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{{Short description|1987 video game}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox video game
{{Infobox video game
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|released = {{vgrelease|JP|September 1987<ref name="ATVGL:JaO1971-2005">{{cite book|last=Akagi|first=Masumi|url=https://archive.org/stream/ArcadeGameList1971-2005#page/n44/mode/1up|title=タイトー (Taito); 東亜プラン (Toa Plan); Taito America; P|work=アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内•海外編 (1971-2005)|edition=1st|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement News Agency]]|date=13 October 2006|pages=43, 50, 137, 161|isbn=978-4990251215|language=ja}}</ref>|NA|December 1987<ref name="ATVGL:JaO1971-2005"/>}}
|released = {{vgrelease|JP|September 1987<ref name="ATVGL:JaO1971-2005">{{cite book|last=Akagi|first=Masumi|url=https://archive.org/stream/ArcadeGameList1971-2005#page/n44/mode/1up|title=タイトー (Taito); 東亜プラン (Toa Plan); Taito America; P|work=アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内•海外編 (1971-2005)|edition=1st|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement News Agency]]|date=13 October 2006|pages=43, 50, 137, 161|isbn=978-4990251215|language=ja}}</ref>|NA|December 1987<ref name="ATVGL:JaO1971-2005"/>}}
|genre = [[Platform game|Platform]]
|genre = [[Platform game|Platform]]
|modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
|modes = {{flatlist|
*[[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
*[[Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]]}}
}}
}}
'''''Wardner'''''{{efn|Also known as {{nihongo|'''''Forest of Wardner'''''|ワードナの森|''Wardner no Mori''||lead=yes}} in Japan and '''''Pyros''''' in North America on the arcades.}} is a [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] [[platform game]] developed by [[Toaplan]] and published in arcades worldwide by [[Taito]] in 1987.<ref name="G49">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/gamest0049#page/51/mode/2up|title=東亜プラン|magazine=[[Gamest]]|issue=49|publisher=[[Shinseisha]]|date=September 1990|lang=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-gamest/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107033548/http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-gamest/|date=2019-11-07}}).</ref>
'''''Wardner'''''{{efn|Also known as {{nihongo|'''''Forest of Wardner'''''|ワードナの森|''Wardner no Mori''||lead=yes}} in Japan and '''''Pyros''''' in North America on the arcades.}} is a [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] [[platform game]] developed by [[Toaplan]] and published in arcades worldwide by [[Taito]] in 1987.<ref name="G49">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/gamest0049#page/51/mode/2up|title=東亜プラン|magazine=[[Gamest]]|issue=49|publisher=[[Shinseisha]]|date=September 1990|lang=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-gamest/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107033548/http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-gamest/|date=2019-11-07}}).</ref>
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In ''Wardner'', players assume the role of a child named Dover on a journey to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend Mia from the titular [[warlock]]. Initially released for the arcades, the title was later [[Porting#Porting in gaming|ported]] to other [[Video game#Platforms|platforms]] by different [[third-party developer]]s including the [[Famicom Disk System]] and [[Sega Genesis]], with each one featuring several changes and additions compared to the original version. [[Video game conversion|Conversion]]s for both the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] and [[PC Engine]] were also in development but never released.
In ''Wardner'', players assume the role of a child named Dover on a journey to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend Mia from the titular [[warlock]]. Initially released for the arcades, the title was later [[Porting#Porting in gaming|ported]] to other [[Video game#Platforms|platforms]] by different [[third-party developer]]s including the [[Famicom Disk System]] and [[Sega Genesis]], with each one featuring several changes and additions compared to the original version. [[Video game conversion|Conversion]]s for both the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] and [[PC Engine]] were also in development but never released.


''Wardner'' was met with positive reception from [[video game magazines]] since its release in arcades, though reviewers drew comparison with [[Capcom]]'s ''[[Ghosts 'n Goblins (video game)|Ghosts 'n Goblins]]'' due to its gameplay style, while the Genesis version was met with mixed reviews after launch. As of 2019, the rights to the title is owned by Tatsujin, a company founded in 2017 by former Toaplan member Masahiro Yuge and now-affiliate of Japanese arcade manufacturer exA-Arcadia alongside many other Toaplan [[Intellectual property|IP]]s.
''Wardner'' was met with positive reception from [[video game magazines]] since its release in arcades, though reviewers drew comparison with [[Capcom]]'s ''[[Ghosts 'n Goblins (video game)|Ghosts 'n Goblins]]'' due to its gameplay style, while the Genesis version was met with mixed reviews after launch. As of 2019, the rights to the title are owned by Tatsujin, a company founded in 2017 by former Toaplan member Masahiro Yuge and now-affiliate of Japanese arcade manufacturer exA-Arcadia alongside many other Toaplan [[Intellectual property|IP]]s.


== Gameplay ==
== Gameplay ==
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== Development and release ==
== Development and release ==
''Wardner'' was released on arcades worldwide by Taito in 1987, while the North American version was distributed under the name ''Pyros''.<ref name="ATVGL:JaO1971-2005"/> Osamu Ōta served as [[Video game music#Composers|composer]] for the title's [[Soundtrack#Video game soundtracks|soundtrack]] under the alias "Ree" in one of his first roles on the [[video game industry]] prior to ''[[Twin Hawk]]'' and ''[[Snow Bros.]]''.<ref name="PSGv10">{{cite magazine|last=Abeto|first=Kobatsu|title=東亜プランインタビュー|magazine=PSG|volume=10|publisher=F.S.G Club|date=September 1989|lang=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-psg/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531193430/http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-psg/|date=2017-05-31}}).</ref><ref name="STGv4b">{{cite magazine|last1=Kiyoshi|first1=Tane|author2=hally (VORC)|last3=Yūsaku|first3=Yamamoto|title=東亜プラン特集 - 元・東亜プラン 開発者インタビュー: 弓削雅稔|magazine=Shooting Gameside|volume=4|publisher=Micro Magazine|date=3 February 2012|pages=41–48|lang=ja|isbn=978-4896373844}} ([http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-yuge1/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906023744/http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-yuge1/|date=2019-09-06}}).</ref><ref name="VGMDB">{{cite web|url=https://vgmdb.net/album/5540|title=H24X-10005 &#124; TATSUJIN ~TOA PLAN GAME MUSIC SCENE ONE~|work=vgmdb.net|publisher=VGMdb|access-date=2019-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508223350/https://vgmdb.net/album/5540|archive-date=8 May 2019|url-status=live}} ([http://shmuplations.com/toaplanmusic/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022183049/http://shmuplations.com/toaplanmusic/|date=2019-10-22}}).</ref><ref name="vgmoWNMP">{{cite web|last=Kotowski|first=Don|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/truxton/|title=Truxton -Toaplan Game Music Scene-|website=vgmonline.net|publisher=Video Game Music Online|date=1 August 2012|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref> Former Toaplan composer Masahiro Yuge stated in a 2012 interview with Japanese publications ''Shooting Gameside'' that Ōta joined the company when their staff was small, while [[Tatsuya Uemura]] stated in a 2009 interview that the project was created by Etsuhiro Wada and was also influenced by ''[[Wizardry]]''.<ref name="STGv4b"/><ref>{{cite magazine|author1=Iona|author2=VHS|author3=K-HEX|title=東亜プラン FOREVER|magazine=Floor 25|volume=9|date=June 2009|pages=1–70|lang=ja}} ([https://www.gamengai.com/#/cmnt-info?id=2332 Translation] by Gamengai. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010170328/https://www.gamengai.com/#/cmnt-info?id=2332|date=2020-10-10}}).</ref> On 25 June 1989, an album containing music from the title and other Toaplan games was published exclusively in Japan by [[Datam Polystar]].<ref name="VGMDB"/><ref name="vgmoWNMP"/>
''Wardner'' was released on arcades worldwide by Taito in 1987, while the North American version was distributed under the name ''Pyros''.<ref name="ATVGL:JaO1971-2005"/> Osamu Ōta served as [[Video game music#Composers|composer]] for the title's [[Soundtrack#Video game soundtracks|soundtrack]] under the alias "Ree" in one of his first roles on the [[video game industry]] prior to ''[[Twin Hawk]]'' and ''[[Snow Bros.]]''.<ref name="PSGv10">{{cite magazine|last=Abeto|first=Kobatsu|title=東亜プランインタビュー|magazine=PSG|volume=10|publisher=F.S.G Club|date=September 1989|lang=ja}} ([http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-psg/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531193430/http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-psg/|date=2017-05-31}}).</ref><ref name="STGv4b">{{cite magazine|last1=Kiyoshi|first1=Tane|author2=hally (VORC)|last3=Yūsaku|first3=Yamamoto|title=東亜プラン特集 - 元・東亜プラン 開発者インタビュー: 弓削雅稔|magazine=Shooting Gameside|volume=4|publisher=Micro Magazine|date=3 February 2012|pages=41–48|lang=ja|isbn=978-4896373844}} ([http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-yuge1/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906023744/http://shmuplations.com/toaplan-yuge1/|date=2019-09-06}}).</ref><ref name="VGMDB">{{cite web|url=https://vgmdb.net/album/5540|title=H24X-10005 &#124; TATSUJIN ~TOA PLAN GAME MUSIC SCENE ONE~|work=vgmdb.net|publisher=VGMdb|access-date=2019-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508223350/https://vgmdb.net/album/5540|archive-date=8 May 2019|url-status=live}} ([http://shmuplations.com/toaplanmusic/ Translation] by Shmuplations. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022183049/http://shmuplations.com/toaplanmusic/|date=2019-10-22}}).</ref><ref name="vgmoWNMP">{{cite web|last=Kotowski|first=Don|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/truxton/|title=Truxton -Toaplan Game Music Scene-|website=vgmonline.net|publisher=Video Game Music Online|date=1 August 2012|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref> Former Toaplan composer Masahiro Yuge stated in a 2012 interview with Japanese publications ''Shooting Gameside'' that Ōta joined the company when their staff was small, while [[Tatsuya Uemura]] stated in a 2009 interview that the project was created by Etsuhiro Wada and was also influenced by ''[[Wizardry]]''.<ref name="STGv4b"/><ref>{{cite magazine|author1=Iona|author2=VHS|author3=K-HEX|title=東亜プラン FOREVER|magazine=Floor 25|volume=9|date=June 2009|pages=1–70|lang=ja}} ([https://www.gamengai.com/#/cmnt-info?id=2332 Translation] by Gamengai. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010170328/https://www.gamengai.com/#/cmnt-info?id=2332|date=2020-10-10}}).</ref> In June 1989, an album containing music from the title and other Toaplan games was published exclusively in Japan by [[Datam Polystar]].<ref name="VGMDB"/><ref name="vgmoWNMP"/>


