Tose (company)

Japanese video game developer

This article is about the company. For other uses, see Tose.

Tose Co., Ltd.

Native name

| 株式会社トーセ
Company type| Public

Traded as

| TYO: 4728
Industry| Video games
Founded| November 1979; 45 years ago (1979-11)
Headquarters|

Kyoto

Japan

Key people

* Shigeru Saito (chairman & CEO)
* Yasuhito Watanabe (president & COO)

Products| The Legendary Starfy series
Game & Watch Gallery series

Number of employees

| 657 (2024)[1]
Website| tose.co.jp

Tose Co., Ltd.[a] (also called Tose Software) is a Japanese video game developer based in Kyoto. It is mostly known for developing Nintendo's Game & Watch Gallery series, various Dragon Ball games, as well as contract work or assistance to other developers. Tose has developed or co-developed over 1,000 games since the company's inception in 1979, but is virtually never credited in the games themselves (an exception to this is Scarlet Nexus with Bandai Namco, Game & Watch Gallery 4 and The Legendary Starfy series, as Tose shares the copyright with Nintendo).[2] Tose maintains a policy of having no creative input into the work they do, going so far as to refuse to put their names in the credits for most of the games they work on. As such, Tose has gained a reputation for being a "ghost developer".[3]

## History

[edit]

Tose was established in November 1979 in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, as an independent entity from Toa Seiko Co. Ltd. It moved its head office to Otokuni-gun, Kyoto Prefecture in May 1986. In July 1988, Tose moved its head office to Yamazaki, Kyoto. In May 1990, Tose began developing software for the Game Boy and the Super Famicom.

In August 1999, Tose was listed on the Osaka Securities Exchange 2nd Section and the Kyoto Stock Exchange. In October of that year, Tose's Kyoto Head office was opened at Shijo-Karasuma, which integrated its head office functions with the Karasuma CG Center. On 27 September 2000, Tose was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange 2nd Section.[4] In August 2001, it was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange 1st Section and Osaka Securities Exchange 1st Section.

On December 18, 2007, Tose announced the leakage of its business information onto the Internet, which was discovered the day before. The leak included 10 pieces of information relating to customer names, development cases, development contents, development fees, and reception time.[5]

On September 1, 2011, Tose announced the separation of its amusement machine development business from its second game development department (ゲーム事業部開発2部) into a separate amusement machine developer (AM開発部).[6]

In July 2024, it was reported that Tose was experiencing financial hardship due to a number of cancelled games from partners including Square Enix and Bandai Namco. For the period covering September 2023 to May 2024 the studio's net sales fell nearly 28%, leading to an operating loss of 599 million yen ($3.7 million).[7]

## List of games developed by Tose

[edit]

NOTE: Titles released before the official website was created must be verified with information compiled by various amateur and professional journalists. Some are merely believed or assumed to be developed by Tose. Some have not been officially confirmed as Tose-developed products by any of the games' publishers, co-developers, nor Tose itself until Tose created their website to document their work.

See also Category:Tose (company) games

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (October 2011)

|

### Android, iOS

[edit]

* Fight League (2017)[8]
* Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry's Wonderland 3D (2018)
* Nijigasaki High School Idol Club TOKIMEKI RunRuns (2022)[9]
* Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince (Co-developed with Square Enix, 2024)

### Arcade

[edit]

* Sasuke vs. Commander (1980)
* Vanguard (1981)
* Fantasy (1981)
* Vanguard II (1984)
* Data Carddass Aikatsu Planet! (2020)

### Family Computer/Nintendo Entertainment System

[edit]

