VGDensetsu
@vgdensetsu.bsky.social
Hi! I talk about video games (History, illustrations, graphic design, cancelled games, sales figures, etc.)
By @domauffret.bsky.social
http://vgdensetsu.net/
https://www.patreon.com/vgdensetsu
By @domauffret.bsky.social
http://vgdensetsu.net/
https://www.patreon.com/vgdensetsu
Pinned
VGDensetsu
@vgdensetsu.bsky.social
· Oct 7
I wrote a long article about Rieko Kodama, her career at Sega, the evolution of her company, the games she worked on (including some canceled games and/or games for which she is not credited), the status of women and working conditions in the video game industry, etc.
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama/
vgdensetsu.net/riekokodama/
An unofficial Famicom Disk Writer put into service in 1987:
xcancel.com/oroti_famico...
xcancel.com/oroti_famico...
January 25, 2026 at 7:47 AM
An unofficial Famicom Disk Writer put into service in 1987:
xcancel.com/oroti_famico...
xcancel.com/oroti_famico...
Graphic designer Takako Kawaguchi / Choko was one of the employees who recorded voice messages for the Sega Joy Joy Telephone service in the late 80s. As a result, she was the only developer at Sega to be recognised by the public at the time.
vgdensetsu.net/takakokawagu...
vgdensetsu.net/takakokawagu...
January 25, 2026 at 7:39 AM
Graphic designer Takako Kawaguchi / Choko was one of the employees who recorded voice messages for the Sega Joy Joy Telephone service in the late 80s. As a result, she was the only developer at Sega to be recognised by the public at the time.
vgdensetsu.net/takakokawagu...
vgdensetsu.net/takakokawagu...
Reposted by VGDensetsu
Nintendo veteran Hideki Konno, known for directing Super Mario Kart, Yoshi's Island and Luigi's Mansion, has seemingly left the company after 39 years.
Recently another Nintendo veteran, Metroid Prime producer Kensuke Tanabe, announced his departure.
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintend...
Recently another Nintendo veteran, Metroid Prime producer Kensuke Tanabe, announced his departure.
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintend...
Nintendo veteran Hideki Konno, known for Mario Kart and Yoshi’s Island, has seemingly left after 39 years | VGC
News of Konno’s departure has emerged just one week after that of another Nintendo veteran…
www.videogameschronicle.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Nintendo veteran Hideki Konno, known for directing Super Mario Kart, Yoshi's Island and Luigi's Mansion, has seemingly left the company after 39 years.
Recently another Nintendo veteran, Metroid Prime producer Kensuke Tanabe, announced his departure.
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintend...
Recently another Nintendo veteran, Metroid Prime producer Kensuke Tanabe, announced his departure.
www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintend...
Reposted by VGDensetsu
Shooting Gameside interview with Nichibutsu's Hisakazu Kobayashi. Planner on the unreleased Mega Drive game, Terra Cresta: Second Mission. A Mark III version of Terra Cresta was in development. Confirms Terra Cresta II was developed by Make Software. archive.org/details/Shoo...
Shooting Gameside Vol.11 : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Shooting Gameside Vol.11
archive.org
January 23, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Shooting Gameside interview with Nichibutsu's Hisakazu Kobayashi. Planner on the unreleased Mega Drive game, Terra Cresta: Second Mission. A Mark III version of Terra Cresta was in development. Confirms Terra Cresta II was developed by Make Software. archive.org/details/Shoo...
Reposted by VGDensetsu
I wrote a series about Ayano Koshiro, a graphic designer, illustrator and chara-designer who worked on series such as Ys, Streets of Rage, Actraiser and Thor.
The first 2 parts (out of 8) are now available and cover her time at Falcom.
vgdensetsu.net/ayanokoshiro/
VF :
vgdensetsu.net/ayanokoshiro...
The first 2 parts (out of 8) are now available and cover her time at Falcom.
vgdensetsu.net/ayanokoshiro/
VF :
vgdensetsu.net/ayanokoshiro...
January 22, 2026 at 3:35 PM
I wrote a series about Ayano Koshiro, a graphic designer, illustrator and chara-designer who worked on series such as Ys, Streets of Rage, Actraiser and Thor.
The first 2 parts (out of 8) are now available and cover her time at Falcom.
vgdensetsu.net/ayanokoshiro/
VF :
vgdensetsu.net/ayanokoshiro...
