The jukebox introduced to the Japanese market by founder Richard D. Stewart in 1952 quickly expanded to become a valuable source of music and a secondary source of store revenue. At a time when imports faced heavy restrictions, Nihon Kikai Seizo researched overseas products and successfully developed a jukebox domestically. The product was named “SEGA 1000” which was abbreviated from “Service Games”.

Rosen Enterprises, Ltd., which had been operating amusement arcades, was merged and renamed Sega Enterprises, Ltd. The name “SEGA” is taken from the first two letters of ‘Service’ and ‘Games’.

This game uses a submarine periscope to track battleships sailing across the sea, which the player destroys using torpedoes. With the manufacture and sale of these monitor free electromechanical game machines, SEGA was able to make an enormous splash in the industry! What’s more, although rumor has it that there is no cabinet of this arcade game left in Japan, the game itself has made its way to PlayStation 2 as a minigame in “Dynamite Cop”.

From 1965, directly operated amusement centers were developed mainly in Tokyo and Osaka, with 31 stores as of 1970. SEGA's first casino style center “Apollo Vegas” (currently “SEGA WORLD Apollo”) opened in 1972. This was the first time medal game machines were installed, which brought an atmosphere of excitement reminiscent of Las Vegas. The business of store management continued to expand across Japan.

The first game in the UFO Catcher® series. It was a huge hit, and later became the generic name for similar crane-based games. Game centers became more brightly lit making them more attractive and accessible to female customers and children. “UFO CATCHER9”, the latest in the series, features an LCD touch panel and a 360° view of the prizes. The technology continues to evolve.

This motorcycle racing game holds the venerable position of being SEGA's first motion-controlled game cabinet. The player straddles a large red bike, and steers by tilting it left and right. The irregular nature of the cabinet and controls made a strong impact on players of the time. “Super Hang-on” was released in 1984 and ported to numerous consumer game consoles with a choice of 4 courses representing different levels of difficulty.

The consumer game console that made the SEGA name famous around the world. Other software makers were eager to release their own titles on the platform, and there was no shortage of optional peripherals. List price was ¥21,000. It was released in North America under the name “GENESIS” the following year in 1989, and in Europe in 1990. With the release of “Sonic The Hedgehog” in 1991, its popularity exploded and the game console sold more than 15 million units in North America and 8 million in Europe.

“Sonic The Hedgehog”, the first of the Sonic series was released for the first time in North America on GENESIS. (July 26th, Japanese time) The exhilarating high speed action and easy to grasp Ring system made it a huge hit with beginners and experts alike, selling over 4 million copies. Even now, new titles continue to be released, with the series totalling over 920 million copies/downloads.

The world's first 3DCG fighting game “Virtua Fighter” was released. In 1993, 2D fighting games were the norm, and many players were drawn in by the immersive feel of the game world that was not available in previous titles. The following year, the sequel “Virtua Fighter 2” which featured smoother video expression went into operation to popular acclaim. The series continued until “Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown”.

SEGA's most popular console in Japan. The sixth consumer game console was named after the sixth planet in the solar system. It was able to handle conventional 2D games as well as the new generation of 3D games. List price was ¥44,800. Available games ranged from ports of popular arcade classics and brand new titles such as “Sakura Wars.” More than 100 software companies entered the market producing over 1,000 compatible titles.

The original printed sticker machine “Print Club” was released. Friends would often take pictures together and exchange stickers, and machines were frequented by young women with sticker albums. The machines were a huge success! The nickname “Purikura” became synonymous with printed sticker machines and as a genre became established as an amusement facility staple. Since inception, various models from other companies have appeared. The technology continues to evolve, and now includes skin whitening functions and smartphone connectivity.

This SEGA Saturn title is a dramatic adventure game set in a fictionalized version of the “Taisho era”. It boasted record sales among original Saturn titles of its time. It was later adapted into a TV animation, stage production, novels, comics and other media mixes. Of particular note was its pioneering of the “Kayo Show”, a 2.5 dimensional stage that has become a regular fixture in the current generation of games.

