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Good-Feel
View on WikipediaGood-Feel Co., Ltd. (株式会社グッド・フィール, Kabushiki gaisha Guddo Fīru) (stylized as GoödFeël) is a Japanese video game developer. Good-Feel started in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, in 2005 and opened a production facility in Tokyo in the same year.[2] Their main focus had been educational games for the Nintendo DS, which were released solely in Japan. The games, the first of which was released in 2007, consist of primers for young children (kindergarten and below) and English language training for kids and adults.
Key Information
In 2008, the company became the developer for the Wii game, Wario Land: Shake It!, published by Nintendo, which marked Good-Feel's first entry into the home console market. Since this release Good-Feel has had a close relationship with Nintendo, having developed games starring Nintendo characters such as Kirby, Yoshi, and Princess Peach that released exclusively on Nintendo consoles.
History
[edit]Good-Feel was founded by the former Konami employee, Etsunobu Ebisu, on October 3, 2005. He told Nintendo about the new company and asked if they could work on a game. Long-time Nintendo employee Takahiro Harada asked Ebisu if he would like to make a new Wario Land title, since Harada learned before the meeting that Ebisu was involved in the development of a Nintendo DS platform game he enjoyed very much, and Harada always wanted to make a Wario Land sequel. Though Ebisu suggested a shooting game, he agreed to create a platform game after Harada convinced him. The development resulted in Wario Land: Shake It!, a 2D platform game released in 2008 with hand-drawn graphics made with the help of the animation studios Production I.G and Kusanagi. They later made the 2010 game Kirby's Epic Yarn, a unique entry into the Kirby franchise.
In October 2019, Good-Feel announced Monkey Barrels, their first self-published game and their first game in over a decade to not be published by Nintendo.[3] Monkey Barrels was released in November 2019 for Nintendo Switch. A Microsoft Windows version was released on February 9, 2021.[4]
Games developed
[edit]| Year | Game | Publisher | System | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Training Words | Educational Network Inc. | Nintendo DS | |
| 2008 | Training Quiz | Benesse Corporation | ||
| Sense Training: Shape Space | ||||
| Wario Land: Shake It! | Nintendo | Wii | [1] | |
| 2009 | English Training | Educational Network Inc. | Nintendo DS | |
| 2010 | Looksley's Line Up | Nintendo | Nintendo DSi | [1] |
| Kirby's Epic Yarn | Wii | [1] | ||
| 2011 | Wii Play: Motion (2 mini-games) | |||
| 2013 | StreetPass Squad (NA: Mii Force) | Nintendo 3DS | ||
| Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (giant battles) | ||||
| 2015 | Yoshi's Woolly World | Wii U | [5] | |
| StreetPass Zombies (NA: Battleground Z) | Nintendo 3DS | |||
| 2016 | StreetPass Slot Car (NA: Slot Car Rivals) | |||
| StreetPass Traders (NA: Market Crashers) | ||||
| Miitopia (support work) | ||||
| 2017 | Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World | |||
| 2019 | Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn | |||
| Yoshi's Crafted World | Nintendo | Nintendo Switch | [6] | |
| Monkey Barrels | Good-Feel Justdan (JP physical)[7] Nicalis (NA physical)[8] |
Nintendo Switch Microsoft Windows |
||
| 2023 | Bakeru | Good-Feel (JP) Spike Chunsoft (WW) |
[9] | |
| 2024 | Princess Peach: Showtime! | Nintendo | Nintendo Switch | [10] |
See also
[edit]Further reading
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Good Feel". IGN. Archived from the original on 4 December 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2011.
- ^ "沿革 | 株式会社グッド・フィール(Good-Feel)". www.good-feel.co.jp. Archived from the original on 2020-09-24. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
- ^ "Monkey Barrels, developed by Good-Feel, coming to Nintendo Switch next week – Nintendo Everything". nintendoeverything.com. 29 October 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-10-29. Retrieved 2019-10-29.
- ^ Saito, Masayuki. "Monkey Barrels, Good-Feel's new shoot-em up will be released on February 9th!". Epic Games. Archived from the original on 2021-06-13. Retrieved 2021-05-01.
