After a long absence from the public eye in North America, Sunsoft is back to publish three new games based on its classic games catalog. They include Ikki Unite, a multiplayer co-op roguelike. The revival of the classic NES platformer Gimmick. and Ufouria, a Metroidvania expected to hit consoles in 2023.
These releases are part of a new strategy by Sunsoft to rely on a vast catalog of classic games to capitalize on the popularity of retro games.
“The return of porting original games to consoles is a big part of our strategy,” Sunsoft general manager Yuichi Ochi told IGN. “We have plans to bring the original titles to current consoles, with two or three titles per year.”
The most notable of them is Ikki Tousen, a new game based on the kusoge or “junk game” that once sold over 500,000 units in Japan. Sunsoft will release a port of Gimmick on Switch, PS4, and Steam later this year, and in 2023 he plans to release a port of Ufouria.
Founded in the 1970s, Sunsoft rose to fame on the NES thanks to classics like Blaster Master, Spy Hunter, and Batman. Sunsoft’s games were known for their excellent graphics and high-quality soundtracks that made use of the NES sound his chip in a unique way.
Sunsoft was successful until the mid-1990s when its parent company, Sun Corporation, suddenly filed for bankruptcy after reportedly losing millions of dollars on investments in golf courses. Sunsoft eventually closed all of its offices in North America and Europe, but in Japan he continues to develop and publish his RPG, pachinko games, and mobile titles.
In making another push in the West, Sunsoft wants to lean into nostalgic appeal. However, according to Ochi, the company also plans to develop new IP.
“I don’t think the original title is enough. In the future, there will be new IP, completely new titles,” says Ochi.
Sunsoft isn’t the only retro company digging into history. Atari has similarly attempted a comeback by pivoting to retro-style updates such as Gravitar: Recharged and his Kombinera, the latter being its first new game in years.
Meanwhile, Ochi said the new impetus for Sunsoft’s gaming division is “a big part” of Sun Corporation’s strategy going forward, meaning it’s just the beginning. Ikki Unite’s Closed Beta will be available to see for yourself when he launches “soon” on Steam.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s Senior News Editor and co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Any tips? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
