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
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!" 😖
Reposted by John Andersen
40th Anniversary: Penguin-kun Wars for the Famicom was released on Christmas Day 1985. It was programmed by Tomoshige Hashishita at Pax Softnica. It was originally contracted to Home Data, which subcontracted it to Pax Softnica's parent company Pax Electronica Japan. www.famitsu.com/news/202009/...
『ぺんぎんくんWARS』移植から、ディスクシステム『バレーボール』『新・鬼ヶ島』……住む家すら失ったところから這い上がりゲームを作った、その歩み、その想い【ゲームの思い出談話室・第4夜】 | ゲーム・エンタメ最新情報のファミ通.com
愛するゲームの思い出を持ち寄り、気が済むまで語っていただくゲームの思い出談話室“Hello, my friend”。第4夜のテーマは『ぺんぎんくんウォーズ』、『バレーボール』、『ふぁみこんむかし話 新・鬼ヶ島』。ファミコン、ディスクシステム当時のゲーム開発、その歩みや背景について橋下友茂氏にお話していただきます。
www.famitsu.com
December 28, 2025 at 7:41 AM
40th Anniversary: Penguin-kun Wars for the Famicom was released on Christmas Day 1985. It was programmed by Tomoshige Hashishita at Pax Softnica. It was originally contracted to Home Data, which subcontracted it to Pax Softnica's parent company Pax Electronica Japan. www.famitsu.com/news/202009/...
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. 😞
Reposted by John Andersen
Went to the Capcom museum exhibit today, was really fun. Lots of original artwork and fun interactive displays to check.
Importantly, you could point and laugh at the US cover art for some games XD
Importantly, you could point and laugh at the US cover art for some games XD
December 26, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Went to the Capcom museum exhibit today, was really fun. Lots of original artwork and fun interactive displays to check.
Importantly, you could point and laugh at the US cover art for some games XD
Importantly, you could point and laugh at the US cover art for some games XD
Reposted by John Andersen
My author's copies arrived! Im so happy that it's finally done. Copies hit Amazon, Barnes & Noble online, and others Dec. 30!
December 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
My author's copies arrived! Im so happy that it's finally done. Copies hit Amazon, Barnes & Noble online, and others Dec. 30!
Merry Christmas, don’t forget the donuts, comic books and toque eh?
youtu.be/1DTwLqR071M
youtu.be/1DTwLqR071M
Twelve Days of Christmas performed by Bob and Doug McKenzie
YouTube video by VinnyG113
youtu.be
December 24, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Merry Christmas, don’t forget the donuts, comic books and toque eh?
youtu.be/1DTwLqR071M
youtu.be/1DTwLqR071M
Reposted by John Andersen
Art from this BurgerTime arcade cabinet is actually coming to Heritage as part a Pinball and Arcade art showcase in February. The description isn't as clear as it could be, but I think this is the original ink rendering seen on the side of the cabinet: entertainment.ha.com/itm/movie-tv...
December 20, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Art from this BurgerTime arcade cabinet is actually coming to Heritage as part a Pinball and Arcade art showcase in February. The description isn't as clear as it could be, but I think this is the original ink rendering seen on the side of the cabinet: entertainment.ha.com/itm/movie-tv...
Reposted by John Andersen
In 2016 I wrote an article for Pro(c) magazine (RIP) about the process I went through to find Randy Glover, creator of the best game for the best computer (Jumpman on the Atari 8-bit). I'm not sure they ever published it. Here is Finding Randy, online for the first time. archive.org/details/save...
Finding Randy Glover : Kay Savetz : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Kay Savetz describes the process of finding Randy Glover, creator of the classic computer game Jumpman, for an interview.
archive.org
December 18, 2025 at 7:33 PM
In 2016 I wrote an article for Pro(c) magazine (RIP) about the process I went through to find Randy Glover, creator of the best game for the best computer (Jumpman on the Atari 8-bit). I'm not sure they ever published it. Here is Finding Randy, online for the first time. archive.org/details/save...
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🧵
Reposted by John Andersen
One more also based in Mozennakacho while I am at it (the biz HQ was in Shinjuku), this is IGS the devs behind Cyber Core, World Beach Volley/Sonic Spike and Sinbad. They surprisingly developed lots of non game stuff too including weather detection software "Amedasu" and airport mgmt sim #pcengine
December 16, 2025 at 9:29 AM
One more also based in Mozennakacho while I am at it (the biz HQ was in Shinjuku), this is IGS the devs behind Cyber Core, World Beach Volley/Sonic Spike and Sinbad. They surprisingly developed lots of non game stuff too including weather detection software "Amedasu" and airport mgmt sim #pcengine
Reposted by John Andersen
Colleague asked if I wanted this with the footnote
"Do you guys want this. Been in my drawer for 5 years"
Y'all, please check your drawers. That's where all the history is hiding
"Do you guys want this. Been in my drawer for 5 years"
Y'all, please check your drawers. That's where all the history is hiding
December 16, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Colleague asked if I wanted this with the footnote
"Do you guys want this. Been in my drawer for 5 years"
Y'all, please check your drawers. That's where all the history is hiding
"Do you guys want this. Been in my drawer for 5 years"
Y'all, please check your drawers. That's where all the history is hiding
Reposted by John Andersen
Quick info dump about "Cream" a very small PC Engine/arcade developer article from 1989. "Young, so young" overall impression including the CEO who has 10 years of industry experience. 12 people with 1 more starting soon, located in Mozennakacho old Tokyo district #pcengine
December 16, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Quick info dump about "Cream" a very small PC Engine/arcade developer article from 1989. "Young, so young" overall impression including the CEO who has 10 years of industry experience. 12 people with 1 more starting soon, located in Mozennakacho old Tokyo district #pcengine
Reposted by John Andersen
aou show, konami display, tokyo, japan (1986) archive.org/details/logi...
