1989 in video games

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

List of years in video games

1989 saw many sequels and prequels in video games, such as Phantasy Star II, Super Mario Land, Super Monaco GP, along with new titles such as Big Run, Bonk's Adventure, Final Fight, Golden Axe, Strider, Hard Drivin' and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The year also saw the release of the Sega Genesis and TurboGrafx-16 in North America, and the Game Boy worldwide along with Tetris and Super Mario Land.

The year's highest-grossing arcade games in Japan were Namco's Final Lap and Sega's Tetris, while the highest-grossing arcade video games in the United States were Double Dragon, Super Off Road and Hard Drivin' among dedicated arcade cabinets and Capcom Bowling and Ninja Gaiden among arcade conversion kits. The year's best‑selling home system was the Nintendo Entertainment System (Famicom) for the sixth year in a row, while the year's best-selling home video games were Super Mario Bros. 3 in Japan and RoboCop in the United Kingdom.

Financial performance[]

Highest-grossing arcade games[]

Japan[]

In Japan, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games of 1989.

Rank Gamest[1] Game Machine[2]
Title Manufacturer Dedicated arcade cabinet Software conversion kit
1 Tetris Sega Final Lap Tetris (Sega)
2 Winning Run Namco Chase H.Q. World Stadium
3 Super Monaco GP Sega Operation Thunderbolt Truxton
4 Power Drift Sega Winning Run (deluxe) Image Fight
5 Image Fight Irem Out Run (deluxe) Shanghai II
6 Final Lap Namco Top Landing Kyukyoku Tiger (Twin Cobra)
7 Tenchi wo Kurau Capcom Power Drift (deluxe) Shanghai
8 Ghouls 'n Ghosts Capcom Super Monaco GP (deluxe) Sichuan
9 Turbo OutRun Sega Metal Hawk Birdie Try
10 Chase H.Q. Taito Turbo OutRun Galaga '88

Hong Kong and United Kingdom[]

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

Month Hong Kong (Bondeal) United Kingdom
Dedicated cabinet Conversion kit Ref Title Manufacturer Ref
February Un­known Un­known Strider Capcom [3]
March
April
November Hard Drivin' Burning Force [4] Un­known
December Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pang [4]
Burning Force [5]

United States[]

In the United States, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games of 1989.

Rank AMOA[6][7] RePlay[8] AMAA[9]
Dedicated arcade cabinet Conversion kit Dedicated cabinet Conversion kit
1 Double Dragon Capcom Bowling Super Off Road Ninja Gaiden Hard Drivin'
2 Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja,
Operation Thunderbolt,
Super Off Road,
John Elway's Quarterback 		Ninja Gaiden,
Shinobi,
Tetris (Atari)
Cabal 		Hard Drivin' Cabal Tetris (Atari)
3 Operation Thunderbolt Golden Axe Cabal,
Crime Fighters,
Chase H.Q.,
Operation Thunderbolt
4 Chase H.Q. WWF Superstars
5 Narc Capcom Bowling
6 N/A S.T.U.N. Runner,
Super Monaco GP,
Turbo OutRun,
Big Run 		Mechanized Attack,
Midnight Resistance,
Caliber .50
7 Superman,
U.S. Classic
8
9 N/A N/A
10 Mechanized Attack,
Midnight Resistance
11

Best-selling home systems[]

Rank System(s) Manufacturer Type Generation Sales
Japan USA Europe Korea Worldwide
1 Nintendo Entertainment System Nintendo Console 8-bit 1,520,000[10] 9,200,000[11] 180,000+[12] 20,000[13] 10,920,000+
2 Game Boy Nintendo Handheld 8-bit 1,480,000[10] 1,000,000[11] N/A N/A 2,500,000[14]
3 Commodore 64 (C64) Commodore Computer 8-bit N/A N/A N/A N/A 1,250,000[15]
4 PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16 NEC Console 16-bit 920,000[10] 300,000[16] Un­known Un­known 1,220,000+
5 NEC UltraLite / PC-88 / PC-98 NEC Computer 8-bit / 16-bit 1,030,000[17][18] 115,800+[19] Un­known Un­known 1,145,800+
6 Sega Mega Drive / Genesis Sega Console 16-bit 600,000[10] 500,000[20] N/A N/A 1,100,000
7 Apple Macintosh Apple Inc. Computer 16-bit N/A N/A N/A N/A 1,100,000[15]
8 IBM Personal Computer (IBM PC) IBM Computer 16-bit Un­known 748,600+[19] Un­known Un­known 748,600+
9 Sega Mark III / Master System Sega Console 8-bit 200,000[21] Un­known 350,000[12] 130,000[13] 680,000+
10 Amiga Commodore Computer 16-bit N/A N/A N/A N/A 600,000[15]

Best-selling home video games[]

Japan[]

The following titles were the top ten best-selling home video games of 1989 in Japan, according to the annual Family Computer Magazine (Famimaga) charts.[22]

Rank[22] Title Developer(s) Publisher(s) Genre(s) Sales Platform(s)
1 Super Mario Bros. 3 Nintendo R&D4 Nintendo Platformer < 3,840,000[23] Famicom
2 Tetris BPS / Nintendo R&D1 BPS / Nintendo Puzzle Un­known FC / GB
3 Famista '89: Kaimaku Ban! Namco Namco Sports (baseball) Un­known Famicom
4 SD Gundam World Gachapon Senshi 2 Human Entertainment Bandai Strategy
5 Dragon Ball 3: Goku Den TOSE Bandai RPG / card battle < 760,000[24]
6 Mother (EarthBound Beginnings) Ape Inc. Nintendo RPG < 400,000[25][26][27]
7 Kyuukyoku Harikiri Stadium: Heisei Gannenhan Taito Taito Sports (baseball) Un­known
8 Famicom Jump: Hero Retsuden TOSE Bandai Action RPG
9 Famista '90 Namco Sports (baseball) Un­known
10 Family Stadium '88 Namco

United Kingdom[]

In the United Kingdom, RoboCop for the ZX Spectrum was the best-selling home video game of 1989.[28] The following titles were the best-selling home video games of each month in the United Kingdom during 1989.

Month Title Developer Publisher Platform(s) Ref
January Operation Wolf Taito Ocean Software Computers [29]
February [30]
March [31]
April RoboCop Data East Ocean Software 8-bit micros [32]
May [33]
June [34]
July Computers [35]
August [36]
September Crazy Cars Titus Titus 8-bit micros [37]
October Computers [38]
November Paperboy Atari Games Elite 8-bit micros [39]
December Chase H.Q. Taito Ocean Software Computers [40]
1989 RoboCop Data East Ocean Software ZX Spectrum [28]

United States[]

In the United States, the following titles were the best-selling home video games of each month in 1989.

