Midway Games: Difference between revisions

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{{PageCredits|description=Logophile and EnormousRat|capture=EnormousRat and CuriousGeorge60|edits=CuriousGeorge60, KirbyGuy2001 (Logoblin) and CrazySpruiker2001|video=TheProductreviewsinc}}
Logo descriptions by Logophile and EnormousRat
{{NeedsImages}}
Logo captures by EnormousRat and CuriousGeorge60
===Background===
Editions by CuriousGeorge60, KirbyGuy2001 (Logoblin), and CrazySpruiker2001
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Midway Manufacturing Company was founded in 1958 in Chicago, Illinois, as an arcade game company. It was reincorporated as "Midway Games" in 1988 and entered the home console gaming market as "Midway Home Entertainment" in 1996. In 1998, the company spun off from [[Williams Entertainment]]. Major troubles came in 2008, when Midway closed several of its divisions. In February 2009, the US-based operations of Midway filed for bankruptcy, while the European assets were sold and two of them were renamed "[[Tradewest]]". Most of Midway's key assets, including former divisions Surreal Software and Midway Chicago (now "[[NetherRealm Studios]]"), and publishing rights to the ''Mortal Kombat'' and ''Wheelman'' series were acquired by [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]].
Video captures courtesy of TheProductreviewsinc


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'''Background:''' Midway Manufacturing Company was founded in 1958 in Chicago, Illinois, as an arcade game company. It was reincorporated as "Midway Games" in 1988 and formed Midway Home Entertainment in 1996. In 1998, the company spun off from WMS (Williams Entertainment). Major troubles came in 2008, when Midway closed several divisions, and in February 2009, the US-based operations of Midway filed for bankruptcy. The European assets were sold and two of them were renamed "Tradewest". Midway's former divisions, Surreal Software and Midway Chicago (now "NetherRealm Studios") were acquired by Warner Bros.



===1st Logo (1996)===
===1st Logo (1996)===


See the 4th logo on the [[Williams Entertainment]] page for the description.
See the 4th logo on the [[Williams Entertainment]] page for the description.




===2nd Logo (Late 1996-1998)===
===2nd Logo (Late 1996-1998)===

'''Nicknames:''' "Shooting Stars", "The Circle M"
'''Nicknames:''' "Shooting Stars", "The Circle M"


'''Logo:''' On a space background, twelve shooting stars fly from all over the screen and meet in the center. They disappear and the Midway logo (a red elongated arc with a red jacked-up "M" inside it) and "MIDWAY" (all in 3D) spin toward the screen. "HOME ENTERTAINMENT" appears underneath, conjoined. The words scroll to its proper wording.
'''Logo:''' On a space background, twelve shooting stars fly from all over the screen and meet in the center. They disappear and the Midway logo (a {{color|red}} elongated arc with a jacked-up "{{color|red|''M''}}" inside it) and "'''''MIDWAY'''''" (all in 3D) spin toward the screen. "HOME ENTERTAINMENT" appears underneath, conjoined. The words scroll to their proper wording.


'''Variants:'''
'''Variants:'''
* On ''Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1'', the text is in yellow. Plus, the Circle "M" is in polygon style.
*On ''Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1'', the text is {{color|yellow}}. Plus, the circle "M" is polygon-styled.
* On the SNES version of ''Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1'', the still version of the variant was shown along with the Digital Eclipse Software logo. Above the logo is "Presented by". Next to the Digital Eclipse logo is "Developed by DIGITAL ECLIPSE SOFTWARE, INC." in stacked words.
*On the SNES version of ''Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1'', the still version of the variant was shown along with the [[Digital Eclipse Software, Inc.|Digital Eclipse Software]] logo. Above the logo is "Presented by". Next to the Digital Eclipse logo is "Developed by DIGITAL ECLIPSE SOFTWARE, INC." in stacked words.
* On ''Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey '98'' and ''Nagano Olympic Hockey '98'', it's a still logo. Plus on the former, it shares the screen with the NHL, NHLPA and N64 logos below along with Wayne Gretzky's signature above. On the PS1 version of the former, only the NHL and NHLPA logos are seen. On the latter, it shares the screen with the NHLPA, N64, and Nagano 1998 logos.
*On ''Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey '98'', the still Midway logo shares the screen with the NHL, NHLPA and N64 logos below, along with Wayne Gretzky's signature above. The N64 logo is absent on the PS1 version.
*On ''Nagano Olympic Hockey '98'', the still logo shares the screen with the NHLPA, N64, and Nagano 1998 logos.
* On ''San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing'' and ''California Speed'' for Nintendo 64, the copyright notice is under the still logo.
*On ''San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing'' and ''California Speed'' for Nintendo 64, a copyright notice is under the still logo.


