Vanillaware

Website: vanillaware.co.jp/index.htm
Average Review Score: 8.22/10
Average Game Rating: 8.18/10

Vanillaware is a Japanese video game company development studio. Previously, they were known as Puraguru from 2002 until 2004, when they renamed as Vanillaware. The studio's past projects have specialized in 2D, or sprite-based, game design. They have garnered positive attention from fans and game media alike for embracing 2D game design in a market dominated by 3D games. Vanillaware has developed 2 games for the PlayStation 2. The company was formed from the Atlus project team which had developed Princess Crown for the Sega Saturn in 1997. (From Wikipedia)

83
Review Unicorn Overlord (Switch) - A Crowning Tactical RPG Achievement For Vanillaware

My kingdom for a unicorn
How do you follow up a game like 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim? Before that ambitious, phenomenal sci-fi adventure, developer Vanillaware found its niche in creating rich, beautiful-looking worlds with a magical, medieval twist. Sometimes it was traditional Western fantasy, while others it jumped back to Edo Japan.
- Thu 7th Mar 2024
- Reviews
- Nintendo Switch
- Vanillaware
24
Review GrimGrimoire OnceMore (Switch) - Magical Quality Of Life Additions Refine Repetitive RTS

Time is an unending circle
Learning magic is full of danger. One day you’re just getting your head around the basics of summoning different creatures and the next you’re stuck in an inexplicable time loop to prevent a trapped Archmage from reclaiming an artifact of unimaginable power. At least, that’s the way things go in GrimGrimoire OnceMore...
- Fri 31st Mar 2023
- Reviews
- Nintendo Switch
62
Review 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (Switch) - A Rich Narrative Adventure/RTS Hybrid With Outstanding Art

Lucky 13
Atlus is a company that’s sometimes been dubbed a ‘modern Square’ in that it’s become the place in the current industry to get well-budgeted RPG experiences that are equal parts traditional and experimental. It may be known most for its Persona and Shin Megami Tensei games, but the company also sometimes puts out something decidedly...
- Tue 5th Apr 2022
- Reviews
- Nintendo Switch
54
Review Muramasa: The Demon Blade (Wii)

Gorgeous, engrossing, flawed.
A lot of Muramasa: The Demon Blade's pre-release hype hinged on its art; while you could get a good impression of the beauty of the game, it isn’t until you have it in motion on your own screen that it hits you. Vanillaware has delivered a visual and aural feast in its portrayal of feudal Japan; Muramasa is truly a...
- Mon 21st Sep 2009
- Wii
- Reviews
- Retro

21
News Atlus Reveals Top 10 'Most Popular' Characters In Unicorn Overlord

Celebrating one million sales
Vanillaware's smash-hit tactical RPG Unicorn Overlord is currently celebrating more than one million sales, and as part of this, the game's developers recently held a special program. This included Atlus revealing the top 10 most popular characters in the game, as voted by players. These picks were based on each...
- Sat, 9pm
- Nintendo Switch
- Switch eShop
- Atlus
35
News Tactical RPG Gem 'Unicorn Overlord' Smashes Past 1 Million Sales

"Thank YOU for supporting the Liberation Army!"
Vanillaware's outstanding tactical RPG Unicorn Overlord has reached yet another sales milestone, publisher Atlus has announced In a blog post shared on the official Atlus Japan website, the company thanked fans for supporting the game and shared that there are discounts for the game on PSN and Switch...
- Tue 24th Sep 2024
- Nintendo Switch
- Atlus
18
News Sega Profits Boosted By Angry Birds Creator Acquisition

Video game sales are up while net sales are down
Sega has released its Q1 financial report for the three months ending 30th June 2024, and while net sales are down 3.2% year-on-year, the company's entertainment division (which includes video games) is up 34% (via GamesIndustry.biz). A large part of this increase has been attributed to
- Wed 7th Aug 2024
- Industry
- Sega
60
Soapbox Vanillaware's Most Underrated Game Is More Than Just A Pretty Picture

