1990 in video games
| |||
---|---|---|---|
+... |
1990 saw many sequels and prequels in video games, such as Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Dr. Mario, Dragon Quest IV, Final Fantasy III, Phantasy Star II, and Super Mario World, along with new titles such as Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light and Magic Sword. The year's highest-grossing arcade video games were Final Fight in Japan and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the United States. The year's best‑selling system was the Game Boy, while the year's best-selling home video game was Super Mario Bros. 3 for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
Financial performance
[edit]Highest-grossing arcade games
[edit]Japan
[edit]In Japan, the following titles were the top ten highest-grossing arcade video games of 1990.
Rank | Gamest[1] | Game Machine[2][3] | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Title | Manufacturer | Dedicated arcade cabinet | Software conversion kit | |
1 | Final Fight | Capcom | Super Monaco GP (deluxe) | Tetris (Sega) |
2 | Tetris | Sega | Final Lap | Final Fight |
3 | Super Monaco GP | Sega | Winning Run: Suzuka GP (deluxe) | Tecmo World Cup '90 |
4 | Columns | Sega | Special Criminal Investigation (S.C.I.) | Columns |
5 | Parodius Da! Shinwa kara Owarai e | Konami | Big Run | Adventure Quiz: Capcom World |
6 | Raiden | Tecmo | Beast Busters | Super Formula: Chijou Saisoku no Battle |
7 | Bloxeed | Sega | Hard Drivin' | Volfied |
8 | Final Lap | Namco | Out Run (deluxe) | Adventure Quiz: Capcom World 2 |
9 | G-LOC: Air Battle | Sega | Operation Thunderbolt | Parodius Da! Shinwa kara Owarai e |
10 | Gradius III | Konami | G-LOC: Air Battle (deluxe) | M.V.P. |
United Kingdom and Australia
[edit]In the United Kingdom and Australia, the following titles were the top-grossing arcade video games of each month.
Month | United Kingdom | Australia (Timezone) | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dedicated cabinet | Conversion kit | |||
January | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tecmo World Cup '90 Super Masters Line of Fire |
Unknown | Unknown | [4] |
February | ||||
March | ||||
July | Unknown | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Tecmo World Cup '90 | [5] |
August | Unknown | Magic Sword | [6] |
United States
[edit]In the United States, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade video games of 1990.
Rank | AMOA[7][8][9] | Play Meter | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Dedicated arcade cabinet | Conversion kit | Title | Manufacturer | |
1 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Final Fight | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles[10] | Konami |
2 | Super Off Road, Turbo Outrun, Mercs |
Capcom Bowling, Big Event Golf, Cyber Police ESWAT, Badlands |
Unknown | |
3 | ||||
4 | ||||
5 | — |
The following were the top-grossing arcade video games on the monthly RePlay arcade charts in 1990.
Month | Title | Type | Points | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | Golden Axe | Software conversion kit | 644 | [11] |
February | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Dedicated cabinet | 743 | [12] |
March | 850 | [13] | ||
April | 923 | [14] | ||
May | 922 | [15] | ||
June | 911 | [16] | ||
July | 933 | [17] | ||
August | 903 | [18] | ||
September | 868 | [19] | ||
October | 875 | [20] | ||
November | 857 | [21] | ||
December | 809 | [22] |
Hong Kong
[edit]In Hong Kong, these were the top-grossing arcade video games of each month on the Bondeal charts.
Month | Dedicated arcade cabinet | Arcade conversion kit | Ref | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Pang | Burning Force | Lady Frog | [23][24] | |
February | Hard Drivin' | Big Run | Roulette | [24][25] | ||
March | Big Run | Hard Drivin' | Roulette | Crude Buster | [25][26] | |
April | Hard Drivin' | Big Run | Final Fight | Crude Buster | [26] | |
May | Big Run | Rough Ranger | [27] | |||
June | Big Run | Hard Drivin' | Alien Storm | Mustang | [27][28] | |
July | Big Run | Lightning Fighters | Combatribes | Smash TV | [28][29] | |
August | Hard Drivin' | Big Run | Smash TV | Magic Sword | [29][30] | |
September | Big Run | Hard Drivin' | Magic Sword | Smash TV | [30][31] | |
October | Big Run | Smash TV | Pit-Fighter | [31][32] | ||
November | Big Run | Hard Drivin' | Pit-Fighter | Hydra | Pit-Fighter | [32][33] |
December | Four Trax | Cisco Heat | Double Dragon 3 | Pit-Fighter | Super Pang | [33][34] |
Best-selling home systems
[edit]Rank | System(s) | Manufacturer | Type | Generation | Sales | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Japan | USA | Europe | Korea | Worldwide | |||||