'''FX/SFX:''' The shooting stars and the Midway logo spinning in. None for the still version.
'''FX/SFX:''' The shooting stars and the Midway logo spinning in. None for the still version.
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'''Music/Sounds:''' A low humming tune. None for the still version.
'''Music/Sounds:''' A low humming tune. None for the still version.


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'''Availability:''' Rare. Seen on ''Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1'' and ''Maximum Force'' for the PlayStation and Saturn. It also appears on other games such as ''Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey '98'' and ''Nagano Olympic Hockey '98'', although the PlayStation version of the former has the next logo preceding it.
'''Availability:''' Rare.
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* Seen on ''Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1'' and ''Maximum Force'' for the PlayStation and Saturn. * It also appears on other games such as ''Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey '98'' and ''Nagano Olympic Hockey '98'', although the PlayStation version of the former has the next logo preceding it.


'''Editor's Note:''' None.
'''Editor's Note:''' None.




===3rd Logo (1997-1998)===
===3rd Logo (1997-1998)===

'''Nicknames:''' "The Comet", "The Circle M II"
'''Nicknames:''' "The Comet", "The Circle M II"


'''Logo:''' On a black background, a comet moves counter-clockwise. As the comet moves, it leaves a trail of red fog. The comet then moves from right to left, making an "M" shape as it does this. Then it moves up and down and left and right a couple of times. Then the Midway logo appears as it's formed by the comet, starting with the arc and the "M". It eases back as it does this. After the logo is formed, the comet goes right and "MIDWAY" in white appears near the logo. The fog dissipates.
'''Logo:''' On a black background, a comet moves counter-clockwise. As the comet moves, it leaves a trail of {{color|red}} fog. The comet then moves from right to left, making an "M" shape in the process. Then it moves up and down and left and right a couple of times. Then the Midway logo appears as it's formed by the comet, starting with the arc and the "{{color|red|''M''}}", which eases back a bit. After the logo is formed, the comet goes right and "'''''MIDWAY'''''" in white appears near the logo. The fog dissipates.


'''Variants:'''
'''Variants:'''
* On some games, a copyright stamp appears below the logo.
*On some games, a copyright stamp appears below the logo.
* On ''NBA Fastbreak '98'', the logo is in slow motion, but the music still plays as normal.
*On ''NBA Fastbreak '98'', the logo is in slow motion, but the music still plays as normal.


'''FX/SFX:''' The comet.
'''FX/SFX:''' The comet.
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'''Editor's Note:''' None.
'''Editor's Note:''' None.




===4th Logo (November 10, 1998-February 28, 1999)===
===4th Logo (November 10, 1998-February 28, 1999)===

'''Nickname:''' "The Circle M III"
'''Nickname:''' "The Circle M III"


'''Logo:''' On a black background, several red pieces fly in and come together to form the stylized Midway "M" logo. The camera rotates till the logo is facing us. The "M" then zooms out, and "MIDWAY" wipes in to the right of the logo.
'''Logo:''' On a black background, several {{color|red}} pieces fly in and come together to form the Midway "M" logo. The camera rotates until the logo is facing us. The "{{color|red|''M''}}" then zooms out, and "'''''MIDWAY'''''" wipes in to the right of the logo.


'''FX/SFX:''' The flying of the pieces, the zooming of the logo, and the wiping in of the text.
'''FX/SFX:''' The flying of the pieces, the zooming of the logo, and the wiping in of the text.
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'''Editor's Note:''' None.
'''Editor's Note:''' None.



