Engine Software (formerly MSX-Engine) is a Dutch video game developer, located in Doetinchem, Netherlands, which specialized in handheld video games and digital platforms until 2011. In the period after (2011-present) they have become more active and known for high-end ports and adaptations of games to modern consoles, mobile, PC and streaming services like Stadia and Luna. Some of the best known games they have worked on include Puzzle Quest for the Nintendo DS, Terraria for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Wii U, Killer7 Remastered for PC, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch for Nintendo Switch and No More Heroes / No More Heroes 2 for Nintendo Switch.
In 2020 Engine Software announced they are working with Ubisoft to rerelease Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game, and also working with NIS America to release ports for Nintendo Switch and PC of Japanese developer Nihon Falcom's flagship titles Ys IX and Trails of Cold Steel IV.
History Early years (1995–2004) Engine Software BV was founded in 1995 by several friends who met and worked together previously in the active Dutch demo scene for the MSX home computer. In this period (1989-1993) the group (named MSX-Engine ) released three indie games, a disk magazine, a music tracker and an Assembler. In 1994 some of the people from MSX-Engine started working on a game for the Super NES, and the name was changed to Engine Software later the same year. In 1995 the group officially founded the company, making it the oldest (still active) game developer in The Netherlands. The game for SNES, Corn Buster, was unreleased after a publishing deal with Sunsoft fell through.
After this, Engine Software was asked by fellow game developer Vicarious Visions to support them in the development of several Game Boy Color games for clients like THQ and Vatical Entertainment. The relation between Vicarious Visions and Engine Software lasted another generation of handheld consoles, the Game Boy Advance, releasing games such as Powerrangers: Timeforce and SpyMuppets: License to Croak. Soon after the companies each went their own way.
Nintendo DS era (2005–2012) In terms of sheer quantity this was Engine Software's most productive period, with 51 Nintendo DS titles released. Following their supporting developer role with Vicarious Visions earlier, Engine Software worked in the same role with 1st Playable Productions and Artificial Mind and Movement (rebranded back to Behaviour Interactive in 2010) on a wide range of Nintendo DS games based on licensed properties from Disney and Nickelodeon. At the same time the studio launched more games of its own design like Just Sing! and Lost Identities. With German publisher DTP Young Entertainment they developed a range of educational games for the German Market called "Think Kids" (licensed from Ravensburger), and they also signed a multi-game development deal with Belgian production house Studio 100 based on their TV properties (Mega Mindy, Maya the Bee, K3).
Dutch publisher Playlogic Entertainment NV, which purchased a minority share in Engine Software in 2003 invested in an original concept by the studio for PlayStation Portable called Stateshift. After a year in development Playlogic cancelled the development, and in early 2007 Engine Software bought back the shares from Playlogic Entertainment. The game Stateshift for PlayStation Portable was independently finished by Engine Software and published by Midas Interactive in Europe and Conspiracy Entertainment in the United States. Engine Software and Playlogic still collaborated on two Nintendo DS games after this: Dragonhunters in 2008 and Aliens in the Attic in 2009. During this time Engine Software also formed a relationship with Milan-based publisher 505 Games due to their penchant of creating games based on licensed materials. With 505 Games, Engine Software released movie-based games Cats & Dogs 2: The Revenge of Kitty Galore and HOP: THe Video Game.
Multi-platform era (2012–2020) Around 2012 most work-for-hire licensed games work had dried up, and Engine Software rebranded itself as a multi-platform developer specializing in ports and adaptations of a wide area of games, from indie titles to triple-A titles. The first project was a multi-year multi-platform collaboration with 505 Games and Re-Logic to bring the smash-hit Terraria from PC to consoles, starting with PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2013 and later that year to PlayStation Vita. These releases were followed by versions of Terraria for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2014, and finally a Wii U version 2016. During this time Engine Software and Re-Logic also collaborated on the concept and design for a Terraria spin-off title called Terraria: Otherworld which Re-Logic announced in 2015. Otherworld's development had some significant issues and delays causing Re-Logic to move development of the title to a different studio in 2017.
