Konami has just announced that they will be dissolving Hudson Soft on 1st March, bringing to an end a company that's become beloved by gamers over the years for such unforgettable contributions to gaming as the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 systems and the ever-popular Bomberman and Star Soldier series.
For those of you who don't remember, Konami purchased a majority stake in Hudson Soft back in April of last year, a move the company hoped would turn things around for the struggling publisher. Sadly, this was not to be.
No word on whether or not Konami will continue to release Hudson titles in the future, but we'll keep you posted on any news as it becomes available.
Comments 87
Didn't they help with Mario Party DS? How interesting.
So this just means Hudson has gone under right?
Eh no big loss. They haven't had anything really noteworthy come out since the 16-bit days. They died a long time ago as far as I'm concerned.
NO!! D:
Wha--w-w-w-Wha!?
I will dread March 1st. If this means no more Bomberman games I will never look at you the same way again Konami! >:[
Mario Party was OK. Lost in Shadow suffered from unresponsive controls I heard. "WE" Ski was a rip-off of Wii Sports. However, it's kind bad to see Hudson Soft go. It would be really bad if their series died off.
NOOOO!!!
Well, i'll live
One of my all-time favorite game publishers. Thanks for all you guys did over the years and for all your amazing contributions to the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 systems. It was a hell of a great run!
@Retro_on_theGo: I wouldn't worry about it. It's been a long time coming, this is just a formality I'm sure. Also, I wouldn't worry about the release of Hudson titles...unless you live outside of Japan.
crap.
what has konami out out in recent years?
It's always sad when one of the old school companies close.
Well now, this is sad I will always remember you, little bee.
This will mean a possible higher price for Hudson games off eBay/Amazon/etc., particularly from the 16-bit era. Too bad they're going under.
Fun Fact to all NLifers: Hudson made a version of SMB, called "Super Mario Bros. Special". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Mario_Bros._Special#Super_Mario_Bros._Special
They had a good run. Sadly, it seems like they've been running out of steam for a while now, anyway.
Noooooooooooo!!! I always hated these corporate takeovers; they're left to rot and die. Again, another legendary company which has dissolved into oblivion. Adventure Island 4 life!
i'm surprised they lasted this long
Nowadays it looks like everyone is playing Angry Birds sigh
At least Nintendo got Iwata, still sad to see them go, I guess Kirby is now purely first party. Though I bet we will see more Bomberman, I don't think Konami will let a popular character go.
Oh how the mighty have fallen.
This is sad news to me. In the 16 bit days I loved all the systems, but my TG-16 was my favorite, being a fan of scrolling shooters. Hudson's games had a special something to them, and were a great alternative to the more mainstream games.
@18
ditto.
stupid konami >
NO MARIO PARTY 2 and 3 DEVELOPER GONE!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbeR6uYxU50&feature=related
Show that takes away my fanship for konom....{castlvainia 3 plays in the backround} oh dang it konami I can't hate you!
R.I.P. Bomberman
Saw this earlier. So sad. I still wish Adventure Island would've made a comeback.
Meh.. Hudson hasn't made a good game since Mario Party 5.
I've never really played many hudson soft games, but it is still saddening to see a classic developer die.
R.I.P. Hudson Soft
The N64 Mario Party games were among the first Console games I owned. I'm really sad to see them go.
I feel bad even though I've never played one of their games... Unless they did Mario party... I can't keep track though, which is odd for me😃
If they did Mario party... then... Is Mario party 9 going to be the last Mario party... EVER?
sigh I liked their Mario Party games and I LOVE Bomberman too.
Darn! Sad to see them leave... They have made some really good games. It's a shame.
So long Adventure Island, Bonk, Bomberman, and some interesting shmup games. I'd be hopeful that the older games would all get rereleased, but this is Konami. They won't even give us the original Contra on the VC or the Sparkster games.
So tired of Konami this gen.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! no more bomber man SOB SOB
this is a trick right they can't be dead can they? SOB SOB SOB
R.I.P bomber man you will always be a classic and cherished by many gamers
Thats sad, I remember fondly playing their Adventure Island games.
Like Midway, this is sad news but honestly I could care less for their games.
Maybe Konami will make better Bomberman and Adventure Island games now?
Adventure island is awesome!
Master Higgins!!!
my dads birthday is march 1st!
This is not the news I like. Bah...
Guys, this doesn't automatically mean that all the Hudson franchises are dead. Konami isn't just going to toss money in the bin by dumping popular franchises.
