Difference between revisions of "Westone Bit Entertainment"

From Game Developer Research Institute
Jump to: navigation, search
 
(31 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
__NOTOC__
 
__NOTOC__
 
[[Image:Bitlogo00.png|right|Westone Bit Entertainment logo]]
 
[[Image:Bitlogo00.png|right|Westone Bit Entertainment logo]]
Established in May 1986 as '''Escape''' (as in the escape key on computer keyboards). But since that name didn't exactly reinforce the image of a company to be relied upon, it was later changed to '''Westone'''. [http://www.smspower.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=44826#44826]
+
'''Westone Bit Entertainment''' (株式会社ウエストンビットエンタテインメント) was a development company based in Mukoujima, Sumida, Tokyo [http://web.archive.org/web/20130626133523/http://www.westone.co.jp/acs.html], best remembered for the ''Wonder Boy'' and ''Monster World'' games. [http://ma-times.jp/9418.html] It was originally established in May 1986 [http://web.archive.org/web/20130708204234/http://www.westone.co.jp/ir.html] as '''Escape''' (as in the escape key on computer keyboards). Since that name didn't exactly reinforce the image of a reliable company, it was later changed to '''Westone'''. [http://www.smspower.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=44826#44826] The company's name was changed yet again to Westone Bit Entertainment in April 2000. [http://review-site.net/dt/index.php/う#.E3.82.A6.E3.82.A8.E3.82.B9.E3.83.88.E3.83.B3.E3.83.93.E3.83.83.E3.83.88.E3.82.A8.E3.83.B3.E3.82.BF.E3.83.86.E3.82.A4.E3.83.B3.E3.83.A1.E3.83.B3.E3.83.88.EF.BC.88westone_bit_entertainment.EF.BC.89]
  
The Westone name is derived from the first characters of the names of company founders Ryuuichi Nishizawa (Nishi = West) and Michishito Ishizuka (Ishi = Stone). [http://www.smspower.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=44826#44826]
+
The Westone name is derived from the first characters of the names of the company's founders, president Ryuichi Nishizawa (西澤龍一) (Nishi = West) and Michishito Ishizuka (石塚路志人) (Ishi = Stone) [http://www.smspower.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=44826#44826], both ex-employees of Tehkan (Tecmo).
  
Westone became '''Westone Bit Entertainment''' in April 2000. [http://review-site.net/developer/xu.html#ウエストンビットエンタテインメント]
+
Westone Bit Entertainment and related company Bit Angel filed for bankruptcy on September 24, 2014. [http://ma-times.jp/9418.html]
  
'''[[Game Developer Research Institute:About#Research_Methods|Research Methods]]:''' Online resources (see [[#Links|Links]])
+
'''[[About:Research Methods|Research Methods]]:''' Online resources (see [[#Links|Links]]), shared staff
  
 
===Arcade===
 
===Arcade===
 
*''Aurail'' (Sega)
 
*''Aurail'' (Sega)
 
*''Riot City'' (Sega)
 
*''Riot City'' (Sega)
*''Tokei Jikake no Akuwario'' (unreleased)
+
*''Tokei Jikake no Aquario'' (unreleased)
 
*''Wonder Boy'' (Sega)
 
*''Wonder Boy'' (Sega)
 
*''Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair'' (Sega)
 
*''Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair'' (Sega)
Line 20: Line 20:
 
*''Akihabara Dennou-gumi Pata Pies!'' (JP Publisher: Sega)
 
*''Akihabara Dennou-gumi Pata Pies!'' (JP Publisher: Sega)
 
*''DiGi Charat Fantasy'' (JP Publisher: Broccoli)
 
*''DiGi Charat Fantasy'' (JP Publisher: Broccoli)
*''Fish Eyes Wild / Reel Fishing Wild'' (JP Publisher: Victor; US Publisher: Natsume)
+
*''Fish Eyes Wild'' / ''Reel Fishing Wild'' (JP Publisher: Victor; US Publisher: Natsume)
 +
:<small>3D Modeling: Tiny Art; Sound: T's Music</small>
 
*''Shinseiki Evangelion: Ayanami Ikusei Kaikaku'' (JP Publisher: Broccoli)
 
*''Shinseiki Evangelion: Ayanami Ikusei Kaikaku'' (JP Publisher: Broccoli)
  
 
===Famicom/NES===
 
===Famicom/NES===
*''Jaws'' (US Publisher: LJN)
+
*''Jaws'' (developed under subcontract with [[Atlus]]) (US Publisher: [[LJN]])
*''Majin Eiyuuden Wataru Gaiden'' (JP Publisher: Hudson)
+
*''Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru Gaiden'' (JP Publisher: Hudson)
 +
 
