Phoenix Games B.V.
| Company type | Besloten vennootschap |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Founders | Willie Horden |
| Defunct | March 27, 2012 |
| Fate | Dissolved |
| Headquarters | |
Phoenix Games B.V. was a Dutch video game publisher founded by Willie Horden, Paul Share and Steve Share in 2002. The studio billed itself as a "Super Budget Publisher" whose games were developed by small, independent studios under a strict budget and timeframe.[1][2] Their games—especially those for the PlayStation 2—earned them notoriety in gaming circles due to their poor quality,[3][4] though they are also sought after by video game collectors.[5][6]
The studio declared bankruptcy on August 3, 2010. On March 27, 2012, the company was dissolved due to a lack of assets.[7]
History
Phoenix Games B.V. was founded by Willie Horden in 2002, with a goal of selling up to 4 to 5 million games per year.[8] Instead of relying on traditional games distribution channels, Phoenix's games were sold at newsagents and convenience stores at £6.99 to £12.99 per game depending on the platform.[9] With SHOOT they published one of the last games for the PlayStation 1 in 2005.
On 4 November 2002 they announced their partnership with Japanese company Altron, and Italian developer NAPS team. In December 2002 Phoenix announced that they had acquired the publishing rights to Dragons Lair, Space Ace, Who Shot Johnny Rock? and Mad Dog McCree from Digital Leisure in Canada.[10] In February 2003 they announced that their games will distributed by "Just" in the UK, Joag in Italy, SGDiffusion in France and N-Tec in Hungary. The company also put up booths at E3 2004 and 2005 to display their games.[11]
In 2003 Phoenix announced that they partnered with an unnamed UK-based developer for "a range of super-budget titles" for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, sold for £9.99. Phoenix Games UK CEO Paul Share stated that they no longer found it necessary to license and localise games from Japanese developers, instead relying on British development studios to produce games for the company.[12]
In 2013, the German Videospielarchiv held an art exhibition named "Coverstrophen" at that years GamesCom where they showed cover art for many of their PlayStation 2 games.[3]
Reception
Despite having limited coverage in mainstream gaming publications, the company earned a negative reputation for the exceptionally poor quality of their games,[4][13] which have generally been regarded as "bargain bin" shovelware[14] comparable to budget-priced titles from System 3 Software under the Play It label,[12] while their interactive activity centre games based on adaptations of fairy tales and mockbusters of popular cartoons by the German animation studio Dingo Pictures were subject to widespread ridicule and mockery on YouTube and spawned various internet memes.[1]
The European localization of Touge 3—developed by Cave and Atlus and released by Phoenix as Road Rage 3—was somewhat better received, though it was also criticized by gaming publications such as the Official PlayStation Magazine for its subpar gameplay and graphics.[15]
List of games
With Dingo Pictures
- ...noch mehr Dalmatiner as Dalmatians 2, 3, 4 (PS1, PS2, Wii, DS)
- Das unglaubliche Fussballspiel der Tiere as Animalfootball (PS1), Animal Soccer World (PS2)
- Atlantis as: Atlantis (PS1), Imperium von Atlantis (PS2)
- Toys as: Toys (PS1), Kids Playground (PS1), The Toys Room (PS2)
- Abenteuer Im Land der Dinosaurier as Dinosaurier (PS1), Dinosaur Adventure (PS2)
- Ein Fall für die Mäusepolizei as Detective Mouse (PS1), The Mouse Police (PS2)
- Herkules as Herkules (PS1)
- Winkie der kleine Bär as Winky the Little Bear (PS1)
- Der König der Tiere: Das Große Abenteuer as: Son of the Lion King (PS2), Lion and the King 2 (PS1) Lion and the King 3 (DS)
Other activity center games
- Peter Pan (PS2) / Peter Pans Playground (Wii, DS)
- Snow White and the 7 Clever Boys (PS2) / Princess Snow White (Wii)
- Cinderella (Wii, PS2) / Cinderellas Fairy Tale (Wii)
- Pinocchio (PS2) / Adventures of Pinocchio (Wii, DS)
- Mulan (PS2)
