Games published by TAKARA Co., Ltd.
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We provide a complete list of games published by this publisher.
Apploon
Apploon is a 1984 PC-8801/PC-88 game that drops the player into an airborne rescue-and-raid scenario set among floating orchards and skyways. A small balloon craft, “Apploon,” travels through a sequence of outdoor platforms, cloud lanes, and drifting ruins where orchard pests and automated defenders interfere with the balloon routes. The goal is to push forward through each stage, clear hostile obstacles, and secure the sky-lanes before the balloon craft is forced down.
Gameplay centers on real-time movement and directional attacks. The player steers Apploon across scrolling areas, dodging enemy volleys and physical hazards while firing at targets on-screen. Enemy waves appear in timed bursts, combining fast attackers with slower units that release projectile patterns. Terrain includes gaps, protruding structures, and low-clearance corridors that require careful positioning as the craft advances. Stage progression continues until the balloon craft is hit too many times or the run’s objectives are completed.
Combat mechanics emphasize both offense and survivability. Apploon’s weapon can be powered up by collecting falling fruit-shaped items that boost shot strength and alter firing behavior, such as spreading shots or increasing shot rate for a short time. Some items provide temporary defensive benefits, including short bursts of protection around the balloon craft. The HUD displays remaining lives/energy, weapon status, and score, with scores rising for clearing enemies efficiently and striking higher-value targets. Many stages also feature stronger mid-stage confrontations that demand sustained fire while maintaining movement through narrow safe paths.
The visual style uses bright 2D sprites on the PC-88, with layered scrolling backgrounds that suggest depth through clouds, orchard silhouettes, and industrial skyline fragments. Apploon’s balloon body and canopy are animated to reflect motion and hit states, while enemy designs use distinct shapes and color swaps to differentiate types quickly. Explosions appear as compact sprite bursts, and projectiles are rendered with consistent silhouettes that remain readable against the stage scenery.
Sound on Apploon relies on PC-88 PSG chiptunes with lively, looped stage themes and crisp sound effects for shots, hits, and item pickups. Enemy firing cues are accompanied by sharper tones, helping players anticipate incoming volleys. The overall experience is fast and arcade-like: brief moments of pattern recognition are followed by continuous movement, controlled bursts of firepower, and repeat attempts until the player clears the stage’s hazards with consistent timing and efficient use of power items.
Arcana Strikes
Arcana Strikes, a captivating entry in the SEGA Saturn library, first graced players' screens in 1997. This whimsical blend of card game mechanics and tactical gameplay has garnered a niche but dedicated fan base over the years. The game crafts a fantastical realm filled with unique characters and spells, appealing to both strategy enthusiasts and those seeking an immersive storytelling experience.
The heart of the game revolves around its innovative card system, where players assume the role of a powerful sorcerer battling against formidable opponents. Each player's deck comprises various cards that represent spells, abilities, and magical creatures. The strategic depth lies in how players construct their decks and the choices they make during combat. Commanding the right cards at the opportune moment can turn the tide of battle, making every decision pivotal to achieving victory. This layer of strategy is what sets Arcana Strikes apart from typical RPGs or fighting games prevalent in the 90s.
Visually, Arcana Strikes captures a vibrant aesthetic that brings the fantastical world to life. The lush backgrounds and deftly designed character sprites create an engaging atmosphere that draws players into its universe. Each character boasts a distinctive appearance and set of abilities, contributing to the game's rich lore. The art style remains memorable, showcasing the creativity of the development team while appealing to a wide range of players. The sound design complements this visual artistry, with an enchanting soundtrack and memorable sound effects that elevate the overall gameplay experience.
Another noteworthy aspect of Arcana Strikes is its intricate narrative that unfolds through engaging cutscenes and dialogue. The storyline follows a diverse cast of characters, each on their journey intertwined with the game's overarching conflict. Players delve into personal quests and form alliances with other sorcerers, enriching the entire experience. The plot's depth creates a sense of investment that encourages players to immerse themselves fully in this enchanting world.
Despite its accolades, Arcana Strikes did not achieve the commercial success of some contemporaneous titles. Nevertheless, it remains a beloved gem for those who appreciate its unique blend of genres. The game has become a subject of nostalgia, with fans often reminiscing about its strategic gameplay and engaging storyline. As time marches on, it’s likely that newcomers will continue discovering the allure of Arcana Strikes, ensuring its place in gaming history for years to come. This enchanting title exemplifies the creativity and innovation that SEGA brought to the gaming landscape during a transformative era.
Bakusou! PC Choro Q
Bakusou! PC Choro Q burst onto Windows in 1998 as a faithful port of the Japanese toy car racing phenomenon Choro Q. The game rendered a miniature world where racers sprinted around tracks, inviting players to explore a garage of chassis and pilot them through bright lanes. In an era when PC titles chased photo realism and loud action, this release favored charm and approachable challenge over spectacle, offering breezy entry for newcomers and a wink for fans of the line for street racing nostalgia and couch co op fun.
