Mastertronic (first era)[]
1983-1989[]
In 1983, Mastertronic was founded to distribute low-cost computer software. In 1987, Virgin Games purchased Mastertronic, created the Mastertronic Group (Virgin Games, Mastertronic, Melbourne House), and started to export Mastertronic and Melbourne House games to the United States. They renamed the Mastertronic Group to Virgin Mastertronic in 1988. This logo was also used in tandem with the next logo until 1989.
1987-1991[]
In 1987, when Virgin Games purchased Mastertronic, they introduced a new logo for Mastertronic. This logo was still used in tandem with the previous logo until 1989. In 1991, the business was sold to Sega and shut down.
Virgin Mastertronic[]
1987-1990[]
This logo is the exact same as the 1983 Virgin Games logo, but with the 1987 Mastertronic logo in place of "ames".
1990-1991[]
In 1990, Virgin Mastertronic introduced their second logo. It's the exact same as the 1990 Virgin Games logo, but with "MASTERTRONIC" instead of "GAMES". This logo was very short-lived and only used for a year due to Mastertronic being sold to Sega in 1991.
Mastertronic Added Dimension[]
1985-1987[]
In 1985 Mastertronic created the M.A.D. Games (Mastertronic Added Dimension) line of software to sell games at a higher price. This logo was still used in tandem with the next logo.
1986-1987[]
In 1987, Mastertronic changed the M.A.D. logo to a more metallic-looking one, although the same font for M.A.D. was still used.
1987[]
In 1987, Mastertronic redesigned the Mastertronic Added Dimension line, this time adding a color-coded approach so that players could easily tell which systems their games were on. However, this didn't last long because of Mastertronic being bought out by Virgin Games.
1988-1989[]
In 1988, the Mastertronic Added Dimension line was rebranded to match their second logo, but in 1989 the line was stopped entirely.
2004-2010[]
In 2004, the Mastertronic Added Dimension name was resurrected, although this time it was for games that sold over 100,000 copies. No MAD games were sold after 2010.
Americana Software[]
1985-1988[]
Americana Software was a label made to re-release games from U.S. Gold. The label was shut down in 1988.
Entertainment USA[]
1986-1987[]
Entertainment USA was another label used to distribute games created in the USA. Only a small number of games were actually made, though, and in 1987 the label was shut down entirely because of Mastertronic being bought out by Virgin Games.
Bulldog Software[]
1987-1998[]
Bulldog Software was another label, founded in 1987. Only a small number of games were actually made, though, and in 1988 the label was shut down entirely.
Ricochet[]
1987-1989[]
Ricochet was a label founded in 1987 to re-release games from other companies. The label was shut down in 1989.
Rack-It[]
1987-1989[]
Rack-It was a label founded in 1987 to re-release games from Hewson Consultants. The label was shut down in 1989.
Arcadia Systems[]
1987-1991[]
Arcadia Systems was a subsidiary founded in 1987 mostly to create arcade games based on the Amiga hardware, but they also published games for consoles and computers. However, this was incredibly unsuccessful, and Arcadia shut down in 1991.
Mastertronic (second era)[]
2004-2015[]
In 2004, a new Mastertronic company was founded by Frank Herman, one of the founders of the old Mastertronic company, who bought the rights to the name from Sega. They continued to publish games for the PC. In 2015, Mastertronic shut down.
Blast Entertainment[]
2006-2009[]
Blast Entertainment was a label created by Mastertronic to publish games for the PlayStation 2. The label went defunct in 2009. All of Blast Entertainment's games are notorious for being low-quality and terrible.