/me looks at Capcom's Mega Man
Then again ...
That all said, it is a shame to see another classic-era company fade away, but i don't think anyone's really surprised by this after their buy-out last year.
Damn, Konami already killed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and now they might kill Bomberman as well? I really hope Konami doesn't go down the path that Namco and Capcom are going.
Are they going to close down the Water Warfare servers?
Truth be told, I'm not the least bit bothered by this news. I haven't willingly paid for a Hudson title since some Mario Party game back in the 2000's. That said, it's still sad to see a classic developer shut down.
RIP, Milon. You are now free to shoot bubbles in your Secret Castle in the sky...
They need to bring Xexyz back!
@ nintendo_life_readers/staff what was the last good game they even made? i own 2 from the last few years and they are licensed cash-ins our just not great. is this the same with most, and should i bee grieving?
...I'm lost, didn't we already knew Hudson was closing down? o.0
...And, wait...so it's Konami's fault? xD
Sad news indeed. Really wanted Bonk to be revived (came close, but never did ). Hopefully they'll release a couple more VC games on the VC like Adventure Island II (both versions) before they're gone forever because you know Konami won't release them considering the fact that they haven't touched the VC in nearly 3 years.
I will always remember the good old days when they made Mario Party 1-3. Nintendo is making Mario Party 9 so it probably won't die yet.
Such is live.I dont really see why we should hate Konami for doing what is just business.
Nevertheless, another legend has passed on. Master Higgings, Bomberman, Bonk, that ship from Star Force....we salute you.
@TheChosen , Very true. I see many people getting mad and blaming Konami, but they have to ask themselves, if Hudson was doing good, would have Konami dissolved it?
Actually that's why Konami bought Hudson since they were doing real well.
Konami has owned a majority of Hudson since 2003,Hudson stared making great games, and it became worth it for Konami to buyout Hudson.
Deca Sports,Bonk,Bomberman will probably live on.
Kororinpa,Ninja Five O,Lost in Shadow,Honeycomb Beat,Milon are probably dead.
Oh dear...with Bomberman on the streets he's liable to become a danger to himself and others. He won't endanger the Konami offices will he?
I know, since Konami isn't doing anything these days, why don't they dissolve into Hudson Soft?
Whaaaat? Lame! Why not just use them as one more of their studios? They made Bloody Roar for crying out loud!
I only ever liked Bomberman and I can play that on the computer, so no big loss for me...
Besides, companies close down and get bought out every day, it's just life.
Bomberman Blast (2008)
Bomberman Blitz (2009)
Rooms: The main building (2010)
Hudson was not so dead IMHO.
I am very sorry to hear this. They published Bloody Roar: Primal Fury on the GameCube, which was one of my favorite games.
Saturn Bomberman and Lost in Shadow will forever remain in my video game collection. Farewell, Hudson.
After bringing me some fantastic Bomberman flavoured experiences growing up, its a real pity to see Hudson are finally going. Ah well!
@Aqueous
I believe you are getting Hudson mixed up with HAL. HAL still exists.
That is sad, I'm gonna miss that Bee.
But like most people have already said, their main exports will live on, so no real loss for us.
In the last 3 weeks I bought 3 HUDSON games: A Shadow's Tale (Wii), Bonk III (VC) and Onslaught (WW).
And I have about 30 HUDSON games for the Wii and a few on DS.
From 2005-2007 Nintendo helped out, then Konami tried to. Ultimately HUDSON didn't release the mega hit to get themselves out of their misery.... but I still hope they survive somehow.
GAH! Very sad. I'll treasue my Kororinpa Wii copy even more now. Thanks for your good games and hard work.
It's a sad day for videogame players. =(
Unless Nintendo buys Hudson Soft, it's over for Hudson.
this IS a sad day, I realy enjoyed bomberman and there seems to be a few othetr titles (on DSi) that I enjoyed to boot. I hate seeing a long timr player in Vid games dev. go under...
they publiswhed ROOMS: the Main Building also? Ohhh I LOVE that game.... sob*sob*sob* that puzzler had more character in its little pinky than some have in thier whole digital bodies (IMO). very sad indeed.
I thought they were already dissolved months ago...
yet another video games developer goes under- i do worry about some of the other companies, who could be in danger of or may go out of the gaming business altogether; i.e. SEGA for example.
but this is sad to see. i think their best work was during the 80s- mid 90s with bomberman, adventure island, bonk, whilst the bloody roar games weren't too bad.
