 | |
| Industry | Toys and video games |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1970 |
| Founder | Jack Friedman |
| Defunct | 1995 |
| Fate | Closed by Acclaim Entertainment |
| Successor | Acclaim Entertainment |
| Headquarters | New York, New York Lyndhurst, New Jersey |
| Products | Toys: Battery Operated Water Guns, Wrestling Superstars, Thundercats, Bionic Six, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, E.T., Gremlins Video games: Back to the Future series, Spider-Man series, WWF wrestling games |
| Parent | MCA Inc. (1985–1990) Acclaim Entertainment (1990–1995; 2000) |
LJN Toys, Ltd. was an American toy company and video game publisher in operation from 1970 to 1995. It manufactured toy lines and released battery operated water guns and video games based on licensed properties from movies, television shows, and celebrities. It was headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, New York City,[1] and later in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.[2] LJN introduced the Entertech line of battery operated water guns in 1986.[3]
Alan Amron invented and patented the first battery-operated water gun licensed to Larami and Entertech LJN in 1985.[4][5] In the first year, this invention had earned him $250,000 in royalties.[6]
History[]
Founding[]
LJN Toys, Ltd. was founded in 1970 by Jack Friedman, who later founded other toy companies, notably THQ and Jakks Pacific.[7]
The name LJN came from reversing the initials of Norman J. Lewis, whose toy company (Norman J. Lewis Associates) had employed Friedman as a sales representative in the 1960s. Lewis himself initially backed LJN financially but later sold his interest to a Chinese investor.[8]
MCA era[]
In 1985, MCA Inc.,[9] which had been actively acquiring companies in the mid-1980s [8] acquired LJN for $66[9] or $67 million[10] in an effort to retain more profits from the merchandising of its film properties.[11]
LJN began publishing video games for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987. Although this was LJN's first foray into the video game business, it was not for MCA who had previously started MCA Video Games, as a joint venture with Atari, Inc., to create coin-operated and home games and computer software based on various MCA properties.[12]
In 1988, LJN acquired Italian toy company Al'es from the Fassi family.[13]
In 1989, MCA decided to sell LJN after years of losses[9] since 1987 when fallout surrounding toy guns made by LJN's Entertech division plunged MCA's profits 79.5% in the second quarter of that year.[11][14] MCA finally agreed to sell to Acclaim Entertainment in March 1990 for cash and Acclaim common stock for 30 to 50 percent.[15][16]
Acclaim era[]
During the time the company was owned by Acclaim Entertainment, LJN continued with the same licensing direction. Acclaim eliminated LJN's toy division and reorganized it exclusively as a video game publisher.
During the 8-bit gaming era, Nintendo initiated a form of quality control based on limiting the number of titles to appear on its console, the Nintendo Entertainment System.[17] The company required each licensee company to limit the number of NES titles it published per year. As a result, companies like Acclaim created divisions such as LJN to produce more products than Nintendo would have otherwise allowed.[17] Konami also utilized such workarounds with its division Ultra. Even after Nintendo dropped this rule in the early 1990s, Acclaim continued operating LJN, which published several titles for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Game Boy.[18] Although Acclaim distributed the video games, they were self-published and marketed by LJN.[19]
LJN, along with the Flying Edge and Arena Entertainment labels (the latter two labels had published Acclaim's games to Sega's consoles), were folded into Acclaim in 1995.
In 2000, LJN made a return in name only when Acclaim used the brand to publish the Dreamcast port of Spirit of Speed 1937.[18]
In 2014, CollectorVision Games acquired the LJN brand name/logo.[20]
Products[]
LJN produced toys and video games in the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.
