The back cover of Door Door's NEC PC-8801 version, featuring a photo and resume of Koichi Nakamura.

Enix was a Japanese video game publishing company founded in September 1975 by Yasuhiro Fukushima. Initially a tabloid publisher named Eidansha Boshu Service Center, in 1982 it ventured into video game publishing for Japanese home computers such as the PC-8800 series, the X1 series, and the FM-7.[1] Fukushima had no programming knowledge and did not employ internal programmers or game designers. Instead, he held a contest for programming hobbyists in order to pool talents and publish selected games, with a ¥1 million award for the top prize (US$5,000). Few entries were received in the first month, but after a marketing campaign on television and in appliance stores, hobby clubs, computer and manga magazines, three hundred entries were received by the end of the "First Game Hobby Program Contest".[2][3]

This contest allowed Enix to release numerous games with a wide variety of genres early on, as thirteen winning entries were polished and chosen for release in February 1983.[1][2] Among these were Morita no Battle Field by Kazurou Morita; Door Door by Koichi Nakamura; and Love Match Tennis by Yuji Horii, a young columnist for Weekly Shōnen Jump. In addition to two more contests, Enix began recruiting developers on a project basis. For each project, Enix outsourced development and handled production and promotion duties, which made cost control more efficient. Unlike software houses of the time, Fukushima tried to instill a commercial mindset in his developers, as he thought games should be treated as books or movies in terms of copyright. He employed a royalty payment system between the company and the developers so that the latter would be compensated proportionally to the direct sales of their games. Each of Enix's home computer release featured a photo and resume of the developer on the back cover of the package.[1][2]

Enix's home computer games were commercially successful; on their release, the first batch of February 1983 ranked first, second, third, fifth and seventh in the top ten Japanese best-selling games, leading to other game releases and a profit of ¥300 million (US$1.5 million) by the end of the year.[2] Enix moved into traditional game publishing in 1985, beginning by porting its most successful home computer games to the Famicom console: Door Door, which sold 200,000 copies,[1] and The Portopia Serial Murder Case, which sold 700,000.[2] Enix soon focused primarily on publishing titles for consoles, though it continued to sell home computer games through to 1993. With the exception of the character designer Akira Toriyama, the development team of Enix's future flagship series Dragon Quest was recruited, thanks to the company's programming contests: Horii and Nakamura had won the first contest, and Koichi Sugiyama was contacted after sending in a questionnaire postcard for Morita Kazurou no Shogi.[1]

