publisher: Sega; KR Publisher: Samsung; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Baku Baku (BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

Programming: Minato Giken

Converted to Master System by Tec Toy?

• Buggy Run (EU Publisher: Sega, BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Disney's Aladdin (EU Publisher: Sega, BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• George Foreman's KO Boxing (EU Publisher: Flying Edge, BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Line of Fire (EU/AU Publisher: Sega; KR Publisher: Samsung; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Masters of Combat (EU/AU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Master of Darkness (EU Publisher: Sega, BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Ninja Gaiden (EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Putt & Putter / Minigolf (EU Publisher: Sega; KR Publisher: Samsung; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Tecmo World Cup '93 (EU Publisher: Sega)
• Tom and Jerry: The Movie (EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Wimbledon (EU Publisher: Sega, BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Wimbledon II (EU Publisher: Sega)

Mega CD/Sega CD

• Capcom no Quiz: Tono-sama no Yabou (JP Publisher: SIMS)
• Popful Mail (JP Publisher: Sega; US Publisher: Working Designs)
• Ranpin (unreleased) (SIMS)
• Shin Megami Tensei (JP Publisher: SIMS)

Mega Drive/Genesis

• ATP Tour Championship Tennis / ATP Tour (US/EU/AU Publisher: Sega)
• Crayon Shin-chan: Arashi o Yobu Enji (JP Publisher: Ma-Ba)
• Devil Buster (unreleased) (SIMS)
• From TV Animation Slam Dunk: Kyougou Makkou Taiketsu! (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Ninja Burai Densetsu (JP Publisher: Sega)

Developer: IT? (Predecessor of Genki?)

• Shura no Mon (JP Publisher: Sega; KR Publisher: Samsung)
• Wimbledon Championship Tennis / Wimbledon (US/EU/JP Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

PlayStation

• Maboroshi Tsukiyo: Tsukiyo no Kitan (JP Publisher: Naxat)

?: GAPS

PlayStation 2

• Brave Story: Wataru no Bouken (JP Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment) [13]
• Mark Davis Pro Bass Challenge / Big Bass: Bass Tsuri Kanzen Kouryaku (US/EU Publisher: Natsume; JP Publisher: Success)
• Monkey Turn V (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Real Bass Fishing: Top Angler / Top Angler: Real Bass Fishing (JP Publisher: SIMS; US/EU Publisher: Xicat Interactive)
• Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 10: After Burner II (JP Publisher: 3D-Ages)
• Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 11: Hokuto no Ken (JP Publisher: 3D-Ages)
• Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 13: Out Run (JP Publisher: 3D-Ages)
• Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 3: Fantasy Zone (JP Publisher: 3D-Ages)
• Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 5: Golden Axe (JP Publisher: 3D-Ages)
• Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 7: Columns (JP Publisher: 3D-Ages)
• Sengoku Basara X (some storyboarding) (JP/KR Publisher: Capcom)

Developer: Arc System Works; Character Key Animation: Floor

• Steamboy (JP Publisher: Bandai) [14]

?: Cavia

PlayStation 4

• Legendary Fishing (US/EU/AU Publisher: Ubisoft)

PlayStation Portable

• Fish Eyes Portable / Reel Fishing: The Great Outdoors (JP Publisher: Marvelous Interactive; US Publisher: Natsume; EU Publisher: Zoo Digital Publishing)
• Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jan (JP Publisher: AQ Interactive)
• Revel Cross (JP Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment)
• Saru Get You P! / Ape Escape: On the Loose / Ape Escape P (co-developed with SCEI) (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment)

PlayStation Vita

• Let's Try Bass Fishing: Fish On Next / Lets Fish! Hooked On (JP Publisher: Kadokawa Games; US/EU/AU Publisher: Wired Productions)

Saturn

• AB (unreleased; rollerblading game) (SIMS)
• Deep Fear (some CG movie design) (JP/EU Publisher: Sega)
• Dark Savior (movie authoring) (JP Publisher: Climax Entertainment; US/EU/AU Publisher: Sega)

Some Character Design - Other Characters: Max Entertainment, Rit's

• Garou Densetsu 3: Harukanaru Tatakai (co-developed with Sega) (JP Publisher: SNK)
• Heartbeat Scramble (some graphics?) (JP Publisher: Imagineer)

Developer: JAMP; Programming, Some Graphics?: TamTam

• I Love Mickey Mouse: Fushigi no Oshiro Daibouken & I Love Donald Duck: Georgia Ou no Hihou (JP Publisher: Sega)
• J.League Victory Goal '97 (co-developer) (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Kaitei Daisensou / In the Hunt (JP Publisher: Imagineer; US/EU Publisher: Kokopeli)
• Kuusou Kagaku Sekai Gulliver Boy (JP Publisher: Hudson)

Some Sound: T's Music

• Message Navi (JP Publisher: SIMS)
• Message Navi Vol. 2 (JP Publisher: SIMS)
• Momotarou Douchuuki (JP Publisher: Hudson)

Some Programming: Arc System Works?