Month Bundle Standalone Platform Ref
January Un­known Super Mario Bros. 2 NES [41][42]
February Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt[43] [44]
March Un­known [45]
April [46]
May [47]
June [48]
July [49]
August [50]
September [51]
October Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt[52] [53]
November Un­known Zelda II: The Adventure of Link NES [54]
December Tetris Game Boy [55]

Top-rated games[]

Major awards[]

Japan and United Kingdom[]

Award 3rd Gamest Awards
(Japan, December 1989)[56] 		4th Famitsu Best Hit Game Awards
(Japan, February 1990)[57] 		4th Famimaga Game Awards (Japan, February 1990)[58] 7th Golden Joystick Awards
(UK, April 1990)[59]
Arcade Console Famicom Game Boy 8-bit computer 16-bit computer
Game of the Year Tetris (Sega) Final Fantasy II Tetris The Untouchables Kick Off
Critics' Choice Awards Gain Ground
Image Fight
Super Monaco GP
Winning Run 		Idol Hakkenden (Famicom)
Castlevania III (Famicom)
Gunhed (PC Engine)
Sweet Home (Famicom)
Far East of Eden: Ziria (PCD)
Dragon Ball 3: Goku Den (Famicom)
Pachio-kun 2 (Famicom) 		N/A N/A N/A N/A
Best Coin-Op Conversion N/A N/A N/A N/A Chase H.Q. Hard Drivin'
Best Game Design / Planning N/A Daichi-kun Crisis: Do Natural (PC Engine) N/A N/A N/A N/A
Best Playability N/A N/A Final Fantasy II Tetris N/A N/A
Best Scenario / Story N/A Famicom Detective Club 2 (Famicom) N/A N/A N/A N/A
Best Production Strider HiryūI (Strider) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Best Graphics Darius II N/A N/A N/A Myth Shadow of the Beast
Best Music / Sound Valkyrie no Densetsu Mother (EarthBound Beginnings) Final Fantasy II Tetris Chase H.Q. Future Wars
Best Game Company Namco N/A N/A N/A Ocean Software
Special Award CP System N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Best Originality / Original Game N/A N/A Final Fantasy II Tetris Populous
Best Character / Character Design Valkyrie (Valkyrie no Densetsu) Quinty (Mendel Palace) SD Gundam World Gachapon Senshi 2 Pinball: 66 Hiki no Wani Daikoushin N/A N/A
Best Group Tetris Blocks (Tetris) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Best Action Game Strider HiryūI (Strider) Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari (Famicom) N/A N/A
Best Shooting Game Area 88 TwinBee 3: Poko Poko Daimaō (Famicom) N/A N/A
Best Adventure Game N/A Yūyūki (Famicom Disk System) N/A N/A
Best RPG N/A Final Fantasy II (Famicom) N/A N/A
Best Simulation Game N/A N/A Carrier Command M1 Tank Platoon
Best Sports Game N/A Famista '89: Kaimaku Ban! (Famicom) N/A
Best PC Leisure Product N/A N/A N/A Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

United States[]

Award Electronic Gaming Monthly
(December 1989)[60] 		VideoGames & Computer Entertainment
(February 1990)[61] 		2nd Nintendo Power Awards
(May/June 1990)[62] 		Computer Entertainer Awards of Excellence
(December 1989)[63]
Console Console Computer Arcade NES Console Computer
Game of the Year Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Sega Genesis) The Legendary Axe (TG16) Populous STUN Runner Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles N/A N/A
Genesis Game of the Year Thunder Force II (Genesis) N/A N/A N/A Ghouls 'n Ghosts N/A
Master System Game of the Year Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap N/A N/A N/A N/A SpellCaster N/A
Nintendo Game of the Year Ninja Gaiden (NES) N/A N/A N/A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES) N/A
TurboGrafx Game of the Year The Legendary Axe (TurboGrafx-16) N/A N/A N/A Dungeon Explorer N/A
Computer Entertainment
Programs of the Year 		N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Shadow of the Beast (Amiga)
Prince of Persia (Apple II)
Powerdrome (Atari ST)
Windwalker (C64/C128)
Budokan (DOS)
Cosmic Osmo (Macintosh)
Best Coin-Op Conversion N/A Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Genesis) Arkanoid N/A N/A N/A N/A
Best Multiplayer Game N/A N/A N/A Crime Fighters Tecmo Bowl N/A N/A
Best Hardware Sega Genesis N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Best Theme / Fun N/A N/A N/A N/A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles N/A N/A
Best Play Control N/A N/A N/A N/A Mega Man 2 N/A N/A
Most Challenge Phantasy Star (Sega Master System) N/A N/A N/A Ninja Gaiden N/A N/A
Best Graphics Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Sega Genesis) Thunder Force II (Genesis) David Wolf N/A Mega Man 2 N/A Shadow of the Beast (Amiga)
Best Music / Sound Fighting Street (TurboGrafx-CD) N/A N/A
Developer / Software House Sega, Konami, Acclaim, Sunsoft, Tecmo N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Best Character / Hero Mega Man (Mega Man 2) N/A N/A N/A Link
(Zelda II: The Adventure of Link) 		N/A N/A
Best Sequel Mega Man 2 and Ghouls 'n Ghosts (tie) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Original / Special / Innovative N/A A Boy and his Blob (NES) Star Saga One Escape from the Planet
of the Robot Monsters 		N/A Romance of the Three Kingdoms Populous
Best Action / Combat /

Arcade-Style Game

N/A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
(NES) 		Hostage Dynamite Duke N/A N/A Blood Money
Best Adventure / Fantasy N/A Zelda II:
The Adventure of Link (NES) 		Manhunter:
New York 		N/A N/A N/A The Third Courier
Best RPG Ultima III: Exodus (NES) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Best Simulation Game N/A Alien Crush (TG16) Vette! N/A N/A N/A Vette!
Best Sports Game World Class Baseball
Tommy Lasorda Baseball
Baseball Simulator 1.000 		Tommy Lasorda Baseball
(Sega Genesis) 		Zany Golf Cyberball N/A Goal! (NES)
Tommy Lasorda Baseball (GEN) 		TV Sports: Football (Amiga)
John Madden Football (Apple)
Kings of the Beach (C64)
Grave Yardage (MS-DOS)
PlayMaker Football (Mac)
Best Driving Simulator N/A N/A N/A Hard Drivin' N/A N/A N/A
Best Flying Game N/A N/A N/A Metal Hawk N/A N/A N/A
Best Strategy / Wargame N/A A Boy and his Blob (NES) SimCity N/A N/A N/A Sands of Fire
Best Action-Strategy Game N/A Mega Man 2 (NES) Lords of the
Rising Sun 		N/A N/A N/A N/A
Best Video Game Controller Joycard Sansui SSS N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Coolest Boss / Best Group Loki (Ghouls 'n Ghosts)
Jagu (The Legendary Axe) 		N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Best Movie to Game Batman: The Video Game N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Best Ending in a Video Game Ninja Gaiden N/A N/A N/A Ninja Gaiden N/A N/A

Critically acclaimed titles[]

Famitsu and CVG reviews[]

In Japan, the following 1989 video game releases entered Famitsu magazine's "Platinum Hall of Fame" for receiving Famitsu scores of at least 35 out of 40.[64]

Title Platform Score (out of 40) Developer(s) Publisher Genre
Makai Toushi SaGa (Final Fantasy Legend) Game Boy 35 Squaresoft Squaresoft Role-playing
Ys I & II PC Engine CD-ROM² 35 Nihon Falcom / Alfa System Hudson Soft Action role-playing

In the United Kingdom, the following titles were Computer and Video Games (CVG) magazine's highest-rated games of 1989.[65]

Home video games Arcade games
Title Platform Score Rank Title
Chase H.Q. ZX Spectrum 97% 1 S.T.U.N. Runner
Super Mario Bros. 2 Nintendo Entertainment System 97% 2 Super Monaco GP
Indianapolis 500: The Simulation PC 96% 3 Winning Run
Populous Amiga 96% 4 Hard Drivin'
Ghouls 'n Ghosts Sega Mega Drive 96% 5 Narc
F29 Retaliator Amiga 96% N/A N/A
Gunhed (Blazing Lazers) PC Engine
Xenon 2: Megablast Amiga
It Came From the Desert Amiga 95%
Damocles Atari ST
Tetris Game Boy
RoboCop ZX Spectrum