List by year

1983

Month Title Platform(s) Details
February
(winning entries in the 1st Game Hobby Program Contest)		 Morita no Battle Field (森田のバトルフィールド, Morita no Batoru Fīrudo) NEC PC-8801
Door Door (ドア・ドア, Doa Doa) NEC PC-8801, other models
Guest Mariko Hashimoto (マリちゃん危機一髪, Mari-chan Kikiippatsu) FM-8, other models
Cosmic Soldier (宇宙の戦士, Uchū no Senshi) NEC PC-8801
D.I.S Airport (Ｄ・Ｉ・Ｓエアポート, D.I.S Eapōto) Sharp X1
  • Game by Seiji Fujihara.
Seiko's Adventure (星子のアドベンチャー, Seiko no Adobenchā) NEC PC-8801
Underground Monster (地底のモンスター, Chitei no Monsutā) NEC PC-8801, other models
Bacteria Escape (バクテリアエスケープ, Bakuteria Esukēpu) FM-7, other models
Napoleon (ナポレオン, Naporeon) NEC PC-6001
Love Match Tennis (ラブマッチテニス, Rabu Macchi Tenisu) NEC PC-6001
Bōsō! Orient Kyūkō (暴走！オリエント急行, Bōsō! Oriento Kyūkō) Sharp MZ-80K, other models
Piranha-kun no Isshūkan (ピラニア君の一週間, Pirania-kun no Isshūkan) Sharp MZ-80B, other models
Poker Extra (ポーカーエキストラ, Pōka Ēkisutora) NEC PC-8001, other models
June Alphos (アルフォス, Arufosu) NEC PC-8801, other models
The Portopia Serial Murder Case (ポートピア連続殺人事件, Pōtopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken) NEC PC-6001, other models
Raita no Growing Up (雷太のグローイングアップ, Raita no Gurōinguappu) NEC PC-6001, other models
Titan Bōeisen (タイタン防衛戦, Taitan Bōeisen) Sharp X1
Gekisen! Minamitaiheiyō (激戦！南太平洋) NEC PC-8801, other models
Joshiryō Panic (女子寮パニック, Joshiryō Panikku) FM-7, other models
Light Flipper (ライト・フリッパー, Raito Furippā) NEC PC-8801, other models
Toward 8 (トワード８, Towādo 8) Sharp X1, other models
October
(winning entries in the 2nd Game Hobby Program Contest)		 Fan Fun (ファンファン, Fan Fan) NEC PC-8001, other models
Game Kyōjin no Uchū Ryokō (芸夢狂人の宇宙旅行) NEC PC-8001mkII, other models
Dokuron no Yakata (ドクロンの館) Sharp X1, other models
Kagirinaki Tatakai (限りなき戦い) Sharp X1, other models
Lolita Syndrome (ロリータ・シンドローム, Rorīta Shindorōmu) FM-7, other models
  • Adult game by Katsumi Mochizuki.[27]
Fushigi na Tabi (不思議な旅) FM-7, other models
Tropical Boy (トロピカルボーイ, Toropikaru Boī) NEC PC-8801
Mazenand Sharp MZ-700
Magnetic Field (マグネチックフィールド, Magunechikku Fīrudo) NEC PC-8001mkII, other models
PushMan (プッシュマン, Pusshuman) NEC PC-8001, other models
Checker Flag (チェッカーフラッグ, Chiekkā Furaggu) NEC PC-8801, other models
Cosmo Crash (コスモクラッシュ, Kosumo Kurasshu) FM-7
Lovely Asuka (Ｌｏｖｅｌｙ飛鳥) FM-7
November Parallel World (パラレルワールド, Parareru Wārudo) Sharp X1, other models

1984

Month Title Platform(s) Details
May Newtron (ニュートロン, Nyūtoron) NEC PC-8801, other models
New Fan Fun (ニューファンファン, Nyūfanfan) NEC PC-6001mkII, other models
No.1 Golf (Ｎｏ．１ゴルフ, No.1 Gorufu) Sharp X1, other models
June Blizzard (ブリザード, Burizādo) Sharp-1500
High School Adventure (ハイスクールアドベンチャー, Hai Sukūru Adobenchā) FM77
July Gootsn (グッツン, Guttsun) Sharp X1
Rukteu Dark Castle: Dragon Angel's Miracle Voyage (暗黒城, Ankoku Shiro) FM-7, other models
  • Game by Random House.[14]
Flipflop (フリップフロップ, Furippufuroppu) FM-7, other models
August Karakuri Ninpou (カラクリ忍法) NEC PC-8801
  • Game by Takeshi Nakazawa.
Swarm (スウォーム, Sūōmu) Sharp X1, other models
Zarth (ザース, Zāsu) FM-7, other models
  • Game by Studio Jandora.
September Arare no Janpu Up (アラレのジャンプＵＰ) NEC PC-8001mkII
Magic Garden (マジックガーデン, Majikku Gāden) NEC PC-8801, other models
  • Game by Toru Hidaka.
November Wingman (ウイングマン, Uinguman) NEC PC-8801, other models
  • Game by Tam Tam, based on the Wingman manga series.
Shabon Tama Arare (シャボン玉アラレ) NEC PC-6001mkII
December Gumball (ガムボール, Gamubōru) NEC PC-8801mkII, other models
December
(winning entries in the 3rd Game Hobby Program Contest)		 Blue Fox (ブルーフォックス, Burū Fokkusu) FM-7, other models
Zunou 4989 (頭脳４９８９) FM-7, other models
  • Game by Kazuo Ohashi.
Again (アゲイン, Agein) FM-7, other models
  • Adventure game by Yuhei Yamaguchi, co-published by Enix and Random House.
Unknown Dr. Slump Bubble Daisakusen (Dr.スランプ バブル大作戦, Dr. Suranpu Baburu Daisakusen)
Okhotsk ni Kiyu: Hokkaido Rensa Satsujin Jiken (北海道連鎖殺人 オホーツクに消ゆ)

