Argonaut Software

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Founded by Jez San in 1982, the company was based in Edgware, London, and also had offices in the US.

The company's first titles were for the Atari ST and Amiga, including Starglider, a very impressive 3D space war shooter, other 3D work on the strength of that such as Race Drivin' were released.

X on the Game Boy was another extremely impressive polygon style shooter, which was noticed by a Nintendo employee, the Argonaut team were then flown over to Japan, and the project became a joint one between Nintendo and Argonaut.

This effectively made them a third party company, leading to their next project which was Starfox (Starwing in the west), released in 1993.

The company designed a new processor chip to help the Super NES produce the polygons for the game, this was the Super FX chip, the company then used this in further titles such as Stunt Race FX and Vortex.

In 1995, Argonaut Software was split into Argonaut Technologies Limited (ATL) and Argonaut Software Limited (ASL)

ASL throughout the 1990s produced games for PC, PS1, Saturn, such as FX Fighter, Alien Resurrection and Harry Potter titles, before being floated as Argonaut games in 1999.

The company were producing Starfox 2, using a new Super FX chip in 2003-4, but Nintendo elected not to release the very nearly finished game.

In late 2004, the receivers were called in, a lack of publishing deals and the cancellation of Starfox 2 were major factors.

Many of the staff were laid off, a good few were taken on by Rocksteady Studios, which was formed by two ex Argonaut staff.

The company was put into liquidation in 2005, and finally dissolved a year later.

Software Products

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (PS one Bundle edition)

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (PS one Bundle edition)
Unknown
This version was packaged in with a PS one, in what appears to be a regular retail box for a PS one, with a large Harry Potter sticker on, promoting the game inside.

Manufacturer : EA
Type : Software - Game

Starglider 2

Starglider 2
Unknown
This version was packaged in with a PS one, in what appears to be a regular retail box for a PS one, with a large Harry Potter sticker on, promoting the game inside.

Manufacturer : Mirror Image
Type : Software - Game

Starglider

Starglider
1986
This version was packaged in with a PS one, in what appears to be a regular retail box for a PS one, with a large Harry Potter sticker on, promoting the game inside.

Manufacturer : Firebird
Type : Software - Game

Starglider (Disk)

Starglider (Disk)
1987
You are in command of Novenia's last Airborne Ground Attack Vehicle, with limited weaponry and fuel, with no apparent means of replenishment.

Manufacturer : Rainbird Software
Type : Software - Game

Starglider 2

Starglider 2
1988
Sequel to the 3D airborne shooter.

Manufacturer : Rainbird
Type : Software - Game

Starglider 2

Starglider 2
1988
Contains an audio tape of the soundtrack Interestingly, the disk contains versions for both the Amiga and Atari ST, and will load according to which machine it is placed into.

Manufacturer : Rainbird
Type : Software - Game

Days of Thunder

Days of Thunder
1990
Contains an audio tape of the soundtrack Interestingly, the disk contains versions for both the Amiga and Atari ST, and will load according to which machine it is placed into.

Manufacturer : Mindscape International
Type : Software - Game

Days Of Thunder

Days Of Thunder
1992
An EDOS copy of Days of Thunder, originally published by Mindscape.

Manufacturer : EDOS
Type : Software - Game

ATAC: The Secret War Against Drugs

ATAC: The Secret War Against Drugs
1992
The Secret War Against Drugs The year is 2003 and a problem that has plagued the old century is beginning to strangle the birth of the new one.

Manufacturer : Micro Prose
Type : Software - Game

X エックス (Ekkusu)

X エックス (Ekkusu)
29th May 1992
Space combat sim, exclusively released in Japan.

Manufacturer : Nintendo
Type : Software - Game

Star Fox (Cart Only)

Star Fox (Cart Only)
21st February 1993
Does have its own hand made box The first game to use the Super FX chip, which gave the SNES some rudementary polygon shifting ability.

Manufacturer : Nintendo
Type : Software - Game

FX Fighter

FX Fighter
1995
...

Manufacturer : GTE Entertainment
Type : Software - Game

Scooby Doo Mystery (Cart Only)

Scooby Doo Mystery (Cart Only)
1995
This game was only released in North America, for the SNES and the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) Does have its own handmade box...

Manufacturer : Acclaim
Type : Software - Game

FX Fighter Turbo

FX Fighter Turbo
1996
This game was only released in North America, for the SNES and the Sega Genesis (Mega Drive) Does have its own handmade box.

Manufacturer : GTE Entertainment / Philips
Type : Software - Game

Alien Resurrection

Alien Resurrection
1997
Alien Resurrection is a licensed first-person shooter based on the 1997 film of the same name.

Manufacturer : fox interactive
Type : Software - Game

Croc: Legend of the Gobbos

Croc: Legend of the Gobbos
10th October 1997
Alien Resurrection is a licensed first-person shooter based on the 1997 film of the same name.

Manufacturer : Fox Interactive
Type : Software - Game

Red Dog: Superior Firepower

Red Dog: Superior Firepower
1999
Alien Resurrection is a licensed first-person shooter based on the 1997 film of the same name.

Manufacturer : Sega
Type : Software - Game

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
November 2001
Alien Resurrection is a licensed first-person shooter based on the 1997 film of the same name.

Manufacturer : EA
Type : Software - Game

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
2002
Alien Resurrection is a licensed first-person shooter based on the 1997 film of the same name.

Manufacturer : Electronic Arts
Type : Software - Game

SWAT: Global Strike Team

SWAT: Global Strike Team
28th October 2003
Alien Resurrection is a licensed first-person shooter based on the 1997 film of the same name.

Manufacturer : Sierra
Type : Software - Game


 

Argonaut Software

 

 

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