1989 in video games

none June 2018 March 2016 1989 video games 1989 saw many sequels and prequels in video games, such as Phantasy Star II, Super Mario Land, Super Monaco GP, and Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, 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, TurboGrafx-16 and Atari Lynx in North America, plus the Game Boy worldwide along with Tetris and Super Mario Land. The year's highest-grossing arcade video games in Japan were Namco's Final Lap and Sega's Tetris; in the United States they 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 bestselling 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 video games of 1989. Rank Gamest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 December 27, 1989 41 (February 1990) https://archive.org/details/gamest0041/page/79 49–79 (79) ja alternate urlGame MachineVideos of The Year; "Tetris", "Chase H.Q." Game Machine 372 Amusement Press, Inc. 15 January 1990 26 ja https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19900115p.pdf#page=14TitleManufacturer Dedicated arcade cabinet Software conversion kit 1 TetrisSega Final Lap Tetris (Sega) 2 Winning RunNamco Chase H.Q. World Stadium 3 Super Monaco GPSega Operation Thunderbolt Truxton 4 Power DriftSega Winning Run (deluxe) Image Fight 5 Image FightIrem Out Run (deluxe) Shanghai II 6 Final LapNamco Top Landing Kyukyoku Tiger (Twin Cobra)f 7 Tenchi wo KurauCapcom Power Drift (deluxe) Shanghai 8 Ghouls 'n GhostsCapcom Super Monaco GP (deluxe) Sichuan 9 Turbo OutRunSega 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 Reference Title Manufacturer Ref Reference February rowspan="3" rowspan="3" Strider Capcom Capcom: A Captive Audience The Games Machine 18 May 1989 19 (June 1989) Newsfield United Kingdom 24–5 https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-19/page/n23/mode/2up March April November Hard Drivin' Burning Force The Bondeal Chart RePlay January 1990 15 4 148 https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-14-issue-no.-4-january-1990-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2014%2C%20Issue%20No.%204%20-%20January%201990/page/148 colspan="2" rowspan="3" December Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pang Burning Force The Bondeal Chart RePlay February 1990 15 5 90 https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-14-issue-no.-5-february-1990-600dpi/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2014%2C%20Issue%20No.%205%20-%20February%201990/page/90 United States In the United States, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games of 1989. Rank AMOAAMOA Jukebox, Games & Cigarette Vending Awards Winners Cash Box 1989-09-30 36 https://archive.org/details/cashbox53unse_10/page/36 Cash Box Pub. Co.Coin Machine: AMOA Games Awards Nominees Announced Cash Box July 29, 1989 25 https://archive.org/details/cashbox53unse_1/page/25 RePlaySpecial Report: 1989's Best Videos and Pins RePlay January 1990 15 4 44, 46, 4 https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-14-issue-no.-4-january-1990-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2014%2C%20Issue%20No.%204%20-%20January%201990/page/44 AMAAACME Awards: AAMA Achievement Awards RePlay April 1990 15 7 94 https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-14-issue-no.-7-april-1990-600dpi/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2014%2C%20Issue%20No.%207%20-%20April%201990/page/94 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 colspan="2" rowspan="6" 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 rowspan="3" rowspan="3" 10 Mechanized Attack, Midnight Resistance 11 Best-selling home systems Rank System(s) Manufacturer Type Generation Sales Japan USA Europe Korea Worldwide1Nintendo Entertainment SystemNintendoConsole8-bit1,520,000小川 (Ogawa) 純生 (Sumio) 2010-12-14 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 — http://www.toyo.ac.jp/uploaded/attachment/3049.pdf 経営論集 (Keiei Ronshū) ja March 2011 77 1–17 (2) 0286-6439 https://web.archive.org/web/20150725185700/http://www.toyo.ac.jp/uploaded/attachment/3049.pdf 2015-07-25 2021-12-06 Toyo University Academic Information Repository (Toyo University)9,200,000Ramirez Anthony 1990-12-08 Waiting for the Zapping of Nintendo en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/08/business/waiting-for-the-zapping-of-nintendo.html 2021-12-09 0362-4331180,000+Europe: consoles contre micros Europe: consoles against microphones https://i.imgur.com/qUXeIkm.jpg Tilt 23 fr20,000게임월드 1994 Game World ko10,920,000+2Game BoyNintendoHandheld8-bit1,480,0001,000,000 2,500,0001991 Asiaweek https://books.google.com/books?id=hIMMAQAAMAAJ Asiaweek 2 Introduced in 1989, Game Boy sold 2.5 million units that year and 10 million in 1990.3Commodore 64CommodoreComputer8-bit 1,250,000Reimer Jeremy 2005-12-15 Total share: 30 years of personal computer market share figures https://arstechnica.com/features/2005/12/total-share/ live 2021-11-27 Ars Technica en-us https://web.archive.org/web/20120607023023/http://arstechnica.com:80/features/2005/12/total-share/ June 7, 2012 Jeremy Reimer 2012-12-07 Total Share: Personal Computer Market Share 1975-2010 https://jeremyreimer.com/rockets-item.lsp?p=137 Jeremy Reimer4PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16NECConsole16-bit920,000300,000Rothstein Edward 1990-04-26 Electronics Notebook; Adventures in Never-Never Land en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/26/garden/electronics-notebook-adventures-never-never-land-revenge-shinobi-ninja-without.html 2021-12-09 0362-4331 1,220,000+5NEC UltraLite / PC-88 / PC-98NECComputer8-bit / 16-bitMethe David Mitchell Will Miyabe Junichiro Toyama Ryoko January 1998 Overcoming a Standard Bearer: Challenges to NEC's Personal Computer in Japan https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5160396 Research Papers in Economics (RePEc) 35 ResearchGateOzsomer Aysegul https://books.google.com/books?id=h7NoO4fITxAC A Dynamic Analysis of Entry Rates in the Global Personal Computer Industry 1993 Michigan State University (Department of Marketing and Logistics) 36 The Japanese Personal Computer Market Traditionally, dominated by Japanese vendors, the market had reached 2.5 million units in 1989, and 3.3 million units in 1991 (Dataquest Inc.)115,800+8 January 1990 Amid industry pessiminism, micro sales rose https://books.google.com/books?id=FMbci6pHoa0C&pg=PA34 Computerworld IDG Enterprise 24 2 34 0010-4841 1,145,800+6Mega Drive / GenesisSegaConsole16-bit600,000500,000January 4, 1991 Sega woos teen video players with new system A4 The Beaver County Times https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19910104&id=BbciAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ILUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3681,371077 19 December 2021 1,100,0007MacintoshApple Inc.Computer16-bit 1,100,0008IBM Personal Computer (IBM PC)IBMComputer16-bit 748,600+ 748,600+9Mark III / Master SystemSegaConsole8-bit200,000Tanaka Tatsuo http://www.stat.go.jp/english/info/meetings/iaos/pdf/tanaka.pdf#page=2 Network Externality and Necessary Software Statistics August 2001 Statistics Bureau of Japan 2 350,000130,000680,000+10AmigaCommodoreComputer16-bit 600,000 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.