Taito

Logo descriptions by wolfie14 Photos by wolfie14 and jupiterboy

Background: The Taito Corporation is a Japanese developer of video game software and arcade hardware wholly owned by publisher Square Enix. Taito Trading Company was established by a Russian Jewish businessman named Michael Kogan. Taito also imports and distributes American coin-op video games in Japan, as well as their own games all around the world. Taito Corporation was acquired by Square Enix in 2005. Taito Corporation currently has divisions in Seoul, South Korea and Milan, Italy, and a subsidiary in Beijing, China. In the past, the company had operated divisions in North America and Brazil. Their first logo (until 1987) was not used fullscreen in games.

1st Logo (1980's-1988)

Logo: There is a rectangular banner, which appears to be broken and folded a bit in the middle. The word TAITO appears inside.

FX/SFX: None.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Very rare. This was used on a few later games, and of course, in the quality of ages.

Editor's Note: None.

2nd Logo (1987-2000s)

Provided ID could not be validated.

Nicknames: "Streak Pyramid II"

Logo: We start off on a blue background, which then reveals to be the Taito triangle logomark, zooming out ala the 1980 WCI/Warner Home Video logo. Then, "TAITO" in its trademark font fades in gray letters.

Variant: Some games, like the Bust-A-Move 3DO port, have a cut-short version of the logo lacking the blue background. On Arkanoid: Doh it Again! (1997), the blue background part is longer. After a few seconds, the copyright disclaimer for the game appears. Then it fades out and the logo animates normally.

FX/SFX: The logo zooming out.

Music/Sounds: Depends normally. It can have the game's opening theme or is silent.

Availability: Used in tandem with the other logos.

Editor's Note: None.

4th Logo (1990s)

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NOTE: The video shown in this page is the Ray Tracers variant. Again, this logo is pretty loud, so we advice you to turn down the volume.

Nicknames: "Streak Pyramid III", "3D Pyramid"

Logo: The 3D Taito logo zooms out on a black background. The ball of the logo moves in from the right and places next to the triangle's streak. Then a flash happens, bringing up the flat version of the same logo on a white background.

FX/SFX: The logo zooming out (like the previous one, but in 3D), the flash.

Music/Sounds: A quick laser zapping sound, then followed by a held synth bass note with a descending sounder when the logo zooms out and a quick swoosh during the flash.

Music/Sounds Variants: At least one game used the Japanese voice music variant of the 2nd logo. Ray Tracers used a loud noise, followed by a jet take-off like sound (not as low-pitched as the Metal Black variant).

Availability: Common on the company's PSX games.

Editor's Note: None.

5th Logo (2001-)

Nicknames: "Streak Pyramid IV", "3D Pyramid II", "T-Pyramid-ITO"

Taito Corporation (2001)Logo: The blue triangle is seen from the top and pans to the side view. Four light streaks enter it and glow in the center. The triangle moves to the forming word "TAITO" and poses as "A" letter. Then it flashes and changes the background to white.

Variant: Newer games (especially on newer Arcade machines) have the logo still.

FX/SFX: Good computer effects.

Music/Sounds: A synth composition.

Availability: Uncommon. This can be seen on PS2 games from the company.

Editor's Note: None.