As it reboots its brand in the U.S., Japanese developer Sunsoft is bolstering its catalog with the acquisition of all rights to games from defunct 8 and 16-bit developer Nihon Telenet.
Nihon Telenet was known for the
Valis and
Cosmic Fantasy series, as well as titles like
Exile and
Earnest Evans. Sunsoft says it will first publish the original titles via the Wii's virtual console and "other platforms," and then will start work developing remakes of key properties for current generations.
"I am proud to have succeeded in creating a home for this large family of key software," says Kiharu Yoshida, CEO of Sunsoft parent Suncorporation. "We plan to carefully cultivate the great software base we have purchased with this transaction."
Victor Ireland's Gaijinworks, which is
supporting Sunsoft's re-establishment efforts, helped broker the deal, and Gaijinworks will continue to support Sunsoft in implementing its publishing plans and selecting titles.
Says Ireland: "After Telenet closed, I was sure there was a way to keep their great ideas and characters alive, and I’m extremely happy that Sunsoft has stepped into that role. There are numerous fantastic products to work with in this acquisition, and there is nothing but amazing possibilities for the Telenet IP as a whole."
Sunsoft will launch its cherished but infamously difficult NES title
Blaster Master on the Wii's Virtual Console later this month, marking its official return to the business.
