Arc System Works
Updated: 12/10/2025, 5:32:34 PM Wikipedia source
Arc System Works Co., Ltd. (アークシステムワークス株式会社, Āku Shisutemu Wākusu kabushiki gaisha), commonly referred to as ArcSys, is a Japanese video game developer and publisher located in Yokohama. Founded by Minoru Kidooka in 1988, the company is known for arcade 2D fighting game franchises, including Guilty Gear and BlazBlue. They have also developed other fighting games using external licenses, including Dragon Ball FighterZ, Persona 4 Arena and Arena Ultimax, Granblue Fantasy Versus and Versus Rising, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and others.
Infobox
Native name
アークシステムワークス株式会社
Romanized name
Āku Shisutemu Wākusu kabushiki gaisha
Company type
Kabushiki gaisha
Industry
Video games
Founded
May 12, 1988
Founder
Minoru Kidooka
Headquarters
Yokohama, Japan
Key people
mw- Minoru Kidooka (President and CEO) Daisuke Ishiwatari (Chief Creative Officer) Toshimichi Mori (Chief Development Officer [2003 - 2022])
Products
BlazBlue seriesDouble Dragon seriesGuilty Gear seriesJake Hunter seriesKunio-kun seriesLicensed:Dragon Ball FighterZPersona 4 Arena (Ultimax)Granblue Fantasy Versus (Rising)Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls
Revenue
¥680 million
Number of employees
233 (2024)
Website
arcsystemworks.com
Tables
· Games developed
1989
1990
Chiyonofuji no Ōichō
Role(s)
Family Computer
Notes
Face
Hissatsu Shigotonin
Role(s)
Family Computer
Notes
Banpresto
SD Sengoku Bushō Retsuden: Rekka no Gotoku Tenka o Nusure!
Role(s)
Family Computer
Notes
Banpresto
1992
Pizza Pop!
Role(s)
Family Computer
Notes
Jaleco
1994
Gaia Saver
Role(s)
Super Famicom
Notes
Banpresto
1997
Wizard's Harmony 2
Role(s)
PlayStation, Saturn
1998
Role(s)
PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Notes
Atlus (US) / Virgin Interactive (UK)
Wizard's Harmony R
Role(s)
PlayStation
1999
Prismaticallization
Role(s)
Dreamcast, PlayStation
Tanaka Torahiko no Uru Toraryuu Shogi
Role(s)
Dreamcast, PlayStation
2000
Role(s)
NAOMI, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, Windows
Notes
Sammy Studios
Grappler Baki: Baki Saikyo Retsuden
Role(s)
PlayStation 2
Notes
Tomy
2001
Digital Holmes
Role(s)
PlayStation 2
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Role(s)
Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows
Notes
Arc System Works/Aksys Games/505 Games
2008
Role(s)
PlayStation 2, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Notes
Sammy Studios/Arc System Works(Wii)
Role(s)
Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, PSP
Notes
Arc System Works/Aksys Games/PQube/Zen United
2009
Diva Girls: Princess on Ice
Role(s)
Wii, DS
Notes
505 Games
Family Grand Tennis
Role(s)
Wii
Notes
Aksys Games
Role(s)
Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Notes
Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Arc System Works UK
Animal Puzzle Adventure
Role(s)
DSiWare
Jazzy Billiards
Role(s)
Nintendo DSi
Othello
Role(s)
Windows, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo Switch, PSP, PlayStation Vita, Wii, Wii U
2010
Role(s)
Taito Type X2, PSP, Nintendo 3DS
Notes
Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Arc System Works UK
Role(s)
DSiWare
2011
2012
Role(s)
Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita
Notes
Arc System Works/Aksys Games
Role(s)
Arcade, PlayStation Vita, Windows, Nintendo Switch
Notes
Sammy Studios/Arc System Works (Steam)
Role(s)
PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PSP, Windows
Notes
Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Arc System Works UK
Role(s)
Nintendo 3DS
Role(s)
PlayStation Portable
2013
Role(s)
Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows
Notes
Atlus/Sega
Role(s)
PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows
Notes
Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Funbox Media
Magical Beat
Role(s)
PlayStation Vita
Role(s)
PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo Switch
Notes
Arc System Works
2014
Role(s)
Sega RingEdge 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows
Notes
Arc System Works/Aksys Games
Role(s)
Taito Type X2 (as 2.0), PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation Vita, Windows
Notes
Arc System Works/Aksys Games
Conveni Dream
Role(s)
Nintendo 3DS
Fantasy Hero: Unsigned Legacy
Role(s)
PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch
2015
Downtown Nekketsu Koushinkyoku: Soreyuke Daiundoukai All-Star Special
Role(s)
PlayStation 3
Family Tennis SP
Role(s)
Wii U
Notes
Aksys Games
Role(s)
Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo Switch
Notes
Arc System Works/Aksys Games/PQube
Role(s)
PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows
Notes
Arc System Works/Aksys Games
2016
Role(s)
Sega RingEdge 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows
Notes
Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Sony Computer Entertainment
Role(s)
Nintendo 3DS
Notes
Arc System Works/Aksys Games
Inferno Climber
Role(s)
PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows
River City Melee: Battle Royale SP
Role(s)
PlayStation 4, Windows
Notes
Arc System Works, H2 Interactive
2017
Role(s)
PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Simple Mahjong Online
Role(s)
Nintendo Switch
Shephy
Role(s)
Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Windows
2018
Role(s)
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Notes
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Role(s)
PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Arcade, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Notes
Arc System Works/PQube
2019
Wizard's Symphony
Role(s)
PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
River City Melee Mach!!
