{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}} {{redirect-distinguish|Simple Series|Simple (TV series)}} {{Infobox video game series | title = Simple | image = The Chikyuu Boueigun 2.jpg | image_size = 220px | caption = Cover art of ''[[Global Defence Force|The Chikyū Bōeigun 2]]'', a Simple 2000 Series game | platforms = [[PlayStation (console)|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]] | developer = Various | publisher = [[D3 Publisher]] | genre = Various | first release version = ''Simple 1500 Series Vol. 1: The Mahjong'' | first release date = October 22, 1998 | latest release version = ''Card & Casino'' | latest release date = April 23, 2026 }} The {{nihongo foot|'''''Simple'''''|シンプル|Shinpuru|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} series is a line of budget-priced video games published by Japanese company [[D3 Publisher]], a subsidiary of [[Bandai Namco Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite web |first1=AJ |last1=Glasser |title=By The Way, Namco Bandai Owns (Most Of) D3 |url=https://kotaku.com/by-the-way-namco-bandai-owns-most-of-d3-5172623 |website=[[Kotaku]] |date=18 March 2009 |publisher=[[Univision Communications]] |access-date=1 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306042648/https://kotaku.com/by-the-way-namco-bandai-owns-most-of-d3-5172623 |archive-date=6 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Games in the series have been developed by several different companies, including [[Sandlot (company)|Sandlot]], [[Success (company)|Success]], [[Irem]], and [[Taito]] (primarily for re-releases of their arcade ports, such as ''[[RC de Go!]]''). It was introduced in 1998 for the [[PlayStation (console)|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. 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]], [[racing]], and video [[board games]] such as [[mahjong]].<ref name="Kotaku"/><ref name="Polygon EDF">{{cite web |last1=Byford |first1=Sam |date=9 April 2019 |title=How Earth Defense Force went from bargain bin to blockbuster |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/4/9/18300753/earth-defense-force-iron-rain-history |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507150003/https://www.polygon.com/features/2019/4/9/18300753/earth-defense-force-iron-rain-history |archive-date=7 May 2019 |access-date=6 August 2020 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |publisher=[[Vox Media]]}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Kotaku"/> 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,<ref>{{cite web |author=Siliconera Staff |date=20 July 2013 |title=D3 Publisher's Simple Series Is Going Back In Stores |url=https://www.siliconera.com/d3-publishers-simple-series-is-going-back-in-stores/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806161039/https://www.siliconera.com/d3-publishers-simple-series-is-going-back-in-stores/ |archive-date=6 August 2020 |access-date=6 August 2020 |website=[[Siliconera]] |publisher=[[Curse, Inc.]]}}</ref> D3 has chosen to remove the ''Simple'' name from its budget titles for systems such as the [[Nintendo Switch]] and [[PlayStation 4]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Table Game Deluxe Pack |url=https://www.play-asia.com/the-table-game-deluxe-pack-english/13/70f4c7 |website=www.play-asia.com |access-date=26 June 2023 |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, D3Publisher announced that the Simple Series brand would return for the Nintendo Switch.<ref>{{Cite web|author= D3Publisher|title=『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|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oId2VoGwK4|access-date=2022-02-09|website=YouTube|date=9 February 2022 }}</ref> The first Simple game on [[Nintendo Switch 2]], ''The Mahjong'', was released on December 25, 2025.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sal Romano |date=24 December 2025 |title=SIMPLE Series for Nintendo Switch 2 Vol.1 THE Mahjong announced |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2025/12/simple-series-for-nintendo-switch-2-vol-1-the-mahjong-announced |url-status=live |access-date=26 December 2025 |website=Gematsu}}</ref> The second Simple game for Nintendo Switch 2, ''Pool Room Billiard'', was released on January 22, 2026.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sal Romano |date=21 January 2026 |title=D3 Publisher announces POOL ROOM BILLIARD for Switch 2 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2026/01/d3-publisher-announces-pool-room-billiard-for-switch-2 |url-status=live |access-date=22 January 2026 |website=Gematsu}}</ref> On April 23, 2026, D3 Publisher released Card & Casino for the Nintendo Switch 2.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sal Romano |date=22 April 2026 |title=D3 Publisher announces CARD&CASINO for Switch 2 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2026/04/d3-publisher-announces-cardcasino-for-switch-2 |url-status=live |access-date=23 April 2026 |website=Gematsu}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Siliconera Staff |date=30 April 2014 |title=D3 Publisher's Wacky Simple Series Games Come To Vita Today |url=https://www.siliconera.com/d3-publishers-wacky-simple-series-games-come-vita-today |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807214533/https://www.siliconera.com/d3-publishers-wacky-simple-series-games-come-vita-today/ |archive-date=7 August 2020 |access-date=7 August 2020 |website=[[Siliconera]] |publisher=[[Curse, Inc.]