On 25 March 1988, a port of ''Wardner'' developed by Daiei Seisakusho was released exclusively in Japan for the Famicom Disk System by Taito.<ref name="GDRfds">{{cite web|url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTC1_FC1988.html|title=FAMICOM Soft > 1988|publisher=GAME Data Room|accessdate=2019-10-25|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001125739/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTC1_FC1988.html|archive-date=1 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=CRV|url=http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Daiei_Seisakusho|title=Daiei Seisakusho|website=gdri.smspower.org|date=25 January 2011|accessdate=2019-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303173143/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Daiei_Seisakusho|archive-date=3 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> A version for the Nintendo Entertainment System was developed and planned to be published by [[Sammy Corporation|Sammy]] in North America under the name ''Pyross''.<ref name="EGM13">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_13#page/n76/mode/1up|title=Nintendo Player - Pyross (American Sammy)|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=13|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=August 1990|page=75}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=MacMillan Jr|first=John|url=http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?StartRow=26&catid=3&threadid=61476|title=Rare NES vidpro cards|website=nintendoage.com|publisher=Bucket Head Media, LLC|date=7 February 2012|access-date=2019-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027031009/http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?StartRow=26&catid=3&threadid=61476|archive-date=2019-10-27|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite being showcased to the public during the [[Consumer Electronics Show#1990s|Summer Consumer Electronics Show 1990]], this version of the game was never officially released for unknown reasons.<ref name="EGM13"/>
On 25 March 1988, a port of ''Wardner'' developed by Daiei Seisakusho was released exclusively in Japan for the Famicom Disk System by Taito.<ref name="GDRfds">{{cite web|url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTC1_FC1988.html|title=FAMICOM Soft > 1988|publisher=GAME Data Room|accessdate=2019-10-25|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001125739/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_NTC1_FC1988.html|archive-date=1 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=CRV|url=http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Daiei_Seisakusho|title=Daiei Seisakusho|website=gdri.smspower.org|date=25 January 2011|accessdate=2019-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190303173143/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Daiei_Seisakusho|archive-date=3 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> A version for the Nintendo Entertainment System was developed and planned to be published by [[Sammy Corporation|Sammy]] in North America under the name ''Pyross''.<ref name="EGM13">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_13#page/n76/mode/1up|title=Nintendo Player - Pyross (American Sammy)|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=13|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=August 1990|page=75}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=MacMillan Jr|first=John|url=http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?StartRow=26&catid=3&threadid=61476|title=Rare NES vidpro cards|website=nintendoage.com|publisher=Bucket Head Media, LLC|date=7 February 2012|access-date=2019-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027031009/http://nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?StartRow=26&catid=3&threadid=61476|archive-date=2019-10-27|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite being showcased to the public during the [[Consumer Electronics Show#1990s|Summer Consumer Electronics Show 1990]], this version of the game was never officially released for unknown reasons.<ref name="EGM13"/>
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On 26 April 1991, a reworked port of the game was developed for the Sega Genesis by Dragnet and first released in Japan by [[Visco Corporation]] under the name ''Wardner no Mori Special'', while a North American release by Mentrix Software occurred later on May of the same year.<ref name="GProGENwnmp"/><ref name="MDF15">{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AMegadrive_Fan_1991-04.pdf&page=34|title=New - ワードナの森 SPECIAL|magazine=[[:ja:メガドライブFAN|Mega Drive Fan]]|issue=15|publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]]|date=April 1991|pages=34–35|lang=ja}}</ref><ref name="GDRmd">{{cite web|url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_SGC2_MD1991.html|title=MEGA DRIVE Soft > 1991|publisher=GAME Data Room|accessdate=2019-10-26|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827211343/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_SGC2_MD1991.html|archive-date=27 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=CRV|url=http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Dragnet|title=Dragnet|website=gdri.smspower.org|date=27 February 2012|accessdate=2019-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009184958/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Dragnet|archive-date=9 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1988, a version for the PC Engine was announced to be in development by [[NEC Avenue]] under the helm of [[Prototype (company)|Prototype]] founder Toshio Tabeta and despite being previewed, the project was then moved on to the [[TurboGrafx-16#TurboGrafx-CD/CD-ROM²|PC Engine CD-ROM²]] and ultimately to the [[TurboGrafx-16#Super CD-ROM²|PC Engine Super CD-ROM²]] before being cancelled after multiple delays, despite work on the port being completed.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ワードナの森|magazine=[[:ja:マル勝PCエンジン|Marukatsu PC Engine]]|issue=1|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|date=29 November 1988|lang=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_29#page/n53/mode/2up|title=Gametronix|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=29|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=December 1991|pages=54–55}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Famitsu0226Apr161993#page/n137/mode/2up|title=The Schedule: PC (PCエンジン) - ワードナの森|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|issue=226|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation|ASCII]]|date=16 April 1993|pages=138–139|lang=ja}}</ref><ref name="Yugev7i8">{{cite magazine|title=プロデューサー 多部田俊雄氏インタビュー|magazine=[[:ja:GAME SIDE#ユーゲー|Yūgē]]|volume=7|issue=8|publisher=[[:ja:キルタイムコミュニケーション|Kill Time Communication]]|date=1 May 2003|pages=94–96|lang=ja}}</ref>
On 26 April 1991, a reworked port of the game was developed for the Sega Genesis by Dragnet and first released in Japan by [[Visco Corporation]] under the name ''Wardner no Mori Special'', while a North American release by Mentrix Software occurred later on May of the same year.<ref name="GProGENwnmp"/><ref name="MDF15">{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AMegadrive_Fan_1991-04.pdf&page=34|title=New - ワードナの森 SPECIAL|magazine=[[:ja:メガドライブFAN|Mega Drive Fan]]|issue=15|publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]]|date=April 1991|pages=34–35|lang=ja}}</ref><ref name="GDRmd">{{cite web|url=http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_SGC2_MD1991.html|title=MEGA DRIVE Soft > 1991|publisher=GAME Data Room|accessdate=2019-10-26|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827211343/http://tk-nz.game.coocan.jp/gamedatabase/software/DB_SGC2_MD1991.html|archive-date=27 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=CRV|url=http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Dragnet|title=Dragnet|website=gdri.smspower.org|date=27 February 2012|accessdate=2019-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009184958/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Dragnet|archive-date=9 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1988, a version for the PC Engine was announced to be in development by [[NEC Avenue]] under the helm of [[Prototype (company)|Prototype]] founder Toshio Tabeta and despite being previewed, the project was then moved on to the [[TurboGrafx-16#TurboGrafx-CD/CD-ROM²|PC Engine CD-ROM²]] and ultimately to the [[TurboGrafx-16#Super CD-ROM²|PC Engine Super CD-ROM²]] before being cancelled after multiple delays, despite work on the port being completed.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ワードナの森|magazine=[[:ja:マル勝PCエンジン|Marukatsu PC Engine]]|issue=1|publisher=[[Kadokawa Shoten]]|date=29 November 1988|lang=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_29#page/n53/mode/2up|title=Gametronix|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=29|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=December 1991|pages=54–55}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/Famitsu0226Apr161993#page/n137/mode/2up|title=The Schedule: PC (PCエンジン) - ワードナの森|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|issue=226|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation|ASCII]]|date=16 April 1993|pages=138–139|lang=ja}}</ref><ref name="Yugev7i8">{{cite magazine|title=プロデューサー 多部田俊雄氏インタビュー|magazine=[[:ja:GAME SIDE#ユーゲー|Yūgē]]|volume=7|issue=8|publisher=[[:ja:キルタイムコミュニケーション|Kill Time Communication]]|date=1 May 2003|pages=94–96|lang=ja}}</ref>


