Konami

Konami (, Konami Digital Entertainment) is a leading developer and publisher of numerous popular and strong-selling toys, trading cards, anime, tokusatsu, slot machines, arcade cabinets and video games. Konami was formed in March 21st, 1969 but not incorporated until March 19th, 1973. The name originates from the names of three of the founding members: Kagemasa Kozuki, Yoshinobu Nakama, and Tatsuo Miyasako. Initially a jukebox rental and repair business, the company transitioned into the arcade industry with their first release being Block Yard in 1977. Konami would release several more arcade games for the next few years, most of which being clones of games from other companies. The company would also start releasing their games in North America around 1979, being one of the earliest Japanese game companies to do so. Konami's big break came in 1981 with a string of successes like , and . The company would also start porting their arcade games to home consoles, starting with the , and later the and , with particular success coming from the NES ports of and . Konami would also develop original titles for these systems, most notably , , and . Their success would continue throughout the 1990's and 2000's, with titles like , , , the series of soccer games, 's series of rhythm games such as and , series of baseball games, as well as licensed games for franchises like , and the TV shows produced by ; and the introduction of the brand of collectible trading cards. In 2006, Konami would invest in the struggling , and would end up buying them outright in 2012, acquiring their franchises like , , and . 
Aside from video games, Konami has investments in many other industries under Konami Group Corporation. The company has produced several feature films, including a series based on their Silent Hill franchise, starting with the eponymous name in 2006, and an upcoming Metal Gear Solid film. This branch also includes several TV shows and anime based on their properties, as well as the series of tokusatsu shows in association with TOHO. They have also helped for the production of the animated series on 's streaming television. Konami also owns Arespear, a brand dedicated to PC gaming computers and accessories, has a sizable investment in the casino industry, owning and operating several around the world, as well as developing several slot and pachinko machines based on their existing properties, and owns and operates several health and physical fitness clubs across Japan.
==In Super Smash Bros. Brawl==
Solid Snake from Konami's flagship Metal Gear series appears as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. In addition, many other elements from Konami's Metal Gear series, such as Gray Fox, Shadow Moses Island, and Metal Gear REX, appear in Brawl as well. Otacon, Colonel Roy Campbell and Mei Ling also appear in Snake's Smash Taunt, in which they talk with Snake about the character he's battling.
, a spin-off developed by Konami, also receives representation via a sticker of Bowser from said game.
Akihiro Honda, a Konami in-house composer before his resignation did an arrangement, .
==In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate==
After being absent in Super Smash Bros. 4, and associated Metal Gear content return in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Konami's long-running Castlevania series sees representation with the inclusion of Simon and his Echo Fighter Richter, as well as a Dracula's Castle stage which features several classic bosses. Death's Scythe was added as an item, being both the first item from a third-party company besides Bandai Namco, as well as the first item from a third-party playable character's series. Alucard appears as an Assist Trophy. Dracula appears as a boss in and Adventure Mode: World of Light. In addition, Konami-owned franchise is represented by its titular character, Bomberman, appearing as a new Assist Trophy and DLC costume. Gray Fox returns as an Assist Trophy as well. The titular Goemon of the franchise appears as a DLC costume. Power Pro-Kun, Aoi Hayakawa, & Mamoru Ikari from the Power Pros series appear together as a spirit.
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix was represented once more with 's down smash using his breakdancing move from the game's cover art, as opposed to just his leg sweep from as it was prior. Much later in January 2024, a combined spirit from the series was made available via the Spirit Board event Sentinels, Gods, and Baseball.
==Trivia==
*Konami is the only third-party company to:
**Skip an installment in the Super Smash Bros. series, in that case Super Smash Bros. 4.
**Not have had a starter or DLC character since Brawl.
Category:Metal Gear universe
Category:Castlevania universe
Category:Bomberman universe
Category:Mario universe
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