* Exerion (1985)
* Field Combat (1985)
* Chubby Cherub (1985)
* Ikki (1985)
* M.U.S.C.L.E. (1985)
* City Connection (1985)
* Mississippi Satsujin Jiken (1986)
* Mappy-Land (1986)
* Choplifter (1986)
* Dragon Power (1986)
* Ninja Kid (1986)
* Urusei Yatsura: Lum no Wedding Bell (1986)
* Bases Loaded (1987)
* Karaoke Studio (1987)
* Lupin Sansei: Pandora no Isan (1987)
* Uchūsen: Cosmo Carrier (1987)
* Saint Seiya: Ōgon Densetsu (1987)
* Goal! (1988)
* Bases Loaded II: Second Season (1988)
* Racket Attack (1988)
* Demon Sword (1988)
* Dragon Ball: Daimaou Fukkatsu (1988)
* Pinball Quest (1989)
* Oishinbo: Kyukyoku no Menu 3bon Syoubu (1989)
* Sakigake!! Otokojuku: Shippu Ichi Gou Sei (1989)
* Famicom Jump: Hero Retsuden (1989)
* Bandai Golf: Challenge Pebble Beach (1989)
* Shooting Range (1989)
* Dusty Diamond's All-Star Softball (1989)
* Terao no Dosukoi Ōzumō (1989)
* Short Order / Eggsplode! (1989)
* Akuma-kun: Makai no Wana (1990)
* Bases Loaded 3 (1990)
* NES Play Action Football (1990)
* Frankenstein: The Monster Returns (1991)
* Bases Loaded 4 (1991)
* Golf Grand Slam (1991)
* Toxic Crusaders (1992, NES only)
* Legends of the Diamond (1992, NES only)
* Yoshi's Cookie (1992, NES & Game Boy only)
* Tetris 2 (1993 video game) (1993, NES & Game Boy only)
* Rokudenashi Blues (1993)
* Dragon Ball Z Gaiden: Saiya-jin Zetsumetsu Keikaku (1993)
* Battle Rush: Build Up Robot Tournament (1993)
* Pro Sport Hockey (1993)
* Crayon Shin-Chan: Ora to Poi Poi (1993)
* J. League Super Top Players (1994)

### Family Computer Disk System

[edit]

* Famicom Tantei Club: Kieta Kōkeisha (1988)

### Super Famicom/Super NES

[edit]

* Super Tennis (1991)
* Super Bases Loaded (1991)
* Goal! (1992)
* Dig & Spike Volleyball (1992)
* Super Professional Baseball II (1992)
* Super Play Action Football (1992, Super NES only)
* Bazooka Blitzkrieg (1992)
* Super Bases Loaded 2 (1993)
* Super Goal! 2 (1993)
* Namco Open (1993)
* Rokudenashi Blues (1994)
* Hana no Keiji: Kumo no Kanata ni (1994)
* Takeda Nobuhiro no Super League Soccer (1994)
* Super Bases Loaded 3 (1994)
* Gon (1994)
* Natsuki Crisis Battle (1995)
* Sterling Sharpe: End 2 End (1995, Super NES only)
* Dragon Ball Z: Super Saiya Densetsu (1992)
* Dragon Ball Z: Super Butouden (1993)
* Dragon Ball Z: Super Butouden 2 (1993)
* Dragon Ball Z: Super Butouden 3 (1994)
* Pro Sport Hockey (1994)
* Yuu Yuu Hakusho 2: Kakutou no Sho (1994) [10]
* Dragon Ball Z: Chou Gokuu Den: Kakusei-hen (1995)
* Dragon Ball Z: Chou Gokuu Den: Totsugeki-hen (1995)
* Yuu Yuu Hakusho Final: Makai Saikyou Retsuden (1995) [11]
* Dragon Ball Z: Hyper Dimension (1996)

### Game Boy

[edit]

* Boxing (1990)
* Karakuri Kengou Den Musashi Lord (1991)
* Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters (1991)
* Soccer (1991)
* Yoshi's Cookie (1992, NES & Game Boy only)
* Tetris 2 (1993, NES & Game Boy only)
* Takeda Nobuhiro no Ace Striker (1994)
* Kirby's Block Ball (1995)
* Arcade Classic No. 3: Galaga/Galaxian (1995)
* Game Boy Gallery (1995)
* Sports Collection (1996)
* Namco Gallery Vol. 1 (1996)
* Namco Gallery Vol. 2 (1996)
* Namco Gallery Vol. 3 (1997)
* Game & Watch Gallery (1997)

