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Irem
deserve a special mention. Best known for the R-Type series, they are also responsible for a string of unforgettable arcade titles.
From the
pioneering Moon Patrol (1982) and Spartan X (1984) to
the exquisite design work of Image Fight (1988) Daiku no Gen-san (1990) and Kaitei Daisensou (1993) their work was always delivered in a style that was uniquely their own.
From their humble beginnings
in the 70s right through to their 'rebirth' in 1997,
Irem are still going today - but only just. With a bit
of luck, they might still have a bit of the old magic
up their sleeve. |
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HISTORY
A quick look at Irem's origins and arcade
chronology |
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GOODS
A small selection of Irem-related merchandise
on sale |
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SOFTWARE
The complete Irem home consumer software
catalogue |
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Irem
was founded in 1974 as 'IPM Corporation' in Hakusan,
Japan. Like most of their contemporaries, the
company's initial purpose was to produce and rent
out leisure machinery to various sections
of the booming electronic entertainment industry.
With the advent
of arcades and the Space
Invaders (1978) boom, Irem opted to quickly move toward developing and manufacturing their own titles.
They hastily released their own 'invader clone',
the aptly named IPM Invader (1978).
IPM Invader was a crude and shameless
copycat of Taito's milestone, but yet the rapidly expanding arcade business saw the
game sell well regardless, convincing the company that
games were a viable business opportunity.
In 1979 they changed their corporate name to Irem
Corporation, an acronym for 'International Rental
Electronics Machines'. This would stand until
the mid-80s, when it would then be changed to
'Innovations in Recreational Electronic Media'.
For their first few years, Irem's output was average
at best. If anything it could almost be considered
poor: random invader clones and poorly produced
action games disappeared amongst the numerous
other titles of the day. It wouldn't be until
the arrival of Moon Patrol (1982) that Irem would
make any mark of their own. |
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IPM
Invader (1978) |
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Moon Patrol (1982) |
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As
Irem's only release of 1982, Moon Patrol made
a huge mark for itself: it was a sharp, fun, and
addictive side-on racing game that involved guiding
a small lunar buggy across a dangerous terrain,
while avoiding and gunning down a variety of obstacles
and flying saucers. It was an instant hit, that
was rapidly picked up by US game company Williams
for distribution in the US.
1983 also proved to be a fruitful year for Irem:
10-Yard
Fight and Zippy
Race became cult hits in Japan, and in 1984,
Spartan X
made sure that Irem's name would be on the map
for good.
Released as 'Kung Fu Master' in the West, Spartan
X was loosely based on the Jackie Chan film
of the same name - and following a hugely successful
run in the arcades, went on to become a massive
worldwide hit on the Famicom,
converted and distributed by none less than Nintendo
themselves.
The success of Spartan X was rapidly
followed by Irem's clever licensing of Broderbund's
Lode
Runner (1984) and Spelunker (1986) for arcade
distribution, both of which would become massive
hits for Irem.
Well off the mark in the arcade market, Irem swiftly
moved into home console development, becoming
one of the Famicom's leading publishers thanks
in great part to a hugely successful 1985 port
of Spelunker. Irem were building up to
a massive crescendo - the late 80s would prove
to be the company's golden years, and the main
reason why they are featured on this site: between
1987 and 1990 they would release no less than
8 arcade masterpieces. |
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R-Type (1987) |
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R-Type
(1987) is widely acknowledged to be one of the
most important shooting games of all time: its
clever gameplay design, sumptuous visuals and
tense atmosphere make it the definitive shooting
game of the 80s, a benchmark that few managed
to equal. It is hard to fault it in any way, except
maybe that its extraordinary success managed to
overshadow Irem's other two shooting games of
the period, the quirky Mr.
Heli (1987) and the excellent Image
Fight (1988).
Irem also struck gold with Vigilante
(1988), a sharp, violent and entertaining successor
of sorts to Spartan X and the sumptuous
Saigo
no Nindo (1988), a smooth and phenomenally
playable action game that went on to become a
huge worldwide success as 'Ninja Spirit'.
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And
it just didn't stop: Irem continued to produce
excellent work: Legend
of Hero Tonma (1989) is a criminally under-rated
action platform game, R-Type
II (1989) delivered on every front, and 1990's
Daiku no Gen-san became a massive worldwide
cult.
Known as 'Hammerin' Harry' outside of Japan, Gen-san's
clever architecture and memorable characters won
hearts the world over. Irem would go on to produce
no less than six home releases based on the character
- but then never relased them outside of Japan.
