, commonly referred to as ArcSys, is a Japanese video game developer and publisher located in Yokohama. Founded by Minoru Kidooka in 1988, the company is known for arcade 2D fighting game franchises, including Guilty Gear and BlazBlue. They have also developed other fighting games using external licenses, including Dragon Ball FighterZ, Persona 4 Arena and Arena Ultimax, Granblue Fantasy Versus and Versus Rising, Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, and others.
History
The company was founded in January 1988 and incorporated as Arc Co., Ltd. in May. The company spent early years as a contract developer for Sega, Sammy, and Banpresto. It consisted at the time of around eight developers; most of whom had previously worked at Sega including founder Minoru Kidooka. It was renamed Arc System Works in 1991. In 1992 they developed a game for the Famicom called Pizza Pop!. The company produced a series of Sailor Moon video games for publisher Angel including Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Jōgai Rantō!? Shuyaku Sōdatsusen which was the first fighting game it produced.
It published its first title in 1995 which was Exector for the PlayStation.
On June 11, 2015, the company acquired all intellectual properties of Technōs Japan, such as Double Dragon and Kunio-kun, from Million Co., Ltd. Even prior to its acquisition of Million's library, the company had been the publisher of Technōs' video games for Virtual Console in Japan. Following the transaction, the company took the publishing duties from Aksys Games for Virtual Console releases in North America, though some Technōs games were already published by Arc System Works.
On February 6, 2017, the company acquired the rights to the Jake Hunter, Theresia, Nazo no Jikenbo, and Koneko no Ie series from publisher WorkJam. On November 2, 2017, the company announced the establishment of a North American branch in Torrance, California, known as Arc System Works America, Inc.
In July 2024, Arc System Works opened a European branch at Paris, France.
Ludography Games developed YearTitlePlatform(s)Publisher1988Final LapFamily ComputerNamcoDouble DragonMaster SystemSega1989Scramble SpiritsMaster SystemSegaRolling ThunderFamily ComputerNamcoBattle Out RunMaster SystemSegaVigilanteMaster SystemSega1990Ghouls 'n GhostsMaster SystemSegaMichael Jackson's MoonwalkerMaster SystemSegaCode Name: ViperNintendo Entertainment SystemCapcomChiyonofuji no ŌichōFamily ComputerFaceOperation WolfPC EngineNEC AvenuePengoGame GearSegaSuper Monaco GPMaster SystemSegaHissatsu ShigotoninFamily ComputerBanprestoSD Sengoku Bushō Retsuden: Rekka no Gotoku Tenka o Nusure!Family ComputerBanpresto1991Battle Commander: Hachibushu Shura no HeihouSuper FamicomBanpresto1992Pizza Pop!Family ComputerJalecoKyōryū Sentai ZyurangerFamily ComputerAngelGreat Battle CyberFamily ComputerBanprestoBishoujo Senshi Sailor MoonGame BoyAngelCyber Spin Super NESTakaraAyrton Senna's Super Monaco GP IIMaster SystemSega1993BattletoadsGame Gear, GenesisSegaSuzuka 8 HoursSuper NESNamco1994Gaia SaverSuper FamicomBanprestoBishōjo Senshi Sailor MoonMega DriveMa-BaBishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Jōgai Rantō!? Shuyaku SōdatsusenSuper FamicomAngel1995ExectorPlayStationWizard's HarmonyPlayStation, Saturn1997Wizard's Harmony 2PlayStation, Saturn1998Guilty GearPlayStation, PSP, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo SwitchAtlus (US) / Virgin Interactive (UK)Wizard's Harmony RPlayStation1999PrismaticallizationDreamcast, PlayStationTanaka Torahiko no Uru Toraryuu ShogiDreamcast, PlayStation2000Guilty Gear XNAOMI, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, WindowsSammy StudiosGrappler Baki: Baki Saikyo RetsudenPlayStation 2Tomy2001Guilty Gear X PlusPlayStation 2Sammy StudiosDigital HolmesPlayStation 2 2002Guilty Gear X2 NAOMI, PlayStation 2Sammy Studios2003Guilty Gear X Ver.1.5 AtomiswaveSammy StudiosGuilty Gear X2#ReloadNAOMI, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Windows, PSPSammy Studios2004Guilty Gear IsukaAtomiswave, PlayStation 2, Xbox, WindowsSammy StudiosDragon Ball Z: Supersonic WarriorsGame Boy AdvanceAtari/Banpresto/Bandai2005Fist of the North Star Atomiswave, PlayStation 2SegaDragon Ball Z: Supersonic Warriors 2Nintendo DSAtari/Banpresto/BandaiGuilty Gear XX SlashNAOMI, PlayStation 2, PSPSammy Studios/SEGA2006Guilty Gear XX Accent CoreNAOMI, PlayStation 2, WiiSammy Studios/Aksys Games (US)2007Guilty Gear 2: OvertureXbox 360, WindowsArc System Works/Aksys Games/505 GamesBattle Fantasia Taito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, WindowsArc System Works/Aksys Games/505 GamesHoshigami RemixNintendo DSASNetworks/Aksys Games/505 Games2008Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus PlayStation 2, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3Sammy Studios/Arc System Works(Wii)BlazBlue: Calamity TriggerTaito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, PSPArc System Works/Aksys Games/PQube/Zen UnitedSengoku Basara XSystem 246 / System 256, PlayStation 2CapcomSuper Dodgeball BrawlersNintendo DSArc System Works/Aksys GamesTantei Jinguji Saburo DSNintendo DSArc System Works/WorkJamPetit CopterWiiAqua SystemFamily Table TennisWiiAksys Games2009Diva