Gameplay centers on approachable yet satisfying control. Players pick a chassis, apply cosmetic decals, and tune simple performance parts before entering one of several brief circuits. Races reward rhythm over raw speed, with fast bursts and careful cornering shaping the outcome. Tracks skew playful and exaggerated, featuring ramps, barriers, and candy colored scenery that keeps the mood light. Opponents mimic the same quirks, nudging players toward clever lines, while a modest career mode unlocks additional cars and palettes.
The presentation leans into a toyshop charm, with oversized wheels, glossy plastics, and color saturated environments that resemble a cheerful diorama. Sprites and simple polygons share the frame, producing a readable field where tiny racers glide with stability. Soundtrack cues are breezy and melodic, engine tones are brisk without becoming abrasive, and interface menus stay compact and unfussy. The overall vibe emphasizes accessibility, allowing casual play sessions to unfold without steep learning curves or obtuse controls and a dash of whimsy for good measure.
Within retro catalogs this Windows edition sits as a niche curiosity, a bridge between portable arcade charm and desktop racing. It offered an inviting doorway for younger players while satisfying older fans who cherished the Choro Q lineage. As technology chased splashes of realism, Bakusou! PC Choro Q preserved a lightweight ethos and a quirky personality that contemporary collectors prize in preservation circles. Today it endures as a charming artifact accessible through emulation and communal memory.
The Windows edition remains a curious relic that captures a moment when publishers celebrated whimsy as eagerly as speed. For fans of miniature racers or the Choro Q universe, it offers a nostalgic yet practical slice of late 90s gaming culture, proving that charm and clever design can elevate a simple race into a memorable experience. In quiet corners of retro gaming, Bakusou! PC Choro Q still hums softly and invites one more playful lap.
Baseball
Sord M5 Baseball brings a compact version of America’s pastime to the Sord M5. The match is played from a top-down, field-focused view, with the diamond and infield clearly defined on the screen. A full baseball session is divided into innings, and the game emphasizes quick decisions: when to swing, how aggressively to run, and when to play for outs. Teams and player details are kept simple to fit the handheld format, while the action remains centered on standard baseball situations such as balls, strikes, outs, and base advancement.
At the plate, the player controls the timing of the swing in response to each pitched ball. Pitch delivery is shown by the ball’s movement toward the batter’s zone, requiring attention to both speed and angle. Contact determines the result, sending the ball into fair territory or missing entirely for strike outcomes. The game tracks the count and converts player performance into at-bats that can end in strikeouts or outs, or extend innings with successful hits. When a runner reaches base, the batter continues to face subsequent pitches until the at-bat is resolved.
On defense, the field view changes the player’s focus to positioning and ball retrieval. As the ball is hit, the game presents the trajectory across the infield and outfield area, and the player moves a fielding cursor or avatar to intercept it. Catching and fielding actions prevent extra bases, while inaccurate positioning can allow singles, doubles, and longer advances. The game rewards quick reactions by tightening the window for fielding before the ball passes into scoring territory.
Baserunning and ball handling add a strategic layer to the game’s fast pace. After a hit, base advancement is governed by the location and timing of the play, with the player able to prompt more aggressive movement or play conservatively depending on the developing situation. Throws and returns are handled through responsive controls, aiming to beat runners back to their bases. The result is a rhythm of pressure—make contact, read the play, and secure outs—without long delays between actions.
Visually, Baseball on the Sord M5 uses crisp, high-contrast graphics suited to the handheld display. Players, bases, and the ball are represented with clear shapes that remain visible during motion, and the diamond layout anchors the screen so that inning state and base status can be read instantly. Audio consists of short, punchy tones for pitching, hitting, and fielding, with simple feedback sounds for strikes, outs, and successful plays. The overall experience is immediate and arcade-like, with each inning demanding concentrated timing and movement to turn fleeting opportunities into runs.
Battle Arena Toshinden 2
Battle Arena Toshinden 2, developed and published by Takara, hit the gaming scene in 1995 as a captivating sequel to its predecessor. This 3D fighter won the admiration of fans for its engaging gameplay, vibrant character designs, and a groundbreaking approach to fighting mechanics. The title continued the tradition established by the first game while introducing new elements that pushed the boundaries of arcade experiences at that time. Its release marked a significant moment in the evolution of the fighting game genre, showcasing the potential of 3D graphics in interactive entertainment.
The game features a diverse cast of warriors, each with unique abilities and backstories that contribute to an overarching narrative. Players can choose from iconic characters like Eiji Shioda, the determined swordsman, and the enigmatic vampiress, Kazuma. The varied fighting styles present diverse experiences, with each character requiring distinct strategies and tactics to master. This variety adds layers of depth, inviting players to explore and discover their favorite fighters while supporting replayability by encouraging experimentation.