The first 2 parts (out of 8) are now available and cover her time at Falcom.
vgdensetsu.net/ayanokoshiro/
VF :
vgdensetsu.net/ayanokoshiro...
Reposted by VGDensetsu
Any of my followers live in or near Fuefuki/Yamanashi?
I’ve located a copy of "Do Your Best, Rockman!", the fire and earthquake safety short film that was briefly screened in Japan in the early 1990s and never received a home video release.
DM for info!
I’ve located a copy of "Do Your Best, Rockman!", the fire and earthquake safety short film that was briefly screened in Japan in the early 1990s and never received a home video release.
DM for info!
January 22, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Any of my followers live in or near Fuefuki/Yamanashi?
I’ve located a copy of "Do Your Best, Rockman!", the fire and earthquake safety short film that was briefly screened in Japan in the early 1990s and never received a home video release.
DM for info!
I’ve located a copy of "Do Your Best, Rockman!", the fire and earthquake safety short film that was briefly screened in Japan in the early 1990s and never received a home video release.
DM for info!
I wrote a series about Ayano Koshiro, a graphic designer, illustrator and chara-designer who worked on series such as Ys, Streets of Rage, Actraiser and Thor.
The first 2 parts (out of 8) are now available and cover her time at Falcom.
vgdensetsu.net/ayanokoshiro/
VF :
vgdensetsu.net/ayanokoshiro...
The first 2 parts (out of 8) are now available and cover her time at Falcom.
vgdensetsu.net/ayanokoshiro/
VF :
vgdensetsu.net/ayanokoshiro...
January 22, 2026 at 3:35 PM
I wrote a series about Ayano Koshiro, a graphic designer, illustrator and chara-designer who worked on series such as Ys, Streets of Rage, Actraiser and Thor.
The first 2 parts (out of 8) are now available and cover her time at Falcom.
vgdensetsu.net/ayanokoshiro/
VF :
vgdensetsu.net/ayanokoshiro...
The first 2 parts (out of 8) are now available and cover her time at Falcom.
vgdensetsu.net/ayanokoshiro/
VF :
vgdensetsu.net/ayanokoshiro...
Reposted by VGDensetsu
The unreleased final NTSC US prototype of Mr. Gimmick for NES by Sunsoft has been preserved: hiddenpalace.org/Mr._Gimmick_...
Mr. Gimmick (June 18, 1992 prototype)
Final build of the unreleased US version of Mr. Gimmick.
hiddenpalace.org
January 21, 2026 at 10:04 AM
The unreleased final NTSC US prototype of Mr. Gimmick for NES by Sunsoft has been preserved: hiddenpalace.org/Mr._Gimmick_...
I'm not usually interested in package design, but I make an exception for the Japanese versions of Sonic games from the 16-32-bit era, where I find it almost as important as the illustrations themselves. Most, if not all, were designed by either Youichi Takahashi or Hayato Takebayashi.
January 21, 2026 at 11:14 AM
I'm not usually interested in package design, but I make an exception for the Japanese versions of Sonic games from the 16-32-bit era, where I find it almost as important as the illustrations themselves. Most, if not all, were designed by either Youichi Takahashi or Hayato Takebayashi.
Comix Zone box art by the late Tony DeZuniga:
January 19, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Comix Zone box art by the late Tony DeZuniga:
Reposted by VGDensetsu
Dragon Force was the 2nd game that I localized at Working Designs. I was responsible for translating the heroine's name as "Teiris" instead of the intended "Tillis".
It's the only game we ever did a PAL localization of. I had to add a few football chants as well as FPS adjustments.
Such a fun game!
It's the only game we ever did a PAL localization of. I had to add a few football chants as well as FPS adjustments.
Such a fun game!
January 18, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Dragon Force was the 2nd game that I localized at Working Designs. I was responsible for translating the heroine's name as "Teiris" instead of the intended "Tillis".
It's the only game we ever did a PAL localization of. I had to add a few football chants as well as FPS adjustments.
Such a fun game!
It's the only game we ever did a PAL localization of. I had to add a few football chants as well as FPS adjustments.
Such a fun game!
Space Harrier recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, and I still have no idea who designed the main illustration.
(PS: Yoshinobu Iwai only illustrated the Japanese computer adaptations)
(PS: Yoshinobu Iwai only illustrated the Japanese computer adaptations)
January 18, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Space Harrier recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, and I still have no idea who designed the main illustration.