In 2019, Japanese company [[M2 (game developer)|M2]] announced that in 2020 they will release every game by Toaplan (excluding ''[[Mahjong Sisters]]'' and ''[[Enma Daiō]]'') for consoles in Japan including ''Wardner''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wong|first=Alistair|url=https://www.siliconera.com/m2-to-bring-nearly-all-toaplan-games-to-modern-home-consoles/|title=M2 To Bring Nearly All Toaplan Games To Modern Home Consoles|work=[[Siliconera]]|publisher=[[Curse LLC]]|date=December 7, 2019|access-date=2020-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207161342/https://www.siliconera.com/m2-to-bring-nearly-all-toaplan-games-to-modern-home-consoles/|archive-date=2019-12-07|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Romano|first=Sal|url=https://gematsu.com/2019/12/m2-to-release-nearly-every-toaplan-game-for-console-starting-2020-in-japan|title=M2 to release nearly every Toaplan game for console starting 2020 in Japan - Mahjong Sisters and Enma Daiou not included|date=December 7, 2019|work=Gematsu|access-date=2020-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207195505/https://gematsu.com/2019/12/m2-to-release-nearly-every-toaplan-game-for-console-starting-2020-in-japan|archive-date=2019-12-07|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Muñoz|first=José David|url=https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/noticias/snow-bros-truxton-juegos-toaplan-llegaran-ps4-nintendo-switch-xbox-one-543325|title=Snow Bros. Truxton y más juegos de Toaplan llegarán a PS4, Nintendo Switch y Xbox One|work=[[Hobby Consolas]]|publisher=[[Axel Springer SE]]|date=December 8, 2019|access-date=2020-07-04|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208170058/https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/noticias/snow-bros-truxton-juegos-toaplan-llegaran-ps4-nintendo-switch-xbox-one-543325|archive-date=2019-12-08|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, both the arcade and the Famicom Disk System versions will be included in the ''Hishou Same! Same! Same!'' compilation for [[Nintendo Switch]] and [[PlayStation 4]] as part of M2's ''Toaplan Arcade Garage'' label as downloadable content.<ref>{{cite news|last=Romano|first=Sal|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/12/hishou-same-same-same-launches-april-28-2022-in-japan|title= Hishou Same! Same! Same! launches April 28, 2022 in Japan — Wardner joins the collection as downloadable. Wardner was currently re-released on February 25, 2022 for purchase download on the iiRcade Arcade/Console Platform System. content|work=Gematsu|date=December 22, 2021|access-date=2021-12-22}}</ref>
Japanese company [[M2 (game developer)|M2]] published every game by Toaplan (excluding ''[[Mahjong Sisters]]'' and ''[[Enma Daiō]]'') for consoles in Japan including ''Wardner''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wong|first=Alistair|url=https://www.siliconera.com/m2-to-bring-nearly-all-toaplan-games-to-modern-home-consoles/|title=M2 To Bring Nearly All Toaplan Games To Modern Home Consoles|work=[[Siliconera]]|publisher=[[Curse LLC]]|date=December 7, 2019|access-date=2020-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207161342/https://www.siliconera.com/m2-to-bring-nearly-all-toaplan-games-to-modern-home-consoles/|archive-date=2019-12-07|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Romano|first=Sal|url=https://gematsu.com/2019/12/m2-to-release-nearly-every-toaplan-game-for-console-starting-2020-in-japan|title=M2 to release nearly every Toaplan game for console starting 2020 in Japan - Mahjong Sisters and Enma Daiou not included|date=December 7, 2019|work=Gematsu|access-date=2020-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207195505/https://gematsu.com/2019/12/m2-to-release-nearly-every-toaplan-game-for-console-starting-2020-in-japan|archive-date=2019-12-07|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Muñoz|first=José David|url=https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/noticias/snow-bros-truxton-juegos-toaplan-llegaran-ps4-nintendo-switch-xbox-one-543325|title=Snow Bros. Truxton y más juegos de Toaplan llegarán a PS4, Nintendo Switch y Xbox One|work=[[Hobby Consolas]]|publisher=[[Axel Springer SE]]|date=December 8, 2019|access-date=2020-07-04|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208170058/https://www.hobbyconsolas.com/noticias/snow-bros-truxton-juegos-toaplan-llegaran-ps4-nintendo-switch-xbox-one-543325|archive-date=2019-12-08|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2022, both the arcade and the Famicom Disk System versions were included in the ''Hishou Same! Same! Same!'' compilation for [[Nintendo Switch]] and [[PlayStation 4]] as part of M2's ''Toaplan Arcade Garage'' label as downloadable content.<ref>{{cite news|last=Romano|first=Sal|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/12/hishou-same-same-same-launches-april-28-2022-in-japan|title= Hishou Same! Same! Same! launches April 28, 2022 in Japan — Wardner joins the collection as downloadable. Wardner was currently re-released on February 25, 2022 for purchase download on the iiRcade Arcade/Console Platform System. content|work=Gematsu|date=December 22, 2021|access-date=2021-12-22}}</ref>