グーム売上ベスト10 Best 10 Game Sales Family Computer Magazine 23 February 1990 Tokuma Shoten 133 https://archive.org/details/famimaga-1990-feb-23/page/133 ja Rank Title Developer(s) Publisher(s) Genre(s) Sales Platform(s) 1 Super Mario Bros. 3 Nintendo R&D4 Nintendo Platformer < 3,840,000Japan Platinum Game Chart http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-JPPlatinum.shtml The Magic Box 15 March 2021 August 10, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110810010607/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-JPPlatinum.shtml dead Famicom 2 Tetris BPS / Nintendo R&D1 BPS / Nintendo Puzzle FC / GB 3 Famista '89: Kaimaku Ban! Namco Namco Sports (baseball) rowspan="2" Famicom 4 SD Gundam World Gachapon Senshi 2 Human Entertainment Bandai Strategy 5 Dragon Ball 3: Goku Den TOSE Bandai RPG / card battle < 760,000Dragon Ball Video Game Data Dragon Ball 30th Anniversary: Super History Book 2016 Shueisha 978-4-08-792505-0 216 6 Mother (EarthBound Beginnings) Ape Inc. Nintendo RPG < 400,000Mother http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/mother/ Hardcore Gaming 101 January 8, 2011 15 March 2021Baumann Ken EarthBound: Boss Fight Books #1 2014 Boss Fight Books 978-1-940535-00-5 https://books.google.com/books?id=lvuEDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT19Consalvo Mia Atari to Zelda: Japan's Videogames in Global Contexts 8 April 2016 MIT Press 978-0-262-03439-5 57 https://books.google.com/books?id=tH3TCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA57 7 Kyuukyoku Harikiri Stadium: Heisei Gannenhan Taito Taito Sports (baseball) rowspan="2" 8 Famicom Jump: Hero Retsuden TOSE Bandai Action RPG 9 Famista '90 Namco Sports (baseball) rowspan="2" 10 Family Stadium '88 Namco United Kingdom In the United Kingdom, RoboCop for the ZX Spectrum was the best-selling home video game of 1989.16 December 1989 The Best Games of '89 https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-098/CVG_098_Jan_1990#page/n7/mode/2up Computer and Video Games 98 (January 1990) 9 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 Reference January Operation Wolf Taito Ocean Software Computers February 1989 Charts: All Formats Top Ten https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-089/page/n10/mode/1up Computer and Video Games 89 (March 1989) 11 February 16 March 1989 Charts: All Formats Top Ten https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-090/page/n14/mode/1up Computer and Video Games 90 (April 1989) 15 March 11 April 1989 Charts https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-091/page/n16 Computer and Video Games 91 (May 1989) 17 April RoboCop Data East Ocean Software 8-bit micros 16 May 1989 All Formats Top 20 https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-092/page/n53/mode/2up Computer and Video Games 92 (June 1989) 54–5 May June 1989 All Formats Top 20 https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-093/page/n57/mode/2up Computer and Video Games 93 (July 1989) 58–9 June 15 July 1989 All Formats Top 20 https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-093b/page/n57/mode/2up Computer and Video Games 93 (August 1989) 58–9 July Computers 16 August 1989 All Formats Top 20 https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-094/page/n57/mode/2up Computer and Video Games 94 (September 1989) 58–9 August 16 September 1989 All Formats Top 20 https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-095/page/n65/mode/2up Computer and Video Games 95 (October 1989) 66–7 September Crazy Cars Titus Titus 8-bit micros 16 October 1989 All Formats Top 20 https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-096/page/n65/mode/2up Computer and Video Games 96 (November 1989) 66–7 October Computers 16 November 1989 All Formats Top 20 https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-097/page/n82/mode/1up Computer and Video Games 98 (December 1989) 82–3 November Paperboy Atari Games Elite 8-bit micros 16 December 1989 All Formats Top 20 https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-098/page/n69/mode/2up Computer and Video Games 99 (January 1990) 70–1 December Chase H.Q. Taito Ocean Software Computers Cundy Matt 25 December 2007 Every Christmas Top 10 from the last 20 years https://www.gamesradar.com/every-christmas-top-10-from-the-last-20-years/10/ 9 March 2021 GamesRadar 10 1989 RoboCop Data East Ocean Software ZX Spectrum 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 Reference(s) January Super Mario Bros. 2 NES Top Fifteen Videogames Computer Entertainer February 1989 7 11 1 http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_feb89.pdf3 February 1989 U.S.A. TOP 10: 1月20日 U.S.A. Top 10: January 20 https://www.retromags.com/files/file/4567-famitsu-issue-0067-february-3-1989/ Famicom Tsūshin 1989 3 14 ja February Super Mario Bros./Duck HuntProvenzo Eugene F. Video Kids: Making Sense of Nintendo 1991 Harvard University Press 978-0-674-93709-3 12 https://books.google.com/books?id=sICibPktR68C 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) Top Fifteen Videogames Computer Entertainer March 1989 7 12 1 http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_mar89.pdf March rowspan="7" Top Fifteen Videogames Computer Entertainer April 1989 8 1 1 http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_apr89.pdf April Top Fifteen Videogames Computer Entertainer May 1989 8 2 1 http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_may89.pdf May Top Fifteen Videogames Computer Entertainer June 1989 8 3 1 http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_jun89.pdf June Top Fifteen Videogames Computer Entertainer July 1989 8 4 1 http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_jul89.pdf July Top Fifteen Videogames Computer Entertainer August 1989 8 5 1 http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_aug89.pdf August Top Fifteen Videogames Computer Entertainer September 1989 8 6 1 http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_sep89.pdf September Top Fifteen Videogames Computer Entertainer October 1989 8 7 1 http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_oct89.pdf October Super Mario Bros./Duck HuntKarp Abby Top Of The Toybox: Nintendo zaps competition as year's top toy https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/132735985/ 13 September 2021 The Palm Beach Post December 11, 1989 71 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. Top 15 Videogames Computer Entertainer November 1989 8 8 1 http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_nov89.pdf November Zelda II: The Adventure of Link NES Toy Time Again: Toy Hit Parade https://www.deseret.com/1989/11/27/18834248/toy-time-again-toy-hit-parade 13 September 2021 Deseret News 27 November 1989 en December Tetris Game Boy 5 January 1990 U.S.A. TOP 10: '89年12月22日 U.S.A. Top 10: 1989-12-22 https://retrocdn.net/images/a/a4/Famitsu_JP_0091.pdf#page=14 Famicom Tsūshin 1990 1/2 14 ja Top-rated games Major awards Japan and United Kingdom Award 3rd Gamest Awards (Japan, December 1989)第３回 ゲーメスト大賞 3rd Gamest Awards Gamest December 27, 1989 41 (February 1990) https://archive.org/details/gamest0041/page/49 49–79 ja alternate url 4th Famitsu Best Hit Game Awards (Japan, February 1990)'89ベストヒットゲーム大賞 '89 Best Hit Game Awards Famicom Tsūshin 2 February 1990 1990 3 ja 4th Famimaga Game Awards (Japan, February 1990)1989 ファミマガゲーム大賞 1989 Famimaga Game Awards Family Computer Magazine 23 February 1990 Tokuma Shoten 128–33 https://archive.org/details/famimaga-1990-feb-23/page/128/mode/2up ja7th Golden Joystick Awards (UK, April 1990)May 1990 High Society https://archive.org/stream/ACEIssue33Jun90/ACE_Issue_33_Jun_90#page/n9/mode/1up ACE EMAP 33 (June 1990) 10ArcadeConsole Famicom Game Boy8-bit computer16-bit computer Game of the Year Tetris (Sega) Final Fantasy II TetrisThe UntouchablesKick Off Critics' Choice Awards Gain Ground Image Fight Super Monaco GP Winning Run Idol Hakkenden (Famicom) Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (Famicom) Gunhed (PC Engine) Sweet Home (Famicom) Far East of Eden: Ziria (PCD) Dragon Ball 3: Goku Den (Famicom) Pachio-kun 2 (Famicom) Best Coin-Op Conversion Chase H.Q.Hard Drivin' Best Game Design / Planning Daichi-kun Crisis: Do Natural (PC Engine) Best Playability Final Fantasy II Tetris Best Scenario / Story Famicom Detective Club 2 (Famicom) Best Production Strider HiryūI (Strider) Best Graphics Darius II MythShadow of the Beast Best Music / Sound Valkyrie no Densetsu Mother (EarthBound Beginnings) Final Fantasy II TetrisChase H.Q.Future Wars Best Game Company Namco Ocean Software Special Award CP System Best Originality / Original Game Final Fantasy II TetrisPopulous Best Character / Character Design Valkyrie (Valkyrie no Densetsu) Quinty (Mendel Palace)SD Gundam World Gachapon Senshi 2Pinball: 66 Hiki no Wani Daikoushin Best Group Tetris Blocks (Tetris) Best Action Game Strider HiryūI (Strider)Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari (Famicom) Best Shooting Game Area 88TwinBee 3: Poko Poko Daimaō (Famicom) Best Adventure Game Yūyūki (Famicom Disk System) Best RPG Final Fantasy II (Famicom) Best Simulation Game N/ACarrier CommandM1 Tank Platoon Best Sports Game Famista '89: Kaimaku Ban! (Famicom)N/ABest PC Leisure Product N/AIndiana Jones and the Last Crusade United States Award Electronic Gaming Monthly (December 1989)December 1989 Electronic Gaming Best and Worst of 1989 https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20005%20%28December%201989%29/page/n16 Electronic Gaming Monthly 5 (The 1990 Video Game Buyer's Guide) 17–24 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (February 1990)February 1990 VG&CE's Best Games of 1989 https://retrocdn.net/images/9/94/VG%26CE_US_13.pdf#page=42 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment 13 42–792nd Nintendo Power Awards (May/June 1990)May–June 1990 Second Annual Nintendo Power Awards '89 (Nester Awards) https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Power_Issue001-Issue127/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20012%20May-June%201990/page/n23/mode/2up Nintendo Power 12 26–9 Computer Entertainer Awards of Excellence (December 1989)1989 Computer Entertainer Awards of Excellence announced Computer Entertainer January 1990 4 https://archive.org/details/ComputerEntertainerJanuary1990/page/3Console Console Computer ArcadeNESConsoleComputer Game of the Year Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Sega Genesis) The Legendary Axe (TG16) Populous S.T.U.N. RunnerTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Genesis Game of the YearThunder Force II (Genesis) Ghouls 'n Ghosts Master System Game of the Year Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap SpellCaster Nintendo Game of the Year Ninja Gaiden (NES) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES) TurboGrafx Game of the Year The Legendary Axe (TurboGrafx-16) Dungeon Explorer Computer Entertainment Programs of the Year Shadow of the Beast (Amiga) Prince of Persia (Apple II) Powerdrome (Atari ST) Windwalker (C64/C128) Budokan (MS-DOS) Cosmic Osmo (Mac) Best Coin-Op Conversion Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Genesis) Arkanoid Best Multiplayer Game Crime FightersTecmo Bowl Best Hardware Sega Genesis Best Theme / Fun Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Best Play Control Mega Man 2 Most Challenge Phantasy Star (Master System) Ninja Gaiden Best Graphics Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Sega Genesis) Thunder Force II (Genesis) David Wolf Mega Man 2 Shadow of the Beast (Amiga) Best Music / Sound Fighting Street (TurboGrafx-CD) Developer / Software House Sega, Konami, Acclaim, Sunsoft, Tecmo Best Character / Hero Mega Man (Mega Man 2) Link (Zelda II: The Adventure of Link) Best Sequel Mega Man 2 and Ghouls 'n Ghosts (tie) Original / Special / Innovative A Boy and His Blob (NES) Star Saga One Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters Romance of the Three KingdomsPopulous Best Action / Combat / Arcade-Style Game Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES) Hostage Dynamite Duke Blood Money Best Adventure / Fantasy Zelda II: The Adventure of Link (NES) Manhunter: New York The Third Courier Best RPG Ultima III: Exodus (NES) Best Simulation Game Alien Crush (TG16) Vette! Vette! Best Sports Game World Class Baseball Tommy Lasorda Baseball Baseball Simulator 1.000 Tommy Lasorda Baseball (Sega Genesis) Zany Golf Cyberball Goal! (NES) Tommy Lasorda Baseball (GEN) TV Sports: Football (Amiga) John Madden Football (Apple II) Kings of the Beach (C64) Grave Yardage (MS-DOS) PlayMaker Football (Mac) Best Driving Simulator Hard Drivin' Best Flying Game Metal Hawk Best Strategy / Wargame A Boy and his Blob (NES) SimCity Sands of Fire Best Action-Strategy Game Mega Man 2 (NES) Lords of the Rising Sun Best Video Game Controller Joycard Sansui SSS Coolest Boss / Best Group Loki (Ghouls 'n Ghosts) Jagu (The Legendary Axe) Best Movie to Game Batman: The Video Game Best Ending in a Video Game Ninja Gaiden Ninja Gaiden 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.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 http://geimin.net/da/db/cross_review/index.php https://web.archive.org/web/20081027205828/http://geimin.net/da/db/cross_review/index.php Geimin ja dead October 27, 2008 24 February 2021 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 1989.16 December 1989 The Best Games of '89 https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-098/CVG_098_Jan_1990#page/n7/mode/2up Computer and Video Games 98 (January 1990) 8–9 Home video gamesArcade games Title Platform Score RankTitle Chase H.Q. ZX Spectrum 97% 1S.T.U.N. Runner Super Mario Bros. 2 Nintendo Entertainment System 97% 2Super Monaco GP Indianapolis 500: The Simulation PC 96% 3Winning Run Populous Amiga 96% 4Hard Drivin' Ghouls 'n Ghosts Sega Mega Drive 96% 5Narc F29 Retaliator Amiga 96% rowspan="7" rowspan="7" 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 reviewsApache 3Rail shooterData EastArcade4Arcade game reviews https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews Solvalou.com 25 February 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210627213547/http://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews 2021-06-27Arthur: The Quest for ExcaliburInteractive fictionInfocomAmiga8https://archive.org/details/zzap64-magazine-054/page/n29 Arthur Zzap! October 1989http://amr.abime.net/review_5095 Arthur: The Quest for Excalibur Paul Rigby October 1989 The Games Machine 72https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-095/CVG_095_Oct_1989#page/n96/mode/1up Arthur Keith Campbell