Overview
From Sega strategy to Nintendo fairways. Camelot’s Hiroyuki Takahashi created Shining Force’s tactical combat at Sega before the company transitioned to Nintendo. There they found dual identities: Golden Sun delivered ambitious portable RPGs while Mario Golf and Mario Tennis became Nintendo’s definitive sports games. Both lines demonstrated polish and depth.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1990 (as Sonic! Software Planning).
- Founders: Hiroyuki and Shugo Takahashi.
- Transition: Sega to Nintendo (1998).
- Dual focus: RPGs and sports.
Sega era
| Title | Year | Series |
|---|
| Shining in the Darkness | 1991 | Shining |
| Shining Force | 1992 | Shining |
| Shining Force II | 1993 | Shining |
| Shining Force III | 1997 | Shining |
Nintendo sports
| Title | Platform | Year |
|---|
| Mario Golf | N64 | 1999 |
| Mario Tennis | N64 | 2000 |
| Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour | GCN | 2003 |
| Ongoing | Various | Continued |
Golden Sun series
| Title | Year | Platform |
|---|
| Golden Sun | 2001 | GBA |
| The Lost Age | 2002 | GBA |
| Dark Dawn | 2010 | DS |
Design strengths
| Aspect | Quality |
|---|
| Polish | Exceptional |
| Depth | Accessible complexity |
| Visuals | Hardware-pushing |
| Longevity | Replay value |
See also