One of the standout features of Battle Arena Toshinden 2 is its innovative combat system. Unlike many contemporary fighters that relied heavily on two-dimensional movesets, this installment integrated a fully 3D arena, allowing for dynamic movements and strategies. Players can engage in evasive maneuvers by sidestepping and hopping, adding a new dimension to the fight. The introduction of “Guard Break” moves empowers players to break through opponents' defenses, creating opportunities for devastating counterattacks in the heat of battle, significantly altering the traditional rhythm found in fighting games.
The game’s visuals were striking for the time, showcasing detailed, polygonal character designs and rich environments that captivated players. Each battle took place in visually stimulating locales, enhancing the immersive experience. The animated cutscenes that unfolded between fights conveyed the storyline effectively, adding depth to the characters' motivations and connections. This drive toward a narrative-driven experience was a noteworthy departure from many fighting games of the era, and it fostered a growing appreciation for storylines in competitive gaming.
Moreover, Battle Arena Toshinden 2 also laid the groundwork for the incorporation of combo systems, enabling players to string together complex moves for greater effect. The move roster expanded significantly from the original title, offering more options for skilled players to develop their techniques. This evolution of combat mechanics and character depth made the game a favorite among competitive circles and helped solidify its legacy in the fighting game community.
Chibi Maruko-chan Deluxe Quiz
Chibi Maruko-chan Deluxe Quiz, released in 1996 for the Neo Geo platform, is a vibrant and captivating game that draws its charm from the beloved Japanese manga and anime series, Chibi Maruko-chan. Created by Sakura Production and published by SNK, the title brings the whimsically humorous world of Maruko to life, offering both fans and newcomers alike an enjoyable experience. With its engaging quizzes and playful graphics, the game stands out in the expanding library of Neo Geo titles, appealing to those who enjoy a mix of trivia and entertainment.
In Chibi Maruko-chan Deluxe Quiz, players are invited to dive headfirst into the quirky adventures of Maruko and her friends. The game features a wide range of quiz questions that test players’ knowledge about the series, its characters, and various aspects of Japanese culture. From basic trivia to more challenging inquiries, the quiz is designed to cater to a diverse audience. The educational elements wrapped in the fun gameplay allow participants not only to enjoy the atmosphere of the franchise but also to learn and explore new facets of the cultural phenomena surrounding it.
One of the standout features of Chibi Maruko-chan Deluxe Quiz is its vibrant visual presentation. The game boasts colorful and expressive graphics that are signature to the anime style. Characters are rendered in a charmingly simplistic manner, matching the essence of the original manga. The music and sound effects further enhance the overall experience, creating an immersive environment that resonates with the nostalgic allure of anime from the late 1990s. Such attention to detail captivates players, allowing them to effortlessly connect with the ambience of Maruko's world.
Moreover, the multiplayer mode adds an element of competitive fun, encouraging friends and family to partake in the quiz together. This aspect of social interaction not only heightens the gaming experience but also fosters camaraderie among players. Sharing laughter and friendly banter over challenging questions reinforces the spirit of the original series, which often centers around friendship and childhood experiences. Players find themselves rooting for their comrades, creating memorable moments that extend beyond the screen.
Despite its niche appeal, Chibi Maruko-chan Deluxe Quiz represents an essential piece of gaming history. The title not only highlights the Neo Geo’s diverse offerings but also showcases how games can transcend mere entertainment and engage players on cultural grounds. As a testament to the enduring popularity of the Chibi Maruko-chan franchise, it remains a cherished title for many who experienced its quiz-based adventures during a transformative era in gaming.
Choro Q Park
Choro Q Park is a delightful racing game that captured the hearts of gamers when it was released for the SEGA Saturn in 1998. Developed by the creative minds at Takara, this unique title forms part of the Choro Q franchise, which is known for its charming miniature car designs. The game stands out due to its whimsical approach to racing, combining elements of arcade-style gameplay with a rich and varied environment that invites players to indulge their competitive spirit.
One of the most captivating aspects of Choro Q Park is its colorful aesthetic, which is reminiscent of a children's toy set. The game features an array of vividly designed environments, from expansive racetracks to intricate park areas, each laden with obstacles and clever shortcuts. Players can race through locales that evoke a sense of nostalgia, such as a sunny park with winding paths and quirky decorations. This joyful atmosphere serves to enhance the experience, making every race a delightful adventure filled with unexpected surprises.
In addition to its charming visuals, Choro Q Park offers a robust character customization system that allows players to design their own unique vehicles. Gamers can modify their cars' appearance and performance by selecting different parts and enhancements, which adds a layer of strategy to racing. This level of personalization not only enhances the gaming experience but also empowers players to express their creativity. Each custom vehicle is a reflection of personal style, making the game feel truly unique to each participant.