1985

Month Title Platform(s) Details
January El Dorado Denki (エルドラド伝奇, Eru Dorado Denki) FM-7, other models
February Door Door mk2 (ドアドアｍｋ２, Doa Doa mk2) Sharp MZ-1500, other models
Hashire Senbeisan (走れせんべいさん) Sharp X1, other models
Zaxus (ザクサス, Zakusasu) NEC PC-8001, other models
  • Game by Yasuhiro Miyata.
Typing Exercise (ゲームDeタイプ, Gēmu De Taipu)
April Tokyo Nampa Street (Ｔｏｋｙｏナンパストリート, Tokyo Nanpa Sutorīto) FM-7, other models
May Karuizawa Yūkai Annai (軽井沢誘拐案内) NEC PC-8801, other models
July World Golf (ワールドゴルフ, Wārudo Gorufu)
August Morita Kazurou no Shogi (森田和郎の将棋) NEC PC-9801, other models
November Xevious (ゼビウス, Zebiusu) NEC PC-8801
Savior (セイバー, Seibā) NEC PC-9801E, other models
The Earth Fighter Rayieza (地球戦士ライーザ, Chikyū Senshi Raīza) FM-7, other models
Pac-Land (パックランド, Pakku-Rando) NEC PC-8001mkII
  • Based on the arcade game by Namco.
Unknown Brain Breaker (ブレインブレイカー, Burein Bureikā) Sharp X1, other models
Phalanx[39] (ロゲームファンサイト, Falancse) MSX

1986

Month Title Platform(s) Details
April Wingman 2: Kītakurā no Fukkatsu (ウイングマン２ キータクラーの復活, Uinguman 2: Kītakurā no Fukkatsu) NEC PC-8801, Sharp X1, MSX
May Cannon Shot (キャノンショット, Kyanon Shotto) SMC-777
November Dragon Quest (ドラゴンクエスト, Doragon Kuesuto) MSX2, other models
Unknown Hokuto no Ken (北斗の拳)

1987

Month Title Platform(s) Details
April Jesus (ジーザス, Jīzasu) NEC PC-8801 VA, other models
May Gandhara: Buddha no Seisen (ガンダーラ 仏陀の聖戦, Gandāra: Budda no Seisen) NEC PC-8801 VA, MSX2
  • Game by Toru Hidaka.
July Animal Land Murder Case (アニマルランド殺人事件, Animaru Rando Satsujin Jiken) MSX
August Dragon Buster (ドラゴンバスター, Doragon Basutā) NEC PC-8801 VA, other models
  • Based on the arcade game by Namco.
October World Golf II (ワールドゴルフII, Wārudo Gorufu II) NEC PC-8801 VA, Sharp X1, MSX2
December Wingman Special (ウイングマンスペシャル, Uinguman Supesharu) NEC PC-8801 FA, other models
  • The sequel to Wingman 2.

1988

Month Title Platform(s) Details
February Dragon Quest II (ドラゴンクエストII, Doragon Kuesuto II) MSX
July Angelus: Akuma no Fukuin[40] (アンジェラス～悪魔の福音～, Anjierasu: Akuma no Fukuin) PC-8801, PC-9801, MSX2
December The Old Village Story NEC PC-8801 FE, other models

1989

Month Title Platform(s) Details
February Burning Point (バーニングポイント, Bāningu Pointo) NEC PC-8801 FE, other models
March Morita Shogi 2 (森田将棋２) NEC PC-9801 RA, other models
December Prajator: Image Ranger (プラジェータ, Purajiēta) NEC PC-8801 FE, other models

