【YUMEKOBO】 A Game Developer That Once Existed as a Subsidiary of Sammy! Packed with Hidden Gems! Here’s the YUMEKOBO Lineup!

Tracing the history of the gaming industry, one encounters unique companies that reflect the characteristics of their times.Among them, the game developer named “Yumekobo” might be one you’ve heard of at least once.This company carved a dynamic path and had a distinct presence in the home console and arcade markets.Let’s delve into the history and appeal of Yumekobo.

The roots of Yumekobo trace back to 1990 when it was established as a subsidiary of Sammy under the name “Japan Eikohmu.”Under this name, it worked on outsourced titles like developing “Bomber King” for the Family Computer.Additionally, under the name “Aicom,” it handled titles for the PC Engine, challenging itself in a variety of genres.

In 1991, it was once absorbed by Sammy but later became independent again as “Aicom,” led by former employees of Japan Eikohmu.Despite experiencing both absorption and independence, the passion and skills of its employees continued to support the company.

After its independence as Aicom, the shooting games “Viewpoint” and “Pulstar” particularly garnered attention.These works were praised in the shooting genre of arcade and home console games for their unique game design and beautiful graphics.

During this period, Aicom grew into an entity that not only developed games but also demonstrated its unique creativity.Shooting game enthusiasts may well remember the name Aicom.

In 1996, Aicom reached a major turning point. It received investment from the former SNK and Takara (later Takara Tomy) and renamed itself “Yumekobo.”From then on, it operated as a subsidiary of the former SNK.During this period, Yumekobo often worked on developing titles released under the former SNK's name, such as “The King of Fighters Kyo” and “Prehistoric Isle 2.”

Furthermore, it developed many titles for the Neo Geo Pocket, leveraging close collaboration with hardware manufacturers to release a wide range of games.Yumekobo's activities built upon the foundations of the Aicom era while giving the impression of scaling up even further.

However, in 2001, as part of the restructuring plan due to the former SNK's financial difficulties, Yumekobo faced dissolution.Despite its short lifespan, many of the works they produced are still talked about among game enthusiasts today.

The legacy of Yumekobo goes beyond mere games, shining as proof of the expanded possibilities in game development.

The history of Yumekobo was filled with ups and downs, including absorption, independence, and restructuring, but they continually strove to create “something new.”The masterpieces of shooting games and popular titles in collaboration with SNK are the fruits of those efforts.

Understanding the backstories of the gaming industry reveals how important such company narratives are.Tracing Yumekobo's journey allows one to appreciate the depth of game development and the brilliance of moments when passion takes form.For those interested, be sure to try out the works created by Yumekobo.