Japanese game developer Artdink, best known for its versatile back catalog and long-running A-Train series, has officially announced the 'Game Log' initiative—a new program aimed at bringing some of the studio’s classic titles to modern audiences via Nintendo Switch and PC.
The news surfaced this week through an official announcement from Artdink, with initial details highlighted by Gematsu. Founded in 1986, Artdink has cultivated a reputation for its eclectic portfolio spanning original IPs, licensed projects, and adaptations of popular anime, across a variety of hardware including early Japanese computers and multiple generations of PlayStation consoles.
This diverse history makes the Game Log initiative particularly notable for retro enthusiasts and new players alike, as it aims to preserve and resurrect lesser-known—and until now, inaccessible—gems from the studio’s legacy. The first confirmed release from the Game Log series is the 1996 action-adventure cult classic, 'Tail of the Sun.' Set for launch on December 16th in Japan across Steam and Nintendo Switch, the game was originally developed for the PlayStation in collaboration with renowned designer Kazutoshi Iida, famous for his later work on 'Doshin the Giant.' 'Tail of the Sun' offers a distinct play style in which players guide a prehistoric tribe to collect mammoth tusks and build a tower to the sun.
Notably, Iida once described the title as an 'anti-Mario' in a Game Hihyou interview, explaining his intent to subvert conventional platformer tropes by creating a Mario-like game without a typical happy ending. The initiative doesn’t stop there—Artdink has confirmed that the 1995 aquatic simulation 'Aquanaut’s Holiday,' also created by Iida, is next in line for re-release.
'Aquanaut’s Holiday' garnered a dedicated following for its meditative, non-linear exploration of underwater environments, a pioneering concept for its time on the PS1. While Artdink’s decision to initially focus on Nintendo Switch and PC—rather than returning these PlayStation classics to PS4 and PS5—may surprise some longtime fans, the move represents a broader effort to reach new audiences on popular gaming platforms.
As more titles are added to the Game Log lineup in the future, players can look forward to both nostalgic and novel experiences, now available through digital storefronts like the Nintendo eShop and Steam. Artdink’s Game Log initiative not only underlines the importance of game preservation but also serves as a testament to the studio’s enduring creative legacy within the Japanese gaming industry.
Retro gaming communities and industry observers alike will be watching closely as Artdink continues to expand access to its groundbreaking titles on contemporary devices.
The news surfaced this week through an official announcement from Artdink, with initial details highlighted by Gematsu. Founded in 1986, Artdink has cultivated a reputation for its eclectic portfolio spanning original IPs, licensed projects, and adaptations of popular anime, across a variety of hardware including early Japanese computers and multiple generations of PlayStation consoles.
This diverse history makes the Game Log initiative particularly notable for retro enthusiasts and new players alike, as it aims to preserve and resurrect lesser-known—and until now, inaccessible—gems from the studio’s legacy. The first confirmed release from the Game Log series is the 1996 action-adventure cult classic, 'Tail of the Sun.' Set for launch on December 16th in Japan across Steam and Nintendo Switch, the game was originally developed for the PlayStation in collaboration with renowned designer Kazutoshi Iida, famous for his later work on 'Doshin the Giant.' 'Tail of the Sun' offers a distinct play style in which players guide a prehistoric tribe to collect mammoth tusks and build a tower to the sun.
Notably, Iida once described the title as an 'anti-Mario' in a Game Hihyou interview, explaining his intent to subvert conventional platformer tropes by creating a Mario-like game without a typical happy ending. The initiative doesn’t stop there—Artdink has confirmed that the 1995 aquatic simulation 'Aquanaut’s Holiday,' also created by Iida, is next in line for re-release.
'Aquanaut’s Holiday' garnered a dedicated following for its meditative, non-linear exploration of underwater environments, a pioneering concept for its time on the PS1. While Artdink’s decision to initially focus on Nintendo Switch and PC—rather than returning these PlayStation classics to PS4 and PS5—may surprise some longtime fans, the move represents a broader effort to reach new audiences on popular gaming platforms.
As more titles are added to the Game Log lineup in the future, players can look forward to both nostalgic and novel experiences, now available through digital storefronts like the Nintendo eShop and Steam. Artdink’s Game Log initiative not only underlines the importance of game preservation but also serves as a testament to the studio’s enduring creative legacy within the Japanese gaming industry.
Retro gaming communities and industry observers alike will be watching closely as Artdink continues to expand access to its groundbreaking titles on contemporary devices.
