Midway Games

Background : Midway Manufacturing Company was founded in 1958 in Chicago, Illinois, as an arcade game company. It was reincorporated as "Midway Games" in 1988 and decided to acquire Tradewest (an unrelated company that was set up in 1986 to create many franchisesm and in 1987, they acquired Cinematronics and renamed it Leland Corporation) and it was reincorporated first as Williams Entertainment, then to Midway Home Entertainment in 1996. This point became starting in Midway's post-ages life. In 1998, the company spun off from WMS (Williams Entertainment). Major troubles came in 2008, when Midway closed several divisions, and in February 2009, US-based operations of Midway went bankruptcy. The European assets were sold and two of them renamed "Tradewest". Midway's former divisions, Surreal Software and Midway Chicago (now "NetherRealm Studios") were acquired by Warner Bros.

Tradewest
(1986-1994)

Nickname : "The Airforce"

Logo : Regardless of the game, the main design was this: A green circle with a stylized white bird looking to the right, with the wing to the left, and with the word "TRADEWEST" in green next to it.

Variants :
 * On Double Dragon V, the red "An Interactive Entertainment company" was added below, and the Leland logo shared the screen. The background was blue covered with repeating Leland logo sketches (from the Tradewest Sports logo).
 * On Super Double Dragon, the logo was blue and the text was moved below.

FX/SFX : None.

Music/Sounds : None.

Availability : Was seen on games, mainly for Genesis and SNES, based on the Battletoads and Double Dragon franchises.

Editor's Note : None.

Williams Entertainment
1st Logo (1994-1995)

Nickname : "The Gold Script", "The Early W-Shield"

Logo : On a purple background with a W-Shield wallpaper from the Williams logo (ala the Tradewest Sports logo), we see a golden word "Williams" written in the corporate font. Below, the word "Entertainment" is orange-colored.

Variants :


 * On Troy Aikman NFL Football, the word "SPORTS" is shown below every W-Shield.


 * On Kyle Petty's No Fear Racing, the background is black.

FX/SFX : None.

Music/Sounds : None.

Availability : Seen on Troy Aikman NFL Football and Kyle Petty's No Fear Racing.

Editor's Note : None.

2nd Logo (1995-1996)

Nicknames : "W-Shield", "The Williams Shield"

Logo : The black word "Williams" is seen on white background, and below, there's a byline "Williams Entertainment Inc." Right to the text, we see the sphere with W inside (called W-Shield).

Variants :
 * On Genesis versions of Mortal Kombat 3 and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, the logo is small.
 * On Doom for SNES, the logo is white on a black background.
 * On Mortal Kombat 3 for DOS, the logo has "A" above and "Production of" below.
 * On Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey, the logo has the shiny blue-white gradient color with "'Williams Entertainment' Inc." in gray on a black background. Plus, it shares the screen with NHL, NHLPA and N64 logos below along with Wayne Gretzky's signature above.

FX/SFX : None.

Music/Sounds : Depending on game:
 * On Genesis versions of Mortal Kombat 3 and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, it's silent.
 * On SNES versions of Mortal Kombat 3 and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, we hear the victory music from The Subway stage.
 * On the Super NES version of Doom, it uses the first seven notes of the Plant level.
 * On the DOS version of Mortal Kombat 3, we hear the sound of the bell ringing.

Availability : Seen on Mortal Kombat 3 and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 for Genesis and SNES. It also appears on the DOS version of former as well. The black background variant can be seen on Doom for SNES.

Editor's Note : None.

3rd Logo (1995-1996)

Nicknames : "W-Shield II", "The Williams Shield II", "CGI W-Shield"

Logo : The vertical panel of many orange dots enters the screen and turns horizontal. Many laser beams begin to emerge from every dot in various directions. Then the dot panel flash and we see the solid grey Williams logo, which is same as above, but the W-Shield surface is purple. A few light splashes appear over the logo.

Variant : Still version was used on Cruis'n USA for Nintendo 64. It shared the screen with Nintendo logo. Plus, the W-Shield isn't there and the words, "Developed By:" are above the logo.

FX/SFX : Laser beams and the splash of the logo.

Music/Sounds : Deep synth note, then the rough splash (which sounds like the Sentry Gun destroyed in Team Fortress 2) as the logo appears, and the note continues.

Availability : Seen on Doom, Final Doom, and Mortal Kombat 3 for PlayStation. Also seen on the console ports of Area 51, as well as the PC ports of T-Mek and Return Fire.