1 | Game Boy | Nintendo | Handheld | 8-bit | 3,100,000[35] | 5,000,000[36] | Unknown | Unknown | 10,000,000[37] |
2 | Nintendo Entertainment System | Nintendo | Console | 8-bit | 1,360,000[35] | 7,200,000[38] | < 655,000[39] | 80,000[40] | 8,640,000+ |
3 | IBM PC | IBM | Computer | 16-bit | — | — | — | — | 2,840,000[41] |
4 | Sega Mega Drive / Genesis | Sega | Console | 16-bit | 900,000[42] | 1,000,000[36] | 193,000[43] | 43,000[40] | 2,136,000+ |
5 | PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16 | NEC | Console | 16-bit | 1,300,000[42] | 450,000[44][45] | Unknown | Unknown | 1,750,000+ |
6 | Macintosh | Apple Inc. | Computer | 16-bit | — | — | — | — | 1,300,000[46] |
7 | Master System | Sega | Console | 8-bit | Unknown | 300,000[47] | 725,000[43] | 180,000[40] | 1,205,000+ |
8 | NEC PC-88 / PC-98 | NEC | Computer | 8-bit / 16-bit | 1,100,000[48] | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | 1,100,000+ |
9 | Amiga | Commodore | Computer | 16-bit | — | — | — | — | 750,000[46] |
10 | Commodore 64 (C64) | Commodore | Computer | 8-bit | — | — | — | — | 700,000[46] |
Best-selling home video games
[edit]Japan
[edit]In Japan, according to Famicom Tsūshin (Famitsu) magazine, the following titles were the top ten best-selling 1990 releases, including later sales up until 1992.[49]
Rank | Title | Developer | Publisher | Genre | Platform | Sales |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Super Mario World | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Platformer | SFC | < 3,550,000[50] |
2 | Dragon Quest IV: Michibikareshi Monotachi | Chunsoft | Enix | RPG | Famicom | 3,000,000[51] |
3 | Final Fantasy III | Squaresoft | Squaresoft | RPG | Famicom | < 1,400,000[52] |
4 | Dr. Mario | Nintendo R&D1 | Nintendo | Puzzle | Famicom | Unknown |
5 | Game Boy | |||||
6 | Final Fight | Capcom | Capcom | Beat 'em up | SFC | < 860,000[53] |
7 | SD Gundam: SD Sengokuden | Bandai | Bandai | TBT | Game Boy | Unknown |
8 | F-Zero | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Racing | SFC | |
9 | SD Hero Sōkessen: Taose! Aku no Gundam | Interlink | Banpresto | Platformer | Famicom | |
10 | Qix | Minakuchi | Nintendo | Puzzle | Game Boy |
The following titles were the best-selling home video games on the Japan game charts published by Famicom Tsūshin (Famitsu) and Family Computer Magazine (Famimaga) in 1990.
Month | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
January | Makai Toushi SaGa (Game Boy) | [54] | |||
February | Dragon Quest IV (Famicom) | [54][55] | |||
March | Dragon Quest IV (Famicom) | Mōryō Senki Madara (FC) | [54][56] | ||
April | Dragon Quest IV (Famicom) | Final Fantasy III (FC) | [54][57] | ||
May | Final Fantasy III (Famicom) | Tetris (Game Boy) | [54][58] | ||
June | Tetris (Game Boy) | Dragon Quest IV (Famicom) | |||
July | Tetris (Game Boy) | Dr. Mario (Famicom) | [54] | ||
August | Dr. Mario (Famicom) | [59][60] | |||
September | Dr. Mario (Famicom) | Famista (Game Boy) | [60] | ||
October | Unknown | Dragon Ball Z: Kyôshū! Saiyan (FC) | [54] | ||
November | F1 Race (Game Boy) | Super Mario World (Super Famicom) | |||
December | Super Mario World (Super Famicom) | Unknown |
United States
[edit]In the United States, Super Mario Bros. 3 was the best-selling home video game of 1990.[61][62] The following titles were the best-selling home video games of each month in 1990.
Month | Standalone | Bundle | Sales | Revenue | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Weeks 1-2 | Weeks 3-4 | Nominal | Inflation | |||
January | Tetris (Game Boy / NES)[63] | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | ||
April | Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)[64] | Unknown | Unknown | 250,000+[65] | $12.5 million+[65] | $29 million+ |
May | Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)[66] | Tetris (Game Boy)[66] | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | |
June | Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)[67] | Tetris (Game Boy)[67] | ||||
September | Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)[68] | Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt (NES)[69] | ||||
November | Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)[70][71] | Unknown | ||||
December | Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)[72] | Tetris (Game Boy)[72] | ||||
1990 | Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)[61][62] | 8,000,000[73][74] | $500 million[75] | $1,170 million |
United Kingdom
[edit]In the United Kingdom, the following titles were the best-selling home video games of each month in 1990, for various home computer and game console platforms.
