is a Japanese developer of
video game
Video games, also known as computer games, are electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface or input device such as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device to generate visual feedback. This fee ...
s, based in
Tsukishima
is a place located in Chūō, Tokyo, Japan, in the Sumida River estuary. It is a reclaimed land next to Tsukuda District. The land reclamation completed in 1892, using earth from the dredging work performed to create a shipping channel in Toky ...
, Tokyo.
By far Artdink's biggest international success was the award-winning ''
A-Train
is a series of business simulation video games developed and published by Japanese game developer Artdink in Japan. The first game in the series was published in 1985. The first release in the United States was ''Take the A-Train II'', published ...
'' (known in Japan as ''
A Ressha de Ikou
is a series of business simulation video games developed and published by Japanese game developer Artdink in Japan. The first game in the series was published in 1985. The first release in the United States was ''Take the A-Train II'', publishe ...
'', or "Take the A-Train") strategy game released for the
PC and
Amiga
Amiga is a family of personal computers introduced by Commodore in 1985. The original model is one of a number of mid-1980s computers with 16- or 32-bit processors, 256 KB or more of RAM, mouse-based GUIs, and significantly improved graphi ...
, which was published by ''
SimCity
''SimCity'' is an open-ended city-building video game series originally designed by Will Wright. The first game in the series, ''SimCity'', was published by Maxis in 1989 and were followed by several sequels and many other spin-off "''Sim' ...
'' creators
Maxis
Maxis is an American video game developer and a Division (business), division of Electronic Arts (EA). The studio was founded in 1987 by Will Wright (game designer), Will Wright and Jeff Braun, and acquired by Electronic Arts, EA in 1997. Maxi ...
. A
Family Computer
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is an 8-bit Third generation of video game consoles, third-generation home video game console produced by Nintendo. It was first released in Japan in 1983 as the commonly known as the The NES, a redes ...
and
MSX versions were also released, both exclusively in Japan. Artdink have released several sequels to this game, the most recent being ''A-Train All Aboard! Tourism'' for
Nintendo Switch
The is a hybrid video game console developed by Nintendo and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. The console itself is a Tablet computer#Gaming tablet, tablet that can either be docking station, docked for use as a home video ...
.
A few other Artdink titles have seen US and PAL release from various publishers, including ''
Aquanaut's Holiday'' (
Sony
, commonly stylized as SONY, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. As a major technology company, it operates as one of the world's largest manufacturers of consumer and professional ...
), ''
Carnage Heart
is a video game for the PlayStation, developed by Artdink. Its gameplay is a mecha-based, turn-based strategy game, where the player takes the role of a commander in a war fought by robots. The robots, called Overkill Engines (OKEs), cannot be di ...
'' (Sony), ''
Turnabout'' (
Natsume/Zoo Digital), ''
Tail of the Sun
''Tail of the Sun'', known in Japan as , is an action role-playing video game developed by Artdink for the PlayStation. It was released in Japan in 1996 by Artdink and North America in 1997 by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was created by Kazut ...
'' (Sony), ''
AIV Global: Evolution'' (Sony) and ''
No One Can Stop Mr. Domino!'' (
Acclaim/
JVC Music Europe) for the
PlayStation
is a video gaming brand that consists of five home video game consoles, two handhelds, a media center, and a smartphone, as well as an online service and multiple magazines. The brand is produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment, a divisi ...
. None of these titles have achieved mainstream success due to their unconventional nature.
The European publisher Midas Interactive obtained the rights to some of Artdink's
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October 2000, in Europe on 24 November 2000, and in Australia on 3 ...
games and published versions localised in English and other languages in
PAL
Phase Alternating Line (PAL) is a colour encoding system for analogue television. It was one of three major analogue colour television standards, the others being NTSC and SECAM. In most countries it was broadcast at 625 lines, 50 fields (25 ...
countries. Games released by Midas include ''Golful Golf'' (''Mr. Golf''), ''The Seed'', ''
Buchigire Kongou
''BCV: Battle Construction Vehicles'', known in Japan as , is a non-traditional fighting video game for the PlayStation 2 game console, where the player must battle in various construction vehicles.
