"Guile's prob next"
Not if he has anything to say about it
Not if he has anything to say about it
December 2, 2025 at 10:47 AM
"Guile's prob next"
Not if he has anything to say about it
Not if he has anything to say about it
Receipts as always
!["[...] the person who designed Kaoru Yamazaki for Pulstar
is apparently none other than Naomi Yamazaki (lol)
By the way, she has a younger sister named Kaoru in real life, so I've heard[...]
I heard about this back when (Takashi) Amasaka had his website up, corresponding via emails and message boards[...]"
from https://gfan.jpn.org/diary/view/698?continue=1 (shout outs to VGdensetsu for the link)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wsqz6aszcbf3viqpqk6vzqn6/bafkreicon3eqir7sqhqnggtepjdfadtdbnpky4kzkfv4gu7rpvxseh45dy@jpeg)
November 26, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Receipts as always
Today's esoteric Pulstar trivia: Kaoru Yamazaki was named after the younger sister of her character designer, Naomi Yamazaki
(Keen-eyed fans might recognize the latter name as being the Dino-135's pilot in Blazing Star)
(Keen-eyed fans might recognize the latter name as being the Dino-135's pilot in Blazing Star)
November 26, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Today's esoteric Pulstar trivia: Kaoru Yamazaki was named after the younger sister of her character designer, Naomi Yamazaki
(Keen-eyed fans might recognize the latter name as being the Dino-135's pilot in Blazing Star)
(Keen-eyed fans might recognize the latter name as being the Dino-135's pilot in Blazing Star)
Open the "ED64" folder, open the file "save_db.txt", pop JK=1 at the bottom (as pictured), works like a charm
November 25, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Open the "ED64" folder, open the file "save_db.txt", pop JK=1 at the bottom (as pictured), works like a charm
Many have noted the similarity between Capcom's 1942 and SNK's later Ghost Pilots. It's no coincidence after all; according to J. Mikami, Ghost Pilots' planner was Yasushi Okahara, who served as 1942's game designer/sprite artist back during his days at Capcom. web.archive.org/web/20240609...
November 18, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Many have noted the similarity between Capcom's 1942 and SNK's later Ghost Pilots. It's no coincidence after all; according to J. Mikami, Ghost Pilots' planner was Yasushi Okahara, who served as 1942's game designer/sprite artist back during his days at Capcom. web.archive.org/web/20240609...
Minor correction regarding KOF 94's Brazil stage: "Mr. T" is a certain "Tomy" who did the background graphics on Vigilante back at Irem, according to Akio (see screenshot below)
There was no 2nd designer named "N". That whole sentence about "N-Yama" was saying...
There was no 2nd designer named "N". That whole sentence about "N-Yama" was saying...
!["Vigilante is a game from the M62 era, predating the days of Irem's 16-bit boards[...]I used to observe Zippy Race's chief drawing the sprites, and TOMY-senpai drawing the backgrounds[...]"](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wsqz6aszcbf3viqpqk6vzqn6/bafkreicded3uvftoxc2djw3vizq3xjnwijjyn3jycybwpnow4izlmhivcq@jpeg)
November 15, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Minor correction regarding KOF 94's Brazil stage: "Mr. T" is a certain "Tomy" who did the background graphics on Vigilante back at Irem, according to Akio (see screenshot below)
There was no 2nd designer named "N". That whole sentence about "N-Yama" was saying...
There was no 2nd designer named "N". That whole sentence about "N-Yama" was saying...
I'd always assumed Lode Runner IV's hidden message was them dabbing on their hardcore fans, but looks like it may have been aimed at Mr. Heli's planner (who playtested this game, and would clear the stages so easily that they had to keep getting redesigned as a result)
![GMC-NYA: "I heard Lode Runner IV was planned by [Hideshi Tatsuno,] Ninja Spirit's creator, but when they tried designing new levels, [Yoshihito Tagami,] Mr. Heli's planner (who's actually quite the gaming maniac) would play them and solve them easily, so they had to keep getting harder and harder.
