# Mobile21

> video game developer

**Wikidata**: [Q6886758](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6886758)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile21)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mobile21

## Summary

Mobile21 is a Japanese video game development company founded in 1999 and headquartered in Taitō-ku, Japan. The company specializes in creating video games for various platforms and is best known for developing titles such as Gradius Advance (2001). Mobile21 operates under the legal name Mobile 21 Co., Ltd. and maintains an online presence through its official website.

## Key Facts

- **Official Name:** Mobile 21 Co., Ltd. (モバイル21株式会社)
- **Alternative Names:** Mobile 21 Co., Ltd., モバイルニジュウイチ
- **Country:** Japan
- **Headquarters:** Taitō-ku, Japan
- **Founded:** 1999
- **Industry:** Video game industry
- **Classification:** Video game developer
- **Website:** http://www.mobile21.co.jp/
- **Notable Game:** Gradius Advance (2001)
- **Wikipedia Languages:** English, French, Japanese, Swedish
- **MobyGames Company ID:** 3655 (former scheme: mobile21-co-ltd)
- **VideoGameGeek Company ID:** 28777
- **SNESMusic.org Company ID:** 868
- **MusicBrainz Label ID:** 99b2a772-1f73-4498-b315-8a7afa9b306d
- **VIAF ID:** 9145244296574481483
- **Freebase ID:** /m/06cdmw
- **Wikidata Description:** Video game developer

## FAQs

**What type of company is Mobile21?**
Mobile21 is a video game development company based in Japan that specializes in creating video games for various gaming platforms. The company was established in 1999 and operates under the legal name Mobile 21 Co., Ltd.

**Where is Mobile21 located?**
Mobile21 is headquartered in Taitō-ku, Japan. The company maintains its official website at http://www.mobile21.co.jp/.

**What is Mobile21 known for?**
Mobile21 is known for developing the video game Gradius Advance in 2001, which is one of the company's most notable titles in the gaming industry.

**What other names does Mobile21 use?**
Mobile21 operates under several alternative names including Mobile 21 Co., Ltd., モバイル21株式会社 (in Japanese), and モバイルニジュウイチ (Japanese reading).

**How can I find more information about Mobile21's games?**
The company can be referenced on gaming databases such as MobyGames (ID: 3655), VideoGameGeek (ID: 28777), and SNESMusic.org (ID: 868). Additional information is available on Wikipedia in English, French, Japanese, and Swedish.

## Why It Matters

Mobile21 represents an important entity in the Japanese video game development landscape, contributing to the rich history of game creation in Japan. As a company established in 1999, Mobile21 has been active during a significant period of evolution in the video game industry, from the later years of the Game Boy Advance era through modern gaming platforms. The company's development of Gradius Advance demonstrates its capability to work with established gaming franchises, as Gradius is a classic Konamiseries that has been a staple in the shoot 'em up genre since its inception in the 1980s. Mobile21's existence and continued operations reflect the diversity and depth of the Japanese video game development sector, which has been responsible for producing many of the world's most influential and beloved games. The company's presence in Taitō-ku places it within one of Tokyo's major technology and entertainment districts, positioning it within a hub of innovation and creative activity in Japan's gaming industry.

## Notable For

- Development of Gradius Advance (2001), a notable entry in the long-running Gradius franchise
- Operating continuously since 1999, demonstrating longevity in a competitive industry
- Being listed across multiple international gaming databases including MobyGames, VideoGameGeek, and SNESMusic.org
- Having an established presence in multiple language versions of Wikipedia (English, French, Japanese, Swedish)
- Maintaining official company website and documented industry presence
- Having a MusicBrainz label ID, indicating involvement in video game music production or distribution

## Body

### Company Overview

Mobile21 is a Japanese video game development company that specializes in the creation and development of video games. The company was established in 1999 and is headquartered in Taitō-ku, a special ward located in Tokyo, Japan. Mobile21 operates under the legal name Mobile 21 Co., Ltd. and is known within the industry by several alternative names including モバイル21株式会社 and モバイルニジュウイチ (the Japanese reading of the company's name). The company maintains its official web presence through its website located at http://www.mobile21.co.jp/, which serves as a point of contact for the organization and potentially provides information about its products and services.

