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 ''Super Mario World'', known in Japan as '' is a 1990 platform game developed by Nintendo EAD and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). The player controls Mario on his quest to save Princess Peach and Dino ...

'', 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 game An arcade video game is an arcade game that takes player input from its controls, processes it through electrical or computerized components, and displays output to an electronic monitor or similar display. All arcade video games are coin-oper ...

s were ''

Final Fight ''Final Fight'' is a series of beat 'em up video games by Japanese publisher Capcom, which began with the arcade release of '' Final Fight'' in 1989. Set in the fictional Metro City, within the '' Street Fighter'' universe, the games focus on ...

'' in Japan and ''

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles'' (''TMNT'') is an American media franchise created by comic book artists Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. It follows Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Leonardo, Donatello (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), D ...

'' in the United States. The year's bestselling system was the

Game Boy The is a handheld game console developed by Nintendo, launched in the Japanese home market on April 21, 1989, followed by North America later that year and other territories from 1990 onwards. Following the success of the Game & Watch single-ga ...

, while the year's best-selling home video game was '' Super Mario Bros. 3'' for the

Nintendo Entertainment System The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is an 8-bit home video game console developed and marketed by Nintendo. It was first released in Japan on 15 July 1983 as the and was later released as the redesigned NES in several test markets in the ...

Financial performance

Highest-grossing arcade games

Japan

In Japan, the following titles were the top ten highest-grossing

s of 1990.

United Kingdom and Australia

In the United Kingdom and Australia, the following titles were the top-grossing arcade video games of each month.

United States

the United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade video games of 1990. The following were the top-grossing arcade video games on the monthly ''RePlay'' arcade charts in 1990.

Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, these were the top-grossing arcade video games of each month on the Bondeal charts.

Best-selling home systems

Best-selling home video games

Japan

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. 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.

United States

In the United States, '' Super Mario Bros. 3'' was the best-selling home video game of 1990. The following titles were the best-selling home video games of each month in 1990.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the following titles were the best-selling home video games of each month in 1990, for various

home computer Home computers were a class of microcomputers that entered the market in 1977 and became common during the 1980s. They were marketed to consumers as affordable and accessible computers that, for the first time, were intended for the use of a s ...

and

game console A video game console is an electronic device that outputs a video signal or image to display a video game that can typically be played with a game controller. These may be home consoles, which are generally placed in a permanent location conne ...

platforms.

Top-rated games

Major awards

Japan

United Kingdom

United States

Critically acclaimed titles

''Famitsu'' Platinum Hall of Fame

The following video game releases in 1990 entered ''

Famitsu , formerly , is a line of Japanese Video game journalism, video game magazines published by Kadokawa Game Linkage (previously known as Gzbrain), a subsidiary of Kadokawa Corporation, Kadokawa. ''Famitsu'' is published in both weekly and monthly f ...

'' magazine's "Platinum Hall of Fame" for receiving Famitsu scores of at least 35 out of 40.

English-language publications

Notable video game releases in 1990 that have accumulated overall critical acclaim from at least three contemporary English-language sources include:

Events

* The

Consumer Electronics Show CES (; formerly an initialism for Consumer Electronics Show) is an annual trade show organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). Held in January at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Winchester, Nevada, United States, the event typi ...

(CES) is held at the

Las Vegas Convention Center The Las Vegas Convention Center (commonly referred to as LVCC) is a convention center in Winchester, Nevada. It is owned and operated by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. As one of the largest convention centers in the world, it ...

in January.

NEC is a Japanese multinational information technology and electronics corporation, headquartered at the NEC Supertower in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It provides IT and network solutions, including cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), Inte ...

and

Sega is a Japanese video game company and subsidiary of Sega Sammy Holdings headquartered in Tokyo. It produces several List of best-selling video game franchises, multi-million-selling game franchises for arcade game, arcades and video game cons ...

respectively unveil prototypes for the

TurboExpress The TurboExpress is a 16-bit handheld game console by NEC, NEC Home Electronics, released in late 1990 in Japan and the United States, branded as the PC Engine GT in Japan and TurboExpress Handheld Entertainment System in the U.S. It is essenti ...

and

Game Gear The is an 8-bit Fourth generation of video game consoles, fourth-generation handheld game console released by Sega on October 6, 1990 in Japan, in April 1991 throughout North America and Europe, and in 1992 in Australia. The Game Gear primarily ...

handheld consoles, while more than 35 titles are announced for the

. Codemasters reveals an audio CD player compatible with the NES manufactured by

Samsung Samsung Group (; stylised as SΛMSUNG) is a South Korean Multinational corporation, multinational manufacturing Conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered in the Samsung Town office complex in Seoul. The group consists of numerous a ...