 +
===Game Boy===
 +
*''Jikuu Senki Muu'' (sound) (JP Publisher: Hudson)
  
 
===Game Gear===
 
===Game Gear===
*''Monster World II: Dragon no Wana / Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap'' (JP/EU Publisher: Sega)
+
*''Monster World II: Dragon no Wana'' / ''Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap'' (JP/EU Publisher: Sega)
  
 
===Mark III/Master System===
 
===Mark III/Master System===
Line 35: Line 39:
 
===Mega CD/Sega CD===
 
===Mega CD/Sega CD===
 
*''Dungeon Explorer'' (US Publisher: Sega; EU Publisher: Hudson)
 
*''Dungeon Explorer'' (US Publisher: Sega; EU Publisher: Hudson)
 +
*''The Space Adventure'' (some sound support) (US/EU Publisher: Hudson)
 +
:<small>Programming?: [[Crosstalk]]; Sound: T's Music</small>
  
 
===Mega Drive/Genesis===
 
===Mega Drive/Genesis===
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Mega Bomberman'' (sound?) (US/EU/AS Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy; SK Publisher: Samsung)</div>
 
*''Monster World IV'' (JP Publisher: Sega)
 
*''Monster World IV'' (JP Publisher: Sega)
*''Wonder Boy V: Monster World III / Wonder Boy in Monster World'' (JP/US/EU Publisher: Sega)
+
*''Wonder Boy V: Monster World III'' / ''Wonder Boy in Monster World'' (JP/US/EU/AU Publisher: Sega; SK Publisher: Samsung)
 +
 
 +
===Nintendo 64===
 +
*<div style="color:red">''Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers'' (some graphics?) (US Publisher: Kemco)</div>
  
 
===Other===
 
===Other===
Line 46: Line 56:
 
===PC Engine CD/TurboGrafx-CD===
 
===PC Engine CD/TurboGrafx-CD===
 
*''Blood Gear'' (JP Publisher: Hudson)
 
*''Blood Gear'' (JP Publisher: Hudson)
 +
*''Star Parodier'' (some music composition, PSG) (JP Publisher: Hudson)
  
 
===PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16===
 
===PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16===
 
*''Aoi Blink'' (JP Publisher: Hudson)
 
*''Aoi Blink'' (JP Publisher: Hudson)
*''Appare! Gateball'' (JP Publisher: Hudson)
+
*''Appare! Gateball'' (under subcontract with Atlus) (JP Publisher: Hudson)
*''Power Eleven'' (JP Publisher: Hudson)
+
*''Battle Lode Runner'' (sound) (JP Publisher: Hudson)
 +
:<small>Programming, Some Map Design: [[Mutech]]</small>
 +
*''Power Eleven'' (programming, sound; under subcontract with Atlus) (JP Publisher: Hudson)
 +
*''Raiden'' (sound) (JP Publisher: Hudson; US Publisher: NEC)
 +
:<small>Developer: [[A.I]]</small>
 +
 
 +
===PC-FX===
 +
*''Tengai Makyou: Dennou Karakuri Kakutouden'' (PSG programming) (JP Publisher: Hudson)
  
 
===Pico===
 
===Pico===
*''Minna de Odorou: Ozu no Mahoutsukai''
+
*''Minna de Odorou: Oz no Mahou Tsukai'' (JP Publisher: Sega)
  
 
===PlayStation===
 
===PlayStation===
 +
*''Favorite Dear: Junpaku no Yogensha'' (programming) (JP Publisher: NEC Interchannel)
 +
:<small>Some Graphics: EXE-CREATE</small>
 
*''Kekkon: Marriage'' (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
 
*''Kekkon: Marriage'' (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
 +
*''Meltylancer Re-inforce'' (some battle graphics) (JP Publisher: Imadio)
 
*''Milano no Arbeit Collection'' (JP Publisher: Victor)
 
*''Milano no Arbeit Collection'' (JP Publisher: Victor)
 +
:<small>Some Sound: T's Music</small>
 
*''Sotsugyou III: Wedding Bell'' (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
 
*''Sotsugyou III: Wedding Bell'' (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
 
*''Sotsugyou M: Male Graduation: Seitokai Naga no Kareinaru Inbou'' (JP Publisher: E3 Staff)
 
*''Sotsugyou M: Male Graduation: Seitokai Naga no Kareinaru Inbou'' (JP Publisher: E3 Staff)
*''Soukou Kihei Votoms Gaiden: Ao no Kishi Velzelga Monogatari'' (JP Publisher: Takara)
+
*''Soukou Kihei Votoms Gaiden: Ao no Kishi Berserga Monogatari'' (JP Publisher: Takara)
 +
:<small>Some Sound: T's Music</small>
 +
*''Tensen Nyannyan: Gekijouban'' (sound) (JP Publisher: Time Point)
 +
:<small>Developer: [[Studio Offside]]</small>
 