That grudge might be reflected in the default high score names. (lol)"](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wsqz6aszcbf3viqpqk6vzqn6/bafkreiayuyg746nvxx33s2iw4ugqo2cdy7jllsxylxrwibipvhqqrqc7vi@jpeg)
November 11, 2025 at 8:53 PM
I'd always assumed Lode Runner IV's hidden message was them dabbing on their hardcore fans, but looks like it may have been aimed at Mr. Heli's planner (who playtested this game, and would clear the stages so easily that they had to keep getting redesigned as a result)
All the Toyama rants are the stuff of legend, especially that opening paragraph of D-Dash. Gotta love how when one interviewer even came *close* to breaching the subject with Toyama, he wasn't touching it with a 10 foot pole, lol.
October 28, 2025 at 9:37 PM
All the Toyama rants are the stuff of legend, especially that opening paragraph of D-Dash. Gotta love how when one interviewer even came *close* to breaching the subject with Toyama, he wasn't touching it with a 10 foot pole, lol.
Update:
Akio confirmed Shimizu was the other graphic artist in a Xitter post detailing R-Type II's development, even delving into how the individual tasks were divvied up.
Akio confirmed Shimizu was the other graphic artist in a Xitter post detailing R-Type II's development, even delving into how the individual tasks were divvied up.
October 28, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Update:
Akio confirmed Shimizu was the other graphic artist in a Xitter post detailing R-Type II's development, even delving into how the individual tasks were divvied up.
Akio confirmed Shimizu was the other graphic artist in a Xitter post detailing R-Type II's development, even delving into how the individual tasks were divvied up.
Update #2:
Masahiko Ishida (Sound)
Confirmed in a magazine interview (also, correction: looks he *was* involved on Vigilante after all)
Masahiko Ishida (Sound)
Confirmed in a magazine interview (also, correction: looks he *was* involved on Vigilante after all)
October 28, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Update #2:
Masahiko Ishida (Sound)
Confirmed in a magazine interview (also, correction: looks he *was* involved on Vigilante after all)
Masahiko Ishida (Sound)
Confirmed in a magazine interview (also, correction: looks he *was* involved on Vigilante after all)
EDIT:
Masato Ishizaki (Sound)
Confirmed in a magazine interview, which lists all the AC games he composed. (Also, correction: he didn't plan/design Lode Runner III or IV, just II)
P.S. As good a place as any to mention: female designer M. Taguchi is *probably* the same person as "Momoko T."
Masato Ishizaki (Sound)
Confirmed in a magazine interview, which lists all the AC games he composed. (Also, correction: he didn't plan/design Lode Runner III or IV, just II)
P.S. As good a place as any to mention: female designer M. Taguchi is *probably* the same person as "Momoko T."
!["1984:
The Battle Road (Sound)
Kung Fu Master (Sound [Music Only])
1985:
Lode Runner II (Planning & Sound [Music Only])
Lot Lot (Sound)
Lode Runner III (Sound [Music Only])
Spelunker (Sound)
1986:
Spelunker II: 23 Keys (Sound)
Lode Runner IV (Sound)
1987:
R-Type (Sound)
1988:
Vigilante (Sound [Music Only])
1990:
Major Title (Sound)"
A list of Ishizaki's works, from Shooting Gameside Vol. 9](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wsqz6aszcbf3viqpqk6vzqn6/bafkreid4htsh77qcpikfnlxehq5yssumgr4iig4v74j6zqkceguvbyko3e@jpeg)
October 28, 2025 at 2:15 PM
EDIT:
Masato Ishizaki (Sound)
Confirmed in a magazine interview, which lists all the AC games he composed. (Also, correction: he didn't plan/design Lode Runner III or IV, just II)
P.S. As good a place as any to mention: female designer M. Taguchi is *probably* the same person as "Momoko T."
Masato Ishizaki (Sound)
Confirmed in a magazine interview, which lists all the AC games he composed. (Also, correction: he didn't plan/design Lode Runner III or IV, just II)
P.S. As good a place as any to mention: female designer M. Taguchi is *probably* the same person as "Momoko T."
You'd be surprised!
October 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM
You'd be surprised!
