Company:Intelligent Systems
| File:Intelligent Systems Logo.svg Logotype | |
Native name | 株式会社インテリジェントシステムズ |
|---|---|
Romanized name | Kabushiki gaisha Interijento Shisutemuzu |
| Type | Kabushiki gaisha |
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1983 (As a division under Iwasaki Giken Kogyo.) December 1986 (As a separate entity.) [1] |
| Founder | Toru Narihiro |
| Headquarters | Minami-ku, , Japan |
Key people | |
| Products |
|
Number of employees | 208 (2025) |
| Subsidiaries | Purejio Co., Ltd. (株式会社プレジオ)[2] |
| Website | intsys intsys |
Script error: The function "nihongo_foot" does not exist. is a Japanese video game developer best known for developing games published by Nintendo with the Paper Mario, Fire Emblem, WarioWare, and Wars video game series.
The company is well known for almost exclusively working with Nintendo, despite not being owned by Nintendo in any capacity; some exceptions include various Dragon Quest games, which were published by Square Enix.[3][4]
History
Intelligent Systems originated as Iwasaki Giken in 1983 to develop games for Nintendo. This original group of developers worked on titles like Mario Bros., Wild Gunman, Duck Hunt, Hogan's Alley, Donkey Kong 3, Devil World, Wrecking Crew, Metroid, and more.[3][5]
When the Nintendo Research & Development team was reorganized during the production of the Game Boy, the team was officially separated. In 1986, this group was established by Tohru Narihiro as Intelligent Systems.[6][7] Ryoichi Kitanishi served as company CEO.[3]
Narihiro was tasked with porting software developed for the Famicom Disk System to ROM cartridges for the NES in West. The team became an auxiliary program unit for Nintendo that provided system tools and hired people to program, fix, or port Nintendo-developed software. Much of the team's original work was developed alongside Nintendo R&D1.[7] During this time, Intelligent Systems was one of four companies that Nintendo used to code the majority of its games. Others included Pax Softnica, SRD, and HAL Laboratory.[5]
In 1988, IS developed Famicom Wars.[7] Under game designer Shouzou Kaga, Intelligent Systems and Nintendo R&D1 released Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light in 1990.[8] It was the first time that the company took the lead on game design and graphics. Intelligent Systems began to hire graphic designers, programmers, and musicians to extend the company from an auxiliary–tool developer to a game development group.[5] During development of the Super NES, Intelligent Systems was split into four smaller teams in order to develop games like Super Scope 6, Mario Paint, and Super Metroid. Following the success of Fire Emblem, multiple Fire Emblem titles were released under Kaga.[6]
Intelligent Systems struggled to adjust to 3D game development during the Nintendo 64 era. Kaga left the company after Thracia 776, the fifth game in the series.[9] After five years of development, Fire Emblem 64 was cancelled, though Paper Mario was released in 2000.[6][8]
In 2001, the company released Software:Mario Kart: Super Circuit, and Advance Wars on the Game Boy Advance.[7] This was the first Mario Kart game to be developed outside of Nintendo.[5] That same year, Fire Emblem characters Marth and Roy were included in Super Smash Bros. Melee, and Western fans began to take interest in the franchise. In 2003, the company had 81 employees[10] and moved to Nintendo's Kyoto Research Center in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto,[3][11] where it share space with Nintendo’s Software Planning & Development division.[12] Nintendo would release Software:Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade on the Game Boy Advance, the first game in the series to be localized for the West.[7][8] Within a decade, sales of Fire Emblem games had fallen in the West. Nintendo and Intelligent Systems had decided that 2012's Fire Emblem Awakening would be the last in the series, unless it could sell 250,000 copies.[13] The game proved to be a great success in its first year, selling 400,000 units in Japan alone.[14] It ultimately became the best-selling game in the series in the West and the fastest-selling entry in Japan.[15]