*''Wolkenkratzer: Shinpan no Tou'' (JP Publisher: Asmik)
 
*''Wolkenkratzer: Shinpan no Tou'' (JP Publisher: Asmik)
  
Line 73: Line 98:
 
*''Sotsugyou III: Wedding Bell'' (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
 
*''Sotsugyou III: Wedding Bell'' (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
 
*''Sotsugyou: Album'' (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
 
*''Sotsugyou: Album'' (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
 +
*''Wachenröder'' (some graphics) (JP Publisher: Sega)
 
*''Willy Wombat'' (JP Publisher: Hudson)
 
*''Willy Wombat'' (JP Publisher: Hudson)
  
 
===Super Famicom/Super NES===
 
===Super Famicom/Super NES===
 
*''Dark Half'' (JP Publisher: Enix)
 
*''Dark Half'' (JP Publisher: Enix)
 +
*''Takahashi Meijin no Daibouken Jima'' / ''Super Adventure Island'' (story/supervision) (JP/US/EU Publisher: Hudson)
  
 
===Toys===
 
===Toys===
Line 82: Line 109:
 
*''Dennou Meikyuu Labyrinth'' (Takara Tomy)
 
*''Dennou Meikyuu Labyrinth'' (Takara Tomy)
 
*''Himitsu Kichi o Tsukurou'' (Takara Tomy)
 
*''Himitsu Kichi o Tsukurou'' (Takara Tomy)
*''Myawlingual''
+
*''Meowlingual''
 +
 
 +
===Virtual Boy===
 +
*''Tobidase! Panibon'' / ''Panic Bomber'' (some music composition) (JP Publisher: Hudson; US Publisher: Nintendo)
  
 
===Vodafone (mobile)===
 
===Vodafone (mobile)===
Line 94: Line 124:
 
*''Tsuri Baka Nisshi: Baku Tsuri Typing'' (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
 
*''Tsuri Baka Nisshi: Baku Tsuri Typing'' (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
 
*''Waku Waku Joyland'' (NTT)
 
*''Waku Waku Joyland'' (NTT)
 +
 +
===WonderSwan===
 +
*''wuz↑b? Produce: Street Dancer'' (JP Publisher: Bandai)
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
*[http://www.westone.co.jp/ Official website]
+
*[https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.westone.co.jp/ Official website (Internet Archive Wayback Machine)] (Japanese)
 +
*[http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Blog:Five_Westone_Games_That_Aren't_Wonder_Boy Blog: Five Westone Games That Aren't ''Wonder Boy'']
 +
 
 +
[[Category:Companies]]

Latest revision as of 23:49, 12 August 2021

Westone Bit Entertainment logo

Westone Bit Entertainment (株式会社ウエストンビットエンタテインメント) was a development company based in Mukoujima, Sumida, Tokyo [1], best remembered for the Wonder Boy and Monster World games. [2] It was originally established in May 1986 [3] as Escape (as in the escape key on computer keyboards). Since that name didn't exactly reinforce the image of a reliable company, it was later changed to Westone. [4] The company's name was changed yet again to Westone Bit Entertainment in April 2000. [5]

The Westone name is derived from the first characters of the names of the company's founders, president Ryuichi Nishizawa (西澤龍一) (Nishi = West) and Michishito Ishizuka (石塚路志人) (Ishi = Stone) [6], both ex-employees of Tehkan (Tecmo).

Westone Bit Entertainment and related company Bit Angel filed for bankruptcy on September 24, 2014. [7]

Research Methods: Online resources (see Links), shared staff

Arcade

  • Aurail (Sega)
  • Riot City (Sega)
  • Tokei Jikake no Aquario (unreleased)
  • Wonder Boy (Sega)
  • Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair (Sega)
  • Wonder Boy in Monster Land (Sega)

Dreamcast

  • Akihabara Dennou-gumi Pata Pies! (JP Publisher: Sega)
  • DiGi Charat Fantasy (JP Publisher: Broccoli)
  • Fish Eyes Wild / Reel Fishing Wild (JP Publisher: Victor; US Publisher: Natsume)
3D Modeling: Tiny Art; Sound: T's Music
  • Shinseiki Evangelion: Ayanami Ikusei Kaikaku (JP Publisher: Broccoli)

Famicom/NES

  • Jaws (developed under subcontract with Atlus) (US Publisher: LJN)
  • Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru Gaiden (JP Publisher: Hudson)

Game Boy

  • Jikuu Senki Muu (sound) (JP Publisher: Hudson)

Game Gear

  • Monster World II: Dragon no Wana / Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap (JP/EU Publisher: Sega)