== Reception and legacy ==
== Reception and legacy ==
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|GR = (Genesis) 60%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586584-wardner/index.html|title=Wardner for Genesis|work=[[GameRankings]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|date=2019|accessdate=2019-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190309041902/https://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586584-wardner/index.html|archive-date=9 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|GR = (Genesis) 60%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586584-wardner/index.html|title=Wardner for Genesis|work=[[GameRankings]]|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|date=2019|accessdate=2019-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190309041902/https://www.gamerankings.com/genesis/586584-wardner/index.html|archive-date=9 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Fam = (FDS) 24 / 40<ref name="WFTFDSwnmp">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/18461/|title=ワードナの森 (ファミコン) - ファミ通.com|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation|ASCII]]|date=1988|access-date=2019-10-27|lang=ja}}</ref><br>(Genesis) 21 / 40<ref name="WFTGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/7252/|title=ワードナの森 スペシャル (メガドライブ) - ファミ通.com|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|issue=130|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation|ASCII]]|date=2 May 1991|access-date=2019-10-27|lang=ja}}</ref>
|Fam = (FDS) 24 / 40<ref name="WFTFDSwnmp">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/18461/|title=ワードナの森 (ファミコン) - ファミ通.com|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation|ASCII]]|date=1988|access-date=2019-10-27|lang=ja}}</ref><br>(Genesis) 21 / 40<ref name="WFTGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/games/t/7252/|title=ワードナの森 スペシャル (メガドライブ) - ファミ通.com|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|issue=130|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation|ASCII]]|date=2 May 1991|access-date=2019-10-27|lang=ja}}</ref>
|ACE = (Genesis) 710 / 1000<ref name="ACEGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=David|first=Upchurch|url=https://archive.org/stream/ACEIssue47Aug91#page/n63/mode/2up|title=Screentest - Console - Wardner Special: Should CapCom be told? VISCO go battling ghosts 'n' ghouls...|magazine=[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]]|issue=47|publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]]|date=August 1991|pages=64–65}}</ref>
|rev1 = ''[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]]''
|rev1Score = (Genesis) 710 / 1000<ref name="ACEGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=David|first=Upchurch|url=https://archive.org/stream/ACEIssue47Aug91#page/n63/mode/2up|title=Screentest - Console - Wardner Special: Should CapCom be told? VISCO go battling ghosts 'n' ghouls...|magazine=[[ACE (magazine)|ACE]]|issue=47|publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]]|date=August 1991|pages=64–65}}</ref>
|ASM = (Genesis) 6 / 12<ref name="ASMGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=Suck|first=Michael|url=https://archive.org/stream/Aktueller_Software_Markt_-_Ausgabe_1991.09#page/n117/mode/1up|title=Konsolen - Forest Wardner (Mega Drive)|magazine=[[Aktueller Software Markt]]|issue=55|publisher=Tronic Verlag|date=August–September 1991|page=116|lang=de}}</ref>
|BMD = (Genesis) 27 / 40<ref name="B!MDGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:BeepMD_JP_1991-04.pdf&page=30|title=BEメガ•ドッグレース – ワードナの森 SPECIAL|magazine=[[Gemaga|Beep! Mega Drive]]|issue=19|publisher=[[SB Creative|SoftBank Creative]]|date=April 1991|page=28|lang=ja}}</ref>
|rev2 = ''[[Aktueller Software Markt]]''
|rev2Score = (Genesis) 6 / 12<ref name="ASMGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=Suck|first=Michael|url=https://archive.org/stream/Aktueller_Software_Markt_-_Ausgabe_1991.09#page/n117/mode/1up|title=Konsolen - Forest Wardner (Mega Drive)|magazine=[[Aktueller Software Markt]]|issue=55|publisher=Tronic Verlag|date=August–September 1991|page=116|lang=de}}</ref>
|GPro = (Genesis) 21 / 25<ref name="GProGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=Dave|first=Doctor|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_022.pdf&page=36|title=Genesis ProView: Wardner|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=22|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=May 1991|pages=34–35}}</ref>
|GX = (Genesis) 80%<ref name="G-XGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|title=Wardner|magazine=[[Games-X]]|issue=11|publisher=[[Europress]]|date=July 4–10, 1991}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[Ação Games]]''
|JS = (Genesis) 83%<ref name="JstickGENwnmp1">{{cite magazine|last=Demoly|first=Jean-Marc|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joystick/joystick_numero017/Joystick%20017%20-%20Page%20132%20%281991-06%29.jpg|title=Tests - Megadrive - Wardner|magazine=[[:fr:Joystick (magazine)|Joystick]]|issue=17|publisher=[[:fr:Anuman Interactive|Anuman Interactive]]|date=June 1991|page=132|lang=fr}}</ref><br>(Genesis) 84%<ref name="JstickGENwnmp2">{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joystick/joystick_numerohs03/Joystick%20HS%20n%b03%20-%20Juillet%20Ao%fbt%201991%20-%20Page%20137.jpg|title=Console News - Megadrive: Wardner|magazine=[[:fr:Joystick (magazine)|Joystick]]|issue=Hors-Serie 3|publisher=[[:fr:Anuman Interactive|Anuman Interactive]]|date=July–August 1991|page=137|lang=fr}}</ref>
|rev3Score = (Genesis) 6 / 12<ref name="AçGGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/AoGames02Junho1991/AoGames03-Julho1991#page/n42/mode/1up|title=Lançamentos Internationales - Wardner (Genesis/Mega Drive)|magazine=[[Ação Games]]|issue=3|publisher=[[Editora Abril|Editora Azul]]|date=July 1991|page=43|lang=pt}}</ref>
|TILT = (Genesis) 17 / 20<ref name="TiltGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=Harbonn|first=Jacques|url=https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=28&num=369&album=oui|title=Hits - Wardner -- Megadrive|magazine=[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]|issue=92|publisher=[[:fr:Mondadori France|Editions Mondiales S.A.]]|date=July–August 1991|pages=51–52|lang=fr|access-date=27 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919232830/http://abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=28&num=369&album=oui|archive-date=19 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev4 = ''[[Gemaga|Beep! Mega Drive]]''
|rev1 = ''[[Ação Games]]''
|rev4Score = (Genesis) 27 / 40<ref name="B!MDGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:BeepMD_JP_1991-04.pdf&page=30|title=BEメガ•ドッグレース – ワードナの森 SPECIAL|magazine=[[Gemaga|Beep! Mega Drive]]|issue=19|publisher=[[SB Creative|SoftBank Creative]]|date=April 1991|page=28|lang=ja}}</ref>
|rev1Score = (Genesis) 6 / 12<ref name="AçGGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/AoGames02Junho1991/AoGames03-Julho1991#page/n42/mode/1up|title=Lançamentos Internationales - Wardner (Genesis/Mega Drive)|magazine=[[Ação Games]]|issue=3|publisher=[[Editora Abril|Editora Azul]]|date=July 1991|page=43|lang=pt}}</ref>
|rev5 = ''[[Commodore User]]''
|rev2 = ''[[Commodore User]]''
|rev5Score = (Arcade) 7 / 10<ref name="CUserACwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=Pattenden|first=Mike|url=https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-50#page/n118/mode/1up|title=Arcade: Wardner - Taito (2 x 10p)|magazine=[[Commodore User]]|issue=50|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=November 1987|page=119}}</ref>
|rev2Score = (Arcade) 7 / 10<ref name="CUserACwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=Pattenden|first=Mike|url=https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-50#page/n118/mode/1up|title=Arcade: Wardner - Taito (2 x 10p)|magazine=[[Commodore User]]|issue=50|publisher=[[EMAP]]|date=November 1987|page=119}}</ref>
|rev6 = ''[[Tokuma Shoten#Magazines|Famimaga]]''
|rev6Score = (FDS) 14.80 / 25<ref name="FCMFDSwnmp">{{cite magazine|title=Famicom Disk Card (188本) Gameboy (178本) Super Famicom (17本) All Catalog 5月24日号特別付録 - ワードナの森|magazine=[[Tokuma Shoten#Magazines|Famimaga]]|volume=7|issue=10|publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]]|date=24 May 1991|page=33|lang=ja}}</ref>
|rev3 = ''[[Tokuma Shoten#Magazines|Famimaga]]''
|rev3Score = (FDS) 14.80 / 25<ref name="FCMFDSwnmp">{{cite magazine|title=Famicom Disk Card (188本) Gameboy (178本) Super Famicom (17本) All Catalog 5月24日号特別付録 - ワードナの森|magazine=[[Tokuma Shoten#Magazines|Famimaga]]|volume=7|issue=10|publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]]|date=24 May 1991|page=33|lang=ja}}</ref>
|rev7 = ''[[GamePro]]''
|rev4 = ''[[:fr:Gen4|Génération 4]]''
|rev7Score = (Genesis) 21 / 25<ref name="GProGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=Dave|first=Doctor|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:GamePro_US_022.pdf&page=36|title=Genesis ProView: Wardner|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=22|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=May 1991|pages=34–35}}</ref>
|rev4Score = (Genesis) 71%<ref name="G4GENwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=Querleux|first=Philippe|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Generation%204/generation4_numero035/generation%204%20-%20N035%20-%20JUILLET%20AOUT%201991%20-%20page130%20et%20page131.jpg|title=Console Test – Wardner (Visco)|magazine=[[:fr:Gen4|Génération 4]]|issue=35|publisher=Computec Media France|date=July–August 1991|page=130|lang=fr}}</ref>
|rev8 = ''[[Games-X]]''
|rev5 = ''[[Mean Machines]]''
|rev8Score = (Genesis) 80%<ref name="G-XGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|title=Wardner|magazine=[[Games-X]]|issue=11|publisher=[[Europress]]|date=July 4–10, 1991}}</ref>
|rev5Score = (Genesis) 84%<ref name="MMGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|author1=Julian|author2=Matt|url=https://archive.org/details/Mean_Machines_Issue_10_1991-07_EMAP_Images_GB#page/n69/mode/2up|title=Megadrive Review - Wardner|magazine=[[Mean Machines]]|issue=10|publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]]|date=July 1991|pages=70–72|access-date=27 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315235748/https://archive.org/details/Mean_Machines_Issue_10_1991-07_EMAP_Images_GB#page/n69/mode/2up|archive-date=15 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev9 = ''[[:fr:Gen4|Génération 4]]''
|rev6 = ''[[Mega Drive Advanced Gaming]]''
|rev6Score = (Genesis) 43%<ref name="MDAGGENwnmp1">{{cite magazine|title=Beat'Em-Up Round-Up: Down The Pan - Wardner Special|magazine=[[Mega Drive Advanced Gaming]]|issue=3|publisher=[[Maverick Magazines]]|date=November 1992|page=79}}</ref><br>(Genesis) 48%<ref name="MDAGGENwnmp2">{{cite magazine|title=Review: Wardner|magazine=[[Mega Drive Advanced Gaming]]|issue=5|publisher=[[Maverick Magazines]]|date=January 1993|page=95}}</ref><br>(Genesis) 53%<ref name="MDAGGENwnmp2"/>
|rev9Score = (Genesis) 71%<ref name="G4GENwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=Querleux|first=Philippe|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Generation%204/generation4_numero035/generation%204%20-%20N035%20-%20JUILLET%20AOUT%201991%20-%20page130%20et%20page131.jpg|title=Console Test – Wardner (Visco)|magazine=[[:fr:Gen4|Génération 4]]|issue=35|publisher=Computec Media France|date=July–August 1991|page=130|lang=fr}}</ref>
|rev10 = ''HonestGamers''
|rev7 = ''[[:ja:メガドライブFAN|Mega Drive Fan]]''
|rev7Score = (Genesis) 13.06 / 30<ref name="MDFGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|title=Mega Drive & Game Gear All Catalog '93 7月号特別付録 - ワードナの森 SPECIAL|magazine=[[:ja:メガドライブFAN|Mega Drive Fan]]|issue=42|publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]]|date=15 July 1993|page=34|lang=ja}}</ref>
|rev10Score = (Genesis) {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="HGGENwnmp">{{cite web|last=Golding|first=Marc|url=http://www.honestgamers.com/1671/genesis/wardner/review.html|title=Wardner (Genesis) review|publisher=HonestGamers|date=22 December 2003|accessdate=2019-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190309041902/http://www.honestgamers.com/1671/genesis/wardner/review.html|archive-date=9 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev11 = ''[[:fr:Joystick (magazine)|Joystick]]''
|rev8 = ''[[MegaTech]]''
|rev8Score = (Genesis) 75%<ref name="MegaTGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AMegaTech_UK_01.pdf&page=81|title=Game Index - Wardner|magazine=[[MegaTech]]|issue=1|publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]]|date=December 1991|page=81}}</ref>
|rev11Score = (Genesis) 83%<ref name="JstickGENwnmp1">{{cite magazine|last=Demoly|first=Jean-Marc|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joystick/joystick_numero017/Joystick%20017%20-%20Page%20132%20%281991-06%29.jpg|title=Tests - Megadrive - Wardner|magazine=[[:fr:Joystick (magazine)|Joystick]]|issue=17|publisher=[[:fr:Anuman Interactive|Anuman Interactive]]|date=June 1991|page=132|lang=fr}}</ref><br>(Genesis) 84%<ref name="JstickGENwnmp2">{{cite magazine|url=http://download.abandonware.org/magazines/Joystick/joystick_numerohs03/Joystick%20HS%20n%b03%20-%20Juillet%20Ao%fbt%201991%20-%20Page%20137.jpg|title=Console News - Megadrive: Wardner|magazine=[[:fr:Joystick (magazine)|Joystick]]|issue=Hors-Serie 3|publisher=[[:fr:Anuman Interactive|Anuman Interactive]]|date=July–August 1991|page=137|lang=fr}}</ref>
|rev12 = ''[[Mean Machines]]''
|rev9 = ''[[:de:Power Play (Zeitschrift)|Power Play]]''
|rev12Score = (Genesis) 84%<ref name="MMGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|author1=Julian|author2=Matt|url=https://archive.org/details/Mean_Machines_Issue_10_1991-07_EMAP_Images_GB#page/n69/mode/2up|title=Megadrive Review - Wardner|magazine=[[Mean Machines]]|issue=10|publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]]|date=July 1991|pages=70–72|access-date=27 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315235748/https://archive.org/details/Mean_Machines_Issue_10_1991-07_EMAP_Images_GB#page/n69/mode/2up|archive-date=15 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev9Score = (Genesis) 72%<ref name="PPGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=Forster|first=Winfried|title=Videospiele / Tests - Wardner|magazine=[[:de:Power Play (Zeitschrift)|Power Play]]|issue=41|publisher=Future Verlag|date=August 1991|page=118|lang=de}}</ref>
|rev13 = ''[[Mega Drive Advanced Gaming]]''
|rev10 = ''[[Sega Power#Sega Power|Sega Power]]''
|rev13Score = (Genesis) 43%<ref name="MDAGGENwnmp1">{{cite magazine|title=Beat'Em-Up Round-Up: Down The Pan - Wardner Special|magazine=[[Mega Drive Advanced Gaming]]|issue=3|publisher=[[Maverick Magazines]]|date=November 1992|page=79}}</ref><br>(Genesis) 48%<ref name="MDAGGENwnmp2">{{cite magazine|title=Review: Wardner|magazine=[[Mega Drive Advanced Gaming]]|issue=5|publisher=[[Maverick Magazines]]|date=January 1993|page=95}}</ref><br>(Genesis) 53%<ref name="MDAGGENwnmp2"/>
|rev10Score = (Genesis) {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="SPower1GENwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=Jarratt|first=Steve|author-link=Steve Jarratt|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:SegaPower_UK_23.pdf&page=55|title=The Hard Line – Wardner Special (Import)|magazine=[[Sega Power#Sega Power|Sega Power]]|issue=23|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=October 1991|page=55}}</ref><br>(Genesis) 43%<ref name="SPower2GENwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=South|first=Phil|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ASegaPower_UK_25.pdf&page=37|title=Power Review - Wardner|magazine=[[Sega Power#Sega Power|Sega Power]]|issue=25|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=December 1991|page=37}}</ref>
|rev14 = ''[[:ja:メガドライブFAN|Mega Drive Fan]]''
|rev11 = ''[[Sega Pro]]''
|rev14Score = (Genesis) 13.06 / 30<ref name="MDFGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|title=Mega Drive & Game Gear All Catalog '93 7月号特別付録 - ワードナの森 SPECIAL|magazine=[[:ja:メガドライブFAN|Mega Drive Fan]]|issue=42|publisher=[[Tokuma Shoten]]|date=15 July 1993|page=34|lang=ja}}</ref>
|rev11Score = (Genesis) 54 / 100<ref name="SPro1GENwnmp">{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ASegaPro_UK_06.pdf&page=31|title=The A-Z of Sega Games Wardner Special (Mega Drive)|magazine=[[Sega Pro]]|issue=6|publisher=[[Paragon Publishing]]|date=April 1992|page=31}}</ref><br>(Genesis) 25 / 100<ref name="SPro2GENwnmp">{{cite magazine|title=Mega Drive – ProReview: Wardner Special|magazine=[[Sega Pro]]|issue=18|publisher=[[Paragon Publishing]]|date=April 1993|page=68}}</ref><br>(Genesis) 48 / 100<ref name="SPro2GENwnmp"/>
|rev15 = ''[[MegaTech]]''
|rev15Score = (Genesis) 75%<ref name="MegaTGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3AMegaTech_UK_01.pdf&page=81|title=Game Index - Wardner|magazine=[[MegaTech]]|issue=1|publisher=[[Ascential|EMAP]]|date=December 1991|page=81}}</ref>
|rev16 = ''[[:de:Power Play (Zeitschrift)|Power Play]]''
|rev16Score = (Genesis) 72%<ref name="PPGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=Forster|first=Winfried|title=Videospiele / Tests - Wardner|magazine=[[:de:Power Play (Zeitschrift)|Power Play]]|issue=41|publisher=Future Verlag|date=August 1991|page=118|lang=de}}</ref>
|rev17 = ''[[Sega Power#Sega Power|Sega Power]]''
|rev17Score = (Genesis) {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="SPower1GENwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=Jarratt|first=Steve|author-link=Steve Jarratt|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File:SegaPower_UK_23.pdf&page=55|title=The Hard Line – Wardner Special (Import)|magazine=[[Sega Power#Sega Power|Sega Power]]|issue=23|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=October 1991|page=55}}</ref><br>(Genesis) 43%<ref name="SPower2GENwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=South|first=Phil|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ASegaPower_UK_25.pdf&page=37|title=Power Review - Wardner|magazine=[[Sega Power#Sega Power|Sega Power]]|issue=25|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=December 1991|page=37}}</ref>
|rev18 = ''[[Sega Pro]]''
|rev18Score = (Genesis) 54 / 100<ref name="SPro1GENwnmp">{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ASegaPro_UK_06.pdf&page=31|title=The A-Z of Sega Games Wardner Special (Mega Drive)|magazine=[[Sega Pro]]|issue=6|publisher=[[Paragon Publishing]]|date=April 1992|page=31}}</ref><br>(Genesis) 25 / 100<ref name="SPro2GENwnmp">{{cite magazine|title=Mega Drive – ProReview: Wardner Special|magazine=[[Sega Pro]]|issue=18|publisher=[[Paragon Publishing]]|date=April 1993|page=68}}</ref><br>(Genesis) 48 / 100<ref name="SPro2GENwnmp"/>
|rev19 = ''[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]''
|rev19Score = (Genesis) 17 / 20<ref name="TiltGENwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=Harbonn|first=Jacques|url=https://www.abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=28&num=369&album=oui|title=Hits - Wardner -- Megadrive|magazine=[[Tilt (French magazine)|Tilt]]|issue=92|publisher=[[:fr:Mondadori France|Editions Mondiales S.A.]]|date=July–August 1991|pages=51–52|lang=fr|access-date=27 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919232830/http://abandonware-magazines.org/affiche_mag.php?mag=28&num=369&album=oui|archive-date=19 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
}}