Role(s)
PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo Switch
Stay Cool, Kobayashi-San!: A River City Ransom Story
Role(s)
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch
2020
Role(s)
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch
2021
Role(s)
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Arcade, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Notes
Arc System Works/Bandai Namco Entertainment
2023
Role(s)
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows
Notes
Cygames/XSEED Games
2024
2026
Damon and Baby
Role(s)
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Windows
Notes
Arc System Works
| Year | Title | Platform(s) | Publisher |
| 1988 | Final Lap | Family Computer | Namco |
| Double Dragon | Master System | Sega | |
| 1989 | Scramble Spirits | Master System | Sega |
| Rolling Thunder | Family Computer | Namco | |
| Battle Out Run | Master System | Sega | |
| Vigilante | Master System | Sega | |
| 1990 | Ghouls 'n Ghosts | Master System | Sega |
| Michael Jackson's Moonwalker | Master System | Sega | |
| Code Name: Viper | Nintendo Entertainment System | Capcom | |
| Chiyonofuji no Ōichō | Family Computer | Face | |
| Operation Wolf | PC Engine | NEC Avenue | |
| Pengo | Game Gear | Sega | |
| Super Monaco GP | Master System | Sega | |
| Hissatsu Shigotonin | Family Computer | Banpresto | |
| SD Sengoku Bushō Retsuden: Rekka no Gotoku Tenka o Nusure! | Family Computer | Banpresto | |
| 1991 | Battle Commander: Hachibushu Shura no Heihou | Super Famicom | Banpresto |
| 1992 | Pizza Pop! | Family Computer | Jaleco |
| Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger | Family Computer | Angel | |
| Great Battle Cyber | Family Computer | Banpresto | |
| Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon | Game Boy | Angel | |
| Cyber Spin | Super NES | Takara | |
| Ayrton Senna's Super Monaco GP II | Master System | Sega | |
| 1993 | Battletoads | Game Gear, Genesis | Sega |
| Suzuka 8 Hours | Super NES | Namco | |
| 1994 | Gaia Saver | Super Famicom | Banpresto |
| Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon | Mega Drive | Ma-Ba | |
| Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Jōgai Rantō!? Shuyaku Sōdatsusen | Super Famicom | Angel | |
| 1995 | Exector | PlayStation | |
| Wizard's Harmony | PlayStation, Saturn | ||
| 1997 | Wizard's Harmony 2 | PlayStation, Saturn | |
| 1998 | Guilty Gear | PlayStation, PSP, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch | Atlus (US) / Virgin Interactive (UK) |
| Wizard's Harmony R | PlayStation | ||
| 1999 | Prismaticallization | Dreamcast, PlayStation | |
| Tanaka Torahiko no Uru Toraryuu Shogi | Dreamcast, PlayStation | ||
| 2000 | Guilty Gear X | NAOMI, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, Windows | Sammy Studios |
| Grappler Baki: Baki Saikyo Retsuden | PlayStation 2 | Tomy | |
| 2001 | Guilty Gear X Plus | PlayStation 2 | Sammy Studios |
| Digital Holmes | PlayStation 2 | ||
| 2002 | Guilty Gear X2 | NAOMI, PlayStation 2 | Sammy Studios |
| 2003 | Guilty Gear X Ver.1.5 | Atomiswave | Sammy Studios |
| Guilty Gear X2#Reload | NAOMI, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows, PSP | Sammy Studios | |
| 2004 | Guilty Gear Isuka | Atomiswave, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows | Sammy Studios |
| Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors | Game Boy Advance | Atari/Banpresto/Bandai | |
| 2005 | Fist of the North Star | Atomiswave, PlayStation 2 | Sega |
| Dragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2 | Nintendo DS | Atari/Banpresto/Bandai | |
| Guilty Gear XX Slash | NAOMI, PlayStation 2, PSP | Sammy Studios/SEGA | |
| 2006 | Guilty Gear XX Accent Core | NAOMI, PlayStation 2, Wii | Sammy Studios/Aksys Games (US) |
| 2007 | Guilty Gear 2: Overture | Xbox 360, Windows | Arc System Works/Aksys Games/505 Games |
| Battle Fantasia | Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows | Arc System Works/Aksys Games/505 Games |
· Games published
2006
2012
2014
Role(s)
Taito X2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows
Notes
Examu, Team Arcana
2015
Role(s)
PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
Notes
Reverge Labs/Lab Zero
2016
Role(s)
PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Windows
Notes
Toybox Inc.
