Westone Bit Entertainment

Westone Bit Entertainment (株式会社ウエストンビットエンタテインメント) was a development company based in Mukoujima, Sumida, Tokyo [1], best remembered for the Wonder Boy and Monster World games. [2] It was originally established in May 1986 [3] as Escape (as in the escape key on computer keyboards). Since that name didn't exactly reinforce the image of a reliable company, it was later changed to Westone. [4] The company's name was changed yet again to Westone Bit Entertainment in April 2000. [5]

The Westone name is derived from the first characters of the names of the company's founders, president Ryuichi Nishizawa (西澤龍一) (Nishi = West) and Michishito Ishizuka (石塚路志人) (Ishi = Stone) [6], both ex-employees of Tehkan (Tecmo).

Westone Bit Entertainment and related company Bit Angel filed for bankruptcy on September 24, 2014. [7]

Research Methods: Online resources (see Links), shared staff

Arcade

Aurail (Sega)
Riot City (Sega)
Tokei Jikake no Aquario (unreleased)
Wonder Boy (Sega)
Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair (Sega)
Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Sega)

Dreamcast

Akihabara Dennou-gumi Pata Pies! (JP Publisher: Sega)
DiGi Charat Fantasy (JP Publisher: Broccoli)
Fish Eyes Wild / Reel Fishing Wild (JP Publisher: Victor; US Publisher: Natsume)

3D Modeling: Tiny Art; Sound: T's Music

Shinseiki Evangelion: Ayanami Ikusei Kaikaku (JP Publisher: Broccoli)

Famicom/NES

Jaws (developed under subcontract with Atlus) (US Publisher: LJN)
Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru Gaiden (JP Publisher: Hudson)

Game Boy

Jikuu Senki Muu (sound) (JP Publisher: Hudson)

Game Gear

Monster World II: Dragon no Wana / Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap (JP/EU Publisher: Sega)

Mark III/Master System

Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap (US/CA/EU Publisher: Sega)

Mega CD/Sega CD

Dungeon Explorer (US Publisher: Sega; EU Publisher: Hudson)
The Space Adventure (some sound support) (US/EU Publisher: Hudson)

Programming?: Crosstalk; Sound: T's Music

Mega Drive/Genesis

Mega Bomberman (sound?) (US/EU/AS Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy; SK Publisher: Samsung)
Monster World IV (JP Publisher: Sega)
Wonder Boy V: Monster World III / Wonder Boy in Monster World (JP/US/EU/AU Publisher: Sega; SK Publisher: Samsung)

Nintendo 64

Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers (some graphics?) (US Publisher: Kemco)

Other

Victory Shooter (prize machine)
What If? (Win/Win CE/Java)

PC Engine CD/TurboGrafx-CD

Blood Gear (JP Publisher: Hudson)
Star Parodier (some music composition, PSG) (JP Publisher: Hudson)

PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16

Aoi Blink (JP Publisher: Hudson)
Appare! Gateball (under subcontract with Atlus) (JP Publisher: Hudson)
Battle Lode Runner (sound) (JP Publisher: Hudson)

Programming, Some Map Design: Mutech

Power Eleven (programming, sound; under subcontract with Atlus) (JP Publisher: Hudson)
Raiden (sound) (JP Publisher: Hudson; US Publisher: NEC)

Developer: A.I

PC-FX

Tengai Makyou: Dennou Karakuri Kakutouden (PSG programming) (JP Publisher: Hudson)

Pico

Minna de Odorou: Oz no Mahou Tsukai (JP Publisher: Sega)

PlayStation

Favorite Dear: Junpaku no Yogensha (programming) (JP Publisher: NEC Interchannel)

Some Graphics: EXE-CREATE

Kekkon: Marriage (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
Meltylancer Re-inforce (some battle graphics) (JP Publisher: Imadio)
Milano no Arbeit Collection (JP Publisher: Victor)

Some Sound: T's Music

Sotsugyou III: Wedding Bell (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
Sotsugyou M: Male Graduation: Seitokai Naga no Kareinaru Inbou (JP Publisher: E3 Staff)
Soukou Kihei Votoms Gaiden: Ao no Kishi Berserga Monogatari (JP Publisher: Takara)

Some Sound: T's Music

Tensen Nyannyan: Gekijouban (sound) (JP Publisher: Time Point)

Developer: Studio Offside

Wolkenkratzer: Shinpan no Tou (JP Publisher: Asmik)

PlayStation 2

Princess Maker 4 (JP Publisher: CyberFront; KR Publisher: Gainax)
Relaxuma: Ojama Shitemasu 2 Shuukan (JP Publisher: Interchannel)
Secret of Evangelion (JP Publisher: Jinx)
Shinseiki Evangelion: Ayanami Ikusei Keikaku with Asuka Hokan Keikaku (JP Publisher: Broccoli)

Saturn

Kekkon: Marriage (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
Sotsugyou III: Wedding Bell (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
Sotsugyou: Album (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
Wachenröder (some graphics) (JP Publisher: Sega)
Willy Wombat (JP Publisher: Hudson)

Super Famicom/Super NES

Dark Half (JP Publisher: Enix)
Takahashi Meijin no Daibouken Jima / Super Adventure Island (story/supervision) (JP/US/EU Publisher: Hudson)

Toys

Bowlingual (Takara)
Dennou Meikyuu Labyrinth (Takara Tomy)
Himitsu Kichi o Tsukurou (Takara Tomy)
Meowlingual

Virtual Boy

Tobidase! Panibon / Panic Bomber (some music composition) (JP Publisher: Hudson; US Publisher: Nintendo)

Vodafone (mobile)

Bowlingual Connect

Windows

Chicchana Yuki Tsukai Sugar Desktop Accessories (JP Publisher: Broccoli)
Galaxy Angel Desktop Accessories (JP Publisher: Broccoli)
Pita-Ten Desktop Accessories (JP Publisher: Broccoli)
Renai Typing: Salad Days (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
Tsuri Baka Nisshi: Baku Tsuri Typing (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
Waku Waku Joyland (NTT)

WonderSwan

wuz↑b? Produce: Street Dancer (JP Publisher: Bandai)

Links