In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''Wardner'' on their November 1, 1987 issue as being the ninth most-successful table arcade unit of the month, outperforming titles such as ''[[Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh]]'' and ''[[Black Tiger (video game)|Black Tiger]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=319|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 November 1987|page=25|lang=ja}}</ref> ''Wardner'' was met with positive reception from critics since its release in the arcades and compared the game with ''Ghosts 'n Goblins'' by Capcom. Mike Pattenden of ''[[Commodore User]]'' praised the presentation, visuals and challenge.<ref name="CUserACwnmp"/> Clare Edgeley of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' gave positive remarks to the gameplay and level design.<ref name="CVGACwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=Edgeley|first=Clare|url=https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-074#page/n136/mode/1up|title=Arcade Action - Wardner|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=74|publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]]|date=December 1987|page=137}}</ref> Likewise, both Robin Hogg and Cameron Pound from ''[[The Games Machine]]'' commended the visuals, action and gameplay.<ref name="TGMACwnmp">{{cite magazine|last1=Hogg|first1=Robin|last2=Pound|first2=Cameron|url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-03#page/n71/mode/1up|title=Arcades: Coin-Op Confrontation - Wardner|magazine=[[The Games Machine]]|issue=3|publisher=[[Newsfield|Newsfield Publications]]|date=February 1988|page=71}}</ref> Although ''[[Crash (magazine)|Crash]]'''s [[Steve Jarratt]] and [[Julian Rignall]] noted its lack of originality, they praised the gameplay.<ref name="CrashACwnmp">{{cite magazine|last1=Jarratt|first1=Steve|author-link1=Steve Jarratt|last2=Rignall|first2=Julian|author-link2=Julian Rignall|url=https://archive.org/stream/crash-magazine-52#page/n33/mode/1up|title=A Fistful Of Coin-Ops - Wardner|magazine=[[Crash (magazine)|Crash]]|issue=52|publisher=[[Newsfield Publications]]|date=May 1988|page=34}}</ref> [[Den of Geek]], however, regarded it to be a solid but forgettable title from Toaplan.<ref name="WnMpdog">{{cite web|last=Lambie|first=Ryan|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/games/58480/toaplan-the-rise-and-fall-of-japans-greatest-shooting-game-company|title=Toaplan: the rise and fall of Japan's greatest shooting game company|work=[[Den of Geek]]|publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]]|date=21 June 2018|access-date=2019-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621073806/http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/games/58480/toaplan-the-rise-and-fall-of-japans-greatest-shooting-game-company|archive-date=21 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''Wardner'' on their November 1, 1987 issue as being the ninth most-successful table arcade unit of the month, outperforming titles such as ''[[Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh]]'' and ''[[Black Tiger (video game)|Black Tiger]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=319|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 November 1987|page=25|lang=ja}}</ref> ''Wardner'' was met with positive reception from critics since its release in the arcades and compared the game with ''Ghosts 'n Goblins'' by Capcom. Mike Pattenden of ''[[Commodore User]]'' praised the presentation, visuals and challenge.<ref name="CUserACwnmp"/> Clare Edgeley of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' gave positive remarks to the gameplay and level design.<ref name="CVGACwnmp">{{cite magazine|last=Edgeley|first=Clare|url=https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-074#page/n136/mode/1up|title=Arcade Action - Wardner|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=74|publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]]|date=December 1987|page=137}}</ref> Likewise, both Robin Hogg and Cameron Pound from ''[[The Games Machine]]'' commended the visuals, action and gameplay.<ref name="TGMACwnmp">{{cite magazine|last1=Hogg|first1=Robin|last2=Pound|first2=Cameron|url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-03#page/n71/mode/1up|title=Arcades: Coin-Op Confrontation - Wardner|magazine=[[The Games Machine]]|issue=3|publisher=[[Newsfield|Newsfield Publications]]|date=February 1988|page=71}}</ref> Although ''[[Crash (magazine)|Crash]]''{{'}}s [[Steve Jarratt]] and [[Julian Rignall]] noted its lack of originality, they praised the gameplay.<ref name="CrashACwnmp">{{cite magazine|last1=Jarratt|first1=Steve|author-link1=Steve Jarratt|last2=Rignall|first2=Julian|author-link2=Julian Rignall|url=https://archive.org/stream/crash-magazine-52#page/n33/mode/1up|title=A Fistful Of Coin-Ops - Wardner|magazine=[[Crash (magazine)|Crash]]|issue=52|publisher=[[Newsfield Publications]]|date=May 1988|page=34}}</ref> ''[[Den of Geek]]'', however, regarded it to be a solid but forgettable title from Toaplan.<ref name="WnMpdog">{{cite web|last=Lambie|first=Ryan|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/games/58480/toaplan-the-rise-and-fall-of-japans-greatest-shooting-game-company|title=Toaplan: the rise and fall of Japan's greatest shooting game company|work=[[Den of Geek]]|publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]]|date=21 June 2018|access-date=2019-10-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621073806/http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/games/58480/toaplan-the-rise-and-fall-of-japans-greatest-shooting-game-company|archive-date=21 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>