And that marked the first of a series of very
bad decisions made by the company, that sadly
would cause them to crumble and fall in the space
of a few years. |
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New
Block X / New Block Z
ニューブロックX
/ ニューブロックZ |
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Ginga
Teikoku no Gyakushū
銀河帝国の逆襲 |
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Tropical
Angel
トロピカルエンジェル |
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Oct |
Spelunker
II
スペランカーII
23の鍵 |
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Dec |
Kaiketsu
Yanchamaru
快傑ヤンチャ丸 |
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Pound
for Pound
パウンド・フォー・パウンド |
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July |
Cross
Blades
クロスブレイズ |
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Thunder
Blaster
サンダーブラスター |
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Mahō
Keiditai Ganhooki
魔法警備隊ガンホーキ |
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Perfect
Soldiers
パーフェクトソルジャーズ |
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Yakyu
Kakuto League Man
野球格闘リーグマン |
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Dream
Soccer '94
ドリームサッカー'94 |
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Irem
Arcade Classics
アイレム
アーケード クラシックス
SEGA SATURN |
DETAILS
| Format |
Sega
Saturn |
| Released |
26
Apr 1996 |
| Publisher |
I'MAX |
| Product
ID |
T-22403G |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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Celebrational
3-in-1 'Arcade Classics'
compilation that features:
- 10-Yard
Fight (1983)
- Zippy
Race (1983)
- Spartan
X (1984)
All three games are arcade
perfect, the only downside
is that there is no backup
/ save feature for high
scores.
CD case, Sega Saturn CD-ROM
disc, 20-page colour booklet,
spine card.
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Irem
Arcade Classics
アイレム
アーケード クラシックス
PLAYSTATION |
DETAILS
| Format |
PlayStation |
| Released |
26
Apr 1996 |
| Publisher |
I'MAX |
| Product
ID |
SLPS-00341 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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The
PlayStation also gets its
share of classic Irem action,
with three timeless arcade
gems from the 80s:
- 10-Yard
Fight (1983)
- Zippy
Race (1983)
- Spartan
X (1984)
Again, no memory card feature.
But aside from that this is
a great package, that has
steadily been gaining a little
more value than its Sega Saturn
counterpart.
CD case, PlayStation CD-ROM
disc, colour booklet, spine
card. |
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Irem Retro Game Music Collection
アイレム レトロゲームミュージックコレクション
SOUNDTRACK |
DETAILS
| Format |
Audio CD |
| Released |
29 Sep 2010 |
| Publisher |
TEAM Entertainment |
| Product
ID |
KDSD-00367 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2 x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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IF-01 |
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18
July 1985 |
Racing |
IF-02 |
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30
Aug 1985 |
Sport (US Football)
Released in
US & Europe |
IF-03 |
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Spelunker
スペランカー |
7
Dec 1985 |
Platform
/ Puzzle
Licensed
from Brøderbund
Released in US |
IF-04 |
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Sqoon
スクーン |
26
June 1986 |
Shooting
Licensed from Homedata
Released in US |
IF-05 |
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Mashō
魔鐘 |
15
Dec 1986 |
Action
RPG
Licensed from Lenar
Released in US as
'Deadly Towers' |
IF-06 |
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Spelunker
II - Yūsha e no Chōsen
スペランカーII 勇者への挑戦 |
18
Sep 1987 |
Platform
/ Puzzle
Licensed
from Brøderbund |
IF-07 |
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Kaiketsu
Yanchamaru
快傑ヤンチャ丸 |
2
Oct 1987 |
Action
Platform
Released in US as
'Kid Niki Radical Ninja' |
IF-08 |
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Guardic
Gaiden
ガーディック外伝 |
5
Feb 1987 |
Shooting
Licensed by Compile
Released in US & Europe as 'The Guardian Legend' |
IF-09 |
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Napoleon
Senki
ナポレオン戦記 |
18
Mar 1988 |
Strategy
Licensed from Lenar |
IF-10 |
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Hototogisu
不如帰 |
19
Aug 1988 |
Strategy
Developed by Tamtex |
IF-11 |
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Nishimura
Kyōtarō Mystery
Blue Train Satsujin Jiken
西村京太郎ミステリー
ブルートレイン殺人事件 |
20
Jan 1989 |
Murder
Mystery |
IF-12 |
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Holy
Diver
ホーリーダイヴァー |
28
Apr 1989 |
Action |
IF-13 |
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Major
League
メジャーリーグ |
27
