Data East

Credits

Compiled by
RSX-798

Background

Data East Corporation was a Japanese publisher of arcade video games, and later on, pinball video games, that was formed in 1976 by Tetsuo Fukuda. The company operates subsidiaries Data East USA, Inc., which was operated in San Jose, and Data East Pinball, a division specifically designed for pinball games. The company's pinball division was later sold to Sega in 1994. By the end of the 1990s, the company's American operations were liquidated. In April 2003, the company filed for bankruptcy, and it subsequently went defunct on June 25, 2003.

1st Logo (1979-1991)

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Visuals: On the game's title screen, there are the words "DECO" in a blocky font.

Technique: A still graphic.

Audio: The opening theme of the game.

Availability: Seen on Data East's arcade and NES/FC titles from the era, like BurgerTime, among others.

2nd Logo (1984-1992)

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Visuals: On a black background, there is the stylized text "DE" in a circular font with holes inside the letters.

Variants:

• On NES, the logo is red, but on other platforms, like the Commodore 64, the logo is white.
• On the NES version of Bad Dudes, the logo is bigger and the text reads "DATA EAST PRESENTS" below the logo.
• On some later titles, the text "DATA EAST" is on the right.

Technique: A still, sprite-based graphic.

Audio: None or the opening theme of the game.

Availability: Seen on Data East titles from the era, like the NES versions of RoboCop, Side Pocket and BurgerTime, among others.

3rd Logo (1988-1996)

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Visuals: On a black background, there is a chrome version of the Data East logo from the previous logo, and on the right side was the text "DATA EAST" in an Eurostile chrome font.

Variants:

• On the NES version of Bo Jackson Baseball, the text is shown at the bottom.
• A black-and-white version exists on Game Boy games.
• Sometimes, "PRESENTS" appears below the logo.
• On some games, like the Genesis version of Two Crude Dudes, the text is smaller and at the bottom to fit the length of the symbol.
• A 3D version of the logo exists in later years.

Technique: A still, sprite-based graphic.

Audio: None, or the opening theme of the game. On some games, like the SNES version of Joe & Mac, a choir with an echoed voice says "Data East!" over the logo.

Availability: Seen on Data East's games from the era, like Joe & Mac, the SNES version of Dragon's Lair, the NES version of RoboCop 2 and Magical Drop, among others.

4th Logo (April 24, 1992)

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Visuals: On a black background, the Data East logo comes in from all sides and "shines".

Technique: 2D sprite animation.

Audio: A choir, followed by a chime theme.

Availability: Can be seen on the SFC game of Heracles no Eikou III.

5th Logo (1992-1994)

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Visuals: On a black background, there is a B&W version of the Data East logo. The letters from before appear, and then the logo turns to color.

Variant: Sometimes, the logo wipes in on a blue background.

Technique: 2D sprite animation.

Audio: A chime, followed by a voice that says "Presented by Data East!".

Availability: Can be seen on the SNES and Genesis versions of Side Pocket and the Genesis version of Mega Turrican. The blue version appears on OutRunners, High Seas Havoc and Dashin' Desperadoes for the Genesis.

6th Logo (1994)

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Visuals: On a black background, particles fly down to form the Data East logo and "shines".

Technique: 2D sprite animation.

Audio: None.

Availability: Can be seen on the SFC game of Heracles no Eikou IV.

7th Logo (March 31, 1995)

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Visuals: On a black background, there is a 3D version of the Data East letters flies from the side, and then the Data East symbol flies in, and then a flash occurs, forming the Data East logo from before.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: An electronic synth, then a whoosh, and then a voice that says "Presented by Data East!".

Availability: It appears on Minnesota Fats: Pool Legend for the Saturn.

8th Logo (December 15, 1995)

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Visuals: On a black background, the Data East logo swings in, and then the letters and the logo flip in.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A whoosh, followed by a chime.

Availability: Seen on the PSX and Saturn versions of Magical Drop.

9th Logo (January 19, 1996)

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Visuals: Over a black background, the logo starts with wireframe letters of the Data East logo that flies in, and then the logo flashes, turning to the metallic colors of the last logo.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: None.

Availability: Seen on the PlayStation and Saturn versions of Creature Shock.

10th Logo (October 30, 1997-1999)

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Visuals: Over a black background, the logo starts with red dots to form the Data East logo. Then the background turns white, and then the logo turns red.

Variant: An earlier version exists, where the end result is the Data East logo from the previous logo.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Same as the 7th logo, but after a whoosh, there is a female voice that says "Data East!". Sometimes, the voice is omitted.

Availability: Appears on PSX games like Magical Drop III, Tantei Jinguuji Saburou Early Collection and Side Pocket 3 and several other games.