''Wardner'' was received with a more mixed reception on Sega Genesis from reviewers. In their respective retrospective review,<ref name="Sega16">{{cite web|last=Neuhaus|first=Jeremy|url=http://www.sega-16.com/2008/11/wardner/|title=Genesis Reviews – Wardner|website=sega-16.com|date=7 November 2008|accessdate=2019-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416203204/http://www.sega-16.com/2008/11/wardner/|archive-date=16 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> gaming website ''HonestGamers'' felt mixed about the Genesis port.<ref name="HGGENwnmp"/>
''Wardner'' was received with a more mixed reception on Sega Genesis from reviewers.<ref name="Sega16">{{cite web|last=Neuhaus|first=Jeremy|url=http://www.sega-16.com/2008/11/wardner/|title=Genesis Reviews – Wardner|website=sega-16.com|date=7 November 2008|accessdate=2019-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416203204/http://www.sega-16.com/2008/11/wardner/|archive-date=16 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>


In more recent years, the rights to the game and many other IPs from Toaplan are now owned by Tatsujin, a company named after ''[[Truxton (video game)|Truxton]]'''s Japanese title that was founded in 2017 by Yuge, who are now affiliated with arcade manufacturer exA-Arcadia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tatsujin.tokyo/custom.html|title=ライセンス事業|publisher=TATSUJIN Co., Ltd.|date=2019|access-date=2019-10-25|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225203847/http://tatsujin.tokyo/custom.html|archive-date=2018-12-25|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bravo|first=Roberto|url=https://www.gamercafe.cl/2018/09/12/nueva-compania-tatsujin-asegura-tener-gran-parte-de-las-ips-de-la-extinta-toaplan/|title=Nueva compañía "Tatsujin" asegura tener gran parte de las IPs de la extinta Toaplan|publisher=Gamercafe|date=12 September 2018|access-date=2019-10-25|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021030437/https://www.gamercafe.cl/2018/09/12/nueva-compania-tatsujin-asegura-tener-gran-parte-de-las-ips-de-la-extinta-toaplan/|archive-date=2019-10-21|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://exa.ac/en/editors/tatsujin/|title=Tatsujin|publisher=exA-Arcadia|date=2019|access-date=2019-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021030706/https://exa.ac/en/editors/tatsujin/?v=a99877f71bd9|archive-date=2019-10-21|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bravo|first=Roberto|url=https://www.gamercafe.cl/2019/01/25/tatsujin-los-duenos-de-toaplan-anuncian-que-estan-trabajando-para-exa-arcadia/|title=Tatsujin, los dueños de Toaplan, anuncian que están trabajando para exA-Arcadia|publisher=Gamercafe|date=25 January 2019|access-date=2019-10-25|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021031057/https://www.gamercafe.cl/2019/01/25/tatsujin-los-duenos-de-toaplan-anuncian-que-estan-trabajando-para-exa-arcadia/|archive-date=2019-10-21|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/408/G040821/20190125146/|title=[JAEPO2019]TATSUJINやナツメアタリの参入が発表されたexA-Arcadia。出展コーナーの模様を紹介|work=[[4Gamer.net]]|publisher=Aetas Inc.|date=26 January 2019|access-date=2019-10-25|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021031252/https://www.4gamer.net/games/408/G040821/20190125146/|archive-date=2019-10-21|url-status=live}}</ref>
In more recent years, the rights to the game and many other IPs from Toaplan are now owned by Tatsujin, a company named after ''[[Truxton (video game)|Truxton]]''{{'}}s Japanese title that was founded in 2017 by Yuge, who are now affiliated with arcade manufacturer exA-Arcadia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tatsujin.tokyo/custom.html|title=ライセンス事業|publisher=TATSUJIN Co., Ltd.|date=2019|access-date=2019-10-25|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225203847/http://tatsujin.tokyo/custom.html|archive-date=2018-12-25|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bravo|first=Roberto|url=https://www.gamercafe.cl/2018/09/12/nueva-compania-tatsujin-asegura-tener-gran-parte-de-las-ips-de-la-extinta-toaplan/|title=Nueva compañía "Tatsujin" asegura tener gran parte de las IPs de la extinta Toaplan|publisher=Gamercafe|date=12 September 2018|access-date=2019-10-25|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021030437/https://www.gamercafe.cl/2018/09/12/nueva-compania-tatsujin-asegura-tener-gran-parte-de-las-ips-de-la-extinta-toaplan/|archive-date=2019-10-21|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://exa.ac/en/editors/tatsujin/|title=Tatsujin|publisher=exA-Arcadia|date=2019|access-date=2019-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021030706/https://exa.ac/en/editors/tatsujin/?v=a99877f71bd9|archive-date=2019-10-21|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Bravo|first=Roberto|url=https://www.gamercafe.cl/2019/01/25/tatsujin-los-duenos-de-toaplan-anuncian-que-estan-trabajando-para-exa-arcadia/|title=Tatsujin, los dueños de Toaplan, anuncian que están trabajando para exA-Arcadia|publisher=Gamercafe|date=25 January 2019|access-date=2019-10-25|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021031057/https://www.gamercafe.cl/2019/01/25/tatsujin-los-duenos-de-toaplan-anuncian-que-estan-trabajando-para-exa-arcadia/|archive-date=2019-10-21|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/408/G040821/20190125146/|title=[JAEPO2019]TATSUJINやナツメアタリの参入が発表されたexA-Arcadia。出展コーナーの模様を紹介|work=[[4Gamer.net]]|publisher=Aetas Inc.|date=26 January 2019|access-date=2019-10-25|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021031252/https://www.4gamer.net/games/408/G040821/20190125146/|archive-date=2019-10-21|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{clear}}