- ^ 1/23/13 9:27am 1/23/13 9:27am (23 January 2013). "The People Behind Kirby's Epic Yarn Are Making A New Yoshi Game". Kotaku.com. Archived from the original on 2018-11-03. Retrieved 2014-06-11.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Robinson, Martin (27 March 2019). "Yoshi's Crafted World review - at long last, a worthy successor to Yoshi's Island". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 3 August 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
- ^ "Monkey Barrels getting a physical release in Japan". 2 September 2020. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ "Monkey Barrels will have a physical release in the west". 9 November 2020. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
- ^ Romano, Sal (June 21, 2023). "Good-Feel announces 3D action game". Gematsu. Archived from the original on June 21, 2023. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- ^ Sickr (2024-03-07). "Princess Peach: Showtime is developed by Good-Feel". My Nintendo News. Archived from the original on 2024-03-07. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
The initial version of this article was partly based on the article Good-Feel from the external wiki Super Mario Wiki, released under the GFDL by its authors.
External links
[edit]- Official website (in Japanese)
Good-Feel
View on GrokipediaOverview
Founding and headquarters
Good-Feel Co., Ltd. was founded on October 3, 2005, by former Konami employees Etsunobu Ebisu and Shigeharu Umezaki.[3] The company was initially established as a limited liability company in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, with the primary objective of planning, producing, and marketing game software.[1] In the same month, Good-Feel opened a production office in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, to support its development activities.[1] The headquarters has since relocated multiple times for operational efficiency, moving to Chūō-ku, Kobe, in 2008 and again in 2016, before relocating to Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, in February 2017, and finally to its current address at Osaki New City 3rd Building, 9F, 1-6-3 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0032, Japan, in December 2022.[1][4] An additional office was established in Kita-ku, Osaka, in December 2019.[1] Starting with a small team of former Konami staff, Good-Feel has grown steadily, employing 164 people as of October 1, 2025.[5]Key personnel and structure
Good-Feel Co., Ltd. was co-founded by Etsunobu Ebisu and Shigeharu Umezaki, with Ebisu serving as its President and CEO since November 2019.[4] Prior to establishing the company, Ebisu worked at Konami for over a decade as a programmer and producer, notably leading development on the Ganbare Goemon series.[2][6] Shigeharu Umezaki, a co-founder, was appointed Chairman of the Board in 2019 after previously managing Konami's Kobe-based development subsidiary.[2][4] Yoshikazu Isono serves as Senior Managing Director, contributing to the company's leadership.[4] The studio's initial team comprised several developers from Konami's Kobe branch, including those who had collaborated with Ebisu on projects like Ganbare Goemon.[2] This group brought specialized skills in game programming and production, forming the core of Good-Feel's early operations.[2] The company's personnel emphasize expertise among programmers, artists, and producers in crafting 2D platformers and innovative visual effects, drawing directly from their Konami tenure on action-oriented titles.[2] As a privately held limited company with capital of 14 million Japanese yen, Good-Feel focuses exclusively on the planning, production, and operation of consumer game software and social applications.[4] It operates without subsidiaries, maintaining headquarters in Tokyo's Osaki New City and an additional office in Osaka's Station 3 Building.[4]History
Early years (2005–2010)
Good-Feel Co., Ltd. was established on October 3, 2005, in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, initially as a limited company with the objective of planning, producing, and marketing game software. Founded by Shigeharu Umezaki and Etsunobu Ebisu, both veterans of Konami's development teams, the studio opened a production office in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, to handle operations. In January 2007, the company's capital was increased to 14 million yen, and its trade name was formally changed to Good-Feel Co., Ltd.[1][2] As a small independent studio, Good-Feel's early efforts centered on educational Nintendo DS titles for the Japanese market, relying on external publishers to bring projects to release. Representative examples include Training Words (2007), developed in partnership with Educational Network Inc., which focused on language training for young users. These edutainment projects allowed the team to hone its skills amid the challenges of limited resources and dependence on collaborators for distribution and funding.