===5th Logo (1999-2000)===
===5th Logo (1999-2000)===

'''Nickname:''' "The Circle M IV"
'''Nickname:''' "The Circle M IV"


'''Logo:''' On a black background, a shiny version of the Midway logo flips quickly towards the screen. When it gets extremely close, an explosion appears behind it. Then the logo moves back slowly as the explosion dissipates. As this happens, the letters in the word, "MIDWAY" fly in quickly from top and bottom and one at a time forming the name.
'''Logo:''' On a black background, a shiny version of the Midway logo flips quickly towards the screen. When it gets extremely close, an explosion appears behind it. Then the logo moves back slowly as the explosion dissipates. As this happens, the letters in the word "'''''MIDWAY'''''" fly in quickly from top and bottom one-by-one, forming the name.


'''Variant:''' Different animation was used on ''4 Wheel Thunder''. The banner zooms in and the name vertically compresses.
'''Variant:''' On ''4 Wheel Thunder'', the banner zooms in and the name vertically compresses.


'''FX/SFX:''' The flipping Circle M logo, the explosion, and the company name appearing.
'''FX/SFX:''' The flipping circle "M" logo, the explosion, and the company name appearing.


'''Music/Sounds:''' When the logo flips, a flipping noise is heard, followed by an explosion with two low notes that sustain themselves.
'''Music/Sounds:''' When the logo flips, a flipping noise is heard, followed by an explosion with two low notes that sustain themselves.
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'''Editor's Note:''' None.
'''Editor's Note:''' None.




===6th Logo (2000-2001)===
===6th Logo (2000-2001)===

'''Nicknames:''' "Liquid Lines", "The Circle M V"
'''Nicknames:''' "Liquid Lines", "The Circle M V"


'''Logo:''' Many flaming lines rush through the inner liquid surface of the cylinder. It moves and becomes the Circle M, with a spark running around it and then creating the word “MIDWAY”. "HOME ENTERTAINMENT INC." also appears below.
'''Logo:''' Many flaming lines rush through the inner liquid surface of a cylinder. It moves and becomes the circle "M", with a spark running around it and then creating the word “'''''MIDWAY'''''”. "''HOME ENTERTAINMENT INC.''" also appears below.


'''FX/SFX:''' The lines moving.
'''FX/SFX:''' The lines moving.
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'''Music/Sounds:''' Buzzing and whooshing sounds.
'''Music/Sounds:''' Buzzing and whooshing sounds.


'''Availability:''' A little more common than its predecessors, but still uncommon.
'''Availability:''' A little more common than its predecessors, but still uncommon. Seen on ''Kurt Warner’s Arena Football Unleashed'', ''NBAHoopz'', ''Muppet Monster Adventure'', ''Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Stage 2'', the Dreamcast ports of ''Army Men: Sarge's Heroes'' and ''San Francisco Rush 2049'', and the US version of ''Formula 1 2000'' for PlayStation, among others.
* Seen on ''Kurt Warner’s Arena Football Unleashed'', ''NBAHoopz'', ''Muppet Monster Adventure'', ''Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Stage 2'', the Dreamcast ports of ''Army Men: Sarge's Heroes'' and ''San Francisco Rush 2049'', and the US version of ''Formula 1 2000'' for PlayStation, among others.


'''Editor's Note:''' None.
'''Editor's Note:''' None.




===7th Logo (September 24, 2001-August 25, 2003)===
===7th Logo (September 24, 2001-August 25, 2003)===

'''Nicknames:''' "CardioSquad", "The Circle M VI"
'''Nicknames:''' "CardioSquad", "The Circle M VI"


'''Logo:''' A lot of pink cardiograms pass the screen. The closest one suddenly creates the "M" letter instead of heart rate. They all collapse into one single line and the Midway logo appears once the lines vanish.
'''Logo:''' A bunch of {{color|pink}} cardiograms pass the screen. The closest one suddenly creates the "M" letter instead of heart rate. They all collapse into one single line and the Midway logo appears once the lines vanish.


