Difference between revisions of "Micronics/Khaos"

Revision as of 03:37, 10 January 2021

Micronics (株式会社マイクロニクス) was a contract developer based in Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan. That's about all that can be sussed out from some game boxes. Perhaps it was called something else earlier (like Wixel [see Geimos]) or perhaps some of the people involved previously worked as freelance contractors. A name that appears on later games is Khaos Co., Ltd. (株式会社カオス). It's unknown whether this was a rename or if some Micronics staff started a new company.

Many of the titles listed below, especially earlier Famicom/NES titles, are a little rough around the edges and are often plagued by problems such as jerky scrolling, sprite tearing, and lengthy load times. Many also share a distinct pause tone. That said, things improved over time, and one of the main programmers worked on games until at least the early 2000s.

Research Methods: Actual mentions, code comparisons, hidden data, online resources (see Links), shared staff

Arcade

Khaos?

• Sonic Wings / Aero Fighters (programming?) (Video System)

Famicom/NES

Pre-Micronics?

• '89 Dennou Kyuusei Uranai (JP Publisher: Jingukan)
• 1942 (JP/US Publisher: Capcom)
• Athena (JP/US Publisher: SNK)
• Elevator Action (JP/US Publisher: Taito)
• Exed Exes (JP Publisher: Tokuma Shoten)
• Geimos (JP Publisher: ASCII)
• Ikari / Ikari Warriors (US/EU Publisher: SNK; JP Publisher: KAC)
• Ikari II: Dogosoken / Ikari Warriors II: Victory Road (US Publisher: SNK; JP Publisher: KAC)
• Jongbou (JP Publisher: KAC)
• Kaguya Hime Densetsu (JP Publisher: Victor)
• Makaimura / Ghosts 'n Goblins / Ghost 'n Goblins (programming) (JP/US/EU Publisher: Capcom)
• Miracle Ropitt: 2100-Toshi no Daibouken (JP Publisher: King Records)

The only related person in the credits seems to be the system engineer.

• Ninja-kun: Ashura no Shou (JP Publisher: UPL)
• Onyanko Town (JP Publisher: Pony Canyon)
• Outlanders (JP Publisher: Victor)
• Son Son (JP Publisher: Capcom)
• Stick Hunter: Exciting Ice Hockey (JP Publisher: KAC)
• Super Pitfall (US Publisher: Activision; JP Publisher: Pony Canyon)
• Tiger-Heli (US/EU Publisher: Acclaim; JP Publisher: Pony Canyon)
• Zoids 2: Zenebasu no Gyakushuu (JP Publisher: Toshiba EMI)
• Zoids: Chuuou Tairiku no Tatakai (JP Publisher: Toshiba EMI)

Micronics
Earliest actual mention is on Thundercade (July 1989) [1]

• Bloody Warriors: Shan-Go no Gyakushuu (JP Publisher: Toei Animation)
• Kyuukyoku Tiger / Twin Cobra (US Publisher: Sammy; JP Publisher: CBS Sony)
• Mottomo Abunai Deka (JP Publisher: Toei Animation)
• Shin Satomi Hakkenden: Hikari to Yami no Tatakai (JP Publisher: Toei Animation)
• Thundercade (US Publisher: Sammy)

Khaos?

• Daiku no Gen-san 2: Akage no Dan no Gyakushuu (programming?) (JP Publisher: Irem)
• Kaiketsu Yanchamaru 3: Taiketsu! Zouringen (programming?) (JP Publisher: Irem)

Famicom Disk System

Pre-Micronics?

• Mr. Gold: Tooyama no Kin-san Space Chou (JP Publisher: Toei Animation)

Game Boy

Khaos?

• Kiteretsu Daihyakka: Bouken Ooedo Juraki (JP Publisher: Video System)

Game Boy Color

Khaos?

• Pocket King (some programming?) (JP Publisher: Namco)
• Pocket Lure Boy (programming?) (JP Publisher: King Records)

Mega Drive/Genesis

Khaos?

• Atomic Robo-Kid (JP/US Publisher: Treco)
• F1 Circus MD (JP Publisher: Nichibutsu)
• Super Volleyball (programming) (JP Publisher: Video System; US Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)

MSX2

Pre-Micronics?

• Hiatari Ryoko! (JP Publisher: Toho)
• Zoids: Chuuou Tairiku no Tatakai (JP Publisher: Toshiba EMI)

PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16

Micronics?

• Super Volleyball (programming?) (JP Publisher: Video System; US Publisher: NEC Home Electronics)

PC Engine CD/TurboGrafx-CD

Khaos?

• Mahjong Lemon Angel (JP Publisher: Naxat Soft)

Super Famicom/Super NES

Micronics

• Raiden Densetsu / Raiden Trad (programming) (US Publisher: Electro Brain; JP Publisher: Toei Animation)

Sound: Copya System

None of the usual staff appear on this game. The programmer also turns up on SFC Acrobat Mission and GB Zettai Muteki Raijin-Oh (and NES Twin Cobra).

Khaos

• Honkaku Mahjong Tetsuman II (some programming) (JP Publisher: Naxat Soft) [2]

Developer: GAPS; Sound: Eurhythm

• Mahjong Sengoku Monogatari (some programming?) (JP Publisher: Yojigen)
• The Mahjong Touhaiden (programming?) (JP Publisher: Video System)
• Mizuki Shigeru no Youkai Hyakkiyakou (main programming?) (JP Publisher: KSS)

Some Direction, Graphics: Geo Factory

• Shodankurai Nintei: Shodan Pro Mahjong (programming) (JP Publisher: N&G Project)

Sound: Eurhythm

• Sonic Wings / Aero Fighters (programming) (JP Publisher: Video System; US Publisher: Mc O'River)
• Spriggan Powered (programming) (JP Publisher: Naxat Soft)
• Zoo-tto Mahjong (some programming?) (JP Publisher: Nintendo)

X68000

Micronics

• Jangou 1 (some programming) (JP Publisher: Cross Media Soft) [3]

Links

• Masahiko Tsukada's profile (Japanese)
• Investigative thread at Digital Press