Riverhillsoft
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Defunct | 2004 |
| Fate | Bankruptcy; business operations taken over by Althi, Inc. |
| Successor | Althi, Inc. |
| Headquarters | Japan |
Area served | Japan |
| Products | Video games (J.B. Harold series, Prince of Persia Japanese versions, Doctor Hauzer, OverBlood, World Neverland) |
was a Japanese video game company operating between 1982 and 2004. The firm initially concentrated on developing games for Japanese home computer systems throughout the 1980s, transitioned to console game production in the 1990s, and later focused on mobile gaming during the 2000s. Additionally, Riverhillsoft handled the publication of Western titles tailored for the Japanese audience.
History
Riverhillsoft became well-known through its J.B. Harold Murder Club murder mystery adventure game series, which debuted in 1986. These games started as computer-based titles before being adapted for various platforms such as the PC Engine CD, Nintendo Family Computer, Nintendo DS, and iOS devices.
The company also released Prince of Persia in Japan, enhancing the versions for the Japanese NEC PC-9801 and PC Engine CD with upgraded visuals—introducing the Prince’s signature "turban and vest" attire—and incorporating a new Red Book audio soundtrack. Riverhillsoft’s ports across multiple computers and consoles played a significant role in expanding the game’s worldwide popularity.
During the mid-1990s, Riverhillsoft contributed to early survival horror titles, including Doctor Hauzer (1994) and the original OverBlood. Their final major project was the life simulation game World Neverland: Waneba Island, released for the PlayStation in 2000.
Following workforce reductions in 2000, Riverhillsoft shifted its focus toward mobile gaming; however, this strategic change did not prove sustainable. The company declared bankruptcy in June 2004, with most of its staff forming Althi, Inc., which took over Riverhillsoft’s business operations.
Games
| Year | Title | Platform(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Zoom in Space | PC-88 |
| 1984 | Lizard | PC-88, PC-98 |
| 1985 | Space Adventure: Zodiac | PC-88, FM-7 |
| 1986 | Aggres | PC-88, PC-98, FM-7 |
| J.B. Harold no Jikenbo #1: Murder Club | Various platforms including PC-88, PC-98, FM-7, X68000, Famicom, MS-DOS, Windows | |
| 1987 | J.B. Harold no Jikenbo #2: Manhattan Requiem | PC-88, PC-98, FM-7, X68000, MSX, LaserActive |
| J.B. Harold no Jikenbo: Kiss of Murder | PC-88, PC-98, FM-7, X68000, MSX, Windows | |
| 1988 | Tōdō Ryūnosuke Tantei Nikki: Kohakuiro no Yuigon | PC-88, PC-98, FM-7, X68000, MSX, PC Engine, Windows |
| 1989 | J.B. Harold 3: D.C. Connection | PC-88, PC-98, MSX, Windows |
| Burai: Jōkan | PC-88, PC-98, FM Towns, MSX | |
| 1990 | Tōdō Ryūnosuke Tantei Nikki: Ōgon no Rashinban | PC-98, FM Towns, X68000, Windows |
| Sōkoban | Game Gear | |
| Burai: Gekan - Kanketsu-hen | PC-98, FM Towns, MSX | |
| 1991 | Burai: Hachigyoku no Yūshi Densetsu | PC Engine, Mega-CD, Super Famicom |
| Prince of Persia | PC Engine, FM Towns | |
| Kigen: Kagayaki no Hasha | PC-98, FM Towns | |
| 1992 | Buster Ball | Game Gear |
| Top o Nerae! GunBuster Vol.1 | PC Engine CD | |
| Princess Minerva | PC-98, PC Engine CD, Super Famicom | |
| Burai II: Yami Kōtei no Gyakushū | PC Engine CD | |
| 1993 | Top o Nerae! GunBuster Vol.2 | PC Engine CD |
| Kidō Keisatsu Patlabor: Griffon-hen | PC Engine CD | |
| Faceball 2000 | PC Engine CD, Game Gear | |
| 1994 | J.B. Harold: Blue Chicago Blues | LaserActive, Windows, Classic Mac OS, Sega Saturn, 3DO, PlayStation, PC-FX |
|
3DO | ||
|
Insecter War |
3DO | |
|
Graduation |
PC Engine CD, Saturn, PlayStation | |
| 1995 |
PC-98, FM Towns, X68000 | |
| 1996 |
Casablanca ni Ai o: Satsujinsha wa Jikū o Koete |
Windows |
|
Hyper 3D Taisen Battle: Gebockers |
Saturn | |
|
PlayStation | ||
|
Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen (Densetsu no Ogre Battle) |
Saturn | |
|
Saturn | ||
| 1997 |
Windows | |
|
Refrain Love: Anata ni Aitai |
PlayStation, Saturn | |
|
The Elk Moon Murder (Santa Fe Mysteries) |
Windows | |
|
Windows | ||
|
World Neverland: The Olerud Kingdom Stories |
PlayStation, Dreamcast | |
| 1998 |
The Neverhood (Klaymen Klaymen) |
PlayStation |
|
PlayStation | ||
|
Skullmonkeys (Klaymen Klaymen 2) |
PlayStation | |
| 1999 |
Refrain Love 2 |
PlayStation |
|
World Neverland 2: The Waktic Republic of Pluto |
PlayStation, Dreamcast | |
|
Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus ('Abe '99') |
PlayStation | |
|
The Neverhood#Sequels (Klaymen Gun Hockey) |
PlayStation | |
| 2000 |
World Neverland: Waneba Island |
PlayStation |
| Cancelled |
World Neverland 3 |
PlayStation 2 |
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Companies that have filed for bankruptcy in Japan
- Defunct video game companies of Japan
- Japanese companies established in 1982
- Japanese companies disestablished in 2004
- Video game companies established in 1982
- Video game companies disestablished in 2004
- Video game development companies
- Video game publishers