[2][7] Good-Feel's transition to console development began with its debut major title, Wario Land: Shake It!, released in July 2008 for the Wii and published by Nintendo. This action-platformer represented a pivotal shift from edutainment to more dynamic gameplay, secured through direct pitches to Nintendo following the studio's initial prototype work. In September 2008, the head office relocated to Chuo-ku, Kobe, to support growing operations.[1][8] The year 2010 solidified Good-Feel's reputation with two Nintendo-published releases. Looksley's Line Up, a puzzle game, launched on May 17 for Nintendo DSiWare, showcasing the studio's versatility in touch-based mechanics. Later, in October, Kirby's Epic Yarn debuted on the Wii, co-developed with HAL Laboratory and introducing distinctive yarn-based transformation and weaving gameplay derived from an original internal prototype. These successes underscored Good-Feel's growth from a nascent team to a reliable partner for innovative platformers, despite ongoing constraints as a modest-sized developer employing fewer than 70 people.[1][8][9]Expansion and partnerships (2011–2020)
During the 2011–2020 period, Good-Feel expanded its operations through deepened partnerships with Nintendo, taking on larger roles in major franchise titles while diversifying its internal structure to support growing project demands. In March 2016, the head office relocated within Chūō-ku, Kobe. In February 2017, the head office moved to Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo.[1] In 2018, the company spun off two 100% subsidiaries—Good-Feel Games Co., Ltd. for console development and Good-Feel Mobile Co., Ltd. for mobile applications—to streamline operations, before merging them back in 2020 to consolidate resources.[1] This era marked Good-Feel's increasing prominence in Nintendo's ecosystem, evolving from support roles to lead development on innovative platformers and contributing to RPG mechanics in established series.[10] Good-Feel's collaboration with AlphaDream on Mario & Luigi: Dream Team for Nintendo 3DS in 2013 focused on developing the game's Giant Battles, where players control a massive Luigi in 2D dream world sequences.[11] These battles integrated RPG elements with action-oriented puzzles, such as environmental interactions and timing-based attacks, to complement the core turn-based combat while leveraging the 3DS's stereoscopic effects for immersive scale.[11] The partnership addressed AlphaDream's technical limits in 2D rendering for these segments, allowing Good-Feel to infuse their expertise in dynamic, whimsical mechanics.[11] Building on their prior yarn-based work, Good-Feel led development of Yoshi's Woolly World for Wii U in 2015, expanding the aesthetic from Kirby's Epic Yarn into a full 3D platformer with interactive wool environments.[10] The game featured deformable yarn landscapes that responded to Yoshi's actions—such as unraveling walls or knitting platforms—creating puzzle-platforming stages that emphasized tactile, cozy exploration over high-speed action.[10] This project solidified Good-Feel's partnership with Nintendo producer Takashi Tezuka, incorporating amiibo support for yarn Yoshi variants that unlocked assist characters and costume designs.[10][1] In 2017, Good-Feel handled the port of Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World to Nintendo 3DS, adapting the Wii U title with enhanced touch controls, stereoscopic 3D, and new Poochy-focused levels to leverage the handheld's features.[12] The port retained the core yarn mechanics while adding eight exclusive stages and amiibo integration for Poochy pups, demonstrating Good-Feel's growing capability in cross-platform optimization within Nintendo's ecosystem.[12][1] Good-Feel continued its Yoshi series leadership with Yoshi's Crafted World for Nintendo Switch in 2019, introducing craft paper visuals that transformed levels into diorama-like scenes using everyday materials like cardboard and tissue paper.[13] The development emphasized innovative level design, such as dual-plane progression (foreground and background) and flip-side exploration, to encourage creative problem-solving and hidden collectible discovery.[14] Powered by Unreal Engine, the game maintained Good-Feel's signature approachable platforming while integrating co-op play and amiibo bonuses for a family-friendly experience.[15][1] Marking a shift toward original content, Good-Feel self-published Monkey Barrels for Nintendo Switch in 2019—their first independent intellectual property and a departure from Nintendo collaborations.[16] This top-down run-and-gun shooter featured 3D pixel art, chaotic monkey-versus-machine battles across 22 stages, and multiplayer modes, blending retro influences with modern accessibility to test the studio's publishing ambitions.[17] The title's release later expanded to Windows in 2021 via partners like Nicalis, highlighting Good-Feel's diversification beyond licensed franchises.[18][1]Recent activities (2021–present)
