# Simple (video game series)

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"Simple Series" redirects here; not to be confused with [Simple (TV series)](/source/Simple_(TV_series)).

Video game series

Simple Cover art of The Chikyū Bōeigun 2, a Simple 2000 Series game Genre Various Developer Various Publisher D3 Publisher Platforms 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, Nintendo Switch 2 First release Simple 1500 Series Vol. 1: The Mahjong October 22, 1998 Latest release Card & Casino April 23, 2026

The ***Simple***[a] series is a line of budget-priced video games published by Japanese company [D3 Publisher](/source/D3_Publisher), a subsidiary of [Bandai Namco Entertainment](/source/Bandai_Namco_Entertainment).[1] Games in the series have been developed by several different companies, including [Sandlot](/source/Sandlot_(company)), [Success](/source/Success_(company)), [Irem](/source/Irem), and [Taito](/source/Taito) (primarily for re-releases of their arcade ports, such as *[RC de Go!](/source/RC_de_Go!)*). It was introduced in 1998 for the [PlayStation](/source/PlayStation_(console)), and has been released for platforms such as the [PlayStation 2](/source/PlayStation_2), [Nintendo DS](/source/Nintendo_DS), and [mobile phones](/source/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. Most of the games were developed specifically for the line, but it also included budget-priced re-releases of previously released games.

Early *Simple* games were generic interpretations of other common video game themes, including [tennis](/source/Tennis), [racing](/source/Racing), and video [board games](/source/Board_games) such as [mahjong](/source/Mahjong).[2][3] Beginning with the [PlayStation 2](/source/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](/source/Nintendo_3DS) in 2013,[4] D3 has chosen to remove the *Simple* name from its budget titles for systems such as the [Nintendo Switch](/source/Nintendo_Switch) and [PlayStation 4](/source/PlayStation_4).[5] In 2022, D3Publisher announced that the Simple Series brand would return for the Nintendo Switch.[6] The first Simple game on [Nintendo Switch 2](/source/Nintendo_Switch_2), *The Mahjong*, was released on December 25, 2025.[7] The second Simple game for Nintendo Switch 2, *Pool Room Billiard*, was released on January 22, 2026.[8] On April 23, 2026, D3 Publisher released Card & Casino for the Nintendo Switch 2.[9]

The *Simple* series and several of its games, including *Demolition Girl*, *The Maid Clothes and Machine Gun*, *[Onechanbara](/source/Onechanbara)* and the *[Earth Defense Force](/source/Earth_Defense_Force)* series, have garnered notoriety outside Japan for their usually outlandish and bizarre nature.[10][11] 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.[12]

## Riho Futaba

Riho Futaba[13] is a character and [idol](/source/Japanese_idol)/[gravure](/source/Model_(person)#Gravure_idols) [mascot](/source/Mascot) for the *Simple* series created by D3. She's a young attractive Japanese female with light skin, short brown wavy hair, green colored eyes, and a curvaceous figure with a large bust standing at average height. She's usually clad in a blue or aqua bikini that accentuates her figure. She also appears in different outfits depending on which game she's featured in.[14] She first made gaming debut in *Love Songs♪ Idol ga Classmate* in 2001[15] and had made multiple appearances in many of D3 and *Simple* games as a [selectable](/source/Glossary_of_video_game_terms#C) or [unlockable](/source/Glossary_of_video_game_terms#U) character including titles such as *Demolition Girl* (her most infamous title), the *[Dream Club](/source/Dream_Club)* series, *[Zombie Hunters*and*Zombie Hunters 2](/source/Onechanbara#Updated_versions)* from the *OneeChanbara* series, *[Earth Defense Force: World Brothers](/source/Earth_Defense_Force%3A_World_Brothers)*, *Heart Beat Boxing*, and *All-Star Fighters* to name a few out of many more games she's been in.[16][17] In all of her appearances with voice acting she's voiced by [Yuko Goto](/source/Yuko_Goto).[18]

She also has a younger sister, Makoto Futaba, whom she shares some of her features with except her sister has shorter darker straight hair with a petite build. She also appeared in *Zombie Hunters*, *Zombie Hunters 2*, and *All-Star Fighters*.