The game was only released in Europe and Jap ...
'' (''
Battle Construction Vehicles
''BCV: Battle Construction Vehicles'', known in Japan as , is a non-traditional fighting video game for the PlayStation 2 game console, where the player must battle in various construction vehicles.
The game was only released in Europe and Jap ...
''), and ''A Ressha de Ikou 6'' (''
A-Train 6
is a series of business simulation video games developed and published by Japanese game developer Artdink in Japan. The first game in the series was published in 1985. The first release in the United States was ''Take the A-Train II'', publishe ...
'').
Games
;1988–1989
*''
A-Ressha de Ikou II'' (X68000)
*''A-Ressha de Ikou II: Shin Map'' (X68000)
*''Double Eagle'' (X68000)
*''Double Eagle: Tricky Hole'' (X68000)
*''How Many Robot'' (PC88, MSX, X68000)
*''Daikairei: Dai Nippon Teikoku Kaigun no Kiseki'' (X68000)
*''Daikairei: Nankai to Shitou'' (X68000)
*''Daikairei: Power Kit to Shin Scenario Make Kit'' (X68000)
*''Railroad Empire'' (PC)
;1990–1999
*''
A-Ressha de Ikou II: Gentei Okaidoku Han'' (X68000)
*''Daikairei: Dai Nippon Teikoku Gentei Okaidokuban'' (X68000)
*''Daikairei: Nankai no Shitou Gentei Okaidokuban'' (X68000)
*''Daikairei: Nankai no Shitou Tsuika Scenario'' (X68000)
*''Daikairei: Tsuika Scenario'' (X68000)
*''Eikan wa Kimi ni: Koukou Yakyuu Zenkoku Taikai'' (X68000)
*''Far Side Moon: Chikyuu Boueidan 2'' (X68000)
*''Kikou Shidan'' (X68000)
*''
A-Ressha de Ikou'' (Famicom)
*''
A-Ressha de Ikou III'' (X68000, PC Engine, Super Famicom)
*''
A-Ressha de Ikou III Map Construction'' (X68000)
*''
A-Ressha de Ikou III Map Construction Shin Map Tsuki'' (X68000)
*''The Atlas'' (PC-9801)
*''The Atlas HD Senyou Ban'' (PC-9801)
*''The Atlas 2'' (PC-9801)
*''
A-Ressha de Ikou IV'' (PC-9801, PlayStation)
*''The Atlas: Renaissance Voyager'' (PC Engine)
*''Eikan wa Kimi ni: Koukou Yakyuu Zenkoku Taikai'' (PC Engine)
*''The Atlas'' (Super Famicom)
*''Lunatic Dawn FX'' (PC-FX)
*''
Aquanaut's Holiday'' (PlayStation)
*''
Tail of the Sun
''Tail of the Sun'', known in Japan as , is an action role-playing video game developed by Artdink for the PlayStation. It was released in Japan in 1996 by Artdink and North America in 1997 by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was created by Kazut ...
'' (PlayStation)
*''ToPoLo'' (PlayStation)
*''
A-Ressha de Ikou V'' (PlayStation)
*''
A-Train
is a series of business simulation video games developed and published by Japanese game developer Artdink in Japan. The first game in the series was published in 1985. The first release in the United States was ''Take the A-Train II'', published ...
'' (PlayStation)
*''
A-Ressha de Ikou Z: Mezase! Tairiku Oudan'' (PlayStation)
*''
C.E.O.'' (PC)
*''
Carnage Heart
is a video game for the PlayStation, developed by Artdink. Its gameplay is a mecha-based, turn-based strategy game, where the player takes the role of a commander in a war fought by robots. The robots, called Overkill Engines (OKEs), cannot be di ...
'' (PlayStation)
*''
Carnage Heart EZ: Easy Zapping'' (PlayStation)
*''Kaze no Notam'' (PlayStation)
*''
Kowloon's Gate
is a 1997 Japanese adventure video game developed by Zeque. Set in the Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong, it is considered a cult hit.
