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Grezzo

Grezzo Co., Ltd. is a Japanese video game development studio specializing in the planning, design, and production of remakes, ports, and original titles, with a strong focus on action-adventure and RPG genres for platforms like Nintendo systems. Founded in December 2006 and headquartered in Tokyo, the company employs 98 staff members as of April 2025 and is led by CEO Koichi Ishii, a veteran game designer previously known for his work at Square Enix on the Mana series. Grezzo's early projects included contributions to expansions for and the Wii title Line Attack Heroes in collaboration with , establishing its reputation for high-quality adaptations of established franchises. The studio gained prominence through its extensive partnership with , beginning with the 3D remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for in 2011, which featured enhanced graphics and stereoscopic 3D support. This was followed by similar remakes of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask in 2015 and in 2018 for the same platform, showcasing Grezzo's expertise in updating classic games for modern hardware while preserving original gameplay mechanics. In addition to remakes, Grezzo has contributed to original developments such as co-planning The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes in 2015 and the development of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, released in September 2024 for Nintendo Switch, marking one of its most ambitious projects as the first mainline Zelda title led by Princess Zelda as the protagonist. The company has also worked with other publishers, including Square Enix on design supervision for Visions of Mana in 2024 and FuRyu Corporation on RPGs like The Legend of Legacy in 2015 and The Alliance Alive in 2017. Beyond Nintendo, Grezzo expanded into mobile gaming with Jet Dragon for Apple Arcade in 2023, demonstrating versatility across platforms. Major clients include Nintendo Co., Ltd., Square Enix Co., Ltd., and Apple Inc., underscoring Grezzo's role as a reliable partner for premium game adaptations.

History

Founding and early years

Grezzo Co., Ltd. was established in December 2006 as a studio headquartered in , . The company was formed in the wake of the release of , the final title in Square Enix's action strategy spin-off series, which marked a transitional period for its key personnel. Initially, Grezzo aimed to leverage expertise in and development for console titles, drawing from the legacy of its leadership's prior work on influential franchises. In April 2007, renowned game designer Koichi Ishii, previously a director and producer at Square Enix on the Mana series—including seminal titles like Final Fantasy Adventure and Secret of Mana—joined Grezzo as CEO and president. Ishii's appointment provided strategic direction, emphasizing high-quality adaptations and original content for Nintendo platforms, building on his experience with character design and world-building in fantasy settings. Under his leadership, the studio began fostering partnerships with major publishers, focusing on technical innovation for handheld and home consoles during its formative phase. Grezzo's early years were characterized by a gradual build-up of capabilities, culminating in its debut release: Line Attack Heroes, a side-scrolling for WiiWare developed in collaboration with and released exclusively in Japan on July 27, 2010. This project, helmed by Ishii, combined rhythmic combat mechanics with fantasy elements inspired by his roots, serving as a proof-of-concept for the studio's ability to deliver polished digital titles. The game's development highlighted Grezzo's initial emphasis on accessible, action-oriented gameplay, though its limited release underscored the studio's nascent scale and regional focus before expanding into larger remakes. By 2011, this groundwork enabled Grezzo to secure its breakthrough partnership with on The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, a remake that refined stereoscopic visuals and controls for the classic N64 title.

Growth through Nintendo partnerships

Grezzo's partnership with Nintendo began in 2010 with the development of Line Attack Heroes, a WiiWare title that marked the studio's entry into Nintendo's ecosystem as a capable external developer. This initial collaboration laid the foundation for deeper involvement, allowing Grezzo to demonstrate its proficiency in action-oriented gameplay and porting mechanics to Nintendo hardware. The partnership expanded significantly in 2011 when Grezzo contributed to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, a critically acclaimed remake for the Nintendo 3DS that showcased the studio's expertise in adapting classic titles to stereoscopic 3D environments. Subsequent projects, including The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D (2015), The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (2015), and non-Zelda titles like Luigi's Mansion (2018 3DS remake) and Miitopia (2021 Switch port), further solidified Grezzo's role as a trusted collaborator. These engagements enabled Grezzo to refine its skills in level design, art direction, and optimization for Nintendo platforms, transitioning from support roles to leading development on remake projects. By 2019, Grezzo handled the full remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening for the , applying lessons from prior work to create a visually distinctive top-down adventure. This progression culminated in 2024 with The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Grezzo's first original entry in the series, where the entire studio participated in ideation and development under director Satoshi Terada. The partnerships have driven Grezzo's expansion, growing its workforce to 98 employees as of April 2025 and establishing it as a specialist in Zelda-style action-adventure games.

