LJN
Type | Subsidiary |
---|---|
Industry | Video games |
Founded | 1970 |
Founder | Jack Friedman |
Defunct | 1995 |
Fate | Dissolved |
Headquarters | , US |
Parent |
|
LJN Toys Ltd. was an American toy company and video game publisher based in New York City. Founded in 1970 by Jack Friedman, the company was acquired by MCA Inc. in 1985, sold to Acclaim Entertainment in 1990, and dissolved in 1995.
History[]
LJN was founded in 1970 by Jack Friedman, using funds from his former employer, Norman J. Lewis Associates.[1] Friedman served as president of the company.[2] On March 26, 1985, MCA Inc. agreed to acquire 63% of LJN in exchange for $39.8 million in stock.[3][4] The deal closed with a transaction of a total of US$67 million.[5] Following the acquisition, LJN's revenue doubled to $27 million by 1986, and continued to rise into 1987.[5] However, a faulty paint-shooting toy gun manufactured by LJN caused MCA's profits to fall by 79.5%, to $8.1 million, in 1987's second quarter.[6] The same year, Friedman left the company.[1] LJN did not recover, as a result of which MCA announced on January 22, 1990, that they intended to sell the company.[6][7] MCA agreed to sell LJN to Acclaim Entertainment, for an undisclosed sum paid in cash and stock, on March 13, 1990.[8][9] LJN was dissolved in 1995.[10]
Products[]
Toys[]
Video games[]
Game | Developer | Platform | Year | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
The Karate Kid | Atlus | NES | 1987 | |
Gotcha! The Sport | Sanritsu | NES | 1987 | |
Jaws | Westone | NES | 1987 | |
Town & Country Surf Designs: Wood & Water Rage | Atlus | NES | 1988 | |
Major League Baseball | Atlus | NES | 1988 | |
Friday the 13th | Atlus | NES | 1989 | |
NFL | Atlus | NES | 1989 | |
Back to the Future | Beam Software | NES | 1989 | |
Who Framed Roger Rabbit | Rare | NES | 1989 | |
The Uncanny X-Men | N/A | NES | 1989 | |
The Amazing Spider-Man | Rare | Game Boy | 1990 | |
Pictionary | Software Creations | NES | 1990 | |
Back to the Future II & III | Beam Software | NES | 1990 | |
A Nightmare on Elm Street | Rare | NES | 1990 | |
The Punisher | Beam Software | NES | 1990 | |
WWF WrestleMania Challenge | Rare | NES | 1990 | |
NBA All-Star Challenge | Beam Software | Game Boy, SNES | 1991 | SNES version released in 1992 |
WWF Superstars | Rare | Game Boy | 1991 | |
Beetlejuice | Rare | NES | 1991 | |
The Punisher: The Ultimate Payback | Beam Software | Game Boy | 1991 | The logo was only used in-game. All others had the normal Acclaim logo. |
Bill & Ted's Excellent Video Game Adventure | Rocket Science Productions | NES | 1991 | |
Bill & Ted's Excellent Game Boy Adventure: A Bogus Journey! | Beam Software | Game Boy | 1991 | Game Boy counterpart to Bill & Ted's Excellent Video Game Adventure |
Roger Clemens' MVP Baseball | Sculptured Software | NES, Game Boy, SNES | 1991 | Game Boy and SNES versions released in 1992. |
Wolverine | Software Creations | NES | 1991 | |
Terminator 2: Judgment Day | B.I.T.S. | Game Boy | 1992 | |
Beetlejuice | Rare | Game Boy | 1992 | |
Terminator 2: Judgment Day | Software Creations | NES | 1992 | Different to the Game Boy counterpart. |
Town & Country II: Thrilla's Surfari | Sculptured Software | NES | 1992 | |
WWF Super WrestleMania | Sculptured Software | SNES | 1992 | |
NBA All-Star Challenge 2 | Beam Software | Game Boy | 1992 | |
WWF Superstars 2 | Sculptured Software | Game Boy | 1992 | |
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 | B.I.T.S. | Game Boy | 1992 | |
WWF WrestleMania: Steel Cage Challenge | Sculptured Software | NES | 1992 | |
T2: The Arcade Game | Beam Software (GB) Probe Software (SNES) |
Game Boy, SNES | 1992 | SNES version released in 1993 |
