【ZOOM】 A veteran developer that conquered the X68000 during the dawn of gaming! Discover the history and famous titles of ZOOM here!

Tracing the footsteps of ZOOM, we first encounter Sharp's legendary “X68000,” which flourished in the late 1980s and early 1990s. ZOOM released its early masterpieces for this platform, garnering attention for its technical prowess and graphic sensibilities. Familiar to PC gaming fans of the era, their meticulous and somewhat edgy game designs captured the hearts of many enthusiasts. Their stance of fully utilizing the platform not just as a commercial venue but as a space for expression remains vivid in the memories of dedicated fans.

Venturing beyond the X68000 into home consoles, ZOOM also radiated a unique color on the Super Famicom, the face of its era. A prime example is the Dolucky series published by Imagineer. The humorous gameplay featuring somewhat goofy characters must have been an unforgettable experience for children at the time. Their gameplay, which prioritized “addictive fun” over flashiness, remains quite unique even looking back today. Part of why ZOOM's sensibility is passed down through generations lies in this timeless character creation.

In the world of fighting games, ZOOM released understated yet ambitious titles. Many players may remember their competitive fighters for the PlayStation specifically for being “extremely quirky.” Rather than riding the waves of trends, they maintained a strong stance of building worlds based on their own sensibilities, which is quintessential ZOOM and resulted in a devoted fan base. Standing slightly apart from the mainstream while projecting a solid individuality, their attitude carried an almost artisanal fragrance.

Perhaps the work with the greatest impact from ZOOM was the Mister Mosquito (Ka) series released on PlayStation 2. The unprecedented concept of the player becoming a mosquito to suck blood from humans became a massive topic both in Japan and overseas. Set in a realistic living space where you must complete missions without being noticed, the game may seem like a joke at first glance, but it actually features a meticulous system. The strange gameplay sensation, where laughter and tension coexist, becomes addictive. Once they brought this eccentric title to life with such sincerity, everyone was convinced of ZOOM's development power and challenging spirit.

From the 2000s onward, ZOOM steered toward the world of mobile apps. By developing games for mobile platforms since the flip-phone era, they applied the know-how gained from home consoles to “entertainment in the palm of your hand,” reaching a different demographic of players. Meanwhile, they re-entered the home console market through WiiWare, showing a stance of never clinging to “legacies of the past” but continuously seeking new possibilities for expression. Rather than following trends, they look at the era from one step ahead. That attitude of ZOOM remains unchanged even today.

One cannot discuss ZOOM's history without mentioning its partnership with Imagineer. In 1993, “Imagineer Zoom Co., Ltd.” was born as a symbol of their cooperation, embarking on even greater challenges. Unfortunately, the dream collapsed just two years later in 1995 due to poor business performance. This brief episode reflected the harshness of the game industry and the reality of creators tossed about by the waves of the times. Nevertheless, ZOOM continued to produce games while protecting its unique style, maintaining a solid presence to this day.