SIMS

Current SIMS logo.

Sanritsu Denki (サンリツ電気株式会社) is a Japanese industrial company established in December 1973. It originally manufactured communications equipment and vending machines before expanding into arcade machines. In 1979, the company began developing its own hardware and software. [1]

In addition to manufacturing, developing, and publishing its own video games, Sanritsu also developed a number of arcade and home games for Sega. The end result of this relationship was SIMS (シムス株式会社). Basically the spinoff of Sanritsu's game division, it has been said SIMS was originally a joint venture of Sanritsu and Sega [2], but this may not accurately reflect the whole story. After having been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sega, SIMS became independent on June 25, 2004, when president Noboru Machida took over all stock from the veteran game maker. [3]

SIMS supposedly stands for "Soft development Innovation Multi Success." [4] However, former Working Designs president Victor Ireland has said it is "an acronym for the last names of the company partners." [5]

The original president of SIMS was Mamoru Shigeta (重田守), who had been president of Sanritsu since 1989. [6] He also owned part of the company (one of the aformentioned "company partners?") [7] and was director of consumer software at Sega during this timeframe. [8] The current president is Noboru Machida (町田登), who had previously worked at Sanritsu. [9]

A.I and Shimada Kikaku/S-Plan were started by former Sanritsu staff.

Sanritsu and SIMS should probably have separate entries, but it is difficult to determine exactly where Sanritsu ends and SIMS begins.

Research Methods: Actual mentions, code comparisons, interviews, online resources (see Links), shared staff [10] [11]

Arcade

Sanritsu

• Appoooh (Sega)
• Bank Panic (Sega)
• Combat Hawk (Sega)
• Dr. Micro (Sanritsu)
• Dream Shopper (Sanritsu)
• Ganbare Chinsan Ooshoubu (Sanritsu)
• Jantotsu (Kiwako)
• Kiki Ippatsu Mayumi-chan (Victory)
• Mahjong Kyou Jidai (Sanritsu)
• Robo Wres 2001 (Sega)
• Rougien (Sanritsu)
• Space War (Sanritsu)
• Van-Van Car (Sanritsu)
• Yachtsman / Mermaid (Esco Trading/Rock-Ola)

SIMS

• Gun Survivor 2: Biohazard Code: Veronica (Capcom)
• Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Mahjong (AQ Interactive)
• Maximum Speed (Sammy)
• Quiz Ah! Megami-sama: Tatakau Tsubasa Totomo Ni (Sega)
• Sega Marine Fishing (Sega)
• Sports Shooting USA (Sammy)

Dreamcast

SIMS

• 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)

Background Art: Studio Tulip; CG Coloring: OLM Digital [12]

• Maboroshi Tsukiyo (JP Publisher: SIMS)

Sound Production: Audio Tanaka; Game Setting: Bihou; Event Setting: Studio Tulip

• Quiz Ah! Megami-sama: Tatakau Tsubasa Totomo Ni (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Sega Marine Fishing (US/JP Publisher: Sega)

Famicom/NES

Sanritsu

• Alien Syndrome (JP Publisher: Sunsoft; US Publisher: Tengen)
• Fantasy Zone II: Opa-Opa no Namida (JP Publisher: Sunsoft)

Game Boy Advance

SIMS

• Elemix! (JP Publisher: SIMS)

Game Gear

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

Programming was probably outsourced

• 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)
• Fantasy Zone Gear: Opa Opa Jr. no Bouken / Fantasy Zone (JP Publisher: Sanritsu; US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

Programming was probably outsourced

• Fred Couples Golf (JP/US Publisher: Sega)
• George Foreman's KO Boxing (US/EU Publisher: Flying Edge)
• Godzilla: Kaijuu Daishingeki (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Heavyweight Champ (JP Publisher: SIMS)
• 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)
• 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)
• Pet Club: Neko Daisuki! (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Psychic World (JP/US/CA/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Putt & Putter / Minigolf (JP/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

Programming was probably outsourced

• Scratch Golf (production?, sound) (JP/US Publisher: VIC Tokai)
• Slam Dunk, From TV Animation: Shouri e no Starting 5 (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Sonic Labyrinth (direction) (JP/US Publisher: Sega)
• 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

SIMS

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

Mark III/Master System

• Aerial Assault (US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Air Rescue (EU Publisher: Sega; SK Publisher: Samsung; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Alien Storm (EU Publisher: Sega; SK Publisher: Samsung)
• Alien Syndrome (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Assault City (EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Baku Baku (BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

Programming: Minato Giken

• Bomber Raid (JP/EU Publisher: Sega; US Publisher: Activision)
• Bonanza Bros. (EU Publisher: Sega; SK Publisher: Samsung; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Buggy Run (EU Publisher: Sega, BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Disney's Aladdin (EU Publisher: Sega, BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Double Hawk (direction, planning) (EU Publisher: Sega)
• Dynamite Duke (EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• E-SWAT (US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Forgotten Worlds (EU Publisher: Sega; SK Publisher: Samsung; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• G-LOC: Air Battle (EU Publisher: Sega; SK Publisher: Samsung; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Gain Ground (EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• George Foreman's KO Boxing (EU Publisher: Flying Edge, BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Golfamania (EU/CA Publisher: Sega)
• James "Buster" Douglas Knockout Boxing/Heavyweight Champ (US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Line of Fire (EU/AU Publisher: Sega; SK Publisher: Samsung; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Mahjong Sengoku Jidai (HK/JP Publisher: Sega)
• 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)
• Psychic World (EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Putt & Putter / Minigolf (EU Publisher: Sega; SK Publisher: Samsung; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Slap Shot (US/CA/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Tecmo World Cup '93 (EU Publisher: Sega)
• Tennis Ace / Super Tennis (EU/CA Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Tom & Jerry: The Movie (EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Wanted (US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Wimbledon (EU Publisher: Sega, BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Wimbledon II (EU Publisher: Sega)

