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Sammy Studios
Publisher
Also developer

Sammy Studios

A Japanese video game publisher and developer founded in 1975, known for publishing arcade and console games before merging with Sega.
Action
Founded
2001
HQ
San Diego, United States
Parent
Sammy Corporation
Known for
Fighting / Action
63
Games
1989–2005
Years
16
Platforms
$29.99
Ø CIB
-11.6%
24M change

About

Originally established as Sammy Industry Co., Ltd., the company published numerous classic titles for the NES, Game Boy, and arcade platforms during the late 1980s and early 1990s. It established an American subsidiary, American Sammy Corporation, to handle Western releases. In 2004, the company merged with Sega to form Sega Sammy Holdings.
The publisher's early software catalog featured a diverse range of action, strategy, and role-playing titles. In 1989, the company released the side-scrolling platformer Amagon, followed by the vertically scrolling shoot 'em up Gun Hed in 1990. That same year saw the release of the role-playing game Velious Roland no Majuu and the fast-paced action-platformer Ninja Crusaders. The company continued to expand its library with the hybrid action-driving game Gun-Dec and the gang-themed strategy game Tsuppari Wars in 1991. The fantasy role-playing sequel Velious II: Fukushuu no Jashin followed in 1992, solidifying the company's presence in the home console market.
These releases showcased a transition from traditional arcade-style action to deeper narrative experiences on home systems. Several of these titles were localized for international markets under different names, such as Gun-Dec becoming Vice: Project Doom and Gun Hed being adapted as Blazing Lazers. Through these localization efforts, the publisher helped bridge the gap between Japanese game design and Western audiences, establishing a lasting legacy for its challenging gameplay mechanics and cinematic storytelling techniques during the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.

Key People

Hajime Satomi
Founder of Sammy Corporation
John Rowe
COO during transition to High Moon Studios

Company History

Former names
Sammy Entertainment
Sammy Studios

Connections

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