'''Variant:''' On ''Spy Hunter'' and ''Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition'' for GBA, the logo is still and "GAMES INC." was added below. Also, a cardiogram line passes from left to right.
'''Variant:''' On ''Spy Hunter'' and ''Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition'' for GBA, the logo is still and "GAMES INC." is added below. Also, a cardiogram line passes from left to right.


'''FX/SFX:''' The lines.
'''FX/SFX:''' The lines.
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'''Music/Sounds:''' An uprising electronic tune with electronic beats that drum faster as the lines move back, then an abrupt stop with a low tone as the logo appears.
'''Music/Sounds:''' An uprising electronic tune with electronic beats that drum faster as the lines move back, then an abrupt stop with a low tone as the logo appears.


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'''Availability:''' Uncommon. It was only seen on three games, ''NHL Hitz 2002'', ''NFL Blitz 2002'', and ''SpyHunter''. Strangely, this was seen on ''RedCard 2003'', despite being released under the [[Midway Sports]] label.
'''Availability:''' Uncommon.
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* It was only seen on three games, ''NHL Hitz 2002'', ''NFL Blitz 2002'', and ''SpyHunter''. Strangely, this was seen on ''RedCard 2003'', despite being released under the Midway Sports label.


'''Editor's Note:''' None.
'''Editor's Note:''' None.


===8th Logo (2002-2006)===
===8th Logo (2002-2006)===

'''Nicknames:''' "Red Impulse", "The Circle M VII"
'''Nicknames:''' "Red Impulse", "The Circle M VII"


'''Logo:''' On a black background, an orange and red cardiogram appears twice. The third time, the M-like shape of it suddenly starts to resemble a red line having slashed through the background. This slash mark zooms out and forms the Midway Circle M as the company appears near it. The Circle M slowly zooms in.
'''Logo:''' On a black background, an {{color|orangered|orange-red}} cardiogram appears twice. The third time, the M-like shape of it suddenly starts to resemble a {{color|red}} line having slashed through the background. This slash mark zooms out and forms the Midway circle "M" as the company name appears next to it. The circle "M" slowly zooms in as the logo shines from left to right.


'''Variants:'''
'''Variants:'''
*On ''Area 51'', the logo is tinted {{color|green}}.

* On ''Area 51'', the logo is tinted green.
*On ''Justice League'' for GBA, the logo has a 3D effect and "HOME ENTERTAINMENT INC." is added below.
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*''Gauntlet: Dark Legacy'' instead has the circle "M" rotating and the text created by a spinning axe, flying through the screen. The company's name is said by a deep voice.
* On ''Justice League'' for GBA, the logo has a 3D effect and "HOME ENTERTAINMENT INC." is added below.
⚫
*On ''Haven: Call of the King'', the logo is still and lies on a white background with a copyright stamp below. Another variant is used in the opening credits, where the logo in 3-D while floating in space.
⚫
* ''Gauntlet: Dark Legacy'' instead had the M Shield rotating and the text created by a spinning axe, flying through the screen. The company's name is said by a deep voice.
⚫
*On ''The Suffering'', the logo projects from the blood splattered on the wall.
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* On ''Haven: Call of the King'', the logo is still and lies on a white background with a copyright stamp below. Another variant is used in the opening credits, where the logo in 3-D while floating in space.
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*There exists an enhanced version of this logo as well.
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* On ''The Suffering'', the logo projects from the blood splattered on the wall.
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* There exists an enhanced version of this logo as well.


'''FX/SFX:''' The line moving and creating the logo.
'''FX/SFX:''' The line moving and creating the logo.
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'''Music/Sounds:''' Three stylized heartbeat sounds followed by three speedy whooshes and a deep, quick slamming sound while the logo fades out.
'''Music/Sounds:''' Three stylized heartbeat sounds followed by three speedy whooshes and a deep, quick slamming sound while the logo fades out.