Editor's Note : None.

4th Logo (Along with Midway logo) (1996)

Nicknames : "W-Shield III", "The Williams Shield III", "Williams-Midway Combo", "CGI W-Shield II"

Logo : Two gray dots (above an "i") appear with a green firework effect. The camera moves to the opposite side on the plain, and the word "Williams" (in its corporate font) is being drawn from both sides to the center, with the same green effects. A flash draws the byline below, and thered letters of the Midway logo fly from the bottom of the screen to their positions letter-by-letter in the backwards order of how its spelled (i.e, Y first, then A, etc.) while the camera zooms out a little. The Midway logo then glows. As both logos are ready, they then flash once and fade out.

Variant :
 * There is a still version of the logo, which features the still version of the 3rd logo with the flash intact on the dot above the "i".
 * On a PlayStation PAL version of Mortal Kombat Trilogy, it's a still logo with the flash effect intact.

FX/SFX : The two dots appearing, the words of "Williams" being drawn, the fireworks effect, and the logos sparkling.

Music/Sounds : The sounds of firework effects, followed by the deep synth note similar to Windows NT 5.0 startup sound. Then we hear whoosh sounds as the letters of the Midway logofly in, and a rough splash (which again sounds like the Sentry destroyed in Team Fortress 2) is heard when the logos flash.

Music/Sounds Variant : None or the opening theme of the game on the still version.

Availability : Can be seen on Mortal Kombat Trilogy and NHL Open Ice for PlayStation. The still version is shown on NBA Hang Time for Genesis, SNES and Nintendo 64. Also appears on NHL Open Ice, and Robotron X (for PlayStation), and the Windows 95 version of Mortal Kombat 3 as well.

Editor's Note : None.

5th Logo (1996)

Nicknames : "W-Shield IV", "The Williams Shield IV", "CGI W-Shield III", "Crystallized W-Shield"

Logo : Against the black background, we see the W-Shield, but in a crystal gradient purple and green color. Then it zooms back and spins and moves to the right revealing the "Williams Entertainment" text from the wipe transition with "Williams" in it's corporate font and "Entertainment" under it which are also in the same color and the text shines during . After the W-Shield goes to the right of the logo, the orange glow appears around it and dims a little.

Variants :
 * On Ms. Pac-Man for the SNES and Williams' Arcades Greatest Hits for Genesis and SNES, it's a still logo with the glow intact around the W-Shield.
 * On Williams' Arcades Greatest Hits, the still logo was shown along with the Digital Eclipse Software logo. Above the logo is "Presented by". Next to the Digital Eclipse logo is "Developed by DIGITAL ECLIPSE SOFTWARE, INC." in stacked words.

FX/SFX : CGI animation of the W-Shield. None for the still version.

Music/Sounds : None.

Availability : Appears on Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 for Saturn. The still version is seen on Ms. Pac-Man for SNES and Williams' Arcades Greatest Hits for Genesis and SNES.

Editor's Note : None.

Final Note : In 1996 Williams acquired Time Warner Interactive and Williams Entertainment was merged into the new corporation, "Midway Home Entertainment". However, early Midway Home Entertainment games used the Williams Entertainment logo.

Midway Home Entertainment
1st Logo (1996)

See the 4th logo on the Williams Entertainmentpage for the description.

2nd Logo (Late 1996-1998)

Nicknames : "Shooting Stars", "The Circle M"

Logo : On a space background, twelve shooting stars fly from all over the screen and meet in the center. They disappear and the Midway logo (a red elongated arc with a red jacked-up "M" inside it)and "MIDWAY" (all in 3-D) spin toward the screen. "HOME ENTERTAINMENT" appears underneath, conjoined. The words scroll to its proper wording.

Variants :
 * On Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1, the text are in the yellow color. Plus, the Circle "M" is in polygon style.
 * On the SNES version of Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1, the still version of the variant was shown along with the Digital Eclipse Software logo. Above the logo is "Presented by". Next to the Digital Eclipse logo is "Developed by DIGITAL ECLIPSE SOFTWARE, INC." in stacked words.
 * On Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey '98 and Nagano Olympic Hockey '98, it's a still logo. Plus on the former, it shares the screen with NHL, NHLPA and N64 logos below along with Wayne Gretzky's signature above. On the PS1 version of former, there's only NHL and NHLPA logos. On the latter, it shares the screen with the NHLPA, N64, and Nagano 1998 logos.
 * On San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing and California Speed for Nintendo 64, the copyright notice is under the still logo.