English-language reviews[]

Notable video game releases in 1989 that have accumulated overall critical acclaim from at least four contemporary English-language sources include:

Title Genre Publisher Platform Number of reviews
Apache 3 Rail shooter Data East Arcade 4[66]
Arthur: The Quest for Excalibur Interactive fiction Infocom Amiga 8[67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74]
Big Run Racing Jaleco Arcade 4[66]
Blazing Lazers Shoot 'em up Hudson Soft TurboGrafx-16 4[75][76][77][78]
Chase H.Q. Action-racing Ocean Software ZX Spectrum 5[79][80][81][82][83]
Chase HQ II: Special Criminal Investigation Action-racing Taito Arcade 6[66]
Crack Down Run & gun shooter Sega Arcade 5[66]
Dragon Breed Scrolling shooter Irem Arcade 6[66]
Dungeon Explorer Action role-playing Hudson Soft TurboGrafx-16 4[84][85][86][87]
Dynasty Wars Beat 'em up Capcom Arcade 4[66]
F-16 Combat Pilot Combat flight simulation Digital Integration Amiga 7[88][89][90][91][92][93][94]
Atari ST 4[93][95][96][97]
DOS 4[93][98][95][96]
Forgotten Worlds Shoot 'em up U.S. Gold Amiga 6[99][100][101][102][103][104]
Commodore 64 5[99][100][101][103][105]
ZX Spectrum 5[100][101][106][107][108]
Ghouls 'n Ghosts Platformer Capcom Arcade 6[66]
Sega Mega Drive/Genesis 10[109][110][111][112][113][114][115][116][117][118]
U.S. Gold Amiga 4[119][120][121][122]
Golden Axe Beat 'em up Sega Arcade 6[123][124][125][126][127]
Mega Drive/Genesis 10[128][129][130][131][132][133][134][135][136][137]
Hard Drivin' Racing simulation Atari Games Arcade 5[66]
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure Graphic adventure Lucasfilm Games DOS 4[138][139][140][141]
Interphase Shooter Image Works Atari ST 5[142][143][144][145][146]
Amiga 9[144][145][146][147][148][149][150][151][152]
Mechanized Attack Rail shooter SNK Arcade 4[66]
Midnight Resistance Run & gun shooter Data East Arcade 4[66]
Myth: History in the Making Platformer System 3 Commodore 64 4[153][154][155][156]
Ninja Gaiden (Shadow Warriors) Beat 'em up Tecmo Arcade 4[66]
Ninja Gaiden (Shadow Warriors) Hack & slash Tecmo NES 5[157][158][159][160][161]
Operation Thunderbolt Light gun shooter Taito Arcade 5[66]
Phantasy Star II Role-playing Sega Mega Drive/Genesis 8[162][163][164][165][166][167][168][169]
Populous God Electronic Arts Amiga 9[170][171][172][173][174][175][176][177][178]
The Revenge of Shinobi Hack & slash Sega Mega Drive/Genesis 10[84][179][180][181][182][183][184][185][186][187]
R-Type II Shoot 'em up Irem Arcade 6[188][189][190][191][192][193]
SimCity City-building Maxis Amiga 7[194][195][196][197][198][199][200]
Strider Hack & slash Capcom Arcade 5[66]
U.S. Gold Amiga 4[201][202][203][204]
Atari ST 7[201][202][203][204][205][206][207]
Stunt Car Racer Racing MicroStyle Amiga 7[208][209][210][211][212][213][214]
Atari ST 7[213][215][216][217][218][219][220]
Commodore 64 4[221][208][222][209]
Super Mario Land Platformer Nintendo Game Boy 4[223][224][225][226]
Super Monaco GP Racing simulation Sega Arcade 5[66]
The Untouchables Action-adventure Ocean Software Amiga 4[227][228][229][230]
Atari ST 4[231][232][233][234]
ZX Spectrum 4[235][236][237][238]
Willow Platformer Capcom Arcade 4[66]
Winning Run Racing simulation Namco Arcade 4[66]
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap Platform-adventure Sega Master System 10[239][240][241][242][243][244][245][246][247][248]
Xenon 2: Megablast Shoot 'em up Image Works Amiga 8[249][250][251][252][253][254][255][256]
Atari ST 7[257][249][250][251][258][252][259]
Ys: The Vanished Omens Action role-playing Sega Master System 7[260][261][262][263][264][265][266]
Ys I & II Action role-playing Hudson Soft TurboGrafx-CD 7[267][268][269][270][271][272][273]

Events[]

The original Game Boy.
  • The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is held at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7–10. Nintendo announces that it would release 40 new NES titles through its licensees in 1989, while Sega announces 20 titles that include several translations of arcade games. Peripherals unveiled and demonstrated at this event include Broderbund's U-Force, Beeshu's Zoomer, and Nintendo's Power Pad. The next CES is held in Chicago in June.[274]
  • CSG Imagesoft and Sony hold regional Super Dodge Ball contests in Los Angeles (July 15–16 and 29–30), Chicago (August 5–6), New York City (September 9–10 and 16–17), Boston (September 23–24), and Seattle (October 14–15). Finalists from each region enter the "Super Dodge Ball World Cup" in Seattle on October 27–28, where the winners receive an assortment of Sony products as prizes.[275]
  • In August, Capcom donates $50,000 worth of video game equipment and Capcom titles to pediatric wards of California hospitals.[276]
  • Sega of America ends its Master System distribution deal with Tonka,[277] and appoints former Atari Corporation President Michael Katz as its new president in October.[278][279]
  • Konami launches the "Crumble Competition", in which participants win a free Konami title from rub-off cards found in specially marked packages of Chips Ahoy! and Oreo cookies. Konami also collaborates with Ralston Purina to create a breakfast cereal based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.[277]
  • On October 3, Nintendo and Fidelity Investments announce plans to jointly develop a home trading system for financial services.[277][280]
  • NEC promotes the TurboGrafx-16 with contests held at local shopping centers in Los Angeles (October 6–8), Trumbull, Connecticut (October 21–22), Chicago (October 27–31), Wayne, New Jersey (November 11–12), Marlborough, Massachusetts (November 18–19) and Atlanta (December 2–3).[281] The Los Angeles contest is won by 17-year-old Jim Hakola of Lakewood, California, who scored 220,080 points on Blazing Lazers.[277]
  • Corey Sandler and Tom Badgett's Ultimate Unauthorized Nintendo Game Strategies, the first in Bantam Books' "Game Mastery" series, is released in November.[279]
  • PepsiCo awards over 4,000 Game Boy systems via an under-the-cap contest across a variety of Pepsi soft drinks.[279]
  • The Galaxy of Electronic Games show, produced by Pinnacle Productions, opens at the San Jose Convention Center in November 17–19. The show features a display of more than 300 computer and video games and a 2,500 square foot area of arcade games.[276]
  • On December 2, the world premiere of the Universal Pictures film The Wizard is held at the Cineplex Odeon Theatre in Universal City, California.[282] The film – starring Fred Savage, Luke Edwards, Jenny Lewis, Christian Slater and Beau Bridges – tells the story of two brothers who travel to a video game tournament.[281]

Hardware releases[]

  • August 29 – NEC's PC-Engine released in North America as the TurboGrafx-16.
  • October 11 – Atari Corporation releases the Lynx handheld console with color and backlighting.
  • October 14 – The Mega Drive is released in North America as the Sega Genesis.
  • Nintendo releases the Game Boy handheld console.[283]
  • Mattel releases the Power Glove controller for the NES home console.

