Irem

Background

Irem (also known as Irem Software Engineering) is a video game developing corporation founded in 1974 that published arcade games. It was acquired by Eizo in 1980 and began developing video games in 1997 when its former parent company, Irem Software Engineering, moved to making coin-operated slot machine games. It was famous for game series like the R-Type series, as well as other games including Moon Patrol and Kung Fu Master. However, the 2011 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan disrupted the company's work flow, and as a result, numerous video game projects were axed and the company moved to slot machine and coin-operated games. Some of the company staff, including producer Kazuma Kojo, left the corporation to found a new video game corporation, Granzella.

1st Logo (1989-2000)

Logo: On a white or black background, we see the text "irem" in a blocky font, with the dot on the "i" colored blue.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: None or the opening theme of the game.

Availability: Seen on any Irem game from the era.

2nd Logo (1990)

Logo: On a blue-purple background, we see the Irem logo and the Japanese text appear changing colors. The background turns sky blue, Then the animation then plays in reverse.

Technique: CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on the Japanese version of Image Fight for the NES.

3rd Logo (1992)

Logo: On a black background, we see the Irem logo zoom out one-by-one as the camera rotates.

Technique: CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Seen on Image Fight II for the PC Engine CD.

4th Logo (2000)

Logo: On a black background, we see the Irem logo off-center. Everything except the blue box blurs out and turns into a floating and spinning cube with some sparkles, which later shatters into gold cubes. The cubes fly away into a white light, which expands and clears the screen.

Technique: CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: A dreamy theme.

Availability: Seen on any Irem game from 2000, such as Carton-kun.

5th Logo (2001-2011)

Logo: On a white or black background, we see the text "irem", with the dot on the "i" colored blue. The "r" has a jumbly effect.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: None or the opening theme of the game.

Availability: Seen on any Irem game from the era.