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'''Availability:''' Common. Some of the games that have this logo include ''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'', ''Ed, Edd, ‘n Eddy: The Mis-Ed-ventures'', and all three volumes of ''Midway Arcade Treasures'' (including the ''Extended Play'' and ''Deluxe Edition'' releases). The enhanced version only appeared on ''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' and ''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks''.
'''Availability:''' Common.
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* Some of the games that have this logo include ''Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance'', ''Ed, Edd, ‘n Eddy: The Mis-Ed-ventures'', and all three volumes of ''Midway Arcade Treasures'' (including the Extended Play and Deluxe Edition releases). The enhanced version only appeared on ''Mortal Kombat: Deception'' and ''Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks''.


'''Editor's Note:''' None.
'''Editor's Note:''' None.


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===9th Logo (''Rampage'' variant) (April 24, 2006)===


⚫
===9th Logo (Rampage Variant) (April 24, 2006)===

'''Nicknames:''' "Monkey Rampage", "The Circle M VIII"
'''Nicknames:''' "Monkey Rampage", "The Circle M VIII"


'''Logo:''' The Midway logo hangs among the cyan-colored space and casts a shadow. Suddenly an enraged ape lands directly at the logo, breaking part of it, and proceeds with the destruction. It uses the "I" letter to crush the remaining text, then takes the M shield and throws it into the screen, which cracks. The background clears, leaving the banner and cracked glass for one second more.
'''Logo:''' The Midway logo hangs among a {{color|cyan}}-tinted space and casts a shadow. Suddenly,an enraged ape lands directly at the logo, breaking part of it, and proceeds with the destruction. It uses the "'''''I'''''" letter to crush the remaining text, then takes the circle "M" and throws it into the screen, which cracks. The background clears, leaving the banner and cracked glass for a few more seconds.


'''FX/SFX:''' The monkey lands and blows the logo to ashes.
'''FX/SFX:''' The monkey landing and blowing the logo to ashes.


'''Music/Sounds:''' The falling sound accompaning the falling ape, then the raging growls and the destruction noise.
'''Music/Sounds:''' The falling sound accompanying the falling ape, then the raging growls and the destruction noise.


'''Availability:''' Only seen on ''Rampage: Total Destruction''.
'''Availability:''' Only seen on ''Rampage: Total Destruction''.


'''Editor's Note:''' None.
'''Editor's Note:''' None.




===10th Logo (2006)===
===10th Logo (2006)===

'''Nicknames:''' "Multiplied Midway", "The Circle M IX"
'''Nicknames:''' "Multiplied Midway", "The Circle M IX"


'''Logo:''' The background is covered with many M Shields and the "MIDWAY" text. We zoom inside and the Midway logo appears and flashes. After this the background clears out.Midway Games (1997)
'''Logo:''' The background is covered with many circle "M"'s and "'''''MIDWAY'''''" texts. We zoom inside and the Midway logo appears and flashes. After this, the background clears out.


'''FX/SFX:''' The red light moving through the Midway replicas, and the logo shining.
'''FX/SFX:''' The red light moving through the Midway replicas, and the logo shining.


'''Music/Sounds:''' A beating electronic tune followed with the "wzzh" sound.
'''Music/Sounds:''' A beating electronic tune followed with a "wzzh" sound.


'''Availability:''' Fairly common. Appeared on ''Rise & Fall'', ''NBA Ballers Rebound'' (for PSP), ''Myst'' (PSP and DS), ''MLB SlugFest 2006'', ''Blitz: The League'' (and its PSP port ''Blitz Overtime''), and ''SpyHunter: Nowhere to Run''.
'''Availability:''' Fairly common. Appeared on ''Rise & Fall'', ''NBA Ballers Rebound'' (for PSP), ''Myst'' (PSP and DS), ''MLB SlugFest 2006'', ''Blitz: The League'' (and its PSP port ''Blitz Overtime''), and ''SpyHunter: Nowhere to Run''.


'''Editor's Note:''' None.
'''Editor's Note:''' None.




===11th Logo (2007-2008)===
===11th Logo (2007-2008)===

'''Nicknames:''' "Midway HD Gaming", "The Circle M X"
'''Nicknames:''' "Midway HD Gaming", "The Circle M X"


'''Logo:''' A red gyroscope comes into the screen, whirls and forms the Midway symbol, which blasts a ring made of white and rapidly zooms out. Immediately the complete logo returns.
'''Logo:''' A {{color|red}} gyroscope comes into the screen, whirls and forms the Midway symbol, which blasts a ring made of white and rapidly zooms in. The complete logo immediately returns, shakes once with a {{color|red}} buzz, then zooms in as well.


