Redding, CA – December 10, 2009 – Sunsoft, a division of SUNCORPORATION (JASDAQ: 6736) , has today announced that they have completed the purchase of the entire software library of defunct Japanese game publisher Nihon Telenet. This transfer of intellectual property gives Sunsoft the ability to publish or remake over 100 Telenet titles originally published on key platforms like Nintendo Entertainment System, SEGA Genesis/SEGA CD, and PC-Engine/Turbografx, and Sony Playstation.
Nihon Telenet, also known as Nippon Telenet, who published under the Renovation brand in the USA, was a prolific developer and publisher of popular and well-crafted titles like the Valis Series, El Viento, Earnest Evans, Tenshi No Uta (Poems of the Angel), Exile, and Cosmic Fantasy series, to name only a few. One of the interesting trademarks of a Telenet game was that it was not uncommon to see characters from one title make a guest appearance in a different Telenet game or series.
Kiharu Yoshida, CEO of SUNCORPORATION said of the acquisition, “I am proud to have succeeded in creating a home for this large family of key software. We plan to carefully cultivate the great software base we have purchased with this transaction.”
Victor Ireland, President of GAIJINWORKS was instrumental in helping the deal come about and will assist Sunsoft in the implementation of a publishing plan for existing titles and development plans for those that are chosen to be remade. Ireland effused “After Telenet closed, I was sure there was a way to keep their great ideas and characters alive, and I’m extremely happy that Sunsoft has stepped into that role. There are numerous fantastic products to work with in this acquisition, and there is nothing but amazing possibilities for the Telenet IP as a whole.”
Initial plans are to quickly begin publication of the original software releases on Virtual Console systems available on the Wii and other platforms. Then new development of key titles in the library will be initiated, targeting the best and most-wanted to be remade for current consoles and services. Given that many of the Telenet series had only one of the installments released in the US, some of these Virtual Console and remade releases will be seen for the first time in Western markets.
In the coming months, the order of release for titles from this library will be announced and publication will begin, events sure to work game fans into a frothing lather. Suggestions and comments for the games to be chosen are welcome and can be made on the new Sunsoft USA message boards at www.sunsoftgames.com.
About SUNCORPORATION. Located in Aichi prefecture in Japan, SUN CORPORATION has been innovating electronic equipment and software for almost forty years. Their corporate slogan, “Dream, Challenge, and Creation” perfectly summarizes the spirit that gave birth to their software company Sunsoft. Worldwide, Sunsoft has developed or published almost 100 games for both consoles and arcades. They also publish for iPhone and Windows mobile platforms.
About GAIJINWORKS. GAIJINWORKS was founded by Victor Ireland after spending more than 15 years as President of console game publisher Working Designs, where he innovated deluxe packaging, special premiums, pack-in soundtracks and game documentaries for their RPG product. Many of the practices he innovated have become standard in the RPG segment, and console video games in general. GAIJINWORKS is focused on continuing a tradition of fanservice for game fans.
I'm not sure. Apparently a lot of companies had a part in the development and publishing of Ys III for different regions/consoles (Nihon Telenet handled the MD/Genesis version).
Valis: The Fantasm Soldier- Sega Genesis Valis III - sega Genesis Gaiares - Sega Genesis Granada - sega Genesis Sol-Deace - Sega Genesis El Viento - Sega Genesis Arcus Odyssey- Sega Genesis Final Zone
I own most of the Nihone Telenet games that were ported to the Sega Genesis in North America from Renovation Products being a publisher. I have no idea on rest of the game consoles that Nihone Telenet did games on.
I didn't think there has been a translated Nihone Telenet game in North America since 1993.
Over 100 titles? Sunsoft must be optimistic about the Virtual Console, just like Lucasarts, Sega, and Capcom. 2010 might be even better then last year.
This is crazy - there are so manygood games. Unreal. This is what the VC is for. Over on sunsoftgames there's a thread on what games people want to see first. We should have a thread here like that.
I'm glad Sunsoft took the initiative on pursuing all of Nihon Telenet gaming properties. This will strengthen their catalog greatly and hopefully they make good use of them on becoming a bigger player in the western market.
North America seems to really have hopped back on the trolly lately. First we start seeing two releases every week, then first party titles started showing up again and now this Sunsoft thing. Hopefully this last a while because we are some 200 games behind Japan.
Future Wii purchases: Super Mario Galaxy 2 Metroid: Other M Zelda Wii New Super Mario Bros. Wii Sin and Punishment 2
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