Argonaut Games PLC

A British video game developer famous for pioneering 3D graphics technology and co-developing the Star Fox series with Nintendo.

Action

Racing

Driving

Tactics

Simulation

Website

Founded

1982

HQ

London, United Kingdom

Known for

Action / Platform / Racing

32

Games

1993–2004

Years

12

Platforms

$14.82

Ø CIB

+24.8%

24M change

About

Argonaut Games PLC is renowned for co-creating the Super FX chip and developing the groundbreaking 3D rail shooter Star Fox (1993). The studio also developed popular 3D platformers and action games including Croc (2000), Croc 2 (1999), One (1997), and I-Ninja (2000). Additionally, they developed licensed titles such as Disney's Emperor's New Groove (2000) and entries in the Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets franchise.

Founded by Jez San in 1982, the British studio established a close relationship with Nintendo during the early 1990s. This partnership yielded the promotional Star Fox [Not for Resale] (1995) demo cartridge, which showcased the studio's pioneering 3D hardware capabilities. Argonaut's technical expertise in rendering three-dimensional spaces allowed them to transition smoothly into the fifth and sixth console generations.

During this era, the developer expanded its portfolio with action-heavy titles like One (1997) and the character-driven platformer Croc 2 (1999). They also refined their proprietary engine technology to secure high-profile adaptation contracts. This resulted in the Game Boy Advance version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) and the PlayStation release of Aladdin in Nasira's Revenge [Platinum] (2000). The studio's late-stage output, including the Game Boy Color version of Croc (2000), Emperor's New Groove (2000), and the stylized action game I-Ninja (2000), demonstrated their versatility across different hardware platforms before the company's eventual closure in 2004.