Yuji Naka

Yuji Naka

Place of birth: Hirakata, Osaka prefecture, Japan
Date of birth: 1965-09-17 (age 59)
Company(ies): Sega of Japan
Role(s): Programmer, Designer, Producer, Executive
Education: Nishinoda Technology Senior High School

Yuji Naka (中裕司) is a video game designer, programmer, the former head of Sonic Team (usually credited by his alias, YU2), and currently the head of the video game development company, Prope.

History

When Yuji Naka was 17 years old, he decided that he wanted to program video games. He learned how to program by copying and debugging game code published in magazines, and these experiences prompted him to learn how to use assemblers and write his own programs. The electronic music group Yellow Magic Orchestra was also an influence on the young Naka.

Being a large fan of Namco, Yuji Naka aimed to work for them after he graduated from college. However, Namco only accepted work from university graduates, and thus Yuji Naka would not be eligible as he did not want to go to university.

He did however score a job at Sega as a programming assistant. His first release was a game for the SG-1000 called Girl's Garden. Yuji Naka's distinction was producing/project managing projects while simultaneously handling the lead programming of them. Examples of this are Space Harrier II and Phantasy Star II.

In 1990 he, along with Naoto Oshima and Hirokazu Yasuhara, began to conceive Sonic the Hedgehog and then leading the now dubbed Sonic Team, putting his leadership and programming talents into work.

The last time, Yuji Naka did any hands-on coding was NiGHTS into Dreams, with Sonic Team members Tetsu Katano and Takahiro Hamano succeeding him in that regard.

On March 16, 2006 it was announced that Naka would be creating his own independent game studio, with partial financial backing from Sega. Naka left Sega to set up this studio, called Prope.