Toshiyuki Nakamura was named president and CEO in April 2010. In October 2013, Intelligent Systems moved to a newly constructed office near Nintendo's new headquarters.[3][5] The company had 130 employees at this time.[10][12] In 2019, Intelligent Systems released Fire Emblem: Three Houses, the franchise's first game on a home console in 12 years. IS partnered with Koei Tecmo, providing the main plot, game system, and mechanics, while Koei handled the bulk of the programming.[15] By 2020, that number had increased to 169.[16]
In 2020, Intelligent Systems finally released a localized version of Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light in the West for the 30th anniversary of the game.[8] It remained in the Nintendo eShop for four months before being delisted.[17]
Mobile apps
In February 2017, Intelligent Systems released a free-to-play gacha mobile game, called Fire Emblem Heroes.[18] Nintendo and DeNA assisted in development.[19] By the end of 2018, it had grossed an estimated $452 million worldwide.[20] To celebrate the game's third year, Intelligent Systems unveiled a subscription plan that would give players cosmetics, extra missions, and power boosts.[21] By 2022, the game had exceeded $1 billion in lifetime revenue.[22] It has made more money than Mario Kart Tour and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp combined, and more than 10 times as Super Mario Run.[23]
A second mobile game, Fire Emblem Shadows, was launched by Intelligent Systems and DeNA in September 2025. This game used real-time combat and social deduction gameplay elements similar to Among Us.[24] However, the iOS app made just $90,000 in its first week, far behind Heroes.[25]
Development tools
Intelligent Systems has produced development support tools for most Nintendo consoles.[3][5] These include emulators, debuggers, software CDs, and more.[26][27][28]
It developed the Wide Boy development tool, which allowed developers to play Game Boy games on a television. Nintendo later released it to the public as the Super Game Boy. Intelligent Systems also created the Wide Boy 64 for the Nintendo 64 console.[6][29] It created software CDs for Game Boy Advance developers.[5]
The company helped to develop the camera app for the Nintendo 3DS, contributing to the feature that allowed users to merge the faces of two people together.[10][30]
List of games developed
Cancelled
| Title | System | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Emblem 64 | Nintendo 64DD | [69] |
| Untitled Fire Emblem game | Wii | [70] |
| Crashmo World | Wii U | [71] |
See also
- OrCAD (distributed by Intelligent Systems Japan, KK)
Notes
References
- ↑ "History" (in ja). Intelligent Systems. http://intsys.co.jp/company/outline/index.html.
- ↑ "インテリジェントシステムズに就職したい!会社の概要と就職の際のポイント". September 2, 2020. https://game-creators.jp/media/career/299/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "沿革 | INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS CO., LTD." (in ja). https://www.intsys.co.jp/.
- ↑ "ゲーム". Intelligent Systems. https://www.intsys.co.jp/works/games/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 Schmitz, Tobias (March 23, 2014). "Fire Emblem-Studio Intelligent Systems ist in neues Gebäude umgezogen" (in de-DE). https://nintendo-online.de/reports/inside-nintendo-36-intelligent-systems-die-geschichte-des-fire-emblem-studios.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 Staff, I. G. N. (2001-01-10). "Developer Profile: Intelligent Systems" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/01/10/developer-profile-intelligent-systems.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Craddock, David (2017-02-03). "How Super Smash Bros. Melee Introduced Fire Emblem to Western Audiences" (in en). https://www.shacknews.com/article/98904/how-super-smash-bros-melee-introduced-fire-emblem-to-western-audiences.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Stockdale, Henry (2023-01-22). "A Fire Emblem retrospective: A history of RPG excellence" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/a-fire-emblem-retrospective-a-history-of-rpg-excellence.
- ↑ Fahey, Mike (2014-11-03). "Ten Things You Might Not Know About Fire Emblem" (in en-US). https://kotaku.com/ten-things-you-might-not-know-about-fire-emblem-1653794689.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Sahdev, Ishaan (2014-06-25). "Intelligent Systems Has Been Growing These Past Few Years" (in en-US). https://www.siliconera.com/intelligent-systems-growing-past-years/.