In 2023, Good-Feel developed a new 3D action-platforming title titled Bakeru (known as Mameda no Bakeru in Japan) for the Nintendo Switch, initially released in Japan on November 30. The game features the tanuki protagonist Bakeru battling yokai across Japan's 47 prefectures, incorporating modern mechanics like combo-based combat and exploration in vibrant, folklore-inspired environments. This project marked Good-Feel's return to original IP development, building on the studio's expertise in whimsical platformers while expanding to a Western release on Switch and Windows via Steam in September 2024, published by Spike Chunsoft. A physical edition followed in February 2025.[19] Good-Feel took the lead in developing Princess Peach: Showtime! for the Nintendo Switch, released worldwide on March 22, 2024. The theatrical adventure game centers on Peach transforming into various roles—such as a swordfighter, detective, or patissiere—to perform in a sabotaged theater and defeat the villainous Grape. Its core mechanics emphasize quick-time events, rhythmic platforming, and genre-shifting levels that blend action, puzzles, and performance elements, earning praise for its colorful presentation and family-friendly innovation. The title sold over 1.1 million copies in its first month, underscoring Good-Feel's strengthened partnership with Nintendo.[20] In December 2022, the head office relocated to Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo.[1] By 2025, Good-Feel had grown its workforce to 153 employees (as of April 2025), reflecting expanded capacity for high-fidelity graphics and immersive gameplay experiences amid rising demand for console titles. This increase supports the studio's focus on delivering unprecedented visual and interactive quality in upcoming projects.[21] Looking ahead, Good-Feel has expressed a commitment to deepening collaborations with Nintendo on character-driven games while pursuing original titles, as stated in company recruitment materials emphasizing innovative development. This outlook aligns with their recent successes and positions the studio for sustained growth in the evolving Nintendo ecosystem.Development approach
Signature art and gameplay styles
Good-Feel has developed a distinctive visual style characterized by innovative material-based aesthetics that transform game environments into tactile, craft-like worlds. In titles such as Kirby's Epic Yarn and Yoshi's Woolly World, the studio employs a yarn-based approach where levels and characters are rendered as knitted fabric, allowing interactive elements like unraveling threads or weaving platforms to blend seamlessly with the narrative.[22] Similarly, Yoshi's Crafted World utilizes a craft paper aesthetic, constructing diorama-style stages from everyday materials like cardboard boxes and paper cups, which emphasizes handmade charm and encourages exploration of both front and flip-side perspectives.[23] These visual innovations prioritize hand-drawn 2D animations to convey fluid, expressive motion, as seen in the vibrant, retro-inspired illustrations of Wario Land: Shake It!, where detailed cel-shaded artwork enhances the platforming feel.[24] In gameplay, Good-Feel's designs emphasize accessible platforming mechanics infused with unique physics and interactive systems that promote creativity rather than punitive difficulty. The studio's expertise in 2D engines tailored for Nintendo hardware enables smooth, responsive controls that integrate hardware features, such as the motion-sensing shake mechanics in Wario Land: Shake It!, where players tilt and shake the Wii Remote to perform actions like ground pounds or enemy tosses, adding a physical layer to traditional side-scrolling navigation.[25] Transformation systems further exemplify this approach, allowing characters to dynamically alter forms and abilities to solve puzzles or traverse environments; for instance, in Princess Peach: Showtime!, Peach assumes roles like Swordfighter, Detective, or Mermaid, each granting specialized moves such as aerial slashes or underwater propulsion to fit theatrical stage themes.[26] This focus on transformative interactivity fosters playful experimentation, often tying mechanics directly to the visual motifs for cohesive, immersive experiences. At the core of Good-Feel's development philosophy is a commitment to delivering "unprecedented gaming experiences" through meticulous graphics and uncompromising quality, guided by an instinct to create games that inherently "feel good" and bring joy to players.[27] The studio's in-house processes, honed since 2005, leverage advanced 2D development skills to blend traditional animation with interactive elements, ensuring that visual and mechanical innovations prioritize fun, accessibility, and emotional resonance over conventional challenge structures.[27]Collaborations and influences
