Difference between revisions of "Nova"

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__NOTOC__
 
__NOTOC__
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''Not to be confused with Nova Games Ltd., a Canadian arcade game manufacturer, or Nova Productions Limited, a British company that made arcade games and other amusement machines''
 
[[Image:Nova.png|right|Nova logo]]
 
[[Image:Nova.png|right|Nova logo]]
 +
'''Nova Co., Ltd.''' (株式会社ノバ) was originally founded by four people including two former staff members of the Koei subsidiary [[Ark]], Hiroshi Fukutsu (福津浩) [https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999905/20220618008/] and Kenji Takenaka (竹中健二). [https://twitter.com/gdri/status/1692383799185682575] As Nova took on more work from Namco, Fukutsu started a "brother company" (not a subsidiary) called [[Quest (2)|Quest]] with shared staff from Nova to work with other publishers. [https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999905/20220618008/] [[Sun L]] appears to have broken off from Nova.
  
See also [[Sun L]]
+
Much of the staff from [[N.H. System]] joined Nova after N.H. System went bankrupt. Nova also took over development of ''Final Blaster'' and ''Märchen Maze'' for PC Engine. [https://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~zekzek/sample_kitan.html] [https://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Talk:N.H._System]
  
'''[[About:Research Methods|Research Methods]]:''' [[Nova (actual mentions)|Actual mentions]], online resources (see [[#Links|Links]]), shared staff
+
Takenaka was the president of Nova. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140828213601/http://wingvtr.webdeki-bbs.com/wingvtr_tree_pr_95.html] [https://twitter.com/gdri/status/1707949808562975084] Nova may have also had an American subsidiary in California called Nova America Corporation (incorporated in 1990 and dissolved in 1993); it was headed by a Kenji Takenaka with a registered address in Tokyo. Takenaka was later involved with [[Wavedge]] and possibly served as the president of that company, given his producer role on some games.
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 +
'''[[About:Research Methods|Research Methods]]:''' [[Nova (actual mentions)|Actual mentions]], code comparisons, interviews, online resources, [[Nova (credits)|shared staff]]
  
 
===Famicom/NES===
 
===Famicom/NES===
*''Final Lap'' (JP Publisher: Namco)
+
*''Dokuganryuu Masamune'' (JP Publisher: Namco)
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Elnark no Zaihou'' (JP Publisher: Towa Chiki)</div>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Final Lap'' (JP Publisher: Namco)</div>
 +
:<small>Programming, Sound?: [[Arc System Works]]</small>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Ide Yosuke Meijin no Jissen Mahjong II'' (JP Publisher: Capcom)</div>
 +
:<small>Programming?: Arc System Works</small>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Mappy Kids'' (JP Publisher: Namco)</div>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Mirai Shinwa Jarvas'' (JP Publisher: Taito)</div>
 
*<div style="color:red">''Rolling Thunder'' (JP Publisher: Namco; US Publisher: Tengen)</div>
 
*<div style="color:red">''Rolling Thunder'' (JP Publisher: Namco; US Publisher: Tengen)</div>
 +
:<small>Programming, Sound?: Arc System Works</small>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Sherlock Holmes: Hakushaku Reijou Yuukai Jiken'' (JP Publisher: Towa Chiki)</div>
 +
*''Takeda Shingen'' (JP Publisher: Hot-B)
 +
*''Takeshi no Chousenjou'' (under subcontract with [[Allumer]]?) (JP Publisher: Taito)
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Takeshi no Sengoku Fuuunji'' (JP Publisher: Taito)</div>
 
*<div style="color:red">''Zoids: Mokushiroku'' (JP Publisher: Tomy)</div>
 
*<div style="color:red">''Zoids: Mokushiroku'' (JP Publisher: Tomy)</div>
  
 
===Game Boy===
 
===Game Boy===
 +
*<div style="color:red">''America Oudan Ultra Quiz'' (JP Publisher: Tomy)</div>
 +
:<small>Direction: [[WiZ]]</small>
 
*''Battle City'' (JP Publisher: Nova)
 
*''Battle City'' (JP Publisher: Nova)
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Family Jockey'' (JP Publisher: Namco)</div>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Kinnikuman: The Dream Match'' (JP Publisher: Yutaka)</div>
 +
*''Ranma 1/2: Kakuren Bodesu Match'' (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
 