- ↑ "Location". Intelligent Systems. http://www.intsys.co.jp/english/location/index.html.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Sahdev, Ishaan (2014-01-10). "Fire Emblem Studio Intelligent Systems Has A New Headquarters" (in en-US). https://www.siliconera.com/fire-emblem-studio-intelligent-systems-new-headquarters/.
- ↑ McFerran, Damien (2013-05-23). "Fire Emblem: Awakening Could Have Been The Swansong For The Series" (in en-GB). https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/05/fire_emblem_awakening_could_have_been_the_swansong_for_the_series.
- ↑ Cook, Dave (2013-05-23). "Fire Emblem: Awakening was almost last game in the series, dev reveals" (in en). https://www.vg247.com/fire-emblem-awakening-was-almost-last-game-in-the-series-dev-reveals.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Donaldson, Alex (2019-07-05). ""Without the help of Koei Tecmo it simply wouldn't have been possible" - Fire Emblem: Three Houses developers on their biggest strategy RPG yet" (in en). https://www.vg247.com/fire-emblem-three-houses-interview.
- ↑ Sahdev, Ishaan (2020-02-23). "A Look at How Much Fire Emblem Developer Intelligent Systems Has Grown Lately" (in en-US). https://www.siliconera.com/a-look-at-how-much-fire-emblem-developer-intelligent-systems-has-grown-lately/.
- ↑ Kent, Emma; Reporter (2020-10-22). "The first Fire Emblem game is coming to the west… for four months" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/the-first-fire-emblem-game-is-coming-to-the-west-for-four-months.
- ↑ Bailey, Kat (2019-03-12). "Talking About the Future of Fire Emblem Heroes With Intelligent Systems" (in en). https://www.vg247.com/talking-about-the-future-of-fire-emblem-heroes-with-intelligent-systems.
- ↑ Otero, Jose (2017-01-31). "Fire Emblem Heroes Isn’t a Mobile Knock-Off" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/01/31/fire-emblem-heroes-isnt-a-mobile-knock-off.
- ↑ Nelson, Randy (November 2018). "Fire Emblem Heroes Revenue for October Blazes Past $17 Million Worldwide" (in en-US). https://sensortower.com/blog/fire-emblem-heroes-revenue-october-2018.
- ↑ Frushtick, Russ (2020-02-03). "Nintendo’s new Fire Emblem subscription service is angering fans" (in en). https://www.polygon.com/2020/2/3/21121164/fire-emblem-heroes-feh-pass-subscription-service-nintendo-intelligent-systems/.
- ↑ Astle, Aaron (2025-09-25). "Nintendo shadow drops Fire Emblem Shadows as its first new mobile game in six years" (in en). https://www.pocketgamer.biz/nintendo-shadow-drops-fire-emblem-shadows-as-its-first-new-mobile-game-in-six-years/.
- ↑ Astle, Aaron (2025-02-05). "Nintendo’s Fire Emblem Heroes: eight years, $1.3bn revenue and the value of player voting" (in en). https://www.pocketgamer.biz/nintendos-fire-emblem-heroes-eight-years-13bn-revenue-and-the-value-of-player-voting/.
- ↑ Astle, Aaron (2025-09-25). "Nintendo shadow drops Fire Emblem Shadows as its first new mobile game in six years" (in en). https://www.pocketgamer.biz/nintendo-shadow-drops-fire-emblem-shadows-as-its-first-new-mobile-game-in-six-years/.
- ↑ Astle, Aaron (2025-10-02). "Nintendo’s Fire Emblem Shadows makes just $90,000 in first week on iOS" (in en). https://www.pocketgamer.biz/nintendos-fire-emblem-shadows-makes-just-90000-in-first-week-on-ios/.
- ↑ "Development Support Tools". http://www.intsys.co.jp/company/tool/index.html.
- ↑ "Nintendo Game Boy Advance Devlopment Software CDs". https://devkits.handheldmuseum.com/GB-DevSoftware/index.htm.
