Simple | |
---|---|
Genre(s) | Various |
Developer(s) | Various |
Publisher(s) | D3 Publisher |
Platform(s) | PlayStation, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Mobile phone, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series |
First release | Simple 1500 Series Vol. 1: The Mahjong October 22, 1998 |
Latest release | SIMPLE Series G4U Vol.2 THE Table Game Deluxe Pack May 25, 2023 |
The Simple[a] series is a line of budget-priced video games published by Japanese company D3 Publisher, a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Entertainment.[1] Games in the series have been developed by several different companies, including Sandlot, Success, Irem, and Taito. It was introduced in 1998 for the PlayStation, and has been released for platforms such as the PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and mobile phones. The number in a series name indicates the price point of the games in the series; for instance, a "Simple 2000" series game would cost 2000 yen. Most of the games were developed specifically for the line, but it also included budget-priced re-releases of previously released games.
Early Simple games were generic interpretations of other common video game themes, including tennis, racing, and video board games such as mahjong.[2][3] Beginning with the PlayStation 2, Simple games began using larger genres such as scrolling shooters and role-playing games, in addition to original ideas and concepts. As the games were sold at a low price point and required little development time, developers were able to experiment with gameplay concepts and mechanics.[2] A few entries in the series were released outside Japan by other companies without the brand. After releasing two Simple games for the Nintendo 3DS in 2013,[4] D3 has chosen to remove the Simple name from its budget titles for systems such as the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4.[5] In 2022, D3Publisher announced that the Simple Series brand will return for the Nintendo Switch.[6]
The Simple series and several of its games, including Demolition Girl, The Maid Clothes and Machine Gun, Onechanbara and the Earth Defense Force series, have garnered notoriety outside Japan for their usually outlandish and bizarre nature.[7][8] Publications have identified the series as being of considerably better quality than similar budget title ranges, with gameplay ideas they consider unique and interesting.[2] As of 2007, the Simple series has sold over 20 million units across all platforms.[9]
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