*''SD Lupin Sansei: Kinko Yaburi Daisakusen'' (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
 
*''SD Lupin Sansei: Kinko Yaburi Daisakusen'' (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
*<div style="color:red">''Uchuu no Kishi: Tekkaman Blade'' (JP Publisher: Yutaka)</div>
+
*<div style="color:red">''Versus Hero: Kakutou Ou e no Michi'' (JP Publisher: Banpresto)</div>
 
*''Zoids Densetsu'' (JP Publisher: Tomy)
 
*''Zoids Densetsu'' (JP Publisher: Tomy)
 +
 +
===Game Gear===
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Mappy'' (JP Publisher: Namco)</div>
  
 
===Mega Drive/Genesis===
 
===Mega Drive/Genesis===
 
*''Burning Force'' (JP/US Publisher: Namco; EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
 
*''Burning Force'' (JP/US Publisher: Namco; EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
*<div style="color:red">''Mighty Morphin Power Rangers'' (US/EU/AU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)</div>
+
*''Mighty Morphin Power Rangers'' (US/EU/AU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
:<small>Some Graphics: Winds?; Sound: USP?</small>
+
:<small>Some Graphics: [[Winds]]?; Sound: USP?</small>
  
 
===PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16===
 
===PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16===
 +
*''Final Blaster'' (JP Publisher: Namco)
 +
:<small>Programming: [[Aisystem Tokyo]]</small>
 
*''Final Lap Twin'' (JP Publisher: Namco; US Publisher: NEC Home Electronics)
 
*''Final Lap Twin'' (JP Publisher: Namco; US Publisher: NEC Home Electronics)
 
*''Juuouki'' (unreleased version?) (NEC Avenue)
 
*''Juuouki'' (unreleased version?) (NEC Avenue)
*<div style="color:red">''Final Blaster'' (JP Publisher: Namco)</div>
+
*''Märchen Maze'' (JP Publisher: Namco)
:<small>Programming: [[Aisystem Tokyo]]</small>
+
*<div style="color:red">''Märchen Maze'' (JP Publisher: Namco)</div>
+
 
*<div style="color:red">''Thunder Blade'' (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)</div>
 
*<div style="color:red">''Thunder Blade'' (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)</div>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''World Jockey'' (JP Publisher: Namco)</div>
  
 
===Super Famicom/Super NES===
 
===Super Famicom/Super NES===
*''Battle Dodgeball II'' (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
+
*''3x3 Eyes: Seima Kourinden'' (JP Publisher: Yutaka)
:<small>Music: USP?</small>
+
:<small>Sound: USP?</small>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Battle Dodge Ball: Toukyuu Daigekitotsu!'' (JP Publisher: Banpresto)</div>
 +
*''Battle Dodge Ball II'' (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
 +
:<small>Some Graphics?: Winds; Music: USP?</small>
 
*''Battle Jockey'' (JP Publisher: Virgin)
 
*''Battle Jockey'' (JP Publisher: Virgin)
:<small>Some Graphics: Winds?; Sound: USP?</small>
+
:<small>Some Graphics: Winds; Sound: USP?</small>
 +
*''Garou Densetsu 2: Arata-naru Tatakai'' / ''Fatal Fury 2'' (JP/US/EU Publisher: Takara)
 +
:<small>Sound: USP?</small>
 +
*''Garou Densetsu: Shukumei no Tatakai'' / ''Fatal Fury'' (JP/US/EU Publisher: Takara)
 +
:<small>Sound: USP?</small>
 +
*<div style="color:red">''The Great Battle II: Last Fighter Twin'' (JP Publisher: Banpresto)</div>
 
*''Kidou Senshi Gundam F91: Formula Senki 0122'' (JP Publisher: Bandai)
 