Bit unorthodox for a breakfast burrito, but gets the job done
October 23, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Bit unorthodox for a breakfast burrito, but gets the job done
BOMBERMAN WORLD:
N/A = Ikuko Mimori (Sound)
Mimori's website where she lists this among her credits: web.archive.org/web/20030611...
It's said Atsushi Inaba worked on this too, but I can't find a credible source on that. Sounds plausible enough, as this *was* another Nanao production...
N/A = Ikuko Mimori (Sound)
Mimori's website where she lists this among her credits: web.archive.org/web/20030611...
It's said Atsushi Inaba worked on this too, but I can't find a credible source on that. Sounds plausible enough, as this *was* another Nanao production...
October 20, 2025 at 12:08 PM
BOMBERMAN WORLD:
N/A = Ikuko Mimori (Sound)
Mimori's website where she lists this among her credits: web.archive.org/web/20030611...
It's said Atsushi Inaba worked on this too, but I can't find a credible source on that. Sounds plausible enough, as this *was* another Nanao production...
N/A = Ikuko Mimori (Sound)
Mimori's website where she lists this among her credits: web.archive.org/web/20030611...
It's said Atsushi Inaba worked on this too, but I can't find a credible source on that. Sounds plausible enough, as this *was* another Nanao production...
BOMBERMAN:
N/A = Yasuhiro Kawakami (Sound)
N/A = Yasuhiro Kawakami (Sound)
October 20, 2025 at 12:06 PM
BOMBERMAN:
N/A = Yasuhiro Kawakami (Sound)
N/A = Yasuhiro Kawakami (Sound)
Update:
Syu Sato is also an alias; according to Exe-Create's company website, her real name is Naoko Iida. (The nickname "Syu" comes from an alternate reading of the kanji for "Nao", one would assume)
Syu Sato is also an alias; according to Exe-Create's company website, her real name is Naoko Iida. (The nickname "Syu" comes from an alternate reading of the kanji for "Nao", one would assume)
October 20, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Update:
Syu Sato is also an alias; according to Exe-Create's company website, her real name is Naoko Iida. (The nickname "Syu" comes from an alternate reading of the kanji for "Nao", one would assume)
Syu Sato is also an alias; according to Exe-Create's company website, her real name is Naoko Iida. (The nickname "Syu" comes from an alternate reading of the kanji for "Nao", one would assume)
Update:
Kazuma Kujo (Planner)
Kujo mentioned this game being his debut, in an interview with John Szczepaniak. (John assumed Kujo was referring to the Game Boy port, but as the GB game was a Tamtex joint, and Kujo solely worked in the arcade division with Nanao/Irem, I highly doubt it)
Kazuma Kujo (Planner)
Kujo mentioned this game being his debut, in an interview with John Szczepaniak. (John assumed Kujo was referring to the Game Boy port, but as the GB game was a Tamtex joint, and Kujo solely worked in the arcade division with Nanao/Irem, I highly doubt it)
October 20, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Update:
Kazuma Kujo (Planner)
Kujo mentioned this game being his debut, in an interview with John Szczepaniak. (John assumed Kujo was referring to the Game Boy port, but as the GB game was a Tamtex joint, and Kujo solely worked in the arcade division with Nanao/Irem, I highly doubt it)
Kazuma Kujo (Planner)
Kujo mentioned this game being his debut, in an interview with John Szczepaniak. (John assumed Kujo was referring to the Game Boy port, but as the GB game was a Tamtex joint, and Kujo solely worked in the arcade division with Nanao/Irem, I highly doubt it)
Update:
Mitsuru Kawai (Designer)
We finally got certifiable evidence from Akio himself, not only that MK and Kinte are one and the same, but also a nearly complete list of every game Kawai did graphics for while at Irem.
Mitsuru Kawai (Designer)
We finally got certifiable evidence from Akio himself, not only that MK and Kinte are one and the same, but also a nearly complete list of every game Kawai did graphics for while at Irem.
September 26, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Update:
Mitsuru Kawai (Designer)
We finally got certifiable evidence from Akio himself, not only that MK and Kinte are one and the same, but also a nearly complete list of every game Kawai did graphics for while at Irem.
