Difference between revisions of "Micronics/Khaos"

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__NOTOC__
 
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'''Micronics''' (株式会社マイクロニクス) was a contract developer based in Chuo-ku, Osaka, Japan. Evidence suggests the company was renamed '''Khaos Co., Ltd.''' (株式会社カオス) around 1993 and may have been known originally as '''Wixel Corporation''', though no conclusive evidence has yet been found whether they are in fact the same company under different names, or distinct but related companies.
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'''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.
  
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The main principals of the company appear to have been Masahiko Tsukada (塚田政彦) and Kazuo Yagi (八木一夫). GDRI attempted to contact Tsukada to no avail.
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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.
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[http://schiphol.2ch.net/test/read.cgi/gsaloon/1163933211/123 An anonymous 2ch post] says the president of Micronics was a college student who wanted to try making games but got stuck doing ports and ended up not caring about bugs. Many of the titles listed below are characterized by a distinct lack of coding and design care and are often plagued by problems such as jerky scrolling, sprite tearing, and lengthy load times. Many also share a distinct pause tone.
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'''[[About:Research Methods|Research Methods]]:''' Actual mentions, code comparisons, [[Micronics/Khaos (hidden data)|hidden data]], online resources (see [[#Links|Links]]), [[Micronics/Khaos (credits)|shared staff]]
 
'''[[About:Research Methods|Research Methods]]:''' Actual mentions, code comparisons, [[Micronics/Khaos (hidden data)|hidden data]], online resources (see [[#Links|Links]]), [[Micronics/Khaos (credits)|shared staff]]
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*''Kaguya Hime Densetsu'' (JP Publisher: Victor)
 
*''Kaguya Hime Densetsu'' (JP Publisher: Victor)
 
*''Makaimura'' / ''Ghosts 'n Goblins'' / ''Ghost 'n Goblins'' (programming) (JP/US/EU Publisher: Capcom)
 
*''Makaimura'' / ''Ghosts 'n Goblins'' / ''Ghost 'n Goblins'' (programming) (JP/US/EU Publisher: Capcom)
−
*''Miracle Ropitt: 2100-Toshi no Daibouken'' (JP Publisher: King Records)
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*''Miracle Ropit: 2100-nen no Daibouken'' (JP Publisher: King Records)
 +
:<small>The only related person in the credits seems to be the system engineer.</small>
 
*''Ninja-kun: Ashura no Shou'' (JP Publisher: UPL)
 
*''Ninja-kun: Ashura no Shou'' (JP Publisher: UPL)
 
*''Onyanko Town'' (JP Publisher: Pony Canyon)
 
*''Onyanko Town'' (JP Publisher: Pony Canyon)
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===Famicom Disk System===
 
===Famicom Disk System===
 +
'''Pre-Micronics?'''
 
*''Mr. Gold: Tooyama no Kin-san Space Chou'' (JP Publisher: Toei Animation)
 
*''Mr. Gold: Tooyama no Kin-san Space Chou'' (JP Publisher: Toei Animation)
  
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'''Khaos?'''
 
'''Khaos?'''
 
*<div style="color:red">''Kiteretsu Daihyakka: Bouken Ooedo Juraki'' (JP Publisher: Video System)</div>
 
*<div style="color:red">''Kiteretsu Daihyakka: Bouken Ooedo Juraki'' (JP Publisher: Video System)</div>
 +
 +
===Game Boy Color===
 +
'''Khaos?'''
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Pocket King'' (some programming?) (JP Publisher: Namco)</div>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Pocket Lure Boy'' (programming?) (JP Publisher: King Records)</div>
  
 
===Mega Drive/Genesis===
 
===Mega Drive/Genesis===
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===MSX2===
 
===MSX2===
 +
'''Pre-Micronics?'''
 
*''Hiatari Ryoko!'' (JP Publisher: Toho)
 
*''Hiatari Ryoko!'' (JP Publisher: Toho)
 
*''Zoids: Chuuou Tairiku no Tatakai'' (JP Publisher: Toshiba EMI)
 
*''Zoids: Chuuou Tairiku no Tatakai'' (JP Publisher: Toshiba EMI)
  
 
===PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16===
 
===PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16===
 +
'''Micronics?'''
 