### Game Boy Color

[edit]

* Dragon Warrior Monsters (1998)[12]
* Game & Watch Gallery 2 (1998)[12]
* Game & Watch Gallery 3 (1999)[12]
* Dragon Warrior I & II (1999)
* Metal Gear: Ghost Babel (2000)[12]
* Winnie the Pooh: Adventures in the 100 Acre Wood (2000)
* Dragon Warrior III (2000)
* Dragon Warrior Monsters 2 (2001)

### Game Boy Advance

[edit]

* Densetsu no Starfy (2002)[12][13]
* Shrek: Hassle at the Castle (2002)
* Game & Watch Gallery 4 (2002)[12]
* Densetsu no Starfy 2 (2003)[12]
* Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart (2003)
* Shrek: Reekin' Havoc (2003)
* Slime Mori Mori Dragon Quest (2003)
* Densetsu no Starfy 3 (2004)[12]
* The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King (2005)[12]

### Virtual Boy

[edit]

* Mario's Tennis (1995)

### Sega Mega Drive/Genesis

[edit]

* Dangerous Seed (1990)
* Sangokushi Retsuden: Ransei no Eiyuutachi (1991)
* Marvel Land (1991)
* Taiheiki (1991)
* NHK Taiga Drama: Taiheiki (1991)
* Dragon Ball Z: Buyuu Retsuden (1994)

### Sega Mega CD/Sega CD

[edit]

* Pro Yakyuu Super League CD (1992)

### Sega Saturn

[edit]

* Bakushou!! All Yoshimoto Quiz Ou Ketteisen DX (1995)
* Dragon Ball Z: Shin Butōden (1995)
* Shinobi Legions (1995)
* Funky Fantasy (1996)
* Gegege no Kitarou: Gentou Kaikitan (1996)
* Matsukata Hiroki no World Fishing (1996)
* Funky Head Boxers (1997)
* Layer Section II (1997)
* Shin Theme Park (1997)
* Kidou Senshi Z Gundam: Zenpen Zeta no Kodou (1997)
* Moon Cradle (1997)
* Kidou Senshi Z Gundam: Kouhen Sora o Kakeru (1997)
* Digital Monster Ver. S Digimon Tamers (1998)
* Nihon Daihyou Team no Kantoku ni Narou! Sekaihatsu, Soccer RPG (1998)

### PlayStation

[edit]

* Dragon Ball Z: Ultimate Battle 22 (1995)
* Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout (1997)
* Theme Aquarium (1998)[14][15]
* Thousand Arms (1998)[16]
* Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers (1998)[17]
* Resident Evil Survivor (2000)
* Bass Landing (2000)
* Bass Landing 2 (2001)

### Dreamcast

[edit]

* Resident Evil – Code: Veronica (2000)

### PlayStation 2

[edit]

* The King of Route 66 (co-developed with Sega-AM2, 2003)[12]
* Super Robot Wars MX (2004)
* The Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie's Revenge (2005)
* Code of the Samurai (co-developed with Red Entertainment) (2005)

### GameCube

[edit]

* Resident Evil Zero (2002)

### PlayStation 3

[edit]

* Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (co-developed with Square Enix and tri-Ace, 2013)

### PlayStation 4

[edit]

* World of Final Fantasy (co-developed with Square Enix, 2016)
* The King of Fighters XIV (co-developed with SNK, 2016)
* Scarlet Nexus (co-developed with Bandai Namco Entertainment, 2021)
* Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion (co-developed with Square Enix, 2022)
* Tales of Graces f Remastered (2025)

### PlayStation 5

[edit]

* Scarlet Nexus (co-developed with Bandai Namco Entertainment, 2021)
* Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion (co-developed with Square Enix, 2022)
* Tales of Graces f Remastered (2025)

### PlayStation Portable

[edit]

* Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth (2006)
* Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins (2006)
* Star Ocean: First Departure (2007)[18]
* Star Ocean: Second Evolution (2008)

### PlayStation Vita

[edit]