Deserving of a Rebirth
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Alana is talking about a Vanillaware oldie — Muramasa: The Demon Blade, a Wii title that is celebrating its 15th anniversary. And, in the wake of 13 Sentinels and Unicorn...
- Tue 9th Apr 2024
- Features
- Soapbox
- Anniversary
- Wii
- Vanillaware
28
News Tactical RPG 'Unicorn Overlord' Demo Gallops Onto eShop, Save Data Carries Over

Attention!
If you're itching to dive into Unicorn Overlord, the tactical RPG which launches on 8th March, then you can download a free demo from the Switch eShop right now. The demo was revealed during today's Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase and Atlus has confirmed that your save data will carry over to the full game when it launches in just a...
- Wed 21st Feb 2024
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Direct
- Upcoming Releases
- Sega
- Atlus
49
Hands On Strategy Fan? You Need To Keep An Eye On Vanillaware's Stunning 'Unicorn Overlord'

Stable unicorns
Company president George Kamitani wasn’t kidding when he teased that the studio’s next project was “one of Vanillaware's biggest productions” last year. The game he was talking about was Unicorn Overlord, a tactical RPG that, on the surface, looks like a homage to the SRPG greats of the ‘90s. Compared to the hugely...
- Thu 15th Feb 2024
- Features
- Previews
- Nintendo Switch
- Upcoming Releases
- Vanillaware
50
News Vanillaware's Brand New Strategy RPG Is Giving Us Serious Ogre Battle Vibes

Unicorn Overlord looks utterly stunning
In a Nintendo Direct full of nostalgia, remakes, and returning Nintendo IPs, one of the highlights was a brand new strategy RPG from Japanese developer Vanillware — Unicorn Overlord. When the trailer dropped and we saw the studio's stunning hand-drawn visuals, we knew we were in for a treat, and when the...
- Thu 14th Sep 2023
- Nintendo Switch
- Upcoming Releases
- Atlus
- Nintendo Direct
27
News Stunning RTS Adventure '13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim' Continues To Be A Sales Hit For Vanillaware

Surpasses 1 million sales
Publisher Atlus has revealed that the gorgeous 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim — Vanillaware's sci-fi adventure game RTS hybrid — has shipped over 1 million copies physically and digitally (thanks, Gematsu). Atlus shared the news in a post on its official Japanese website earlier today, which also expressed the
- Thu 31st Aug 2023
- Nintendo Switch
9
News GrimGrimoire OnceMore Demo Available To Download Now On Switch

Ta-dah!
Surprise, budding witches! GrimGrimoire OnceMore has just received a demo on the Switch. It's available to download now on both the UK and North American eShops. This gorgeously-drawn real-time strategy game from Vanillaware — developer of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim — and published by NIS America is out next month on Switch, but you can...
- Tue 7th Mar 2023
- Nintendo Switch
- Upcoming Releases
58
News Vanillaware President Really Wants A 'Muramasa' Port But Admits "There Are Problems"

"Our priority now is to start on the homework that has been piling up"
In a recent interview with Nintenderos, Vanillaware president George Kamitani admitted that he wants to bring Wii Metroidvania Muramasa: The Demon Blade to modern consoles one day. However, there are things stopping it. Vanillaware has been on a bit of a roll lately with Switch...
- Thu 26th Jan 2023
- Wii
14
News Vanillaware's GrimGrimoire OnceMore Conjures Up Western Release Date

April showers
NIS America has announced that GrimGrimoire OnceMore, the enhanced release of Vanillaware's 2007 RTS game GrimGrimoire, is coming out on Switch in the west on 4th April in North America and 7th April in Europe. First announced back in April this year, GrimGrimoire OnceMore retains the original PS2 release's gameplay while adding some...
- Wed 21st Dec 2022
- Nintendo Switch
- Upcoming Releases
- NISA
16
Round Up Four New Switch Games Announced At NISA Showcase 2022

