Irem Corp.

Established in Osaka, Japan, by Kenzo Tsujimoto, the firm initially manufactured and distributed cabinet machines. A pivotal moment came with a licensing agreement with Broderbund, allowing the company to develop and publish the highly successful arcade adaptation of Lode Runner in 1983. This release solidified their development capabilities, leading to various home console ports and localizations, including the rare 10-Yard Fight [5 Screw] cartridge variant in 1985.

During the mid-1980s, the publisher expanded its portfolio across multiple platforms, releasing titles such as the computer game Panther in 1986. Irem also designed proprietary arcade system boards, such as the M-72, which pushed contemporary graphical boundaries. In the 1990s, the company underwent significant restructuring, eventually spinning off key development staff who went on to form Nazca Corporation, the creators of the Metal Slug franchise. The gaming division was later reformed as Irem Software Engineering, which continues to manage the brand's historical intellectual properties.