Sony PlayStation
| Game | Developer | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Star Racing | Kung Fu Games | November 15, 2003 | |
| All Star Action | Mere Mortals | 2003 | |
| All Star Watersports | TheyerGFX | March 14, 2003 | |
| Baldies | Creative Edge Software | August 8, 2003 | |
| Ballerburg: Castle Chaos | Ascaron Entertainment | January 4, 2003 | |
| Block Buster | Marvelous | August 8, 2003 | |
| Buttsubushi | Selen | August 13, 2004 | |
| Checkmate 2 | Mere Mortals | 2003 | |
| Cindy’s Caribbean Holiday | Ivolgamus | January 2003 | |
| Cindy’s Fashion World | Ivolgamus | January 2003 | |
| Destructo 2 | Axes Art Amuse | June 10, 2003 | |
| Flying Squadron | NAPS team | 2003 | |
| Football Madness | NAPS team | March 28, 2003 | |
| Hot Shot | NAPS team | June 27, 2003 | |
| Jet Ace | NAPS team | November 15, 2004 | |
| King of Bowling 3 | DigiCube | June 27, 2003 | |
| Omega Assault | NAPS team | August 19, 2004 | |
| Paradise Casino | DigiCube | 2003 | |
| Pro Backgammon | Mere Mortals | 2003 | |
| Robin Hood: The Siege | Ivolgamus | March 2, 2004 | |
| Robopit 2 | Mere Mortals | 2003 | |
| Rox | Mere Mortals | 2003 | |
| Rhythm Beat | Ivolgamus UAB | 2004 | |
| SHOOT | NAPS team | 2005 | |
| Silent Iron | NAPS team | 2004 | |
| Space Rider | NAPS team | August 9, 2004 | |
| Sonic Wings Special | Video System | August 12, 2004 | |
| Superbike Masters | Kung Fu Ltd. | June 10, 2004 | |
| Trickshot 7 Games | Selen | March 14, 2003 | |
| Truck Rally | Kung Fu Ltd. | August 9, 2004 | |
| Wanted | NAPS team | 2004 |
Sony PlayStation 2
| Game | Developer | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¡Qué pasa Neng! El videojuego | Mere Mortals | December 11, 2006 | |
| 21 Card Games | Mere Mortals | July 28, 2006 | |
| Air Raid 3 | Mere Mortals | 2004 | |
| American Pool II | 2007 | ||
| Arcade Action: 30 Games | Mere Mortals / SG Diffusion | Novemner 19, 2004 | |
| Arcade USA | Mere Mortals | April 21, 2006 | |
| Board Games Gallery | Mere Mortals | March 25,2005 | |
| Cartoon Kingdom | The Code Monkeys | 2007 | |
| Carwash Tycoon | Aqua Pacific | September 29, 2006 | |
| Caveman Rock | Phoenix Games | 2007 | |
| Chemist Tycoon | Aqua Pacific | September 29, 2006 | |
| Clumsy Slumsy | Ivolgamus UAB | October 27, 2006 | Has Eye Toy Support |
| Cool Shot | DigiCube | January 23, 2003 | |
| Combar Ace | Mere Mortals | October 13, 2006 | |
| Crabby Adventure | CyberPlanet Interactive | December 1, 2007 | |
| Crazy Golf | Tuna Technologies Ltd.
Beyond Reality Games Ltd. Mere Mortals Ltd. |
February 25, 2005 | also on PC, Published together with Empire Interactive |
| D-Unit Drift Racing | Mere Mortals | October 13, 2006 | |
| Dead Eye Jim | Na.p.s. Team s.n.c. | January 12, 2007 | |
| Doomsday Racers | Mere Mortals | July 15, 2005 | |
| Downhill Slalom | Mere Mortals | October 6, 2006 | |
| Drag Racer USA | Mere Mortals | October 27, 2006 | |
| Dynamite 100 (100 in 1 Game) | Mere Mortals | 2006 | |
| European Tennis Pro | Magical Company | 2004 | |
| Extreme Sprint 3010 | Mere Mortals | 2007 | |
| Finkles World | CyberPlanet Interactive | 2005 | |
| Fruitfall | Mere Mortals | 2007 | |
| Furry Tales | Mad Monkey | October 22, 2004 | |
| G-Force | Mere Mortals | October 6, 2006 | |
| Game Galaxy 2 | Phoenix Games | 2006 | |
| Gecko Blaster | Phoenix Games | December 1, 2007 | |
| Girl Zone | Mere Mortals | 2005 | |
| Go Kart Rally | Phoenix Games | April 20, 2007 | |
| Guerilla Strike | Mere Mortals | 2006 | |
| Habitrail Hamster Ball | Data Design Interactive | 2005 | |
| Hamster Heroes | Data Design Interactive | 2005 | |
| Hansel & Gretel | Aqua Pacific Ltd. | November 24, 2006 | |
| Homerun | Magical Company Ltd. | 2004 | Japan: Magical Sports 2001 Pro Yakyū |
| Hoppie | CyberPlanet Interactive. | 2006 | |
| Iron Chef | CyberPlanet Interactive. | December 1, 2007 | |
| Jello | CyberPlanet Interactive. | 2006 | |
| K.O. King | Phoenix Games | November 03, 2006 | |
| Kiddies Party Pack | The Code Monkeys | 2006 | |
| Kidz Sports Basketball | Data Design Interactive | 31 August 2004 | |
| Kidz Sports Ice Hockey | Data Design Interactive | EU: 14 March 2008
