Vanpool, Developer Behind The Tingle DS Games, Has Shut Down
Posted on June 03 2023 by Rod Lloyd
Vanpool, the Japanese game studio behind the Nintendo DS Tingle titles and the 3DS-based Dillon series, has been dissolved, according to a statement released on the company’s website. Vanpool’s official dissolution took place on May 31st, with the company citing “various circumstances” for its decision to disband.
Vanpool, founded in 1999, forged an ongoing partnership with Nintendo in the 2000s through its contributions to the DS and 3DS libraries. The company developed 2006’s Freshly-Picked Tingle’s Rosy Rupeeland, a quirky Zelda spin-off title starring the wannabe fairy Tingle, as well as its Japan-exclusive sequel Ripened Tingle’s Balloon Trip of Love in 2009. Vanpool is perhaps best known now for the Dillon series of 3DS titles, which began with 2012’s Dillon’s Rolling Western.
Say what you will about Tingle and his solo adventures, but it’s always sad when a historic studio shuts its doors. Vanpool definitely made their mark on Nintendo and Zelda history, and they’ll be missed. What are your thoughts on this news? Do you have any experiences with the Tingle titles? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: Vanpool (via Nintendo Everything)
Rod Lloyd is the Editor-In-Chief at Zelda Dungeon, overseeing the news and feature content for the site. Rod is considered the veteran of the writing team, having started writing for Zelda Informer in 2014 as a Junior Editor. After ZD and ZI officially merged in 2017, he stepped into the Managing Editor role and has helped steer the ship ever since. He stepped up to lead the writing team as Editor-In-Chief in 2023.
You can reach Rod at: rod.lloyd@zeldadungeon.net
