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15/11/2024
“AMUSEMENT ARCADE TOAPLAN” available now on AppStore and Google Play
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3/10/2024
Anniversary website is now open!
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3/10/2024
live broadcast will be held on Friday, October 4 at 20:00 on the Arcade Mikado YouTube channel.
GoogleDirector for Games, Google CloudJack Buser
- A game industry veteran leader who built numerous game platforms at Google and PlayStation.
- I grew up with Toaplan games: Truxon, Hellfire, Tiger-Heli, and Twin Cobra, just to name a few. Congratulations on your 40th anniversary! All your base are belong to us!
Fast Travel GamesDesigner and Chief Creative OfficerErik Odeldahl
- Author and game designer that worked on hit games like Apex Construct, and the Battlefield and Mirror’s Edge franchises.
- When I was introduced to Batsugun by a friend I was so blown away that my life actually changed. I had to buy an imported Sega Saturn to play it, and that started a fascination with shoot em ups that remains to this day. I have spent an incredible amount of hours with Batsugun and the games that the ethos of Toaplan inspired, and have no plan to stop doing so.
Happy 40th anniversary from a big fan in Sweden!
BitwaveSenior Game DeveloperCarl-Henrik Skarstedt
- Programmed video games since the early 90’s starting on 16-bit consoles. Ported the Toaplan shoot ‘em up games to PC.
- Congratulations on 40 years of games that still play great! I have enjoyed studying the games in detail and still fondly remember discovering Flying Shark for the first time.
Blaze EntertainmentCEOAndrew Byatt
- Creator of the Evercade retro platform with cartridges containing classic games, including several Toaplan collections.
- Congratulations on the 40th anniversary of Tatsujin. What an incredible journey it has been!
When I think of Toaplan’s games, classics like Truxton and Snow Bros immediately come to mind. These masterpieces have left a lasting impression, filled with nostalgia and memories for many fans. Here’s to another 40 years of game-changing innovation and unforgettable experiences!
game designerAndreas Escher
- German game designer known for the Turrican series and worked on games in the Star Wars, R-Type, Contra, and Indiana Jones series during his time at Rainbow Arts and Factor 5.
- I spent so much time in the arcade with Tiger Heli and Truxton. These games were partly inspiration and success for my own games. Thank you for that and congratulations on your 40th anniversary! Toa Plan games that never get old!
ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO TOAPLAN DOCUMENTARYDirectorJoseph Michael Pierce
- A young, passionate Toaplan fan who kickstared a documentary film about the company.
- Wow! It has been forty years since those first six employees at Toaplan crammed into a small apartment room in Shinjuku, the atmosphere dense with ideas and cigarette smoke. They would end up blowing away the world with Tiger Heli, and thus began their work as shooting game craftsmen!!
TAITO CORPORATIONProducerYuichi Toyama
- His long relationship with Toaplan reaches back to his time as a developer. Representative works: Musha Aleste, Sorcer Striker, etc.
- At my previous job, Mr. Yuge and Mr. Uemura taught us the know-how of arcade games, even though we were only familiar with the development of console games, and for that we are very thankful! Of all the Toaplan games, I especially love ZERO WING, so I’d love to see a new release. Happy 40th, and here’s to many more!
TAITO CORPORATIONEGRETII mini ProducerTetsuo Egawa
- Began his career at Taito in store development, and is currently working on re-releasing classic retro games, including Toaplan titles.
- I’m truly grateful to Tatsujin for letting us use TWIN COBRA and TRUXTON in the Egret II Mini launch, as well as TWIN HAWK, SLAP FIGHT and WARDNER for Arcade Memories. In future, we would love to include more Toaplan games in our projects. Congratulations on your 40th aniversary! We look forward to working together again.
M2 Co., Ltd.Representative DirectorNaoki Horii
- The M2 brand’s ability to build trust through ability to port is due their president’s commitment.
- Everyone knows the shot button, how to move your ship, and how to bomb.
You know, or rather, it’s ingrained into your muscle memory, right? It was Toaplan who created this template that all shooting game players know, and it was Toaplan who popularised it. From major game publishers to indie game developers, there are so many examples of shooting games developed in the mold that Toaplan made.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Toaplan, the creators of this universally popular style.
Let’s savor their accomplishments, praise them, and tell the world about them.
Happy 40th anniversary Toaplan.
exA-ArcadiaHead of ProductEric Chung
- The founder of exA-Arcadia, with a refined taste in arcade games, he takes on the world with their outstanding technology.
- Congratulations on 40 years! When I was a kid and played a ton of “Rally Bike (Dash Yarou),” I dreamt of jumping around the road and riding on top of trucks just like in the game so when I could finally ride a real motorcycle, I was greatly disappointed at how different and boring real life riding is.
I’m looking forward to seeing what the modern Toaplan flavor is like…perhaps, there will be a sequel to this game?!
