GDRI
@gdri.bsky.social
GDRI (Game Developer Research Institute) researches the history of video games and their creators. Since 2006.
New Level Software's Spider-Man Pitch Demo | Game-Rave TV Bonus Episode www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2Ah...
New Level Software's Spider-Man Pitch Demo | Game-Rave TV Bonus Episode
YouTube video by GameRaveTV
www.youtube.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:20 AM
New Level Software's Spider-Man Pitch Demo | Game-Rave TV Bonus Episode www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2Ah...
Former Westone sound designer Shinichi Sakamoto comments on the music from the PC Engine version of Monster Lair, arranged by June Chikuma. xcancel.com/sintan_jp/st...
The guitar sound you hear is a violin being fed through an effects pedal. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbpq...
The guitar sound you hear is a violin being fed through an effects pedal. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbpq...
Wonder Boy III Monster Lair 01 Islands
YouTube video by Wonder Boy Universe
www.youtube.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:49 AM
Former Westone sound designer Shinichi Sakamoto comments on the music from the PC Engine version of Monster Lair, arranged by June Chikuma. xcancel.com/sintan_jp/st...
The guitar sound you hear is a violin being fed through an effects pedal. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbpq...
The guitar sound you hear is a violin being fed through an effects pedal. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbpq...
Reposted by GDRI
Interesting...I like the 80s outfits on these characters. the only ad in my little collection is this one
February 10, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Interesting...I like the 80s outfits on these characters. the only ad in my little collection is this one
Totally different early version of Famicom Might & Magic. Fonts look familiar, but I couldn't tell you what else they're used in. bsky.app/profile/ita-...
There is an even earlier prototype version of this game, and it can be seen from the video that it is completely different from the retail version, from the graphics to the sound.
source: GTV - Game Tech Video vol.09 (2:01~)
nicovideo.jp/watch/sm2026...
1/2
source: GTV - Game Tech Video vol.09 (2:01~)
nicovideo.jp/watch/sm2026...
1/2
GTV ゲームテック・ビデオ 第09号 (2/2)
GTV ゲームテック・ビデオ 第09号 (2/2) [ゲーム] 超新作コーナー(貝獣物語、マイトアンドマジック、プロ野球?殺人事件、ファンタジーゾーン2、コブラ...
nicovideo.jp
February 12, 2026 at 7:31 AM
Totally different early version of Famicom Might & Magic. Fonts look familiar, but I couldn't tell you what else they're used in. bsky.app/profile/ita-...
I thought of KLON, but didn't the interview say "company K" also wanted to publish it? bsky.app/profile/ita-...
The interview also touches on the unreleased MSX2 version of Terra Cresta. According to the interview, development was outsourced to "K社" (Company K). If this "K" stands for the company name, it could refer to "KLON."
youtube.com/watch?v=kkjt...
youtube.com/watch?v=kkjt...
'TERRA KRESTA' (1988) MSX, beta version
YouTube video by neshagui
youtube.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:30 AM
I thought of KLON, but didn't the interview say "company K" also wanted to publish it? bsky.app/profile/ita-...
Reposted by GDRI
Atari: There's no comparing it with any other video game.
Source: Electronic Games 1 (Winter 1981)
Scan Source: RetroMags
#retrogaming #atari
Source: Electronic Games 1 (Winter 1981)
Scan Source: RetroMags
#retrogaming #atari
February 9, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Atari: There's no comparing it with any other video game.
Source: Electronic Games 1 (Winter 1981)
Scan Source: RetroMags
#retrogaming #atari
Source: Electronic Games 1 (Winter 1981)
Scan Source: RetroMags
#retrogaming #atari
Run Saber Japanese promotional material? xcancel.com/topgunder198...
February 10, 2026 at 7:37 AM
Run Saber Japanese promotional material? xcancel.com/topgunder198...
Uep Systems xcancel.com/Area51_zek/s...
February 10, 2026 at 7:35 AM
Uep Systems xcancel.com/Area51_zek/s...
Reposted by GDRI
Hiroshi Ryūōin, mecha/character designer on Dennin Aleste, Spriggan 1 and 2, and Aleste Gaiden, worked on the Mark III version of R-Type—his first job in the video game industry. He also mentioned having worked briefly with Rieko Kodama shortly after joining Compile.
February 8, 2026 at 11:36 AM
Hiroshi Ryūōin, mecha/character designer on Dennin Aleste, Spriggan 1 and 2, and Aleste Gaiden, worked on the Mark III version of R-Type—his first job in the video game industry. He also mentioned having worked briefly with Rieko Kodama shortly after joining Compile.