*''Kidou Senshi Gundam F91: Formula Senki 0122'' (JP Publisher: Bandai)
*''Sandra no Daibouken: Valkyrie to no Deai / Whirlo'' (JP/EU Publisher: Namco)
+
*<div style="color:red">''Kinnikuman: Dirty Challenger'' (JP Publisher: Yutaka)</div>
:<small>Some Sound: USP?</small>
+
*<div style="color:red">''Magical Taruruuto-kun: Magic Adventure'' (JP Publisher: Bandai)</div>
*<div style="color:red">''SD The Great Battle: Arutanaru Chousen'' (JP Publisher: Banpresto)</div>
+
*<div style="color:red">''SD The Great Battle: Arata-naru Chousen'' (JP Publisher: Banpresto)</div>
*<div style="color:red">''SD The Great Battle II: Last Fighter Twin'' (JP Publisher: Banpresto)</div>
+
 
*''Shounen Ashibe: Goma-chan no Yuuenchi Daibouken'' (JP Publisher: Takara)
 
*''Shounen Ashibe: Goma-chan no Yuuenchi Daibouken'' (JP Publisher: Takara)
 
:<small>Sound: USP?</small>
 
:<small>Sound: USP?</small>
Line 45: Line 77:
 
*''Super Wagyan Land 2'' (JP Publisher: Namco)
 
*''Super Wagyan Land 2'' (JP Publisher: Namco)
 
:<small>Sound: USP?</small>
 
:<small>Sound: USP?</small>
*''Thunderbirds, Gerry Anderson's: Kokusai Kyuujotai Shutsudou seyo!'' (development cooperation) (JP Publisher: Cobra Team)
+
*''Thunderbirds, Gerry Anderson's: Kokusai Kyuujotai Shutsudou seyo!'' (JP Publisher: Cobra Team)
:<small>Some Programming?: [[Aisystem Tokyo]]; Sound: USP?</small>
+
:<small>Some Programming: [[Aisystem Tokyo]]; Some Programming: [[Soft Machine]]?; Sound: USP?</small>
 
*''Ultraman: Towards the Future'' (US/UK Publisher: Bandai)
 
*''Ultraman: Towards the Future'' (US/UK Publisher: Bandai)
 +
*''World Heroes'' (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sunsoft; BR Publisher: Playtronic)
 +
:<small>Sound: USP?</small>
 +
*''Xandra no Daibouken: Valkyrie to no Deai'' / ''Whirlo'' (JP/EU Publisher: Namco)
 +
:<small>Some Sound: USP?</small>
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
*[http://www.iris.dti.ne.jp/~haya-c/funkykh/profile.html Composer Katsuhiro Hayashi's profile] (Japanese)
+
*[http://www.iris.dti.ne.jp/~haya-c/funkykh/profile.html Sound designer Katsuhiro Hayashi's profile] (Japanese)
 +
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040609030909/http://cgi.matsuha.or.jp/user/norip/txt/work.html Sound designer Norihiko Togashi's works list (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)] (Japanese)
 +
*[https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999905/20220618008/ 4gamer.net interview with Nova co-founder Hiroshi Fukutsu (part two)] (Japanese)
  
 
[[Category:Companies]]
 
[[Category:Companies]]

Latest revision as of 03:38, 8 December 2023

Not to be confused with Nova Games Ltd., a Canadian arcade game manufacturer, or Nova Productions Limited, a British company that made arcade games and other amusement machines

Nova logo

Nova Co., Ltd. (株式会社ノバ) was originally founded by four people including two former staff members of the Koei subsidiary Ark, Hiroshi Fukutsu (福津浩) [1] and Kenji Takenaka (竹中健二). [2] As Nova took on more work from Namco, Fukutsu started a "brother company" (not a subsidiary) called Quest with shared staff from Nova to work with other publishers. [3] Sun L appears to have broken off from Nova.

Much of the staff from N.H. System joined Nova after N.H. System went bankrupt. Nova also took over development of Final Blaster and Märchen Maze for PC Engine. [4] [5]

Takenaka was the president of Nova. [6] [7] Nova may have also had an American subsidiary in California called Nova America Corporation (incorporated in 1990 and dissolved in 1993); it was headed by a Kenji Takenaka with a registered address in Tokyo. Takenaka was later involved with Wavedge and possibly served as the president of that company, given his producer role on some games.