'''Variant:''' On HD games, the HD logo appears afterwards.
'''Variant:''' On HD games, the "'''''HD'''''" symbol appears afterwards.


'''FX/SFX:''' The gyroscope forming and whirling.
'''FX/SFX:''' The gyroscope forming and whirling.
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'''Editor's Note:''' None.
'''Editor's Note:''' None.




===12th Logo (2008-March 24, 2009)===
===12th Logo (2008-March 24, 2009)===

'''Nicknames:''' "Holo Glow", "The Circle M XI"
'''Nicknames:''' "Holo Glow", "The Circle M XI"


'''Logo:''' We move near the two-layered holographic wall consisting of Midway-licensed franchises. The Midway logo appears over it, with "NEWCASTLE" written below. Then the logo's quality switches to HD.
'''Logo:''' We move near a two-layered holographic wall consisting of Midway-licensed franchises. The Midway logo appears over it, with "''NEWCASTLE''" written below.


'''FX/SFX:''' The holographic wall moving.
'''FX/SFX:''' The holographic wall moving.
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'''Editor's Note:''' None.
'''Editor's Note:''' None.
[[Category:American video game logos]]
[[Category:American logos]]
[[Category:Video game logos]]
[[Category:Warner Bros.]]
[[Category:WarnerMedia]]

Revision as of 15:00, 16 September 2021

Credits
Descriptions by
Logophile and EnormousRat

Captures by
EnormousRat and CuriousGeorge60

Editions by
CuriousGeorge60, KirbyGuy2001 (Logoblin) and CrazySpruiker2001

Video captures courtesy of
TheProductreviewsinc


Background

Midway Manufacturing Company was founded in 1958 in Chicago, Illinois, as an arcade game company. It was reincorporated as "Midway Games" in 1988 and entered the home console gaming market as "Midway Home Entertainment" in 1996. In 1998, the company spun off from Williams Entertainment. Major troubles came in 2008, when Midway closed several of its divisions. In February 2009, the US-based operations of Midway filed for bankruptcy, while the European assets were sold and two of them were renamed "Tradewest". Most of Midway's key assets, including former divisions Surreal Software and Midway Chicago (now "NetherRealm Studios"), and publishing rights to the Mortal Kombat and Wheelman series were acquired by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

1st Logo (1996)

See the 4th logo on the Williams Entertainment page for the description.

2nd Logo (Late 1996-1998)

Nicknames: "Shooting Stars", "The Circle M"

Logo: On a space background, twelve shooting stars fly from all over the screen and meet in the center. They disappear and the Midway logo (a red elongated arc with a jacked-up "M" inside it) and "MIDWAY" (all in 3D) spin toward the screen. "HOME ENTERTAINMENT" appears underneath, conjoined. The words scroll to their proper wording.

Variants:

  • On Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1, the text is yellow. Plus, the circle "M" is polygon-styled.
  • On the SNES version of Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1, the still version of the variant was shown along with the Digital Eclipse Software logo. Above the logo is "Presented by". Next to the Digital Eclipse logo is "Developed by DIGITAL ECLIPSE SOFTWARE, INC." in stacked words.
  • On Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey '98, the still Midway logo shares the screen with the NHL, NHLPA and N64 logos below, along with Wayne Gretzky's signature above. The N64 logo is absent on the PS1 version.
  • On Nagano Olympic Hockey '98, the still logo shares the screen with the NHLPA, N64, and Nagano 1998 logos.
  • On San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing and California Speed for Nintendo 64, a copyright notice is under the still logo.

FX/SFX: The shooting stars and the Midway logo spinning in. None for the still version.

Music/Sounds: A low humming tune. None for the still version.

Availability: Rare. Seen on Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1 and Maximum Force for the PlayStation and Saturn. It also appears on other games such as Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey '98 and Nagano Olympic Hockey '98, although the PlayStation version of the former has the next logo preceding it.