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 The Sega Genesis, known as the outside North America, is a 16-bit Fourth generation of video game consoles, fourth generation home video game console developed and sold by Sega. It was Sega's third console and the successor to the Master Sys ...

by the end of 1990, as well as the continued development for

Master System The is an 8-bit Third generation of video game consoles, third-generation home video game console manufactured and developed by Sega. It was originally a remodeled export version of the Sega Mark III, the third iteration of the SG-1000 series ...

games. * David Pomije establishes the first

FuncoLand FuncoLand was an American video game retailer based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, that specialized in selling new and used video game software. It is considered the first major video game retailer to allow consumers to sell and trade used video gam ...

location in New Hope, Minnesota in August. *August – Publication of

Swedish language Swedish ( ) is a North Germanic languages, North Germanic language from the Indo-European languages, Indo-European language family, spoken predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland. It has at least 10 million native speakers, making it the G ...

video game magazine '' Nintendomagasinet'' begins. *March 8 – the

Nintendo World Championships The Nintendo World Championships (NWC) is a nationwide Electronic sports, video game competition series, organized by Nintendo of America at no particular interval. The first Nintendo World Championships was in 1990, touring 29 American cities ...

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 Team 17 Digital Limited (Team17) is a British video game developer and Video game publisher, publisher based in Wakefield, England. The venture was created in December 1990 through the merger of British publisher 17-Bit Software and Swedish dev ...

, Revolution Software *Defunct: Tynesoft

Hardware releases

* Camerica releases Codemasters' Game Genie adapter in Canada and the UK (In the US, it was released by Galoob). *

releases the

handheld console. *

Nintendo is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational video game company headquartered in Kyoto. It develops, publishes, and releases both video games and video game consoles. The history of Nintendo began when craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi ...

releases the

Super Famicom The Super Nintendo Entertainment System, commonly shortened to Super Nintendo, Super NES or SNES, is a Fourth generation of video game consoles, 16-bit home video game console developed by Nintendo that was released in 1990 in Japan, 1991 in No ...

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

color handheld is released in Japan. It is launched in North America in 1991 and Europe and Australia in 1992. *November 30 –

Mega Drive The Sega Genesis, known as the outside North America, is a 16-bit Fourth generation of video game consoles, fourth generation home video game console developed and sold by Sega. It was Sega's third console and the successor to the Master Sys ...

released in Europe. *

Amstrad Amstrad plc was a British consumer electronics company, founded in 1968 by Alan Sugar. During the 1980s, the company was known for its Home computer, home computers beginning with the Amstrad CPC and later also the ZX Spectrum range after the ...

halts production of the

ZX Spectrum The ZX Spectrum () is an 8-bit computing, 8-bit home computer developed and marketed by Sinclair Research. One of the most influential computers ever made and one of the all-time bestselling British computers, over five million units were sold. ...

, ending that platform's 8-year dominance of the UK home computer market. *

introduces its only console, the Amstrad GX4000, which fails to garner interest and is discontinued the following year.

Game releases

*''

Bonk's Adventure ''Bonk's Adventure'', known as in Japan, ''PC Kid'' and ''B.C. Kid'' in Europe, is a scrolling platform game developed by Red Company and Atlus and released in 1989 in Japan and 1990 in North America for the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16. The Japane ...

'' is released for

TurboGrafx-16 The TurboGrafx-16, known in Japan as the , is a home video game console developed by Hudson Soft and manufactured by NEC. It was released in Japan in 1987 and in North America in 1989. The first console of the fourth generation of video game con ...

and is the first US appearance of Bonk, the mascot of the TurboGrafx-16. *

Namco was a Japanese multinational video game and entertainment company founded in 1955. It operated video arcades and amusement parks globally, and produced video games, films, toys, and arcade cabinets. Namco was one of the most influential c ...

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 –

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 , commonly known as Konami, , is a Japanese multinational entertainment company and video game developer and video game publisher, publisher headquartered in Chūō, Tokyo, Chūō, Tokyo. The company also produces and distributes trading card ...

releases '' Snake's Revenge'', a sequel to ''

Metal Gear is a Media franchise, franchise of stealth games created by Hideo Kojima. Developed and published by Konami, the first game, ''Metal Gear (video game), Metal Gear'', was released in 1987 for MSX, MSX home computers. The player often takes con ...

'' for the Nintendo Entertainment System in North America, developed without the involvement of

Hideo Kojima is a Japanese video game designer. Regarded as one of the pioneering auteurs of video games, he developed a strong passion for film and literature during his childhood and adolescence, which in turn has had a significant influence on his game ...

