SIMS

Current SIMS logo.

Sanritsu Denki Co., Ltd. (サンリツ電気株式会社) was 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 Co., Ltd. (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 be entirely accurate. 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 [7] and was director of consumer software at Sega during this timeframe. [8] The current president is Noboru Machida (町田登) [9], former development director at Sanritsu. [10]

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

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

Research Methods: Actual mentions, code comparisons, hidden data, interviews, online resources (see Links), shared staff [11] [12]

3DS

SIMS

• Alien Panic! [eShop] (JP Publisher: Starsign)
• Bingo de NouTore: BinTore [eShop] (JP Publisher: Starsign)
• Danger Road [eShop] (JP Publisher: Starsign)
• Deaitama [eShop] (JP Publisher: Starsign)
• Fish On / Fish On 3D (JP Publisher: ASCII Media Works; US/EU Publisher: Agetec)
• Genkai! Yamazumi Battle [eShop] (JP Publisher: Starsign)
• Metal Fight Beyblade 4DxZEROG Ultimate Tournament / Beyblade: Evolution (JP Publisher: Intergrow; US/AU/EU Publisher: Rising Star Games)
• Ping Pong Trick Shot [eShop] (JP Publisher: Starsign)
• Ping Pong Trick Shot 2 [eShop] (JP Publisher: Starsign)

Arcade

Sanritsu

• Appoooh (Sega)
• Bank Panic (Sega)
• Changeleon (Sanritsu)
• Combat Hawk (Sega)
• Dr. Micro (Sanritsu)
• Dream Shopper (Sanritsu)
• Ganbare Chinsan Ooshoubu (Sanritsu)
• Jantotsu (Kiwako)
• Kiki Ippatsu Mayumi-chan (Victory)
• Mahjong Kyou Jidai (Sanritsu)
• Mr. Jong / BlockBuster / Crazy Blocks (Kiwako/ECI)
• Red Selector (unreleased?) (Sanritsu)

Early version of Dream Shopper

• Robo Wres 2001 (Sega)
• Ron II (Sanritsu)
• Rougien (Sanritsu)
• Space War (Sanritsu)
• Van-Van Car (Sanritsu)
• Yachtsman / Mermaid (Esco Trading/Rock-Ola)

SIMS

• 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) [13]

Movies: Visual Entertainment R&D Dept.

• 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)
• Maboroshi Tsukiyo (JP Publisher: SIMS)

Background Art: Bihou, Studio Tulip

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

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

• Sega Marine Fishing (US/JP Publisher: Sega)

Famicom/NES

Sanritsu

• Alien Syndrome (JP Publisher: Sunsoft; US Publisher: Tengen)

Game Boy Advance

SIMS

• Elemix! (JP Publisher: SIMS)

Game Gear

SIMS

• 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)
• Fred Couples Golf (JP/US Publisher: Sega)
• Godzilla: Kaijuu Daishingeki (JP Publisher: Sega)
• 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)
• Pet Club: Inu Daisuki! (JP Publisher: Sega)
• 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)

Sanritsu or SIMS (games released in 1991)

• 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

• Heavyweight Champ / George Foreman's KO Boxing (JP Publisher: SIMS; US/EU Publisher: Flying Edge)
• Out Run (JP/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Psychic World (JP/US/CA/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Putt & Putter / Minigolf (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sega; KR Publisher: Samsung; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

Programming: Natsu System?

GameCube

SIMS

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

Mark III/Master System

Sanritsu

• Aerial Assault (US/EU/AU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Alien Syndrome (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Assault City (EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Bomber Raid (JP/EU Publisher: Sega; US Publisher: Activision)
• Double Hawk (direction, planning) (EU Publisher: Sega)

Programming, Graphics, [Some?] Sound: Opera House

• E-SWAT (US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Great Volleyball / Great Voley (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Golfamania (EU/CA Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• James "Buster" Douglas Knockout Boxing / Heavyweight Champ (US/EU/AU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Mahjong Sengoku Jidai / Mah-Jong (JP/HK Publisher: Sega)
• Slap Shot (US/CA/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Tennis Ace / Super Tennis (EU/CA Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Wanted (US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

SIMS

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

Programming: Minato Giken

• 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)
• 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)
• Running Battle (EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

Programming?: Opera House

• Tecmo World Cup '93 (EU Publisher: Sega)
• Tom & Jerry: The Movie (EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Wimbledon (EU Publisher: Sega, BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Wimbledon II (EU Publisher: Sega)

Sanritsu or SIMS (games released in 1991)

• Alien Storm (EU Publisher: Sega; KR Publisher: Samsung)
• Bonanza Bros. (EU Publisher: Sega; KR Publisher: Samsung; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Dynamite Duke (EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Forgotten Worlds (EU Publisher: Sega; KR Publisher: Samsung; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• G-LOC: Air Battle (EU Publisher: Sega; KR Publisher: Samsung; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Gain Ground (EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Line of Fire (EU/AU Publisher: Sega; KR Publisher: Samsung; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Psychic World (EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

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

Sanritsu

• Flash Point (unreleased) (Sega)
• Tetris (unreleased) (Sega)

SIMS

• 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)
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (US/EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
• Shura no Mon (JP Publisher: Sega; KR Publisher: Samsung)
• Wimbledon Championship Tennis / Wimbledon (US/EU/JP Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

Sanritsu or SIMS (games released in 1991)

• Gain Ground (JP Publisher: Sega; US Publisher: Renovation Products)
• Ninja Burai Densetsu (JP Publisher: Sega)

PlayStation

SIMS

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

?: GAPS

PlayStation 2

SIMS

• Brave Story: Wataru no Bouken (JP Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment) [14]
• 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)
• Steamboy (JP Publisher: Bandai) [15]

?: Cavia

PlayStation Portable

SIMS

• 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

SIMS

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

Saturn

SIMS

• "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 Publisher: Sega)
• Garou Densetsu 3: Harukanaru Tatakai (co-developed with Sega) (JP Publisher: SNK)
• Heartbeat Scramble (JP Publisher: Imagineer) [16]
• 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)
• Message Navi (JP Publisher: SIMS)
• Message Navi Vol. 2 (JP Publisher: SIMS)
• Momotarou Douchuuki (JP Publisher: Hudson)
• "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 [17]

• 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

SIMS

• Super Ping Pong Trick Shot [eShop] (JP Publisher: Starsign)

Wii

SIMS

• 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

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

• 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

SIMS

• 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

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 (Internet Archive Wayback Machine) (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 game works (Internet Archive Wayback Machine) (Japanese)