1994 in video games

none December 2009 August 2022 March 2016 1994 video games 1994 saw many sequels and prequels in video games, such as Super Metroid, Donkey Kong Country, Final Fantasy VI, Sonic 3 & Knuckles, Super Street Fighter II Turbo and Virtua Fighter 2 and Doom II, along with new titles such as Daytona USA, Ace Driver, Alpine Racer, The King of Fighters '94 and Tekken. The year's best-selling video game console was the Game Boy, while the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis remained the best-selling home console. The year's highest-grossing arcade video games were Super Street Fighter II X (Super Street Fighter II Turbo) and Virtua Fighter in Japan, and Daytona USA and Mortal Kombat II in the United States, while the year's best-selling home video game worldwide was Donkey Kong Country. Legend main platform 3 3DO Arcade DOS GB GEN GG LIN MAC NEO NES PS1 S32X SAT SCD SMS SNES main genre none 3 Action Action RPG City builder Fighting FPS Metroidvania Platformer Racing RPG Sandbox Simulation Sports Tactical RPG Hardware releases 250px|thumb|right|PlayStation video game console, first released in Japan Aiwa releases the Aiwa Mega-CD multimedia home console in Japan only. Bandai releases the Playdia multimedia home console. NEC releases the PC-FX multimedia home console. Sega: introduces the North American cable TV Sega Channel in cooperation with Time Warner (AOL Time Warner); the subscription service provides Sega Genesis games via cable box to customers releases the Sega 32X add-on for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in Europe (November 14), North America (November 21) and Japan (December 3) releases the Sega Nomad handheld console in North America, a portable Sega Genesis. releases the Sega Saturn home console in Japan on November 22 SNK releases the Neo Geo CD home console. Sony releases the PlayStation home console in Japan on December 3. Nintendo releases the Super Game Boy adapter for the Super Nintendo home console. Atari Corporation discontinues the Lynx handheld system. Top-rated games Game of the Year awards The following titles won Game of the Year awards for 1994. Awards Game of the Year Platform Publisher Genre Ref Reference Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) Donkey Kong Country SNES Nintendo Platformer https://videogamegeek.com/award/29030/egm-awards EGM Awards 29 December 2017 30 December 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171230060428/https://videogamegeek.com/award/29030/egm-awards live Game Informer https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/01/02/looking-back-at-25-years-of-game-informer-s-goty-awards.aspx?PostPageIndex=1 25 Years Of Game Informer's GOTY Awards Game Informer 2 January 2017 29 December 2017 30 December 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171230060137/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2017/01/02/looking-back-at-25-years-of-game-informer-s-goty-awards.aspx?PostPageIndex=1 liveVideo Games & Computer Magazine"VideoGames best of '94". Video Games: The Ultimate Gaming Magazine. https://search.worldcat.org/search?q=n2:1059-2938 2024-11-18 Beverly Hills: Larry Flynt Publications.TimeTIME 1994-12-26 The Best Products of 1994 https://time.com/archive/6726588/the-best-products-of-1994/ 2024-11-18 TIME enNintendo PowerKid's Choice Awards2022-04-04 First winner of "Favorite Video Game" in Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Awards Guinness World Records https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/397184-first-winner-of-favorite-video-game-in-nickelodeons-kids-choice-awards https://web.archive.org/web/20220404001216/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/397184-first-winner-of-favorite-video-game-in-nickelodeons-kids-choice-awards dead 2022-04-04 2024-11-18 Computer Gaming World Premier AwardsX-COM: UFO DefenseDOSMicroProseStrategyMay 1995 1995 Premier Awards https://archive.org/details/cgw_museum_pdfs/cgw_130/page/42 Computer Gaming World 130 42GameFan MegawardsEarthworm JimGENPlaymates InteractivePlatformerGameFan, volume 3, issue 1 (January 1995), pages 68-75Clockwork KnightSATSega Gamest Awards The King of Fighters '94 Arcade SNK Fighting IAAPA Exhibit Awards Ace Driver Arcade Namco Racing News Digest: Sega, Namco Simulators Score Bit At Parks Show RePlay December 1994 20 3 25 https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-20-issue-no.-3-december-1994/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2020%2C%20Issue%20No.