Recent expansions and projects

In recent years, Grezzo has marked a significant milestone with the development of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, released on September 26, 2024, for the . This title represented the studio's first collaboration with on an original entry in the Legend of Zelda series, rather than a , showcasing Grezzo's expertise in top-down adventure design honed through prior remakes like The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. Co-developed with EPD, the game introduced innovative mechanics centered on Princess Zelda's ability to create "echoes" of objects and enemies, earning critical acclaim for its puzzle-solving and exploration elements. By November 2024, Echoes of Wisdom had sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide, with sales exceeding 4 million copies as of May 2025. Complementing this major release, Grezzo continued to support its 2023 Apple Arcade title Jet Dragon, an featuring cooperative dragon-riding gameplay. In May 2025, the studio issued a significant update (version 1.3.0) that added new content and refinements, demonstrating ongoing commitment to post-launch enhancements for mobile platforms. This project highlights Grezzo's diversification beyond Nintendo-exclusive titles, leveraging its engine-building capabilities for cross-platform experiences. On the expansion front, Grezzo undertook physical infrastructure growth in June 2023 with an internal expansion of its head office in , , to accommodate increasing project demands. This move coincided with staff growth, as the company increased its workforce from approximately 87 employees in 2022 to 98 by April 1, 2025, reflecting sustained hiring to support larger-scale developments. In July 2025, Grezzo opened a second recruitment call for new graduates entering in 2026, targeting programmers, artists, and planners to further bolster its teams for upcoming "major titles." These efforts position the studio for continued partnerships, particularly with , amid the transition to next-generation hardware like the Nintendo Switch 2.

Games developed

Legend of Zelda series

Grezzo's contributions to The series primarily focus on remakes, ports, and co-development of original titles, leveraging their expertise in and dungeon design for platforms. Their work has helped modernize classic entries while preserving core gameplay elements, often in close collaboration with Nintendo EPD. The studio's first major project in the series was The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, released in 2011 for the . Grezzo developed this of the 1998 classic, incorporating stereoscopic 3D visuals, enhanced targeting systems, and quality-of-life improvements like a hint system via Sheikah Stones. The title was co-developed under Nintendo's guidance, with Grezzo handling the bulk of the adaptation to the handheld's capabilities. Building on this success, Grezzo developed The Legend of : Majora's Mask 3D in 2015, also for the . This remake of the 2000 game featured updated graphics, gyroscopic aiming, and adjustments to pacing, such as revised boss encounters and the N64 Bomber's Notebook functionality. Directed by Grezzo's Mikiharu Ooiwa, the project emphasized faithful recreation while addressing original hardware limitations. In the same year, Grezzo co-developed The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes for the , an original multiplayer-focused adventure. The studio managed planning, level design, enemy creation, and user interface, while handled core systems. The game introduced cooperative totem-stacking mechanics for puzzle-solving in Hytopia's multi-dress dungeons. Grezzo also ported The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition in 2011 to Nintendo DSiWare and 3DS, updating the 2002 title with online multiplayer support via Download Play. The studio expanded to home consoles with The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening in 2019 for , a full of the 1993 game. Grezzo led development, recreating the top-down adventure in a diorama-style aesthetic, complete with new chamber dungeons and integration. Directed again by Ooiwa, it emphasized Koholint Island's dreamlike atmosphere and side-scrolling elements. Most recently, Grezzo developed The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, released in 2024 for . This original top-down entry, starring , was crafted in collaboration with , with Grezzo specializing in dungeon design and echo mechanics for puzzle-solving. The project drew on their series experience to create varied rifts and still-world challenges.

Other Nintendo titles

Grezzo has contributed to several -published titles outside of the Legend of Zelda series, showcasing their expertise in action-adventure, , and porting projects across various platforms. Their first major collaboration in this category was Line Attack Heroes, an action game released for in 2010, in which players control a hero who defeats enemies to build a line of warriors for stronger attacks while progressing through levels. This title highlighted Grezzo's early capabilities in developing accessible digital download experiences for 's ecosystem. In 2013, Grezzo developed Flower Town (known as in and PAL regions), a gardening simulation mini-game integrated into the 3DS's feature. Players exchange virtual flowers and seeds with other 3DS owners via StreetPass to cultivate gardens, emphasizing social connectivity and casual gameplay that complemented the handheld's unique features. This project demonstrated Grezzo's skill in creating supplementary content that enhanced Nintendo's hardware-specific functionalities. Grezzo's portfolio expanded significantly with , an original action-adventure RPG released for in 2017. In this title, players assume the role of a guardian who builds and manages an village while exploring dungeons to recruit companions and combat threats in a vibrant, water-scarce world. The game blended elements of dungeon crawling, village simulation, and character customization, earning praise for its charming art style and innovative mechanics that fostered community-building among recruited allies. As Grezzo's first fully original under Nintendo's publishing, it marked a pivotal step in establishing the studio's creative independence. The studio later handled the 3DS remake of in 2018, co-developed with to update the 2001 classic for the portable platform. Enhancements included stereoscopic visuals, support for bonus content, improved controls with the New 3DS's C-Stick, and additional modes like Boss Rush and a photo gallery. This port preserved the original's ghost-hunting adventure while optimizing it for handheld play, allowing players to vacuum up spectral foes as in a setting. The remake was well-received for its faithful adaptation and quality-of-life improvements that broadened accessibility. More recently, Grezzo co-developed the Nintendo Switch port of in 2021, remastering the 2017 RPG originally created by . The enhanced version introduced features such as horse companions for travel, expanded customization options including makeup and wigs, and improved visuals scaled for the larger screen. Players customize characters to embark on a humorous quest against a face-stealing , with job-based progression and party management driving the turn-based combat and narrative. This project underscored Grezzo's proficiency in modernizing legacy titles for hybrid console play.