Game releases[]

  • February – Atari Games releases the Hard Drivin' arcade game, with filled polygon 3D graphics, physics simulation, and a force-feedback steering wheel.
  • March 21 – Sega releases Phantasy Star II, a landmark title for the role-playing video game genre.
  • April 21 – Nintendo releases Super Mario Land on the Game Boy, introducing Princess Daisy to the Mario series.
  • May – Sega releases Golden Axe, the first game in the Golden Axe series.
  • May 12 – Konami releases Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for NES, one of the first video games based on the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series, being released after the show's second season.
  • June 5 – Bullfrog releases Populous, one of the first commercially successful god games.
  • June – Lucasfilm Games releases puzzle game Pipe Mania, which lives on in other titles as a visual representation of computer or security system hacking.
  • July 11 – Capcom releases Mega Man 2 in more countries (US).
  • July 27 – Nintendo releases Mother in Japan, the first of a trilogy of role-playing games produced by celebrity writer Shigesato Itoi.
  • August – Nintendo of America introduces Enix's Dragon Warrior franchise to North America.
  • August 26 – Nintendo releases the Zelda Game & Watch.
  • September – Atari Games releases S.T.U.N. Runner in arcades, a 3D polygonal vehicle combat/racing game.
  • September 14 – Capcom releases DuckTales for NES based on the Disney animated TV series of the same name.
  • October 3 – Brøderbund releases Prince of Persia for the declining Apple II, having been in development since 1985. Ports to other systems turn the game into a hit.
  • October 3 – Maxis releases Will Wright's SimCity, the first of the "Sim" games and a revolutionary real-time software toy.
  • December 6 – Strategic Studies Group releases Warlords which was one of the first fantasy turn-based strategy game.
  • December 15 – Hudson Soft releases Bonk's Adventure, introducing the TurboGrafx-16 mascot and starting the Bonk franchise.
  • December 15 - Tecmo releases Bad News Baseball in Japan. US release to follow in January 1990.
  • December 15 – Techno Soft releases Herzog Zwei for the Mega Drive in Japan, laying the foundations for the real-time strategy genre.
  • December 22 – Konami releases Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, the third and final game from series for NES.
  • Tengen releases an unlicensed version of the Tetris video game, which is recalled after Nintendo sues Tengen.
  • Wes Cherry writes Solitaire[284] and Robert Donner writes Minesweeper, which are bundled with Microsoft Windows starting from version 3.
  • Psygnosis releases a platformer Shadow of the Beast, demonstrating the capabilities of the Amiga and helping sales of the computer.
  • Sega releases Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap.
  • Spectrum Holobyte's Vette! for PC and Macintosh features a 3D flat-shaded rendition of San Francisco.
  • Three-Sixty Pacific releases computer wargame Harpoon.
  • Atari Corporation supports the aging Atari 2600 with a new batch of cartridges, including Secret Quest.

Business[]

  • Hasbro, Inc. acquires elements of Coleco Industries, Inc.
  • Trinity Acquisition Corporation founded (renamed THQ in 1990)
  • Nintendo withdraws from the Japan Amusement Machinery Manufacturers Association (JAMMA) on February 28.[285]
  • Nintendo of America, Inc. v. Tengen:
  1. Nintendo sues Tengen over the Tetris video game copyrights. Tengen loses and recalls all its Tetris games.
  2. In November, Nintendo sues Tengen over production of unlicensed Nintendo games. Tengen loses. (Tengen originally sued Nintendo on December 12, 1988, for antitrust violations.)
  • Nintendo v. Camerica Ltd. Nintendo sues Camerica over patent violations of the Game Genie for the NES console. Camerica wins the suit.
  • UK publisher Martech goes out of business.

References[]