Month | Home computers | Master System | NES | Mega Drive | PC Engine | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January | Chase H.Q. | California Games | Super Mario Bros. 2 | — | — | [76] |
February | Paperboy | Unknown | Unknown | — | — | [77] |
March | Unknown | Unknown | Ghouls 'n Ghosts | Chase H.Q. | [78] | |
April | Fantasy World Dizzy | Wonder Boy III | Unknown | New Zealand Story | PC Kid | [79][80] |
May | Unknown | Unknown | Final Blow | Atomic Robo Kid | [81] | |
June | Italy 1990 | Unknown | Unknown | Thunder Force III | Formation Soccer | [82] |
July | Unknown | Unknown | Ghostbusters | Don Doko Don | [83] | |
August | Pro Boxing Simulator | Golden Axe | Super Mario Bros. 2 | Batman | Super Star Soldier | [84][85] |
September | Shadow Warriors | Super Monaco GP | Devil Crash | [86][87] | ||
October | Guardian Angel | Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles | Strider | Splatterhouse | [88][89] | |
November | Out Run | Devil Crash | [90][91] | |||
December | Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles | Golden Axe | Aero Blasters | [92][93][94] |
Top-rated games
[edit]Major awards
[edit]Japan
[edit]Award | 4th Gamest Awards (Japan, December 1990)[95] |
5th Famitsu Best Hit Game Awards (Japan, February 1991)[96] |
---|---|---|
Arcade | Console | |
Game of the Year | Final Fight | Dragon Quest IV (Famicom) |
Handheld Game of the Year | — | SaGa 2 (Game Boy) |
Coin-Op Translation / Conversion | — | Gradius III (Super Famicom) |
PC-to-Console Translation | — | Populous (Super Famicom) |
Best Scenario / Story | — | Final Fantasy III (Famicom) |
Best Graphics | R-Type II | Castle of Illusion (Mega Drive) |
Best BGM / Sound | Gradius III | Dr. Mario |
Best Album | Darius II | — |
Best Production | Parodius! From Myth to Laughter | — |
Special Award / Most Talk | Neo Geo | Super Famicom |
Best Game Company / Manufacturer | Namco | — |
Best Character / Character Design | Mike Haggar (Final Fight) | Yoshi (Super Mario World) |
Best Action Game | Final Fight | F-Zero (Super Famicom) |
Best Shooting Game | Parodius! From Myth to Laughter | Super Star Soldier (PCE) |
Best RPG | — | Megami Tensei II (Famicom) Dragon Quest IV (Famicom) |
Best Action RPG | — | Ys II (Famicom) Sorcerian (Mega Drive) |
Best Adventure Game | — | Urusei Yatsura: Stay With You (PCE) |
Best Simulation / Strategy Game | — | Fire Emblem (Famicom) |
Best Puzzle Game | — | Dr. Mario |
Best Sports Game | — | Formation Soccer (PCE) |
United Kingdom
[edit]Award | 8th Golden Joystick Awards (United Kingdom, April 1991)[97] | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
8-bit computer | 16-bit computer | 8-bit console | 16-bit console | |
Game of the Year | Rick Dangerous 2 | Kick Off 2 | — | — |
Best Console Game | — | — | Mega Man (NES) | John Madden Football (MD) |
PC Game of the Year | Railroad Tycoon | — | — | |
Best Coin-Op Conversion | Rainbow Islands | Golden Axe | — | — |
Best Graphics | Midnight Resistance | Shadow of the Beast 2 | — | — |
Best Soundtrack | RoboCop 2 | Speedball 2 | — | — |
Hardware Manufacturer of the Year | Sega | |||
Software House of the Year | Ocean Software | — | — | |
Best Simulation | F19 Stealth Fighter | — | — |
United States
[edit]Critically acclaimed titles
[edit]Famitsu Platinum Hall of Fame
[edit]The following video game releases in 1990 entered Famitsu magazine's "Platinum Hall of Fame" for receiving Famitsu scores of at least 35 out of 40.[100]
Title | Platform | Score (out of 40) | Developer | Publisher | Genre |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dragon Quest IV: Michibikareshi Monotachi | Family Computer | 37 | Chunsoft | Enix | Role-playing |
F-Zero | Super Famicom | 37 | Nintendo EAD | Nintendo | Racing |
Final Fantasy III | Family Computer | 36 | Squaresoft | Squaresoft | Role-playing |
English-language publications
[edit]Notable video game releases in 1990 that have accumulated overall critical acclaim from at least three contemporary English-language sources include:
Events
[edit]- The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in January. NEC and Sega respectively unveil prototypes for the TurboExpress and Game Gear handheld consoles, while more than 35 titles are announced for the Game Boy. Codemasters reveals an audio CD player compatible with the NES manufactured by Samsung and to be distributed by Camerica in the summer. Camerica also reveals the "Power Pak", later known as the Game Genie. Sega announces that 20 third-party titles would be released for the Sega Genesis by the end of 1990, as well as the continued development for Master System games.[158]
- David Pomije establishes the first FuncoLand location in New Hope, Minnesota in August.[159][160]
- August – Publication of Swedish language video game magazine Nintendomagasinet begins.
- March 8 – the Nintendo World Championships begins.