Editor's Note: None.

3rd Logo (1997-1998)

Nicknames: "The Comet", "The Circle M II"

Logo: On a black background, a comet moves counter-clockwise. As the comet moves, it leaves a trail of red fog. The comet then moves from right to left, making an "M" shape in the process. Then it moves up and down and left and right a couple of times. Then the Midway logo appears as it's formed by the comet, starting with the arc and the "M", which eases back a bit. After the logo is formed, the comet goes right and "MIDWAY" in white appears near the logo. The fog dissipates.

Variants:

  • On some games, a copyright stamp appears below the logo.
  • On NBA Fastbreak '98, the logo is in slow motion, but the music still plays as normal.

FX/SFX: The comet.

Music/Sounds: The comet flying around. When the logo is formed, electrical crackling is heard, then it ends with a low synth note.

Music/Sounds Variant: On some games, such as Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 2, the music is in high tone.

Availability: Uncommon. Seen on Midway games for the PlayStation, such as Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero, Gex 3D: Enter the Gecko, Pandemonium 2, Bio FREAKS, NFL Blitz, the PlayStation port of San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing, Rampage: Universal Tour and Mortal Kombat 4.

Editor's Note: None.

4th Logo (November 10, 1998-February 28, 1999)

Nickname: "The Circle M III"

Logo: On a black background, several red pieces fly in and come together to form the Midway "M" logo. The camera rotates until the logo is facing us. The "M" then zooms out, and "MIDWAY" wipes in to the right of the logo.

FX/SFX: The flying of the pieces, the zooming of the logo, and the wiping in of the text.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Only known to appear in Rush 2 and California Speed for N64.

Editor's Note: None.

5th Logo (1999-2000)

Nickname: "The Circle M IV"

Logo: On a black background, a shiny version of the Midway logo flips quickly towards the screen. When it gets extremely close, an explosion appears behind it. Then the logo moves back slowly as the explosion dissipates. As this happens, the letters in the word "MIDWAY" fly in quickly from top and bottom one-by-one, forming the name.

Variant: On 4 Wheel Thunder, the banner zooms in and the name vertically compresses.

FX/SFX: The flipping circle "M" logo, the explosion, and the company name appearing.

Music/Sounds: When the logo flips, a flipping noise is heard, followed by an explosion with two low notes that sustain themselves.

Availability: Uncommon. Seen on Mortal Kombat: Special Forces, Gauntlet, NFL Blitz 2000, NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC (PlayStation and Dreamcast versions only of the latter two), and the North American edition of Destruction Derby Raw.

Editor's Note: None.

6th Logo (2000-2001)

Nicknames: "Liquid Lines", "The Circle M V"

Logo: Many flaming lines rush through the inner liquid surface of a cylinder. It moves and becomes the circle "M", with a spark running around it and then creating the word “MIDWAY”. "HOME ENTERTAINMENT INC." also appears below.

FX/SFX: The lines moving.

Music/Sounds: Buzzing and whooshing sounds.

Availability: A little more common than its predecessors, but still uncommon. Seen on Kurt Warner’s Arena Football Unleashed, NBAHoopz, Muppet Monster Adventure, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Stage 2, the Dreamcast ports of Army Men: Sarge's Heroes and San Francisco Rush 2049, and the US version of Formula 1 2000 for PlayStation, among others.

Editor's Note: None.

7th Logo (September 24, 2001-August 25, 2003)

Nicknames: "CardioSquad", "The Circle M VI"

Logo: A bunch of pink cardiograms pass the screen. The closest one suddenly creates the "M" letter instead of heart rate. They all collapse into one single line and the Midway logo appears once the lines vanish.

Variant: On Spy Hunter and Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition for GBA, the logo is still and "GAMES INC." is added below. Also, a cardiogram line passes from left to right.

FX/SFX: The lines.

Music/Sounds: An uprising electronic tune with electronic beats that drum faster as the lines move back, then an abrupt stop with a low tone as the logo appears.