October 1989 Computer & Video Games 97http://amr.abime.net/review_6032 Arthur Nick Walkland October 1989 Amiga Format 87https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-24/ACE_Issue_24_1989_Sep#page/n51/mode/1up Arthur September 1989 Advanced Computer Entertainment 52http://amr.abime.net/review_24518 Arthur - The Quest Lucinda Orr November 1989 Amiga Computing 22https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-72/Commodore_User_Issue_72_1989_Sep#page/n59/mode/1up Arthur: The Quest for Excalibur September 1989 Commodore User 60http://amr.abime.net/review_24788 King Arthur Andy Mitchell October 1989 Amiga Action 64–65Big RunRacingJalecoArcade4Blazing LazersShoot 'em upHudson SoftTurboGrafx-164The Role of Computers Lesser Lesser Lesser Hartley Patricia Kirk Dragon 169 May 1991 61–65Glancey Paul Paul Glancey Gunhed Computer and Video Games 100 September 1989 94https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-01/Zero_01_Nov_1989#page/n62/mode/1up Gunhed November 1989 ZeroHarris Steve Turbo Champ – TurboGrafx Explodes with Games Electronic Gaming Monthly 4 November 1989 68–69Chase H.Q.Action-racingOcean SoftwareZX Spectrum5https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-098/CVG_098_Jan_1990#page/n17/mode/2up Chase H.Q. Julian Rignall January 1990 Computer & Video Games 18–19http://www.crashonline.org.uk/71/chase_hq.htm CRASH 71 - Chase HQ Crash! December 1989https://web.archive.org/web/20160919052212/https://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/chasehq.htm https://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/chasehq.htm September 19, 2016 Chase HQ Matt Bielby February 1990 Your Sinclairhttps://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-25/TheGamesMachine25#page/n75/mode/1up Chase HQ December 1989 The Games Machinehttps://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-29/ACE_Issue_29_1990_Feb#page/n41/mode/2up Chase HQ Eugene Lacey February 1990 Advanced Computer EntertainmentChase HQ II: Special Criminal InvestigationAction-racingTaitoArcade6Crack DownRun & gun shooterSegaArcade5Dragon BreedScrolling shooterIremArcade6Dungeon ExplorerAction role-playingHudson SoftTurboGrafx-164https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-22/ACE_Issue_22_1989_Jul#page/n55/mode/1up Dungeon Explorer Julian Rignall July 1989 Advanced Computer Entertainmenthttps://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-092/CVG_092_Jun_1989#page/n89/mode/2up Mean Machines: Dungeon Explorer Julian Rignall July 1989 Computer & Video Gameshttps://retrocdn.net/images/6/6e/EGM_US_004.pdf Dungeon Explorer November 1989 Electronic Gaming Monthly 12Dynasty WarsBeat 'em upCapcomArcade4 F-16 Combat Pilot Combat flight simulation Digital IntegrationAmiga7http://amr.abime.net/review_7332 Entertainment: F-16 Combat Pilot Mark Smiddy November 1989 Amiga User International 85–87https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-26/ACE_Issue_26_1989_Nov#page/n96/mode/1up Updates: F16 Combat Pilot November 1989 Advanced Computer Entertainment 97https://archive.org/stream/amiga-computing-magazine-016/AmigaComputing_016_Sep_1989#page/n16/mode/1up Games: F-16 Combat Pilot Simon Rockman September 1989 Amiga Computing 16–17https://archive.org/stream/amigaformatmagazine-003/Amiga_Format_Issue_003_1989_10_Future_Publishing_GB#page/n41/mode/2up Screen Play: F-16 Combat Pilot Andy Smith October 1989 Amiga Format 42–43https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-24/TheGamesMachine24#page/n90/mode/1up Version Updates: F-16 Combat Pilot November 1989 The Games Machine 91https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-01/Zero_01_Nov_1989#page/n26/mode/1up Flying Tonight: F-16 Combat Pilot Duncan MacDonald November 1989 Zero 27https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-71/Commodore_User_Issue_71_1989_Aug#page/n29/mode/2up Amiga Screen Scene: F-16 Tony Dillon August 1989 Commodore User 30–31Atari ST4http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-atari-st-user-vol-4-no-05_1130.html Software: Fly on Falcon Nic Outterside July 1989 Atari ST User 34MS-DOS4https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-20/ACE_Issue_20_1989_May#page/n50/mode/1up Screen Test: F-16 Combat Pilot Andy Smith May 1989 Advanced Computer Entertainment 51https://archive.org/stream/thegamesmachine-magazine-15/TheGamesMachine_15#page/n63/mode/1up Reviews: F-16 Combat Pilot February 1989 The Games Machine 64https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-06/TheOne_06_Mar_1989#page/n75/mode/2up Review: F-16 Combat Pilot March 1989 The One 76–78 Forgotten Worlds Shoot 'em up U.S. GoldAmiga6https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-050/ZZap_64_Issue_050_1989_Jun#page/n73/mode/2up Forgotten Worlds Zzap! June 1989 75–77 March 13, 2019https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-19/TheGamesMachine19#page/n29/mode/2up Forgotten Worlds The Games Machine June 1989 March 13, 2019https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-092/CVG_092_Jun_1989#page/n23/mode/2up Forgotten Worlds Julian Rignall Computer & Video Games June 1989 March 13, 2019https://archive.org/details/CommodoreUserIssue681989May/page/n15 Amiga Screen Scene: Forgotten Worlds Mark Patterson Commodore User May 1989 16–17 March 13, 2019https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-23/ACE_Issue_23_1989_Aug#page/n79/mode/1up Forgotten Worlds Advanced Computer Entertainment August 1989https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-08/TheOne_08_May_1989#page/n31/mode/1up Forgotten Worlds Gary Whitta The One May 1989Commodore 645https://archive.org/details/CommodoreUserIssue681989May/page/n17 64 Screen Scene: Forgotten Worlds Mark Patterson Commodore User May 1989 19ZX Spectrum5http://www.crashonline.org.uk/65/forgotnw.htm CRASH 65 - Forgotten Worlds Crash! June 1989Forgotten Worlds Sinclair User http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=SinclairUser/Issue086/Pages/SinclairUser08600009.jpg 25 February 2021http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/forgottenworlds.htm Forgotten Worlds ysrnry.co.uk 2015-09-05 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022304/http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/forgottenworlds.htm 2015-11-17 Ghouls 'n Ghosts PlatformerCapcomArcade6SegaMega Drive/Genesis10https://archive.org/stream/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_095_1989-10_EMAP_Publishing_GB/Computer__Video_Games_Issue_095_1989-10_EMAP_Publishing_GB#page/n115/mode/2up Mean Machines: Ghouls 'n Ghosts Paul Glancey Computer & Video Games October 1989https://archive.org/stream/RAZE_Issue_03_1991-01_Newsfield_Publishing_GB#page/n59/mode/2up Ghouls 'n Ghosts Julian Boardman Raze January 1991http://www.outofprintarchive.com/articles/reviews/MegaDrive/GhoulsNGhosts-MeanMachines1-3.html Ghouls 'n Ghosts Mean Machines October 1990https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d5/EGM_US_005.pdf Ghouls 'n Ghosts Electronic Gaming Monthly December 1989 62ACE Magazine Issue 26 ACE Magazine November 1989 https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-26/ACE_Issue_26_1989_Nov#page/n143 25 February 2021Mega File Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming October 1992 2 78 