Bandai Games

Credits

Descriptions by
Yuuko2K and TheLogoFan2004

Captures by
Camenati

Video captures courtesy of
Introstation and Ian M.

Background

This was the videogame division of Japanese toy company Bandai which lasted until 2006 when it was consolidated with Namco's home consumer and amusement development divisions to form Namco Bandai Games.

1st Logo (March 20, 1994-)

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Visuals: Just a still Bandai logo, mostly on a black background.

Technique: Sprite animated graphics.

Variants:

• Most games released in North America had the registered trademark symbol next to the logo.
• On one game released in North America, the byline "PLAYING IS BELIEVING." (which was Bandai's US slogan used during the early 2000s) with the trademark symbol appears next to the logo.

Audio: Mostly none.

Availability: Seen on most games made by the company. The earliest games to include this logo are Ultraman Powered for 3DO and Dragon Ball Z: Idainaru Son Gokū Densetsu for PC Engine. However, most games during this logo's early years don't have this logo at the beginning.

• It also appears at the start of the advert for the English version of the One Piece card game, shown at Namco Funscape arcades (The Gateshead Metrocentre branch at least).

2nd Logo (September 23, 1994-1996)

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Visuals: On a white background, a CGI Bandai logo comes out falling on the screen. It jumps one time and stretches itself. After getting back to the floor, the Bandai logo runs to the screen, and as the background dims the logo zooms back to the center and goes 2D. The background lights up as this happens.

Technique: CGI animation, taking a spotlight of the Playdia's FMV capabilities.

Audio: A weird bouncy theme, with the sounds of kids laughing later and then an orchestra hit.

Availability: Seen whenever you start playing a Bandai game on the Bandai Playdia. This console was only sold in Japan and sold very few copies due to its specialized anime and edutainment games.

3rd Logo (July 28, 1995-May 20, 1999)

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Visuals: On a black background, the Bandai letters zoom out with a blue light trail. The whole Bandai logo with red square appears far away at the center and jumps into the screen, getting closer until it stops.

Technique: Computer effects.

Audio: A loud laser-like sound, followed by a ascending warbling synth.

Audio Variant: SD Gundam G Century had just a beam charging sound after a few seconds of silence.

Availability: Seen on most Bandai PS1 and Saturn games until 1999. Many of the games featuring the logo are from anime and tokusatsu franchises such as Dragon Ball GT: Final Bout, Tenkuu no Escaflowne, Kamen Rider, and Captain Tsubasa J: Get in the Tomorrow. It also appears in original titles like Cyber Egg: Battle Champion and Tail Concerto.

4th Logo (KidStation variant) (September 21, 2000-December 19, 2002)

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Visuals: On a black background, the Bandai logo appears, then a yellow flooring and the flaps on the Bandai logo opens the objects jumped in the sky with the circle transform into "S" with the rest of the letters joined in to form the KidStation logo in a white background.

Technique: Computer effects.

Audio: The sound of the whistle heard when the Bandai logo opens the flaps and a orchestral fanfare continues then ends with the voiceover saying the name.

Availability: Seen on PS1 games by the company under the "KidsStation" brand, including Soreike! Anpanman, Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon World - Chibiusa to Tanoshii Mainichi, Doraemon: Himitsu no Yojigen Pocket, and Ojamajo Do-Re-Mi: Mahodou Dance Carnival!.

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