SEGA's final consumer game console, and the first console to feature built in online communication capabilities. Advertisements at the time featuring the actual managing director of SEGA at that time were well received and fast became a hot topic! Genre breaking games included “Shenmue” which featured 3D open world exploration, and “Seaman” which allowed you to interact with humanoid fish creatures. “PHANTASY STAR ONLINE” allowed simultaneous online cooperative play for up to four players.

The gold standard of horse racing medal games that focusses on both the betting and ownership aspects of gameplay. Fans of horse racing were impressed by the game's depiction of reality, such as the compelling race videos, live commentary by veteran announcer Kiyoshi Sugimoto, and the calm “satellite” space. In 2017, smartphone game “StarHorsePocket” was released. Despite 20 years having passed since its original release, it remains very popular and has since been succeeded by “StarHorse4”.

A network RPG released on Dreamcast. It can be said that this winner of the 5th Japan Game Awards laid the foundation for future online game services in Japan. Since then, numerous upgraded versions have been released on a variety of different platforms.

A trading card game for kids that incorporates elements of the rock-paper-scissors game. In 2008 it was certified by Guinness World Records as holding the record for “Most official tournaments held on one arcade game series.” In response to its immense popularity, it was later developed into consumer games, comics, animations, movies and other cross-media forms. In total it has shipped more than 498 million cards. (As of November 2007)

A trading card game where you can enjoy fashion and music. Proving immensely popular with young girls, two new services were introduced: “LB Style Square,” which allowed the purchase of in-game clothes, and “LB Cosmica,” which specialised in kids cosmetics.

The world of “Records of the Three Kingdoms” is represented as a trading card game. The simple and intuitive operation is enabled by the flat reader type housing. Many famous illustrators and popular manga artists also participated in the design of the warlord cards! The profound nature of the much loved game's character was adapted into “Sengoku Taisen” in 2010, and as of 2016 part of the “Sangokushi Taisen” and “Taisen” series.

Created under the concept of “adult entertainment.” Set in a vast entertainment district, inspiration was drawn from a range of human dramas such as love, humanity and betrayal. It expressed a realistic contemporary take on Japan that could not be touched upon by conventional games. It received high praise not only in Japan but also from overseas, and many spin-off titles have since been released turning it into an ever growing series. This has become a signature brand with solid global marketability.

Starting with the PC version, Japan's largest online RPG has been ported to PS Vita and PS4, and in April, 2018, “PSO2 Cloud” service started for Nintendo Switch™. By its seventh anniversary, it had accumulated more than 5.5 million players. Official information programs and real events were actively distributed. A theatrical production was performed in 2014, and an animated show released in 2016 and 2019, expanding the fan base yet further.

“Persona 5”, the latest instalment in the critically acclaimed series released. The award-winning game achieved 3.2 million units in sales globally in 2019, becoming the most successful game in Atlus history. “Persona” has sold a series total of 11.1 million units globally since its initial release of Revelations: Persona in 1996.

Gosho Aoyama’s “Detective Conan” celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2016. After the theatrical release of “Detective Conan: The Time-Bombed Skyscraper” in April 1997, a new movie has been released every year. Starting with the record-breaking success of “Detective Conan: Private Eye in the Distant Sea” in 2013, the movie series continued to break box office records for the next seven titles. The series continues to show no signs of slowing down with the most recent “Detective Conan: The Fist of Blue Sapphire” recording over ¥9.3 billion at the box office. “Detective Conan: The Scarlet Bullet” will be released soon

“Total War” is a real-time strategy game for PC that has sold more than 27.6 million copies worldwide. You can experience the world of interstate wars and tribal struggles based on historical fact. The latest title, “Total War: THREE KINGDOMS,” themed around the Records of the Three Kingdoms, gained strong support among players in Asia, and especially in China. It achieved 1 million downloads in the first week after distribution.

“Sonic the Hedgehog”, the title which garnered worldwide renown was adapted into a live-action movie, a co-production with US-based Paramount Pictures. Marza Animation Planet participated in planning / production and creation of CG animated elements.