(PS: Yoshinobu Iwai only illustrated the Japanese computer adaptations)
(PS: Yoshinobu Iwai only illustrated the Japanese computer adaptations)
Jackie Chan for PC Engine turns 35 today!Box art by Takayuki Masuo / 増尾隆幸.
vgdensetsu.net/takayukimasuo/
vgdensetsu.net/takayukimasuo/
January 18, 2026 at 1:18 PM
Jackie Chan for PC Engine turns 35 today!Box art by Takayuki Masuo / 増尾隆幸.
vgdensetsu.net/takayukimasuo/
vgdensetsu.net/takayukimasuo/
Dragon Force box art by Shinnosuke Hino / 日野 慎之助. It was originally developed by J-Force and, for his first game, Hino was appointed chara designer and illustrator. The company went bankrupt along the way, and the project was taken over by Sega with some former J-Force employees (including Hino).
January 18, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Dragon Force box art by Shinnosuke Hino / 日野 慎之助. It was originally developed by J-Force and, for his first game, Hino was appointed chara designer and illustrator. The company went bankrupt along the way, and the project was taken over by Sega with some former J-Force employees (including Hino).
Proposal for an unreleased simulation game for Famicom and PC Engine called Monkey Trainer / モンキー・トレーナー, dated April 1988.
xcancel.com/studiohazuki...
xcancel.com/studiohazuki...
January 18, 2026 at 9:03 AM
Proposal for an unreleased simulation game for Famicom and PC Engine called Monkey Trainer / モンキー・トレーナー, dated April 1988.
xcancel.com/studiohazuki...
xcancel.com/studiohazuki...
Yasushi Yamaguchi drew a preliminary sketch for the box art of Sonic & Tails, the JPN ver. of Sonic Chaos.
The final illus was outsourced while Hayato Takebayashi / 竹林はやと, a former member of Sega's Design Departement, designed the packaging.
x.com/judy_totoya/...
vgdensetsu.net/yasushiyamag...
The final illus was outsourced while Hayato Takebayashi / 竹林はやと, a former member of Sega's Design Departement, designed the packaging.
x.com/judy_totoya/...
vgdensetsu.net/yasushiyamag...
January 15, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Yasushi Yamaguchi drew a preliminary sketch for the box art of Sonic & Tails, the JPN ver. of Sonic Chaos.
The final illus was outsourced while Hayato Takebayashi / 竹林はやと, a former member of Sega's Design Departement, designed the packaging.
x.com/judy_totoya/...
vgdensetsu.net/yasushiyamag...
The final illus was outsourced while Hayato Takebayashi / 竹林はやと, a former member of Sega's Design Departement, designed the packaging.
x.com/judy_totoya/...
vgdensetsu.net/yasushiyamag...
Some of Atsushi Seimiya's works as a graphic designer during the Mega Drive era:
1) Blaze from Streets of Rage 1
2) the main character on the title screen of Cyber Police ESWAT
3) a background for the ending of Strider
4) the background of the level 5-1 of Revenge of Shinobi (with his signature)
1) Blaze from Streets of Rage 1
2) the main character on the title screen of Cyber Police ESWAT
3) a background for the ending of Strider
4) the background of the level 5-1 of Revenge of Shinobi (with his signature)
January 15, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Some of Atsushi Seimiya's works as a graphic designer during the Mega Drive era:
1) Blaze from Streets of Rage 1
2) the main character on the title screen of Cyber Police ESWAT
3) a background for the ending of Strider
4) the background of the level 5-1 of Revenge of Shinobi (with his signature)
1) Blaze from Streets of Rage 1
2) the main character on the title screen of Cyber Police ESWAT
3) a background for the ending of Strider
4) the background of the level 5-1 of Revenge of Shinobi (with his signature)
The title screen for the Mark III version of Hokuto no Ken was drawn by a graphic designer who worked on World of Illusion (I assume it's either Hisato Fukumoto or Tamun ; there is no staff roll in Hokuto no Ken).
xcancel.com/SiFi_TZK/sta...
xcancel.com/SiFi_TZK/sta...
January 15, 2026 at 3:32 PM
The title screen for the Mark III version of Hokuto no Ken was drawn by a graphic designer who worked on World of Illusion (I assume it's either Hisato Fukumoto or Tamun ; there is no staff roll in Hokuto no Ken).
xcancel.com/SiFi_TZK/sta...
xcancel.com/SiFi_TZK/sta...