  1. ^ "第３回 ゲーメスト大賞 〜 インカム部門ベスト10" [3rd Gamest Awards – Income Category: Best 10]. Gamest (in Japanese). Vol. 41 (February 1990). December 27, 1989. pp. 49–79 (79). Lay summary.
  2. ^ "Videos of The Year; "Tetris", "Chase H.Q."" (PDF). Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 372. Amusement Press, Inc. January 15, 1990. p. 26.
  3. ^ "Capcom: A Captive Audience". The Games Machine. No. 19 (June 1989). United Kingdom: Newsfield. May 18, 1989. pp. 24–5.
  4. ^ a b "The Bondeal Chart". RePlay. Vol. 15 no. 4. January 1990. p. 148.
  5. ^ "The Bondeal Chart". RePlay. Vol. 15 no. 5. February 1990. p. 90.
  6. ^ "AMOA Jukebox, Games & Cigarette Vending Awards Winners". Cash Box. Cash Box Pub. Co. September 30, 1989. p. 36.
  7. ^ "Coin Machine: AMOA Games Awards Nominees Announced". Cash Box. July 29, 1989. p. 25.
  8. ^ "Special Report: 1989's Best Videos and Pins". RePlay. Vol. 15 no. 4. January 1990. pp. 44, 46, 4.
  9. ^ "ACME Awards: AAMA Achievement Awards". RePlay. Vol. 15 no. 7. April 1990. p. 94.
  10. ^ a b c d 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) (published March 2011) (77): 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).
  11. ^ a b Ramirez, Anthony (December 8, 1990). "Waiting for the Zapping of Nintendo". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  12. ^ a b "Europe: consoles contre micros" [Europe: consoles against microphones]. Tilt (in French). p. 23.
  13. ^ a b 게임월드 [Game World] (in Korean). 1994.
  14. ^ "Asiaweek". Asiaweek. 1991. p. 2. Introduced in 1989, Game Boy sold 2.5 million units that year and 10 million in 1990.
  15. ^ a b c Reimer, Jeremy (December 15, 2005). "Total share: 30 years of personal computer market share figures". Ars Technica. Retrieved November 27, 2021. Lay summary (December 7, 2012).
  16. ^ Rothstein, Edward (April 26, 1990). "Electronics Notebook; Adventures in Never-Never Land". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  17. ^ Methe, David; Mitchell, Will; Miyabe, Junichiro; Toyama, Ryoko (January 1998). "Overcoming a Standard Bearer: Challenges to NEC's Personal Computer in Japan". Research Papers in Economics (RePEc): 35 – via ResearchGate.
  18. ^ Ozsomer, Aysegul (1993). "The Japanese Personal Computer Market". A Dynamic Analysis of Entry Rates in the Global Personal Computer Industry. Michigan State University (Department of Marketing and Logistics). p. 36. Traditionally, dominated by Japanese vendors, the market had reached 2.5 million units in 1989, and 3.3 million units in 1991 (Dataquest Inc.)
  19. ^ a b "Amid industry pessiminism, micro sales rose". Computerworld. Vol. 24 no. 2. IDG Enterprise. January 8, 1990. p. 34. ISSN 0010-4841.
  20. ^ "Sega woos teen video players with new system". The Beaver County Times. January 4, 1991. p. A4. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  21. ^ Tanaka, Tatsuo (August 2001). Network Externality and Necessary Software Statistics (PDF). Statistics Bureau of Japan. p. 2.
  22. ^ a b "グーム売上ベスト10" [Best 10 Game Sales]. Family Computer Magazine (in Japanese). Tokuma Shoten. February 23, 1990. p. 133.
  23. ^ "Japan Platinum Game Chart". The Magic Box. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  24. ^ "Dragon Ball Video Game Data". Dragon Ball 30th Anniversary: Super History Book. Shueisha. 2016. p. 216. ISBN 978-4-08-792505-0.
  25. ^ "Mother". Hardcore Gaming 101. January 8, 2011. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  26. ^ Baumann, Ken (2014). EarthBound: Boss Fight Books #1. Boss Fight Books. ISBN 978-1-940535-00-5.
  27. ^ Consalvo, Mia (April 8, 2016). Atari to Zelda: Japan's Videogames in Global Contexts. MIT Press. p. 57. ISBN 978-0-262-03439-5.
  28. ^ a b "The Best Games of '89". Computer and Video Games. No. 98 (January 1990). December 16, 1989. p. 9.
  29. ^ "Charts: All Formats Top Ten". Computer and Video Games. No. 89 (March 1989). February 1989. p. 11.
  30. ^ "Charts: All Formats Top Ten". Computer and Video Games. No. 90 (April 1989). March 16, 1989. p. 15.
  31. ^ "Charts". Computer and Video Games. No. 91 (May 1989). April 11, 1989. p. 17.
  32. ^ "All Formats Top 20". Computer and Video Games. No. 92 (June 1989). May 16, 1989. pp. 54–5.
  33. ^ "All Formats Top 20". Computer and Video Games. No. 93 (July 1989). June 1989. pp. 58–9.
  34. ^ "All Formats Top 20". Computer and Video Games. No. 93 (August 1989). July 15, 1989. pp. 58–9.
  35. ^ "All Formats Top 20". Computer and Video Games. No. 94 (September 1989). August 16, 1989. pp. 58–9.
  36. ^ "All Formats Top 20". Computer and Video Games. No. 95 (October 1989). September 16, 1989. pp. 66–7.
  37. ^ "All Formats Top 20". Computer and Video Games. No. 96 (November 1989). October 16, 1989. pp. 66–7.
  38. ^ "All Formats Top 20". Computer and Video Games. No. 98 (December 1989). November 16, 1989. pp. 82–3.
  39. ^ "All Formats Top 20". Computer and Video Games. No. 99 (January 1990). December 16, 1989. pp. 70–1.
  40. ^ Cundy, Matt (December 25, 2007). "Every Christmas Top 10 from the last 20 years". GamesRadar. p. 10. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  41. ^ "Top Fifteen Videogames" (PDF). Computer Entertainer. Vol. 7 no. 11. February 1989. p. 1.
  42. ^ "U.S.A. TOP 10: 1月20日" [U.S.A. Top 10: January 20]. Famicom Tsūshin (in Japanese). Vol. 1989 no. 3. February 3, 1989. p. 14.
  43. ^ Provenzo, Eugene F. (1991). Video Kids: Making Sense of Nintendo. Harvard University Press. p. 12. ISBN 978-0-674-93709-3. For February 1989, 16 of the 20 top selling toys in the country were video games or video game-related. These included:
    1. Action Set (Nintendo of America)
    2. Power Set (Nintendo of America)
  44. ^ "Top Fifteen Videogames" (PDF). Computer Entertainer. Vol. 7 no. 12. March 1989. p. 1.
  45. ^ "Top Fifteen Videogames" (PDF). Computer Entertainer. Vol. 8 no. 1. April 1989. p. 1.
  46. ^ "Top Fifteen Videogames" (PDF). Computer Entertainer. Vol. 8 no. 2. May 1989. p. 1.
  47. ^ "Top Fifteen Videogames" (PDF). Computer Entertainer. Vol. 8 no. 3. June 1989. p. 1.
  48. ^ "Top Fifteen Videogames" (PDF). Computer Entertainer. Vol. 8 no. 4. July 1989. p. 1.
  49. ^ "Top Fifteen Videogames" (PDF). Computer Entertainer. Vol. 8 no. 5. August 1989. p. 1.
  50. ^ "Top Fifteen Videogames" (PDF). Computer Entertainer. Vol. 8 no. 6. September 1989. p. 1.
  51. ^ "Top Fifteen Videogames" (PDF). Computer Entertainer. Vol. 8 no. 7. October 1989. p. 1.
  52. ^ Karp, Abby (December 11, 1989). "Top Of The Toybox: Nintendo zaps competition as year's top toy". The Palm Beach Post. p. 71. Retrieved September 13, 2021. The larger Nintendo Action Set ($100), which hooks up to a monitor, topped the Toy and Hobby World magazine's list of October's bestsellers.
  53. ^ "Top 15 Videogames" (PDF). Computer Entertainer. Vol. 8 no. 8. November 1989. p. 1.
  54. ^ "Toy Time Again: Toy Hit Parade". Deseret News. November 27, 1989. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  55. ^ "U.S.A. TOP 10: '89年12月22日" [U.S.A. Top 10: 1989-12-22] (PDF). Famicom Tsūshin (in Japanese). Vol. 1990 no. 1/2. January 5, 1990. p. 14.
  56. ^ "第３回 ゲーメスト大賞" [3rd Gamest Awards]. Gamest (in Japanese). Vol. 41 (February 1990). December 27, 1989. pp. 49–79. Lay summary.
  57. ^ "'89ベストヒットゲーム大賞" ['89 Best Hit Game Awards]. Famicom Tsūshin (in Japanese). Vol. 1990 no. 3. February 2, 1990.
