Mobile21 Co., Ltd.[a] was a Japanese video game developer that was a 50/50 joint venture between Nintendo and Konami established in October 1999. Mobile21 primarily concentrated on next-generation Game Boy Advance development, with a particular interest in mobile phone linking features using the Mobile Adapter GB accessory.

The company was led by Masaki Yoneoka[1] and its headquarters were located within Nintendo's offices in Asakusabashi, Tokyo.[2]

History

On September 2, 1999, Nintendo and Konami announced the establishment of Mobile21, a joint venture focused on developing software for Nintendo consoles with network connectivity. As part of this initiative, Nintendo planned to release an adapter the following year to connect the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance to cell phones, enabling online interactions. The company also had plans to develop software for the future GameCube console.[3][4]

Operations began on October 7, 1999, with an initial capital of ¥200 million, evenly split between Nintendo and Konami.[2] However, each company retained only 15% of the stock, leaving 70% available to grant to employees in anticipation of an early public offering, part of an aggressive talent recruitment strategy.[3][1]

The Mobile Adapter GB and the Mobile System GB service were unveiled at the Nintendo Space World event in August 2000.[5] At the time, Nintendo planned to release them in December,[6] however, delays establishing the service pushed the launch back to January 27, 2001, for a MSRP of ¥5,800.[7][8]

The Mobile Adapter GB was not a commercial success, selling 80,000 units in its first year on the market,[9] leading the Mobile System GB service to be discontinued after less than two years on December 14, 2002.[10] The end of the Mobile Adapter GB also led to the end of Mobile21.

Games

Mobile21 produced eleven games during its time in existence, six of which used the Mobile Adapter GB.[11]

Name Release date Publisher Platform Notes
Monster Guardians March 21, 2001 Konami GBA Mobile Adapter GB support
Tanbi Musou: Meine Liebe April 26, 2001 Konami GBA
Doraemon: Midori no Wakusei Doki Doki Daikyūshutsu! April 27, 2001 Epoch GBA Mobile Adapter GB support
Net de Get Minigames @100 July 12, 2001 Konami GBC Mobile Adapter GB support
EX Monopoly July 13, 2001 Takara GBA Mobile Adapter GB support
Mobile Pro Yakyū: Kantoku no Saihai July 26, 2001 Konami GBA Mobile Adapter GB support
Jurassic Park III: Island Attack August 30, 2001 Konami GBA
Okuman Chouja Game: Nottori Daisakusen! November 30, 2001 Takara GBA
Gradius Galaxies January 17, 2002 Konami GBA
Mail de Cute February 14, 2002 Konami GBA Mobile Adapter GB support
Koro Koro Puzzle Happy Panechu! March 8, 2002 Nintendo GBA
AirForce Delta Storm September 16, 2002 Konami GBA

Notes

  1. ^ Japanese: モバイル２１株式会社, Hepburn: Mobairu21 kabushiki gaisha

References

  1. ^ a b "モバイル２１株式会社" [Mobile 21 Co., Ltd.]. Nintendo Online Magazine (in Japanese). No. 20. April 2000. Archived from the original on March 4, 2007. Retrieved March 5, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "会社概要のペ" [Company Profile]. Mobile21 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 5, 2002. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  3. ^ a b
  4. ^ Tam, Augie (October 2000). "Fun 'n Games in the New Economy". Japan Inc. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  5. ^ "Spaceworld 2000: The Dawn of GameCube". Gamers Republic. No. 29. October 2000. pp. 6–8.
  6. ^ "ゲームボーイによる携帯電話ネットワーク 「 モバイルシステムGB 」について" [About the Game Boy mobile phone network "Mobile System GB"]. Nintendo (Press release) (in Japanese). August 24, 2000. Archived from the original on October 18, 2000. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  7. ^ Harris, Craig (October 31, 2000). "No Mobile Adapter Until 2001". IGN. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  8. ^ "Game Boy Mobile Adapter Delayed". RPGamer. January 27, 2001. Archived from the original on January 6, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  9. ^ Harris, Craig (March 30, 2001). "Low Numbers for Mobile Adapter GB". IGN. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  10. ^ Sledge, Ben (August 13, 2022). "Pokemon Crystal Had Long Distance Trading Years Before The Nintendo DS". TheGamer. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  11. ^ "タイトル" [Titles]. Mobile21. Archived from the original on October 11, 2002. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile21
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