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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.
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Highest-grossing arcade games
Japan
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
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
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
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
| 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
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.[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
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
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] |
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Major awards
Japan
| 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
| 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
Critically acclaimed titles
Famitsu Platinum Hall of Fame
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
Notable video game releases in 1990 that have accumulated overall critical acclaim from at least three contemporary English-language sources include:
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- 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
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- 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.
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- 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.
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