Availability: Uncommon. It was only seen on three games, NHL Hitz 2002, NFL Blitz 2002, and SpyHunter. Strangely, this was seen on RedCard 2003, despite being released under the Midway Sports label.

Editor's Note: None.

8th Logo (2002-2006)

Nicknames: "Red Impulse", "The Circle M VII"

Logo: On a black background, an orange-red cardiogram appears twice. The third time, the M-like shape of it suddenly starts to resemble a red line having slashed through the background. This slash mark zooms out and forms the Midway circle "M" as the company name appears next to it. The circle "M" slowly zooms in as the logo shines from left to right.

Variants:

  • On Area 51, the logo is tinted green.
  • On Justice League for GBA, the logo has a 3D effect and "HOME ENTERTAINMENT INC." is added below.
  • Gauntlet: Dark Legacy instead has the circle "M" rotating and the text created by a spinning axe, flying through the screen. The company's name is said by a deep voice.
  • On Haven: Call of the King, the logo is still and lies on a white background with a copyright stamp below. Another variant is used in the opening credits, where the logo in 3-D while floating in space.
  • On The Suffering, the logo projects from the blood splattered on the wall.
  • There exists an enhanced version of this logo as well.

FX/SFX: The line moving and creating the logo.

Music/Sounds: Three stylized heartbeat sounds followed by three speedy whooshes and a deep, quick slamming sound while the logo fades out.

Availability: Common. Some of the games that have this logo include Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Ed, Edd, ‘n Eddy: The Mis-Ed-ventures, and all three volumes of Midway Arcade Treasures (including the Extended Play and Deluxe Edition releases). The enhanced version only appeared on Mortal Kombat: Deception and Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks.

Editor's Note: None.

9th Logo (Rampage variant) (April 24, 2006)

Nicknames: "Monkey Rampage", "The Circle M VIII"

Logo: The Midway logo hangs among a cyan-tinted space and casts a shadow. Suddenly,an enraged ape lands directly at the logo, breaking part of it, and proceeds with the destruction. It uses the "I" letter to crush the remaining text, then takes the circle "M" and throws it into the screen, which cracks. The background clears, leaving the banner and cracked glass for a few more seconds.

FX/SFX: The monkey landing and blowing the logo to ashes.

Music/Sounds: The falling sound accompanying the falling ape, then the raging growls and the destruction noise.

Availability: Only seen on Rampage: Total Destruction.

Editor's Note: None.

10th Logo (2006)

Nicknames: "Multiplied Midway", "The Circle M IX"

Logo: The background is covered with many circle "M"'s and "MIDWAY" texts. We zoom inside and the Midway logo appears and flashes. After this, the background clears out.

FX/SFX: The red light moving through the Midway replicas, and the logo shining.

Music/Sounds: A beating electronic tune followed with a "wzzh" sound.

Availability: Fairly common. Appeared on Rise & Fall, NBA Ballers Rebound (for PSP), Myst (PSP and DS), MLB SlugFest 2006, Blitz: The League (and its PSP port Blitz Overtime), and SpyHunter: Nowhere to Run.

Editor's Note: None.

11th Logo (2007-2008)

Nicknames: "Midway HD Gaming", "The Circle M X"

Logo: A red gyroscope comes into the screen, whirls and forms the Midway symbol, which blasts a ring made of white and rapidly zooms in. The complete logo immediately returns, shakes once with a red buzz, then zooms in as well.

Variant: On HD games, the "HD" symbol appears afterwards.

FX/SFX: The gyroscope forming and whirling.

Music/Sounds: Various bumps and whooshes.

Availability: Common. Appears on games made in 2007, including Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe, Stranglehold, Game Party and its sequel, both of which are for Wii (with no HD logo), Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Mechanic Master (the latter two both for NDS), and trailers for The Wheelman.

Editor's Note: None.

12th Logo (2008-March 24, 2009)

Nicknames: "Holo Glow", "The Circle M XI"

Logo: We move near a two-layered holographic wall consisting of Midway-licensed franchises. The Midway logo appears over it, with "NEWCASTLE" written below.

FX/SFX: The holographic wall moving.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Appears only on The Wheelman and its trailers.

Editor's Note: None.

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