  58. ^ "1989 ファミマガゲーム大賞" [1989 Famimaga Game Awards]. Family Computer Magazine (in Japanese). Tokuma Shoten. February 23, 1990. pp. 128–33.
  59. ^ "High Society". ACE. EMAP (33 (June 1990)): 10. May 1990.
  60. ^ "Electronic Gaming Best and Worst of 1989". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 5 (The 1990 Video Game Buyer's Guide). December 1989. pp. 17–24.
  61. ^ "VG&CE's Best Games of 1989" (PDF). VideoGames & Computer Entertainment. No. 13. February 1990. pp. 42–79.
  62. ^ "Second Annual Nintendo Power Awards '89 (Nester Awards)". Nintendo Power (12): 26–9. May–June 1990.
  63. ^ "1989 Computer Entertainer Awards of Excellence announced". Computer Entertainer: 4. January 1990.
  64. ^ "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.
  65. ^ "The Best Games of '89". Computer and Video Games. No. 98 (January 1990). December 16, 1989. pp. 8–9.
  66. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Arcade game reviews". Solvalou.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  67. ^ "Arthur". Zzap!. October 1989.
  68. ^ Paul Rigby (October 1989). "Arthur: The Quest for Excalibur". The Games Machine. p. 72.
  69. ^ Keith Campbell (October 1989). "Arthur". Computer & Video Games. p. 97.
  70. ^ Nick Walkland (October 1989). "Arthur". Amiga Format. p. 87.
  71. ^ "Arthur". Advanced Computer Entertainment. September 1989. p. 52.
  72. ^ Lucinda Orr (November 1989). "Arthur - The Quest". Amiga Computing. p. 22.
  73. ^ "Arthur: The Quest for Excalibur". Commodore User. September 1989. p. 60.
  74. ^ Andy Mitchell (October 1989). "King Arthur". Amiga Action. pp. 64–65.
  75. ^ Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Patricia; Lesser, Kirk (May 1991). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (169): 61–65.
  76. ^ Glancey, Paul (September 1989). "Gunhed". Computer and Video Games (94). p. 100.
  77. ^ "Gunhed". Zero. November 1989.
  78. ^ Harris, Steve (November 1989). "Turbo Champ – TurboGrafx Explodes with Games". Electronic Gaming Monthly (4): 68–69.
  79. ^ Julian Rignall (January 1990). "Chase H.Q.". Computer & Video Games. pp. 18–19.
  80. ^ "CRASH 71 - Chase HQ". Crash!. December 1989.
  81. ^ Matt Bielby (February 1990). "Chase HQ". Your Sinclair. Archived from the original on September 19, 2016.
  82. ^ "Chase HQ". The Games Machine. December 1989.
  83. ^ Eugene Lacey (February 1990). "Chase HQ". Advanced Computer Entertainment.
  84. ^ a b Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Patricia; Lesser, Kirk (November 1990). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (163): 47–50.
  85. ^ Julian Rignall (July 1989). "Dungeon Explorer". Advanced Computer Entertainment.
  86. ^ Julian Rignall (July 1989). "Mean Machines: Dungeon Explorer". Computer & Video Games.
  87. ^ "Dungeon Explorer" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. November 1989. p. 12.
  88. ^ Mark Smiddy (November 1989). "Entertainment: F-16 Combat Pilot". Amiga User International. pp. 85–87.
  89. ^ "Updates: F16 Combat Pilot". Advanced Computer Entertainment. November 1989. p. 97.
  90. ^ Simon Rockman (September 1989). "Games: F-16 Combat Pilot". Amiga Computing. pp. 16–17.
  91. ^ Andy Smith (October 1989). "Screen Play: F-16 Combat Pilot". Amiga Format. pp. 42–43.
  92. ^ "Version Updates: F-16 Combat Pilot". The Games Machine. November 1989. p. 91.
  93. ^ a b c Duncan MacDonald (November 1989). "Flying Tonight: F-16 Combat Pilot". Zero. p. 27.
  94. ^ Tony Dillon (August 1989). "Amiga Screen Scene: F-16". Commodore User. pp. 30–31.
  95. ^ a b "Reviews: F-16 Combat Pilot". The Games Machine. February 1989. p. 64.
  96. ^ a b "Review: F-16 Combat Pilot". The One. March 1989. pp. 76–78.
  97. ^ Nic Outterside (July 1989). "Software: Fly on Falcon". Atari ST User. p. 34.
  98. ^ Andy Smith (May 1989). "Screen Test: F-16 Combat Pilot". Advanced Computer Entertainment. p. 51.
  99. ^ a b "Forgotten Worlds". Zzap!. June 1989. pp. 75–77. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  100. ^ a b c "Forgotten Worlds". The Games Machine. June 1989. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  101. ^ a b c Julian Rignall (June 1989). "Forgotten Worlds". Computer & Video Games. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  102. ^ Mark Patterson (May 1989). "Amiga Screen Scene: Forgotten Worlds". Commodore User. pp. 16–17. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  103. ^ a b "Forgotten Worlds". Advanced Computer Entertainment. August 1989.
  104. ^ Gary Whitta (May 1989). "Forgotten Worlds". The One.
  105. ^ Mark Patterson (May 1989). "64 Screen Scene: Forgotten Worlds". Commodore User. p. 19.
  106. ^ "CRASH 65 - Forgotten Worlds". Crash!. June 1989.
  107. ^ "Forgotten Worlds". Sinclair User. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  108. ^ "Forgotten Worlds". ysrnry.co.uk. Archived from the original on November 17, 2015. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  109. ^ Paul Glancey (October 1989). "Mean Machines: Ghouls 'n Ghosts". Computer & Video Games.
  110. ^ Julian Boardman (January 1991). "Ghouls 'n Ghosts". Raze.
  111. ^ "Ghouls 'n Ghosts". Mean Machines. October 1990.
  112. ^ "Ghouls 'n Ghosts" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. December 1989. p. 62.
  113. ^ "ACE Magazine Issue 26". ACE Magazine. November 1989. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  114. ^ "Mega File" (PDF). Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (2): 78. October 1992.
  115. ^ "Platform Games" (PDF). Mega Action (1): 65. June 1993.
  116. ^ "Game Index" (PDF). MegaTech (1): 78. Christmas 1991.
  117. ^ "Ghouls 'N' Ghosts" (PDF). Sega Power (15): 18–9. February 1991.
  118. ^ "Ghouls 'N' Ghosts" (PDF). Sega Pro (3): 19. Christmas 1991.
  119. ^ Mark Caswell (February 1990). "Ghouls 'n' Ghosts". The Games Machine.
  120. ^ Maff Evans (February 1990). "Ghouls 'n' Ghosts". Amiga Format.
  121. ^ Mike Pattenden (January 1990). "Ghouls 'n' Ghosts". Commodore User.
  122. ^ "Ghouls 'n' Ghosts". Zzap!. February 1990.
  123. ^ "Golden Axe (Sega)". ACE. No. 22 (July 1989). June 1, 1989. p. 23.
  124. ^ "Golden Axe – Sega". Sinclair User. No. 89 (August 1989). July 18, 1989. p. 74.
  125. ^ Bielby, Matt (July 17, 1989). "Slots of Fun: Golden Axe". Your Sinclair. No. 44 (August 1989). p. 74.
  126. ^ "Arcades: Golden Axe". Commodore User. No. 69 (June 1989). May 26, 1989. pp. 96–7.
  127. ^ "Golden Axe". The Games Machine (22 (September 1989)): 25. August 18, 1989.
  128. ^ Julian Rignall (April 1990). "Mean Machines: Golden Axe". Computer & Video Games.
  129. ^ "Golden Axe". Zero. April 1990.
  130. ^ Mark Caswell (March 1990). "Golden Axe". The Games Machine.
  131. ^ Les Ellis (January 1991). "Golden Axe". Raze.
  132. ^ "Golden Axe" (PDF). Mean Machines. October 1990. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 19, 2019. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  133. ^ "Golden Axe" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. March 1990. p. 20. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  134. ^ "Mega File" (PDF). Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (3): 78. November 1992.
  135. ^ "Mega Library" (PDF). Mega Action (1). June 1993.
  136. ^ "Mega Drive: Golden Axe" (PDF). Sega Power (13): 20–1. December 1990.