## Development

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[D3 Publisher](/source/D3_Publisher) employs a number of external developers for the series, some of the most prolific being [Tamsoft](/source/Tamsoft) (of *[Battle Arena Toshinden](/source/Battle_Arena_Toshinden)* fame) and [HuneX](/source/HuneX) - most are smaller or little-known companies, although several games have been licensed from [Taito](/source/Taito_Corporation) for a (usually enhanced) re-release.

Certain *Simple* series titles have attracted considerable interest outside Japan for various reasons, either gameplay quality or a particularly unique idea - these include *The OneeChanbara* and its sequels, as well as [Sandlot](/source/Sandlot_(company))'s *[Monster Attack](/source/Monster_Attack)* and *[Global Defence Force](/source/Global_Defence_Force)*, which were based on their [Gigantic Drive](/source/Gigantic_Drive) engine and were of considerably higher quality than most games in the series. Both of these series have had sequels for the [Microsoft](/source/Microsoft) [Xbox 360](/source/Xbox_360) video game console, although they were originally labelled under an "X" moniker (*[OneChanbara X](/source/Onechanbara%3A_Bikini_Samurai_Squad)* and *[Earth Defense Force X](/source/Earth_Defense_Force_2017)*) rather than a "Simple" one.

### Localization

Many of the titles in the *Simple* series have been localized and released outside of Japan as budget titles, usually with different titles and new cover art.

Many of the *Simple 1500* titles on the [PlayStation](/source/PlayStation_(console)) were commonly released in the North American market under [Agetec](/source/Agetec)'s A1 Games label or [Mud Duck Productions](/source/Mud_Duck_Productions), while Midas Interactive Entertainment published titles in Europe.

The *Simple 2000* series on the [PlayStation 2](/source/PlayStation_2) saw more titles released in Europe, commonly published through Midas Interactive Entertainment, [Agetec Europe](/source/Agetec) or [505 GameStreet](/source/505_Games). In 2007, D3 Publisher's European branch launched the "Essential Games" budget label, which mainly consisted of Simple 2000 titles.[19] Compared to Europe, very few titles came to North America, the only ones being released were *The Bass Fishing* (as *Fisherman's Bass Club*), *The Genshijin* (as *The Adventures of Darwin*) and *OneChanbara*.

*The Party Game* for the Wii and *The Family Party* for the Wii U were localized internationally as *Family Party: 30 Great Games* and *[Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade](/source/Family_Party%3A_30_Great_Games_Obstacle_Arcade)* respectively.

## See also

- [Success](/source/Success_(company)), another Japanese publisher whose *SuperLite* series is similar to D3's *Simple series*.

- *[Sega Ages](/source/Sega_Ages)*, a [Sega](/source/Sega) franchise which the *Sega Ages 2500* series is also similar to this series.

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Japanese](/source/Japanese_language): シンプル, [Hepburn](/source/Hepburn_romanization): *Shinpuru*