Toys[]
| Title | Produced | Licensed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Rookies | 1974-1975 | Spelling-Goldberg Productions | |
| Emergency! | 1974-1975 | Emergency Productions | |
| Road Stars | 1974-1977 | Various | |
| S.W.A.T. | 1975 | Spelling-Goldberg Productions | |
| 255 Computer Command Cars | 1980 | LJN | |
| Brooke Shields | 1982 | Brooke Shields' endorsement | |
| E.T. the Extra Terrestrial | 1982 | Universal Studios | |
| Magnum, P.I. | 1983 | Universal Studios | |
| Advanced Dungeons & Dragons | 1983-1984 | TSR, Inc. | |
| Michael Jackson | 1984 | Michael Jackson's endorsement | |
| Boy George | 1984 | Boy George's endorsement | |
| Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom | 1984 | Lucasfilm, Ltd. | |
| Oodles | 1984-1987 | LJN | |
| Rough Riders/Switch Force | 1984-1985 | LJN | |
| Gremlins | 1984 | Warner Bros. | |
| V Alien Visitor | 1984 | Warner Bros. | |
| Dune | 1984 | Universal Studios | |
| Wrestling Superstars | 1984-1989 | Titan Sports, Inc. | |
| Baby Blinkins | 1985 | LJN | |
| Entertech | 1985-1990 | LJN | |
| Thundercats | 1985-1989 | Rankin-Bass Productions | |
| Photon | 1986 | DiC Entertainment | |
| Voltron | 1986 | World Events Productions | |
| Suckers | 1987 | LJN | |
| LJN Video Art | 1987 | LJN | Video game console |
| Tiny Dinos | 1987 | LJN | |
| TigerSharks | 1987 | Rankin-Bass Productions | |
| Bionic Six | 1987-1989 | Universal Studios | |
| Roll 'n Rocker | 1987-1990 | LJN/Nintendo of America, Inc. | Accessory for the NES |
| Plansters | 1988 | LJN | |
| Who Framed Roger Rabbit? | 1988-1989 | The Walt Disney Company & Amblin Entertainment | |
| Baseball Talk | 1989 | Major League Baseball | In conjunction with Topps |
| A Nightmare on Elm Street | 1989 | New Line Cinema | |
| Back to the Future Part II | 1989 | Universal Studios |
Video games[]
Spanning a number of video game console generations, LJN published games outsourced to external developers, gaining infamy for several titles being perceived as having poor gameplay and game mechanics.[21][22] Although many of LJN's titles (particularly the pre-Acclaim ones) do not disclose the developer, there is no video game that has been developed in-house by LJN.[21] Most of LJN's games are based on a preexisting brand such as movies.
| Game | Developer | Platform | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Karate Kid | Atlus | NES | 1987 | |
| Gotcha! The Sport | Sanritsu | NES | 1987 | |
| Jaws | Westone | NES | 1987 | |
| Town & Country Surf Designs: Wood & Water Rage | Atlus | NES | 1988 | |
| Major League Baseball | Atlus | NES | 1988 | |
| Friday the 13th | Atlus | NES | 1989 | |
| NFL | Atlus | NES | 1989 | |
| Back to the Future | Beam Software | NES | 1989 | |
| Who Framed Roger Rabbit | Rare | NES | 1989 | |
| The Uncanny X-Men | N/A | NES | 1989 | |
| The Amazing Spider-Man | Rare | Game Boy | 1990 | |
| Pictionary | Software Creations | NES | 1990 | |
| Back to the Future II & III | Beam Software | NES | 1990 | |
| A Nightmare on Elm Street | Rare | NES | 1990 | |
| The Punisher | Beam Software | NES | 1990 | |
| WWF WrestleMania Challenge | Rare | NES | 1990 | |
| NBA All-Star Challenge | Beam Software | Game Boy, SNES | 1991 | SNES version released in 1992 |
| WWF Superstars | Rare | Game Boy | 1991 | |
| Beetlejuice | Rare | NES | 1991 | |
| The Punisher: The Ultimate Payback | Beam Software | Game Boy | 1991 | The logo was only used in-game. All others had the normal Acclaim logo. |
| Bill & Ted's Excellent Video Game Adventure | Rocket Science Productions | NES | 1991 | |
| Bill & Ted's Excellent Game Boy Adventure | Beam Software | Game Boy | 1991 | Game Boy counterpart to Bill & Ted's Excellent Video Game Adventure |
| Roger Clemens' MVP Baseball | Sculptured Software | NES, Game Boy, SNES | 1991 | Game Boy and SNES versions released in 1992. |
| Wolverine | Software Creations | NES | 1991 | |