- Nintendo v. Color Dreams lawsuit: Nintendo sues Color Dreams over unlicensed production of Nintendo video games.
- Toy Headquarters merges with Trinity Acquisition Corporation forming THQ.
- New companies: Eidos, Interactive Studios, Team17, Revolution Software
- Defunct: Tynesoft
Hardware releases
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7b/Game-Gear-Handheld_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-Game-Gear-Handheld_%28cropped%29.jpg)
- Camerica releases Codemasters' Game Genie adapter in Canada and the UK (In the US, it was released by Galoob).
- NEC releases the TurboExpress handheld console.
- Nintendo releases the Super Famicom 16-bit console in Japan.
- SNK releases the Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System (AES) home console.
- September 28 – Nintendo releases the Game Boy across Europe. It became a huge success and a wide phenomenon over the continent, particularly in Germany and the UK.
- October 6 – Sega's Game Gear color handheld is released in Japan. It is launched in North America in 1991 and Europe and Australia in 1992.
- November 30 – Sega's Mega Drive released in Europe.
- Amstrad halts production of the ZX Spectrum, ending that platform's 8-year dominance of the UK home computer market.
- Amstrad introduces its only console, the Amstrad GX4000, which fails to garner interest and is discontinued the following year.
Game releases
[edit]- Bonk's Adventure is released for NEC's TurboGrafx-16 and is the first US appearance of Bonk, the mascot of the TurboGrafx-16.
- Namco releases Kyuukai Douchuuki, World Stadium '90, Final Lap 2, Pistol Daimyo no Bouken, which is a spin-off from Berabow Man, Souko Ban Deluxe, Dragon Saber, Rolling Thunder 2, Steel Gunner and Golly! Ghost!.
- February 12 – Nintendo releases the NES game Super Mario Bros. 3 in North America. It sells 17.28 million copies, making it one of the best-selling stand-alone video games of all time.
- April – Konami releases Snake's Revenge, a sequel to Metal Gear for the Nintendo Entertainment System in North America, developed without the involvement of Hideo Kojima.
- April – Williams releases Smash TV in arcades, a twin-stick shooter about an ultra-violent game show.
- April 20 – Nintendo releases Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light in Japan, innovating the tactical role-playing genre.
- June 1 – Origin releases Ultima VI: The False Prophet
- July 12 – Nintendo of America publishes Final Fantasy for the Nintendo Entertainment System in North America. This game started Square's popular and long-running Final Fantasy series.
- July 20 – Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake for the MSX2 computer, is released exclusively in Japan. It is Konami's last major game for the hardware.
- July 27– Nintendo releases Dr. Mario for 3 Nintendo platforms.
- August – Pit Fighter from Atari Games introduces digitized sprites to arcade fighting games.
- September – Broderbund releases a port of Prince of Persia for the MS-DOS computers.
- September 26 – Origin releases the first Wing Commander game.
- September 28 – Capcom releases Mega Man 3 for NES in Japan, introducing the characters Rush and Proto Man, Mega Man's slide is introduced, and Capcom's character cameos.
- November 9 – Sierra On-Line releases King's Quest V.
- October 15 – LucasArts releases The Secret of Monkey Island
- November 1 – Mega Man 3 is released in the US.
- November 21 – Nintendo releases Super Mario World and F-Zero in Japan as launch titles for the Super Famicom. Super Mario World introduced Yoshi and F-Zero introduced Captain Falcon.
- December 14 – Commander Keen is released as shareware, the first major platformer on a PC.
- Sega releases the G-LOC: Air Battle R-360 arcade game, featuring the first 3D – 360° gameplay that physically rotated the real world player.
- Sid Meier's Railroad Tycoon, the first of the "Tycoon" games, is released by MicroProse.
- Infogrames releases Alpha Waves, the first 3D platform game.[161]
- Mindscape publishes Captive.
- Konami releases Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Arcade Game, on the Nintendo Entertainment System.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "第4回ゲーメスト大賞 〜 インカム部門ベスト10" [4th Gamest Awards – Income Category: Best 10]. Gamest (in Japanese). Vol. 54 (February 1991). December 27, 1990. pp. 6–24 (24). alternate url
- ^ "Overseas Readers Column: Videos of The Year 1990" (PDF). Game Machine. No. 396. Amusement Press, Inc. February 1, 1991. p. 22.
- ^ "Japan's Award Winners". RePlay. Vol. 16, no. 6. March 1991. p. 206.
- ^ Openshaw, Mary (March 1990). "ATEI '90: major international show rings in new year with good spread of new products". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 6. pp. 126–32.
- ^ "Test Reports". Leisure Line. Australia: Leisure & Allied Industries. August 1990. p. 43.
- ^ "Test Reports". Leisure Line. Australia: Leisure & Allied Industries. September 1990. p. 38.
- ^ "Boffo at the Banquet! Coin-biz & music stars take the stage at AMOA's big nifhgt in New Orleans". RePlay. Vol. 16, no. 3. December 1990. pp. 88–9.