Third-party collaborations

Grezzo has undertaken select collaborations with third-party publishers, leveraging its expertise in game design and development support for projects outside its primary partnerships. These efforts demonstrate the studio's versatility in contributing to JRPGs and action titles from other major developers. In 2015, Grezzo provided game design support for , a turn-based JRPG developed by Furyu Corporation and published by for the . The title features exploration of a mysterious island with multiple protagonists, each with unique combat styles, and was praised for its art and strategic battles. In 2017, Grezzo provided game design support for , a turn-based JRPG primarily developed by and published by Corporation for the . The title follows multiple factions in a demon-ravaged world, blending strategic battles with exploration, and received a high-definition in 2019 for platforms including and . Grezzo also served as a system advisor for Arc of Alchemist (2019), an action RPG published by and for and . Through director Kyoji Koizumi, the studio offered guidance on battle mechanics and overall systems, enhancing the game's elemental combat and open-world exploration in a post-apocalyptic setting inspired by alchemical themes. In 2023, Grezzo fully developed Jet Dragon for Apple Arcade, an original action game where players pilot a mechanical dragon to explore and battle in a fantasy world, showcasing the studio's expansion into mobile platforms. More recently, Grezzo collaborated with Square Enix on Visions of Mana (2024), an action RPG in the Mana series released for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The studio supervised design and modeling for recurring monster enemies, ensuring continuity with the franchise's aesthetic while integrating into the game's real-time combat and story-driven adventure. Earlier in its history, Grezzo participated in the development of expansion features for Final Fantasy XI (2002–2013), an MMORPG published by Square Enix across PlayStation 2, Windows, and Xbox 360. This involvement marked one of the studio's initial forays into supporting long-term online titles with content updates and functionality enhancements.

Operations and impact

Leadership and company structure

Grezzo Co., Ltd. is led by Koichi Ishii, who has served as the company's president and representative director since its founding in December 2006. Ishii, born on July 9, 1964, previously worked at Square (later Square Enix) where he contributed to titles in the Final Fantasy and Mana series before establishing Grezzo and assuming its leadership role in 2007. As a privately held , Grezzo maintains a compact typical of mid-sized studios, with 98 employees as of April 1, 2025. The company is headquartered at Yushin Building 3F, 3-27-11 , Shibuya-ku, 150-0002, , and focuses on game software planning and development without publicly disclosed divisions or hierarchical details beyond executive oversight. Grezzo's operations emphasize collaborative partnerships with clients including Nintendo Co., Ltd., Square Enix Co., Ltd., and others, under Ishii's direction to ensure project alignment and creative execution.

Critical reception and industry role

Grezzo's games have generally received positive critical reception, with an average Metascore of 82 across their major releases. Their remakes of The Legend of titles, such as Ocarina of Time 3D (Metascore: 94) and Majora's Mask 3D (Metascore: 89), were praised for enhancing the originals' graphics, controls, and stereoscopic 3D effects while preserving the core experience, often described as definitive versions of the classics. The 2019 remake of The Legend of : Link's Awakening for (Metascore: 87) earned acclaim for its innovative diorama-style art direction and faithful adaptation of the Game Boy original, with critics highlighting its charming visuals and smooth gameplay. Their original title, The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom (Metascore: 85), marked Grezzo's first full development of a new entry in the series and was lauded for its creative echo mechanic allowing players to summon objects and enemies, providing fresh puzzle-solving approaches in a top-down format. Reviews from outlets like awarded it a 9/10, commending its empowering focus on as and its blend of tradition with innovation, though some noted minor frustrations with echo management. Non-Zelda projects, such as the (Metascore: 76), received mixed praise for its dungeon-crawling and village-building elements but criticism for repetitive combat. In the industry, Grezzo has established itself as a trusted external partner for , specializing in high-quality remakes and ports of first-party franchises since its founding in 2006. The studio's close collaboration with , beginning with early titles and expanding to major projects, has positioned it as a key contributor to revitalizing classic games for modern hardware. Their work on for (Metascore: 74) and the Switch port of (Metascore: 71) further demonstrates versatility in adapting IPs, earning recognition for technical fidelity despite some mixed feedback on innovation. As an independent developer, Grezzo's success in handling sensitive remakes has influenced 's strategy for outsourcing premium ports, contributing to the longevity of franchises like The Legend of without compromising quality.

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