1990

Month Title Platform(s) Details
March Misty Blue (ミスティ・ブルー, Misuti Burū) NEC PC-8801 MC, other models
April Ryūou Hanyuu Yoshiharu Jissen Shū (竜王　羽生善治実践集) NEC PC-9801 RA, other models
  • By Random House.[41]
May 4.6 Billion Year Story (４６億年物語ＴＨＥ進化論) PC-9801
July Formula C.M.S NEC PC-8801 SR, other models
September Shutendouji (手天童子) NEC PC-9801 VM, other models
October World Golf 3 (ワールドゴルフ３, Wārudo Gorufu 3) PC-8801, PC-9801, Sharp X68000

1991

Month Title Platform(s) Details
January Reichsritter (ライヒスリッター, Raihisurittā) NEC PC-9801 RA, other models
March Jesus 2 (ジーザス2, Jīzasu 2) PC-8801, PC-9801, Sharp X68000
August Gunyū Sangokushi (群雄三国志) NEC PC-9801 VM, other models
November Code-0 (コード０, Kōdo 0) Sharp X68000
December Fangs: The Saga of Wolf Blood (ファングス, Fangusu) NEC PC-8801 FH, other models

1993

Month Title Platform(s) Details
October Morita Shogi 4 (森田将棋４) NEC PC-9801 DA, other models

