John Andersen
@johnandersen.bsky.social
Video game history - researching how the games we love to play were made. Documentaries, game historian, writer, movies. Opinions are my own. LGBTQ ally. BLM. Portfolio!: linktr.ee/johnandersen
David Rosen, one of the founders of SEGA, passed away on December 25th, 2025 at the age of 95.
His leadership brought us countless arcade and home console games from Japan, he was a true trailblazer and innovator. Rest in peace to an absolute gaming legend.
www.theguardian.com/games/2026/j...
His leadership brought us countless arcade and home console games from Japan, he was a true trailblazer and innovator. Rest in peace to an absolute gaming legend.
www.theguardian.com/games/2026/j...
January 7, 2026 at 6:56 PM
David Rosen, one of the founders of SEGA, passed away on December 25th, 2025 at the age of 95.
His leadership brought us countless arcade and home console games from Japan, he was a true trailblazer and innovator. Rest in peace to an absolute gaming legend.
www.theguardian.com/games/2026/j...
His leadership brought us countless arcade and home console games from Japan, he was a true trailblazer and innovator. Rest in peace to an absolute gaming legend.
www.theguardian.com/games/2026/j...
The PlayStation 2 Anthology book set I had a hand in proofreading is now available from Geeks-Line Publishing. 1200+ pages of PS2 history, its hardware origins, tons of accessories, reviews of 4,380 games, unreleased titles!
Spread the word! More info:
www.geeksline-publishing.com/our-books/78...
Spread the word! More info:
www.geeksline-publishing.com/our-books/78...
January 5, 2026 at 4:55 AM
The PlayStation 2 Anthology book set I had a hand in proofreading is now available from Geeks-Line Publishing. 1200+ pages of PS2 history, its hardware origins, tons of accessories, reviews of 4,380 games, unreleased titles!
Spread the word! More info:
www.geeksline-publishing.com/our-books/78...
Spread the word! More info:
www.geeksline-publishing.com/our-books/78...
Recent photos of the Nintendo Kanda office demolition via @GameLabo_sansai on X.
Someone commented: "I didn't really understand how to play with the Famicom yet, so my little brother and I stuffed clay into the Famicom, and Dad took it to Nintendo Kanda near his workplace to get it fixed!" 😖
Someone commented: "I didn't really understand how to play with the Famicom yet, so my little brother and I stuffed clay into the Famicom, and Dad took it to Nintendo Kanda near his workplace to get it fixed!" 😖
December 29, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Recent photos of the Nintendo Kanda office demolition via @GameLabo_sansai on X.
Someone commented: "I didn't really understand how to play with the Famicom yet, so my little brother and I stuffed clay into the Famicom, and Dad took it to Nintendo Kanda near his workplace to get it fixed!" 😖
Someone commented: "I didn't really understand how to play with the Famicom yet, so my little brother and I stuffed clay into the Famicom, and Dad took it to Nintendo Kanda near his workplace to get it fixed!" 😖
So no love or recognition for SEGA on this one? The mysteries and wonders of licensing. 😞
December 28, 2025 at 4:02 PM
So no love or recognition for SEGA on this one? The mysteries and wonders of licensing. 😞
I noticed that the peripherals are still in stock over at the ININ store: iningames.com/search?optio...
December 18, 2025 at 12:27 PM
I noticed that the peripherals are still in stock over at the ININ store: iningames.com/search?optio...
Of course his name is also in the title of Gondomania (AKA Makyou Senshi)! I can't wait to learn more about Mr. Gondo in the book, I'm sure lots will be revealed. He actually worked for toy maker EPOCH prior to joining Data East. He left the game industry entirely after departing Data East in 1996.
December 17, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Of course his name is also in the title of Gondomania (AKA Makyou Senshi)! I can't wait to learn more about Mr. Gondo in the book, I'm sure lots will be revealed. He actually worked for toy maker EPOCH prior to joining Data East. He left the game industry entirely after departing Data East in 1996.
I want to note that @gdri.bsky.social originally credited Yuji Gondo as part of their research. In addition, Yuji Gondo was credited on the 1991 Game Boy release of BurgerTime Deluxe. His name is not really a secret. In fact, his name is partially seen in the BurgerTime high score table (GON)!