Mark III/Master System

  • Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap (US/CA/EU Publisher: Sega)

Mega CD/Sega CD

  • Dungeon Explorer (US Publisher: Sega; EU Publisher: Hudson)
  • The Space Adventure (some sound support) (US/EU Publisher: Hudson)
Programming?: Crosstalk; Sound: T's Music

Mega Drive/Genesis

  • Mega Bomberman (sound?) (US/EU/AS Publisher: Sega; BR Publisher: Tec Toy; SK Publisher: Samsung)
  • Monster World IV (JP Publisher: Sega)
  • Wonder Boy V: Monster World III / Wonder Boy in Monster World (JP/US/EU/AU Publisher: Sega; SK Publisher: Samsung)

Nintendo 64

  • Shadowgate 64: Trials of the Four Towers (some graphics?) (US Publisher: Kemco)

Other

  • Victory Shooter (prize machine)
  • What If? (Win/Win CE/Java)

PC Engine CD/TurboGrafx-CD

  • Blood Gear (JP Publisher: Hudson)
  • Star Parodier (some music composition, PSG) (JP Publisher: Hudson)

PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16

  • Aoi Blink (JP Publisher: Hudson)
  • Appare! Gateball (under subcontract with Atlus) (JP Publisher: Hudson)
  • Battle Lode Runner (sound) (JP Publisher: Hudson)
Programming, Some Map Design: Mutech
  • Power Eleven (programming, sound; under subcontract with Atlus) (JP Publisher: Hudson)
  • Raiden (sound) (JP Publisher: Hudson; US Publisher: NEC)
Developer: A.I

PC-FX

  • Tengai Makyou: Dennou Karakuri Kakutouden (PSG programming) (JP Publisher: Hudson)

Pico

  • Minna de Odorou: Oz no Mahou Tsukai (JP Publisher: Sega)

PlayStation

  • Favorite Dear: Junpaku no Yogensha (programming) (JP Publisher: NEC Interchannel)
Some Graphics: EXE-CREATE
  • Kekkon: Marriage (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
  • Meltylancer Re-inforce (some battle graphics) (JP Publisher: Imadio)
  • Milano no Arbeit Collection (JP Publisher: Victor)
Some Sound: T's Music
  • Sotsugyou III: Wedding Bell (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
  • Sotsugyou M: Male Graduation: Seitokai Naga no Kareinaru Inbou (JP Publisher: E3 Staff)
  • Soukou Kihei Votoms Gaiden: Ao no Kishi Berserga Monogatari (JP Publisher: Takara)
Some Sound: T's Music
  • Tensen Nyannyan: Gekijouban (sound) (JP Publisher: Time Point)
Developer: Studio Offside
  • Wolkenkratzer: Shinpan no Tou (JP Publisher: Asmik)

PlayStation 2

  • Princess Maker 4 (JP Publisher: CyberFront; KR Publisher: Gainax)
  • Relaxuma: Ojama Shitemasu 2 Shuukan (JP Publisher: Interchannel)
  • Secret of Evangelion (JP Publisher: Jinx)
  • Shinseiki Evangelion: Ayanami Ikusei Keikaku with Asuka Hokan Keikaku (JP Publisher: Broccoli)

Saturn

  • Kekkon: Marriage (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
  • Sotsugyou III: Wedding Bell (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
  • Sotsugyou: Album (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
  • Wachenröder (some graphics) (JP Publisher: Sega)
  • Willy Wombat (JP Publisher: Hudson)

Super Famicom/Super NES

  • Dark Half (JP Publisher: Enix)
  • Takahashi Meijin no Daibouken Jima / Super Adventure Island (story/supervision) (JP/US/EU Publisher: Hudson)

Toys

  • Bowlingual (Takara)
  • Dennou Meikyuu Labyrinth (Takara Tomy)
  • Himitsu Kichi o Tsukurou (Takara Tomy)
  • Meowlingual

Virtual Boy

  • Tobidase! Panibon / Panic Bomber (some music composition) (JP Publisher: Hudson; US Publisher: Nintendo)

Vodafone (mobile)

  • Bowlingual Connect

Windows

  • Chicchana Yuki Tsukai Sugar Desktop Accessories (JP Publisher: Broccoli)
  • Galaxy Angel Desktop Accessories (JP Publisher: Broccoli)
  • Pita-Ten Desktop Accessories (JP Publisher: Broccoli)
  • Renai Typing: Salad Days (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
  • Tsuri Baka Nisshi: Baku Tsuri Typing (JP Publisher: Shogakukan Production)
  • Waku Waku Joyland (NTT)

WonderSwan

  • wuz↑b? Produce: Street Dancer (JP Publisher: Bandai)

Links