ASCII Entertainment

A Japanese publisher and software company founded in 1977, known for publishing video games for home consoles and computers.

Sports

Action

Puzzle



Website

Founded

1997

HQ

Redwood City, United States

Parent

ASCII Corporation (Japan)

Known for

Action / Adventure / Role-Playing

92

Games

1985–2022

Years

17

Platforms

$25.97

Ø CIB

+2.9%

24M change

About

Originally established as ASCII Corporation, the company was a major publisher of software and video games in Japan, particularly for the MSX, NES, and Sega systems. It published notable early titles such as Bokosuka Wars, Castle Excellent, and Penguin-kun Wars. The company later spun off its video game division as ASCII Entertainment before undergoing various corporate mergers.

During the mid-1980s, the publisher solidified its presence in the home console market by releasing a diverse lineup of titles for the Nintendo Famicom and MSX. In 1985, the company published the side-scrolling shooter Astro Robo SASA, the 3D-perspective shoot 'em up Geimos, the tactical action-RPG Bokosuka Wars, and the competitive action game Penguin-kun Wars. These releases demonstrated the company's versatility across different genres, ranging from arcade ports to original strategy concepts.

The momentum continued into 1986 with the puzzle game Namida no Sokoban Special for the Famicom Disk System and the platform-adventure sequel Castle Excellent. That same year, the publisher expanded into space simulation with Cosmo Genesis and traditional tabletop simulation with Professional Mahjong Goku. Beyond software publishing, the entity was also known for producing specialized peripherals, such as specialized controllers and the ASCII Grip, which catered to dedicated enthusiasts. This dual focus on innovative software and hardware accessories helped define its legacy in the early Japanese gaming industry before its transition into a dedicated entertainment subsidiary.