December 17, 2025 at 2:19 PM
I want to note that @gdri.bsky.social originally credited Yuji Gondo as part of their research. In addition, Yuji Gondo was credited on the 1991 Game Boy release of BurgerTime Deluxe. His name is not really a secret. In fact, his name is partially seen in the BurgerTime high score table (GON)!
I have decided to publish this game credit list for Mr. Gondo since the book “ALL ABOUT DATA EAST II” will be released this month in Japan. Unbeknown to me, Mr. Gondo was interviewed for it, it looks like the authors (IGCC) were able to interview him before I could! We'll need to compare research!😅
December 17, 2025 at 2:19 PM
I have decided to publish this game credit list for Mr. Gondo since the book “ALL ABOUT DATA EAST II” will be released this month in Japan. Unbeknown to me, Mr. Gondo was interviewed for it, it looks like the authors (IGCC) were able to interview him before I could! We'll need to compare research!😅
Many years ago I went on a search for the creator of the 1982 arcade game BurgerTime. I located him as part of my own research project that unfortunately was postponed. His name is Yuji Gondo. Here is a list of games designed by Mr. Gondo presented here for the first time as part of my research. A🧵
December 17, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Many years ago I went on a search for the creator of the 1982 arcade game BurgerTime. I located him as part of my own research project that unfortunately was postponed. His name is Yuji Gondo. Here is a list of games designed by Mr. Gondo presented here for the first time as part of my research. A🧵
The award for best snack-ready audience member goes to…..
December 12, 2025 at 1:35 AM
The award for best snack-ready audience member goes to…..
Me wondering what this means for the fate of Bally/Midway, Williams and Atari arcade game IP.
December 10, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Me wondering what this means for the fate of Bally/Midway, Williams and Atari arcade game IP.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!😁
November 27, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!😁
That the Data East main office in Tokyo was located across the street from a graveyard, leading some staff to believe the office was haunted. One more piece of useless knowledge: The voices for a version of Karate Champ were supposedly recorded in an empty women's locker room on the top floor.
November 25, 2025 at 1:19 PM
That the Data East main office in Tokyo was located across the street from a graveyard, leading some staff to believe the office was haunted. One more piece of useless knowledge: The voices for a version of Karate Champ were supposedly recorded in an empty women's locker room on the top floor.
From Software "Shadow Tower" and "Echo Night" PlayStation magazine ads (1998).
Via: Weekly Hyper PlayStation Magazine - Aug 1998.
Via: Weekly Hyper PlayStation Magazine - Aug 1998.
November 18, 2025 at 4:13 AM
From Software "Shadow Tower" and "Echo Night" PlayStation magazine ads (1998).
Via: Weekly Hyper PlayStation Magazine - Aug 1998.
Via: Weekly Hyper PlayStation Magazine - Aug 1998.
No one did a server flex in the late-1990's better than Hironobu Sakaguchi and Square.
November 18, 2025 at 3:58 AM
No one did a server flex in the late-1990's better than Hironobu Sakaguchi and Square.
Heads up: Max Headroom is on Tubi.
November 17, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Heads up: Max Headroom is on Tubi.
NAMCO Museum for the original PlayStation (Japanese ad).
Random thought: It's time for a NAMCO Museum, like an actual NAMCO Museum with history, exhibits of design docs, huge arcade with classic NAMCO games, (full-scale Ridge Racer, real-life Katamari, gift shop with frosted Pac-Man cookies, etc.)🤔😁
Random thought: It's time for a NAMCO Museum, like an actual NAMCO Museum with history, exhibits of design docs, huge arcade with classic NAMCO games, (full-scale Ridge Racer, real-life Katamari, gift shop with frosted Pac-Man cookies, etc.)🤔😁
November 14, 2025 at 10:32 PM
NAMCO Museum for the original PlayStation (Japanese ad).