• "MT" (unreleased; Maboroshi Tsukiyo prototype) (Sega)
• Nippon Daihyou Team no Kantoku ni Narou! (sound support?) (JP Publisher: Enix)
• Ninku: Tsuyokina Yatsura no Daigekitotsu! (JP Publisher: Sega)
• PD Ultraman Link (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Phantasy Star Collection (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Sakura Taisen Teigeki Graph (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Samurai Spirits: Zankurou Musouken (co-developed with Sega) (JP Publisher: SNK)
• Sokkou Seitokai: Sonic Council (JP Publisher: Banpresto)

Character Action: Digimotion

• Stellar Assault SS (JP Publisher: SIMS)
• Taiheiyou no Arashi 2: Shippuu no Moudou (JP Publisher: Imagineer)

3D Weapon Data Collection Production (Programming, Specifications): ALU [15]

• Touge King the Spirits 2 (JP Publisher: Atlus)
• Ultraman: Hikari no Kyojin Densetsu (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Virtual Volleyball (JP Publisher: Imagineer)
• Virus (programming, graphics) (JP Publisher: Hudson)
• Worldwide Soccer '98 / Sega Worldwide Soccer '98: Club Edition / Sega Worldwide Soccer '98 (co-developer) (US/EU/JP Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

Switch

• Animal Hunter Z [eShop] (JP/US/EU Publisher: Starsign)
• Battle & Crash [eShop] (JP/US/EU Publisher: Starsign)
• Deaidama 2 / Collide-a-Ball 2 [eShop] (JP/US/EU Publisher: Starsign)
• Dungeon Shooting [eShop] (JP/US/EU Publisher: Starsign)
• Imomushi Wars DX / Caterpillar Royale [eShop] (JP/US/EU Publisher: Starsign)
• Legendary Fishing (US/JP Publisher: Ubisoft)
• Party Bingo / Bingo for Nintendo Switch [eShop] (JP/US/EU Publisher: Starsign)
• Ping Pong Trick Shot Evolution [eShop] (JP/US Publisher: Starsign)
• Super Ping Pong Trick Shot [eShop] (JP/US/EU Publisher: Starsign)

Wii

• All Round Hunter (AU/EU Publisher: 505 Games)
• Bass Fishing Wii: Rokumaru Densetsu / Big Catch Bass Fishing / Hooked! Real Motion Fishing (JP Publisher: Arc System Works; EU Publisher: 505 Games; US Publisher: Aksys Games)
• Bokujou Monogatari: Wakuwaku Animal March / Harvest Moon: Animal Parade (graphic support) (JP Publisher: Marvelous; US Publisher: Natsume)
• Derby Dog / Derby Dogs [WiiWare] (JP Publisher: SIMS; US Publisher: Aksys Games)
• Fish Eyes Wii / Reel Fishing: Angler's Dream (JP Publisher: Marvelous; US/EU Publisher: Natsume)
• Hooked! Again: Real Motion Fishing / Big Catch Bass Fishing 2 / Bass Fishing Wii: World Tournament (US Publisher: Aksys Games; EU Publisher: 505 Games; JP Publisher: Arc System Works)
• Reel Fishing Challenge / Fish Eyes Challenge [WiiWare] (US Publisher: Natsume; JP Publisher: Marvelous)
• Sega Bass Fishing / Uchi Tsuri! Bass Fishing (US/JP/AU/EU Publisher: Sega)

Production: Cavia

• Sekai no Omoshiro Party Game [WiiWare] (JP Publisher: SIMS)
• Sekai no Omoshiro Party Game 2 [WiiWare] (JP Publisher: SIMS)

Windows

• Eberouge 2 (some scenario, programming, some graphics; under subcontract with JAMP?) (JP Publisher: Fujitsu) [16]

Some Material Design: DARTS; Some Material Design, Some Graphics: Umitsuki Production

• Guilty Gear X (JP Publisher: CyberFront)
• Idol Janshi Suchie-Pai III (JP Publisher: Harvest)
• Idol Mahjong Final Romance 4 (JP Publisher: Harvest)
• The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel (XSEED Games/Marvelous USA)
• Little King's Story (XSEED Games/Marvelous USA)
• Sega Marine Fishing (EU Publisher: Empire Interactive)

WonderSwan

• Cardcaptor Sakura: Sakura to Fushigi na Clow Card (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Digimon Adventure 02: Tag Tamers (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Digimon Adventure: Anode Tamer (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Digimon Adventure: Cathode Tamer (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Digital Monsters Ver. WonderSwan (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Mobile Suit Gundam MSVS (JP Publisher: Bandai)

CG Data and Modeling: BEC

WonderSwan Color

• Digimon: Anode Tamer & Cathode Tamer: Veedramon Version (AS Publisher: Bandai)
• Digimon Adventure 02: D1 Tamers (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Digimon Tamers: Brave Tamer (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Golden Axe (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Inuyasha: Kagome no Sengoku Nikki (JP Publisher: Bandai)

Production: Caramel Mama

Xbox

• Top Angler: Real Bass Fishing (unreleased) (Xicat Interactive)

Links

• Official SIMS website (Japanese)
• Official SIMS website (Internet Archive Wayback Machine) (Japanese)
• SMS Power thread
• Former SIMS employee Masahiro Itou's website (Japanese)
• Former SIMS employee Hiroyuki Yagi's game works (Internet Archive Wayback Machine) (Japanese)