Reposted by GDRI
Speaking of Yōichi Kubo, shortly after he joined Technosoft in april 1990, he designed 2 stages for Thunder Force AC, the arcade adaptation of Thunder Force III. He drew the background for the 4th stage + another one for a scrapped level.
xcancel.com/REONIDASPART...
xcancel.com/REONIDASPART...
February 8, 2026 at 11:26 AM
Speaking of Yōichi Kubo, shortly after he joined Technosoft in april 1990, he designed 2 stages for Thunder Force AC, the arcade adaptation of Thunder Force III. He drew the background for the 4th stage + another one for a scrapped level.
xcancel.com/REONIDASPART...
xcancel.com/REONIDASPART...
Reposted by GDRI
After completing development of Thunder Force IV and before working on a prototype of Thunder Force V for Mega Drive, TFIV lead graphic designer Yōichi Kubo began developing a beat 'em up for Mega Drive at Technosoft featuring characters with mechanised arms and legs.
xcancel.com/REONIDASPART...
xcancel.com/REONIDASPART...
x.com
February 8, 2026 at 11:22 AM
After completing development of Thunder Force IV and before working on a prototype of Thunder Force V for Mega Drive, TFIV lead graphic designer Yōichi Kubo began developing a beat 'em up for Mega Drive at Technosoft featuring characters with mechanised arms and legs.
xcancel.com/REONIDASPART...
xcancel.com/REONIDASPART...
Sion Sawa has posted numerous times about his father (Kazuo Sawa) in the past. Here are two other recent posts: (Hikaru Genji: Roller Panic) xcancel.com/sionic4029/s... (Battle Lane! Vol. 5, Kazuo's debut work) xcancel.com/sionic4029/s...
February 9, 2026 at 6:54 AM
Sion Sawa has posted numerous times about his father (Kazuo Sawa) in the past. Here are two other recent posts: (Hikaru Genji: Roller Panic) xcancel.com/sionic4029/s... (Battle Lane! Vol. 5, Kazuo's debut work) xcancel.com/sionic4029/s...
Reposted by GDRI
afaik this wasn't public knowledge until now... as revealed by his son: Kazuo Sawa, veteran game composer/programmer whose works include the many Famicom Kunio-kun games, Battle of Olympus & many others (on & off-record), passed away at some point during the last couple years... R.I.P.
X Cancelled | Verifying your request
xcancel.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:24 AM
afaik this wasn't public knowledge until now... as revealed by his son: Kazuo Sawa, veteran game composer/programmer whose works include the many Famicom Kunio-kun games, Battle of Olympus & many others (on & off-record), passed away at some point during the last couple years... R.I.P.
Reposted by GDRI
Sega had a huge lineup for the 1990 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Moonwalker, Phantasy Star II, and Golden Axe were some of the gems on display. Images: Beep! MD.
February 8, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Sega had a huge lineup for the 1990 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Moonwalker, Phantasy Star II, and Golden Axe were some of the gems on display. Images: Beep! MD.
Reposted by GDRI
From the VGHF's Mark Flitman collection (https://archive.gamehistory.org/folder/205c628c-5d0a-4de8-a5a5-782f31706ac0), here's 1994 internal Acclaim data on the (U.S.?) sales of their (many!) Simpsons games. Looks like Bart's Nightmare on SNES did the best....
February 8, 2026 at 4:50 PM
From the VGHF's Mark Flitman collection (https://archive.gamehistory.org/folder/205c628c-5d0a-4de8-a5a5-782f31706ac0), here's 1994 internal Acclaim data on the (U.S.?) sales of their (many!) Simpsons games. Looks like Bart's Nightmare on SNES did the best....
Reposted by GDRI
Tempest 2000
Source: Next Generation 14 (February 1996)
Scan Source: RetroMags
#retrogaming #atari
Source: Next Generation 14 (February 1996)
Scan Source: RetroMags
#retrogaming #atari
February 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Tempest 2000
Source: Next Generation 14 (February 1996)
Scan Source: RetroMags
#retrogaming #atari
Source: Next Generation 14 (February 1996)
Scan Source: RetroMags
#retrogaming #atari
Reposted by GDRI
Cosmotank: Target locked on. Fire!