Mitsuru Kawai (Designer)
We finally got certifiable evidence from Akio himself, not only that MK and Kinte are one and the same, but also a nearly complete list of every game Kawai did graphics for while at Irem.
Clenched the 2 loop clear on Cotton Reboot High Tension! Fantastic game, might even be top 3 in the whole series.
Lets see if we can't crack 25 billion before the Marion DLC drops
Lets see if we can't crack 25 billion before the Marion DLC drops
August 19, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Clenched the 2 loop clear on Cotton Reboot High Tension! Fantastic game, might even be top 3 in the whole series.
Lets see if we can't crack 25 billion before the Marion DLC drops
Lets see if we can't crack 25 billion before the Marion DLC drops
Just in case the above visual comparison wasn't convincing enough, here it is spelled out
July 26, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Just in case the above visual comparison wasn't convincing enough, here it is spelled out
Interesting! I was comparing this with Famitsu's figures as of one year prior, the difference in rank between Sakura Taisen 2 vs. the original caught my eye. Wonder what accounts for Sakura 1 making such a dramatic comeback in that short a time?
July 26, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Interesting! I was comparing this with Famitsu's figures as of one year prior, the difference in rank between Sakura Taisen 2 vs. the original caught my eye. Wonder what accounts for Sakura 1 making such a dramatic comeback in that short a time?
They still had my beloved Daioh cab over at Next Level Pinball, naturally had to mark my territory
July 19, 2025 at 3:43 AM
They still had my beloved Daioh cab over at Next Level Pinball, naturally had to mark my territory
Update:
M.K = Mitsuru Kawai (Object Design)
TOM = "TOMY" (Background Design)
Confirmed by Akio over on Xitter. It's possible Tomy is "Mr. Tomihata" from the Login Magazine photo (Presumably Mitsuhiro Tomihata, later of Dimps), but I can't connect that name to KOF 94's credits at all...
M.K = Mitsuru Kawai (Object Design)
TOM = "TOMY" (Background Design)
Confirmed by Akio over on Xitter. It's possible Tomy is "Mr. Tomihata" from the Login Magazine photo (Presumably Mitsuhiro Tomihata, later of Dimps), but I can't connect that name to KOF 94's credits at all...
July 18, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Update:
M.K = Mitsuru Kawai (Object Design)
TOM = "TOMY" (Background Design)
Confirmed by Akio over on Xitter. It's possible Tomy is "Mr. Tomihata" from the Login Magazine photo (Presumably Mitsuhiro Tomihata, later of Dimps), but I can't connect that name to KOF 94's credits at all...
M.K = Mitsuru Kawai (Object Design)
TOM = "TOMY" (Background Design)
Confirmed by Akio over on Xitter. It's possible Tomy is "Mr. Tomihata" from the Login Magazine photo (Presumably Mitsuhiro Tomihata, later of Dimps), but I can't connect that name to KOF 94's credits at all...
I dug up pics of a few System Sacom employees circa 1997. Doesn't seem to match up with anyone in that photo to *my* eyes, but perhaps it's just the difference in age?
May 24, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I dug up pics of a few System Sacom employees circa 1997. Doesn't seem to match up with anyone in that photo to *my* eyes, but perhaps it's just the difference in age?
His real name only shows up in Esper Boukentai's staff roll. He uses the pseudonym "Akira Takaoka" on the home port of P-47, a name coincidentally *also* listed as a Scenario Writer on all games Saburo Yotsuya made. (Credited twice under different aliases? More common than you think...)
![A former NMK programmer, deciphering the Legend of Makai score table:
"[...] Name #2 corresponds to Mr. Yotsuya of planning"
Smoking gun acquired](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wsqz6aszcbf3viqpqk6vzqn6/bafkreidzx2l3vucjwkq2o5s2k575efksyj2umfu55wqebsyc2ayvf6xaea@jpeg)
April 27, 2025 at 2:37 AM
His real name only shows up in Esper Boukentai's staff roll. He uses the pseudonym "Akira Takaoka" on the home port of P-47, a name coincidentally *also* listed as a Scenario Writer on all games Saburo Yotsuya made. (Credited twice under different aliases? More common than you think...)