Within the game industry crowded with major companies, there is a group that is slowly but surely making its presence felt. Their name is GAMEIMPACT, also known as HABIT SOFT. Although some people may not recognize the name, those who love retro games should feel something special when they hear it. This is because they adhere to a somewhat unbelievable style: they are still creating brand-new software for consoles from “that era,” such as the FC (Famicom) and GB (Game Boy), even in the present day.

GAMEIMPACT is known for its highly unique event planning in addition to software development. They host small-scale yet passionate interactive events like Retro Game de Asobiba and Game Legacy, which have a wonderfully warm atmosphere. Unlike large-scale exhibitions, the charm lies in the “closeness of the distance,” where fans and creators can talk directly. It's a luxurious space where you can reminisce while surrounded by nostalgic titles and even demo new retro software on the spot. Here, you can clearly feel their commitment to treating “retro” not just as mere nostalgia, but as a culture that is still evolving.

Also noteworthy is their passion for merchandise development. For instance, their collaboration with Idol Hakkenden went beyond a simple re-release; they generated buzz with content that delighted original fans, such as releasing a vocal CD with new songs and a specialized soundtrack called Hoe Hoe Trucks Tsuu Plus. You can't help but feel their deep respect for games in their approach of updating them as “expressions possible only now,” rather than simply relying on nostalgia. This accumulation of careful manufacturing is what is steadily capturing and holding the hearts of fans.

You might hear people say, “Who's going to buy a Famicom game now?” but that's the opinion of someone who doesn't understand this “romance.” What GAMEIMPACT creates is not just nostalgia, but a “new work” that is the result of seriously engaging with the technology and worldview of “that era.” They perfectly reproduce the atmosphere of the time—down to the screen's dots, the way the BGM sounds, and the feel of the controls—while layering modern ideas onto it, thereby elevating retro games from mere “memories” to “current entertainment.”

HABIT SOFT is also actively working! Here is the software lineup for GAMEIMPACT!