- ^ "AMOA 1989-90 Award Winners Announced" (PDF). Cash Box. November 10, 1990.
- ^ "AMOA 1990 Nominees—New Categories Announced" (PDF). Cash Box. August 18, 1990.
- ^ "1990". Play Meter. Vol. 20, no. 13. December 1994. p. 84.
- ^ "RePlay: The Players' Choice". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 4. January 1990. p. 4.
- ^ "RePlay: The Players' Choice". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 5. February 1990. p. 4.
- ^ "RePlay: The Players' Choice". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 6. March 1990. p. 4.
- ^ "RePlay: The Players' Choice". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 7. April 1990. p. 4.
- ^ "RePlay: The Players' Choice". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 8. May 1990. p. 4.
- ^ "RePlay: The Players' Choice". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 9. June 1990. p. 4.
- ^ "RePlay: The Players' Choice". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 10. July 1990. p. 4. Archived from the original on November 10, 2020. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
- ^ "RePlay: The Players' Choice". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 11. August 1990. p. 4.
- ^ "RePlay: The Players' Choice". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 12. September 1990. p. 4.
- ^ "RePlay: The Players' Choice". RePlay. Vol. 16, no. 1. October 1990. p. 4.
- ^ "RePlay: The Players' Choice". RePlay. Vol. 16, no. 2. November 1990. p. 4.
- ^ "RePlay: The Players' Choice". RePlay. Vol. 16, no. 3. December 1990. p. 4.
- ^ "The Bondeal Chart". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 5. February 1990. p. 90.
- ^ a b "The Bondeal Chart". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 6. March 1990. p. 138.
- ^ a b "The Bondeal Chart". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 7. RePlay Publishing. April 1990. p. 185.
- ^ a b "The Bondeal Chart". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 8. RePlay Publishing. May 1990. p. 145.
- ^ a b "The Bondeal Chart". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 10. July 1990. p. 143.
- ^ a b "The Bondeal Chart". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 11. August 1990. p. 53.
- ^ a b "The Bondeal Chart". RePlay. Vol. 15, no. 12. September 1990. p. 26.
- ^ a b "The Bondeal Chart". RePlay. Vol. 16, no. 1. October 1990. p. 171.
- ^ a b "The Bondeal Chart". RePlay. Vol. 16, no. 2. November 1990. p. 221.
- ^ a b "The Bondeal Chart". RePlay. Vol. 16, no. 3. December 1990. p. 172.
- ^ a b "The Bondeal Chart". RePlay. Vol. 16, no. 4. January 1991. p. 134.
- ^ "The Bondeal Chart". RePlay. Vol. 16, no. 5. February 1991. p. 130.
- ^ a b 小川 (Ogawa), 純生 (Sumio) (December 14, 2010). "テレビゲーム機の変遷 —ファミコン、スーパーファミコン、プレステ、プレステ2、Wiiまで—" [Recent Developments in Video Game Technology in Japan — Famicom, Super Famicom, Play Station, Play Station 2 and Wii —] (PDF). 経営論集 (Keiei Ronshū) (in Japanese) (77) (published March 2011): 1–17 (2). ISSN 0286-6439. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 25, 2015. Retrieved December 6, 2021 – via Toyo University Academic Information Repository (Toyo University).
- ^ a b "Sega competes with Game Boy". The Press-Courier. January 6, 1991. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ "Asiaweek". Asiaweek. 1991. p. 2.
Introduced in 1989, Game Boy sold 2.5 million units that year and 10 million in 1990.
- ^ "Company News: Nintendo Sales Fall Short of Goals". The New York Times. January 11, 1991. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ "Segas sell better than Nintendos - official!". Sega Power. No. 18. May 1991. p. 6.
- ^ a b c 게임월드 [Game World] (in Korean). 1994.
- ^ "NewsLine: Reports and Analysis". MacUser. February 1993. p. 47.
- ^ a b Tanaka, Tatsuo (August 2001). Network Externality and Necessary Software Statistics (PDF). Statistics Bureau of Japan. p. 2.
- ^ a b "The Hard stuff gets cheaper" (PDF). Sega Power. No. 20. United Kingdom: Future Publishing (published June 6, 1991). July 1991. p. 19. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
- ^ Nutt, Christian (September 12, 2014). "Stalled engine: The TurboGrafx-16 turns 25". Game Developer. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
- ^ Rothstein, Edward (April 26, 1990). "Electronics Notebook; Adventures in Never-Never Land". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ a b c Reimer, Jeremy (December 15, 2005). "Total share: 30 years of personal computer market share figures". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on June 7, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- Jeremy Reimer (December 7, 2012). "Total Share: Personal Computer Market Share 1975-2010". Jeremy Reimer.
- ^ "SEGA - Hardware Estimates". Proceedings. The Conference. 1994. p. 125.
Master
1990 0.3 - ^ U.S. Industrial Outlook. Business and Defense Services Administration. 1993. p. 26-17.