Production history

Games

F-16 Fighter (Master System; 1986) — Programmer
Spy vs Spy (Master System; 1986) — Programmer
Black Belt (Master System; 1986) — Programmer^[1]
Space Harrier (Master System; 1986) — Produced by (as Nitta Tai Yuji)
Space Harrier (Master System; 1986) — Screenplay by (as Nitta Tai Yuji)
Space Harrier (Master System; 1986) — Proposed by (as Nitta Tai Yuji)
Great Baseball (Master System; 1987) — Programmer
Phantasy Star (Master System; 1987) — Main Program^[2] (as Muuuu Yuji)
Space Harrier 3D (Master System; 1988) — Special Thanks (as Muuu Yuji)
Super Thunder Blade (Mega Drive; 1988) — Executive Producer^[3] (as Muuuu Yuji)
Phantasy Star II (Mega Drive; 1989) — Produced and Programmed by^[4] (as Muuuu Yuji)
Ghouls'n Ghosts (Mega Drive; 1989) — Main Programmer (as YU2)
Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom (Mega Drive; 1990) — Special Thanks^[5] (as Muuuu Yuji)
Sonic the Hedgehog (Mega Drive; 1991) — Program^[6] (as YU2)
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Mega Drive; 1992) — Chief Programmer^[7]
Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball (Mega Drive; 1993) — A Special Bow To^[8]
Sonic & Knuckles (Mega Drive; 1994) — Producer^[9]
Sonic & Knuckles (Mega Drive; 1994) — Lead Programmer^[9]
Magic Knight Rayearth (Saturn; 1995) — Special Thanks^[10] (as 中裕司)
NiGHTS into Dreams (Saturn; 1996) — Producer^[11]
NiGHTS into Dreams (Saturn; 1996) — Lead Programmer^[11]
Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (Mega Drive; 1996) — Advisors (SOJ)^[12]
Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams (Saturn; 1996) — Producer
Christmas NiGHTS into Dreams (Saturn; 1996) — Programmers
Sonic Jam (Saturn; 1997) — Producer^[13]
Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (Windows PC; 1997) — Advisors (SOJ)
Sonic R (Saturn; 1997) — General Producer^[14]
Sonic R (Saturn; 1997) — Producer^[14]
Burning Rangers (Saturn; 1998) — Producer^[15]
Sonic R (Windows PC; 1998) — General producer
Sonic R (Windows PC; 1998) — Producer
Sonic R (Windows PC; 1998) — Supervisor
Sonic Adventure (Dreamcast; 1998) — Producer
Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (Saturn; 1996) — Advisors (SOJ)^[16]
ChuChu Rocket! (Dreamcast; 1999) — プロデューサー＆ディレクター (as なかゆうじ)
ChuChu Rocket! (Dreamcast; 1999) — Producer/Director
Samba de Amigo (NAOMI; 1999) — Producer
Sega Smash Pack 2 (Windows PC; 2000) — Special Thanks
Samba de Amigo (Dreamcast; 2000) — Producer
Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure (Neo Geo Pocket Color; 1999) — Superviser^[17] (as Y.Naka)
Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure (Neo Geo Pocket Color; 1999) — Produce^[17] (as Y.Naka)
Samba de Amigo Ver.2000 (NAOMI; 2000) — Producer
Samba de Amigo Ver.2000 (Dreamcast; 2000) — Producer
Phantasy Star Online (Dreamcast; 2000) — Producer
ChuChu Rocket! (Game Boy Advance; 2001) — Producer & Director^[18]
Phantasy Star Online Ver. 2 (Dreamcast; 2001) — Producer
Sonic Adventure 2 (Dreamcast; 2001) — Producer
Puyo Pop (Game Boy Advance; 2001) — Producer
Sonic Adventure 2: Battle (GameCube; 2001) — Producer
Sonic Advance (Game Boy Advance; 2001) — Producer^[19]
Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II (GameCube; 2002) — Producer
Sonic Advance 2 (Game Boy Advance; 2002) — Producer^[20]
Sonic Mega Collection (GameCube; 2002) — Producer^[21]
Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II (Xbox; 2003) — Producer
Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut (GameCube; 2003) — Producer
Sonic Pinball Party (Game Boy Advance; 2003) — Producer
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 1: Phantasy Star Generation: 1 (PlayStation 2; 2003) — スペシャルサンクス (as 中裕司)
Sonic N (N-Gage; 2003) — Producer
Billy Hatcher and the Giant Egg (GameCube; 2003) — Producer
Puyo Pop Fever (NAOMI; 2003) — Producer
Phantasy Star Online Episode III: C.A.R.D. Revolution (GameCube; 2003) — Producer
Sonic Battle (Game Boy Advance; 2003) — Producer^[22]
Sonic Heroes (PlayStation 2; 2003) — Producer
Puyo Pop Fever (PlayStation 2; 2004) — Producer
Puyo Pop Fever (Dreamcast; 2004) — Producer
Astro Boy (PlayStation 2; 2004) — Chief Producer
Puyo Pop Fever (GameCube; 2004) — Producer
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 11: Hokuto no Ken (PlayStation 2; 2004) — Special Thanks
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 12: Puyo Puyo Tsuu Perfect Set (PlayStation 2; 2004) — スペシャルサンクス (as 中裕司)
Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst (Windows PC; 2004) — Chief Producer
Sonic Advance 3 (Game Boy Advance; 2004) — Producer^[23]
Puyo Pop Fever (Game Boy Advance; 2004) — Producer^[24]
Virtua Quest (PlayStation 2; 2004) — 本部長 (as 中裕司)
Virtua Quest (GameCube; 2004) — Special Thanks
Puyo Pop Fever (Windows PC; 2004) — Producer
Sega Superstars (PlayStation 2; 2004) — Chief Producer
Feel the Magic: XY/XX (Nintendo DS; 2004) — Chief Producer
Sonic Mega Collection Plus (PlayStation 2; 2004) — Producer
Sonic Mega Collection Plus (Xbox; 2004) — Producer
Puyo Pop Fever (Nintendo DS; 2004) — Producer
Puyo Pop Fever (PlayStation Portable; 2004) — Chief Producer
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 17: Phantasy Star Generation: 2 (PlayStation 2; 2005) — パッケージ (as 中裕司)
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 19: Fighting Vipers (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Executive Supervisor
Bleach Advance: Kurenai ni Somaru Soul Society (Game Boy Advance; 2005) — チーフプロデューサー^[25] (as 中裕司)
Sonic Gems Collection (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Chief Producer
Sonic Gems Collection (GameCube; 2005) — Chief Producer
The Rub Rabbits! (Nintendo DS; 2005) — Chief Producer
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 20: Space Harrier II ~Space Harrier Complete Collection~ (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Executive Supervisor
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 21: SDI & Quartet: Sega System 16 Collection (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Executive Supervisor
Sonic Rush (Nintendo DS; 2005) — Producer
Puyo Puyo Fever 2 (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Chief Producer
Bleach GC: Tasogare ni Mamieru Shinigami (GameCube; 2005) — チーフプロデューサー (as 中裕司)
Shadow the Hedgehog (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Producer
Shadow the Hedgehog (GameCube; 2005) — Producer
Shadow the Hedgehog (Xbox; 2005) — Producer
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 23: Sega Memorial Selection (PlayStation 2; 2005) — Executive Supervisor
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 25: Gunstar Heroes Treasure Box (PlayStation 2; 2006) — Executive Supervisor
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 22: Advanced Daisenryaku: Deutsch Dengeki Sakusen (PlayStation 2; 2006) — エグゼクティブスーパーバイザー (as 中裕司)
Sonic Riders (PlayStation 2; 2006) — Executive Producer
Sonic Riders (GameCube; 2006) — Executive Producer
Sonic Riders (Xbox; 2006) — Executive Producer
Doraemon: Nobita no Kyouryuu 2006 DS (Nintendo DS; 2006) — チーフプロデューサー (as なかゆうじ)
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 27: Panzer Dragoon (PlayStation 2; 2006) — Executive Supervisor
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 26: Dynamite Deka (PlayStation 2; 2006) — Executive Supervisor
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 24: Last Bronx -Tokyo Bangaichi- (PlayStation 2; 2006) — Executive Supervisor
Sonic the Hedgehog Genesis (Game Boy Advance; 2006) — Program^[26] (as YU2)
Sonic Riders (Windows PC; 2006) — Executive Producer
Sonic Mega Collection Plus (Windows PC; 2006) — Producer
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (Wii; 2007) — Original Executive Producer
NiGHTS into Dreams (PlayStation 2; 2008) — Special Thanks
Let's Catch (Wii; 2008) — Producer
Let's Tap (Wii; 2008) — Producer
3D Sonic the Hedgehog (Nintendo 3DS; 2013) — Special Thanks
3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Nintendo 3DS; 2015) — Special Thanks
Iri-san (Dreamcast; unreleased) — Supervisor
Metal Lancer (Mega Drive; unreleased) — Programmer