2017
Role(s)
Windows
Notes
Type-Moon, French-Bread, Ecole Software
Role(s)
Sega RingEdge 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows
Notes
Ecole Software, French Bread
2018
Role(s)
PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows
Notes
Neilo Inc
Role(s)
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Notes
White Owls Inc.
2019
Role(s)
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, PlayStation 5
Notes
WayForward
2020
Role(s)
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Sega ALLS HX
Notes
Ecole Software, French Bread
2021
River City Saga: Three Kingdoms
Role(s)
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows
Notes
A+ Games
2022
Role(s)
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Notes
WayForward
Role(s)
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Notes
WayForward
2023
Role(s)
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows
Notes
French Bread
2024
River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next
Role(s)
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows
Notes
A+ Games, R-Force Entertainment
2025
Super Technos World: River City & Technos Arcade Classics
Role(s)
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows
Notes
Intense
Role(s)
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows
Notes
Yuke's
Bubble Bobble Sugar Dungeons
Role(s)
Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows
Notes
Taito
TBA
Role(s)
Demon’s Night Fever
Notes
TBA
| Year | Title | Platform(s) | Developers |
| 2006 | Castle of Shikigami III | Arcade, Wii, Xbox 360, Windows | Alfa System, Barnhouse Effect |
| 2007 | Hooked! Real Motion Fishing | Wii | SIMS |
| 2009 | Strikers 1945 Plus Portable | PSP | Psikyo |
| 2011 | Arcana Heart 3 | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 | Examu, Team Arcana |
| 2012 | Chaos Code | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows | FK Digital |
| Go! Go! Kokopolo - Harmonious Forest Revenge | Nintendo DS | Tanukii Studios Limited | |
| 2013 | Bit.Trip Saga | Nintendo 3DS | Gaijin Games |
| 2014 | Arcana Heart 3: Love Max!!!!! | Taito X2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows | Examu, Team Arcana |
| Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita | Toybox Inc. | |
| Under Night In-Birth: Exe Late | PlayStation 3, Windows | Ecole Software, French Bread | |
| 2015 | Skullgirls: 2nd Encore (Japan only) | PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita | Reverge Labs/Lab Zero |
| 2016 | Tokyo Twilight Ghost Hunters: Daybreak Special Gigs | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Windows | Toybox Inc. |
| 2017 | Arcana Heart 3: Love Max Six Stars!!!!! | Taito Type X2, Windows | Examu, Team Arcana |
| Melty Blood Actress Again Current Code | Windows | Type-Moon, French-Bread, Ecole Software | |
| Under Night In-Birth: Exe Late[st] | Sega RingEdge 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows | Ecole Software, French Bread | |
| Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap (Asia only) | PlayStation 4 | Lizardcube | |
| DJMax Respect (Japan only) | PlayStation 4 | Rocky Studio, Neowiz MUCA | |
| 2018 | Daedalus: The Awakening of Golden Jazz | PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows | Neilo Inc |
| Resonance of Fate (Japan only) | PlayStation 4 | tri-Ace | |
| World End Syndrome | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 | Toybox Games | |
| The Missing: J.J. Macfield and the Island of Memories | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows | White Owls Inc. | |
| 2019 | Kill la Kill the Game: IF | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows | A+ Games |
| River City Girls | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, PlayStation 5 | WayForward | |
| 2020 | Under Night In-Birth: Exe Late[cl-r] | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, Sega ALLS HX | Ecole Software, French Bread |
| 2021 | Kowloon High-School Chronicle | Nintendo Switch | Toybox Inc. |
| Arcana Heart 3: Love Max Six Stars Xtend!!!!! | Windows, ex-Arcadia | Team Arcana | |
| River City Saga: Three Kingdoms | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows | A+ Games | |
| 2022 | Ground Divers! | Nintendo Switch | Studio Tsuruhashi |
| RWBY: Arrowfell | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | WayForward | |
| River City Girls 2 | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | WayForward | |
| 2023 | Under Night In-Birth II [Sys:Celes] | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows | French Bread |