FX/SFX : The shooting stars, the Midway logo spinning in. None for the still version

Music/Sounds : A low humming. None for the still version.

Availability : Rare. Seen on Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1 and Maximum Force for the PlayStation and Saturn. Also appears on other games such as Wayne Gretzky's 3D Hockey '98 and Nagano Olympic Hockey '98. Although the PlayStation version of the former has the next logo appearing before it.

Editor's Note : None.

3rd Logo (1997-2000)

Nicknames : "The Comet", "The Circle M II"

Logo : On a black background, a comet moves counter-clockwise. As the comet moves, it leaves a trail of red fog. The comet then moves from right to left, making an "M" shape as it does this. Then it moves up and down and left and right a couple of times. Then the Midway logo appears as it's formed by the comet, starting with the arc and the "M". It eases back as it does this. After the logo is formed, the comet goes right and "MIDWAY" in white appears near the logo. The fog dissipates.

Variant :
 * On some games, a copyright stamp appears below the logo.
 * On NBA Fastbreak '98, the logo is in slow motion, but the music still plays normal.

FX/SFX : The comet.

Music/Sounds : The comet flying around. When the logo is formed, electrical crackling is heard, then it ends with a low synth note.

Music/Sounds Variant : Sometimes, on games such as Arcad'e's Gre'atest Hits: The Atari Collection 2, the music is in a high tone.

Availability : Uncommon. Seen on Midway games for the PlayStation, such as Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero,  Gex 3D: Enter the Gecko,  Pandemonium 2, Bio FREAKS, NFL Blitz, the PlayStation port of San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing, Rampage: Universal Tour and Mortal Kombat 4.

Editor's Note : None.

4th Logo (November 10, 1998-February 28, 1999)

Nickname : "The Circle M III"

Logo : On a black background, several red pieces fly in and come together to form the stylized Midway "M" logo. The camera rotates till the logo is facing us. The "M" then zooms out, and "MIDWAY" wipes in to the right of the logo.

FX/SFX : The flying of the pieces, the zooming of the logo, the wiping in of the text.

Music/Sounds : None.

Availability : Only known to appear in Rush 2 and California Speed for N64.

Editor's Note : None.

5th Logo (1999-2000)

Nickname : "The Circle M IV"

Logo : On a black background, the Midway logo with silvery shiny sides flips quickly towards the screen. When it gets really close, an explosion appears behind it. Then the logo moves back slowly as the explosion dissipates. As this happens, the letters in the word, "MIDWAY" fly in quickly from top and bottom and one at a time forming the name.

Variant : Different animation was used on 4 Wheel Thunder. The banner zooms in and the name vertically compresses.

FX/SFX : The flipping Circle M logo, the explosion, the company name appearing.

Music/Sounds : When the logo flips, a flipping noise is heard. Then an explosion with two low notes that sustain themselves.

Availability : Not hard to find, but not easy either. Seen on Mortal Kombat: Special Forces, Gauntlet, NFL Blitz 2000(PlayStation and Dreamcast versions only of the latter and the next game mentioned), NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC, and the North American edition of Destruction Derby Raw.

Editor's Note : None.

6th Logo (2000-2001)

Nicknames : "Liquid Lines", "The Circle M V" Logo : Many flaming lines rush through the inner liquid surface of the cylinder. It moves and becomes the Circle M, with a spark running around it and then creating the word “MIDWAY”. "HOME ENTERTAINMENT INC." also appears below.

FX/SFX : The lines moving.

Music/Sounds : Buzzing and whooshing sounds.

Availability : A little more common than its predecessors, but still uncommon. Seen on Kurt Warner’s Arena Football Unleashed, NBAHoopz, Muppet Monster Adventure, Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Stage 2, the Dreamcast ports of Army Men: Sarge's Heroes and San Francisco Rush 2049, and the US version of Formula 1 2000 for PlayStation, among others.

Editor's Note : None.

7th Logo (September 24, 2001-August 25, 2003)

Nicknames : "CardioSquad", "The Circle M VI"

Logo : A lot of pink cardiograms pass the screen. The closest one suddenly creates the "M" letter instead of heart rate. They all collapse into one single line and the Midway logo appears once the lines vanish.

Variant : On SpyHunter and Mortal Kombat: Tournament Edition for GBA, the logo is still and "GAMES INC." was added below. Also, a cardiogram line passes from left to right.