https://retrocdn.net/images/c/c6/MDAG_UK_02.pdf#page=78Platform Games Mega Action June 1993 1 65 https://retrocdn.net/images/1/14/MegaAction_UK_01.pdf#page=65Game Index MegaTech Christmas 1991 1 78 https://retrocdn.net/images/9/90/MegaTech_UK_01.pdf#page=78Ghouls 'N' Ghosts Sega Power February 1991 15 18–9 https://retrocdn.net/images/b/b8/SegaPower_UK_15.pdf#page=18Ghouls 'N' Ghosts Sega Pro Christmas 1991 3 19 https://retrocdn.net/images/3/34/SegaPro_UK_03.pdf#page=19U.S. GoldAmiga4https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-27/TheGamesMachine27#page/n51/mode/1up Ghouls 'n' Ghosts Mark Caswell The Games Machine February 1990http://amr.abime.net/review_1884 Ghouls 'n' Ghosts Maff Evans Amiga Format February 1990https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-76/Commodore_User_Issue_76_1990_Jan#page/n29/mode/2up Ghouls 'n' Ghosts Mike Pattenden Commodore User January 1990https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-058/ZZap_64_Issue_058_1990_Feb#page/n68/mode/1up Ghouls 'n' Ghosts Zzap! February 1990 Golden Axe Beat 'em up SegaArcade6Golden Axe (Sega) ACE 1 June 1989 22 (July 1989) 23 https://archive.org/details/ACE_Issue_22_1989-07_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n22Golden Axe – Sega Sinclair User 18 July 1989 89 (August 1989) 74 https://archive.org/details/sinclair-user-magazine-089/page/n73Bielby Matt Slots of Fun: Golden Axe Your Sinclair 17 July 1989 44 (August 1989) 74 https://archive.org/details/your-sinclair-44/page/n73Arcades: Golden Axe Commodore User 26 May 1989 69 (June 1989) 96–7 https://archive.org/details/Commodore_User_Magazine_Issue_069/page/27/mode/2upGolden Axe The Games Machine 18 August 1989 22 (September 1989) 25 https://archive.org/details/thegamesmachine-22/page/n24Mega Drive/Genesis10https://archive.org/stream/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_101_1990-04_EMAP_Publishing_GB/Computer__Video_Games_Issue_101_1990-04_EMAP_Publishing_GB#page/n97/mode/2up Mean Machines: Golden Axe Julian Rignall April 1990 Computer & Video Gameshttps://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-06/Zero_06_Apr_1990#page/n73/mode/1up Golden Axe April 1990 Zerohttps://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-28/TheGamesMachine28#page/n29/mode/2up Golden Axe Mark Caswell March 1990 The Games Machinehttps://archive.org/stream/RAZE_Issue_03_1991-01_Newsfield_Publishing_GB#page/n61/mode/2up Golden Axe Les Ellis January 1991 Razehttp://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/goldenaxemd.pdf Golden Axe October 1990 Mean Machines March 14, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190519023308/http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/goldenaxemd.pdf May 19, 2019 dead https://retrocdn.net/images/6/6e/EGM_US_008.pdf Golden Axe Electronic Gaming Monthly March 1990 20 March 13, 2019Mega File Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming November 1992 3 78 https://retrocdn.net/images/9/97/MDAG_UK_03.pdf#page=78Mega Library Mega Action June 1993 1 https://retrocdn.net/images/1/14/MegaAction_UK_01.pdf#page=64Mega Drive: Golden Axe Sega Power December 1990 13 20–1 https://retrocdn.net/images/a/a5/SegaPower_UK_13.pdf#page=20Golden Axe Sega Pro Christmas 1991 3 41 https://retrocdn.net/images/3/34/SegaPro_UK_03.pdf#page=41Hard Drivin'Racing simulationAtari GamesArcade5Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic AdventureGraphic adventureLucasfilm GamesMS-DOS4The Role of Computers Lesser Lesser Lesser Hartley Patricia Kirk Dragon 152 December 1989 64–70Rignall Julian Julian Rignall Indy Adventure Computer and Video Games 62–63 September 1989 94https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-13/TheOne_13_Oct_1989#page/n77/mode/2up Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure Paul Presley The One October 1989https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-25/TheGamesMachine25#page/n63/mode/2up Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure The Games Machine December 1989 Interphase Shooter Image WorksAtari ST5http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-st-format-issue-04_1873.html Games: Interphase Mark Higham November 1989 ST Format 60–61http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-atari-st-user-vol-4-no-11_1136.html Futuristic fantasy Janice Murray November 1989 Atari ST User 50–51https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-25/TheGamesMachine25#page/n79/mode/1up Reviews: Interphase: Edge of Dreamtime December 1989 The Games Machine 80https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-02/Zero_02_Dec_1989#page/n61/mode/2up Review: Interphase MacDonald Duncan Kelly Sean December 1989 Zero 62–63https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-097/CVG_097_Dec_1989#page/n69/mode/2up Review: Interphase Paul Glancey December 1989 Computer & Video Games 70–71Amiga9http://amr.abime.net/review_24556 Interphase: Blow the mind Amiga Computing January 1990 22–23http://amr.abime.net/review_6959 Zzap Test: Interphase Zzap! December 1989 78–79https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-27/ACE_Issue_27_1989_Dec#page/n48/mode/1up Screentest: Interphase Advanced Computer Entertainment December 1989 49–50https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-74/Commodore_User_Issue_74_1989_Nov#page/n61/mode/2up Amiga Screen Scene: Interphase Mark Patterson Commodore User November 1989 62–63http://amr.abime.net/review_1824 Screen Play: Interphase Andy Smith Amiga Format November 1989 38–39https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-14/TheOne_14_Nov_1989#page/n90/mode/1up Review: Interphase Gary Whitta The One November 1989 91–92Mechanized AttackRail shooterSNKArcade4Midnight ResistanceRun & gun shooterData EastArcade4Myth: History in the MakingPlatformerSystem 3Commodore 644https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-24/TheGamesMachine24#page/n91/mode/1up Reviews: Myth The Games Machine November 1989 92https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-28/ACE_Issue_28_1990_Jan#page/n61/mode/2up Screentest: Myth Laurence Scotford January 1990 Advanced Computer Entertainment 62https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-75/Commodore_User_Issue_75_1989_Dec#page/n75/mode/2up C64 Screen Scene: Myth Mark Patterson December 1989 Commodore User 76–77https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-095/CVG_095_Oct_1989#page/n49/mode/2up Review: Myth Paul Glancey October 1989 Computer & Video Games 50–51Ninja Gaiden (Shadow Warriors)Beat 'em upTecmoArcade4Ninja Gaiden (Shadow Warriors)Hack & slashTecmoNES5Top 30 Nintendo Power 7 July–August 1989 36 Nintendo Redmond, WA 1041-9551 18893582Wen Howard H. Video Games Reviews – Ninja Gaiden VideoGames & Computer Entertainment 10 November 1989 54, 56 1059-2938 25300986 Larry Flynt Publications Beverly Hills, CAElectronic Gaming Top Ten Electronic Gaming Monthly 2 July–August 1989 82 Sendai Publications Lombard, IL 1058-918X 23857173Glancey Paul Regan Matt Nintendo review – Shadow Warriors Mean Machines 10 July 1991 66–68 http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/shadowwarriornes.