GrimGrimoire! Process of Elimination! Void Terrarium 2!
NIS America's Showcase Live took place earlier today, and we got a glimpse at four brand new Switch games coming out in 2023. The publisher — known for the Disgaea and Trails series — has revealed four new Western releases for us to savour next year. And you can get the lowdown on what...
- Wed 7th Sep 2022
- Round Up
- NISA
- Upcoming Releases
- Nintendo Switch
14
Random 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim's Switch Case Hides An Adorable Secret

There are surprises before you even start the game!
Vanillaware's latest title, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, finally landed on Switch yesterday, letting you bring the mystery-laden, mecha-battling, mind-bending story on the go with you. But if you have a physical release of the game, it seems like the surprises start even before you get a chance to boot...
- Wed 13th Apr 2022
- Random
- Nintendo Switch
- Atlus
18
News 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Unveils Mysteries In Latest Trailer

I'm not a robot
The impossible-to-put-into-a-single-genre game 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim launches on Switch on 12th April - that's just a few weeks away. In anticipation, Atlus has dropped a brand-new trailer for Vanillaware's mecha versus kaiju narrative adventure, which hints at some of the mysteries you'll be solving. As the studio behind Odin...
- Thu 24th Mar 2022
- Nintendo Switch
- Upcoming Releases
- Atlus
- SEGA
58
News Muramasa: The Demon Blade And Trauma Team Hitting The Japanese Wii U eShop Next Month

Classic Wii titles inbound
Nintendo has revealed that two fan-favourite Wii titles will be coming to the Wii U eShop next month. Vanillaware's Muramasa: The Demon Blade and Atlus' Trauma Team (known as Hospital: 6 Doctors in Japan) are the titles in question, and will launch on August 19th for 2,700 Yen each. "Muramasa: The Demon Blade and games...
- Wed 29th Jul 2015
- Wii U eShop
- Japan
- Upcoming Releases
29
Remake Request Princess Crown

We explain why this 2D classic needs another shot at glory
In the first of a new series of features, we take a look at a game that is badly in need of a remake on a Nintendo system. Princess Crown might sound like the kind of game you’d expect your little sister to play, but it’s actually the first release from the team that would eventually...
- Mon 28th Jan 2013
- Remake Request
- Retro
- Features
27
NSFW Fan-made Muramasa Artwork Shows Plenty of Crack

Avert your eyes, little ones
Unofficial fan-made artwork usually falls into one of two camps - totally amazing or acutely embarrassing. Thankfully, "Shura Momohime” - by the painfully talented Muuten - is firmly in the former category. It's also happens to be a little bit rude, so don't click this link unless you're comfortable with seeing...
- Fri 8th May 2009
- Wii
- NSFW
- Art
- Awesome
25
News Muramasa: The Demon Blade Loses North American Publisher

The NA fate of Vanillaware’s stunning 2D action title hangs in the balance
XSEED Games – the company that gave North American gamers the superb Retro Game Challenge – has announced that it will no longer be distributing Vanillaware’s upcoming 2D masterpiece Muramasa: The Demon Blade. The statement runs as follows: XSEED Games confirms that...
- Tue 21st Apr 2009
- Wii
- North America

21
News Atlus Reveals Top 10 'Most Popular' Characters In Unicorn Overlord

Celebrating one million sales
Vanillaware's smash-hit tactical RPG Unicorn Overlord is currently celebrating more than one million sales, and as part of this, the game's developers recently held a special program. This included Atlus revealing the top 10 most popular characters in the game, as voted by players. These picks were based on each...
- Sat, 9pm
- Nintendo Switch
- Switch eShop
- Atlus
35
News Tactical RPG Gem 'Unicorn Overlord' Smashes Past 1 Million Sales