Left: in-game illustration from the 1991 game Boy game Aretha II
Right: a drawing made by the late Mutsumi Inomata for the April 1989 issue of Technopolis
vgdensetsu.net/mutsumiinoma...
Right: a drawing made by the late Mutsumi Inomata for the April 1989 issue of Technopolis
vgdensetsu.net/mutsumiinoma...
January 13, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Left: in-game illustration from the 1991 game Boy game Aretha II
Right: a drawing made by the late Mutsumi Inomata for the April 1989 issue of Technopolis
vgdensetsu.net/mutsumiinoma...
Right: a drawing made by the late Mutsumi Inomata for the April 1989 issue of Technopolis
vgdensetsu.net/mutsumiinoma...
Reposted by VGDensetsu
BREAKING: A UK judge has *denied* interim pay to the 31 employees fired by Rockstar Games last year, saying she "was unable to conclude that it appears likely that the tribunal will find that the principal reason for the claimants’ dismissal" was union organizing www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Fired Rockstar Employees Denied Pay by UK Judge
The 31 staffers argued they were dismissed for unionizing. Rockstar said they were fired for leaking information in an online chat group.
www.bloomberg.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:49 PM
BREAKING: A UK judge has *denied* interim pay to the 31 employees fired by Rockstar Games last year, saying she "was unable to conclude that it appears likely that the tribunal will find that the principal reason for the claimants’ dismissal" was union organizing www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
R-Type for Game Boy illustrated by former Irem in-house artist Shinji Kubota / 窪田シンジ.
Note that this box art is actually made of 2 different illustrations.
xcancel.com/Kubota_4nz/s...
vgdensetsu.net/shinjikubota
Note that this box art is actually made of 2 different illustrations.
xcancel.com/Kubota_4nz/s...
vgdensetsu.net/shinjikubota
January 12, 2026 at 2:45 PM
R-Type for Game Boy illustrated by former Irem in-house artist Shinji Kubota / 窪田シンジ.
Note that this box art is actually made of 2 different illustrations.
xcancel.com/Kubota_4nz/s...
vgdensetsu.net/shinjikubota
Note that this box art is actually made of 2 different illustrations.
xcancel.com/Kubota_4nz/s...
vgdensetsu.net/shinjikubota
This is the first time I have seen this cartridge, designed for the Linguaphone Education Gear, the Japanese version of the Multi-Mega/CD-X.
xcancel.com/mega_dra/sta...
auctions.yahoo.co.jp/category/lis...
xcancel.com/mega_dra/sta...
auctions.yahoo.co.jp/category/lis...
January 11, 2026 at 8:15 AM
This is the first time I have seen this cartridge, designed for the Linguaphone Education Gear, the Japanese version of the Multi-Mega/CD-X.
xcancel.com/mega_dra/sta...
auctions.yahoo.co.jp/category/lis...
xcancel.com/mega_dra/sta...
auctions.yahoo.co.jp/category/lis...
Coming from the guy who banned Horses from his store for no reason barely a month ago, that took some nerve.
So how we feelin' about that Epic ecosystem nowadays?
We all feel confident that Fortnite is a good spot for kids to hang out?
We all feel confident that Fortnite is a good spot for kids to hang out?
January 10, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Coming from the guy who banned Horses from his store for no reason barely a month ago, that took some nerve.
This photo of the Zelda: A Link to the Past development team made me realise that it wasn't until Link's Awakening that a woman worked on a Zelda game developed by Nintendo. On home consoles, apart from voice actresses and translators, it wasn't until Wind Waker that women joined the dev teams.
January 10, 2026 at 6:44 PM
This photo of the Zelda: A Link to the Past development team made me realise that it wasn't until Link's Awakening that a woman worked on a Zelda game developed by Nintendo. On home consoles, apart from voice actresses and translators, it wasn't until Wind Waker that women joined the dev teams.
Reposted by VGDensetsu
"It Has To Happen Outside Of Japan" - Game Preservation Society Launches Patreon And Opens US Office Following Government Fund Freeze. (Image: @gamepres)
"It Has To Happen Outside Of Japan" - Game Preservation Society Launches Patreon And Opens US Office Following Government Fund Freeze
"We are not leaving Japan, but this work should be allowed within Japan"
www.timeextension.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:30 PM
"It Has To Happen Outside Of Japan" - Game Preservation Society Launches Patreon And Opens US Office Following Government Fund Freeze. (Image: @gamepres)