🎮 SEGA: The King of Innovation
Founded: 1960 (Japan)
Key Figure: David Rosen (co-founder of Sega Enterprises Ltd.)
Famous Games: OutRun, Virtua Fighter, House of the Dead, Daytona USA
Legacy:
David Rosen merged his company with a jukebox distributor to create Sega. The company pushed technological boundaries in arcades with motion simulators, polygonal 3D graphics, and immersive driving/shooting cabinets that defined the ’90s arcade era.
🥋 SNK: Masters of the Fighting Genre
Founded: 1978 (Japan)
Key Figure: Eikichi Kawasaki (Founder)
Famous Games: The King of Fighters, Metal Slug, Fatal Fury, Samurai Shodown
Legacy:
Kawasaki’s vision led to the creation of the Neo Geo MVS system—legendary for its power and multi-game cartridges. SNK fighters are iconic in eSports and Metal Slug remains one of the most beloved arcade series worldwide.
👾 TAITO: The Arcade Originator
Founded: 1953 (Japan)
Key Figure: Michael Kogan (Founder)
Famous Games: Space Invaders, Bubble Bobble, Arkanoid, Darius
Legacy:
Michael Kogan, a Russian-born entrepreneur, started Taito to import vending machines, but later changed gaming forever with Space Invaders—the original arcade blockbuster.
🏁 NAMCO (Now Bandai Namco): Pioneers of Fun
Founded: 1955 (Japan)
Key Figure: Masaya Nakamura (Founder, “Father of Pac-Man”)
Famous Games: Pac-Man, Tekken, Time Crisis, Ridge Racer
Legacy:
Nakamura’s Namco gave birth to Pac-Man, an icon even non-gamers recognize. Their dedication to fun and accessibility made Namco’s arcades stand out, while Tekken and Time Crisis cemented their reputation in the ’90s.
🔧 CAPCOM: Beat ‘Em Up Legends
Founded: 1979 (Japan)
Key Figure: Kenzo Tsujimoto (Founder)
Famous Games: Street Fighter II, Final Fight, Marvel vs. Capcom, 1942
Legacy:
Tsujimoto turned Capcom into a powerhouse with genre-defining fighting games. Street Fighter II sparked the arcade fighting craze, while Final Fight and 1942 became beat ’em up and shooter classics.
🕹️ KONAMI: Rhythm and Reflex Kings
Founded: 1969 (Japan)
Key Figure: Kagemasa Kozuki (Founder)
Famous Games: Dance Dance Revolution, Frogger, Contra, Beatmania
Legacy:
Kozuki started Konami as a jukebox repair company. By the 90s, it was shaking up arcades with rhythm games like DDR and high-skill classics like Contra. Their titles blended fun, challenge, and creativity.
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