AU: 15 May 2008 |
|
| Kidz Sports International Football | Data Design Interactive | 30 May 2008 or July 28, 2006 | known as City Soccer Challenge |
| London Cab Challenge | Mere Mortals | July 28, 2006 | |
| Mambo | CyberPlanet Interactive. | 2007 | |
| Maniac Mole | Mere Mortals | July 28, 2006 | |
| Marble Chaos | Phoenix Games | August 10, 2007 | |
| Monster Eggs | CyberPlanet Interactive. | April 20, 2007 | |
| Monster Trux Extreme | Data Design Interactive | 2005 | |
| MOTO X MANIAC | Phoenix Games | March 9, 2007 | |
| Myth Makers: Orbs of Doom | Data Design Interactive | 2007 | |
| Myth Makers: Super Kart GP | Data Design Interactive | 2007 | |
| Ocean Commander | CyberPlanet Interactive | 2007 | |
| Obliterate | Mere Mortals | April 21, 2006 | |
| Offroad Extreme | Data Design Interactive | 2007 | |
| Power Volleyball | Phoenix Games | January 26, 2007 | |
| Pro Biker 2 | Phoenix Games | 2007 | |
| Puzzle Party: 10 Games | Mere Mortals | July 28, 2006 | |
| RC Toy Machines | Mere Mortals | November 5, 2004 | |
| Retro | Aqua Pacific | 2006 | |
| Road Rage 3 | Atlus | JP: 2001
EU: 2003 AU: 2004 |
Japan: Toge 3 |
| Robin Hood: The Siege 2 | Mere Mortals | October 6, 2006 | |
| Roller Coaster Funfare | Phoenix Games | October 12, 2007 | |
| Saint & Sinner | CyberPlanet Interactive | January 2, 2006 | |
| Search & Destroy | Mere Mortals | June 2006 | |
| Shadow of Ganymede | Mere Mortals | June 24, 2005 | |
| Skateboard Madness Xtreme Edition | Phoenix Games | April 20, 2007 | |
| Sniper Assault | Na.p.s. Team s.n.c. | April 20, 2007 | |
| Snooker 147 | JHC SoftWare | 2006 | also on PC, Published together with Empire Interactive |
| Snow Rider | Tuna Technologies | October 6, 2006 | |
| Space Rebellion | Mere Mortals | December 18, 2006 | |
| Speedboat GP | Mere Mortals | 2006 | |
| Speed Machines III | Mere Mortals | 2006 | Sequel to Speed Mashines (Publ. by Midas Interactive) |
| Steam Express | CyberPlanet Interactive | December 1, 2007 | |
| Street Warrior | Phoenix Games | January 12, 2007 | |
| Swat Siege | Na.p.s. Team s.n.c. | November 24, 2006 | |
| Superbike GP | Mere Mortals | 2006 | |
| Transworld Skateboarder | January 26, 2007 | ||
| Turbo Trucks | Mere Mortals | 2006 | |
| Urban Constructor | Uxus Games | September 30, 2005 | |
| Vegas Casino 2 | Mere Mortals | March 25, 2005 | |
| Wacky Zoo GP | Phoenix Games | 2007 | |
| White Van Racer | Tuna Technologies | February 4, 2007 | |
| WWC: World Wrestling Championship | Phoenix Games | 2006 | |
| X-treme Quads | Mere Mortals / Tuna Technologies | March 4, 2005 | also on PC |
| Xtreme Speed | Mere Mortals | October 8, 2004 |
PC
| Game | Developer | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballerburg | |||
| Casino 59 | |||
| Classic 17 | |||
| Corona | |||
| Crazy Golf | |||
| Dark Angæl | |||
| Drone Odyssey | |||
| Go Cart Racer | |||
| Go Kart Simulator Championship 2010 | 2010 | ||
| LKW Simulator 2010 | 2010 | ||
| Motorcross Simulator Championship 2010 | 2010 | ||
| Rhythm Beat | |||
| Space Rebellion | |||
| Sport 9 | |||
| Stable Masters 2 | |||
| Trickshot 7 „Games“ |
Nintendo DS
| Game | Developer | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 (12 Games) | NorthPole Studio | December 1, 2008 | |
| Coral Savior | |||
| Iron Chef II | |||
| Jungle Gang | |||
| Love Heart | |||
| Monster Eggs 2 | |||
| Polar Rampage | CyberPlanet Interactive | 2009 | |
| Rat-a-box | |||
| Valentines Day | NorthPole Studio | August 28, 2008 | |
| Veggy World | Jack of All Games | ||
| War of Heaven |
Nintendo Wii
| Game | Developer | Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caveman Rock 2[16] | |||
| Hoppie 2[17] | 20. February 2009 | ||
| Iron Chef 2[18] | |||
| Monster Egg 2[19] | 20. February 2009 | ||
| Ocean Commander 2[20] | Cancelled | ||
| Saint & Sinner 2[21] |
PSP (unreleased)
- Peter Pan
- Board Game Gallery (announced 2004)[22]
- King of Pool
- Card Shark 3
- Vegas Casino 2
Other
- Twin
- Space Ace by Don Bluth (DVD)
- Who Shot Johnny Rock? (DVD)
External links
See also
- Phoenix Games, an unrelated board game publisher from 1978 to 1981.