References

  • "Enix Game History" (in Japanese). Enix. August 10, 1998. Archived from the original on March 1, 2000. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Fujii, Daiji (January 2006). "Entrepreneurial choices of strategic options in Japan's RPG development" (PDF). Faculty of Economics, Okayama University: 13–14, 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 30, 2007. Retrieved July 24, 2010. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Yoshiyuki Iwamoto (2006). "Companies Doing Well". Japan on the Upswing: Why the Bubble Burst and Japan's Economic Renewal (trade paper ed.). New York City: Algora Publishing. pp. 200–203. ISBN 978-0-87586-461-7.
  3. 1 2 Kohler, Chris (2004). "Quests and Fantasies: The Japanese RPG". Power-Up: How Japanese Video Games Gave the World an Extra Life. BradyGames. pp. 85–87. ISBN 978-0-7440-0424-3.
  4. ↑ Back cover of Morita no Battle Field Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine (in Japanese). Enix. February 1983.
  5. 1 2 ドアドア (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  6. ↑ ""iチュンソフト"で懐かしの『ドアドア』が配信される！" (in Japanese). Famitsu. February 27, 2004. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  7. ↑ Laver (June 21, 2007). マリちゃん危機一髪 (in Japanese). Oh!FM-7. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
  8. ↑ Back cover of Cosmic Soldier Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine (in Japanese). Enix. February 1983.
  9. ↑ Toshiyuki Asanuma (February 1983). Title screen of Seiko's Adventure Archived 2011-07-24 at the Wayback Machine (in Japanese). Enix.
  10. ↑ Back cover of Underground Monster Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine (NEC PC-8801 version) (in Japanese). Enix. February 1983.
  11. ↑ 作品 (in Japanese). Softnica. September 26, 2007. Archived from the original on June 17, 2010. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  12. ↑ 沿革 (in Japanese). Softnica. September 26, 2007. Archived from the original on 2010-06-17. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  13. ↑ Toshiyuki Nagase (February 1983). Title screen of Bōsō! Orient Kyūkō Archived 2012-10-25 at the Wayback Machine (Sharp MZ-80K version) (in Japanese). Enix.
  14. 1 2 3 ランダムハウスの昭和の業績 – 昭和５８年度～昭和６３年度の業績 (in Japanese). Random House. September 28, 1998. Archived from the original on December 5, 1998. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  15. ↑ Kuboken (April 1, 2008). "KUBOKEN vs 古籏 一浩 XEVIOUS対談～TinyXEVIOUS for MZ-700誕生まで～" (in Japanese). Monthly Famicomania. Archived from the original on September 9, 2009. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  16. 1 2 ポートピア連続殺人事件 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  17. 1 2 "『ポートピア』、『オホーツク』がなんとiアプリで遊べる！" (in Japanese). Famitsu. October 15, 2001. Archived from the original on December 3, 2002. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  18. ↑ Hiroaki Shimada (June 1983). Title screen of Raita no Growing Up Archived 2012-10-25 at the Wayback Machine (in Japanese). Enix.
  19. ↑ Back cover of Gekisen! Minamitaiheiyō Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine (NEC PC-8801 version) (in Japanese). Enix. June 1983.
  20. ↑ Back cover of Joshiryō Panic Archived 2011-07-14 at the Wayback Machine (FM-7 version) (in Japanese). Enix. June 1983.
  21. ↑ Back cover of Light Flipper Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine (NEC PC-8801 version) (in Japanese). Enix. June 1983.
  22. ↑ Back cover of Fan Fun Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine (NEC PC-8001 version) (in Japanese). Enix. October 1983.
  23. ↑ Takanari Suzuki (October 1983). Title screen of Game Kyōjin no Uchū Ryokō (NEC PC-8001mkII version) (in Japanese). Enix.
  24. ↑ Takashi Goto (October 1983). Title screen of Dokuron no Yakata Archived 2011-07-18 at the Wayback Machine (Sharp X1 version) (in Japanese). Enix.
  25. ↑ Back cover of Kagirinaki Tatakai Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine (Sharp X1 version) (in Japanese). Enix. October 1983.
  26. 1 2 "Retro Japanese Computers: Gaming's Final Frontier Retro Japanese Computers". Hardcore Gaming 101. p. 4. Archived from the original on 2011-01-13. Retrieved 2011-03-24. Reprinted from Retro Gamer no. 67 (2009)
  27. ↑ Back cover of Lolita Syndrome Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine (FM-7 version) (in Japanese). Enix. October 1983.
  28. ↑ Tadashi Sugie (October 1983). Title screen of Fushigi na Tabi Archived 2011-07-18 at the Wayback Machine (FM-7 version) (in Japanese). Enix.
  29. ↑ Takeshi Nakazawa (October 1983). Title screen of Tropical Boy Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine (in Japanese). Enix.
  30. ↑ Hideyuki A. (October 1983). Title screen of Magnetic Field (in Japanese). Enix.
  31. ↑ Back cover of PushMan Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine (NEC PC-8001 version) (in Japanese). Enix. October 1983.
  32. ↑ Kazuhiro Hasegawa (October 1983). Title screen of Cosmo Crash Archived 2011-07-18 at the Wayback Machine (in Japanese). Enix.
  33. ↑ Laver (June 21, 2007). "Lovely飛鳥" (in Japanese). Oh!FM-7. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
  34. ↑ Back cover of Parallel World Archived 2011-07-22 at the Wayback Machine (NEC PC-8801 version) (in Japanese). Enix. May 1984.
  35. 1 2 Katsuo Ishida (April 2, 2004). "チュンソフト、「ドアドア」に続く懐かしのタイトル iモード「ニュートロン」を配信" (in Japanese). Game Watch. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
  36. ↑ Yasuhiro Miyata (May 1984). Title screen of New Fan Fun Archived 2012-03-09 at the Wayback Machine (NEC PC-6001mkII version) (in Japanese). Enix.
  37. 1 2 3 4 会社概要 (in Japanese). Clap Hanz. April 9, 2010. Archived from the original on May 25, 2010. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
  38. 1 2 3 4 クラップハンズ社長村守のゴルフゲーム遍歴 (in Japanese). Clap Hanz. September 19, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
  39. ↑ "レトロゲームファンサイト". Archived from the original on 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2009-07-27.
  40. ↑ Angelus: Akuma no Fukuin (CD cover). Koichi Sugiyama. Japan: Apollon Music Industrial Corp. 1988. BY30-5205.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  41. 1 2 3 4 ランダムハウスの平成の業績（１） – 平成元年度～平成５年度の業績 (in Japanese). Random House. September 28, 1998. Archived from the original on December 5, 1998. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
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