* World of Final Fantasy (co-developed with Square Enix, 2016)

### Nintendo DS

[edit]

* Naruto RPG 2: Chidori vs. Rasengan (2005)
* Super Princess Peach (2005)[12]
* Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime (2005)[12]
* Sega Casino (2005)
* Avatar: The Last Airbender (2006)[12]
* Densetsu no Starfy 4 (2006)[12]
* Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker (2006)[12]
* Naruto: Path of the Ninja 2 (2006)
* MySims (2007)
* Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Burning Earth (2007)
* Naruto Shippūden: Dairansen! Kage Bunshin Emaki (2008)
* MySims Kingdom (2008)
* Ragnarok DS (2008)
* Crash: Mind over Mutant (2008)
* The Legendary Starfy (2008)[12]
* WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 (2008)
* WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 (2009)
* MySims Agents (2009)
* Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2 (2010)
* Planes (2013)
* Tetris DS (unreleased)

### Wii

[edit]

* Pac-Man Party (2010)
* Fortune Street (2011)

### Nintendo 3DS

[edit]

* Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D (2011)
* Slime Mori Mori Dragon Quest 3 (2011)
* Resident Evil: Revelations (2012)
* Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry's Wonderland 3D (2012)
* Planes (2013)
* Dragon Quest Monsters 2: Iru and Luca's Marvelous Mysterious Key (2014)
* Fire Emblem Fates (castle modeling support for Intelligent Systems, 2015)
* Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 3 (2016)
* WarioWare Gold (2018)

### Wii U

[edit]

* Paper Mario Color Splash (environment art support for Intelligent Systems, 2016)

### Nintendo Switch

[edit]

* Splatoon 2 (2017)[19]
* World of Final Fantasy (co-developed with Square Enix, 2018)
* The Battle Cats Unite! (2018)
* Paper Mario: The Origami King (2020)
* Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir (Remake) (2021)
* WarioWare: Get It Together! (Co-developed with Intelligent Systems, 2021)
* Dragon Quest Treasures (Co-developed with Square Enix, 2022)
* Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion (co-developed with Square Enix, 2022)
* Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince (Co-developed with Square Enix, 2023)[20]
* Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024)[21]
* Karaoke Joysound (2024)[22]
* Tales of Graces f Remastered (2025)[23]

### PC

[edit]

* GONG! Online (2007)
* Planes (2013)
* World of Final Fantasy (co-developed with Square Enix, 2017)
* Scarlet Nexus (co-developed with Bandai Namco Entertainment, 2021)
* Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion (co-developed with Square Enix, 2022)
* Dragon Quest Treasures (Co-developed with Square Enix, 2023)
* Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince (Co-developed with Square Enix, 2024)
* Tales of Graces f Remastered (2025)

### WonderSwan

[edit]

* Super Robot Wars Compact (1999)
* Super Robot Wars Compact 2 (2000-2001)

### Xbox 360

[edit]

* Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (co-developed with Square Enix and tri-Ace, 2013)

### Xbox One

[edit]

* World of Final Fantasy (co-developed with Square Enix, 2018)
* Scarlet Nexus (co-developed with Bandai Namco Entertainment, 2021)
* Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion (co-developed with Square Enix, 2022)
* Tales of Graces f Remastered (2025)

### Xbox Series X/S

[edit]

* Scarlet Nexus (co-developed with Bandai Namco Entertainment, 2021)
* Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion (co-developed with Square Enix, 2022)
* Tales of Graces f Remastered (2025)

### 3DO Interactive Multiplayer

[edit]

* Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon S

## Games ported by Tose

[edit]

Tose has ported a few games, including Square and Enix games for the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super NES.