Games developed Year Title Platform(s) Note(s)1991DizzyMSX2Developer1992Dix1993D.A.S.S.2000Twisted MindMicrosoft WindowsDeveloperPro DartsGame Boy ColorSupporting developer Vicarious VisionsRescue Heroes: Fire FrenzySupporting developer Vicarious Visions2001Sea-Doo HydrocrossSupporting developer Vicarious VisionsSpongeBob SquarePants: Legend of the Lost SpatulaSupporting developer Vicarious VisionsSuske & Wiske: de TijdtemmersDeveloperKelly Club: Clubhouse FunDeveloper€uro-ManMicrosoft WindowsDeveloperLeve de KoninginDeveloperPower Rangers: Time ForceGame Boy AdvanceSupporting developer Vicarious Visions20025 Jumbo Puzzels: KastelenMicrosoft WindowsDeveloperArtifactGame Boy AdvanceDeveloper2003X2: Wolverine's RevengeSupporting developer Vicarious Visions with GBA conversionMuppets: On with the ShowSupporting developer Vicarious VisionsSpy Muppets: License to CroakSupporting developer Vicarious VisionsCoronel Indoor KartracingMicrosoft WindowsDeveloper2004Mr. DonutmanWade Hixton's Counter PunchGame Boy Advance2006DigiBlastGormiti 1: The Masters of Gorm IslandTruckz2007Cuccioli Cerca AmiciGormiti 2: Lotta OscuraGormiti 3: Aggualo nella ValleSparkBlastHigh School Musical: Livin' the DreamGame Boy AdvanceSupporting developer A2MStateShiftPlayStation PortableDeveloperXyanide: ResurrectionSupporting developer Playlogic EntertainmentMarvel Trading Card GameNintendo DSSupporting developer 1st Playable ProductionsPuzzle QuestDS ConversionThe Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Circle of SpiesSupporting developer A2M2008GoPets: Vacation IslandSupporting developer 1st Playable ProductionsDragon HuntersDeveloperPolar BowlerDS conversionThink KidsDeveloperTropixDS conversionBang AttackWiiDeveloper2009Gripskids: DeutschNintendo DSDeveloperGripskids: MathematikDeveloperGripskids: SachkundeDeveloperJust Sing!DeveloperMy Virtual Tutor Reading: Pre-K to KindergartenSupporting developer 1st Playable ProductionsMy Virtual Tutor Reading: Kindergarten to 1st GradeSupporting developer 1st Playable ProductionsMy Virtual Tutor Reading: 1st Grade to 2nd GradeSupporting developer 1st Playable ProductionsPrincess in LoveDeveloperRummikubDeveloperThink Kids 2Developer2010Aliens in the AtticDeveloperCats & Dogs: the Revenge of Kitty GaloreDeveloperDance! It's Your StageDeveloperMusic für KidsDeveloperBejeweled 2WiiDeveloper2011Het Studio 100 Speel EilandDeveloperHopNintendo DSDeveloperJewel Quest IV: HeritageDeveloperLost Treasures of AlexandriaDeveloperReal Crimes: The Unicorn KillerDeveloperMahjong 3D: Warriors of the EmperorNintendo 3DSDeveloper2012AzadaDeveloperSecret Mysteries in LondonDeveloperMad Dog McCreeDeveloper2013SpongeBob SquarePants: Plankton's Robotic RevengeNintendo DSSupporting developer Behaviour InteractiveMayaSupporting developer Studio 100TerrariaPlayStation 3Handled portPlayStation VitaXbox 3604 ElementsNintendo 3DSDeveloperHidden Expedition TitanicJewel Quest IV: HeritageJewel Quest: The Sapphire DragonLuxor HDMystery Case Files: Dire GroveMystery Case Files: RavenhearstMystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst2014MindfeudSumicoProun+iOSTerrariaPlayStation 4Handled port2015DinoxWii UDeveloperSmart Adventures – Mission Math: Sabotage at the Space StationGunslugs 2Nintendo 3DSHandled portProun+Toki Tori 3D2016GunslugsTerrariaWii U2017EarthlockOceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted SeasAndroidNintendo SwitchPlayStation 4PlayStation VitaWuppoPlayStation 4Blossom TalesNintendo SwitchRive: Ultimate EditionMonopoly for Nintendo SwitchLittle Nightmares2018The Escapists 2Into the BreachRisk8-Bit ArmiesPlayStation 4Underworld AscendantKiller7Microsoft Windows2019Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White WitchNintendo SwitchSwords & Soldiers II: ShawarmageddonThe Caligula Effect: OverdoseMicrosoft Windows2020The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IIINintendo SwitchAdam's Venture: OriginsNo More HeroesNo More Heroes 2: Desperate StruggleOceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost RealmPrinny: Can I Really Be the Hero?Prinny 2: Dawn of Operation Panties, Dood!MonstrumNintendo SwitchPlayStation 4Xbox OneLittle NightmaresStadiaMonopoly2021Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The GameMicrosoft WindowsNintendo SwitchPlayStation 4StadiaXbox OneLittle Nightmares IINintendo SwitchThe Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel IVMicrosoft WindowsNintendo SwitchYs IX: Monstrum NoxMicrosoft WindowsNintendo SwitchMonopoly MadnessLunaNintendo SwitchPlayStation 4StadiaXbox One2024Shadows of the Damned Hella RemasteredPlayStation 5PlayStation 4Xbox Series X/SXbox OneNintendo SwitchMicrosoft Windows
Middleware The Engine Software Music Replayer is a piece of music sequencer middleware, developed by Engine Software. It was developed for use on the Game Boy Advance, and later reproduced in a version for use on the Nintendo DS. It was licensed to many other developers for both platforms.
Key staff Engine Software is run by Ivo Wubbels (CEO) and Ruud van de Moosdijk (VP Development), both founders of the company in 1995. Other key figures within the company include Senior producer Jeroen Schmitz also one of the founders of the company, Lead Technology programmer Jan-Lieuwe Koopmans who created the Music Replayer, and composer Bart Roijmans who scored almost all of Engine Software's games.
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