Matrix/IGCCRepresentative Director and PresidentYasuhiro Ohori
- A legendary former game journalist who has written numerous articles on arcade games since his student names under the pen name Anzu Urusei.
- Congratulations on 40 years of Toaplan games!! My relationship with Toaplan began in 1984 when I met the Orca’s development team, Flying Tigers to interview them about Vastar. From Buzzard to Batsugun, I have been a Toa-fan from the time before the internet, going to location tests based on word of mouth, and my love for Toaplan’s music grew so much that I even did product planning for a music CD at a previous employer. I felt a sense of loss when they disappeared, so I will continue to follow the restart of Tatsujin and their shooting legacy as a fan. Thank you so much for bringing wonderful shooting games to the world!
CITY CONNECTIONRepresentative DirectorNobuhiro Yoshikawa
- A passionate CEO who loves music and is delivering an evolution in Jaleco-IP-based retro games to players around the world.
- I’ve been deeply involved with the games and soundtracks, so I feel a timeless bond with TOAPLAN’s works. Here’s hoping we can continue working together into a new era!
hosplugSoushi Hoshoi
- A composer and arranger who has a wide range of styles and is active in live performances and streaming. His representative works include the Sonic Wings series.
- Congratulations on your 40th anniversary! When I was a teenager, I remember being excited by Slap Fight’s growing ship, admiring Twin Cobra’s helicopter, and having my hope destroyed by Truxton. These are the masterpieces of the 80s that shaped my adolescent years. Please keep destroying people’s hope for many years to come!
professional wrestlerKANA
- Japan’s premier female pro-wrestler who is active all over the world and loves video games.
- I love Toa Plan. Sadly, Toaplan disappeared a long time ago.
But now, I can launch the masterpieces left behind by Toaplan anytime and anywhere on my various devices, and of course, I have the Toaplan game boards as a must-have video game in my private arcade, as a project of the culmination of my lifes experiences. The works created by Toaplan, which have transcended time and made their mark on history, are still entertaining us today.
I still believe that Toaplan should remain in this world, and now, TATSUJIN Corporation, which bears the name of the legendary “TATSUJIN,” has inherited the spirit of Toaplan games and has revived it, so it may continue to entertain us in the future. For that I am very grateful.
J.C.STAFFExecutive Officer / Chief ProducerYuji Matsukura
- Animation producer from a game company. His representative works include ”Revolutionary Girl Utena”
- Congratulations on your 40th anniversary! The first board I bought after working part-time was the Tiger Heli! Times go by, platforms change, but games that were enjoyable will stay enjoyable! I love it! Please continue to make interesting games!
game designerHideki Kamiya
- Japan’s proud game designer who loves retro games. His representative works include “Sol Cresta” and many others!
- Congratulations on your 40th anniversary. I am very happy to see that the DNA of Toaplan is still being passed down from generation to generation. Toaplan’s appeal was its “richness” that could be recognized at a glance in an arcade. I hope that Toaplan will continue to share its sense of intensity with the world.
CAVE InteractiveExecutive Officer Tsuneki Ikeda
- Mr. STG laid the foundation of bullet-shooting with the Toa Plan and had a great influence on its subsequent development!
- Toa Plan has helped me learn professionalism and made me the person I am today. I sincerely hope that the Toa Spirit will be passed on to the next generation.
composerHiroyuki Kawada
- One of the best game composers, whose representative works such as “Yokai Dochuki” and “Legend of the Valkyries” are too numerous to mention.
- I can understand the weight of the 40th anniversary, I am about the same age so its a feeling I understand. I hope you will continue to entertain fans of the past as well as future game fans!
Ancient Corp.Representative Director and PresidentYuzo Koshiro
- A nobleman of the game music world. His representative works include “Actraiser”, “Ys” series, and many others!
- Toa Plan has many shooting masterpieces, but for me it is “Get Star”! It was one of the most memorable arcade games of the mid-80s with its unique world view. I was still in high school at the time, but I remember playing it like crazy. Congratulations on your 40th anniversary!
composerTsukasa Masuko
- He is a well-known composer and arranger who notably ported and arranged Toa Plan’s works. His representative works include the “Megami Tensei” series and many others!
- This is a gem of a manufacturer that has played a huge part in the vertical STG lineage that has continued to the present day. And their shooting games are full of great songs.
freelancemusic composer / sound designer / game designer / directorManabu Namiki
- Composer and arranger of sound for numerous shooting games, and a stickler for game production itself.
- Eh…?
Tiger Heli,” an ancestor of the vertical scrolling STG that is still around today
It’s already been 40 years since these game were first planned and developed?
That means it’s about time…
To our Toa fans who have been playing for 40 years as the Kyukyoku Tatsujin Brothers or the Dogeheaded Mori Sisters, is it ok to get exited for a new version of “Pump them with bullets”!?!?