- ↑ "Development Tools". http://www.intsys.co.jp/english/tools/index.html.
- ↑ "Nintendo Game Boy Color Wide-Boy (for N64)". https://devkits.handheldmuseum.com/GBC_Wideboy.htm.
- ↑ Sahdev, Ishaan (2011-03-25). "Intelligent Systems Helped Develop The Nintendo 3DS Camera App" (in en-US). https://www.siliconera.com/intelligent-systems-helped-develop-the-nintendo-3ds-camera-app/.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 31.4 31.5 31.6 "ゲーム". Intelligent Systems. https://www.intsys.co.jp/works/games/.
- ↑ Christian Nutt (23 April 2010). "The Elegance Of Metroid: Yoshio Sakamoto Speaks". Gamasutra. United Business Media LLC. http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4333/the_elegance_of_metroid_yoshio_.php.
- ↑ 33.00 33.01 33.02 33.03 33.04 33.05 33.06 33.07 33.08 33.09 33.10 Brown, Mark (April 18, 2013). "Pocket Primer: A complete history of Fire Emblem". http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/3DS/Fire%2BEmblem:%2BAwakening/feature.asp?c=50134.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 Berg, Ricky (2023-07-17). "The Puzzling Legacy of Panel de Pon And Puzzle League" (in en-GB). https://www.timeextension.com/features/the-puzzling-legacy-of-panel-de-pon-and-puzzle-league.
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 "Ranking the Paper Mario games, from best to worst" (in en). 2025-05-24. https://nintendoeverything.com/the-best-paper-mario-games-ranked/.
- ↑ Penwell, Jack (2025-06-06). "Every Game Boy Pokemon Game, Ranked" (in en). https://www.dualshockers.com/every-game-boy-pokemon-game-ranked/.
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 Harris, Craig (2005-08-19). "Advance Wars: Dual Strike" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/08/19/advance-wars-dual-strike.
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 Harris, Craig (2003-06-20). "Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/06/20/advance-wars-2-black-hole-rising.
- ↑ 39.0 39.1 Cole, Michael (February 20, 2003). "Nintendo Puzzle Collection Review". http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/4051/nintendo-puzzle-collection-gamecube.
- ↑ Staff, I. G. N. (2023-09-01). "The 25 Best GameCube Games of All Time" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/the-best-gamecube-games-of-all-time.
- ↑ Harris, Craig (2005-05-12). "WarioWare Twisted" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/12/warioware-twisted.
- ↑ "Iwata Asks - Volume 5 : WarioWare: Snapped! - Page 1" (in en). https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/ds/dsi/4/0/.
- ↑ Harris, Craig (2005-11-28). "Dr. Mario/Puzzle League" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/28/dr-mariopuzzle-league.
- ↑ Wales, Matt (2007-01-09). "Wario Ware: Smooth Moves UK Review" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/01/09/wario-ware-smooth-moves-uk-review.
- ↑ 45.0 45.1 Blundon, Matthew (February 18, 2010). "Link 'n' Launch Review - Review". http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/22586/link-n-launch-nintendo-ds.
- ↑ Burman, Rob (2007-07-04). "DS Snaps Up Camera" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/04/ds-snaps-up-camera.
- ↑ Fletcher, JC (2007-10-10). "Card Hero: Intelligent Systems' other strategy game" (in en-US). https://www.engadget.com/2007-10-10-card-hero-intelligent-systems-other-strategy-game.html.
- ↑ Shoemaker, Brad (October 16, 2007). "Advance Wars: Days of Ruin First Look" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/advance-wars-days-of-ruin-first-look/1100-6181037/.
- ↑ Holmes, Jonathan (2009-04-08). "Destructoid review: WarioWare: Snapped!" (in en-US). https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-review-warioware-snapped/.
- ↑ Holmes, Jonathan (2010-04-30). "Review: WarioWare D.I.Y./WarioWare D.I.Y. Showcase" (in en-US). https://www.destructoid.com/review-warioware-d-i-y-warioware-d-i-y-showcase/.
