American Video Entertainment
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Headquarters | San Jose , United States |
| Products | Unlicensed Nintendo Entertainment System games |
American Video Entertainment, Inc. was a video game developer and publisher located in San Jose, California, primarily recognized for producing unlicensed titles for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Established in 1990 as a branch of Macronix, AVE released a total of 19 NES games, including original works like Dudes with Attitude and Trolls on Treasure Island.
Antitrust lawsuit
In January 1991, AVE initiated a $105 million antitrust legal action against Nintendo of America and its parent corporation, accusing Nintendo of employing technology that prevented unlicensed games from running on the NES, which AVE claimed violated U.S. antitrust regulations. This dispute was resolved three years later through a confidential settlement.
List of games
- Blackjack (1992) – Created by Odyssey Software; offers blackjack gameplay utilizing one to three decks.
- Cue Stick (canceled 1992) – Initially developed by Odyssey Software for AVE but never released.
- Deathbots (1990) – An overhead shooter produced by Odyssey Software featuring a rogue robot set on Alcatraz Island.
- Double Strike (1989-90) – A shoot 'em up developed by Taiwanese company Sachen and distributed by AVE in North America.
- Dudes with Attitude (1990) – Puzzle title designed and published by AVE; crafted by Michael Crick and his daughter Camberley, relatives of Nobel Prize winner Francis Crick. Gameplay centers on collecting color-coordinated treasures within time limits. Officially reissued on Famicom in 2024 by ITG.Soft.
- F-15 City War (1990) – A 3D shoot 'em up developed by Idea-Tek; achieved sales exceeding 60,000 copies in North America.
- Impossible Mission II (1990) – Platform sequel created by Novotrade for Epyx; AVE handled North American publishing.
- Krazy Kreatures (1990) – Puzzle game from Bitmasters focused on matching animals.
- Maxivision 15-in-1 (1992) – Compilation cartridge featuring titles from AVE, American Game Cartridges, and Color Dreams; originally planned as Maxivision 30-in-1 but downsized due to licensing complications.
- Mermaids of Atlantis (1991) – A sanitized adaptation of the adult puzzle game Magic Bubble, originally developed by C&E.
- Puzzle (1990) – Sliding puzzle game developed by Idea-Tek.
- Pyramid (1990-92) – Triangle-block puzzle game produced by Sachen; bears resemblance to Tetris.
- Rad Racket: Deluxe Tennis II (1991) – Tennis simulation developed by Idea-Tek.
- Solitaire (1992) – Card game inspired by Microsoft Solitaire; developed by Odyssey Software.
- Tiles of Fate (1990) – Mahjong-style puzzle created by C&E, set against an ancient Chinese backdrop.
- Trolls on Treasure Island (1992) – Puzzle game akin to Dudes with Attitude, developed by Michael and Camberley Crick; initially intended as Dudes With Attitude II for the Maxivision 30 cartridge.
- Ultimate League Soccer (1991-92) – Soccer title developed by C&E; distributed across North America, Taiwan, Australia, and Brazil.
- Venice Beach Volleyball (1991) – Volleyball game from Idea-Tek featuring teams composed of both genders.
- Wally Bear and the NO! Gang (1992) – Side-scrolling platformer with an anti-drug theme; developed by American Game Cartridges and supported by the American Medical Association.
AVE’s catalog demonstrates a clear focus on unlicensed NES releases aimed at the North American audience, frequently partnering with Taiwanese developers such as C&E and Sachen to offer a broad range of genres including puzzles, sports simulations, and shooters.