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
Line 114: Line 102:
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Sega Genesis games]]
[[Category:Side-scrolling platform games]]
[[Category:Side-scrolling platformers]]
[[Category:Taito games]]
[[Category:Taito arcade games]]
[[Category:Taito arcade games]]
[[Category:Taito games]]
[[Category:Toaplan games]]
[[Category:Toaplan games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Osamu Ōta]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Osamu Ōta]]
[[Category:Video games set in forests]]
[[Category:Visco Corporation games]]
[[Category:Visco Corporation games]]

Latest revision as of 00:40, 17 September 2024

Wardner
Developer(s)Toaplan
Publisher(s)Taito
Designer(s)Etsuhiro Wada
Composer(s)Osamu Ōta
Platform(s)Arcade, Famicom Disk System, Sega Genesis
Release
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Wardner[a] is a side-scrolling platform game developed by Toaplan and published in arcades worldwide by Taito in 1987.[2]

In Wardner, players assume the role of a child named Dover on a journey to rescue his kidnapped girlfriend Mia from the titular warlock. Initially released for the arcades, the title was later ported to other platforms by different third-party developers including the Famicom Disk System and Sega Genesis, with each one featuring several changes and additions compared to the original version. Conversions for both the Nintendo Entertainment System and PC Engine were also in development but never released.

Wardner was met with positive reception from video game magazines since its release in arcades, though reviewers drew comparison with Capcom's Ghosts 'n Goblins due to its gameplay style, while the Genesis version was met with mixed reviews after launch. As of 2019, the rights to the title are owned by Tatsujin, a company founded in 2017 by former Toaplan member Masahiro Yuge and now-affiliate of Japanese arcade manufacturer exA-Arcadia alongside many other Toaplan IPs.

Gameplay

[edit]
Arcade version

Wardner is a side-scrolling action-platform game similar to Ghosts 'n Goblins and Rastan where the players takes control of Dover, the main protagonist through five stages (six in the Genesis version) of varying themes set in a fantasy land, with the main objective being rescuing his girlfriend Mia from the titular antagonist by defeating his servants, some of which that act as a boss at the end of the stage in order to progress further on the journey.[3][4]

Some of the levels featured are linear in nature, populated with obstacles and enemies, requiring the player to traverse the stage by running, jumping, climbing, shooting or dodging enemies, while other levels that are featured later in the game become more maze-like and exploratory, making the player take different routes to reach the end. Along the way, gold orbs can be picked up by defeating enemies to increase the player character's firepower, as well as money that is used in shops at the end of each stage to acquire protective items and new attacks, though some of them can also be obtained during the level.

The game hosts a number of hidden bonus secrets to be found on certain setpieces within the scenery, which is also crucial for reaching high-scores to obtain extra lives. The title uses a checkpoint system in which a downed single player will respawn at the beginning of the checkpoint they managed to reach before dying. Getting hit by enemy fire, colliding against solid stage obstacles, falling off the stage or running out of time will result in losing a live and once all lives are lost, the game is over unless the players insert more credits into the arcade machine to continue playing.

Development and release

[edit]

Wardner was released on arcades worldwide by Taito in 1987, while the North American version was distributed under the name Pyros.[1] Osamu Ōta served as composer for the title's soundtrack under the alias "Ree" in one of his first roles on the video game industry prior to Twin Hawk and Snow Bros..[5][6][7][8] Former Toaplan composer Masahiro Yuge stated in a 2012 interview with Japanese publications Shooting Gameside that Ōta joined the company when their staff was small, while Tatsuya Uemura stated in a 2009 interview that the project was created by Etsuhiro Wada and was also influenced by Wizardry.[6][9] In June 1989, an album containing music from the title and other Toaplan games was published exclusively in Japan by Datam Polystar.[7][8]

On 25 March 1988, a port of Wardner developed by Daiei Seisakusho was released exclusively in Japan for the Famicom Disk System by Taito.[10][11] A version for the Nintendo Entertainment System was developed and planned to be published by Sammy in North America under the name Pyross.[12][13] Despite being showcased to the public during the Summer Consumer Electronics Show 1990, this version of the game was never officially released for unknown reasons.[12]

On 26 April 1991, a reworked port of the game was developed for the Sega Genesis by Dragnet and first released in Japan by Visco Corporation under the name Wardner no Mori Special, while a North American release by Mentrix Software occurred later on May of the same year.[14][15][16][17] In 1988, a version for the PC Engine was announced to be in development by NEC Avenue under the helm of Prototype founder Toshio Tabeta and despite being previewed, the project was then moved on to the PC Engine CD-ROM² and ultimately to the PC Engine Super CD-ROM² before being cancelled after multiple delays, despite work on the port being completed.[18][19][20][21]

Japanese company M2 published every game by Toaplan (excluding Mahjong Sisters and Enma Daiō) for consoles in Japan including Wardner.[22][23][24] In 2022, both the arcade and the Famicom Disk System versions were included in the Hishou Same! Same! Same! compilation for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 as part of M2's Toaplan Arcade Garage label as downloadable content.[25]

Reception and legacy

[edit]

In Japan, Game Machine listed Wardner on their November 1, 1987 issue as being the ninth most-successful table arcade unit of the month, outperforming titles such as Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh and Black Tiger.[50] Wardner was met with positive reception from critics since its release in the arcades and compared the game with Ghosts 'n Goblins by Capcom. Mike Pattenden of Commodore User praised the presentation, visuals and challenge.[37] Clare Edgeley of Computer and Video Games gave positive remarks to the gameplay and level design.[51] Likewise, both Robin Hogg and Cameron Pound from The Games Machine commended the visuals, action and gameplay.[52] Although Crash's Steve Jarratt and Julian Rignall noted its lack of originality, they praised the gameplay.[53] Den of Geek, however, regarded it to be a solid but forgettable title from Toaplan.[54]

Wardner was received with a more mixed reception on Sega Genesis from reviewers.[55]