* Chrono Trigger (PlayStation, Nintendo DS)[24]
* Front Mission (Nintendo DS)
* Final Fantasy Origins and Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls (ports of Final Fantasy I & II for the PlayStation and Game Boy Advance, respectively)[12]
* Final Fantasy IV (PlayStation, Game Boy Advance)[12]
* Final Fantasy V (PlayStation, Game Boy Advance)[12]
* Final Fantasy VI (PlayStation, Game Boy Advance)[12]
* Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth (PlayStation Portable)[12]
* Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions (PlayStation Portable)
* Star Ocean: First Departure (PlayStation Portable)
* Star Ocean: Second Evolution (PlayStation Portable)
* Resident Evil Revelations HD (Windows, PlayStation 3, Wii U, Xbox 360)
* Ōkami (Wii, co-developed with Ready At Dawn)
* 2002 FIFA World Cup (GameCube, co-developed with EA Canada, Creations, and Intelligent Games)
* Metal Gear Solid (Windows port)
* Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop (port of Dead Rising for Wii)
* The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Nintendo Switch port) [25]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Japanese: 株式会社トーセ, Hepburn: Kabushiki-gaisha Tōse

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Company profile" (PDF). Tose Co., Ltd. May 31, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
2. ^ Sheffield, Brandon (May 18, 2006). "Tose: Game Development Ninjas". Game Developer. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
3. ^ Cifaldi, Frank (April 20, 2006). "The Connection is Made: Developer Highlights from Game Connection 2006 (Part Two)". Game Developer. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
4. ^ "TOSE Software-Japan-". October 27, 2007. Archived from the original on October 27, 2007. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
5. ^ 業務情報の漏洩に関するお知らせ[permanent dead link]
6. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). October 30, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 30, 2011. Retrieved April 19, 2023.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
7. ^ Serin, Kaan (July 4, 2024). "Prolific Japanese outsourcing studio that's quietly worked on Zelda, Final Fantasy, and Resident Evil for over 44 years is in trouble due to game cancellations". gamesradar. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
8. ^ "Supported the development of smartphone app, "Fight League（TM）". | News | TOSE CO., LTD". www.tose.co.jp. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
9. ^ "TOSE group developed "Nijigasaki High School idol club TOKIMEKI RunRuns", one of LOVE LIVE! series. | News | TOSE CO., LTD". www.tose.co.jp. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
10. ^ https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/snes/564285-yuu-yuu-hakusho-2-kakutou-no-sho
11. ^ https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/snes/564851-yuu-yuu-hakusho-final
12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Kennedy, Sam (January 24, 2007). "Tose: Gaming's Dirty Little Secret". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2009.
13. ^ "TOSE Software-Japan-". October 26, 2007. Archived from the original on October 26, 2007. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
14. ^ Rose, Mike (May 1, 2013). "What the heck is Bullfrog's Theme Aquarium?". Gamasutra. UBM Technology Group. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
15. ^ "Aquarium (1998) PlayStation release dates". MobyGames. Blue Flame Labs. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
16. ^ Hill, Doug (October 14, 1999). "Tose to develop for Playstation 2". RPGamer.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2009.
17. ^ Caoili, Eric (December 29, 2010). "Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers' Fan-Translation Trailer". GameSetWatch. Archived from the original on January 8, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
18. ^ Seedhouse, Alex (May 25, 2019). "Star Ocean: First Departure R Announced For Nintendo Switch". Nintendo Insider. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
19. ^ "Supported the development of "Splatoon2" for Nintendo Switch (TM). | News | TOSE CO., LTD". www.tose.co.jp. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
20. ^ "3rd Quarter of Fiscal Year Ending August 31, 2023" (PDF). Tose Co, Ltd.
21. ^ "Works | TOSE CO., LTD". Archived from the original on July 5, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
22. ^ "「カラオケJOYSOUND for Nintendo Switch」の追加機能を開発させていただきました。 | 新着情報一覧 | 株式会社トーセ". www.tose.co.jp. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
23. ^ "「テイルズ オブ グレイセス エフ リマスター」の開発をさせていただきました。 | 新着情報一覧 | 株式会社トーセ". www.tose.co.jp. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
24. ^ "Nintendo Power Holiday 2008". Nintendo Power. Vol. 236\. 2008. p. 82.
25. ^ Zelda Breath Of The Wild Playthrough - Credits, March 7, 2017, retrieved December 13, 2022