Game manufacturers each have genres they excel at. There are various companies, such as those that perfected RPGs or those that made a name for themselves with action games, but the manufacturer called POW was a bit different. The stage chosen by this company was the world of gambling games like mahjong, pachinko, pachislot, horse racing, bicycle racing, and boat racing. Its active period from entering the game industry in 1993 until drawing the curtain on its history in 1997 was by no means long. However, within those short years, its stance of sticking to its area of expertise and continuing consistent creation of works remains highly impressive even looking back now. Rather than branching out into a wide range of genres, it can be said that its strong individuality of “delivering works that deeply pierce those who love them” was precisely POW's greatest charm.

What is indispensable when talking about POW's works is precisely its active collaboration with famous manga artists. In its debut work, “Kikuni Masahiko no Jantoushi Doraou,” manga artist Masahiko Kikuni, known for “Kizudarake no Tenshi-tachi” and other titles, was in charge of character design. In the sequel, “Kikuni Masahiko no Jantoushi Doraou 2,” while some characters from the previous work appear, ingenuity to ensure it didn't end as a simple sequel can be seen, such as it being produced as a new story. Furthermore, in “Yaujin no Furi Furi Girls,” it appointed the manga artist Yaujin, known for “Sakura Tsuushin,” incorporating the unique worldviews held by each artist into the games. For that era, works that pushed the individuality of manga artists to the forefront were rare, conveying that it was a manufacturer that actively carried out work creation where attention gathered not only on the games themselves but also on the charm of the characters.

Gazing at POW's lineup, gambling games are surprisingly substantial. In “Pachinko Fan Shoubi Sengen,” “Hisshou! Pachislo Fan,” and “Miyaji Shachou no Pachinko Fan Shoubi Sengen 2,” game content conscious of actual play unfolded, and “Ippatsu Gyakuten!! Keiba Keirin Kyoutei” possessed a composition where multiple public sports could be enjoyed all at once. Furthermore, in “Ippatsu Gyakuten Gambling King e no Michi” and “Ippatsu Gyakuten Gambling King Densetsu,” just like the titles suggest, a storytelling element aiming for success in the world of gambling was also incorporated. In the home console game market of that era, there were not many manufacturers that deployed gambling works so consistently, becoming a feature unique precisely to POW.

Although its active period was short, POW sent out works to various game consoles. The core was the Super Famicom, but it released “Block Kuzushi GB,” which became its sole work on the Game Boy, and further expanded into the Sega Saturn and PlayStation. “Gekiretsu Pachinkers” had both its Sega Saturn version and PlayStation version released, setting up an environment where many users could play. Moreover, cooperating with BMG Victor and Virgin Interactive Entertainment as distributors, the point that it did not stop at in-house development but conducted cooperation with various quarters is also an interesting characteristic. From these flexible deployments, a corporate attitude that actively continued challenges even within a limited period can be felt.

Hearing of POW gives an exceptionally strong impression of gambling games, but that is not all. In “4 Nin Shougi,” it sent out a work where matches via rules distinct from regular shogi could be enjoyed, and in “Block Kuzushi,” it also challenged standard action games easy for anyone to play. Additionally, like “Mahou Shoujo Fancy CoCo,” it also released a title whose atmosphere differed greatly from its works up until then, showing a glimpse of it searching for new possibilities as a manufacturer. At first glance, it is a manufacturer with a strong specialty color, but in reality, it also combined a flexibility that held interest in various genres and continued to challenge them.

By withdrawing from the game industry in 1997, POW's history closed its curtain in just a few years. However, within that short active period, tons of charms are packed inside, such as unique collaborations with manga artists, a thorough dedication to gambling games, and active deployment to multiple hardware platforms. It by no means left a massive number of works like major manufacturers, but there is no doubt that it sent out numerous titles where “POW-ness” can be firmly felt. Even now, looking back at retro games, its unique presence and individuality never fade, continuing to remain in the memories of game fans as a manufacturer possessing charms like no other.