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Fahey |first1=Mike |title=Stupidity Escalates Exquisitely In Earth Defense Force 5 |url=https://kotaku.com/stupidity-escalates-exquisitely-in-earth-defense-force-1831004222 |website=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[G/O Media]] |access-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502225742/https://kotaku.com/stupidity-escalates-exquisitely-in-earth-defense-force-1831004222 |archive-date=2 May 2019 |date=11 December 2018}}</ref> Publications have identified the series as being of considerably better quality than similar budget title ranges, with gameplay ideas they consider unique and interesting.<ref name="Kotaku">{{cite web |last1=Eisenbeis |first1=Richard |title=Japanese PS2 Budget Games Were an Outlet for Pure Insanity |url=https://kotaku.com/japanese-ps2-budget-games-were-an-outlet-for-pure-insan-1657086438 |website=[[Kotaku]] |publisher=[[Univision Communications]] |date=11 November 2014 |access-date=7 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513144825/https://kotaku.com/japanese-ps2-budget-games-were-an-outlet-for-pure-insan-1657086438 |archive-date=13 May 2019}}</ref> As of 2007, the ''Simple'' series has sold over 20 million units across all platforms.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fletcher |first1=JC |title=Celebrating Simple series sales |url=https://www.engadget.com/2007-12-03-celebrating-simple-series-sales.html |website=[[Engadget]] |publisher=[[Verizon Media]] |access-date=6 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806162255/https://www.engadget.com/2007-12-03-celebrating-simple-series-sales.html |archive-date=6 August 2020 |date=3 December 2007}}</ref>
==Riho Futaba== {{nihongo foot|Riho Futaba|双葉理保|Futaba Riho}} is a character and [[japanese_idol|idol]]/[[Model_(person)#Gravure_idols|gravure]] [[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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.d3p.co.jp/futaba/|website=d3p.co.jp|title= Riho Futaba profile page|access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref> She first made gaming debut in ''Love Songs♪ Idol ga Classmate'' in 2001<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vndb.org/c58579|title=Love Songs♪ Idol ga Classmate - Love Songs アイドルがクラスメ〜ト|website=the visual novel database|access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref> and had made multiple appearances in many of D3 and ''Simple'' games as a [[Glossary_of_video_game_terms#C|selectable]] or [[Glossary_of_video_game_terms#U|unlockable]] character including titles such as ''Demolition Girl'' (her most infamous title), the ''[[Dream Club]]'' series, ''[[Onechanbara#Updated_versions|Zombie Hunters'' and ''Zombie Hunters 2]]'' from the ''OneeChanbara'' series, ''[[Earth Defense Force: World Brothers]]'', ''Heart Beat Boxing'', and ''All-Star Fighters'' to name a few out of many more games she's been in.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.giantbomb.com/riho-futaba/3005-25947/games/|title=Riho Futaba|website=Giantbomb|access-date=March 11, 2024|author=Aruru-san}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://lparchive.org/Riho-Futaba-Series/|title=Riho Futaba Series|website=Let's Play Archive|author=SelenicMartian|date=May 21, 2017|access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref> In all of her appearances with voice acting she's voiced by [[Yuko Goto]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Dream-Club/Riho-Futaba/|title=RIHO FUTABA Voiced Most Times By Yuko Goto|website=Behind The Voice Actors|access-date=March 11, 2024}}</ref>
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== {{More citations needed section|date=February 2026}} [[D3 Publisher]] employs a number of external developers for the series, some of the most prolific being [[Tamsoft]] (of ''[[Battle Arena Toshinden]]'' fame) and [[HuneX]] - most are smaller or little-known companies, although several games have been licensed from [[Taito Corporation|Taito]] 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 (company)|Sandlot]]'s ''[[Monster Attack]]'' and ''[[Global Defence Force]]'', which were based on their [[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]] [[Xbox 360]] video game console, although they were originally labelled under an "X" moniker (''[[Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad|OneChanbara X]]'' and ''[[Earth Defense Force 2017|Earth Defense Force X]]'') 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 (console)|PlayStation]] were commonly released in the North American market under [[Agetec]]'s A1 Games label or [[Mud Duck Productions]], while Midas Interactive Entertainment published titles in Europe.
The ''Simple 2000'' series on the [[PlayStation 2]] saw more titles released in Europe, commonly published through Midas Interactive Entertainment, [[Agetec|Agetec Europe]] or [[505 Games|505 GameStreet]]. In 2007, D3 Publisher's European branch launched the "Essential Games" budget label, which mainly consisted of Simple 2000 titles.<ref>https://www.gamesindustry.biz/d3publisher-unveils-new-budget-range</ref> 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]]'' respectively.
==See also== * [[Success (company)|Success]], another Japanese publisher whose ''SuperLite'' series is similar to D3's ''Simple series''. * ''[[Sega Ages]]'', a [[Sega]] franchise which the ''Sega Ages 2500'' series is also similar to this series.
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.d3p.co.jp D3 Publisher]
{{Bandai Namco franchises}}
[[Category:Simple (video game series)| ]] [[Category:Bandai Namco Entertainment franchises]] [[Category:Video game franchises]] [[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1998]] [[Category:Video games developed in Japan]] [[Category:Video games developed in the United States]] [[Category:Video games developed in South Korea]] [[Category:Japan-exclusive video games]]