Compile (company)

Compile

Company type	Private
Industry	Video game development
Founded	1982 (1982)
Founder	Masamitsu Niitani
Defunct	November 6, 2003 (2003-11-06)
Fate	Filed for bankruptcy; key staff moved to Compile Heart and MileStone Inc.
Successor	Compile Heart, MileStone Inc.
Headquarters	Japan , Japan
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Masamitsu Niitani (founder)
Products	Puyo Puyo, Guru Logi Champ, Zanac, Aleste, Gunhed / Blazing Lazers, Spriggan series

was a Japanese game development company primarily recognized for the Puyo Puyo franchise, which originated from the Madō Monogatari series. The firm ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy on November 6, 2003. Afterward, essential personnel moved on to Compile Heart, regarded as the spiritual heir to Compile, while developers specializing in shoot-'em-ups joined MileStone Inc..

The Compile brand is currently utilized by Compile Heart to promote merchandise and games derived from Compile's intellectual properties. In 2010, Compile Heart obtained a license from D4 Enterprise to create new titles based on Compile's franchises. However, this agreement does not include the Puyo Puyo series, which continues to be owned by Sega.

In April 2016, Masamitsu Niitani, the original founder, launched a new successor entity named Compile Maru. This company released Nyoki Nyoki: Tabidachi Hen on the Nintendo 3DS eShop and plans a subsequent version for the Nintendo Switch.

Puyo Puyo

In 1991, Compile introduced their most acclaimed game, Puyo Puyo, initially for the MSX. This puzzle title involves arranging falling colored blobs called "Puyos" into groups of four or more to clear them, sharing gameplay similarities with Tetris (1984). Its straightforward yet captivating mechanics fostered an enduring series.

The Puyo Puyo franchise was adapted for North American and PAL markets under different titles: Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, and Kirby's Avalanche (North America) or Kirby's Ghost Trap (PAL) on the Super NES. The original series appeared unaltered as Puyo Pop on platforms such as PC Engine, Neo Geo Pocket Color, and Game Boy Advance.

After restructuring in 1998, Compile sold the rights to Puyo Puyo to Sega but kept franchise control until their bankruptcy in 2002. This arrangement allowed Sega to publish games like Puyo Puyo~n and Puyo Puyo Box. Later entries were developed by Sonic Team, including Puyo Pop Fever.

Guru Logi Champ

Released by Compile in 2001 for the Game Boy Advance, Guru Logi Champ is a logic-based puzzle game focused on strategically placing and removing blocks to complete images. Players control two yellow bird characters and can rotate the puzzle board, navigating fixed areas that require careful construction and dismantling. The game also features a Battle Mode where two players compete via a Game Link Cable using a single cartridge.

D4 Enterprise revamped this concept for DSiWare under the title , internationally known as Snapdots. Launched in Japan (December 2009) and North America (October 2010), it added a guide character named Dotty, incorporated move-count tracking, and introduced a Time Attack mode challenging players to solve randomly generated puzzles within time constraints. The fundamental gameplay remained faithful to Guru Logi Champ, with many original puzzles reused.

Shoot 'em ups

Compile concentrated heavily on shoot 'em up games until 1993. During the 1990s, several team members departed to join 8ing/Raizing (founded in 1993), contributing to notable titles such as Mahou Daisakusen (1993) and Battle Garegga (1996).

Those who stayed with Compile reformed as MileStone Inc. in April 2003, continuing development of new shoot-'em-up projects.

Among Compile's prominent shoot-'em-up releases were:

Zanac

Initially launched for the MSX in 1986, Zanac blended rapid gameplay with an adaptive AI that adjusted to the player's tactics. This title led to a follow-up, Zanac EX, as well as a version for the NES. In 1991, Nexoft introduced a parody called Gun-Nac, which infused humor by substituting foes with rabbits hurling carrots and incorporating weapon purchases between levels. The series was revitalized in 2001 by Compile with Zanac X Zanac on the PlayStation, which included the original sequel Zanac Neo.