Mega CD/Sega CD

SIMS

• Capcom no Quiz: Tono-sama no Yabou (JP Publisher: SIMS)
• Popful Mail (JP Publisher: Sega; US Publisher: Working Designs)
• 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)
• From TV Animation Slam Dunk: Kyougou Makkou Taiketsu! (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Gain Ground (JP Publisher: Sega; US/EU Publisher: Renovation)
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Ninja Burai Densetsu (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Shura no Mon (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Tetris (unreleased) (Sega)
• Wimbledon Championship Tennis (US/EU/JP Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

PlayStation

SIMS

• Maboroshi Tsukiyo: Tsukiyono Kitan (JP Publisher: Naxat Soft)
• Seisenshi Dunbine: Seisenshi Densetsu (JP Publisher: Bandai)

PlayStation 2

SIMS

• Big Bass: Bass Tsuri Kanzen Kouryaku (JP Publisher: Success)
• Brave Story: Wataru no Bouken (JP Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment)
• Mark Davis Pro Bass Challenge (US Publisher: Natsume)
• Monkey Turn V (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Real Bass Fishing: Top Angler / Top Angler: Real Bass Fishing (JP Publisher: SIMS; US 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 storyboard) (JP Publisher: Arc System Works)
• Steamboy (JP Publisher: Bandai)

PlayStation Portable

SIMS

• Fish Eyes Portable / Reel Fishing: Life & Nature (JP Publisher: Marvelous Interactive; US Publisher: Natsume; EU Publisher: Zoo Digital Publishing)
• Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Mahjong (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)

Saturn

SIMS

• "AB" (unreleased; rollerblading game) (SIMS)
• Blue Seed: Kushinada Hirokuden (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Dark Savior (movie authoring) (JP Publisher: Climax Entertainment; US/EU Publisher: Sega)

Some "Other Character" Animation: Rit's, Max Entertainment; Movie Engineering: Sega

• Garou Densetsu 3: Harukanaru Tatakai (JP Publisher: SNK)
• Heartbeat Scramble (JP Publisher: Imagineer)
• I Love Mickey Mouse: Fushigi no Oshiro Daibouken & I Love Donald Duck: Georgia Ou no Hihou (JP Publisher: Sega)
• J.League Victory Goal '97 (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Kaitei Daisensou / In the Hunt (JP Publisher: Imagineer; US/EU Publisher: Kokopeli)
• Kuusou Kagaku Sekai Gulliver Boy (JP Publisher: Hudson)
• Message Navi (JP Publisher: SIMS)
• Message Navi Vol. 2 (JP Publisher: SIMS)
• Momotarou Douchuuki (JP Publisher: Hudson)
• "MT" (unreleased; Maboroshi Tsukiyo prototype) (Sega)
• Nihon Daihyou Team no Kantoku ni Naruu! Sekaihatsu Soccer RPG (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: Teigeki Graph In Sakura Wars (JP Publisher: Sega)
• Samurai Spirits: Zankurou Musouken (development cooperation) (JP Publisher: SNK)
• Sega Worldwide Soccer '98 / Worldwide Soccer '98 / Sega Worldwide Soccer '98 Club Edition (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sega)
• Shinseiki Evangelion (JP Publisher: Sega)
• 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)
• Touge: King the Spirits 2 (JP Publisher: Atlus)
• Ultraman Hikari no Kyojin Densetsu (JP Publisher: Bandai)
• Virtual Volleyball (JP Publisher: Imagineer)
• Virus (JP Publisher: Hudson)

Wii

SIMS

• 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 [WiiWare] (JP Publisher: SIMS)
• 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! Sega 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

SIMS

• Eberouge 2 (JP Publisher: Fujitsu)
• Guilty Gear X (JP Publisher: CyberFront)
• Idol Janshi Suchie-Pai III (JP Publisher: Harvest)
• Idol Mahjong Final Romance 4 (JP Publisher: Harvest)
• Sega Marine Fishing (EU Publisher: Empire Interactive)

WonderSwan

SIMS

• Card Captor 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 / Mobile Suit Gundam MSVS Earth Federation Color / Mobile Suit Gundam MSVS Zeon Color (JP Publisher: Bandai)

WonderSwan Color

SIMS

• Digimon Adventure 02: D1 Tamers (JP Publisher: Bandai)

Xbox

SIMS

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

Links

• Official SIMS website (Japanese)
• Official SIMS website (Internet Archive Wayback Machine) (Japanese)
• Official Sanritsu website (Japanese)
• SMS Power thread
• Developer Table entry for Sanritsu (Japanese)
• Developer Table entry for SIMS (Japanese)
• Former SIMS employee Masahiro Itou's website (Japanese)
• Former SIMS employee Hiroyuki Yagi's website (Japanese)