Gaming Ads: Capcom U.S.A.

Capcom, its name a combination of the first three letters of the words capsule and computer, was founded in 1983 as the sales division of arcade manufacturer Sambi. Sambi itself is a result of a name change for I.R.M. Corporation and its subsidiary Japanese Capsule Computer in 1981. Capcom U.S.A. was established in 1985 while the Japan-based Capcom merged with its parent company Sambi in 1989.

The 1980s saw many hit arcade games from Capcom, including Commando, Ghosts 'N Goblins, 1942, Bionic Commando, Strider, and Final Fight. My memories of Capcom's 80's arcade games do include Commando, though I played more of the lesser known games, such as the very challenging shooter Gun.Smoke and vertically scrolling brawler Avengers. Street Fighter did release in 1987 but it wasn't until Street Fighter II hit in 1991 that the series really took off.

Along with its numerous home ports of arcade games, some of Capcom's biggest console series have been Mega Man, Resident Evil, and Devil May Cry. Of course, there are many other successful video games from Capcom as well, as it has developed and published hundreds of games throughout its history and continues to do so today.

Flickr album: Capcom U.S.A.