Research Methods: Actual mentions, code comparisons, interviews, online resources, shared staff

Famicom/NES

  • Dokuganryuu Masamune (JP Publisher: Namco)
  • Elnark no Zaihou (JP Publisher: Towa Chiki)
  • Final Lap (JP Publisher: Namco)
Programming, Sound?: Arc System Works
  • Ide Yosuke Meijin no Jissen Mahjong II (JP Publisher: Capcom)
Programming?: Arc System Works
  • Mappy Kids (JP Publisher: Namco)
  • Mirai Shinwa Jarvas (JP Publisher: Taito)
  • Rolling Thunder (JP Publisher: Namco; US Publisher: Tengen)
Programming, Sound?: Arc System Works
  • Sherlock Holmes: Hakushaku Reijou Yuukai Jiken (JP Publisher: Towa Chiki)
  • Takeda Shingen (JP Publisher: Hot-B)
  • Takeshi no Chousenjou (under subcontract with Allumer?) (JP Publisher: Taito)
  • Takeshi no Sengoku Fuuunji (JP Publisher: Taito)
  • Zoids: Mokushiroku (JP Publisher: Tomy)

Game Boy

  • America Oudan Ultra Quiz (JP Publisher: Tomy)
Direction: WiZ
  • Battle City (JP Publisher: Nova)
  • Family Jockey (JP Publisher: Namco)
  • Kinnikuman: The Dream Match (JP Publisher: Yutaka)
  • Ranma 1/2: Kakuren Bodesu Match (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
  • SD Lupin Sansei: Kinko Yaburi Daisakusen (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
  • Versus Hero: Kakutou Ou e no Michi (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
  • Zoids Densetsu (JP Publisher: Tomy)

Game Gear

  • Mappy (JP Publisher: Namco)

Mega Drive/Genesis

  • Burning Force (JP/US Publisher: Namco; EU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
  • Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (US/EU/AU Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy)
Some Graphics: Winds?; Sound: USP?

PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16

  • Final Blaster (JP Publisher: Namco)
Programming: Aisystem Tokyo
  • Final Lap Twin (JP Publisher: Namco; US Publisher: NEC Home Electronics)
  • Juuouki (unreleased version?) (NEC Avenue)
  • Märchen Maze (JP Publisher: Namco)
  • Thunder Blade (JP Publisher: NEC Avenue)
  • World Jockey (JP Publisher: Namco)

Super Famicom/Super NES

  • 3x3 Eyes: Seima Kourinden (JP Publisher: Yutaka)
Sound: USP?
  • Battle Dodge Ball: Toukyuu Daigekitotsu! (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
  • Battle Dodge Ball II (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
Some Graphics?: Winds; Music: USP?
  • Battle Jockey (JP Publisher: Virgin)
Some Graphics: Winds; Sound: USP?
  • Garou Densetsu 2: Arata-naru Tatakai / Fatal Fury 2 (JP/US/EU Publisher: Takara)
Sound: USP?
  • Garou Densetsu: Shukumei no Tatakai / Fatal Fury (JP/US/EU Publisher: Takara)
Sound: USP?
  • The Great Battle II: Last Fighter Twin (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
  • Kidou Senshi Gundam F91: Formula Senki 0122 (JP Publisher: Bandai)
  • Kinnikuman: Dirty Challenger (JP Publisher: Yutaka)
  • Magical Taruruuto-kun: Magic Adventure (JP Publisher: Bandai)
  • SD The Great Battle: Arata-naru Chousen (JP Publisher: Banpresto)
  • Shounen Ashibe: Goma-chan no Yuuenchi Daibouken (JP Publisher: Takara)
Sound: USP?
  • Super Wagyan Land (JP Publisher: Namco)
  • Super Wagyan Land 2 (JP Publisher: Namco)
Sound: USP?
  • Thunderbirds, Gerry Anderson's: Kokusai Kyuujotai Shutsudou seyo! (JP Publisher: Cobra Team)
Some Programming: Aisystem Tokyo; Some Programming: Soft Machine?; Sound: USP?
  • Ultraman: Towards the Future (US/UK Publisher: Bandai)
  • World Heroes (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sunsoft; BR Publisher: Playtronic)
Sound: USP?
  • Xandra no Daibouken: Valkyrie to no Deai / Whirlo (JP/EU Publisher: Namco)
Some Sound: USP?

Links