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20090105180903/http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/shadowwarriornes.pdf 2009-01-05 0960-4952 500020318 EMAP Peterborough deadShadow Warrior Raze 25 July 1991 11 (September 1991) 36–37 https://archive.org/stream/RAZE_Issue_11_1991-09_Newsfield_Publishing_GB#page/n35/mode/2upOperation ThunderboltLight gun shooterTaitoArcade5Phantasy Star IIRole-playingSegaMega Drive/Genesis8The Role of Computers Lesser Lesser Lesser Hartley Patricia Kirk Dragon 160 August 1990 47–52Phantasy Star II Raze April 1991 5 http://www.outofprintarchive.com/articles/reviews/MegaDrive.html 29 January 2012https://retrocdn.net/images/f/f2/EGM_US_009.pdf Phantasy Star 2 April 1990 Electronic Gaming Monthly 18Phantasy Star II VideoGames & Computer Entertainment March 1990 14 http://retrocdn.net/images/d/d2/VG%26CE_US_14.pdf#page=24 31 July 2016 34Phantasy Star 2 Zero March 1991 17 http://amr.abime.net/review_5765 5 February 2012 88ACE Magazine Issue 37 ACE Magazine October 1990 https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-37/ACE_Issue_37_1990_Oct#page/n90 25 February 2021Ying Games Mega March 1994 18 71 https://retrocdn.net/images/3/35/Mega_UK_18.pdf#page=71Mega Drive: Phantasy Star II Sega Power February 1991 15 22–3 https://retrocdn.net/images/b/b8/SegaPower_UK_15.pdf#page=22PopulousGodElectronic ArtsAmiga9https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-19/ACE_Issue_19_1989_Apr#page/n39/mode/2up Screen Test: Populous Andy Smith April 1989 Advanced Computer Entertainment 40–41https://archive.org/stream/COMPUTEs_Amiga_Resource_Volume_1_Number_4_1989-10_COMPUTE_Publications_US#page/n73/mode/2up Reviews: Populous Keith Ferrell October 1989 Compute's Amiga Resource 73–75https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-090/CVG090_Apr_1989#page/n29/mode/2up Reviews: Populous Julian Rignall April 1989 Computer & Video Games 30–32https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-07/TheOne_07_Apr_1989#page/n33/mode/2up Review: Populous Gary Whitta April 1989 The One 34–36https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-048/ZZap_64_Issue_048_1989_Apr#page/n20/mode/1up Populous April 1989 Zzap! 21https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-67/Commodore_User_Issue_67_1989_Apr#page/n24/mode/1up Amiga Screen Scene: Populous Mark Patterson April 1989 Commodore User 24–25https://archive.org/stream/ST_Amiga_Format_Issue_10_1989-04_Future_Publishing_GB#page/n71/mode/2up Review: Populous Mark Higham April 1989 ST/Amiga Format 72–73http://amr.abime.net/review_7257 Entertainment: Populous Nancy Picard May 1989 Amiga User International 74–75https://archive.org/stream/thegamesmachine-magazine-17/TheGamesMachine_17#page/n23/mode/2up Reviews: Populous April 1989 The Games Machine 24–25The Revenge of ShinobiHack & slashSegaMega Drive/Genesis10The Role of Computers Lesser Lesser Lesser Hartley Patricia Kirk Dragon 163 November 1990 47–50https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-05/Zero_05_Mar_1990#page/n50/mode/1up The Super Shinobi Zero March 1990http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/revengeofshinobimd.pdf Revenge of Shinobi Mean Machines October 1990 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140403015507/http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/revengeofshinobimd.pdf April 3, 2014 March 14, 2019 https://archive.org/stream/RAZE_Issue_03_1991-01_Newsfield_Publishing_GB#page/n57/mode/2up The Revenge of Shinobi Julian Boardman Raze January 1991https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-28/TheGamesMachine28#page/n35/mode/2up The Super Shinobi March 1990 The Games Machinehttps://retrocdn.net/images/6/6e/EGM_US_008.pdf Revenge of Shinobi Electronic Gaming Monthly March 1990 20Mega, issue 9, page 23, Future Publishing, June 1993MegaTech, EMAP, issue 5, page 78, May 1992Rand Paul February 1990 Review: Super Shinobi https://archive.org/details/ComputerAndVideoGames060Oct86/ComputerAndVideoGames/ComputerAndVideoGames099-Jan90/page/n91/mode/1up 7 May 2025 Computer & Video Games 92 99Ninja master takes on international gang of terrorists: Revenge of Shinobi Computer Entertainer January 1990 18 https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d9/ComputerEntertainer_US_Vol.8_10.pdf#page=18R-Type IIShoot 'em upIremArcade6https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-04/Zero_04_Feb_1990#page/n89/mode/1up Dosh Eaters: R-Type II Matt Bielby Zero February 1990 90https://archive.org/stream/your-sinclair-51/YourSinclair_51_Mar_1990#page/n83/mode/2up Slots of Fun: R-Type II Matt Bielby Your Sinclair March 1990 84https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-099/CVG_099_Feb_1990#page/n65/mode/1up Arcade Action: R-Type II Computer & Video Games February 1990 66https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-76/Commodore_User_Issue_76_1990_Jan#page/n109/mode/2up Arcades: R-Type II Commodore User January 1990 110–111R-Type II review Crash February 1990 https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/83/269 25 February 2021R-Type II review Zzap!64 March 1990 https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/98/269 25 February 2021SimCityCity-buildingMaxisAmiga7https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-057/ZZap_64_Issue_057_1990_Jan#page/n77/mode/2up SimCity January 1990 Zzap!https://archive.org/stream/COMPUTEs_Amiga_Resource_Volume_1_Number_4_1989-10_COMPUTE_Publications_US#page/n83/mode/1up SimCity October 1989 Compute's Amiga Resourcehttps://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-75/Commodore_User_Issue_75_1989_Dec#page/n59/mode/1up SimCity Mark Patterson December 1989 Commodore Userhttps://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-26/TheGamesMachine26#page/n31/mode/2up SimCity January 1990 The Games Machinehttp://amr.abime.net/review_6930 SimCity Eugene Lacey September 1989 Advanced Computer Entertainmenthttps://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-095/CVG_095_Oct_1989#page/n41/mode/2up SimCity John Cook October 1989 Computer & Video Gameshttp://amr.abime.net/review_39343 SimCity Sean Kelly January 1990 Zero Strider Hack & slashCapcomArcade5 U.S. GoldAmiga4https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-23/TheGamesMachine23#page/n83/mode/2up Strider October 1989 The Games Machinehttps://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-25/ACE_Issue_25_1989_Oct#page/n46/mode/1up Strider Mark Patterson October 1989 Advanced Computer Entertainmenthttps://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-01/Zero_01_Nov_1989#page/n71/mode/2up Strider November 1989 Zerohttps://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-12/TheOne_12_Sep_1989#page/n57/mode/2up Strider Gary Whitta September 1989 The OneAtari ST7https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-094/CVG_094_Sep_1989#page/n15/mode/2up Strider Julian Rignall September 1989 Computer & Video Gameshttp://www.atarimania.com/mags/hi_res/atari-st-format-issue-003_79.jpg Strider Mark Higham October 1989 ST Formathttp://www.atarimania.com/mags/hi_res/atari-st-user-vol-04-issue-08_50.jpg Carry on hacking Janice Murray October 1989 Atari ST User Stunt Car Racer Racing MicroStyleAmiga7https://archive.org/stream/amiga-computing-magazine-022/AmigaComputing_022_Mar_1990#page/n33/mode/2up Games: Stunt Car Racer March 1990 Amiga Computing 34–35http://amr.abime.net/review_1862 Screenplay: Stunt Car Racer Andy Smith January 