R.I.P
It's sad to see Hudson go. Well I just hope for the best that Konami will have the heart to continue the IP's like Bomberman. Speaking of Bomberman, There was a supposed game for the 3DS that was in development just before Hudson's bankruptcy. Here is a screenshot for the game:
Just hope that this isn't vaporware.... I love Bomberman just as I do for Megaman.
RIP Mario Party 3 on Virtual Console!!
Beebye Hudson. It's sad to see one of the most original videogame companies leave the ring. I loved the special charm a lot of your characters and games had.
You might never have been able to be as good or successful as in your 8- and 16-Bit days but that still didn't stop you from making unique games like Rooms and Lost in Shadow. Or from making the best Sudoku game ever with Nikoli's Pencil Puzzle. (Love logic puzzles, dislike Sudoku, been very pleased with the other three puzzle types.) I can only hope your approach will either live on in Konami or at least inspire some more devs to think outside the box.
Hope we'll still see more of your games on Ninty's VC's as well.
Also special nods to Bonk, Adventure Island, Star Force / Star Soldier, Bomberman, Wonderboy and Alien Crush / Devil Crush.
@ThreadShadow(56.):
@Clinker(45.): I don't get the comparison to Namco. Would be great if you could explain it.
@3Dangerous3Dash (31.): What Mario_Party_Fan_999 (52.) wrote.
@Swiket(21.): I really like your comparison.
Ah... Bomberman was my childhood hero. I liked him way more than Mario and Sonic. That was also back when Sega was making GOOD Sonic games without all those unnecessary there-to-be-there characters.
So I guess this kills any chance for a Milon sequel?
I wish I would have payed more attention to the Turbo Grafx 16 growing up. It was an awesome system but at the time my world revolved around Nintendo and Sega.
Not surprising considering Hudson's current state, but still very sad news. It is also sad seeing the lack of knowledge about such an outstanding developer. Say what you want about Hudson, but they were one of my all time favorite developers.
Hudson had a ton of classic games, including the old Mario Party games, but they made some good stuff for Wii as well. Bomberman, of course. Some lesser known games that I loved include: Snowboard Riot, Onslaught, Water Warfare, Pool Revolution: Cue Sports, and Lost in Shadow. DECA Sports was obviously a cash-in, but they must have done something right for it to become such a good seller.
Snowboard Riot really lacked content, but it made up for it with addictive gameplay. I played those 4 stages way too many times, but I still had fun.
Onslaught was one of, if not the first FPS for WiiWare. I usually do not like shooters, but this one had giant insects and online co-op. Just what I love!
Water Warfare more than made up for the lack of player vs player multiplayer in Onslaught with its many modes and crazyness. Just too bad that it never got patched. (Glitch in the Plaza that lets players hide in areas usually off limits.)
Cue Sports is still a good time waster for me. A challenging puzzle mode, multiple gametypes, and online play. Simple but fun.
Lost in Shadow. What an outstanding game. I loved the overall atmosphere of the game and the whole concept behind the game. Just too bad that it was largely ignored like a majority of Hudson's games. Unresponsive controls? I completed it 100% and did not have any issues with the controls.
Will we still have access to their titles on virtual console and WiiWare? I assume the titles are the property of Konami and Konami will collect revenue from the sale of Hudson's titles?
I really liked Hudson Soft... Really sad to see them end like this
What happens to Bomberman? Or future Tetris titles...?
FUUUUUUAAAHHHH!!!!!!
I want another Blood Roar!! Damn it. Hudson has always been one of my favorite gaming companies. I'll cry rivers with them leaving!
I shall play my TurboGrafx-16 in solidarity on March 1st. Sad...
It would be nice if Konami decides to release more HS games from the NES and Turbo-Graphix 16 days because there are people out there who missed out on quite a few gems.
@KoMiCtUrTIE
I'm guessing Konami owns the Tetris license now.
Definitely sucks, but at least their games should remain on Virtual Console since Konami owns the rights to all of them.
Wish I had a boat load of cash. Hudson Soft was one of those companies I would have loved to get behind and help out rather than it coming to an end like this.
@Cobra If I owned Hudson, I would have sold the company to Nintendo, not Konami.
Boy, how I loved playing Bomberman.
Great, now that Konami is exiting the console market, they've taken Hudson down with them.
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