- ↑ McFerran, Damien (2009-05-18). "Square Enix Confirms Dragon Quest Wars For DSiWare" (in en-GB). https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2009/05/square_enix_confirms_dragon_quest_wars_for_dsiware.
- ↑ MacDonald, Keza (2010-02-01). "530 Eco Shooter review" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/530-eco-shooter-review.
- ↑ "ニンテンドーDSi楽器チューナー". https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/dsiware/ktuj/index.html.
- ↑ "ニンテンドーDSiメトロノーム". https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/dsiware/kmtj/index.html.
- ↑ "Dictionary 6 in 1 with Camera Function" (in en-GB). https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-DSiWare/Dictionary-6-in-1-with-Camera-Function-262675.html.
- ↑ Wahlgren, Jon (2010-02-17). "Review: Spotto! (DSiWare)" (in en-GB). https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2010/02/spotto_dsiware.
- ↑ 57.0 57.1 Drake, Audrey (2012-12-01). "Crashmo Review" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/12/01/crashmo-review.
- ↑ "intsys.co.jp/company/gamesoft/index". https://www.intsys.co.jp/company/gamesoft/index.html.
- ↑ Whitehead, Thomas (May 28, 2014). "Nintendo of America Confirms Pushmo World Release Details". http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/05/nintendo_of_america_confirms_pushmo_world_release_details.
- ↑ Rose, Bryan (March 12, 2015). "Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. Review - Review". http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/39827/code-name-steam-3ds-review.
- ↑ McWhertor, Michael (2015-05-14). "Stretchmo is Nintendo's newest free-to-play experiment for 3DS" (in en). https://www.polygon.com/2015/5/14/8606831/stretchmo-nintendo-3ds-eshop/.
- ↑ Lehew, Alex (November 12, 2015). "Fire Emblem Fates releases February 19th; release details revealed". The Tanooki. http://www.thetanooki.com/2015/11/12/fire-emblem-fates-releases-february-19th-release-details-revealed/.
- ↑ 63.0 63.1 Astle, Aaron (2025-09-25). "Nintendo shadow drops Fire Emblem Shadows as its first new mobile game in six years" (in en). https://www.pocketgamer.biz/nintendo-shadow-drops-fire-emblem-shadows-as-its-first-new-mobile-game-in-six-years/.
- ↑ Sullivan, Meghan (2017-05-16). "Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia Review" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/05/16/fire-emblem-echoes-shadows-of-valentia-review.
- ↑ Donlan, Christian (2018-08-06). "WarioWare Gold review - a glitter-trumpet of sheer joy" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/warioware-gold-review-a-glitter-trumpet-of-sheer-joy.
- ↑ "Intelligent Systems hiring to develop a "popular title" for Nintendo". July 9, 2025. https://www.gonintendo.com/contents/50565-intelligent-systems-hiring-to-develop-a-popular-title-for-nintendo.
- ↑ Hart, Aimee (2025-09-16). "Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is looking more like a prequel than a sequel" (in en). https://www.polygon.com/fire-emblem-fortunes-weave-prequel-sequel-three-houses/.
- ↑ "Archived copy". https://www.gematsu.com/2026/01/virtual-boy-nintendo-classics-overview-trailer.
- ↑ VincentASM (December 9, 2015). "Making of Fire Emblem 64". http://serenesforest.net/2015/12/09/the-making-of-fire-emblem-64/.
- ↑ VincentASM. "Making of Fire Emblem: The Illusive Wii Fire Emblem". http://serenesforest.net/2015/12/27/making-of-fire-emblem-the-illusive-wii-fire-emblem/.
- ↑ Jenni (December 28, 2016). "Crashmo World Apparently Was In Development For the Nintendo Wii U". http://www.siliconera.com/2016/12/28/crashmo-world-apparently-development-nintendo-wii-u/.
External links