%203%20-%20December%201994/page/25 Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA) NBA Jam Acclaim Sports (basketball) Home Entertainment Awards – Video Games http://www.entmerch.org/industry/awards/emavsda-home-entertainment-/home-entertainment-awards-v-2.html Entertainment Merchants Association 5 February 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20131101201913/http://www.entmerch.org/industry/awards/emavsda-home-entertainment-/home-entertainment-awards-v-2.html 1 November 2013 dead Famitsu Platinum Hall of Fame The following video game releases in 1994 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 Developer Publisher Genre Score (out of 40) Final Fantasy VI SNES Squaresoft Squaresoft RPG 37 Ridge Racer PS1 Namco Namco Racing 37 Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo (Mystery of the Emblem) SNES Intelligent Systems Nintendo Tactical RPG 36 Virtua Fighter SAT Sega AM2 Sega Fighting 36 Financial performance Highest-grossing arcade games The best-selling arcade printed circuit board (PCB) worldwide in 1994 was SNK's Neo Geo MVS system.Letter From Europe RePlay April 1995 20 7 36, 38 https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-20-issue-no.-7-april-1995/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2020%2C%20Issue%20No.%207%20-%20April%201995/page/36 Japan The following titles were the top ten highest-grossing arcade games of 1994 in Japan. Rank Gamest第８回 ゲーメスト大賞 8th Gamest Awards Gamest December 27, 1994 136 (January 1995) 40–59 ja alternate url Game MachineBest Videos '94: "Puyo Puyo", "Ridge Racer" DX Game Machine 487 Amusement Press, Inc. 1-15 January 1995 36 ja https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19950101p.pdf#page=19TitleManufacturer Title Type Points 1 Super Street Fighter II X: Grand Master ChallengeCapcom Virtua Fighter PCB / Deluxe 2 Virtua FighterSega Super Street Fighter II / X PCB 3 Garō Densetsu Special (Fatal Fury Special)SNK Puyo Puyo PCB 3466 4 Vampire: The Night Warriors (Darkstalkers)Capcom Ridge Racer Deluxe 3265 5 The King of Fighters '94SNK Super Real Mahjong PIV PCB 2909 6 Super Street Fighter IICapcom Shanghai III PCB 2794 7 Gokujo ParodiusKonami Raiden II PCB 2718 8 Ridge RacerNamco Lethal Enforcers Dedicated 2713 9 Daytona USASega Tetris (Sega) PCB 2686 10 Puyo PuyoCompile OutRunners 2P cabinet 2676 United Kingdom In the United Kingdom, the following titles were the highest-grossing games of each month in 1994. Month Dedicated arcade cabinet Printed circuit board (PCB) Ref Reference(s)FebruaryRidge Racer15 March 1994 Arcade Action https://retrocdn.net/images/7/7f/CVG_UK_149.pdf#page=82 Computer and Video Games United Kingdom Future Publishing 149 (April 1994) 82–6May 1994 Charts https://retrocdn.net/images/1/18/Edge_UK_008.pdf#page=90 Edge United Kingdom Future Publishing 1994-03-31 8 90–1 4 May 2022MarchRidge RacerSuper Street Fighter II TurboJune 1994 Charts https://retrocdn.net/images/8/83/Edge_UK_009.pdf#page=86 Edge United Kingdom Future Publishing 1994-04-28 9 86–7 4 May 2022AprilJuly 1994 Charts https://retrocdn.net/images/4/45/Edge_UK_010.pdf#page=84 Edge United Kingdom Future Publishing 1994-05-26 10 84–5 4 May 2022MayDaytona USAAugust 1994 Charts https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d7/Edge_UK_011.pdf#page=80 Edge United Kingdom Future Publishing 1994-06-30 11 80–1 4 May 2022JuneSeptember 1994 Charts https://retrocdn.net/images/0/0d/Edge_UK_012.pdf#page=82 Edge United Kingdom Future Publishing 1994-07-28 12 82–3 4 May 2022JulyDaytona USAOctober 1994 Charts https://retrocdn.net/images/0/0d/Edge_UK_013.pdf#page=80 Edge United Kingdom Future Publishing 1994-08-25 13 80–1 4 May 2022AugustNovember 1994 Charts https://retrocdn.net/images/b/b5/Edge_UK_014.pdf#page=88 Edge United Kingdom Future Publishing 1994-09-29 14 88–9 4 May 2022SeptemberDecember 1994 Charts https://retrocdn.net/images/6/69/Edge_UK_015.pdf#page=90 Edge United Kingdom Future Publishing 1994-10-27 15 90–1 4 May 2022OctoberDaytona USAGunbirdJanuary 1995 Charts https://retrocdn.net/images/9/97/Edge_UK_016.pdf#page=98 Edge United Kingdom Future Publishing 1994-11-24 16 98 4 May 2022 Virtua Fighter by Sega AM2 was also one of the UK's most popular coin-ops of the year.Patterson Mark James Steve Lawrence Eddy (Radion Automatic) Lord Gary 15 December 1994 Sega Saturn exclusive! Virtua Fighter: fighting in the third dimension https://retrocdn.net/images/8/84/CVG_UK_158.pdf#page=12 Computer and Video Games United Kingdom Future plc 158 (January 1995) 12–3, 15–6, 19 United States In the United States, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade video games of 1994. Rank Play Meter AAMACoin Machine: ACME Show Honors Six Firms For "Product Excellence" Cash Box April 29, 1995 30 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1995/CB-1995-04-29.pdf#page=30ACME Awards RePlay April 1995 20 7 68–9 https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-20-issue-no.-7-april-1995/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2020%2C%20Issue%20No.%207%20-%20April%201995/page/68/mode/2up AMOAAMOA Awards Banquet RePlay October 1994 20 1 149–50 https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-20-issue-no.