Oct 1989 |
Sport
(Baseball) |
IF-14 |
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16
Mar 1990 |
Shooting
Released in US |
IF-15 |
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Gekitotsu Yonku Battle
激突四駆バトル |
17 Nov 1989 |
Racing |
IF-16 |
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Shinsenden
神仙伝 |
15 Dec 1989 |
RPG |
IF-17 |
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Nishimura
Kyōtarō Mystery
Super Express Satsujin Jiken
西村京太郎ミステリー
スーパーエクスプレス殺人事件 |
2 Mar 1990 |
Murder
Mystery |
IF-18 |
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Meikyū Jima
迷宮島 |
29 June 1990 |
Action
Released in
US & Europe as
'Kickle Cubicle' |
IF-20 |
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Perman
パーマン |
14 Dec 1990 |
Action |
IF-21 |
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Jūryoku Sōkō Metal Storm
重力装甲メタルストーム |
24 Apr 1992 |
Action
Released in US |
IF-22 |
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Kaiketsu Yanchamaru 2 - Karakuri Land
快傑ヤンチャ丸2 からくりランド |
30 Aug 1991 |
Action |
IF-23 |
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Spartan X 2
スパルタンX2 |
27 Sep 1991 |
Action |
IF-24 |
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15 Nov 1991 |
Action
Released in Europe
only
(not US) as
'Hammerin' Harry' |
IF-25 |
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Perman Part 2
Himitsu Kessha Madodan o Taose!
パーマンPART2 秘密結社マドー団をたおせ! |
20 Dec 1991 |
Action |
IF-26 |
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Taiyō no Yūsha Fighbird
太陽の勇者ファイバード |
11 Jan 1992 |
Shooting |
IF-27 |
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Ai Sensei no Oshiete - Watashi no Hoshi
愛先生のＯ･ＳＨＩ･Ｅ･ＴＥ わたしの星 |
26 Mar 1993 |
Quiz |
IF-28 |
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Kaiketsu Yanchamaru 3 - Taiketsu! Zouringen
快傑ヤンチャ丸3 対決!ゾウリンゲン |
30 Mar 1993 |
Action |
IFD-KIN |
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Kineko
きね子 |
28 Nov 1986 |
Puzzle
Licensed from
Sadato Taneda |
IFD-KI2 |
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Kineko
II
きね子II |
15 Feb 1987 |
Puzzle
Licensed from
Sadato Taneda |
IFD-SLR |
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5 Mar 1987 |
Platform
/ Puzzle
Licensed
from Brøderbund |
IFD-MJK |
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Mahjong Kazoku
麻雀家族 |
4 Aug 1987 |
Mahjong |
IFD-YOK |
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Yōkai
Yashiki
妖怪屋敷 |
23 Oct 1987 |
Action |
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IM-01 |
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Spelunker
スペランカー |
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MSX
Platform / Puzzle
Licensed
from Brøderbund
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IM-02 |
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1986 |
MSX
Sport (American Football) |
IM-03 |
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1987 |
MSX2
Platform / Puzzle
Licensed
from Brøderbund |
IM-04 |
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Dec
1988 |
MSX
Shooting |
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IC01001
Vol.1 |
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14
Jan 1989 |
Action |
IC01002
Vol.2 |
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1
Dec 1989 |
Shooting |
IC02003
Vol.3 |
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27
July 1990 |
Shooting |
IC02004
Vol.4 |
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6
July 1990 |
Action
aka 'Ninja Spirit' |
IC03005
Vol.5 |
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13
Mar 1991 |
Action |
IC03006
Vol.6 |
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19
July 1991 |
Racing |
IC04007
Vol.7 |
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Gekisha
Boy
激写ボーイ |
2
Oct 1992 |
Action |
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Eiyū
Sangokushi
英雄三国志 |
26
Mar 1993 |
Simulation |
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Sol
Moonarge
ソル
モナージュ |
7
Jan 1994 |
RPG |
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IX68-01 |
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June
1989 |
Shooting |
IX68-02 |
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14
Dec 1990 |
Shooting |
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DMG-MAA
IG-01 |
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Shisenshō
四川省 |
13 July 1990 |
Puzzle |
DMG-SXJ
IG-02 |
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11 Dec 1990 |
Action |
DMG-REA
IG-03 |
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19 Mar 1991 |
Shooting |
DMG-RDJ
IG-04 |
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28 Feb 1991 |
Racing |
DMG-YMJ
IG-05 |
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Ganso!!