"Thank YOU for supporting the Liberation Army!"
Vanillaware's outstanding tactical RPG Unicorn Overlord has reached yet another sales milestone, publisher Atlus has announced In a blog post shared on the official Atlus Japan website, the company thanked fans for supporting the game and shared that there are discounts for the game on PSN and Switch...
- Tue 24th Sep 2024
- Nintendo Switch
- Atlus
18
News Sega Profits Boosted By Angry Birds Creator Acquisition

Video game sales are up while net sales are down
Sega has released its Q1 financial report for the three months ending 30th June 2024, and while net sales are down 3.2% year-on-year, the company's entertainment division (which includes video games) is up 34% (via GamesIndustry.biz). A large part of this increase has been attributed to
- Wed 7th Aug 2024
- Industry
- Sega
60
Soapbox Vanillaware's Most Underrated Game Is More Than Just A Pretty Picture

Deserving of a Rebirth
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Alana is talking about a Vanillaware oldie — Muramasa: The Demon Blade, a Wii title that is celebrating its 15th anniversary. And, in the wake of 13 Sentinels and Unicorn...
- Tue 9th Apr 2024
- Features
- Soapbox
- Anniversary
- Wii
- Vanillaware
28
News Tactical RPG 'Unicorn Overlord' Demo Gallops Onto eShop, Save Data Carries Over

Attention!
If you're itching to dive into Unicorn Overlord, the tactical RPG which launches on 8th March, then you can download a free demo from the Switch eShop right now. The demo was revealed during today's Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase and Atlus has confirmed that your save data will carry over to the full game when it launches in just a...
- Wed 21st Feb 2024
- Nintendo Switch
- Nintendo Direct
- Upcoming Releases
- Sega
- Atlus
49
Hands On Strategy Fan? You Need To Keep An Eye On Vanillaware's Stunning 'Unicorn Overlord'

Stable unicorns
Company president George Kamitani wasn’t kidding when he teased that the studio’s next project was “one of Vanillaware's biggest productions” last year. The game he was talking about was Unicorn Overlord, a tactical RPG that, on the surface, looks like a homage to the SRPG greats of the ‘90s. Compared to the hugely...
- Thu 15th Feb 2024
- Features
- Previews
- Nintendo Switch
- Upcoming Releases
- Vanillaware
50
News Vanillaware's Brand New Strategy RPG Is Giving Us Serious Ogre Battle Vibes

Unicorn Overlord looks utterly stunning
In a Nintendo Direct full of nostalgia, remakes, and returning Nintendo IPs, one of the highlights was a brand new strategy RPG from Japanese developer Vanillware — Unicorn Overlord. When the trailer dropped and we saw the studio's stunning hand-drawn visuals, we knew we were in for a treat, and when the...
- Thu 14th Sep 2023
- Nintendo Switch
- Upcoming Releases
- Atlus
- Nintendo Direct
27
News Stunning RTS Adventure '13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim' Continues To Be A Sales Hit For Vanillaware

Surpasses 1 million sales
Publisher Atlus has revealed that the gorgeous 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim — Vanillaware's sci-fi adventure game RTS hybrid — has shipped over 1 million copies physically and digitally (thanks, Gematsu). Atlus shared the news in a post on its official Japanese website earlier today, which also expressed the
- Thu 31st Aug 2023
- Nintendo Switch
9
News GrimGrimoire OnceMore Demo Available To Download Now On Switch

Ta-dah!
Surprise, budding witches! GrimGrimoire OnceMore has just received a demo on the Switch. It's available to download now on both the UK and North American eShops. This gorgeously-drawn real-time strategy game from Vanillaware — developer of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim — and published by NIS America is out next month on Switch, but you can...
- Tue 7th Mar 2023
- Nintendo Switch
- Upcoming Releases
58
News Vanillaware President Really Wants A 'Muramasa' Port But Admits "There Are Problems"

