Summary
Prior to the 2012 merger, Chunsoft was perhaps best known for creating theDragon Questseries and going on to develop the first five installments, while Spike put together theDanganronpaseries. Since then, Spike Chunsoft has been famous for visual novels, enthralling adventures, and cerebral detective thrillers, assembling a rich back catalog of some classic titles.
Since the companies combined, they have been prolifically developing, and releasing a variety of games across all major platforms and a multitude of genres. From wrestling games to psychological detective mysteries, and even some anime adaptations, Spike Chunsoft is responsible for some must-play games.
Originally a playable character inDragon Quest 4, Torneko spawned his own spin-off game,Torneko’s Great Adventure, which itself formed theMystery Dungeonseries. Continuing his story inthis roguelike RPG, Torneko’s goal is to make his store famous, and he ventures into randomized dungeons to find and retrieve items to fill his stock.
Initially exclusive to Japan, the game had been planned for a Western release, but it sadly never came to fruition. Reviews at the time were glowing, and the game garnered enough sales to continue with the series, with Spike Chunsoft even releasing crossovers withPokémonandFinal Fantasy.
Nine captive characters have ninehours to escapea sinking ship by unlocking nine doors. As Junpei, a college student, players are tasked with solving puzzles in order to prevent himself and the eight other people, who have been kidnapped, from drowning on the cruise liner.
Mostly a visual novel where the player’s decisions matter, with logic and smatterings of numerology,999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doorswas a surprising hit in North America. Despite some apathy in Japan, the game received a sequel and the subsequentZero Escapeseries, but nothing beats the original.
After Spike Chunsoft’s previous attempt at aFire Pro Wrestlinggame a few years prior upset many fans, they went back to what players loved about the series; strategic grappling action.Fire Pro Wrestling Worldis probably the best in the series with its vast customization possibilities, and exciting gameplay based on timing and strategy.
The game is officially licensed by New Japan Pro Wrestling, so over 50 of the top stars at the time are playable in the game, such as Kazuchika Okada and Zack Sabre Jr., and over 20 joshis from Stardom are available as DLC. The popping art style and isometric camera angle will not appeal to everyone, but many wrestling fans feel it is the best grappling simulation on the market.
Since Chunsoft’s five entries in theDragon Questseries came prior to the merger with Spike, it seems appropriate to only include one title here, andDragon Quest 3is the brightest star of them all. Winner of Famitsu’s Game of the Year, among other accolades, it follows “the Hero” who must assemble companions to save the world from the archfiend Baramos.
Gameplay is more refined than in the previous games and the open-world setting with a day/night cycle was revolutionary for the series.An HD-2D remakewas released in 2024, so players can enjoy this title with all the perks of modern gaming and updated graphics.
Perhaps Spike’s crowning achievement,Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, was quite controversial internally at the time.A visual novel, combining elements of dating simulators, third-person shooters, and detective mysteries, the dark tone and excessive violence were not popular with some people in the company.
Controlling Makoto Naegi, players will spend their time exploring the campus of Hope’s Peak Academy and trying to determine who is committing multiple murders at the school. The “Class Trials” are somewhat similar toAce Attorney, and reviewers loved the innovative gameplay.
Inspired by the popular television showLost,Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despairmoves from the confines of the academy to a tropical island. Many of the same gameplay elements are present, but with the added “Rebuttal Showdowns” during trials, where students duel in arguments.
The change of scenery and strong cast of characters impressed critics, but the lack of challenge and very few gameplay innovations were a problem for some. Still, the overall package is more enjoyable than the first game, and multiple other media spawned from this game, such as an anime series, spin-off games, and sequels.
Spike Chunsoft has a history of great anime tie-in games, adaptingDragon Ball,One Piece,andOne Punch Manamong others, and 2024’sDragon Ball: Sparking! Zerois the best of all.A fighting gamefrom theBudokai Tenkaichiseries, it features multiple game modes and a roster of over 180 combatants.
The game was praised for appealing to both fans of the anime and players who are unfamiliar with the series. The Episode Battle in particular has branching paths, the visuals are striking, and the variety in the game makes each fight feel unique.
Inspired by Tim Burton’s films and created by many of the minds behindDanganronpa,Master Detective Archives: Rain Codefollows the adventures of an amnesiac detective in training. Alongside his ally, Shinigami, Yuma Kokohead investigates the Ameratsu Corporation in Kanai Ward.
Something of a departure for Spike Chunsoft is the use of 3D models throughout the game, rather than 2D models on 3D backgrounds. Split between the real-world Kanai Ward and the Mystery Dungeon, players tackle puzzles and debatessimilar to those they lovedin theDanganronpaseries.
The creator of theZero Escapeseries, Kotaro Uchikoshi, wanted to create a game with simpler gameplay and better character design, and from that cameAI: The Somnium Files. Kaname Date is the playable detective exploring a near-future Tokyo when a corpse turns up with an eye missing.
Date himself is missing an eye from an attack six years prior. An interesting mechanic in this game is the use of the “Psync Machine” to enter the “Somnium” of an uncooperative suspect or a witness struggling to process what they have seen and uncover some information through their subconscious.
1AI: The Somnium Files - Nirvana Initiative
The Plot Thickens
Six years after the events of the first game, players now take control ofKaname’s daughter, Mizuki Date, and Kuroto Ryuki as they investigate the “Half-Body Murders”. Previously, the right side of a corpse had been discovered, but now, after half a decade, the left side shows up with no signs of decay.
Presented through a visual novel style and third-person exploration, once again the “Psyncing” process is a key mechanic. Much like its predecessor, critics loved the storytelling and well-rounded characters, as well as the general mysterious premise.