Yanchamaru
元祖!! ヤンチャ丸 |
11 July 1991 |
Action |
DMG-TYJ
IG-06 |
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Taiyō no Yūsha Fighbird
GB
太陽の勇者ファイバードGB |
20 Dec 1991 |
Shooting |
DMG-DIJ
IG-07 |
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31 July 1992 |
Action |
DMG-NWJ
IG-08 |
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Noobow
ぬ～ぼ～ |
11 Dec 1992 |
Action |
DMG-QGJ
IG-09 |
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Kizuchi
da Quiz da Gen-san da!
木づちだ クイズだ 源さんだ! |
18 Dec 1992 |
Quiz |
DMG-RZA
IG-10 |
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11 Dec 1992 |
Shooting |
DMG-IFJ
IG-11 |
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Shuyaku Sentai Irem Fighter
主役戦隊アイレムファイター |
30 July 1993 |
Strategy |
DMG-UJA
IG-12 |
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18 Dec 1993 |
Action |
DMG-UZJ
IG-13 |
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10 Dec 1993 |
Strategy |
DMG-D9J
IG-15 |
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25 Mar 1994 |
Action |
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SHVC-SR |
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13 July 1991 |
Shooting
Released in
US & Europe |
SHVC-DW |
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Dino Wars - Kyōryū Ōkoku e no Daibōken
ダイナウォーズ 恐竜王国への大冒険 |
17 July 1992 |
Action
Released in US
as 'DinoCity' |
SHVC-GU |
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GunForce
ガンフォース |
27 Nov 1992 |
Action
Released in US |
SHVC-MT |
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Major Title
メジャータイトル |
4 Dec 1992 |
Sport (Golf)
Released in US as
'Irem Skins Game'
Europe 'Major Title' |
SHVC-NP |
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Nitro Punks - Might Heads
ニトロパンクス マイトヘッズ |
30 July 1993 |
Action
Released in US
as 'Rocky Rodent' |
SHVC-ER |
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10 Dec 1993 |
Shooting
Released in
US & Europe |
SHVC-EZ |
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22 Dec 1993 |
Action |
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SLPS-00588 |
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Gussun Paradise
ぐっすんぱらだいす |
22 Nov 1996 |
Action
Released in
US & Europe as
'Yoyo's Puzzle Park' |
SLPS-01236 |
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5 Feb 1998 |
Shooting
Released in
US & Europe
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SLPS-01688 |
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19 Nov 1998 |
Shooting
Released in
US & Europe
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SLPS-02164 |
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Sanyo Pachinko Paradise
三洋パチンコパラダイス |
29 July 1999 |
Pachinko |
SLPS-02389 |
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Sanyo Pachinko Paradise 2
Umi Monogatari Special
三洋パチンコパラダイス2 ～海物語スペシャル～ |
18 Nov 1999 |
Pachinko |
SLPS-02633 |
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Sanyo Pachinko Paradise 3
Wan Wan Daikōshin
三洋パチンコパラダイス3 ～わんわん大行進～ |
9 Mar 2000 |
Pachinko |
SLPS-02935 |
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Carton-kun
カートンくん |
21 Sep 2000 |
Puzzle |
SLPS-02988 |
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Sanyo Pachinko Paradise 4
Sushiya da Gen-san!!
三洋パチンコパラダイス4 ～寿司屋だ源さん!!～ |
12 Oct 2000 |
Pachinko |
SLPS-03190 |
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Sanyo Pachinko Paradise 5
Uki Uki Tairyō Hata
三洋パチンコパラダイス5 ～ウキウキ大漁旗～ |
10 May 2001 |
Pachinko |
SLPS-03312 |
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Shinsō Kaiten!! Wan Wan Umi Monogatari
Sanyo Pachinko Paradise DX
新装開店!!ワンワン海物語
～三洋パチンコパラダイスDX～ |
25 Oct 2001 |
Pachinko |
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SLPM-20091 |
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Gekisha Boy 2 - Tokudane Daikoku Nippon
激写ボーイ2 ～特ダネ大国ニッポン～ |
31 May 2001 |
Action |
SLPM-20102 |
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Sanyo Pachinko Paradise 6
Ginpani Daisuizokukan
三洋パチンコパラダイス6 ～ギンパニ大水族館～ |
28 June 2001 |
Pachinko |
SLPS-25113 |
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Zettai Zetsumei Toshi
絶体絶命都市 |
25 Apr 2002 |
Action
Released in US as
'Disaster Report'
Europe as 'SOS - The Final Escape' |
SLPS-20194 |
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U - Underwater Unit
－U－ アンダーウォーターユニット |
2 May 2002 |
Action
Released in US as
'Sub Rebellion' |
SLPS-20203 |
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Sanyo Pachinko Paradise 7
Edokko Gen-san
三洋パチンコパラダイス7 ～江戸っ子源さん～ |
27 June 2002 |
Pachinko |
SLPS-20261 |
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Sanyo Pachinko Paradise 8
Shin Kai Monogatari
三洋パチンコパラダイス8 ～新海物語～ |
27 Mar 2003 |
Pachinko |
SLPS-25247 |
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17 July 2003 |
Shooting
Released in
US & Europe |
SLPS-25249 |
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Sanyo Pachinko Paradise 9
Shin Kai Okawari!