Random thought: It's time for a NAMCO Museum, like an actual NAMCO Museum with history, exhibits of design docs, huge arcade with classic NAMCO games, (full-scale Ridge Racer, real-life Katamari, gift shop with frosted Pac-Man cookies, etc.)🤔😁
Random thought: It's time for a NAMCO Museum, like an actual NAMCO Museum with history, exhibits of design docs, huge arcade with classic NAMCO games, (full-scale Ridge Racer, real-life Katamari, gift shop with frosted Pac-Man cookies, etc.)🤔😁
Midway Studios Newcastle.
Games including Wheelman and LA Rush were made here.
Pictured before and after its closure.
Steven Pick recounts the days leading up to its shutdown:
web.archive.org/web/20101121...
Games including Wheelman and LA Rush were made here.
Pictured before and after its closure.
Steven Pick recounts the days leading up to its shutdown:
web.archive.org/web/20101121...
November 14, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Midway Studios Newcastle.
Games including Wheelman and LA Rush were made here.
Pictured before and after its closure.
Steven Pick recounts the days leading up to its shutdown:
web.archive.org/web/20101121...
Games including Wheelman and LA Rush were made here.
Pictured before and after its closure.
Steven Pick recounts the days leading up to its shutdown:
web.archive.org/web/20101121...
1995 Game Centers in Japan.
Left: Taito Station Shibuya.
Right: Game Factory Yoshimoto Museum (Osaka).
Left: Taito Station Shibuya.
Right: Game Factory Yoshimoto Museum (Osaka).
November 13, 2025 at 9:18 AM
1995 Game Centers in Japan.
Left: Taito Station Shibuya.
Right: Game Factory Yoshimoto Museum (Osaka).
Left: Taito Station Shibuya.
Right: Game Factory Yoshimoto Museum (Osaka).
The 3rd All Japan Puyo Masters Tournament
March 30th, 1997.
Via: TV Gamer Vol. 1 No. 4 Issue 4, April 25, 1997.
March 30th, 1997.
Via: TV Gamer Vol. 1 No. 4 Issue 4, April 25, 1997.
November 13, 2025 at 8:09 AM
The 3rd All Japan Puyo Masters Tournament
March 30th, 1997.
Via: TV Gamer Vol. 1 No. 4 Issue 4, April 25, 1997.
March 30th, 1997.
Via: TV Gamer Vol. 1 No. 4 Issue 4, April 25, 1997.
The amount of game development studios Konami had in late-1990's Japan was crazy.
November 13, 2025 at 7:59 AM
The amount of game development studios Konami had in late-1990's Japan was crazy.
SEGA's "Power Sled" at Club SEGA in Yokohama.
Via TV Gamer, Vol. 1 No. 18 Issue 18 (August 8, 1997).
Via TV Gamer, Vol. 1 No. 18 Issue 18 (August 8, 1997).
November 12, 2025 at 8:26 PM
SEGA's "Power Sled" at Club SEGA in Yokohama.
Via TV Gamer, Vol. 1 No. 18 Issue 18 (August 8, 1997).
Via TV Gamer, Vol. 1 No. 18 Issue 18 (August 8, 1997).
The original Sony PlayStation on the Sony factory line in Japan. Boxes with four SCPH-5500 PlayStation units a piece. These photos were taken inside the Sony Kisarazu factory. A team of seven factory workers could produce 141 PlayStation units a day. Via: TV Gamer, Vol. 1 No. 1 Issue 1 April 4, 1997
November 12, 2025 at 8:12 PM
The original Sony PlayStation on the Sony factory line in Japan. Boxes with four SCPH-5500 PlayStation units a piece. These photos were taken inside the Sony Kisarazu factory. A team of seven factory workers could produce 141 PlayStation units a day. Via: TV Gamer, Vol. 1 No. 1 Issue 1 April 4, 1997
ATARI katakana sign. Only $39.99 you say?
Blade Runner rain ambience and rogue replicants not included.
atari.com/collections/...
Blade Runner rain ambience and rogue replicants not included.
atari.com/collections/...
November 12, 2025 at 6:12 PM
ATARI katakana sign. Only $39.99 you say?
Blade Runner rain ambience and rogue replicants not included.
atari.com/collections/...
Blade Runner rain ambience and rogue replicants not included.
atari.com/collections/...