Videos

Sonic the Hedgehog (VHS; 1996) — Production Directors
Sonic the Hedgehog (DVD; 1999) — Production Directors
Hi-sCoool! SeHa Girls () — Professor Center
Sonic 30th Anniversary Symphony () — Special Thanks

Music

Comix Zone: Roadkill (CD; 1995) — Special Thanks^[27]
NiGHTS Original Soundtrack (CD; 1996) — Supervisor
Virtual Sonic (CD; 1996) — Special Thanks^[28]
Sonic R (CD; 1998) — Producer
Burning Rangers Sound Track (CD; 1998) — Producer
Burning Rangers Sound Track (CD; 1998) — Commentary
Sonic Team "PowerPlay" (CD; 1998) — Producer
Sonic Adventure Songs With Attitude ~Vocal mini-Album~ (CD; 1998) — Producer^[29]
Sonic Adventure Remix (CD; 1998) — Producer^[30]
Sonic Adventure "Digi-LOG Conversation" Original Sound Track (CD; 1999) — Producer^[31]
Samba de Amigo Presents Samba de Janeiro Non-Stop Best of Bellini (CD; 2000) — Producer
Phantasy Star Online Original Sound Track (CD; 2001) — Executive Producer
Cuts Unleashed SA2 Vocal Collection (CD; 2001) — Producer^[32]
Multi-dimensional Sonic Adventure 2 Original Sound Track (CD; 2001) — Producer^[33]
Sonic Adventure 2 Official Soundtrack (CD; 2002) — Special Thanks^[34]
Phantasy Star Online Songs of Ragol Odyssey: Soundtrack Episode 1 & 2 (CD; 2002) — Executive Producer
Music Popped Out of the Egg (CD; 2003) — Game Producer
Let the Winds Blow Phantasy Star Online Episode III C.A.R.D. Revolution Original Sound Track (CD; 2003) — Game Producer
Triple Threat Sonic Heroes Vocal Trax (CD; 2004) — Producer^[35]
Complete Trinity Sonic Heroes - Original Soundtrax (CD; 2004) — Producer^[36]
Sonic X: Original Sound Tracks (CD; 2004) — エグゼクティブプロデューサー^[37] (as 中裕司)
Phantasy Star Online Episode I & II Premium Arrange (CD; 2004) — Special Thanks
Phantasy Star Online Blue Burst Episode IV Sound Track (CD; 2005) — Chief Producer^[38]
Lost and Found: Shadow the Hedgehog Vocal Trax (CD; 2006) — Producer^[39]
Sonic Riders Original Soundtrack "Speedbeats Grand Prix" (CD; 2006) — Chief Producer^[40]
OutRun 20th Anniversary Box (CD; 2007) — Commentator
Let's Tap Soundtrack (CD; 2009) — BIG THANKS to (as 中裕司)
Sonic The Hedgehog "Passion & Pride" Anthems with Attitude from the Sonic Adventure Era (CD; 2014) — Thanks to

