Video System Co. Ltd.

A Japanese video game developer and publisher active from 1984 to 2001, known for sports, racing, and mahjong titles.

Driving

Racing

Simulation

Founded

1986

Kyoto, Japan

Parent

Hamster Corporation

Known for

Shoot 'em up / Arcade / Sports

Games

1989–2001

Years

Platforms

$27.00

Ø CIB

+26%

24M change

About

Video System Co., Ltd. published and developed notable retro titles including Wai Wai Mahjong (1989) and Super Volley Ball (1991). The company was also responsible for the F-1 World Grand Prix (1998) and F1 Racing Championship (1997) titles, establishing a presence in the F1 World Grand Prix franchise. Additionally, they were involved with the release of various special edition Game Boy Color consoles in 1998, such as the Daiei Hawk Orange, Red, Clear Purple, and Hello Kitty models.

Founded in Kyoto in 1984, the developer initially built its reputation in Japanese amusement centers before transitioning its popular properties to home consoles. The success of early arcade-style releases like Wai Wai Mahjong and Super Volley Ball established the company's versatility across diverse genres, spanning traditional tabletop simulations and competitive sports.

During the late 1990s, the publisher secured a prominent role in the racing genre by securing official FIA licensing. This partnership birthed the F-1 World Grand Prix franchise, which pushed the technical boundaries of fifth-generation hardware with realistic physics and real-time weather changes. The critical acclaim of F-1 World Grand Prix and its successor, F1 Racing Championship, solidified the company's international footprint.

This era of success fostered a close collaborative relationship with Nintendo. Beyond software, this partnership culminated in co-branding initiatives for the Game Boy Color, resulting in highly collectible hardware variations including the Daiei Hawk Orange, Red, Clear Purple, and Hello Kitty 1998 editions. Although the company ceased operations in 2001, its legacy persists through these iconic hardware collaborations and its pioneering contributions to formula racing simulations.