Spider-Man & X-Men in Arcade's Revenge | Software Creations (SNES) Unexpected Development (GB) |
SNES, Game Boy | 1992 | Game Boy version released in 1993 |
The Incredible Crash Dummies | Software Creations (GB, NES) Gray Matter Studios (SNES) |
Game Boy, NES, SNES | 1992 | SNES version released in 1993 and NES version released in 1994. |
Alien 3 | B.I.T.S. (GB) Probe Software (NES, SNES) |
Game Boy, NES, SNES | 1993 | SNES version had the logo only appearing on covers, manuals and cartridges while in-game had the normal Acclaim logo. |
WWF Royal Rumble | Sculptured Software | SNES | 1993 | |
NFL Quarterback Club | Beam Software | Game Boy | 1993 | |
Spider-Man 3: Invasion of the Spider-Slayers | B.I.T.S. | Game Boy | 1993 | |
Terminator 2: Judgement Day | B.I.T.S. | SNES | 1993 | Different to the 8-bit counterparts. |
Spider-Man & Venom: Maximum Carnage | Software Creations | SNES | 1994 | |
Wolverine: Adamantium Rage | Bits Corporation | SNES | 1994 | |
WWF Raw | Sculptured Software (SNES) Realtime Associates (GB) |
SNES, Game Boy | 1994 | |
NFL Quarterback Club | Iguana Entertainment (SNES) Condor, Inc. (GB) |
SNES, Game Boy | 1994 | Different to the Game Boy counterpart. Released on Game Boy as NFL Quarterback Club II in 1995. |
Warlock | Realtime Associates | SNES | 1994 | |
True Lies | Beam Software | SNES, Game Boy | 1995 | |
Spider-Man: The Animated Series | Western Technologies Incorporated | SNES | 1995 | |
Revolution X | Rage Software | SNES | 1995 | Was supposed to be released under the label as listed on the copyright screen, but it ended up being released on the normal Acclaim label. |
Cutthroat Island | Software Creations | SNES | 1996 | Was supposed to be released under the label as listed on the copyright screen, but it ended up being released on the normal Acclaim label. |
Spirit of Speed 1937 | Broadsword Interactive | Sega Dreamcast | 2000 | Last game released under the LJN label; was released five years after the label was retired. |
References[]
- ^ a b Nelson, Valerie J. (May 6, 2010). "Jack Friedman dies at 70; toy maker". Retrieved August 26, 2018 – via LA Times.
- ^ "BUSINESS PEOPLE; HEAD OF LNJ TOYS SEES SUCCESS THROUGH 'E.T.'". The New York Times. September 15, 1982. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
- ^ HARRIS, KATHRYN (March 27, 1985). "MCA Agrees to Acquire L.J.N. Toys : Entertainment Firm to Exchange Up to $39.8 Million in Stock". Retrieved August 26, 2018 – via LA Times.
- ^ "MCA Acquisition". The New York Times. March 27, 1985. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
- ^ a b Fabrikant, Geraldine (February 9, 1987). "MCA TURNS HAND TO ACQUISITIONS". The New York Times. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
- ^ a b Jr, JUBE SHIVER (January 23, 1990). "MCA to Sell LJN Toys Unit After Losses". Retrieved August 26, 2018 – via LA Times.
- ^ "COMPANY NEWS; MCA Taking Loss In Sale of Toy Unit". The New York Times. January 23, 1990. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
- ^ Writer, From a Times Staff (March 13, 1990). "MCA Agrees to Sell Ailing Toy Unit". Retrieved August 26, 2018 – via LA Times.
- ^ "MCA in Pact With Acclaim". The New York Times. March 13, 1990. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
- ^ "Wow, LJN really hated kids". Destructoid. February 6, 2015.
- 1970 establishments in New York City
- 1995 disestablishments in New York (state)
- Companies based in New York (state)
- Defunct toy manufacturers
- Defunct video game companies of the United States
- Manufacturing companies disestablished in 1990
- Manufacturing companies established in 1970
- Toy companies of the United States
- Video game companies disestablished in 1995
- Video game companies established in 1970
- Video game companies of the United States