Natsume (Japan)

Credits

Compiled by
RSX-798

Background

Natsume Co., Ltd. was originally formed in Japan on October 20, 1987, by ex-former Konami employees to produce games for the Famicom. The company worked on several games, and opened its US division in 1988. The US division was later split in 1995. In 2013, Natsume Co., Ltd. was merged with Atari Inc. (no relation to American Atari companies) to form NatsumeAtari.

1st Logo (November 10, 1988)

Visuals: Over a dark blue background is the text "NATSUME". The text then sparkles from the top.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: A sparkling sound.

Availability: Seen on Touhou Kenbun Roku for Famicom.

2nd Logo (November 10, 1989-July 1995)

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Visuals: Over a white background is the text "NATSUME".

Variant:

• The logo usually appears within a copyright notice on a particular game.
• Starting in the fall of 1990, the logo was modified.

Technique: A still, sprite-based graphic.

Audio: None.

Availability: The fullscreen version appears on Dungeon & Magic: Swords of Element for Famicom, while the copyright version appears on Mitsume ga Tooru for MFX, QuarterBack Scramble: American Football Game for Famicom, including the unfinished American version, the Shatterhand for NES, Hansei Zaru Jirou-kun no Daiboukenfor Super Famicom, and Wild Guns for NES.

3rd Logo (December 15-23, 1989)

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Visuals: Over a black background is the text "NATSUME". The logo then sparkles to the top right, similar to the 1st logo.

Variant: On Chuugoku Janshi Story: Tonpuu, the logo is still.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: None.

Availability: Seen on Abadox and Chuugoku Janshi Story: Tonpuu for Famicom.

4th Logo (June 22, 1990-July 1992)

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  NES version (Old)

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  NES version (New)

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  GB version

Visuals: On a black background, a blue gradient bar appears, which wipes in to reveal the Natsume logo from before, albeit in the same texture.

Variant:

• On Spanky's Quest, the logo is black-on-white and the text is modified.
• A post-1990 variant exists on Chaos World.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: None.

Availability: Seen on Final Mission, Kage, and Chaos World for Famicom, as well as Spanky's Quest for Game Boy. The logo also appears on Shadow of the Ninja, a localized version of Kage, for NES. Oddly, the logo's graphics appear on Shatterhand for NES, albeit the logo is unfinished.

5th Logo (August 8, 1990-June 1991)

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Visuals: On a white background, the post-1990 Natsume logo in black wipes in.

Variant: A pre-1990 variant exists on Osawagase! Penguin Boy for Game Boy.

Technique: 2D sprite animation.

Audio: None.

Availability: Seen on Amazing Penguin and Tail Gator for Game Boy.

6th Logo (January 25-June 1991)

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Visuals: On a black background, there is a blue gradient version of the post-1990 Natsume logo from the previous logos. Below it was a slogan "It's TECHNOSTASY".

Variant: On S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack Team, the slogan is removed, and a copyright notice is added.

Technique: A still, sprite- based graphic.

Audio: None.

Availability: Seen on Koufuku o Yobu Game: Dora Dora Dora for Famicom and S.C.A.T.: Special Cybernetic Attack Team for NES.

7th Logo (December 27, 1991-June 30, 1995)

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Visuals: On a white background, a blue line draws in. The text "It's TECHNOSTASY." and "SINCE 1987" slides in from the left and the right. The post-1990 Natsume logo then wipes in. Then the text and the logo splits away.

Variants:

• A still version of the logo exists on a white or black background.
• On Oomono Black Bass Fishing: Jinzouko-Hen, the still version has the text "PROGRAMMED BY" on the top left of the logo.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: None.

Availability: The animated version was seen the two Pocky & Rocky games for Super Famicom and Natsume Championship Wrestling for Super NES. The still versions appear on Hansei Zaru Jirou-kun no Daibouken, Shimono Masaki no Fishing to Bassing, and Oomono Black Bass Fishing: Jinzouko-Hen for Super NES.

8th Logo (August 12, 1994-July 1995)

Visuals: Over a wood background is gunshots that form the post-1990 Natsume logo from the previous logos inside. The logo turns to fire, and then the background turns to black, while the text turns blue.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: Gunshot sounds.

Availability: Seen on Wild Guns for Super NES.

9th Logo (February 23, 1996-December 18, 1998)

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Visuals: On a black background, the post-1990 Natsume logo from before appears in a blue-white gradient.

Variants:

• On Pyon Pyon Kyaruu no Mahjong Hiyori, the slogan "It's TECHNOSTASY. SINCE 1987" is shown below the logo.
• On Pocket Color Block, the background is white, and the text "PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT" is shown above the logo.

Technique: A still, sprite- based graphic.

Audio: None.

Availability: Seen on Royal Pro Wrestling: Jikkyou Live! for 3DO, Pyon Pyon Kyaruu no Mahjong Hiyori for Sega Saturn, and Pocket Color Block for Game Boy Color.

10th Logo (April 23, 1999-November 28, 2013)

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Visuals: On a white background, there is a stylized letter "N" made out of triangles. Below it was the text "naтsume" in a futuristic-like font.

Variants:

• Starting in 2001, there is a line with the text "DREAM CREATOR" below the logo.
• Sometimes, the logo is on a black background.
• On Action Man: Search for Base X and Saban's Power Rangers: Time Force for Game Boy Color, the "N" symbol is absent.
• On Power Rangers: Wild Force and Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Wrath of the Darkhul King for Game Boy Advance, the logo is 3D.
• Starting with Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island for Nintendo DS, the text is moved to the right, and "DREAM CREATOR" is now in the same color as the "N".

Technique: A still, sprite-based graphic.

Audio: None.

Availability: It was seen on every game they developed, from Real Pro Yakyuu! for Game Boy Color to Toriko: Ultimate Survival for Nintendo 3DS.

Natsume (Japan)

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