  137. ^ "Golden Axe" (PDF). Sega Pro (3): 41. Christmas 1991.
  138. ^ Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Patricia; Lesser, Kirk (December 1989). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (152): 64–70.
  139. ^ Rignall, Julian (September 1989). "Indy Adventure". Computer and Video Games (94). pp. 62–63.
  140. ^ Paul Presley (October 1989). "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure". The One.
  141. ^ "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure". The Games Machine. December 1989.
  142. ^ Mark Higham (November 1989). "Games: Interphase". ST Format. pp. 60–61.
  143. ^ Janice Murray (November 1989). "Futuristic fantasy". Atari ST User. pp. 50–51.
  144. ^ a b "Reviews: Interphase: Edge of Dreamtime". The Games Machine. December 1989. p. 80.
  145. ^ a b MacDonald, Duncan; Kelly, Sean (December 1989). "Review: Interphase". Zero. pp. 62–63.
  146. ^ a b Paul Glancey (December 1989). "Review: Interphase". Computer & Video Games. pp. 70–71.
  147. ^ "Interphase: Blow the mind". Amiga Computing. January 1990. pp. 22–23.
  148. ^ "Zzap Test: Interphase". Zzap!. December 1989. pp. 78–79.
  149. ^ "Screentest: Interphase". Advanced Computer Entertainment. December 1989. pp. 49–50.
  150. ^ Mark Patterson (November 1989). "Amiga Screen Scene: Interphase". Commodore User. pp. 62–63.
  151. ^ Andy Smith (November 1989). "Screen Play: Interphase". Amiga Format. pp. 38–39.
  152. ^ Gary Whitta (November 1989). "Review: Interphase". The One. pp. 91–92.
  153. ^ "Reviews: Myth". The Games Machine. November 1989. p. 92.
  154. ^ Laurence Scotford (January 1990). "Screentest: Myth". Advanced Computer Entertainment. p. 62.
  155. ^ Mark Patterson (December 1989). "C64 Screen Scene: Myth". Commodore User. pp. 76–77.
  156. ^ Paul Glancey (October 1989). "Review: Myth". Computer & Video Games. pp. 50–51.
  157. ^ "Top 30". Nintendo Power. No. 7. Redmond, WA: Nintendo. July–August 1989. p. 36. ISSN 1041-9551. OCLC 18893582.
  158. ^ Wen, Howard H. (November 1989). "Video Games Reviews – Ninja Gaiden". VideoGames & Computer Entertainment. No. 10. Beverly Hills, CA: Larry Flynt Publications. pp. 54, 56. ISSN 1059-2938. OCLC 25300986.
  159. ^ "Electronic Gaming Top Ten". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 2. Lombard, IL: Sendai Publications. July–August 1989. p. 82. ISSN 1058-918X. OCLC 23857173.
  160. ^ Glancey, Paul; Regan, Matt (July 1991). "Nintendo review – Shadow Warriors" (PDF). Mean Machines. No. 10. Peterborough: EMAP. pp. 66–68. ISSN 0960-4952. OCLC 500020318. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 18, 2010.
  161. ^ "Shadow Warrior". Raze. No. 11 (September 1991). July 25, 1991. pp. 36–37.
  162. ^ Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Patricia; Lesser, Kirk (August 1990). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (160): 47–52.
  163. ^ "Phantasy Star II". Raze (5). April 1991. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  164. ^ "Phantasy Star 2" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. April 1990. p. 18.
  165. ^ "Phantasy Star II" (PDF). VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (14): 34. March 1990. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  166. ^ "Phantasy Star 2". Zero (17): 88. March 1991. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  167. ^ "ACE Magazine Issue 37". ACE Magazine. October 1990. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  168. ^ "Ying Games" (PDF). Mega (18): 71. March 1994.
  169. ^ "Mega Drive: Phantasy Star II" (PDF). Sega Power (15): 22–3. February 1991.
  170. ^ Andy Smith (April 1989). "Screen Test: Populous". Advanced Computer Entertainment. pp. 40–41.
  171. ^ Keith Ferrell (October 1989). "Reviews: Populous". Compute's Amiga Resource. pp. 73–75.
  172. ^ Julian Rignall (April 1989). "Reviews: Populous". Computer & Video Games. pp. 30–32.
  173. ^ Gary Whitta (April 1989). "Review: Populous". The One. pp. 34–36.
  174. ^ "Populous". Zzap!. April 1989. p. 21.
  175. ^ Mark Patterson (April 1989). "Amiga Screen Scene: Populous". Commodore User. pp. 24–25.
  176. ^ Mark Higham (April 1989). "Review: Populous". ST/Amiga Format. pp. 72–73.
  177. ^ Nancy Picard (May 1989). "Entertainment: Populous". Amiga User International. pp. 74–75.
  178. ^ "Reviews: Populous". The Games Machine. April 1989. pp. 24–25.
  179. ^ "The Super Shinobi". Zero. March 1990.
  180. ^ "Revenge of Shinobi" (PDF). Mean Machines. October 1990. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  181. ^ Julian Boardman (January 1991). "The Revenge of Shinobi". Raze.
  182. ^ "The Super Shinobi". The Games Machine. March 1990.
  183. ^ "Revenge of Shinobi" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. March 1990. p. 20.
  184. ^ Mega, issue 9, page 23, Future Publishing, June 1993
  185. ^ MegaTech, EMAP, issue 5, page 78, May 1992
  186. ^ "Computer and Video Games Magazine Issue 099". February 1990. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  187. ^ "Ninja master takes on international gang of terrorists: Revenge of Shinobi" (PDF). Computer Entertainer: 18. January 1990.
  188. ^ Matt Bielby (February 1990). "Dosh Eaters: R-Type II". Zero. p. 90.
  189. ^ Matt Bielby (March 1990). "Slots of Fun: R-Type II". Your Sinclair. p. 84.
  190. ^ "Arcade Action: R-Type II". Computer & Video Games. February 1990. p. 66.
  191. ^ "Arcades: R-Type II". Commodore User. January 1990. pp. 110–111.
  192. ^ "R-Type II review". Crash. February 1990. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  193. ^ "R-Type II review". Zzap!64. March 1990. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  194. ^ "SimCity". Zzap!. January 1990.
  195. ^ "SimCity". Compute's Amiga Resource. October 1989.
  196. ^ Mark Patterson (December 1989). "SimCity". Commodore User.
  197. ^ "SimCity". The Games Machine. January 1990.
  198. ^ Eugene Lacey (September 1989). "SimCity". Advanced Computer Entertainment.
  199. ^ John Cook (October 1989). "SimCity". Computer & Video Games.
  200. ^ Sean Kelly (January 1990). "SimCity". Zero.
  201. ^ a b "Strider". The Games Machine. October 1989.
  202. ^ a b Mark Patterson (October 1989). "Strider". Advanced Computer Entertainment.
  203. ^ a b "Strider". Zero. November 1989.
  204. ^ a b Gary Whitta (September 1989). "Strider". The One.
  205. ^ Julian Rignall (September 1989). "Strider". Computer & Video Games.
  206. ^ Mark Higham (October 1989). "Strider". ST Format.
  207. ^ Janice Murray (October 1989). "Carry on hacking". Atari ST User.
  208. ^ a b "Zzap Test: Stunt Car Racer". Zzap!. December 1989. pp. 74–75.
  209. ^ a b Tony Dillon (December 1989). "Amiga Screen Scene: Stunt Car Racer". Commodore User. pp. 52–53.
  210. ^ "Games: Stunt Car Racer". Amiga Computing. March 1990. pp. 34–35.
  211. ^ Andy Smith (January 1990). "Screenplay: Stunt Car Racer". Amiga Format. p. 45.
  212. ^ "Entertainment: Stunt Car Racer". Amiga User International. January 1990. pp. 106–107.
  213. ^ a b MacDonald, Duncan; Kelly, Sean (December 1989). "Review: Stunt Car Racer". Zero. pp. 36–39.
  214. ^ "Stunt Car Racer". Amiga Action. February 1990. pp. 68–69.
  215. ^ Julian Rignall (August 1989). "Review: Stunt Car". Computer & Video Games. pp. 76–77.