In more recent years, the rights to the game and many other IPs from Toaplan are now owned by Tatsujin, a company named after Truxton's Japanese title that was founded in 2017 by Yuge, who are now affiliated with arcade manufacturer exA-Arcadia.[56][57][58][59][60]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Also known as Forest of Wardner (Japanese: ワードナの森, Hepburn: Wardner no Mori) in Japan and Pyros in North America on the arcades.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Akagi, Masumi (13 October 2006). タイトー (Taito); 東亜プラン (Toa Plan); Taito America; P (in Japanese) (1st ed.). Amusement News Agency. pp. 43, 50, 137, 161. ISBN 978-4990251215. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  2. ^ "東亜プラン". Gamest (in Japanese). No. 49. Shinseisha. September 1990. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2019-11-07 at the Wayback Machine).
  3. ^ "ワードナの森" (in Japanese). Shooting Star. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  4. ^ Wardner instruction manual (Sega Genesis, US)
  5. ^ Abeto, Kobatsu (September 1989). "東亜プランインタビュー". PSG (in Japanese). Vol. 10. F.S.G Club. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2017-05-31 at the Wayback Machine).
  6. ^ a b Kiyoshi, Tane; hally (VORC); Yūsaku, Yamamoto (3 February 2012). "東亜プラン特集 - 元・東亜プラン 開発者インタビュー: 弓削雅稔". Shooting Gameside (in Japanese). Vol. 4. Micro Magazine. pp. 41–48. ISBN 978-4896373844. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2019-09-06 at the Wayback Machine).
  7. ^ a b "H24X-10005 | TATSUJIN ~TOA PLAN GAME MUSIC SCENE ONE~". vgmdb.net. VGMdb. Archived from the original on 8 May 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019. (Translation by Shmuplations. Archived 2019-10-22 at the Wayback Machine).
  8. ^ a b Kotowski, Don (1 August 2012). "Truxton -Toaplan Game Music Scene-". vgmonline.net. Video Game Music Online. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  9. ^ Iona; VHS; K-HEX (June 2009). "東亜プラン FOREVER". Floor 25 (in Japanese). Vol. 9. pp. 1–70. (Translation by Gamengai. Archived 2020-10-10 at the Wayback Machine).
  10. ^ "FAMICOM Soft > 1988" (in Japanese). GAME Data Room. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  11. ^ CRV (25 January 2011). "Daiei Seisakusho". gdri.smspower.org. Archived from the original on 3 March 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  12. ^ a b "Nintendo Player - Pyross (American Sammy)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 13. Sendai Publishing. August 1990. p. 75.
  13. ^ MacMillan Jr, John (7 February 2012). "Rare NES vidpro cards". nintendoage.com. Bucket Head Media, LLC. Archived from the original on 27 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  14. ^ a b Dave, Doctor (May 1991). "Genesis ProView: Wardner". GamePro. No. 22. IDG. pp. 34–35.
  15. ^ "New - ワードナの森 SPECIAL". Mega Drive Fan (in Japanese). No. 15. Tokuma Shoten. April 1991. pp. 34–35.
  16. ^ "MEGA DRIVE Soft > 1991" (in Japanese). GAME Data Room. Archived from the original on 27 August 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  17. ^ CRV (27 February 2012). "Dragnet". gdri.smspower.org. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  18. ^ "ワードナの森". Marukatsu PC Engine (in Japanese). No. 1. Kadokawa Shoten. 29 November 1988.
  19. ^ "Gametronix". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 29. Sendai Publishing. December 1991. pp. 54–55.
  20. ^ "The Schedule: PC (PCエンジン) - ワードナの森". Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 226. ASCII. 16 April 1993. pp. 138–139.
  21. ^ "プロデューサー 多部田俊雄氏インタビュー". Yūgē (in Japanese). Vol. 7, no. 8. Kill Time Communication. 1 May 2003. pp. 94–96.
  22. ^ Wong, Alistair (7 December 2019). "M2 To Bring Nearly All Toaplan Games To Modern Home Consoles". Siliconera. Curse LLC. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  23. ^ Romano, Sal (7 December 2019). "M2 to release nearly every Toaplan game for console starting 2020 in Japan - Mahjong Sisters and Enma Daiou not included". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 7 December 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  24. ^ Muñoz, José David (8 December 2019). "Snow Bros. Truxton y más juegos de Toaplan llegarán a PS4, Nintendo Switch y Xbox One". Hobby Consolas (in Spanish). Axel Springer SE. Archived from the original on 8 December 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  25. ^ Romano, Sal (22 December 2021). "Hishou Same! Same! Same! launches April 28, 2022 in Japan — Wardner joins the collection as downloadable. Wardner was currently re-released on February 25, 2022 for purchase download on the iiRcade Arcade/Console Platform System. content". Gematsu. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  26. ^ "Wardner for Genesis". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. 2019. Archived from the original on 9 March 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  27. ^ "ワードナの森 (ファミコン) - ファミ通.com". Famitsu (in Japanese). ASCII. 1988. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  28. ^ "ワードナの森 スペシャル (メガドライブ) - ファミ通.com". Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 130. ASCII. 2 May 1991. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  29. ^ David, Upchurch (August 1991). "Screentest - Console - Wardner Special: Should CapCom be told? VISCO go battling ghosts 'n' ghouls..." ACE. No. 47. EMAP. pp. 64–65.
  30. ^ Suck, Michael (August–September 1991). "Konsolen - Forest Wardner (Mega Drive)". Aktueller Software Markt (in German). No. 55. Tronic Verlag. p. 116.
  31. ^ "BEメガ•ドッグレース – ワードナの森 SPECIAL". Beep! Mega Drive (in Japanese). No. 19. SoftBank Creative. April 1991. p. 28.
  32. ^ "Wardner". Games-X. No. 11. Europress. 4–10 July 1991.
  33. ^ Demoly, Jean-Marc (June 1991). "Tests - Megadrive - Wardner". Joystick (in French). No. 17. Anuman Interactive. p. 132.
  34. ^ "Console News - Megadrive: Wardner". Joystick (in French). No. Hors-Serie 3. Anuman Interactive. July–August 1991. p. 137.
  35. ^ Harbonn, Jacques (July–August 1991). "Hits - Wardner -- Megadrive". Tilt (in French). No. 92. Editions Mondiales S.A. pp. 51–52. Archived from the original on 19 September 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  36. ^ "Lançamentos Internationales - Wardner (Genesis/Mega Drive)". Ação Games (in Portuguese). No. 3. Editora Azul. July 1991. p. 43.
  37. ^ a b Pattenden, Mike (November 1987). "Arcade: Wardner - Taito (2 x 10p)". Commodore User. No. 50. EMAP. p. 119.
  38. ^ "Famicom Disk Card (188本) Gameboy (178本) Super Famicom (17本) All Catalog 5月24日号特別付録 - ワードナの森". Famimaga (in Japanese). Vol. 7, no. 10. Tokuma Shoten. 24 May 1991. p. 33.
  39. ^ Querleux, Philippe (July–August 1991). "Console Test – Wardner (Visco)". Génération 4 (in French). No. 35. Computec Media France. p. 130.
  40. ^ Julian; Matt (July 1991). "Megadrive Review - Wardner". Mean Machines. No. 10. EMAP. pp. 70–72. Archived from the original on 15 March 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  41. ^ "Beat'Em-Up Round-Up: Down The Pan - Wardner Special". Mega Drive Advanced Gaming. No. 3. Maverick Magazines. November 1992. p. 79.
  42. ^ a b "Review: Wardner". Mega Drive Advanced Gaming. No. 5. Maverick Magazines. January 1993. p. 95.
  43. ^ "Mega Drive & Game Gear All Catalog '93 7月号特別付録 - ワードナの森 SPECIAL". Mega Drive Fan (in Japanese). No. 42. Tokuma Shoten. 15 July 1993. p. 34.
  44. ^ "Game Index - Wardner". MegaTech. No. 1. EMAP. December 1991. p. 81.
  45. ^ Forster, Winfried (August 1991). "Videospiele / Tests - Wardner". Power Play (in German). No. 41. Future Verlag. p. 118.
  46. ^ Jarratt, Steve (October 1991). "The Hard Line – Wardner Special (Import)". Sega Power. No. 23. Future plc. p. 55.
  47. ^ South, Phil (December 1991). "Power Review - Wardner". Sega Power. No. 25. Future plc. p. 37.
  48. ^ "The A-Z of Sega Games – Wardner Special (Mega Drive)". Sega Pro. No. 6. Paragon Publishing. April 1992. p. 31.
  49. ^ a b "Mega Drive – ProReview: Wardner Special". Sega Pro. No. 18. Paragon Publishing. April 1993. p. 68.
  50. ^ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 319. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 November 1987. p. 25.
  51. ^ Edgeley, Clare (December 1987). "Arcade Action - Wardner". Computer and Video Games. No. 74. Future Publishing. p. 137.
  52. ^ Hogg, Robin; Pound, Cameron (February 1988). "Arcades: Coin-Op Confrontation - Wardner". The Games Machine. No. 3. Newsfield Publications. p. 71.
  53. ^ Jarratt, Steve; Rignall, Julian (May 1988). "A Fistful Of Coin-Ops - Wardner". Crash. No. 52. Newsfield Publications. p. 34.
  54. ^ Lambie, Ryan (21 June 2018). "Toaplan: the rise and fall of Japan's greatest shooting game company". Den of Geek. Dennis Publishing. Archived from the original on 21 June 2018. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  55. ^ Neuhaus, Jeremy (7 November 2008). "Genesis Reviews – Wardner". sega-16.com. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  56. ^ "ライセンス事業" (in Japanese). TATSUJIN Co., Ltd. 2019. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  57. ^ Bravo, Roberto (12 September 2018). "Nueva compañía "Tatsujin" asegura tener gran parte de las IPs de la extinta Toaplan" (in Spanish). Gamercafe. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  58. ^ "Tatsujin". exA-Arcadia. 2019. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  59. ^ Bravo, Roberto (25 January 2019). "Tatsujin, los dueños de Toaplan, anuncian que están trabajando para exA-Arcadia" (in Spanish). Gamercafe. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
  60. ^ "[JAEPO2019]TATSUJINやナツメアタリの参入が発表されたexA-Arcadia。出展コーナーの模様を紹介". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). Aetas Inc. 26 January 2019. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 25 October 2019.
[edit]