Girls: Princess on IceWii, DS505 GamesFamily Glide HockeyWiiAksys GamesFamily Pirate PartyWiiAksys GamesFamily Mini GolfWiiAksys GamesFamily Slot Car RacingWiiAksys GamesFamily Card Games WiiAksys GamesFamily Grand TennisWiiAksys GamesBlazBlue: Continuum ShiftTaito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360Arc System Works/Aksys Games/Arc System Works UKAnimal Puzzle AdventureDSiWareJazzy BilliardsNintendo DSiOthelloWindows, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DSi, Nintendo Switch, PSP, PlayStation Vita, Wii, Wii U2010BlazBlue: Continuum Shift IITaito Type X2, PSP, Nintendo 3DSArc System Works/Aksys Games/Arc System Works UKBlayzBloo: Super Melee Brawlers Battle RoyaleDSiWarePro Jumper! Guilty Gear Tangent!?DSiWare2011Hard Corps: UprisingPlayStation 3, Xbox 360KonamiNurarihyon no Mago: Hyakki Ryouran TaisenPlayStation 3, Xbox 360Konami2012BlazBlue: ChronophantasmaTaito Type X2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation VitaArc System Works/Aksys GamesGuilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R Arcade, PlayStation Vita, Windows, Nintendo SwitchSammy Studios/Arc System Works (Steam)BlazBlue: Continuum Shift ExtendPlayStation Vita, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PSP, WindowsArc System Works/Aksys Games/Arc System Works UKPersona 4 ArenaTaito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360AtlusKyūkōsha no ShōjoNintendo 3DSPhi Brain: Kizuna no PuzzlePlayStation Portable2013Persona 4 Arena UltimaxTaito Type X2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, WindowsAtlus/SegaXblaze Code: Embryo PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, WindowsArc System Works/Aksys Games/Funbox MediaMagical BeatPlayStation VitaDamascus Gear: Operation TokyoPlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo SwitchArc System Works2014Guilty Gear Xrd -SIGN-Sega RingEdge 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, WindowsArc System Works/Aksys GamesBlazBlue: Chronophantasma ExtendTaito Type X2 (as 2.0), PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation Vita, WindowsArc System Works/Aksys GamesConveni DreamNintendo 3DSFantasy Hero: Unsigned LegacyPlayStation Vita, Nintendo SwitchSlice It!Nintendo 3DSArc System Works/Aksys Games2015Downtown Nekketsu Koushinkyoku: Soreyuke Daiundoukai All-Star SpecialPlayStation 3Family Tennis SPWii UAksys GamesBlazBlue: Central FictionTaito Type X2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo SwitchArc System Works/Aksys Games/PQubeXblaze Lost: Memories PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, WindowsArc System Works/Aksys GamesDragon Ball Z: Extreme ButōdenNintendo 3DSBandai Namco Entertainment2016Guilty Gear Xrd -REVELATOR- Sega RingEdge 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, WindowsArc System Works/Aksys Games/Sony Computer EntertainmentChase: Cold Case Investigations - Distant Memories Nintendo 3DSArc System Works/Aksys GamesInferno ClimberPlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, WindowsOne Piece: Great Pirate ColosseumNintendo 3DSBandai Namco EntertainmentRiver City Melee: Battle Royale SPPlayStation 4, WindowsArc System Works, H2 Interactive2017Double Dragon IVPlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchSimple Mahjong OnlineNintendo SwitchBirthdays the BeginningPlayStation 4, WindowsNIS AmericaJake Hunter Detective Story: Ghost of the DuskNintendo 3DSArc System Works/OrangeShephyAndroid, iOS, Nintendo Switch, Windows2018Dragon Ball FighterZPlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/SBandai Namco EntertainmentHappy BirthdaysNintendo SwitchNIS AmericaBlazBlue: Cross Tag BattlePlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Arcade, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/SArc System Works/PQube2019Wizard's SymphonyPlayStation 4, Nintendo SwitchRiver City Melee Mach!!PlayStation 4, Windows, Nintendo Switch Stay Cool, Kobayashi-San!: A River City Ransom StoryPlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo Switch 2020Code ShifterPlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Nintendo SwitchGranblue Fantasy VersusPlayStation 4, WindowsCygames/XSEED Games2021Guilty Gear StrivePlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Arcade, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo SwitchArc System Works/Bandai Namco Entertainment2022DNF DuelPlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, WindowsNexon2023Granblue Fantasy Versus: RisingPlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Nintendo Switch 2Cygames/XSEED Games2024Another Code: RecollectionNintendo SwitchNintendoUmamusume: Pretty Derby – Party DashPlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, WindowsCygames2025Dear me, I was...Nintendo Switch 2, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, WindowsArc System Works2026GoritairePlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Android, iOSArc System WorksDamon and BabyPlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, WindowsArc System WorksMarvel Tōkon: Fighting SoulsPlayStation 5, WindowsSony Interactive EntertainmentDonutalWindowsArc System WorksRiver City Survivors: Downtown of the DeadApple ArcadeArc System Works
Games published