  216. ^ "Stunt Car Racer". The Games Machine. November 1989. p. 89.
  217. ^ Mike Pattenden (September 1989). "Screentest: Stunt Car". Advanced Computer Entertainment. pp. 68–69.
  218. ^ Roland Waddilove (January 1990). "Screentest: Road Hog!". Atari ST User. pp. 36–37.
  219. ^ Gary Penn (August 1989). "Review: Stunt Car Racer". The One. pp. 68–69.
  220. ^ "Games Roundup: Stunt Car Racer". ST Format. August 1989. p. 73.
  221. ^ "C64 Stunt Car". Advanced Computer Entertainment. December 1989. p. 100.
  222. ^ "Reviews: Stuntcar Racer". The Games Machine. December 1989. p. 89.
  223. ^ "Boy Friends". The Games Machine. September 1990. p. 17. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  224. ^ Rand, Paul (November 1989). "Marioland". Computer and Video Games. p. 119. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  225. ^ Regan, Matt; Rignall, Julian (November 1990). "Super Mario Land review". Mean Machines. Archived from the original on April 12, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  226. ^ Harris, Steve; Semrad, Ed; Nauert, Donn; Allee, Jim (September 1989). "Electronic Gaming Review Crew". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 3. p. 15. The magazine's review score is a composite of four reviews: 8, 8, 7, 8.
  227. ^ Sean Kelly (December 1989). "Review: The Untouchables". Zero. pp. 18–21.
  228. ^ "The Untouchables". Zzap!. March 1990. pp. 76–77.
  229. ^ "Screen Play: The Untouchables". Amiga Format. March 1990. pp. 32–33.
  230. ^ "Reviews: The Untouchables". The Games Machine. March 1990. p. 52.
  231. ^ Mark Caswell (February 1990). "The Untouchables". The Games Machine. p. 54.
  232. ^ "Review: The Untouchables". Zero. December 1989. pp. 18–21.
  233. ^ Laurence Scotford (February 1990). "Screen Test: The Untouchables". Advanced Computer Entertainment. p. 57.
  234. ^ Mark Higham (February 1990). "The Untouchables". ST Format. pp. 46–47.
  235. ^ "Games Review: The Untouchables". Sinclair User. November 1989. pp. 30–32.
  236. ^ "Reviews: The Untouchables". The Games Machine. November 1989. pp. 84–85.
  237. ^ "The Untouchables". Crash!. November 1989. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  238. ^ Paul Rand (November 1989). "Review: The Untouchables". Computer & Video Games. pp. 58–59.
  239. ^ "Console Wars: Wonder Boy III" (PDF). ACE (26): 144. November 1989. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  240. ^ "Guide: WONDERBOY III" (PDF). Computer + Video Games: Complete Guide To Consoles (4): 110. 1991. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
  241. ^ "Best and Worst of 1989". Electronic Gaming Monthly (5): 17. December 1989.
  242. ^ C.A.T. (September–October 1989). "Sega ProView – Wonder Boy III". GamePro (3): 38–39.
  243. ^ Regan, Matt; Rignall, Julian (October 1990). "Wonderboy III" (PDF). Mean Machines (1): 40–41. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2010.
  244. ^ "Feature: WONDERBOY III" (PDF). Mean Machines Sega (1): 112. October 1992. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  245. ^ "WONDERBOY 3: The Dragon's Trap" (PDF). Sega Power (46): 101. September 1993. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  246. ^ "Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap" (PDF). Sega Pro (6): 31. April 1992. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 March 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  247. ^ "Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap" (PDF). S: The Sega Megazine (1): 4–7. December 1989.
  248. ^ Gaksch, Martin (January 1991). "Kleider Machen Leute – Wonderboy III: The Dragon's Trap". Video Games (in German). 1991 (1): 78.
  249. ^ a b Warren Lapworth (October 1989). "Reviews: Xenon 2 Megablast". The Games Machine. pp. 80–81.
  250. ^ a b Paul Glancey (September 1989). "Review: Xenon 2". Computer & Video Games. pp. 52–53.
  251. ^ a b "Review: Xenon 2 Megablast". Zero. October 1989. pp. 8–11.
  252. ^ a b Pete Connor (October 1989). "Screentest: Xenon II". Advanced Computer Entertainment. pp. 50–51.
  253. ^ "Zzap! Test: Xenon 2 Megablast". Zzap!. October 1989. pp. 70–71.
  254. ^ Andy Smith (October 1989). "Xenon 2". Amiga Format. pp. 52–53.
  255. ^ Tony Horgan (November 1989). "Entertainment: Xenon 2 Megablast". Amiga User International. pp. 90–91.
  256. ^ Mike Pattenden (October 1989). "Amiga Screen Scene: Xenon II". Commodore User. pp. 40–41.
  257. ^ Roland Waddilove (October 1989). "Atari ST User Star Game: Blast it!". Atari ST User. pp. 36–37.
  258. ^ Brian Nesbitt (August 1989). "Xenon 2 Megablast". The One. pp. 41–44.
  259. ^ Gary Barrett (October 1989). "Xenon 2". ST Format. pp. 82–83.
  260. ^ ACE, issue 26, page 144
  261. ^ "Mean Machines: Ys". Computer and Video Games (89): 92–3. March 1989. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  262. ^ Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue 1, p. 45
  263. ^ "Y'S". Mean Machines Sega. No. 1 (October 1992). September 1992. p. 137.
  264. ^ Sega Pro, issue 6, p. 31
  265. ^ S: The Sega Magazine, issue 2, p. 6-7
  266. ^ "Minding Your R's, P's and G's: Ys". The Games Machine (18): 36–7. May 1989. Retrieved February 3, 2012.
  267. ^ Szczepaniak, John (July 7, 2011). "Falcom: Legacy of Ys". GamesTM (111): 152–159 [156]. Retrieved September 8, 2011. (cf. Szczepaniak, John (July 8, 2011). "History of Ys interviews". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved September 8, 2011.)
  268. ^ Adams, Roe R. (December 1990). "Lands and Legends: TurboGrafx 16's Ys & II". Computer Gaming World (77): 93–4.
  269. ^ Lesser, Hartley; Lesser, Patricia; Lesser, Kirk (August 1991). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (172): 55–64 [58].
  270. ^ "The 1991 Video Game Buyer's Guide". Electronic Gaming Monthly (15): 14–20 & 78. October 1990.
  271. ^ Dominion (December 1990). "TurboGrafx-16 ProView: Ys – Book I and II" (PDF). GamePro. p. 134.
  272. ^ "Y's Book 1 & 2" (PDF). TurboPlay. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  273. ^ "VideoGames & Computer Entertainment Issue 22 November 1990". VideoGames & Computer Entertainment. November 1990. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  274. ^ "ProNews Report" (PDF). GamePro. May–June 1989. pp. 44–45.
  275. ^ "ProNews Report" (PDF). GamePro. July–August 1989. pp. 74–75.
  276. ^ a b "ProNews Report" (PDF). GamePro. September–October 1989. pp. 70–71.
  277. ^ a b c d "ProNews Report" (PDF). GamePro. December 1989. p. 80.
  278. ^ Horowitz, Ken (April 28, 2006). "Interview: Michael Katz (CEO of Sega of America)". Sega-16. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  279. ^ a b c "ProNews Report" (PDF). GamePro. January 1990. p. 78.
  280. ^ "Stock Link By Nintendo". The New York Times. October 3, 1989.
  281. ^ a b "ProNews Report" (PDF). GamePro. November 1989. p. 78.
  282. ^ "ProNews Report" (PDF). GamePro. February 1990. p. 88.
  283. ^ Stuart, Keith (April 21, 2014). "Nintendo Game Boy – 25 facts for its 25th anniversary". the Guardian. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
  284. ^ Leonhard, Woody (2006). Windows Vista All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. p. 336. ISBN 9780470126455.
  285. ^ "Nintendo Co. Withdrew From JAMMA" (PDF). Amusement Press. April 1, 1989. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
Retrieved from ""