Aleste

Aleste debuted on the MSX2 and was subsequently adapted for the Master System. Its sequel, Aleste 2, also appeared on the MSX2 platform. The 1990 release of Musha Aleste (known as M.U.S.H.A. in North America) arrived on the Mega Drive, featuring a unique Japanese sci-fi theme. Two years later, Super Aleste was released for the Super Famicom, marketed as Space Megaforce in North America. The franchise further extended to mobile devices through Aiky.

Gunhed / Blazing Lazers

Originally issued in 1989 under the title Gunhed, this game was renamed Blazing Lazers for its North American release and demonstrated the capabilities of NEC's PC Engine console.

Spriggan

Developed collaboratively by Compile and Naxat Soft under the Nazac brand, both Seirei Senshi Spriggan and its sequel, Spriggan Mark 2, were launched in 1991 and 1992 respectively for the PC Engine CD-ROM system.

Games developed

Titles marked with a dagger symbolize ports rather than original developments.

As Programmers-3 Inc.

Title	Publisher(s)	Platform(s)	Release date	JP	NA	Notes
A.E.	Broderbund	Apple II	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:No2	Template:Yes2
		Atari 8-bit	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:No2	Template:Yes2
		C64	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:No2	Template:Yes2
	Toshiba EMI	PC-88	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:Yes2	Template:No2
		FM-7	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:Yes2	Template:No2
		MSX	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:Yes2	Template:No2
Borderline†	Sega	SG-1000	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:Yes2	Template:No2	Originally developed by Sega for arcades in 1981.
N-Sub†	Sega	SG-1000	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting			Initially created by Sega for arcade systems in 1980.
Safari Hunting†	Sega	SG-1000	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting			This is a port of Sega's arcade title Tranquilizer Gun.
Crisis Mountain†	Comptiq	PC-88	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting			Originally developed by David Schroeder and Creative Software; published by Synergistic Software for Apple II, Atari 8-bit, C64 (1983).
Mr. Robot and His Robot Factory†	Comptiq	PC-88	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting			Initially released by Datamost for Atari 8-bit, Apple II, and C64.
The Heist†	Comptiq	PC-88	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting			Originally published by Micro Fun for Apple II (1983).
scope="row" rowspan="2" |Hustle Chumy	General	MSX	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:Yes2	Template:No2
Sega	SG-1000	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:Yes2	Template:No2
Lode Runner†	Sony Interactive Entertainment	MSX	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:Yes2	Template:No2	Originally created for Apple II, Atari 8-bit, VIC-20, C64, IBM PC; published by Broderbund (1983).
E.I. - Exa Innova	Sony	MSX	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:Yes2	Template:No2

As Compile

... [Table continues with comparable entries, summarized to maintain essential business details and eliminate redundancy] ...

Title	Publisher(s)	Platform(s)	Release date	JP	NA	PAL	Notes
Lunar Ball	Pony Canyon	PC-88	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:Yes2	Template:No2	Template:No2
		NES	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:Yes2	Template:Yes2	Template:Yes2	Released in North America by Fujisankei Communications International in October 1987 and later in Europe in 1991.
Championship Lode Runner†	ASCII	MSX	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:Yes2	Template:No2	Template:No2	Initially launched by Broderbund for Apple II in 1983.
	Sega	SG-1000	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:Yes2	Template:No2	Template:No2
Final Justice	Pony Canyon	MSX	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:Yes2	Template:No2	Template:No2
Lode Runner II	Sony	MSX	REDIRECT Template:Date table sorting	Template:Yes2	Template:No2	Template:No2	'Lode Runner' license acquired from Broderbund.

External links

• Official Compile website (archived)
• Alky website (archived)
• Compile Station - Portal for Compile by D4 Enterprise, Inc.
• MileStone official site - Game development company founded by former Compile staff (Japanese)
• Mono Omou Ishi (Thinking Stone) - MileStone’s official English blog (no longer updated)
• Compile Heart official homepage - Game design company established by ex-Compile employees