Plot
On June 22, 1997, before the handover of Hong Kong, the demolished Kowloon Walled City reemerged from the ...
'' (PlayStation)
*''
Colony Wars
''Colony Wars'' is a space combat simulator video game for the PlayStation developed and released by Psygnosis in 1997. Players complete space combat missions using preselected starfighters equipped with various weapons. The game features multi ...
'' (PlayStation)
*''The Conveni Special'' (PlayStation)
*''The FamiRes'' (PlayStation)
*''Lunatic Dawn III'' (PlayStation)
*''Navit'' (PlayStation)
*''Neo Atlas'' (PlayStation)
*''
No One Can Stop Mr. Domino!'' (PlayStation)
*''
Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen'' (PlayStation)
*''
SimCity 2000
''SimCity 2000'' is a city-building simulation video game jointly developed by Will Wright and Fred Haslam of Maxis. It is the successor to '' SimCity Classic'' and was released for Apple Macintosh personal computers in 1993, after which it wa ...
'' (PlayStation)
*''Susume! Kaizoku'' (PlayStation)
*''
Zeus: Carnage Heart Second'' (PlayStation)
*''Vampire: Kyuuketsuki Densetsu'' (PlayStation)
*''Aquanaut no Kyuujitsu: Memories of Summer 1996'' (PlayStation)
*''A-Ressha de Ikou Z: Mezase! Tairiku Oudan'' (PlayStation)
*''Aquanaut no Kyuujitsu 2'' (PlayStation)
*''Eikan wa Kimi ni 4'' (PlayStation)
*''Neo Atlas II'' (PlayStation)
*''
Zeus II: Carnage Heart'' (PlayStation)
*''Lunatic Dawn Odyssey'' (PlayStation)
*''
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together'' (PlayStation)
;2000–2009
*''
A-Train 6
is a series of business simulation video games developed and published by Japanese game developer Artdink in Japan. The first game in the series was published in 1985. The first release in the United States was ''Take the A-Train II'', publishe ...
'' (PlayStation 2)
*''
Turnabout'' (PlayStation)
*''
BCV: Battle Construction Vehicles'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Lagnacure Legend'' (PlayStation)
*''Eikan wa Kimi ni: Koushien e no Michi'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Mahjong Gokuu Taisei'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Neo Atlas III'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Lunatic Dawn Tempest'' (PlayStation 2)
*''A-Ressha de Ikou 2001'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Basic Studio: Powerful Game Koubou'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Mr. Golf'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Train Kit for A-Ressha de Ikou 2001'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Shenseiki Evangelion Typing E-Keikaku'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Eikan wa Kimi ni: Koushien no Hasha'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Gendai Yougo no Kiso Chishiki 2001'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Katei no Igaku TV Ware Series'' (PlayStation 2)
*''The Seed: WarZone'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Nihongo Daijiten'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Pro Atlas for TV: Zengokuban'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Pro Atlas for TV: Kinki'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Pro Atlas for TV: Shutoken'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Pro Atlas for TV: Toukai'' (PlayStation 2)
*''
A-Ressha de Ikou 2001 Perfect Set'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Motto Golful Golf'' (PlayStation 2)
*''The FamiRes'' (PlayStation)
*''Eikan wa Kimi ni 2004: Koushien no Kodou'' (PlayStation 2)
*''Gundam Battle Tactics'' (PlayStation Portable)
*''Zipang'' (PlayStation 2)
*''
A-Train HX'' (Xbox 360)
*''
Carnage Hearts Portable'' (PlayStation Portable)
*''Gundam Battle Royale'' (PlayStation Portable)
*''Lisa to Issho ni Tairiku Oudan: A-Ressha de Ikou'' (PlayStation Portable)
*''Gundam Battle Chronicle'' (PlayStation Portable)
*''Aquanaut's Holiday: Kakusareta Kiroku'' (PlayStation 3)
*''
Macross Ace Frontier
is a shooting game developed by Artdink for the PlayStation Portable. The game is based on Studio Nue's popular ''Macross'' series, one of which is known in the West as the first generation of ''Robotech''. It features original elements as well ...