. *April – Williams releases '' Smash TV'' in arcades, a twin-stick shooter about an ultra-violent game show. *April 20 –

releases '' Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light'' in Japan, innovating the

tactical role-playing Tactical role-playing game (abbreviated TRPG), also known as strategy role-playing game or (both abbreviated SRPG), is a video game genre that combines core elements of role-playing video games with those of tactical (Turn-based tactics, turn-b ...

genre. * June 1 – Origin releases '' Ultima VI: The False Prophet'' *July 12 – Nintendo of America publishes ''

Final Fantasy is a Japanese fantasy Anthology series, anthology media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi which is owned, developed, and published by Square Enix (formerly Square (video game company), Square). The franchise centers on a series of fanta ...

'' for the

in North America. This game started

Square In geometry, a square is a regular polygon, regular quadrilateral. It has four straight sides of equal length and four equal angles. Squares are special cases of rectangles, which have four equal angles, and of rhombuses, which have four equal si ...

'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 Konamis last major game for the hardware. * July 27–

releases '' Dr. Mario'' for 3 Nintendo platforms. * August – '' Pit Fighter'' from Atari Games introduces digitized sprites to arcade fighting games. *September –

Broderbund Broderbund Software, Inc. (stylized as Brøderbund) was an American maker of video games, educational software, and productivity tools. Broderbund is best known for the 8-bit video game hits '' Choplifter'', '' Lode Runner'', '' Karateka'', and ...

releases a port of

Prince of Persia ''Prince of Persia'' is a video game franchise created by Jordan Mechner. It is centered around a series of action-adventure games focused on various incarnations of the eponymous Prince, set in ancient and medieval Persia. The first two ga ...

for the

MS-DOS MS-DOS ( ; acronym for Microsoft Disk Operating System, also known as Microsoft DOS) is an operating system for x86-based personal computers mostly developed by Microsoft. Collectively, MS-DOS, its rebranding as IBM PC DOS, and a few op ...

computers. * September 26 – Origin releases the first ''

Wing Commander Wing commander (Wg Cdr or W/C) is a senior officer rank used by some air forces, with origins from the Royal Air Force. The rank is used by air forces of many countries that have historical British influence. Wing commander is immediately se ...

'' game. * September 28 –

Capcom is a Japanese video game company. It has created a number of critically acclaimed and List of best-selling video game franchises, multi-million-selling game franchises, with its most commercially successful being ''Resident Evil'', ''Monster ...

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 Lucasfilm Games (known as LucasArts between 1990 and 2021) is an American video game brand licensing, licensor, former video game developer and video game publisher, publisher, and a subsidiary of Lucasfilm. It was founded in May 1982 by George ...

releases The Secret of Monkey Island *November 1 – Mega Man 3 is released in the US. *November 21 –

releases ''

'' and ''

F-Zero is a series of racing games published by Nintendo, developed by Nintendo EAD and other third-party companies. The first game was released for the Super Famicom in Japan in 1990. Its success prompted Nintendo to create sequels on subsequent co ...

'' in Japan as

launch title Since the origin of video games in the early 1970s, the video game industry, the players, and surrounding culture have spawned a wide range of technical and slang terms. 0–9 A ...

s for the

. ''Super Mario World'' introduced Yoshi and ''F-Zero'' introduced Captain Falcon. *December 14 – ''

Commander Keen ''Commander Keen'' is a series of side-scrolling platform video games developed primarily by id Software. The series consists of six main episodes, a "lost" episode, and a final game; all but the final game were released for MS-DOS in 1990 and ...

'' is released as

shareware Shareware is a type of proprietary software that is initially shared by the owner for trial use at little or no cost. Often the software has limited functionality or incomplete documentation until the user sends payment to the software developer. ...

, the first major

platformer A platformer (also called a platform game, and sometimes a jump 'n' run game) is a subgenre of action game in which the core objective is to move the player character between points in an environment. Platform games are characterized by levels wi ...

on a PC. *

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 MicroProse is an American video game publisher and video game developer, developer founded by Bill Stealey, Sid Meier, and Andy Hollis in 1982. It developed and published numerous games, including starting the ''Civilization (series), Civilizat ...

. * Infogrames releases '' Alpha Waves'', the first 3D platform game. * Mindscape publishes '' Captive''. *

releases Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Arcade Game, on the Nintendo Entertainment System.

References

{{History of video games Video games by year

Financial performance

Highest-grossing arcade games

Japan

United Kingdom and Australia

United States

Hong Kong

Best-selling home systems

Best-selling home video games

Japan

United States

United Kingdom

Top-rated games

Major awards

Japan

United Kingdom

United States

Critically acclaimed titles

''Famitsu'' Platinum Hall of Fame

English-language publications

Events

Hardware releases

Game releases

See also

References