Accessories

FM Sound Unit (Master System; 1987) — Concept

Sonic the Hedgehog (Mega Drive Version) (1991) — Program (as YU2) [NOTE: Also Project Manager]
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (Mega Drive Version) (1992) — Chief Programmer (as Yuji Naka (YU2)) [NOTE: Also Project Manager]
Sonic Spinball (Mega Drive Version) (1993) — A Special Bow to [NOTE: Manual credit]
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (1994) — Producer, Lead Programmer
Sonic & Knuckles (1994) — Producer, Lead Programmer
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles (1994) — Producer, Lead Programmer
Sonic the Hedgehog (anime) (1996) — Supervisor
Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island (1996/1997) — Advisor (SOJ) (Sega)
Sonic Jam (1997) — Producer
Sonic R (Saturn Version) (1997) — General Producer (Sega Enterprises Ltd.), Producer (Sega Enterprises Ltd.)
Sonic R (PC Version) (1998) — General producer (Sega Enterprises Ltd.) (Sega), Producer (Sega Enterprises Ltd.) (Sega), Supervisor (Sega)
Sonic Adventure (1998) — Producer
Sonic the Hedgehog Pocket Adventure (1999) — Superviser (as Y.Naka), Produce (as Y.Naka)
Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) — Producer
Sonic Adventure 2: Battle (2001) — Producer
Sonic Advance (2001) — Producer
Sonic Mega Collection (2002) — Producer
Sonic Advance 2 (2002) — Producer
Sonic X (2003) — Executive Producer
Sonic Adventure DX: Director's Cut (2003) — Producer (Sonic Adventure DX Staff), Producer (Sonic Adventure Original Staff)
Sonic Pinball Party (2003) — Producer
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 1: Phantasy Star generation:1 (2003) — Special Thanks (Sonic Team)
Sonic Battle (2003) — Producer
Sonic Heroes (2003) — Producer
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 11: Hokuto no Ken (2004) — Special Thanks
Sonic Advance 3 (2004) — Producer
Sega Superstars (2004) — Producer
Astro Boy (2004) — Chief Producer
Sonic Mega Collection Plus (2004) — Producer
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 17: Phantasy Star generation:2 (2005) — Special Thanks (Sonic Team Div)
Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love (PS2 Version) (2005) — Chief Producer
Sonic Gems Collection (2005) — Chief Producer
Shadow the Hedgehog (2005) — Producer
Sonic Rush (2005) — Producer
Puyo Puyo Fever 2 (2005) — Chief Producer
Sonic Riders (2006) — Executive Producer
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 19: Fighting Vipers (2005) — Executive Supervisor)
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 20: Space Harrier II ~Space Harrier Complete Collection~ (2005) — Executive Supervisor
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 23: Sega Memorial Selection (2005) — Executive Supervisor
Sega Ages 2500 Series Vol. 25: Gunstar Heroes: Treasure Box (2006) — Executive Supervisor
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (2007) — Original Executive Producer
Let's Catch (2008) — Producer

Song credits

OutRun (Master System Version)

Magical Sound Shower — Arrangement
Passing Breeze — Arrangement
Splash Wave — Arrangement
Last Wave — Arrangement

Interviews

External links

Magazine articles

Main article: Yuji Naka/Magazine articles.

References

[:File:UltraGamePlayers_US_103.pdf_p36-1] File:UltraGamePlayers US 103.pdf, page 36

[:File:Phantasy_Star_SMS_credits.pdf_p-2] File:Phantasy Star SMS credits.pdf

[:File:Super_Thunder_Blade_MD_credits.pdf_p-3] File:Super Thunder Blade MD credits.pdf

[:File:Phantasy_Star_II_MD_credits.pdf_p-4] File:Phantasy Star II MD credits.pdf

[:File:Phantasy_Star_III_MD_credits.pdf_p-5] File:Phantasy Star III MD credits.pdf

[:File:Sonic_the_Hedgehog_MD_credits.pdf_p-6] File:Sonic the Hedgehog MD credits.pdf

[:File:Sonic_the_Hedgehog_2_MD_credits.pdf_p-7] File:Sonic the Hedgehog 2 MD credits.pdf

