Was Ultra a division of Konami?

[DrSpengler]

Just a quick question.

The first two games for the NES say they were produced by Ultra games. Was that a division of Konami? Because every game after that was labled as a Konami product.

Thanks.

[GK Punk]

Short answer, yes

[Karpo_007]

It was? I have alwyas tough diffrent company made the first nes game..

[Dinny]

Im sure theyre not the same company and they just workd together because Ultra games even creates its own consoles.

[GK Punk]

No I am pretty sure Ultra atleast WAS a subsidiary(sp) of Konami.
They could have been seperated from them by now for all I know

[GK Punk]

"A short-lived brand of Konami"

http://www.the-underdogs.org/company.php?name=Ultra+Games

or

http://www.mobygames.com/game/versions/gameId,6932/

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Released: 1989 (complete release info)
Published By: Konami
Developed By: Ultra Software Corporation
MobyScore: 4.0 (out of 5)
Platforms: DOS, NES

Genre: Action
Perspective: Platform
Non-Sport: Arcade
Misc: Licensed Title



Release dates, publisher and developer information for this game listed by platform:

DOS
United States Release Info
Release Date: 1989
Published By: Konami
Developed By: Ultra Software Corporation

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


NES
United States Release Info
Release Date: 1989
Published By: Ultra Software Corporation
Developed By: Konami


The game was made by Konami, released by their off-shoot company, Ultra

Edit:

Dinny, Ultra has been out of buisness for several years

[Dinny]

O right, I didnt no that.

[Raph]

My first NES copy of TMNT says, 2 developers

Ultra and Palcom

Absolutely no Konami...so I have doubts that Konami was involved

[Karpo_007]

Palcom was the distributor in Europe. I don't think that Ultra games is part of Konami, but konami hired them to do the game. Star Ocean is Enix's most famous RPG series but still they haven't made a single SO them selfs, they pay Tri Star to do it. I think it's the same with Konami and Ultragames. Why Konami's name doesn't show anywhere in the game, thats a mystery.

[DrSpengler]

Interesting...

[GK Punk]

Palcom was the distributor in Europe. I don't think that Ultra games is part of Konami, but konami hired them to do the game. Star Ocean is Enix's most famous RPG series but still they haven't made a single SO them selfs, they pay Tri Star to do it. I think it's the same with Konami and Ultragames. Why Konami's name doesn't show anywhere in the game, thats a mystery.

Well I found several websites (2 I already linked to) that says it was owned by Konami, but seeing as how everyone on this board always thinks Im worng, or something, I give up

[Tetsu Deinonychus]

I believe you.

[Dane E5R]

GK's right, I remember reading somewhere that Ultra was an affiliate of Konami. Either that, or they're the same company.

[Oxnard Hamster]

I think Ultra was a subsidary of Konami. I think I can explain:
I've heard from NES fans that back then, Nintendo had some odd rule about how companies producing for their console could only produce so many games at a time. To get around this, companies like Konami created subsidaries under a different name so they could keep churning out games.

[Karpo_007]

So ultragames has seprated from Konami later then. I know it's a diffrent company now, if it even excists anymore.

[DrSpengler]

Ahhhhh....so Ultra WAS owned by Konami.

Thanks for clearing that up!

[Ninja Tiptup]

Ultra WAS Konami. Back then companies were only allowed to release a certain ammount of games at a time. Konami needed to release more than they were being allowed. All those Contra's, Castlevania, Metal Gear, etc. So they formed another company to publish the games. Thus Ultra was born. Notable titles include Metal Gear, Skate or Die, and of course Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. This video game lesson was brought to by a guy that seems to know way too much about TMNT video games.

[Roseangelo]

Yup.. that's exactly right.

[impetus]

I like vanilla ice cream.

[Raijin Z]

Ultra and Konami published games use the same graphics and sound code. Compare Jackal to Contra. Same explosions, some of the same SFX. Ultra was more of a pseudonym for Konami than a bonafide subsidiary.

[Stone Ill]

I read in a magazine that Ultra was Konami's former name..or atleast some division in it.

[Ninja Tiptup]

They were a second company Konami made so they could sell more games at one time.

[Raijin Z]

Actually it was so they'd appear to be less Japanese.

[Ninja Tiptup]

LOL, could be.

[jasonorme666]

Konami were around and making games before the 1987(?) release of TMNT. so changing there company name for 1 title would seem pretty weird.

And if you look, the 1987 hand held battery operated games, were made by Konami, and not Ultra.

Obvously Ultra had the original rights to make console based tmnt games, but konami had the hand held rights. and tmnt owners obvoisly thought that Konami were doing a better job (thank god)

[Ninja Tiptup]

No sir Ultra was an extra name for Konami. Konami always had the console rights to TMNT. TMNT 1 was released under the Konami name to boot. Check out the credits on the begining of the game my man. I believe they say Konami on there somewhere (on the US version of TMNT 1 and/or 2 that is.

[GK Punk]

Plus, you can look up websites on the subject that say the same thing.

And why are all these old threads coming back?

[jasonorme666]

Old threads are comming back, cuz i keep replying to them :P
some are really interesting, carnt resist but to reply.


Ok, hears somthing.

TMNT on Amstrad. That didnt say Konami in it at all. Only Ultra

[Ninja Tiptup]

I wouldn't know. I never played the Amstrad version of TMNT 1.

I believe they have the history of TMNT games somewhere on www.classicgaming.com.

[impetus]

And why are all these old threads coming back?noooooooooobs..... gotta love em :D



I love you noobs!!! And you too Dr. Doom!!!

[jasonorme666]

I was actully here before all of you, check my join date :P

[impetus]

In that case I don't love YOU. :lol: Is that what you wanted?

[GK Punk]

Old threads are comming back, cuz i keep replying to them :P
some are really interesting, carnt resist but to reply.


Ok, hears somthing.

TMNT on Amstrad. That didnt say Konami in it at all. Only Ultra


Ooooooooooooooooooooooooh Okay.
There's a rule that we don't bring old threads back, but meh who's counting.

Anyways, several sources all say that Konami started Ultra.

[jasonorme666]

I think what mainly bring a debate is that Ultra really sucked arse.
But Konami Really Kick Arse.

So, i guess thats why it seems to weird

And Impetus, i love you :tlove: *shudders*

[Ninja Tiptup]

They are both Konami but under the name of Ultra. TMNT 1 and 2, Metal Gear 1, and Skate or Die 1 were released. None of which sucked. So how does Ultra suck? If anything the name was less than original.