### History and Foundation

Mobile21 was founded in 1999, placing its establishment during a significant period in video game history when the industry was transitioning from the 16-bit era (Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis) into the 32-bit and 64-bit generations. The company's founding in Japan positioned it within one of the world's leading centers for video game development, alongside major publishers and developers such as Nintendo, Capcom, Square Enix, Konami, and Sega. The decision to establish Mobile21 in Taitō-ku reflects the concentration of technology and entertainment companies in Tokyo's urban centers, particularly in areas known for housing gaming companies, technology firms, and creative agencies.

### Notable Productions

The company's most prominently documented work is the development of Gradius Advance, a video game released in 2001. Gradius Advance is part of the iconic Gradius series, originally created by Konami and first released in 1985. The Gradius franchise is recognized as one of the pioneering horizontal scrolling shoot 'em up games and has spawned numerous sequels, spin-offs, and adaptations across multiple gaming platforms. The development of Gradius Advance by Mobile21 demonstrates the company's capability to work with established intellectual properties and deliver games that appeal to fans of classic gaming franchises. The year 2001 was significant for handheld gaming, as it coincided with the Game Boy Advance's launch period, making it an appropriate time for the release of a portable Gradius title.

### Industry Classification and Operations

Mobile21 is classified as a video game developer, which distinguishes it from publishers (companies that handle marketing, distribution, and financing) and hardware manufacturers. As a developer, Mobile21's primary focus lies in the creative and technical process of game creation, including programming, design, art direction, and quality assurance. The company operates within the broader video game industry, which is recognized as a significant segment of the entertainment sector globally. The industry classification places Mobile21 among thousands of software development organizations worldwide that specialize in interactive entertainment products.

### Database and Reference Listings

Mobile21 maintains a presence across several gaming databases and reference resources, which serve to document the company's games and industry involvement. The company is listed on MobyGames with the identifier 3655 (and previously under the scheme "mobile21-co-ltd"), which is one of the oldest and most comprehensive databases of video game information. VideoGameGeek lists the company with ID 28777, while SNESMusic.org documents the company under ID 868, suggesting involvement with Super Nintendo-era music or related gaming content. The company also has a MusicBrainz label ID (99b2a772-1f73-4498-b315-8a7afa9b306d), indicating potential involvement in music production or soundtrack releases associated with video games. Additionally, Mobile21 has been assigned a VIAF identifier (9145244296574481483) and a Freebase identifier (/m/06cdmw), which are part of efforts to link the company to broader knowledge graphs and reference systems.

### Wikipedia and Multilingual Presence

Mobile21 has a documented presence on Wikipedia in four language versions: English, French, Japanese, and Swedish. This multilingual coverage indicates that the company has achieved a level of notability that warrants documentation in multiple linguistic contexts. The Japanese Wikipedia entry is particularly relevant given the company's origin in Japan, while the English, French, and Swedish entries serve international audiences interested in learning about the company. The sitelink count of 4 across Wikipedia language versions reflects the company's documentation across these language editions.

### Geographic Location

The company's headquarters in Taitō-ku places it in a historically significant area of Tokyo. Taitō-ku is known for its blend of traditional Japanese culture and modern urban development, housing landmarks such as Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa and the Akihabara electronics district. The location in central Tokyo provides Mobile21 with access to the talent pool, technology infrastructure, and creative community that characterizes Japan's gaming industry hub. Tokyo has long been recognized as one of the world's premier centers for video game development, hosting the headquarters of many major gaming companies and serving as a hub for industry events, conferences, and professional networking.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. MusicBrainz
3. VideoGameGeek