- List of video games notable for negative reception
References
- ^ a b Kangas, Chaz (October 14, 2014). "The Insanely Strange Lion King Knockoff and Other 'Mockbusters' You Must See". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on September 12, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ Kolan, Patrick (October 23, 2006). "Tales From the Bargain Bin". IGN. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ^ a b Viseospielearchiv.de. "Coverstrophen Gamescom 2013 - Videospielearchiv". www.gamereset.de. Archived from the original on 2019-10-26. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
- ^ a b Digital Foundry (January 17, 2021). DF Retro Play: Phoenix Games 'Showcase'... The Worst Games on PlayStation 2?. Retrieved 2026-03-07 – via YouTube.
- ^ "The Rarest and Most Valuable Playstation 2 (PS2) Games – RetroGaming with Racketboy". racketboy.com. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ Brown, Jason (March 20, 2021). "15 Rare PS1 Games & How Much They're Worth". Retro Dodo. Retrieved 2026-03-13.
- ^ drimble.nl. "Phoenix Games (holland) BV" (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 2020-04-10. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ^ "Phoenix Games: PS2, PSX, PC and XBOX". www.phoenixgamesgroup.com. Archived from the original on 2003-11-11. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
- ^ Holland, Cameron (July 13, 2018). "The Ashes of Phoenix Games – Expensive Budget Gaming - Retro Review". Retro Review. Archived from the original on 2022-06-29. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ "Phoenix Games: PS2, PSX, PC and XBOX". phoenixgamesltd.com. Archived from the original on 2004-08-30. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
- ^ X; Email (2004-05-14). "Getting an education in video games at E3". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
{{cite web}}:|last2=has generic name (help) - ^ a b Taylor, Martin (August 15, 2003). "New PS2, Xbox super-budget ranges". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ "Phoenix plans twelve games to avoid this year". Engadget. 2008-02-28. Retrieved 2026-03-03.
- ^ Fletcher, JC (February 28, 2008). "Phoenix Games publishing for Wii: be afraid". Engadget. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ Gander, Matt (October 13, 2022). "Notorious budget publisher Phoenix Games once partnered with Atlus. Wait, what? – Games Asylum". Games Asylum. Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ "-.: Phoenix Games - The Only European Super Budget Publisher - PS2 - PSP - DS - Wii - PC :". www.phoenixgamesgroup.com. Archived from the original on 2008-11-15. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ "-.: Phoenix Games - The Only European Super Budget Publisher - PS2 - PSP - DS - Wii - PC :". www.phoenixgamesgroup.com. Archived from the original on 2008-11-15. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ "-.: Phoenix Games - The Only European Super Budget Publisher - PS2 - PSP - DS - Wii - PC :". www.phoenixgamesgroup.com. Archived from the original on 2008-11-15. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ "-.: Phoenix Games - The Only European Super Budget Publisher - PS2 - PSP - DS - Wii - PC :". www.phoenixgamesgroup.com. Archived from the original on 2008-11-15. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ "-.: Phoenix Games - The Only European Super Budget Publisher - PS2 - PSP - DS - Wii - PC :". www.phoenixgamesgroup.com. Archived from the original on 2008-11-15. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ "-.: Phoenix Games - The Only European Super Budget Publisher - PS2 - PSP - DS - Wii - PC :". www.phoenixgamesgroup.com. Archived from the original on 2008-11-15. Retrieved 2026-03-09.
- ^ Tom Bramwell (2004-12-17). "75 reasons to buy PlayStation Portable". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2025-12-31.