- ^ "Famicom Journal Weekly Top 30 and Others: Count Down Hot 100". Famicom Tsūshin (in Japanese). No. 226. April 16, 1993. pp. 77–92.
- ^ "Japan Platinum Game Chart". The Magic Box. Archived from the original on January 1, 2008. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
- ^ "Count Down Hot 100". Famicom Tsūshin (in Japanese). No. 226. April 16, 1993. pp. 77–92 (85).
- ^ "Final Fantasy III". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 63. Ziff Davis. October 1994. p. 172.
- ^ "Game Search". Game Data Library. Famitsu. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g "1990 Weekly". Game Data Library. Famitsu. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
- ^ "ファミコン通信 TOP 30: 2月11日" [Famicom Tsūshin Top 30: February 11]. Famicom Tsūshin (in Japanese). Vol. 1990, no. 6. March 16, 1990.
- ^ "Weekly Famimaga Hit Chart! (3/12~3/25)". Family Computer Magazine (in Japanese). Tokuma Shoten. April 20, 1990. pp. 152–3.
- ^ "Weekly Famimaga Hit Chart! (3/26~4/8)". Family Computer Magazine (in Japanese). Tokuma Shoten. May 11, 1990. pp. 199–200.
- ^ "ファミコン通信 TOP 30: 6月22日" [Famicom Tsūshin Top 30: June 22]. Famicom Tsūshin (in Japanese). Vol. 1990, no. 14. July 6, 1990. pp. 6–7.
- ^ "ファミコン通信 TOP 30" [Famicom Tsūshin Top 30]. Famicom Tsūshin (in Japanese). Vol. 1990, no. 20. September 28, 1990.
- ^ a b "ファミコン通信 TOP 30: 9月28日" [Famicom Tsūshin Top 30: September 28]. Famicom Tsūshin (in Japanese). Vol. 1990, no. 22. October 26, 1990. pp. 6–7.
- ^ a b Selby, Holly (November 29, 1990). "Adventures in Toyland: This year's most-wanted playthings include turtles, Barbies and doll babies". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
- ^ a b "Count Down Hot 100: USA Hot 10!". Famicom Tsūshin (in Japanese). No. 226. April 16, 1993. p. 83.
- ^ "Surviving Together". Surviving Together. 20–22. Committee and the Institute: 68. 1990.
2.5 million copies later, Tetris is Nintendo's top-selling title for the first few months of 1990.
- ^ "U.S.A. TOP 10". Famicom Tsūshin (in Japanese). Vol. 1990, no. 10/11. May 11, 1990.
- ^ a b "U.s. Parents! Get Ready For The 3rd Invasion Of Super Mario Bros". tribunedigital-chicagotribune. Archived from the original on April 18, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
- ^ a b "U.S.A. Top 10". Famitsu (in Japanese). May 25, 1990. p. 10.
- ^ a b "U.S.A. TOP 10: 6月22日" [U.S.A. Top 10: June 22]. Famicom Tsūshin (in Japanese). Vol. 1990, no. 14. July 6, 1990. p. 10.
- ^ "U.S.A. TOP 15: 9月28日" [U.S.A. Top 15: September 28]. Famicom Tsūshin (in Japanese). Vol. 1990, no. 22. October 26, 1990. p. 10.
- ^ "Top-selling toy in September". U.S. News & World Report. Vol. 109. U.S. News Publishing Corporation. 1990. p. 13.
Nintendo Action Set
- ^ Ramirez, Anthony (December 6, 1990). "Slump May Even Hit Toys 'R' Us". The New York Times. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ Tibbits, George (December 24, 1990). "Nintendo video craze at its peak, experts say". Tampa Bay Times. Tampa Publishing Company. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
- ^ a b "U.S.A. Top 15". Famitsu (in Japanese). June 21, 1990. p. 10.
- ^ Ehrlich, Willie (January 6, 1991). "Beeping Invasion". Lancaster Eagle-Gazette. p. 13. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
Super Mario Bros. 3 sold more than eight million units after its introduction last March. Dr. Mario, just released Nov. 15, sold 2.5 million in its first six weeks, of sales.
- ^ "Good Housekeeping". Good Housekeeping. Vol. 212. Hearst Corporation. 1991. p. 152.
8 million Super Mario Bros. 3 games were sold in 1990
- ^ "Super Mario Bros. 3". GameFan. 1 (10): 77. September 1993.
- ^ "The C+VG Charts". Computer and Video Games. No. 100 (March 1990). February 16, 1990. pp. 59–62.
- ^ "The C+VG Charts". Computer and Video Games. No. 101 (April 1990). March 16, 1990. pp. 57–60.
- ^ "The C+VG Charts". Computer and Video Games. No. 102 (May 1990). April 16, 1990. pp. 57–60.
- ^ "The C+VG Charts". Computer and Video Games. No. 103 (June 1990). May 16, 1990. pp. 61–4.