| Terminator 2: Judgement Day | B.I.T.S. | Game Boy | 1992 | |
| Beetlejuice | Rare | Game Boy | 1992 | |
| Terminator 2: Judgement Day | Software Creations | NES | 1992 | Different to the Game Boy counterpart. |
| Town & Country II: Thrilla's Surfari | Sculptured Software | NES | 1992 | |
| WWF Super WrestleMania | Sculptured Software | SNES | 1992 | |
| NBA All-Star Challenge 2 | Beam Software | Game Boy | 1992 | |
| WWF Superstars 2 | Sculptured Software | Game Boy | 1992 | |
| The Amazing Spider-Man 2 | B.I.T.S. | Game Boy | 1992 | |
| WWF WrestleMania: Steel Cage Challenge | Sculptured Software | NES | 1992 | |
| T2: The Arcade Game | Beam Software (GB) Probe Software (SNES) |
Game Boy, SNES | 1992 | SNES version released in 1993 |
| Spider-Man & X-Men in Arcade's Revenge | Software Creations (SNES) Unexpected Development (GB) |
SNES, Game Boy | 1992 | Game Boy version released in 1993 |
| The Incredible Crash Dummies | Software Creations (GB, NES) Gray Matter Studios (SNES) |
Game Boy, NES, SNES | 1992 | SNES version released in 1993 and NES version released in 1994. |
| Alien 3 | B.I.T.S. (GB) Probe Software (NES, SNES) |
Game Boy, NES, SNES | 1993 | SNES version had the logo only appearing on covers, manuals and cartridges while in-game had the normal Acclaim logo. |
| WWF Royal Rumble | Sculptured Software | SNES | 1993 | |
| NFL Quarterback Club | Beam Software | Game Boy | 1993 | |
| Spider-Man 3: Invasion of the Spider-Slayers | B.I.T.S. | Game Boy | 1993 | |
| Terminator 2: Judgement Day | B.I.T.S. | SNES | 1993 | Different to the 8-bit counterparts. |
| Spider-Man & Venom: Maximum Carnage | Software Creations | SNES | 1994 | |
| Wolverine: Adamantium Rage | Bits Corporation | SNES | 1994 | |
| WWF Raw | Sculptured Software (SNES) Realtime Associates (GB) |
SNES, Game Boy | 1994 | |
| NFL Quarterback Club | Iguana Entertainment (SNES) Condor, Inc. (GB) |
SNES, Game Boy | 1994 | Different to the Game Boy counterpart. Released on Game Boy as NFL Quarterback Club II in 1995. |
| Warlock | Realtime Associates | SNES | 1994 | |
| True Lies | Beam Software | SNES, Game Boy | 1995 | |
| Spider-Man: The Animated Series | Western Technologies Incorporated | SNES | 1995 | |
| Revolution X | Rage Software | SNES | 1995 | Was supposed to be released under the label as listed on the copyright screen, but it ended up being released on the normal Acclaim label. |
| Cutthroat Island | Software Creations | SNES | 1996 | Was supposed to be released under the label as listed on the copyright screen, but it ended up being released on the normal Acclaim label. |
| Spirit of Speed 1937 | Broadsword Interactive | Sega Dreamcast | 2000 |
NOTE: There's a game World War III, which was supposed to be on the NES, but it went unreleased.
See also[]
- Acclaim Entertainment
- LJN Video Art
- Jack Friedman
References[]
- ↑ Johnson, Doris McNeely. "Children's Toys and Books: Choosing the Best for All Ages from Infancy to Adolescence". Scribner, 1982. Unknown page. Retrieved from Google Books on July 8, 2010. ISBN 0-684-17767-6, ISBN 978-0-684-17767-0. "LJN Toys, Inc. 200 Fifth Ave. New York, NY 10010."
- ↑ Tang, Sheng (唐盛). 美欧中贸易年鉴:美欧卷 ("Yearbook of Europe and United States-China Trade, Europe and United States). Volume 1995-1996. Shanghai Jiaotong University Press, 1995. 146. Retrieved from Google Books on July 8, 2010. ISBN 7-313-01608-5, ISBN 978-7-313-01608-9. "LJN TOYS, LTD. LJN %Jl$-R£^| 1200 Wall St., W., Lyndhurst, NJ"
- ↑ Video of Alan Amrons' battery operated LJN Entertech water gun Inventions
- ↑ Porges, Seth. "The Best Battery Powered Gun". The Top 6 Water Guns of All Time. Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ Green, Amanda. "History Of The Water Gun". Popular Mechanics. Retrieved 5 August 2014.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ "Alan Amron battery operated water guns Records". People Magazine. 1986-09-08. Archived from the original on 2014-10-06. Retrieved 2017-02-13.