1990 Amiga Format 45https://archive.org/stream/Amiga_User_International_Volume_04_No_01_1990-01_Croftward_Limited_GB#page/n105/mode/2up Entertainment: Stunt Car Racer January 1990 Amiga User International 106–107https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-02/Zero_02_Dec_1989#page/n35/mode/2up Review: Stunt Car Racer MacDonald Duncan Kelly Sean December 1989 Zero 36–39https://archive.org/stream/Amiga_Action_Issue_05_1990-02_Gollner_Publishing_GB#page/n69/mode/2up Stunt Car Racer February 1990 Amiga Action 68–69Atari ST7https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-093b/CVG_093b_Aug_1989#page/n75/mode/2up Review: Stunt Car Julian Rignall Computer & Video Games August 1989 76–77https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-24/TheGamesMachine24#page/n88/mode/1up Stunt Car Racer The Games Machine November 1989 89https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-24/ACE_Issue_24_1989_Sep#page/n67/mode/2up Screentest: Stunt Car Mike Pattenden Advanced Computer Entertainment September 1989 68–69http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-atari-st-user-vol-4-no-11_1136.html Screentest: Road Hog! Roland Waddilove Atari ST User January 1990 36–37https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-11/TheOne_11_Aug_1989#page/n71/mode/2up Review: Stunt Car Racer Gary Penn The One August 1989 68–69http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-st-format-issue-04_1873.html Games Roundup: Stunt Car Racer ST Format August 1989 73Commodore 644https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-27/ACE_Issue_27_1989_Dec#page/n99/mode/2up C64 Stunt Car December 1989 Advanced Computer Entertainment 100https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-056/ZZap_64_Issue_056_1989_Dec#page/n73/mode/2up Zzap Test: Stunt Car Racer December 1989 Zzap! 74–75https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-25/TheGamesMachine25#page/n88/mode/1up Reviews: Stuntcar Racer December 1989 The Games Machine 89https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-75/Commodore_User_Issue_75_1989_Dec#page/n51/mode/2up Amiga Screen Scene: Stunt Car Racer Tony Dillon December 1989 Commodore User 52–53Super Mario LandPlatformerNintendoGame Boy4https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-34/TheGamesMachine34#page/n16/mode/1up April 11, 2015 Boy Friends September 1990 The Games Machine 34 17 https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-096/CVG_096_Nov_1989#page/n118/mode/1up April 11, 2015 Marioland Rand Paul November 1989 Computer and Video Games 96 119 http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/review/39/super-mario-land.php April 12, 2015 Super Mario Land review Regan Matt Rignall Julian November 1990 2 Mean Machines https://web.archive.org/web/20150128144053/http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/review/39/super-mario-land.php January 28, 2015 dead mdy-all Electronic Gaming Review Crew Harris Steve Semrad Ed Nauert Donn Allee Jim September 1989 Electronic Gaming Monthly 3 15 The magazine's review score is a composite of four reviews: 8, 8, 7, 8.Super Monaco GPRacing simulationSegaArcade5 The Untouchables Action-adventure Ocean SoftwareAmiga4https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-02/Zero_02_Dec_1989#page/n19/mode/2up Review: The Untouchables Zero Sean Kelly December 1989 18–21https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-059/ZZap_64_Issue_059_1990_Mar#page/n75/mode/2up The Untouchables Zzap! March 1990 76–77https://archive.org/stream/Amiga_Format_Issue_008_1990-03_Future_Publishing_GB#page/n31/mode/2up Screen Play: The Untouchables Amiga Format March 1990 32–33https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-28/TheGamesMachine28#page/n51/mode/1up Reviews: The Untouchables The Games Machine March 1990 52Atari ST4https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-27/TheGamesMachine27#page/n53/mode/1up The Untouchables Mark Caswell The Games Machine February 1990 54https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-02/Zero_02_Dec_1989#page/n17/mode/2up Review: The Untouchables Zero December 1989 18–21https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-29/ACE_Issue_29_1990_Feb#page/n56/mode/1up Screen Test: The Untouchables Laurence Scotford Advanced Computer Entertainment February 1990 57http://www.stformat.com/stf07/index.html The Untouchables Mark Higham ST Format February 1990 46–47ZX Spectrum4https://archive.org/stream/sinclair-user-magazine-092/SinclairUser_092_Nov_1989#page/n31/mode/2up Games Review: The Untouchables November 1989 Sinclair User 30–32https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-24/TheGamesMachine24#page/n83/mode/2up Reviews: The Untouchables November 1989 The Games Machine 84–85http://www.crashonline.org.uk/70/untouchables.htm The Untouchables Crash! November 1989 July 25, 2019https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-096/CVG_096_Nov_1989#page/n57/mode/2up Review: The Untouchables Paul Rand November 1989 Computer & Video Games 58–59WillowPlatformerCapcomArcade4Winning RunRacing simulationNamcoArcade4Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's TrapPlatform-adventureSegaMaster System10Console Wars: Wonder Boy III ACE November 1989 26 144 https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d9/ACE_UK_26.pdf#page=144 31 March 2019Guide: WONDERBOY III Computer + Video Games: Complete Guide To Consoles 4 110 1991 https://retrocdn.net/images/7/7f/CGtC_UK_04.pdf#page=110 31 March 2019Best and Worst of 1989 Electronic Gaming Monthly 5 December 1989 17C.A.T. Sega ProView – Wonder Boy III GamePro 3 September–October 1989 38–39Regan Matt Matt Regan Rignall Julian Julian Rignall Wonderboy III Mean Machines 1 October 1990 40–41 http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/wonderboythreems.pdf 2010-06-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20081120003207/http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/wonderboythreems.pdf 2008-11-20 liveFeature: WONDERBOY III Mean Machines Sega October 1992 1 112 https://retrocdn.net/images/5/5c/MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf#page=112 31 March 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20151120062425/http://retrocdn.net/images/5/5c/MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf#page=112 20 November 2015 live dmy-all WONDERBOY 3: The Dragon's Trap Sega Power September 1993 46 101 https://retrocdn.net/images/b/b9/SegaPower_UK_46.pdf#page=101 31 March 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20160326065520/http://retrocdn.net/images/b/b9/SegaPower_UK_46.pdf#page=101 26 March 2016 live dmy-all Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap Sega Pro April 1992 6 31 https://retrocdn.net/images/e/e6/SegaPro_UK_06.pdf#page=31 31 March 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20160316082347/http://retrocdn.net/images/e/e6/SegaPro_UK_06.pdf#page=31 16 March 2016 live dmy-all Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap S: The Sega Magazine December 1989 1 4–7 https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d0/StheSegaMagazine_UK_01.pdf#page=4Gaksch Martin Kleider Machen Leute – Wonderboy III: The Dragon's Trap Video Games de 1991 January 1991 78 1 Xenon 2: Megablast Shoot 'em up Image