Source: Game Player's Strategy Guide to Game Boy Games Volume 1, Number 1 (Summer 1990)
Scan Source: RetroMags
#retrogaming #nintendo
Source: Game Player's Strategy Guide to Game Boy Games Volume 1, Number 1 (Summer 1990)
Scan Source: RetroMags
#retrogaming #nintendo
February 6, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Cosmotank: Target locked on. Fire!
Source: Game Player's Strategy Guide to Game Boy Games Volume 1, Number 1 (Summer 1990)
Scan Source: RetroMags
#retrogaming #nintendo
Source: Game Player's Strategy Guide to Game Boy Games Volume 1, Number 1 (Summer 1990)
Scan Source: RetroMags
#retrogaming #nintendo
Reposted by GDRI
Interesting thing here (to me, anyway): Compile made the original MSX version of this Godzilla game (in 1985), but it looks like the Game Boy version had a different staff, with future Yuke's co-founder Yukinori Taniguchi as programmer.
www.mobygames.com/game/20213/g...
www.mobygames.com/game/20213/g...
February 6, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Interesting thing here (to me, anyway): Compile made the original MSX version of this Godzilla game (in 1985), but it looks like the Game Boy version had a different staff, with future Yuke's co-founder Yukinori Taniguchi as programmer.
www.mobygames.com/game/20213/g...
www.mobygames.com/game/20213/g...
Reposted by GDRI
Via @ftb1979.bsky.social and @katewillaert.bsky.social, digitised from a VHS tape of an August 2000 Daria marathon and uploaded to YouTube over Christmas... here, after 25 years, is Ulala's VMA appearance:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HwW...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HwW...
(August, 2000) Space Channel 5 MTV Awards Dance Video of The Year Nominees Commercial
YouTube video by VHS Archival
www.youtube.com
February 7, 2026 at 7:06 AM
Via @ftb1979.bsky.social and @katewillaert.bsky.social, digitised from a VHS tape of an August 2000 Daria marathon and uploaded to YouTube over Christmas... here, after 25 years, is Ulala's VMA appearance:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HwW...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HwW...
Reposted by GDRI
Going through the 1995 E3 Show Dailies. There are some amazing trade-only ads in these that I don't know have ever been reproduced
February 6, 2026 at 12:23 AM
Going through the 1995 E3 Show Dailies. There are some amazing trade-only ads in these that I don't know have ever been reproduced
Reposted by GDRI
From a 1990 issue of EGM: Toho itself actually published a (Compile-developed) Game Boy version of Godzilla - as an action puzzle game - in the U.S.!
February 6, 2026 at 5:55 PM
From a 1990 issue of EGM: Toho itself actually published a (Compile-developed) Game Boy version of Godzilla - as an action puzzle game - in the U.S.!
Reposted by GDRI
from Hamster's stream, some photos of the Cool Boarders team at UEP Systems circa '96, which was 6 devs at most (not counting outsourced helpers)—all but one of em came fresh out of school with zero practical experience, but somehow managed to make Cool Boarders from scratch in ~6 months
February 6, 2026 at 1:35 PM
from Hamster's stream, some photos of the Cool Boarders team at UEP Systems circa '96, which was 6 devs at most (not counting outsourced helpers)—all but one of em came fresh out of school with zero practical experience, but somehow managed to make Cool Boarders from scratch in ~6 months
Reposted by GDRI
The latest Game History Hour Podcacst has Frank joined by guest host Kate Willaert to interview Jeremy Parish, media curator at Limited Run Games, author ('Works' series), YouTuber, and podcaster: https://gamehistory.org/episode-149-jeremy-parish-works/
February 5, 2026 at 9:25 PM
The latest Game History Hour Podcacst has Frank joined by guest host Kate Willaert to interview Jeremy Parish, media curator at Limited Run Games, author ('Works' series), YouTuber, and podcaster: https://gamehistory.org/episode-149-jeremy-parish-works/
Reposted by GDRI
Reposted by GDRI
jp game developer in the 90's: so we're making a bass fishing game
composer: oh hell yeah i got you [adds "drop the bass" sample]
jp game developer: no no like the fish
composer: what fish?
composer: oh hell yeah i got you [adds "drop the bass" sample]
jp game developer: no no like the fish
composer: what fish?
February 4, 2026 at 7:41 AM
jp game developer in the 90's: so we're making a bass fishing game
composer: oh hell yeah i got you [adds "drop the bass" sample]
jp game developer: no no like the fish
composer: what fish?
composer: oh hell yeah i got you [adds "drop the bass" sample]
jp game developer: no no like the fish
composer: what fish?