三洋パチンコパラダイス9 ～新海おかわりっ!～ |
6 Nov 2003 |
Pachinko |
SLPS-20375 |
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Sanyo Pachinko Paradise 10
Gen-san Okaeri!
三洋パチンコパラダイス10 ～源さん おかえりっ!～ |
27 May 2004 |
Pachinko |
SLPS-25363 |
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Sakurazaka Shōbōtai
桜坂消防隊 |
10 June 2004 |
Action |
SLPS-25455 |
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Sanyo Pachinko Paradise 11
Shin Kai to Saraba Gintama no Ōkami
三洋パチンコパラダイス11 ～新海とさらば銀玉の狼～ |
24 Feb 2005 |
Pachinko |
SLPS-25457 |
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Ponkotsu Roman Daikatsugeki Bumpy Trot
ポンコツ浪漫大活劇 バンピートロット |
30 June 2005 |
RPG
Released in US as
'Steambot Chronicles' |
SLPS-20443 |
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Blokus Club with Bumpy Trot
ブロックス倶楽部 with バンピートロット |
17 Nov 2005 |
Table |
SLPS-25574 |
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Pachi Para 12
Taikai to Natsu no Omoide
パチパラ12 ～大海と夏の思い出～ |
15 Dec 2005 |
Pachinko |
SLPS-25606 |
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Zettai Zetsumei Toshi 2 - Itetsuita Kioku-tachi
絶体絶命都市2 -凍てついた記憶たち- |
30 Mar 2006 |
Action
aka 'Raw Danger!' |
SLPS-25682 |
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Pachi Para 13
Super Kai to Pachi Pro Fu'unroku
パチパラ13 ～スーパー海とパチプロ風雲録～ |
26 Oct 2006 |
Pachinko |
|
ULJS-00068 |
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Blokus Club Portable with Bumpy Trot
ブロックス倶楽部ポータブル with バンピートロット |
21 Sep 2006 |
Table |
ULJS-00105 |
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Mawaskes
マワスケス based on "Carton-kun" |
19 July 2007 |
Puzzle |
ULJS-00111 |
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20 Sep 2007 |
Strategy |
ULJS-00130 |
|
Ponkotsu Roman Daikatsugeki Bumpy Trot
Vehicle Battle Tournament
ポンコツ浪漫大活劇バンピートロット
ビークルバトルトーナメント |
10 July 2008 |
Action |
ULJS-00141 |
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Ikuze! Gen-san - Yūyake Daiku Monogatari
いくぜっ！源さん ～夕焼け大工物語～ |
15 May 2008 |
Action |
ULJS-00159 |
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Sengoku Efuda Yūgi - Hototogisu Ran
戦国絵札遊戯 不如帰-HOTOTOGISU- 乱 |
13 Nov 2008 |
Trading Card |
ULJS-00191 |
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Zettai Zetsumei Toshi 3
絶体絶命都市3 -壊れゆく街と彼女の歌- |
23 Apr 2009 |
Action |
ULJS-00177 |
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Narisokonai Eiyūtan
Taiyō to Tsuki no Monogatari
なりそこない英雄譚 ～太陽と月の物語～ |
23 July 2009 |
RPG
'Legend of Hero Narisokonai' |
ULJS-00233 |
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10 Dec 2009 |
Strategy |
ULJS-00326 |
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Sengoku Efuda Yūgi - Hototogisu Tairan
戦国絵札遊戯 不如帰 大乱 |
9 Sep 2010 |
Trading Card |
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'Irem' and
the Irem logo are registered
trademarks of Irem Corporation
TM and © Irem All Rights Reserved
Page content, design & layout © 2008 www.jap-sai.com |
|