'' (PlayStation Portable)
*''Souykuu no Fafner: Dead Aggressor (PlayStation Portable)
*''A-Ressha de Ikou DS'' (Nintendo DS)
*''Gundam Battle Universe'' (PlayStation Portable)
*''Macross Ultimate Frontier'' (PlayStation Portable)
;2010
*''A-Ressho de Ikou DS: Navigation Pack'' (Nintendo DS)
*''A-Train 9'' (PC)
*''
Carnage Heart EXA'' (PlayStation Portable)
*''Gundam Assault Survive'' (PlayStation Portable)
*''Tantei Opera Milky Holmes''
*''Macross Trial Frontier'' (PlayStation 3)
:*Included with the movie ''
Macross Frontier: The False Songstress'' in a hybrid Blu-ray Disc.
;2011
*''Macross Triangle Frontier'' (PlayStation Portable)
*''Macross Last Frontier'' (PlayStation 3)
:*Included with the movie ''
Macross Frontier: The Wings of Goodbye'' in a hybrid Blu-ray Disc.
;2012
*''A-Ressha de Ikou 3D'' (Nintendo 3DS)
*''Bipedal Movement Simulation'' (PlayStation 3)
*''Gundam Seed Battle Destiny'' (PlayStation Vita)
*''Tantei Opera Milky Holmes 2''
*''Macross: My Boyfriend is a Pilot 2012'' (PlayStation 3)
::Included with the movie ''
Macross: Do You Remember Love?'' in a hybrid Blu-ray Disc.
;2013
*''Battle Robot Damashii'' (PlayStation Portable)
*''
Macross 30: Voices across the Galaxy'' (PlayStation 3)
*''
Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Z'' (PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360)
*''
Puella Magi Madoka Magica: The Battle Pentagram'' (PlayStation Vita)
;2014
*''A-Train 3D: City Simulator'' (Nintendo 3DS)
;2015
*''
Sword Art Online: Lost Song'' (PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4)
*''
World Trigger: Borderless Mission'' (PlayStation Vita)
;2016
*''Macross Delta Scramble'' (PlayStation Vita)
*''Neo Atlas 1469'' (PlayStation Vita, Windows)
*''A-Ressha de Ikou 3D NEO'' (Nintendo 3DS)
*''A-Train PC Classic'' (Windows)
;2017
*''A-Train Express'' (PlayStation 4)
*''
Accel World vs. Sword Art Online: Millennium Twilight'' (PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows)
;2018
*''Neo Atlas 1469'' (Nintendo Switch)
;2019
*''A-Ressha de Ikou Exp. +'' (PlayStation 4)
*''Sword Art Online: Lost Song'' (Windows)
;2020
*''Witch Spring 3 Re:Fine -The Story of the Marionette Witch Eirudy'' (Nintendo Switch)
;2021
*''A-Train: All Aboard! Tourism'' (Nintendo Switch, Windows)
*''
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World'' (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4)
;2022
*''
Triangle Strategy'' (Nintendo Switch)
*''
Soul Hackers 2
is a 2022 role-playing video game developed by Atlus. It was published by Atlus in Japan and by Sega worldwide for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. The game is the fifth installment in the ''Devil Summoner'' s ...
'' (Windows, Xbox One)
*''SD Gundam Battle Alliance'' (Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S)
References
External links
Artdink*
Artdinkcompany page at
GameFAQs
GameFAQs is a website that hosts FAQs and walkthroughs for video games. It was created in November 1995 by Jeff Veasey and was bought by CNET Networks in May 2003. It is currently owned by Fandom, Inc. since October 2022. The site has a databa ...
{{Authority control
Video game companies of Japan
Video game development companies
Video game companies established in 1986
Japanese companies established in 1986
Software companies based in Tokyo