Kaneko

A Japanese video game developer and publisher active from the 1980s to the early 2000s, known for arcade and console releases.

Action

Founded

1980

HQ

Tokyo, Japan

Known for

Arcade / Shooter / Platform

18

Games

1990–1997

Years

8

Platforms

$47.07

Ø CIB

-34.5%

24M change

About

Kaneko developed and published several notable titles in the early 1990s, including the beat 'em up DJ Boy and the side-scrolling shoot 'em up Air Buster (also released as Aero Blasters). The company was also responsible for action games like Shadow Blasters, Berlin no Kabe, and the Game Boy title Peetan.

Founded in 1982 by Hiroshi Kaneko, the Tokyo-based company initially operated as a contract developer for larger entities like Taito before transitioning to self-publishing. This shift culminated in a prolific era during the early 1990s, characterized by distinct arcade-to-console ports.

DJ Boy (1990) showcased the company's attempt to capture Western youth culture, featuring a unique roller-skating mechanic and a hip-hop aesthetic that underwent significant localization adjustments for its home console release. In the shoot 'em up genre, Air Buster (1991)—alternatively titled Aero Blasters (1991) or Air Blaster (1991) depending on the platform and region—demonstrated their technical capability with fast-paced scrolling and cooperative multiplayer.

Concurrently, Kaneko expanded its console footprint with Shadow Blasters (1990), an action-platformer utilizing a unique character-switching mechanic. The company also experimented with puzzle-platform designs; Berlin no Kabe (1991) tasked players with digging through blocks to defeat enemies, while Peetan (1991) adapted similar single-screen action-puzzle mechanics for the Game Boy. These releases established Kaneko's signature style of vibrant, arcade-centric gameplay before the company shifted focus toward mahjong titles and eventually ceased operations in 2004.