Where did the 'S Rank' come from?

[Uratoh]

I know it's been around for quite some time, but I've wondered where it originated...who decided 'hmm, 'A' is fine for doing great, but we need something even BETTER!'?

 

[Exhuminator]

I always figured "S" meant "Special". But here's a smidgeon of info on it:

http://www.giantbomb.com/s-rank/3015-296

And some nice conjecture:

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=426179

Anyway it does seem the S rank predates usage in video games in Japan, and actually has its origins in certain Japanese university grading systems.

 

[Fireaxe]

Originated in Japan at some point, it exists (or should exist) for "perfect" ranking -- some Japanese Universities use it too I've heard so it's not just a game thing.

 

[scorptatious]

I assume it stands for SEGA? The only games I've played that use S ranks came from them.

 

[The Madman]

I assume it stands for SEGA? The only games I've played that use S ranks came from them.

Elite Beat Agents, Advance Wars, and the Fire Emblem games are all series I've played with S rankings and which have nothing to do with Sega, so it's not them.

I've always assumed it stood for SPECIAL or something.

 

[Elfgore]

I've always wondered about that. Several anime have S-class things, but I have never seen it in a game before. Must be a Japanese thing or something.

 

[Weaver]

I always thought it was from Devil May Cry (S was for Stylish!) but it appears that isn't quite true!

 

[FrozenLaughs]

It's definitely a Japanese rating thing. You had S Ranks in the chocobo races in FF7. It's typically the difference between "Pass" and "Perfect".

 

[lechat]

yugoslavian friend told me his primary (elementary) school used a grading system like that some 25 odd years ago

 

[Sack of Cheese]

I always thought S stands for "Super". A is for "you aced it!"

 

[AwesomeHatMan]

Whenever I think of "S" rank I think of DDR because that's where I heard of it first