HexaDrive
Masakazu Matsushita established HexaDrive in February 2007 within Osaka, Japan. He arrived at this decision after years of work as a programmer for Capcom. The new studio began its life as a subsidiary before evolving into an independent developer. This transition marked the start of a distinct creative path separate from its parent company. Matsushita brought his technical background to build a team focused on diverse game systems.
The studio gained early attention with Rez HD released in 2008 for Xbox Live Arcade. Q Entertainment published this rail shooter and music game hybrid. Players experienced the original title through high-definition visuals on modern hardware. HexaDrive followed this success by remastering Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner HD Edition in 2013. Konami distributed that action title across PlayStation 3 consoles. They also handled The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD for Nintendo Wii U in 2013. These projects demonstrated their ability to preserve classic gameplay while updating graphics for new audiences.
Square Enix partnered with HexaDrive to develop The 3rd Birthday in 2010. This role-playing shooter and survival horror title appeared exclusively on PlayStation Portable devices. The collaboration continued with Final Fantasy Type-0 HD released in 2015 for multiple platforms including PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Square Enix published both titles as they expanded into action role-playing genres. Konami also engaged the studio for Metal Gear Solid variants like Snake Eater 3D in 2012. That stealth action game targeted Nintendo 3DS users with a unique perspective on the franchise.
HexaDrive shifted focus toward mobile platforms starting around 2012. Demons Score arrived as a rhythm action game for Android and iOS devices. Square Enix published this entry which combined music mechanics with strategic combat elements. The studio later created King Radish's Ambition in 2014 as a tower defense title for smartphones. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite for iOS followed in 2014 under Capcom publishing rights. These projects showed their willingness to adapt complex gameplay systems for touch-based interfaces.
Konami maintained a long-term relationship with HexaDrive regarding the Super Bomberman series. The team developed Super Bomberman R for Nintendo Switch in 2017. This action title brought the classic formula to modern consoles while retaining core mechanics. They continued the partnership with Super Bomberman R Online released in 2020 for Stadia. The franchise expanded further with Super Bomberman R 2 arriving in 2023 across PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch platforms. These releases kept the beloved character alive through multiple generations of online services.
The company eventually launched its own intellectual properties beyond licensed work. Voidcrisis appeared as an action game for Microsoft Windows in 2022. HexaDrive self-published this project to establish a unique identity in the market. Infinity Bullets is scheduled for release in 2025 as a shoot-em-up for Android and iOS devices. King Radish's Ambition served as an earlier attempt at original tower defense design before these larger titles. These efforts signaled a strategic move toward creating proprietary games rather than solely remastering existing ones.
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Common questions
When and where was HexaDrive established?
Masakazu Matsushita established HexaDrive in February 2007 within Osaka, Japan. The studio began its life as a subsidiary before evolving into an independent developer.
What games did HexaDrive release for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation 3?
HexaDrive released Rez HD in 2008 for Xbox Live Arcade and Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner HD Edition in 2013 for PlayStation 3 consoles. Konami distributed that action title across PlayStation 3 systems while Q Entertainment published the rail shooter hybrid.
Which Square Enix titles did HexaDrive develop between 2010 and 2015?
Square Enix partnered with HexaDrive to develop The 3rd Birthday in 2010 and Final Fantasy Type-0 HD released in 2015. These role-playing shooter and survival horror titles appeared exclusively on PlayStation Portable devices or multiple platforms including PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
How did HexaDrive adapt its game development focus starting around 2012?
HexaDrive shifted focus toward mobile platforms starting around 2012 by creating rhythm action games like Demons Score for Android and iOS devices. The studio later created King Radish's Ambition in 2014 as a tower defense title for smartphones alongside Monster Hunter Freedom Unite for iOS under Capcom publishing rights.
What Super Bomberman projects has HexaDrive developed since 2017?
Konami maintained a long-term relationship with HexaDrive regarding the Super Bomberman series which included Super Bomberman R for Nintendo Switch in 2017. They continued the partnership with Super Bomberman R Online released in 2020 for Stadia and Super Bomberman R 2 arriving in 2023 across PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch platforms.
When will Infinity Bullets be released and what genre is it?
Infinity Bullets is scheduled for release in 2025 as a shoot-em-up for Android and iOS devices. HexaDrive self-published Voidcrisis as an action game for Microsoft Windows in 2022 to establish a unique identity before this upcoming project.