Capcom
Notable Games
Company History
Capcom Co., Ltd. was founded on May 30, 1979, in Osaka, Japan, by Kenzo Tsujimoto as Japan Capsule Computers, later renamed Capcom (derived from "Capsule Computers"). The company became one of gaming's most prolific developers, creating numerous franchises that defined action, fighting, and survival horror genres.
Early arcade development established Capcom's technical and design standards. 1942 (1984) demonstrated vertical shooter expertise. Ghosts 'n Goblins (1985) introduced punishing difficulty that became a company trademark. These arcade origins informed Capcom's emphasis on responsive gameplay and replayability.
Street Fighter II (1991) revolutionized competitive gaming. The fighting game format — special moves, combos, character matchups — established templates that persist today. The game's arcade success generated enormous revenue and created competitive communities worldwide.
Mega Man (1987) launched a franchise spanning numerous series and spin-offs. Resident Evil (1996) essentially created survival horror as a commercial genre. Devil May Cry (2001) established stylish action conventions. Monster Hunter (2004) became one of Japan's most successful franchises. Each represented genre innovation rather than imitation.
Capcom operates globally with development studios and publishing operations across regions. The company continues developing established franchises while occasionally creating new properties.
Behind the Scenes
Capcom's arcade origins emphasized gameplay polish above all. Games needed to earn their cabinet space through compelling moment-to-moment play. This arcade discipline informed console development: Capcom games feel responsive, immediate, satisfying.
Street Fighter II's development involved extensive balancing and iteration. Each character needed distinct identity while maintaining competitive viability. Combos emerged partially by accident — developers noticed players linking moves together and designed around this discovery. The resulting depth enabled competitive communities that persist decades later.
Shinji Mikami's direction shaped Capcom's identity through multiple franchises. Resident Evil established survival horror conventions: limited resources, tension through vulnerability, puzzle-solving between combat. Devil May Cry inverted this into stylish action celebrating player mastery. These contrasting approaches demonstrated Mikami's range.
Monster Hunter's success came gradually. Early entries found modest audiences; Monster Hunter Portable 2nd in Japan achieved breakthrough success. The series' deliberate combat, preparation requirements, and cooperative multiplayer fostered dedicated communities. Monster Hunter: World brought the series to global mainstream audiences.
Capcom's franchise management has varied in quality. Some series (Resident Evil, Monster Hunter) received consistent development attention. Others (Mega Man, Dino Crisis) experienced long dormancy. This inconsistency frustrated fans of neglected properties.
The company's approach to remakes demonstrated thoughtful preservation. Resident Evil 2 (2019) and Resident Evil 4 (2023) remakes reimagined classics for modern audiences while respecting original designs. This balance between preservation and modernization showed how legacy properties could remain relevant.
Recent Capcom success demonstrates sustained capability. Monster Hunter's global appeal, Resident Evil's continued relevance, and Devil May Cry 5's acclaim suggest the company maintains creative vitality alongside commercial success.
Resident Evil 2
• 1998
Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes
• 1998
1942
• 1984
Resident Evil 3: Nemesis
• 1999
Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike - Fight for the Future
• 1999
Cadillacs and Dinosaurs
• 1993
The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
• 2004
Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter
• 1997
1943: The Battle of Midway
• 1987
Street Fighter II' Turbo: Hyper Fighting
• 1992
Street Fighter II: Champion Edition
• 1992
Aladdin
• 1993
About Capcom
Capcom is an active game development company founded on May 30, 1979 and headquartered in .
Known for creating iconic titles such as Street Fighter II, Resident Evil, Monster Hunter and more, Capcom has left an indelible mark on the video game industry.