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Glasser, AJ (18 March 2009). ["By The Way, Namco Bandai Owns (Most Of) D3"](https://kotaku.com/by-the-way-namco-bandai-owns-most-of-d3-5172623). *[Kotaku](/source/Kotaku)*. [Univision Communications](/source/Univision_Communications). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190306042648/https://kotaku.com/by-the-way-namco-bandai-owns-most-of-d3-5172623) from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 1 December 2018.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Kotaku_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Kotaku_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Kotaku_3-2) Eisenbeis, Richard (11 November 2014). ["Japanese PS2 Budget Games Were an Outlet for Pure Insanity"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190513144825/https://kotaku.com/japanese-ps2-budget-games-were-an-outlet-for-pure-insan-1657086438). *[Kotaku](/source/Kotaku)*. [Univision Communications](/source/Univision_Communications). Archived from [the original](https://kotaku.com/japanese-ps2-budget-games-were-an-outlet-for-pure-insan-1657086438) on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Polygon_EDF_4-0)** Byford, Sam (9 April 2019). ["How Earth Defense Force went from bargain bin to blockbuster"](https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/4/9/18300753/earth-defense-force-iron-rain-history). *[Polygon](/source/Polygon_(website))*. [Vox Media](/source/Vox_Media). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190507150003/https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/4/9/18300753/earth-defense-force-iron-rain-history) from the original on 7 May 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Siliconera Staff (20 July 2013). ["D3 Publisher's Simple Series Is Going Back In Stores"](https://www.siliconera.com/d3-publishers-simple-series-is-going-back-in-stores/). *[Siliconera](/source/Siliconera)*. [Curse, Inc.](/source/Curse%2C_Inc.) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200806161039/https://www.siliconera.com/d3-publishers-simple-series-is-going-back-in-stores/) from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["The Table Game Deluxe Pack"](https://www.play-asia.com/the-table-game-deluxe-pack-english/13/70f4c7). *www.play-asia.com*. Retrieved 26 June 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** 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"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oId2VoGwK4). *YouTube*. Retrieved 9 February 2022.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_numeric_names:_authors_list))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Sal Romano (24 December 2025). ["SIMPLE Series for Nintendo Switch 2 Vol.1 THE Mahjong announced"](https://www.gematsu.com/2025/12/simple-series-for-nintendo-switch-2-vol-1-the-mahjong-announced). *Gematsu*. Retrieved 26 December 2025.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: url-status ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_url-status))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Sal Romano (21 January 2026). ["D3 Publisher announces POOL ROOM BILLIARD for Switch 2"](https://www.gematsu.com/2026/01/d3-publisher-announces-pool-room-billiard-for-switch-2). *Gematsu*. Retrieved 22 January 2026.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: url-status ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_url-status))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Sal Romano (22 April 2026). ["D3 Publisher announces CARD&CASINO for Switch 2"](https://www.gematsu.com/2026/04/d3-publisher-announces-cardcasino-for-switch-2). *Gematsu*. Retrieved 23 April 2026.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: url-status ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_url-status))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Siliconera Staff (30 April 2014). ["D3 Publisher's Wacky Simple Series Games Come To Vita Today"](https://www.siliconera.com/d3-publishers-wacky-simple-series-games-come-vita-today). *[Siliconera](/source/Siliconera)*. [Curse, Inc.](/source/Curse%2C_Inc.) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200807214533/https://www.siliconera.com/d3-publishers-wacky-simple-series-games-come-vita-today/) from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Fahey, Mike (11 December 2018). ["Stupidity Escalates Exquisitely In Earth Defense Force 5"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190502225742/https://kotaku.com/stupidity-escalates-exquisitely-in-earth-defense-force-1831004222). *[Kotaku](/source/Kotaku)*. [G/O Media](/source/G%2FO_Media). Archived from [the original](https://kotaku.com/stupidity-escalates-exquisitely-in-earth-defense-force-1831004222) on 2 May 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Fletcher, JC (3 December 2007). ["Celebrating Simple series sales"](https://web.archive.org/web/20200806162255/https://www.engadget.com/2007-12-03-celebrating-simple-series-sales.html). *[Engadget](/source/Engadget)*. [Verizon Media](/source/Verizon_Media). Archived from [the original](https://www.engadget.com/2007-12-03-celebrating-simple-series-sales.html) on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** 双葉理保, *Futaba Riho*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Riho Futaba profile page"](https://www.d3p.co.jp/futaba/). *d3p.co.jp*. Retrieved 11 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Love Songs♪ Idol ga Classmate - Love Songs アイドルがクラスメ〜ト"](https://vndb.org/c58579). *the visual novel database*. Retrieved 11 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Aruru-san. ["Riho Futaba"](https://www.giantbomb.com/riho-futaba/3005-25947/games/). *Giantbomb*. Retrieved 11 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** SelenicMartian (21 May 2017). ["Riho Futaba Series"](https://lparchive.org/Riho-Futaba-Series/). *Let's Play Archive*. Retrieved 11 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["RIHO FUTABA Voiced Most Times By Yuko Goto"](https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Dream-Club/Riho-Futaba/). *Behind The Voice Actors*. Retrieved 11 March 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** [https://www.gamesindustry.biz/d3publisher-unveils-new-budget-range](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/d3publisher-unveils-new-budget-range)

## External links

- [D3 Publisher](http://www.d3p.co.jp)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Simple (video game series)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_(video_game_series)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_(video_game_series)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.