WorksAmiga8https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-054/ZZap_64_Issue_054_1989_Oct#page/n69/mode/2up Zzap! Test: Xenon 2 Megablast October 1989 Zzap! 70–71http://amr.abime.net/review_1820 Xenon 2 Andy Smith October 1989 Amiga Format 52–53http://amr.abime.net/review_7333 Entertainment: Xenon 2 Megablast Tony Horgan November 1989 Amiga User International 90–91https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-73/Commodore_User_Issue_73_1989_Oct#page/n39/mode/2up Amiga Screen Scene: Xenon II Mike Pattenden October 1989 Commodore User 40–41Atari ST7http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-atari-st-user-vol-4-no-08_1133.html Atari ST User Star Game: Blast it! Roland Waddilove October 1989 Atari ST User 36–37https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-23/TheGamesMachine23#page/n79/mode/2up Reviews: Xenon 2 Megablast Warren Lapworth October 1989 The Games Machine 80–81https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-094/CVG_094_Sep_1989#page/n51/mode/2up Review: Xenon 2 Paul Glancey September 1989 Computer & Video Games 52–53https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-00/Zero_00_Oct_1989#page/n7/mode/2up Review: Xenon 2 Megablast October 1989 Zero 8–11https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-11/TheOne_11_Aug_1989#page/n40/mode/1up Xenon 2 Megablast Brian Nesbitt August 1989 The One 41–44http://amr.abime.net/review_14038 Screentest: Xenon II Pete Connor October 1989 Advanced Computer Entertainment 50–51http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-st-format-issue-03_1144.html Xenon 2 Gary Barrett October 1989 ST Format 82–83Ys: The Vanished OmensAction role-playingSegaMaster System7ACE, issue 26, page 144Mean Machines: Ys Computer and Video Games March 1989 89 92–3 http://www.smspower.org/Scans/CVG-Magazine-Issue089?gallerypage=92 3 February 2012Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue 1, p. 45Y'S Mean Machines Sega September 1992 1 (October 1992) 137 https://archive.org/details/mean-machines-sega-magazine-01/page/n136/mode/1upSega Pro, issue 6, p. 31S: The Sega Magazine, issue 2, p. 6-7Minding Your R's, P's and G's: Ys The Games Machine May 1989 18 36–7 http://www.smspower.org/Scans/TGM-Magazine-Issue18?gallerypage=37 3 February 2012Ys I & IIAction role-playingHudson SoftTurboGrafx-CD7Szczepaniak John Falcom: Legacy of Ys GamesTM 7 July 2011 111 152–159 [156] http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/yshistory05.jpg/ https://web.archive.org/web/20120721085820/http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/yshistory05.jpg/ dead July 21, 2012 2011-09-08 (cf. Szczepaniak John History of Ys interviews http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2011/07/history-of-ys-interviews-by-john.html Hardcore Gaming 101 8 September 2011 July 8, 2011)Adams Roe R. Lands and Legends: TurboGrafx 16's Ys & II Computer Gaming World December 1990 77 93–4The Role of Computers Lesser, Hartley Lesser, Patricia Lesser, Kirk Dragon 172 August 1991 55–64 [58]The 1991 Video Game Buyer's Guide Electronic Gaming Monthly 15 October 1990 14–20 & 78https://retrocdn.net/images/9/90/GamePro_US_017.pdf TurboGrafx-16 ProView: Ys – Book I and II Dominion GamePro December 1990 134Y's Book 1 & 2 TurboPlay https://retrocdn.net/images/4/46/TurboPlay_US_05.pdf#page=28 25 February 2021VideoGames & Computer Entertainment Issue 22 November 1990 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment November 1990 https://archive.org/details/vg-ce-november-1990/page/132 25 February 2021 Events 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.https://retrocdn.net/images/6/6d/GamePro_US_001.pdf ProNews Report May–June 1989 GamePro 44–45 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.https://retrocdn.net/images/b/b2/GamePro_US_002.pdf ProNews Report July–August 1989 GamePro 74–75 In August, Capcom donates $50,000 worth of video game equipment and Capcom titles to pediatric wards of California hospitals.https://retrocdn.net/images/9/93/GamePro_US_003.pdf ProNews Report September–October 1989 GamePro 70–71 Sega of America ends its Master System distribution deal with Tonka,https://retrocdn.net/images/5/5a/GamePro_US_005.pdf ProNews Report December 1989 GamePro 80 and appoints former Atari Corporation President Michael Katz as its new president in October.https://www.sega-16.com/2006/04/interview-michael-katz/ Interview: Michael Katz (CEO of Sega of America) April 28, 2006 Horowitz Ken Sega-16 March 24, 2020https://retrocdn.net/images/a/af/GamePro_US_006.pdf ProNews Report January 1990 GamePro 78 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. On October 3, Nintendo and Fidelity Investments announce plans to jointly develop a home trading system for financial services.https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/03/business/stock-link-by-nintendo.html Stock Link By Nintendo October 3, 1989 The New York Times 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).https://retrocdn.net/images/c/ce/GamePro_US_004.pdf ProNews Report November 1989 GamePro 78 The Los Angeles contest is won by 17-year-old Jim Hakola of Lakewood, California, who scored 220,080 points on Blazing Lazers. Corey Sandler and Tom Badgett's Ultimate Unauthorized Nintendo Game Strategies, the first in Bantam Books' "Game Mastery" series, is released in November. PepsiCo awards over 4,000 Game Boy systems via an under-the-cap contest across a variety of Pepsi soft drinks. 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. On December 2, the world premiere of the Universal Pictures film The Wizard is held at the Cineplex Odeon Theatre in Universal City, California.https://retrocdn.net/images/0/00/GamePro_US_007.pdf ProNews Report February 1990 GamePro 88 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. The film is well known for featuring gameplay footage of Super Mario Bros. 3, which was first seen in North America for the first time (which was 2 months before the game released in that region). Hardware releases thumb|right|150px|The original Game Boy. August 14 – The Mega Drive is released in North America as the Sega Genesis. 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. Nintendo releases the Game Boy handheld console.Stuart Keith Nintendo Game Boy – 25 facts for its 25th anniversary https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/apr/21/nintendo-game-boy-25-facts-for-its-25th-anniversary The Guardian 17 June 2018 en 21 April 2014 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 – Broderbund releases Prince of Persia for the declining Apple II. 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 SolitaireLeonhard Woody Windows Vista All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies 2006 John Wiley & Sons 9780470126455 336 https://books.google.com/books?id=I4peRLtbGrMC&pg=PA336 en 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.https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19890401p.pdf#page=14 Nintendo Co. Withdrew From JAMMA Amusement Press 1989-04-01 2020-04-19 Nintendo of America, Inc. v. Tengen: Nintendo sues Tengen over the Tetris video game copyrights. Tengen loses and recalls all its Tetris games. 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. See also 1989 in games References Category:Video games by year