{{cite web}}: ; deadurl; publisher - ↑ Nelson, Valerie (May 6, 2010). "Jack Friedman dies at 70; toy maker". L.A. Times. http://articles.latimes.com/2010/may/06/local/la-me-jack-friedman-20100506. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "JAKKS Pacific, Inc. -- Company History".
{{cite web}}: - ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "COMPANY NEWS; MCA Taking Loss In Sale of Toy Unit". The New York Times. January 23, 1990. https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/23/business/company-news-mca-taking-loss-in-sale-of-toy-unit.html.
- ↑ Fabrikant, Geraldine (February 9, 1987). "MCA TURNS HAND TO ACQUISITIONS". The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/1987/02/09/business/mca-turns-hand-to-acquisitions.html?pagewanted=2. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 SHIVER Jr, JUBE (January 23, 1990). "MCA to Sell LJN Toys Unit After Losses". The Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1990-01-23/business/fi-524_1_ljn-toys. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
- ↑ "BRIEFS". The New York Times. May 11, 1983. https://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/11/business/briefs-158965.html.
- ↑ "BRIEFLY". The Los Angeles Times. April 1, 1987. http://articles.latimes.com/1987-04-01/business/fi-825_1_first-quarter-profits.
- ↑ "After 3 Deaths, Realistic Toys Are Under Fire". The New York Times. June 16, 1988. https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/16/garden/after-3-deaths-realistic-toys-are-under-fire.html.
- ↑ "MCA Agrees to Sell Ailing Toy Unit". The Los Angeles Times. March 13, 1990. http://articles.latimes.com/1990-03-13/business/fi-130_1_toy-gun.
- ↑ "MCA to Gain Acclaim Stock in LJN Deal". Daily News of Los Angeles. March 13, 1990. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=LA&p_theme=la&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EF5BABAC8C374BC&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 "Acclaim Entertainment Inc. Company History". Funding Universe.
{{cite web}}: - ↑ 18.0 18.1 "LJN Ltd Company Information". GameFaqs. http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/company/72461.html. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
- ↑ "WWF Royal (1993) Box Art.". LJN. 1993. http://www.mobygames.com/game/wwf-royal-rumble/cover-art/gameCoverId,15239/. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
- ↑ CollectorVision Games
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Video Game Rebirth". Video Game Rebirth. Archived from the original on December 20, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20061220005011/http://www.vgrebirth.org/. Retrieved December 24, 2006.
- ↑ Gagne, Alex. "Sympathy for the Devil: The Secret Brilliance of LJN's Licensed Games". VentureBeat. https://venturebeat.com/community/2013/10/06/sympathy-for-the-devil-the-secret-brilliance-of-ljns-liscenced-games/. Retrieved October 6, 2013.
| Video games based on WWE (list) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Main series (list) | SmackDown!' | SmackDown! • 2: Know Your Role • Just Bring It • Shut Your Mouth • Here Comes the Pain |
| SmackDown vs. Raw | SmackDown! vs Raw • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • Online (cancelled) | |
| WWE | WWE '12 • WWE '13 | |
| WWE 2K | 2K14 • 2K15 • 2K16 • 2K17 • 2K18 • 2K19 • 2K20 | |
| WrestleMania based | WrestleMania (1989) • Challenge • WrestleMania (1991) • Super • Steel Cage Challenge • The Arcade Game • 2000 • Road to... • X8 • Road to X8 • XIX • 21 • Legends | |
| Programming based | Superstars (1989) • Superstars (1991) • Superstars 2 • Royal Rumble (1993) • King of the Ring • Raw (1994) • In Your House • War Zone • Royal Rumble (2000) • No Mercy • Raw (2002) • Raw 2 • Survivor Series | |
| Other | MicroLeague Wrestling • WrestleFest • European Rampage Tour • Rage in the Cage • Attitude • With Authority! • Betrayal • WWE 2K • Crush Hour • Day of Reckoning • Aftershock • Day of Reckoning 2 • All Stars • SuperCard • Immortals • Battlegrounds | |