"Our priority now is to start on the homework that has been piling up"
In a recent interview with Nintenderos, Vanillaware president George Kamitani admitted that he wants to bring Wii Metroidvania Muramasa: The Demon Blade to modern consoles one day. However, there are things stopping it. Vanillaware has been on a bit of a roll lately with Switch...
- Thu 26th Jan 2023
- Wii
14
News Vanillaware's GrimGrimoire OnceMore Conjures Up Western Release Date

April showers
NIS America has announced that GrimGrimoire OnceMore, the enhanced release of Vanillaware's 2007 RTS game GrimGrimoire, is coming out on Switch in the west on 4th April in North America and 7th April in Europe. First announced back in April this year, GrimGrimoire OnceMore retains the original PS2 release's gameplay while adding some...
- Wed 21st Dec 2022
- Nintendo Switch
- Upcoming Releases
- NISA
16
Round Up Four New Switch Games Announced At NISA Showcase 2022

GrimGrimoire! Process of Elimination! Void Terrarium 2!
NIS America's Showcase Live took place earlier today, and we got a glimpse at four brand new Switch games coming out in 2023. The publisher — known for the Disgaea and Trails series — has revealed four new Western releases for us to savour next year. And you can get the lowdown on what...
- Wed 7th Sep 2022
- Round Up
- NISA
- Upcoming Releases
- Nintendo Switch
14
Random 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim's Switch Case Hides An Adorable Secret

There are surprises before you even start the game!
Vanillaware's latest title, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, finally landed on Switch yesterday, letting you bring the mystery-laden, mecha-battling, mind-bending story on the go with you. But if you have a physical release of the game, it seems like the surprises start even before you get a chance to boot...
- Wed 13th Apr 2022
- Random
- Nintendo Switch
- Atlus
18
News 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Unveils Mysteries In Latest Trailer

I'm not a robot
The impossible-to-put-into-a-single-genre game 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim launches on Switch on 12th April - that's just a few weeks away. In anticipation, Atlus has dropped a brand-new trailer for Vanillaware's mecha versus kaiju narrative adventure, which hints at some of the mysteries you'll be solving. As the studio behind Odin...
- Thu 24th Mar 2022
- Nintendo Switch
- Upcoming Releases
- Atlus
- SEGA
58
News Muramasa: The Demon Blade And Trauma Team Hitting The Japanese Wii U eShop Next Month

Classic Wii titles inbound
Nintendo has revealed that two fan-favourite Wii titles will be coming to the Wii U eShop next month. Vanillaware's Muramasa: The Demon Blade and Atlus' Trauma Team (known as Hospital: 6 Doctors in Japan) are the titles in question, and will launch on August 19th for 2,700 Yen each. "Muramasa: The Demon Blade and games...
- Wed 29th Jul 2015
- Wii U eShop
- Japan
- Upcoming Releases
29
Remake Request Princess Crown

We explain why this 2D classic needs another shot at glory
In the first of a new series of features, we take a look at a game that is badly in need of a remake on a Nintendo system. Princess Crown might sound like the kind of game you’d expect your little sister to play, but it’s actually the first release from the team that would eventually...
- Mon 28th Jan 2013
- Remake Request
- Retro
- Features
27
NSFW Fan-made Muramasa Artwork Shows Plenty of Crack

Avert your eyes, little ones
Unofficial fan-made artwork usually falls into one of two camps - totally amazing or acutely embarrassing. Thankfully, "Shura Momohime” - by the painfully talented Muuten - is firmly in the former category. It's also happens to be a little bit rude, so don't click this link unless you're comfortable with seeing...
- Fri 8th May 2009
- Wii
- NSFW
- Art
- Awesome
25
News Muramasa: The Demon Blade Loses North American Publisher

The NA fate of Vanillaware’s stunning 2D action title hangs in the balance
XSEED Games – the company that gave North American gamers the superb Retro Game Challenge – has announced that it will no longer be distributing Vanillaware’s upcoming 2D masterpiece Muramasa: The Demon Blade. The statement runs as follows: XSEED Games confirms that...
- Tue 21st Apr 2009
- Wii
- North America

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