*''Super Volleyball'' (programming?) (JP Publisher: Video System; US Publisher: NEC Home Electronics)
 
*''Super Volleyball'' (programming?) (JP Publisher: Video System; US Publisher: NEC Home Electronics)
  
 
===PC Engine CD/TurboGrafx-CD===
 
===PC Engine CD/TurboGrafx-CD===
 +
'''Khaos?'''
 
*''Mahjong Lemon Angel'' (JP Publisher: Naxat Soft)
 
*''Mahjong Lemon Angel'' (JP Publisher: Naxat Soft)
  
 
===Super Famicom/Super NES===
 
===Super Famicom/Super NES===
 +
'''Micronics'''
 +
*''Raiden Densetsu'' / ''Raiden Trad'' (programming) (US Publisher: Electro Brain; JP Publisher: Toei Animation)
 +
:<small>Sound: [[Copya System]]</small>
 +
:<small>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'').</small>
 +
 +
'''Khaos'''
 
*''Honkaku Mahjong Tetsuman II'' (some programming) (JP Publisher: Naxat Soft) [https://www35.atwiki.jp/sfcall/pages/1274.html]
 
*''Honkaku Mahjong Tetsuman II'' (some programming) (JP Publisher: Naxat Soft) [https://www35.atwiki.jp/sfcall/pages/1274.html]
 
:<small>Developer: GAPS; Sound: Eurhythm</small>
 
:<small>Developer: GAPS; Sound: Eurhythm</small>
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*''Mahjong Sengoku Monogatari'' (programming) (JP Publisher: Yojigen)
+
*''Mahjong Sengoku Monogatari'' (some programming?) (JP Publisher: Yojigen)
 
*''The Mahjong Touhaiden'' (programming?) (JP Publisher: Video System)
 
*''The Mahjong Touhaiden'' (programming?) (JP Publisher: Video System)
 
*<div style="color:red">''Mizuki Shigeru no Youkai Hyakkiyakou'' (main programming?) (JP Publisher: KSS)</div>
 
*<div style="color:red">''Mizuki Shigeru no Youkai Hyakkiyakou'' (main programming?) (JP Publisher: KSS)</div>
 
:<small>Some Direction, Graphics: [[Geo Factory]]</small>
 
:<small>Some Direction, Graphics: [[Geo Factory]]</small>
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*''Raiden Densetsu'' / ''Raiden Trad'' (programming) (US Publisher: Electro Brain; JP Publisher: Toei Animation)
 
−
:<small>Sound: [[Copya System]]</small>
 
 
*''Shodankurai Nintei: Shodan Pro Mahjong'' (programming) (JP Publisher: N&G Project)
 
*''Shodankurai Nintei: Shodan Pro Mahjong'' (programming) (JP Publisher: N&G Project)
 
:<small>Sound: Eurhythm</small>
 
:<small>Sound: Eurhythm</small>
 
*''Sonic Wings'' / ''Aero Fighters'' (programming) (JP Publisher: Video System; US Publisher: Mc O'River)
 
*''Sonic Wings'' / ''Aero Fighters'' (programming) (JP Publisher: Video System; US Publisher: Mc O'River)
 
*''Spriggan Powered'' (programming) (JP Publisher: Naxat Soft)
 
*''Spriggan Powered'' (programming) (JP Publisher: Naxat Soft)
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*<div style="color:red">''Zoo-tto Mahjong'' (JP Publisher: Nintendo)</div>
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*<div style="color:red">''Zoo-tto Mahjong'' (some programming?) (JP Publisher: Nintendo)</div>
 +
 
 +
===X68000===
 +
'''Micronics'''
 +
*''Jangou 1'' (some programming) (JP Publisher: Cross Media Soft) [https://twitter.com/zerocreate/status/1072307615756181505]
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
 
* [http://homepage2.nifty.com/ddf/gallery/profile.html Masahiko Tsukada's profile] (Japanese)
 
* [http://homepage2.nifty.com/ddf/gallery/profile.html Masahiko Tsukada's profile] (Japanese)
 
* [https://forum.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?70535-Developer-Obscura-Vol-1-Pony-Canyon-amp-Friends Investigative thread at Digital Press]
 
* [https://forum.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?70535-Developer-Obscura-Vol-1-Pony-Canyon-amp-Friends Investigative thread at Digital Press]
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[[Category:Companies]]
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[[Category:Companies based in Osaka]]

Revision as of 02:00, 26 November 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 Ropit: 2100-nen 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

Retrieved from "http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php?title=Micronics/Khaos&oldid=25011"