FX/SFX : The lines.

Music/Sounds : An uprising electronic tune with electronic beats that drum faster as the lines move back, then an abrupt stop with a low tone as the logo appears.

Availability : Uncommon. Was only seen on three games, NHL Hitz 20-02, NFL Blitz 20-02,and SpyHunter. Strangely, this was seen on RedCard 20-03, despite being released under the Midway Sports label.

Editor's Note : None.

8th Logo (2002-2006)

Nicknames : "Red Impulse", "The Circle M VII"

Logo : On a black background, an orange and red cardiogram appears twice. The third time, the M-like shape of it suddenly starts to resemble a red line having slashed through the background. This slash mark zooms out and forms the Midway Circle M as the company appears near it. The Circle M slowly zooms in.

Variants : FX/SFX : The line moving and creating the logo.
 * On Area 51, the logo is tinted green.
 * On Justice League for GBA, the logo has a 3D effect and "HOME ENTERTAINMENT INC." added below.
 * Gauntlet: Dark Legacy didn't use the standard logo too. Instead, it has the M Shield rotating and the text created by a spinning axe, flying through the screen. The company's name is pronounced by a deep voice.
 * On Haven: Call of the King, the logo is still and lies on a white background with a copyright stamp below. Another variant is used in the opening credits, where the logo in 3-D while floating in space.
 * On The Suffering, the logo projects from the blood splattered on the wall.
 * There exists an enhanced version of this logo as well.

Music/Sounds : Three stylized heartbeat sounds followed by three speedy whooshes and a deep, quick slamming sound while the logo fades out.

Availability : Common. Some of the games that have this logo include Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance, Ed, Edd, ‘n Eddy: The Mis-Ed-ventures, and all three volumes of Midway Arcade Treasures (including the Extended Play and Deluxe Edition releases). The enhanced version only appeared on Mortal Kombat: Deception and Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks.

Editor's Note : None.

9th Logo (Rampage Variant) (April 24, 2006)

Nicknames : "Monkey Rampage", "The Circle M VIII"

Logo : The Midway logo hangs among the cyan-colored space and casts a shadow. Suddenly an enraged ape lands directly at the logo, breaking part of it, and proceeds with the destruction. It uses the "I" letter to crush the remaining text, then takes the M shield and throws it into the screen, which cracks. The background clears, leaving the banner and cracked glass for one second more.

FX/SFX : The monkey lands and blows the logo to ashes.

Music/Sounds : The falling sound accompaning the falling ape, then the raging growls and the destruction noise.

Availability : Exclusively on Rampage: Total Destruction.

Editor's Note : None.

10th Logo (2006)

Nicknames : "Multiplied Midway", "The Circle M IX"

Logo : The background is covered with many M Shields and the "MIDWAY" text. We zoom inside and the Midway logo appears and flashes. After this the background clears out.

FX/SFX : The red light moving through the Midway replicas, and the logo shining.

Music/Sounds : A beating electronic tune followed with the "wzzh" sound.

Availability : Fairly common. Appeared on Rise & Fall, NBA Ballers Rebound (for PSP), Myst (PSP and DS), MLB SlugFest 2006, Blitz: The League (and it’s PSP port, Blitz Overtime), and SpyHunter: Nowhere to Run.

Editor's Note : None.

11th Logo (2007-2008)

Nicknames : "Midway HD Gaming", "The Circle M X"

Logo : The red gyroscope comes into the screen, whirls and forms the Midway symbol, which blasts a ring made of white and rapidly zooms out. Immediately the complete logo returns.

Variant : On HD games, the HD logo appears afterwards.

FX/SFX : The gyroscope forming and whirling.

Music/Sounds : Various bumps and whooshes.

Availability : Common. Appears on games made in 2007, including Mortal Kombat VS DC Universe, Stranglehold, Game Party and it’s sequel, both of which are for Wii (with no HD logo), Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Mechanic Master (the latter two both for NDS), and trailers for The Wheelman''.

Editor's Note : None.

12th Logo (2008-March 24, 2009)

Nicknames : "Holo Glow", "The Circle M XI"

Logo : We move near the two-layered holographic wall consisting of Midway-licensed franchises. The Midway logo appears over it, with "NEWCASTLE" written below. Then the logo's quality switches to HD.

FX/SFX : The holographic wall moving.

Music/Sounds : None.

Availability : Appears only on The Wheelman and the trailers for it.

Editor's Note : None.