- ^ "Stuff!" (PDF). S: The Sega Magazine. No. 7 (June 1990). May 5, 1990. p. 6.
- ^ "The C+VG Charts". Computer and Video Games. No. 104 (July 1990). June 16, 1990. pp. 57–60.
- ^ "The C+VG Charts". Computer and Video Games. No. 105 (August 1990). July 16, 1990. pp. 49–52.
- ^ "The C+VG Charts". Computer and Video Games. No. 106 (September 1990). August 16, 1990. pp. 49–52.
- ^ "The C+VG Charts". Computer and Video Games. No. 107 (October 1990). September 16, 1990. pp. 65–8.
- ^ "Top 10 Charts". Mean Machines. No. 1 (October 1990). September 1990. pp. 50–1.
- ^ "The C+VG Charts". Computer and Video Games. No. 108 (November 1990). October 16, 1990. pp. 65–8.
- ^ "Top 10 Charts". Mean Machines. No. 2 (November 1990). October 29, 1990. pp. 30–1.
- ^ "The C+VG Charts". Computer and Video Games. No. 109 (December 1990). November 16, 1990. pp. 89–94.
- ^ "Top 10 Charts". Mean Machines. No. 3. December 1990. pp. 62–3.
- ^ "The C+VG Charts". Computer and Video Games. No. 110 (January 1991). December 15, 1990. pp. 75–8.
- ^ "Top 10 Charts". Mean Machines. No. 4 (January 1991). January 3, 1991. pp. 56–7.
- ^ Cundy, Matt (December 25, 2007). "Every Christmas Top 10 from the last 20 years". GamesRadar. p. 10. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
- ^ "The C+VG Charts". Computer and Video Games. No. 111 (February 1991). January 16, 1991. pp. 53–6.
- ^ "Top 10 Charts". Mean Machines. No. 5 (February 1991). February 1, 1991. pp. 56–7.
- ^ "第4回ゲーメスト大賞" [4th Gamest Awards]. Gamest (in Japanese). Vol. 54 (February 1991). December 27, 1990. pp. 6–24. altrnate url
- ^ "'90ベストヒットゲーム大賞" ['90 Best Hit Game Awards]. Famicom Tsūshin (in Japanese). Vol. 1990, no. 4. ASCII. February 22, 1991.
- ^ "The Golden Joystick Awards '91". Computer and Video Games (115). EMAP: 10. June 1991.
- ^ "The Best and Worst of 1990". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 15 (Electronic Gaming Monthly Presents: The 1991 Video Game Buyer's Guide). October 1990. pp. 14–20.
- ^ "VG&CE's Best Games: 1990" (PDF). VideoGames & Computer Entertainment. February 1991. pp. 88–98.
- ^ "週刊ファミ通クロスレビュープラチナ殿堂入りソフト一覧" [Weekly Famitsu Cross Review Platinum Hall of Fame Software List]. Geimin (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 27, 2008. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Arcade game reviews". Solvalou.com. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ "Alex Kidd in Shinobi World: By Sega". Computer and Video Games (106). September 1990. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "Sega Software Showdown". Sega Pro (1): 19. November 1991.
- ^ "The Hard Line: Alex Kidd in Shinobi World" (PDF). Sega Power (49): 130. December 1993.
- ^ "Review: Alex Kidd in Shinobi World". Zero (14). December 1990.
- ^ "Review: Alex Kidd in Shinobi World" (PDF). Game Mania (5): 81. May 1993.
- ^ Richard Leadbetter (February 1991). "Review: Mickey Mouse". Computer and Video Games. pp. 84–85.
- ^ Julian Rignall and Matt Regan (February 1991). "Mega Drive Review: Castle of Illusion" (PDF). Mean Machines. pp. 16–19. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 19, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- ^ Les Ellis (March 1991). "Stop Press Review: Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse". Raze. pp. 6–7.
- ^ "Review Crew: Mickey Mouse" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. December 1990. p. 20.
- ^ The Bohemian (February 1991). "Genesis ProView: Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse" (PDF). GamePro. pp. 66–67.
- ^ "Golden Axe". ACE. No. 33 (June 1990). May 1990. p. 63.
- ^ "Golden Axe (Sega)". Computer and Video Games. 4 (Complete Guide to Consoles). 1990.
- ^ "Golden Axe" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. March 1990. p. 16. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
- ^ "Golden Axe". Mean Machines Sega. No. 1 (October 1992). September 1992. p. 133.
- ^ "Golden Axe". Zero. April 1990.
- ^ "Top Games: Master System" (PDF). Game Mania (5): 81. May 1993.
- ^ "Golden Axe" (PDF). Sega Power. No. 23 (October 1991). September 5, 1991. p. 57.
- ^ "Golden Axe" (PDF). Sega Pro. No. 3. Christmas 1991. p. 18.
- ^ "Golden Axe (Virgin Mastertronic)". The Games Machine. No. 32 (July 1990). June 1990. p. 51.
