Theme Aquarium

Theme Aquarium (テーマ アクアリウム, Tēma Akuariumu) is a simulation video game published by Electronic Arts Square, in which the player creates and controls a sea life aquarium. It was originally released on 17 December 1998 for PlayStation only in Japan.[2] The game was later ported to Microsoft Windows under the name Aquarium and was released in Europe on 25 December 2000.[3]

Theme Aquarium
Developer(s)Tose[1]
Publisher(s)
Platform(s)PlayStation, Microsoft Windows
ReleasePlayStation
  • JP: 17 December 1998
Microsoft Windows
  • EU: 25 December 2000
Genre(s)Simulation, Strategy
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

The gameplay is very similar to the other games in the Theme series, and the graphics are similar to Theme Hospital. In Theme Aquarium, the player begins with an expanse of empty floor space and the task is to construct a maritime attraction for visitors which must be filled with interesting and appropriate creatures at the same time as dealing with all the attendant challenges of running a profitable business. There are two ways of getting fish and other sea life, either by buying them off sellers or by catching them yourself. Dolphin shows can also be created and serve as the star attraction of the aquarium. Staff must be hired to maintain the aquarium and also to take proper care and attention to the animals.

Development

In a 1999 interview, Bullfrog Productions co-founder Les Edgar stated that Theme Aquarium was produced and tested in the United Kingdom, but implemented in Japan. His intention was to "cross barriers" between the United Kingdom and Japan, and produce a game suitable for both markets, as, due to the success of Theme Park and Populous in Japan, he thought Bullfrog were more successful than other companies in producing games that were successful there. He commented that it sold well in Japan, but would not in the United Kingdom, and that the idea of having the producers in the United Kingdom and the development team in Japan worked.[4] In 2012, Bullfrog programmer Jonty Barnes asked fourteen ex-colleagues about the game, none of whom were familiar with it, with one describing it as "one of those obscure titles", although he also stated that it was known that it was intended for a Japan-only release on the PlayStation.[5]

Other versions

Windows port

The game was originally intended to only be released in Japan, but Electronic Arts later developed an English version of the game.[3] This version was not to be on PlayStation, the game's original platform, but rather on Microsoft Windows. Not only was the English version on a different platform but it was also renamed. It was released simply as Aquarium on 15 December 2000[6] only in Europe. The "Theme" brand was dropped from the title as it was deemed that the game was not at a level of quality to be considered part of the Theme series or feature the Bullfrog branding, and was merely included as part of the PlayStation release to generate interest from the success of previous Theme games in Japan.[1]

A "Collector's Edition" version was released a year later on 5 October 2001.[6]

PlayStation Network release

Theme Aquarium has been released as a PS one Classic in Japan, allowing it to be played on PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Portable. It was released on 24 September 2009 and was available to download from the PlayStation Network store.[7]

See also

References
  1. Rose, Mike (1 May 2013). "What the Heck Is Bullfrog's Theme Aquarium?". Gamasutra. UBM Technology Group. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
  2. "Theme Aquarium Release Information for PlayStation". GameFAQs. Archived from the original on 18 August 2007. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
  3. "Theme Aquarium". Theme World. Archived from the original on 11 May 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
  4. "An Audience with Les Edgar". Audience. Edge. No. 74. Bath: Future plc. August 1999. pp. 120–125. ISSN 1350-1593.
  5. "Revisiting Bullfrog: 25 Years On". Retro Gamer. No. 110. Bournemouth: Imagine Publishing. December 2012. pp. 60–67. ISSN 1742-3155.
  6. "Aquarium for PC – Release Summary". GameSpot. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
  7. "Software Catagloue – Theme Aquarium". PlayStation.com (Japan). Archived from the original on 24 January 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2009.
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