December 15, 2025 at 5:51 AM
aou show, konami display, tokyo, japan (1986) archive.org/details/logi...
Reposted by John Andersen
eggerland mystery, back cover, excerpt, msx (1985) www.mobygames.com/game/19596/e...
February 14, 2025 at 8:45 AM
eggerland mystery, back cover, excerpt, msx (1985) www.mobygames.com/game/19596/e...
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.
Reposted by John Andersen
We're partnering with @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social + @megacatstudios.bsky.social to release Xcavator 2025, a never before seen NES game from the legendary Chris Oberth.
100% of profits go to @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social!
Pre-order now to play the newest old game on the market: bit.ly/xcavator-2025
100% of profits go to @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social!
Pre-order now to play the newest old game on the market: bit.ly/xcavator-2025
December 10, 2025 at 7:14 PM
We're partnering with @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social + @megacatstudios.bsky.social to release Xcavator 2025, a never before seen NES game from the legendary Chris Oberth.
100% of profits go to @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social!
Pre-order now to play the newest old game on the market: bit.ly/xcavator-2025
100% of profits go to @gamehistoryorg.bsky.social!
Pre-order now to play the newest old game on the market: bit.ly/xcavator-2025
OneDrive is a gigantic pile of garbage.
December 10, 2025 at 7:57 AM
OneDrive is a gigantic pile of garbage.
Reposted by John Andersen
Spending the day with @shammountebank.bsky.social wandering around Liverpool looking at old software house locations.
Visited the old PlayStation/Psygnosis building in Wavertree. About 30 years ago since I worked in QA here…
Visited the old PlayStation/Psygnosis building in Wavertree. About 30 years ago since I worked in QA here…
December 8, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Spending the day with @shammountebank.bsky.social wandering around Liverpool looking at old software house locations.
Visited the old PlayStation/Psygnosis building in Wavertree. About 30 years ago since I worked in QA here…
Visited the old PlayStation/Psygnosis building in Wavertree. About 30 years ago since I worked in QA here…
Reposted by John Andersen
Hironobu Sakaguchi, recently, on his X account, has been posting an absolute treasure trove of design docs and promotional materials from early games. These are early design docs from Final Fantasy 3.
December 8, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Hironobu Sakaguchi, recently, on his X account, has been posting an absolute treasure trove of design docs and promotional materials from early games. These are early design docs from Final Fantasy 3.
Reposted by John Andersen
Reposted by John Andersen
Tekken veteran Katsuhiro Harada has announced his departure from Bandai Namco after three decades
www.gamesindustry.biz/katsuhiro-ha...
www.gamesindustry.biz/katsuhiro-ha...
Katsuhiro Harada leaving Bandai Namco at end of 2025
30th anniversary of Tekken franchise was "the most fitting moment to bring one chapter to a close," says Harada
www.gamesindustry.biz
December 8, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Tekken veteran Katsuhiro Harada has announced his departure from Bandai Namco after three decades
www.gamesindustry.biz/katsuhiro-ha...
www.gamesindustry.biz/katsuhiro-ha...
Reposted by John Andersen
heads up: certain folk at the emulation studio M2 are trying to get in contact with veteran Brazilian MSX emulator/homebrew dev Ricardo Bittencourt aka RicBit—they used to be in touch but they've been MIA for a while, so if you can put em back in contact, email em via mtwo.co.jp/en/contact/c...
Product Support Contact Form | M2 Co., Ltd.
Please use the following form to contact us with questions and support for our products. If you would rather not use the
mtwo.co.jp
December 8, 2025 at 5:25 AM
heads up: certain folk at the emulation studio M2 are trying to get in contact with veteran Brazilian MSX emulator/homebrew dev Ricardo Bittencourt aka RicBit—they used to be in touch but they've been MIA for a while, so if you can put em back in contact, email em via mtwo.co.jp/en/contact/c...
Reposted by John Andersen
How about a tip of the hat to NES-era composer Michiharu Hasuya (蓮谷通治), whose distinctive, throaty pulse-wave leads and bass lines were heard in Solomon's Key, Rygar, Golgo 13, Clash at Demonhead, Patlabor, & on the TG-16, Keith Courage? He has worked for Tecmo, Advance Communication, VIC Tokai etc.
December 4, 2025 at 12:37 AM
How about a tip of the hat to NES-era composer Michiharu Hasuya (蓮谷通治), whose distinctive, throaty pulse-wave leads and bass lines were heard in Solomon's Key, Rygar, Golgo 13, Clash at Demonhead, Patlabor, & on the TG-16, Keith Courage? He has worked for Tecmo, Advance Communication, VIC Tokai etc.