Data East Games Collection
Founded in 1976 as DECO (Data East Corporation), this rebellious Japanese developer/publisher carved its niche with technically ambitious arcade titles and cult console games. Though bankrupt by 2003, DECO's legacy lives on through influential fighting games, unconventional sports titles, and hardware innovations that challenged industry giants.
Arcade Glory Days
Landmark coin-ops:- BurgerTime (1982): Defined the "chef puzzle" genre with its iconic walking hamburgers
- Karate Champ (1984): The first true 1v1 fighting game, predating Street Fighter
- Bad Dudes vs. DragonNinja (1988): Quintessential "Americana" beat 'em up with presidential rescue plot
Console Cult Classics
Memorable home releases:- Joe & Mac/Caveman Ninja series (1991-94): Prehistoric platforming with cooperative chaos
- Windjammers (1994): Hyper-competitive flying disc combat that became an esports darling
- Night Slashers (1993): Ultra-violent zombie beat 'em up banned in multiple countries
Hardware Innovations
Bold engineering feats:- Developed the DECO Cassette System (1980) - first arcade ROM-swappable platform
- Created custom chips for NEO GEO arcade hardware
- Pioneered early stereoscopic 3D with 3-D Ghost Attack (1983)
Design Rebellions
Controversial trademarks:- Unfiltered Americanization: Localized games featured exaggerated US stereotypes
- B-Movie Aesthetics: Over-the-top violence and campy storytelling
- Genre Mashups: Combined sports with RPG elements years before it was trendy
Modern Rediscovery
Posthumous recognition:- Windjammers 2 (2022): Dotemu's acclaimed sequel to the 1994 classic
- ACA Neo Geo Re-releases: Hamster Corporation's arcade perfect ports
- Speedrun Culture: Bad Dudes and BurgerTime remain speedrun marathon staples
Data East's fearless experimentation and technical prowess cemented its status as the "punk rock" of 80s-90s game development - rough around the edges, but endlessly inventive.
BurgerTime
1985
ActionAn arcade-style action game where players control chef Peter Pepper who must assemble giant burgers while avoiding food enemies like Mr. Hot Dog and Mr. Egg.
CAVEMAN NINJA
CAVEMAN NINJA (Joe & Mac) is a prehistoric action-platformer where two cavemen rescue kidnapped tribeswomen. Players wield bone clubs, stone wheels, and dinosaur mounts across vibrant jungles and volcanic caves with cooperative gameplay.
DARK SEAL
1990
Beat 'em upDARK SEAL is a dark fantasy beat 'em up where players choose from four heroes to battle the wizard Gorn's army of monsters. Notable for its magic orb collection system and screen-filling spell effects that evolve through gameplay.
Karnov's Revenge / Fighter's History Dynamite
1994
FightingKarnov's Revenge, known in Japan as Fighter's History Dynamite, is a 1994 fighting game developed and published by Data East for the arcades. It is the sequel to Fighter's History featuring improved graphics, new characters, and special moves. The game is notable for its unique character designs and gameplay mechanics.
Bad Dudes vs. Dragonninja
1988
Beat 'em upBad Dudes vs. Dragonninja is a 1988 beat 'em up arcade game developed and published by Data East. Players control martial artists 'Bad Dudes' Blade and Striker as they fight through waves of enemies to rescue President Ronnie from the evil Dragonninja.
Joe & Mac
1992
PlatformerJoe & Mac is a prehistoric platformer where cavemen duo Joe and Mac battle dinosaurs to rescue kidnapped cavewomen. Known in Japan as 'Cadillacs and Dinosaurs', the SNES version features colorful graphics, cooperative gameplay, and humorous primitive weapons.
Side Pocket
1993
SportsA realistic pool simulation featuring multiple game modes including 8-ball, 9-ball, and trick shots. Players can compete in tournaments across various international locations with authentic physics and challenging AI opponents.