[:File:SonicSpinball_MD_US_manual.pdf_p21-8] File:SonicSpinball MD US manual.pdf, page 21

[:File:Sonic_.26amp.3B_Knuckles_MD_credits.pdf_p-9] 9.0 ^9.1 File:Sonic & Knuckles MD credits.pdf

[:File:Mahou_Kishi_Rayearth_Saturn_credits.pdf_p-10] File:Mahou Kishi Rayearth Saturn credits.pdf

[:File:NiGHTS_into_Dreams_Saturn_credits.pdf_p-11] 11.0 ^11.1 File:NiGHTS into Dreams Saturn credits.pdf

[:File:Sonic_3D_Blast_MD_credits.pdf_p-12] File:Sonic 3D Blast MD credits.pdf

[:File:Sonic_Jam_Saturn_credits.pdf_p-13] File:Sonic Jam Saturn credits.pdf

[:File:Sonic_R_Saturn_credits.pdf_p-14] 14.0 ^14.1 File:Sonic R Saturn credits.pdf

[:File:Burning_Rangers_JP_Saturn_credits.pdf_p-15] File:Burning Rangers JP Saturn credits.pdf

[:File:Sonic_3D_Blast_Saturn_credits.pdf_p-16] File:Sonic 3D Blast Saturn credits.pdf

[:File:Sonic_Pocket_Adventure_NGPC_credits.pdf_p-17] 17.0 ^17.1 File:Sonic Pocket Adventure NGPC credits.pdf

[:File:ChuChu_Rocket.21_GBA_credits.pdf_p-18] File:ChuChu Rocket! GBA credits.pdf

[:File:Sonic_Advance_GBA_credits.pdf_p-19] File:Sonic Advance GBA credits.pdf

[:File:Sonic_Advance_2_GBA_credits.pdf_p-20] File:Sonic Advance 2 GBA credits.pdf

[:File:SonicMegaCollection_GC_US_Credits.pdf_p-21] File:SonicMegaCollection GC US Credits.pdf

[:File:Sonic_Battle_GBA_credits.pdf_p-22] File:Sonic Battle GBA credits.pdf

[:File:Sonic_Advance_3_GBA_credits.pdf_p-23] File:Sonic Advance 3 GBA credits.pdf

[:File:Puyo_Puyo_Fever_GBA_credits.pdf_p-24] File:Puyo Puyo Fever GBA credits.pdf

[:File:Bleach_Advance_GBA_credits.pdf_p-25] File:Bleach Advance GBA credits.pdf

[:File:SonicGenesis_GBA_US_manual.pdf_p18-26] File:SonicGenesis GBA US manual.pdf, page 18

[:File:SegaTunesComixZone_Album_JP_Box_Back.jpg_p-27] File:SegaTunesComixZone Album JP Box Back.jpg

[:File:VirtualSonic_CD_US_back.jpg_p-28] File:VirtualSonic CD US back.jpg

[:File:SongsWithAttitude_CD_JP_booklet.pdf_p7-29] File:SongsWithAttitude CD JP booklet.pdf, page 7

[:File:SARemix_CD_JP_booklet.pdf_p9-30] File:SARemix CD JP booklet.pdf, page 9

[:File:SADLCOST_CD_JP_booklet1.pdf_p2-31] File:SADLCOST CD JP booklet1.pdf, page 2

[:File:CutsUnleashed_CD_JP_front.pdf_p3-32] File:CutsUnleashed CD JP front.pdf, page 3

[:File:MDSA2OST_poster1.pdf_p1-33] File:MDSA2OST poster1.pdf, page 1

[:File:SA2OST_CD_US_booklet.pdf_p10-34] File:SA2OST CD US booklet.pdf, page 10

[:File:TripleThreat_CD_JP_booklet.pdf_p2-35] File:TripleThreat CD JP booklet.pdf, page 2

[:File:CompleteTrinity_CD_JP_booklet.pdf_p8-36] File:CompleteTrinity CD JP booklet.pdf, page 8

[:File:SonicXOST_CD_JP_booklet.pdf_p3-37] File:SonicXOST CD JP booklet.pdf, page 3

[:File:PSOBBSoundTrack_CD_JP_Box.jpg_p-38] File:PSOBBSoundTrack CD JP Box.jpg

[:File:LostandFound_CD_JP_booklet.pdf_p6-39] File:LostandFound CD JP booklet.pdf, page 6

[:File:SonicRidersOST_CD_JP_booklet.pdf_p3-40] File:SonicRidersOST CD JP booklet.pdf, page 3

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]