CAVE InteractiveYagawa
- A legendary game creator who never reveals his face to his fans. Representative works “Battle Gallega”, “Ibara”, etc.
- Happy 40th Anniversary! When I think of Toaplan I think of Dogyuun! I love Dogyuun! Please make a sequel to Dogyuun as soon as possible. If not let me make one!
KICK THE CAN CREWMCU
- The biggest game enthusiast in the hip-hop group “KICK THE CAN CREW,” which has participated in the Kohaku Uta Gassen (Red and White Singing Contest).
- Next year marks our 40th anniversary! Congratulations!
Thank you very much for releasing Tiger Heli, Kyukyoku TIGER, HELLFIRE, and many other beastly STGs into the world! I have purchased a board for “Wardna no mori” and it is now running on a table cabinet at home! I’ll be waiting for more wonderful games from you! Congratulations!
comic artistRensuke Oshikiri
- Manga artist who pioneered the unique horror gag genre. Representative works: “HIGH SCORE GIRL” and others.
- Congratulations on your 40th anniversary! Next let us celebrate your 100th anniversary, I will always be a fan!
Studio HISEKUTTARepresentative Director CartoonistJyunya Inoue
- Manga artist from Toa Plan. Currently serializing “Kaiju JSDF” in Shinchosha’s “Comic Bunch” to rave reviews!
- I received an offer from my beloved Toa Plan when I was just starting out as a creative. I would like to sincerely thank you for giving me a chance.
INH／Gesen MIKADORepresentative DirectorIKEDAMINOROCK
- Manager of the legendary arcade “Gesen Mikado”, a store that puts its existance on the line for the survival of arcade video games.
- I spent my junior high school days playing Kyukyoku Tiger, struggling with TATSUJIN, and getting my heart broken by Fire Shark… Every day was fun. Toa Plan, a stubborn, hard-core, smoky silver company, every mans Roman Empire… Happy 40th anniversary!
Japan Online Game Associationhead of the secretariatYouji Kawaguchi
- Since becoming editor-in-chief of Beep, Japan’s first video game magazine, he has worked hard for the development of the video game industry and the improvement of its social status!
- I was owe a lot to Toa Plan for “Beep” and “BEEP!Megadrive”. I was going to introduce “TEKI・PAKI” in a double page spread but I could not make it happen. I still regret it to this day.
game writerZenji Ishii
- He was editor-in-chief of Gamesto magazine during the heyday of Toaplan, and has since been active in writing opinion pieces for the industry!
- The 80’s was a time of STG masterpieces such as “Kyukyoku Tiger”. The times may have changed, but the core feelings remain the same. I look forward to seeing more enjoyable works from you in the future.
CITY CONNECTIONFormer Editor-in-Chief of GAMESIDESyusaku Yamamoto
- Many people became fans after reading the Toa Plan feature in SHOOTING GAMESIDE, where I served as editor-in-chief.
- Toa’s games, which make us want to practice and hone our skills to overcome enemies even when we are defeated, also train our minds as we continue to fight and overcome challenges in our daily lives.
NintendoDREAMchief editorNaoyuki Kayama
- Editor-in-Chief of NintendoDREAM, a magazine specializing in Nintendo game consoles, who also appears at Toa Plan Music Live
- The sense of tension and accomplishment I received at the arcade back then is unique. Seeing how they are tackling new games again now, I feel more than just nostalgia. Please give a challenge to the gamers of today!
freelance writerMoriyuki Shigihara
- In addition to writing in various media, promotes activities to preserve the game industry and culture through the Japan Society for Digital Game Studies and other organizations.
- Congratulations on your 40th anniversary.
I will forever remember my first all-night work experience in my early days as a writer while writing a strategy article on “BATSUGUN”, and the cooperation I received from everyone at Toa Plan.
I hope that TATSUJIN will continue to release many more hot games with challenging strategy patterns in future.
RETRO GAME SUMMIT Executive CommitteeRETROGAMESUMMIT Representative/MegadriverMemi Aizawa
- She is currently organizing fan event “RETRO GAME SUMMIT” to support the retro game industry!
- [Celebrating our 40th anniversary.]
It is still a dream come true for me to work with you as an MC, etc.
Please don’t tell anyone that I’m bomb-posing Megadora TATSUJIN.
Toa Plan is our treasure!
Game Music Historianhally(VORC)
- He is a composer and coordinator with a deep understanding of chiptune music, and is also active on TV and in other media as a researcher of game history!
- For me, Toa Plan is a kind of blues, both the game and the music. It is simple yet rich in emotion, familiar yet solitary. Above all, it is the home of the shooter’s soul. It is a place to which I should return someday, but also a place that I can never catch up with. Just as jazz and rock evolved from the blues in the past, the seed that Toaplan sowed 40 years ago is still growing new branches and leaves everywhere.