Simple (video game series)

Simple
Cover art of The Chikyū Bōeigun 2, a Simple 2000 Series game
Genre(s)Various
Developer(s)Various
Publisher(s)D3 Publisher
Platform(s)PlayStation, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, Mobile phone, Game Boy Advance, PlayStation 3, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series
First releaseSimple 1500 Series Vol. 1: The Mahjong
October 22, 1998
Latest releaseSIMPLE Series G4U Vol.2 THE Table Game Deluxe Pack
May 25, 2023

The Simple[a] series is a line of budget-priced video games published by Japanese company D3 Publisher, a subsidiary of Bandai Namco Entertainment.[1] Games in the series have been developed by several different companies, including Sandlot, Success, Irem, and Taito. It was introduced in 1998 for the PlayStation, and has been released for platforms such as the PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS, and mobile phones. The number in a series name indicates the price point of the games in the series; for instance, a "Simple 2000" series game would cost 2000 yen.

Early Simple games were generic interpretations of other common video game themes, including tennis, racing, and video board games such as mahjong.[2][3] Beginning with the PlayStation 2, Simple games began using larger genres such as scrolling shooters and role-playing games, in addition to original ideas and concepts. As the games were sold at a low price point and required little development time, developers were able to experiment with gameplay concepts and mechanics.[2] A few entries in the series were released outside Japan by other companies without the brand. After releasing two Simple games for the Nintendo 3DS in 2013,[4] D3 has chosen to remove the Simple name from its budget titles for systems such as the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4.[5] In 2022, D3Publisher announced that the Simple Series brand will return for the Nintendo Switch.[6]

The Simple series and several of its games, including Demolition Girl, The Maid Clothes and Machine Gun, Onechanbara and the Earth Defense Force series, have garnered notoriety outside Japan for their usually outlandish and bizarre nature.[7][8] Publications have identified the series as being of considerably better quality than similar budget title ranges, with gameplay ideas they consider unique and interesting.[2] As of 2007, the Simple series has sold over 20 million units across all platforms.[9]


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  1. ^ Glasser, AJ (18 March 2009). "By The Way, Namco Bandai Owns (Most Of) D3". Kotaku. Univision Communications. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  2. ^ a b c Eisenbeis, Richard (11 November 2014). "Japanese PS2 Budget Games Were an Outlet for Pure Insanity". Kotaku. Univision Communications. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  3. ^ Byford, Sam (9 April 2019). "How Earth Defense Force went from bargain bin to blockbuster". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  4. ^ Siliconera Staff (20 July 2013). "D3 Publisher's Simple Series Is Going Back In Stores". Siliconera. Curse, Inc. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  5. ^ "The Table Game Deluxe Pack". www.play-asia.com. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  6. ^ D3Publisher (9 February 2022). "『SIMPLEシリーズ for Nintendo Switch Vol.1 THE テーブルゲーム Deluxe Pack ～麻雀・囲碁・将棋・詰将棋・オセロ・カード・花札・二角取り～』PV". YouTube. Retrieved 9 February 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ Siliconera Staff (30 April 2014). "D3 Publisher's Wacky Simple Series Games Come To Vita Today". Siliconera. Curse, Inc. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  8. ^ Fahey, Mike (11 December 2018). "Stupidity Escalates Exquisitely In Earth Defense Force 5". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  9. ^ Fletcher, JC (3 December 2007). "Celebrating Simple series sales". Engadget. Verizon Media. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.