| 2024 | Library of Ruina | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 | Project Moon |
| River City Saga: Three Kingdoms Next | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows | A+ Games, R-Force Entertainment | |
| 2025 | Hunter × Hunter: Nen × Impact | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows | Eighting |
| Super Technos World: River City & Technos Arcade Classics | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows | Intense | |
| Double Dragon Revive | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows | Yuke's | |
| Bubble Bobble Sugar Dungeons | Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows | Taito | |
| TBA | Demon’s Night Fever | TBA | Drecom, SuperNiche |
References
- "社長所感～アークシステムワークス創業30周年を迎えて～ | Arc System Works Official Web Site"https://web.archive.org/web/20181201180953/http://www.arcsystemworks.jp/portal/post-9868/
- Arc System Works Official Web Sitehttps://arcsystemworks.com/company/
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2022/09/blazblue-series-creator-toshimichi-mori-leaves-arc-system-works
- Arcsystemworks.jphttps://www.arcsystemworks.jp/portal/company/data/.html
- Forums de discussion jeux vidéo Gamekult - Gamekulthttp://www.gamekult.com/forum/
- "ARC SYSTEM WORKS OFFICIAL WEBSITE"https://web.archive.org/web/20120510015116/https://arcsystemworks.com/profile.html
- Siliconerahttps://www.siliconera.com/jaleco-famicom-game-pizza-pop-has-been-fan-translated/
- HobbyConsolashttps://www.hobbyconsolas.com/reportajes/era-sailor-moon-s-primer-juego-lucha-arc-system-works-671629
- Polygonhttp://www.polygon.com/2015/6/12/8771015/arc-system-works-acquires-technos-brands-double-dragon
- "「ファミコン探偵倶楽部」、「半熟英雄」から「超兄貴」までそしてNEOGEOも――10月の「バーチャルコンソール」ラインアップ"https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/games/articles/0709/28/news122.html
- Famitsu.comhttps://www.famitsu.com/game/coming/2007/08/02/104,1186017852,76203,0,0.html
- Famitsu.comhttps://www.famitsu.com/news/201301/23027637.html
- Inside-games.jphttps://www.inside-games.jp/article/2009/02/24/33845.html
- "Nintendo.com – River City Ransom – Game Info"https://web.archive.org/web/20131114195718/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Z7BAknbDkSyizF0zLTU0Mqj7VEdv_qhr
- Nintendo.comhttps://web.archive.org/web/20190401203327/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/Z7BAknbDkSyizF0zLTU0Mqj7VEdv_qhr
- "Nintendo.com – Crash 'n the Boys Street Challenge – Game Info"https://web.archive.org/web/20131222034544/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/-w_OoCXsbGRtawbsVbwEZc4W7dhQrgQF
- Siliconerahttp://www.siliconera.com/2017/02/06/arc-system-works-picks-jake-hunter-theresia-series/
- "Arc System Works Establishes North American Branch"http://arcsystemworks.com/arc-system-works-establishes-north-american-branch/
- "Arc System Works Establishes European Branch"https://www.arcsystemworks.fr/en/news/
- Nintendowiifanboy.comhttps://web.archive.org/web/20070812174010/http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/2007/08/06/petit-missions-in-petit-copter/
- www.arcsystemworks.jphttps://www.arcsystemworks.jp/othello/
- Gematsuhttp://gematsu.com/2016/03/3ds-adventure-game-chase-unsolved-cases-investigation-division-another-code-staff-announced
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2020/12/arc-system-works-developed-dungeon-fighter-fighting-game-dnf-duel-announced
- Aarcsystemworks.jphttp://www.arcsystemworks.jp/60/index.html
- "Arc System Works - Kokopolo"https://www.arcsystemworks.jp/arcstyle/kokopolo/
- www.arcsystemworks.jphttps://www.arcsystemworks.jp/arcstyle/bit_trip_saga/index.html
- Gematsuhttps://web.archive.org/web/20180920195511/https://www.gematsu.com/2018/09/daedalus-the-awakening-of-golden-jazz-launches-december-13-in-japan
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2019/03/alternate-jake-hunter-daedalus-the-awakening-of-golden-jazz-coming-west-on-may-16
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2022/06/arc-system-works-announces-mining-action-game-ground-divers-for-switch
- Nintendo Wirehttps://nintendowire.com/news/2020/09/16/wayforward-arc-system-works-and-rooster-teeth-announce-rwby-video-game-coming-2021/
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2024/07/river-city-saga-three-kingdoms-next-announced-for-ps4-switch-and-pc
- "The release timing for HUNTER×HUNTER NEN×IMPACT will be changed from the previously announced 2024 timing to now release within 2025. [...]"https://x.com/ArcSystemWorksU/status/1840633550695231793
- Gematsuhttps://www.gematsu.com/2024/07/double-dragon-revive-teaser-trailer-first-details-and-screenshots