Choro Q Park is not just about racing; it also incorporates various mini-games and challenges that occur outside of the main racing events. These activities serve to diversify the gameplay and provide players with an opportunity to earn rewards and unlock new features. Whether it’s navigating an obstacle course or participating in a puzzle-solving challenge, these segments contribute to an overall whimsical experience that separates Choro Q Park from traditional racing titles.
The contextual charm of the game also extends to its charming soundtrack, which complements the in-game action beautifully. The upbeat tunes create an energetic backdrop that elevates the gameplay, resonating with players as they dash through the colorful tracks. Additionally, the sound effects, crafted to elicit a playful tone, further immerse players into this enchanting world, ultimately enhancing the overall gaming experience.
D-Xhird
D-Xhird was a highly anticipated game released for the SEGA Saturn in 1997, developed by Nextech and published by KEMCO. It was a 3D fighting game that pushed the limits of the SEGA Saturn's capabilities, boasting impressive graphics and intense gameplay. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, D-Xhird followed the story of a group of warriors known as the D-Xhird, who must battle against a tyrannical ruler known as Lord Ozeros.
The game featured a diverse range of characters, each with their own unique fighting styles and special moves. Players could choose from a total of 13 characters, including humanoids, cyborgs, and even creatures with supernatural abilities. This added a layer of depth and strategy to the game, as players had to learn and master the abilities of each character in order to succeed in battle.
One of the standout features of D-Xhird was its fast-paced and fluid combat system. The controls were responsive and intuitive, allowing players to execute combos and special moves seamlessly. The game also introduced a Tag Team system, where players could switch between two characters in the middle of a fight, further adding to the strategic element of the game.
In addition to the main Story Mode, D-Xhird also offered a Vs. Battle Mode for players to compete against each other. This was a popular feature among gamers, as they could test their skills and see who truly mastered their chosen character. The game also had a Training Mode, where players could practice their moves and perfect their timing.
One of the standout aspects of D-Xhird was its breathtaking visuals. The game utilized the SEGA Saturn's 3D capabilities to its fullest potential, creating dynamic environments and beautifully detailed character models. The post-apocalyptic setting was brought to life with stunning and realistic graphics, immersing players in the world of D-Xhird.
Despite its impressive features and graphics, D-Xhird was met with mixed reviews upon its release. While the combat system and visuals were praised, some critics felt that the game lacked depth and variety in its gameplay. Additionally, the game's difficulty was noted as being quite steep, making it challenging for players to progress through the story.
However, D-Xhird remains a cult classic among SEGA Saturn enthusiasts, known for its fast-paced combat and stunning visuals. It was a groundbreaking game for its time and paved the way for future fighting games on the SEGA Saturn. To this day, it is still remembered and revered by fans for its unique characters, engaging story and intense gameplay.
Densha de Go! EX
Densha de Go! EX is a simulation game developed by Taito Corporation and released in 1998 for the SEGA Saturn console. It is a part of the popular Densha de Go! series, which focuses on train driving simulation. The game offers a realistic experience of driving a train with a variety of routes and train models to choose from. This unique game provides players with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of train transportation like never before.
One of the most notable features of Densha de Go! EX is its detailed and authentic train models. The developers have meticulously designed each train to replicate the real-life counterparts, giving players a sense of realism as they navigate through different routes. The game also offers a wide selection of trains, including commuter, express, and freight trains, each with its own unique characteristics and control systems. This adds a layer of depth to the gameplay, making it a favorite among both train enthusiasts and casual players.
In addition to the impressive train models, Densha de Go! EX also boasts an array of accurately recreated train routes. Whether you want to travel through the bustling streets of Tokyo or the serene countryside of Japan, this game has it covered. Each route presents its own challenges, such as navigating through crowded urban areas or braving through treacherous weather conditions. This not only adds to the realism of the game but also provides a diverse and engaging experience for players.
Apart from the main gameplay, Densha de Go! EX also offers a variety of game modes and customization options. Players can choose to play in "Arcade Mode," which offers a fast-paced and competitive gameplay experience, or "Simulation Mode," which is a more detailed and realistic mode that includes factors like train maintenance and schedules. The game also allows players to customize various settings, such as weather conditions, train schedules, and even passenger density, providing endless possibilities for players to create their own unique gameplay experience.
Another interesting aspect of Densha de Go! EX is its attention to detail. The developers have gone above and beyond to ensure that the game accurately reflects the train driving experience. From the realistic train controls to the various tasks that need to be completed while driving, such as stopping at stations and following signals, every aspect of the game is crafted with precision. This not only makes the game more challenging but also adds to the overall authenticity of the experience.