Good-Feel established a primary partnership with Nintendo in 2008, beginning with the development of Wario Land: The Shake Dimension for the Wii, which marked their entry into handling major Nintendo franchises.[8] This collaboration has since expanded to include full development on titles such as Yoshi's Woolly World (2015, Wii U), Yoshi's Crafted World (2019, Nintendo Switch), and Princess Peach: Showtime! (2024, Nintendo Switch), allowing the studio to apply their expertise in 2D platforming to iconic characters like Yoshi and Princess Peach. For Kirby's Epic Yarn (2010, Wii), Good-Feel collaborated with HAL Laboratory. Additionally, Good-Feel contributed to the Giant Battles mode in Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (2013, Nintendo 3DS), earning co-development credits alongside AlphaDream.[28] These partnerships have provided Good-Feel with access to established intellectual properties, enabling experimentation with unique artistic and gameplay elements while maintaining Nintendo's quality standards.[8] Prior to their Nintendo collaborations, Good-Feel focused on educational titles for the Nintendo DS, partnering with Japanese publishers like Benesse Corporation and Educational Network Inc. for games such as Training Words (2007) and Sense Training: Shape Space (2008), which emphasized learning mechanics in a game format.[29] More recently, the studio has pursued self-publishing with Monkey Barrels (2019, Nintendo Switch), a twin-stick shooter that showcases their independent capabilities beyond licensed IPs.[17] Good-Feel's creative influences trace back to the studio's founding team, many of whom are veterans from Konami, where they contributed to the Ganbare Goemon series—particularly Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon (1997, Nintendo 64)—known for its whimsical 2D action-platforming and Japanese cultural motifs.[30] Led by president Etsunobu Ebisu, a former key developer on the Goemon franchise, the company has carried forward these roots into polished platformers, as seen in their original IP Bakeru (2023, Nintendo Switch; published by Spike Chunsoft), a spiritual successor evoking Goemon's adventurous spirit through yokai-themed action.[19] This heritage has shaped Good-Feel's emphasis on fluid, handcrafted 2D gameplay, influencing their Nintendo projects by blending nostalgic action elements with innovative presentation.Games developed
Early and Wii-era titles
Good-Feel's entry into game development began with educational software for the Nintendo DS, establishing a foundation in interactive learning experiences before transitioning to more ambitious console projects during the Wii generation.[2] This period marked the studio's initial collaborations with publishers and its growing expertise in platforming mechanics, leading to standout titles that showcased innovative use of hardware features.[2] The following table lists Good-Feel's key early and Wii-era titles:| Title | Year | Platform | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Training Words | 2007 | Nintendo DS | Educational Network Inc. |
| Training Quiz | 2008 | Nintendo DS | Benesse Corporation |
| Wario Land: Shake It! | 2008 | Wii | Nintendo |
| Looksley's Line Up | 2010 | Nintendo DSi | Nintendo |
| Kirby's Epic Yarn | 2010 | Wii | Nintendo |
3DS and Switch-era titles
Good-Feel's work during the Nintendo 3DS and Switch eras primarily involved collaborations with Nintendo on licensed titles featuring iconic characters, emphasizing innovative platforming and action mechanics tailored to handheld and hybrid consoles.[31] The studio's key contributions include the following games:| Title | Platform | Release Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mii Force | Nintendo 3DS | 2013 | Nintendo |
| Mario & Luigi: Dream Team | Nintendo 3DS | 2013 | Nintendo |
| Yoshi's Woolly World | Wii U | 2015 | Nintendo |
| Miitopia | Nintendo 3DS | 2016 | Nintendo |
| Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World | Nintendo 3DS | 2017 | Nintendo |
| Miitopia (Switch port) | Nintendo Switch | 2021 | Nintendo |
| Yoshi's Crafted World | Nintendo Switch | 2019 | Nintendo |
| Princess Peach: Showtime! | Nintendo Switch | 2024 | Nintendo |
| Wii Play: Motion | Wii | 2011 | Nintendo |