- ^ "Golden Axe". Amiga Magazine Rack. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ Matt Regan (January 1991). "Review: John Madden's American Football". Computer and Video Games. pp. 70–72.
- ^ Matt Regan and Julian Rignall (December 1990). "Mega Drive Review: John Madden Football" (PDF). Mean Machines. pp. 16–19. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 19, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- ^ Les Ellis (February 1991). "Reviews: John Madden American Football". Raze. p. 70.
- ^ Rik Haynes (February 1991). "Review:John Madden American Football". Advanced Computer Entertainment. p. 67.
- ^ "Review Crew: John Madden Football" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. December 1990. p. 21.
- ^ Fantastic Fan (January 1991). "Special Football Feature: John Madden Football" (PDF). GamePro. pp. 56–60.
- ^ Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Patricia; Lesser, Kirk (October 1991). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (174): 57–64.
- ^ Brooks, M. Evan (October 1990). "Computer Strategy and Wargames: Pre-20th Century". Computer Gaming World. p. 11. Retrieved November 16, 2013.
- ^ Mark Caswell (June 1990). "Reviews: Railroad Tycoon". The Games Machine. pp. 46–47.
- ^ Julian Rignall (August 1990). "Review: Railroad Tycoon". Advanced Computer Entertainment. p. 50.
- ^ Kati Hamza (June 1990). "Review:Railroad Tycoon". The One. pp. 37–38.
- ^ Gordon Houghton (July 1990). "Review: Railroad Tycoon". Computer and Video Games. pp. 38–39.
- ^ "Sim City". Atari ST User. September 1990. p. 54.
- ^ Mark Higham (July 1990). "Sim City". ST Format. pp. 34–36.
- ^ Tony Dillon (August 1990). "Updates: Sim City". Advanced Computer Entertainment. p. 64.
- ^ "Reviews: Shorts". The Games Machine. August 1990. p. 52.
- ^ "Archive - Magazine viewer". World of Spectrum. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
- ^ "Out-of-Print Archive Mega Drive/Genesis reviews Strider". Outofprintarchive.com. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
- ^ Electronic Gaming Monthly, Strider Review, issue 16, November 1990, page 20
- ^ "File:VideoGameGreatestHits US 1991-07.pdf". Sega Retro. July 1991. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ Rand, Paul (November 1991). "Computer and Video Games Magazine, issue 120". Computer and Video Games. pp. 23–8. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
- ^ "Electronic Gaming Review Crew: Super Mario Bros. 3". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 9 (1990 Video Game Preview). April 1990. p. 10.
- ^ "Super Mario Bros 3" (PDF). Game Zone. No. 1 (November 1991). October 8, 1991. pp. 40–2.
- ^ "Super Mario Bros. 3". Total!. No. 1. January 1992. pp. 12–5.
- ^ Mean Machine Staff (October 1991). "Nintendo Review: Super Mario Bros. 3". Mean Machines. No. 13. EMAP. pp. 56–59. Archived from the original on February 26, 2009. Retrieved October 26, 2006.
- ^ Glancey, Paul (March 1991). "Super Mario World review". Computer and Video Games (112). Bath: Future plc: 48–50. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
- ^ Harris, Steve (August 1991). "Reviews crew: Super Mario Bros 4". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 25. Lombard: EGM Media. p. 18. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
- ^ Hilliard, Kyle (September 12, 2015). "Here Are Our Review Scores For (Almost) All Of Mario's Core Releases". Game Informer. Gamestop Network. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
- ^ Brookes, Jason (December 1992). "Super Mario World review". Super Play (2). Bath: Future plc: 84. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ Nintendo Power staff (May 1992). "1991 Nintendo Power Awards". Nintendo Power. Vol. 36. Bath: Future plc. pp. 58–61.
- ^ Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Patricia; Lesser, Kirk (April 1991). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (168): 49–50.
- ^ Glancey, Paul (December 1990). "The Secret of Monkey Island". Computer and Video Games (109): 112–114.
- ^ "Review: The Secret of Monkey Island". Raze. January 1991. p. 92.
- ^ Cooke, Steve (July 1991). "The Secret of Monkey Island". Advanced Computer Entertainment (46): 76–77.
- ^ "The Secret of Monkey Island". The One (26): 129. November 1990.
- ^ MacDonald, Duncan (November 1990). "The Secret of Monkey Island". Zero (13): 58.
- ^ "ProNews Report" (PDF). GamePro. March 1990. pp. 74–76.
- ^ Youngblood, Dick (September 13, 1993). "Third time is the charm as Funco chief succeeds after 2 business failures". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. p. 34 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Baker, Sandra (September 8, 1992). "Video game firm to add 15 Metroplex stores". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas. p. 39 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Christophe de Dinechin (November 9, 2007). "Grenouille Bouillie: The dawn of 3D games". Grenouille-bouillie.blogspot.com. Retrieved December 8, 2011.