Riverhillsoft (リバーヒルソフト, Ribāhiru Sofuto) was a Japanese video game manufacturer in operation from 1982 to 2004. The studio focused in the 1980s developing games for Japanese home computers, in the 1990s shifted to console game development, and in the 2000s to mobile games. They also published Western games in the Japanese market.

Riverhillsoft
IndustryVideo games
FoundedAugust 1982
DefunctJune 2004
FateBankruptcy
SuccessorAlthi, Inc.
HeadquartersFukuoka Prefecture, Japan
ProductsJ.B. Harold series

History

edit

The company was initially known for the successful J.B. Harold Murder Club series of murder mystery adventure games, developed from 1986 onwards. They were initially released as computer games and later ported to the PC Engine CD console, Nintendo Family Computer, Nintendo DS handheld, and iOS mobile.

Riverhillsoft also published Prince of Persia in Japan. Their ports to the Japanese NEC PC-9801 and PC Engine CD platforms featured improved graphics (introducing the Prince's classic "turban and vest" appearance) and a new Red Book audio soundtrack. They also ported it to other computers and video game consoles, helping the game become a worldwide success.[1]

Riverhillsoft were later known for several early survival horror games. These include the 1994 game Doctor Hauzer and the first game in the OverBlood series. Their final release was the life simulation game World Neverland: Waneba Island for the PlayStation in 2000.[2][3]

Following layoffs in 2000, the company turned its focus on mobile gaming, which proved unsuccessful. In June 2004, it filed for bankruptcy and the majority of its employees left to form a new company, called Althi, Inc., absorbing Riverhillsoft.

Games

edit
List of games developed by Insomniac Games
Year Title Platform(s)
1983 Zoom in Space PC-88
1984 Lizard PC-88, PC-98
1985 Space Adventure: Zodiac PC-88, FM-7
1986 Aggres PC-88, PC-98, FM-7
J.B. Harold no Jikenbo #1: Murder Club PC-88, PC-98, FM-7, X1, MZ, X68000, MSX, Famicom, DOS, PC Engine, FM Towns, Windows
1987 J.B. Harold no Jikenbo #2: Manhattan Requiem PC-88, PC-98, FM-7, X1, X68000, MSX, LaserActive
J.B. Harold no Jikenbo: Kiss of Murder PC-88, PC-98, FM-7, X1, X68000, MSX, Windows
1988 Tōdō Ryūnosuke Tantei Nikki: Kohakuiro no Yuigon PC-88, PC-98, FM-7, X68000, MSX, PC Engine, Windows
1989 J.B. Harold 3: D.C. Connection PC-88, PC-98, MSX, Windows
Burai: Jōkan PC-88, PC-98, FM Towns, MSX
1990 Tōdō Ryūnosuke Tantei Nikki: Ōgon no Rashinban PC-98, FM Towns, X68000, Windows
Sōkoban Game Gear
Burai: Gekan - Kanketsu-hen PC-98, FM Towns, MSX
1991 Burai: Hachigyoku no Yūshi Densetsu PC Engine, Mega-CD, Super Famicom
Prince of Persia PC Engine, FM Towns
Kigen: Kagayaki no Hasha PC-98, FM Towns
1992 Buster Ball Game Gear
Top o Nerae! GunBuster Vol.1 PC Engine CD
Princess Minerva PC-98, PC Engine CD, Super Famicom
Burai II: Yami Kōtei no Gyakushū PC Engine CD
1993 Top o Nerae! GunBuster Vol.2 PC Engine CD
Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor: Griffon-hen PC Engine CD
Faceball 2000 PC Engine CD, Game Gear
1994 J.B. Harold: Blue Chicago Blues LaserActive, Windows, Mac OS, Saturn, 3DO, PlayStation, PC-FX
Doctor Hauzer 3DO
Insecter War 3DO
Graduation PC Engine CD, Saturn, PlayStation
1995 Bomberman: Panic Bomber PC-98, FM Towns, X68000
1996 Casablanca ni Ai o: Satsujinsha wa Jikū o Koete Windows
Hyper 3D Taisen Battle: Gebockers Saturn
OverBlood PlayStation
Densetsu no Ogre Battle Saturn
Tactics Ogre Saturn
1997 Private Eye Windows
Refrain Love: Anata ni Aitai PlayStation, Saturn
Santa Fe Mysteries: The Elk Moon Murder Windows
Santa Fe Mysteries: Sacred Ground Windows
World Neverland: The Olerud Kingdom Stories PlayStation, Dreamcast
1998 Klaymen Klaymen: Neverhood no Nazo PlayStation
OverBlood 2 PlayStation
Klaymen Klaymen 2: Skullmonkey no Gyakushū PlayStation
1999 Refrain Love 2 PlayStation
World Neverland 2: The Waktic Republic of Pluto PlayStation, Dreamcast
Abe '99 PlayStation
Klaymen Gun Hockey PlayStation
2000 World Neverland: Waneba Island PlayStation
Cancelled World Neverland 3 PlayStation 2

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Kurt Kalata; Derboo (12 August 2011). "Prince of Persia". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  2. ^ "List of Games by Riverhillsoft". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Home page". Riverhillsoft. March 31, 2003. Archived from the original on 2003-04-14. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
edit