Established in Osaka, Japan, Now Production (often abbreviated as Nowpro) began its history by contract-developing titles for major publishers like Irem, Hudson Soft, and Namco. They worked on notable early console releases and ports, including the NES versions of Spelunker and Kung Fu, as well as the Power League series.
Founded in 1986, the studio established its technical expertise by programming specific cartridge revisions and regional localizations. This included the North American releases of
Kung Fu [5 Screw] (1985) and
Spelunker [5 Screw] (1987), which are highly sought after by modern collectors. The company also designed the Famicom-exclusive sequel
Spelunker II (1987), introducing non-linear exploration and role-playing elements that departed significantly from the original game's linear platforming.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the developer diversified into handheld gaming, creating titles for the Game Boy, Game Gear, and eventually mobile platforms. They specialized in adapting popular anime licenses and creating niche puzzle games, maintaining a steady output of collaborative projects. By adapting to shifting hardware generations from 8-bit systems to smartphones, the studio secured a legacy as one of Japan's most enduring independent co-developers, quietly shaping the landscape of console gaming through decades of behind-the-scenes production.