-1-october-1994/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2020%2C%20Issue%20No.%201%20-%20October%201994/page/149AMOA Jukebox And Game Awards Nominees Announced Cash Box July 23, 1994 30 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1994/CB-1994-07-23.pdf#page=30 Title Award Dedicated arcade cabinet Arcade conversion kit 1 Daytona USA, Mortal Kombat II1994 Play Meter December 1994 20 13 92 https://archive.org/details/play-meter-volume-20-number-13-december-1994/Play%20Meter%20-%20Volume%2020%2C%20Number%2013%20-%20December%201994/page/92 Daytona USA (Twin) Cruis'n USA, Killer Instinct, Mortal Kombat II, Neo Geo MVS Diamond Mortal Kombat II 2 Lethal Enforcers, Mortal Kombat, NBA Jam, NBA Jam: Tournament Edition, Virtua Fighter NBA Jam: Tournament Edition, Raiden II, Super Street Fighter II, Samurai Shodown 3 rowspan="3" 4 5 6 NBA Jam: Tournament Edition Platinum 7 rowspan="3" Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors, Raiden II, Revolution X Gold colspan="2" rowspan="6" 8 9 10 rowspan="3" Alien vs. Predator, Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom, Super Street Fighter II Turbo Silver 11 12 Best-selling video game consoles Rank Manufacturer Platform Type Sales Japan USA Europe Elsewhere Worldwide1NintendoGBHandheld1,140,000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) 7,500,000+https://books.google.com/books?id=dtwiAQAAMAAJ Market Research International 1995 Euromonitor 2 82 In the hand-held games market, the company launched Game Boy, which currently leads the field with sales surpassing 7.5 million units.2SegaGENHome500,000March 1995 Finance & Business https://www.scribd.com/doc/208776076/Screen-Digest?secret_password=2ntzw5zfrtsy8kxequmg Screen Digest 56–62 May 23, 20214,000,000+January 6, 1995 Sega threepeat as video game leader for Christmas sales; second annual victory; Sega takes No. 1 position for entire digital interactive entertainment industry Business Wire http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sega+threepeat+as+video+game+leader+for+Christmas+sales;+second...-a015997617 dead 24 December 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20131014174045/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Sega+threepeat+as+video+game+leader+for+Christmas+sales%3B+second...-a015997617 2013-10-141,540,0001,000,0007,040,000+3NintendoSNESHome2,200,000Clements Matthew T. Ohashi Hiroshi October 2004 Indirect Network Effects and the Product Cycle: Video Games in the U.S., 1994–2002 http://www.netinst.org/Clements_Ohashi.pdf#page=25 live https://web.archive.org/web/20160307012843/http://www.netinst.org/Clements_Ohashi.pdf March 7, 2016 September 21, 2011 NET Institute 12, 241,060,000900,0006,218,0004SegaSCDHome150,000550,000205,000 905,0005SegaGGHandheld350,000500,000+ 850,000+6SegaSATHome840,000 840,0007SegaS32XHome270,000January 5, 1994 Showtime at the Nintendo Booth for the Winter Consumer Electronics Show http://www.thefreelibrary.com/'SHOWTIME'+AT+THE+NINTENDO+BOOTH+FOR+THE+WINTER+CONSUMER+ELECTRONICS...-a014671344 February 10, 2014 Free Library July 14, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714121252/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/%27SHOWTIME%27+AT+THE+NINTENDO+BOOTH+FOR+THE+WINTER+CONSUMER+ELECTRONICS...-a014671344 dead500,00065,000 835,0008Goldstar, Panasonic, Sanyo3DOHome450,000160,00015,0005,000+630,000+9SonyPS1Home600,000 600,00010NintendoNESHome280,000 548,000+ Best-selling home video games The following titles were the top ten best-selling home video games (console games or computer games) worldwide in 1994. Rank Title Platform Sales Japan USAAugust 26, 2006 December 1994 - U.S. Top 40 https://www.neogaf.com/threads/classic-sales-age-december-1994-u-s-top40-hw-revised.116454/ live 2021-11-07 The NPD Group en-US https://web.archive.org/web/20211107133130/https://www.neogaf.com/threads/classic-sales-age-december-1994-u-s-top40-hw-revised.116454/ November 7, 2021 Worldwide1Donkey Kong Country (Super Donkey Kong)SNES 956,0002,057,0066,000,000Parish Jeremy Donkey Kong Country Turns 25: Gaming's Biggest Bluff https://www.usgamer.net/articles/reconsidering-donkey-kong-country-gamings-empty-handed-bluff USGamer 19 May 2020 21 November 2019 November 20, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201120031051/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/reconsidering-donkey-kong-country-gamings-empty-handed-bluff dead 2Street Fighter II 941,000+989,178+SF23,709,090+ million worldwide sales during JanuaryMarch 1994.Pollack Andrew Market Place; Pummeling A Warrior of Video Games (Published 1994) https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/06/business/market-place-pummeling-a-warrior-of-video-games.html 21 February 2021 The New York Times 6 September 1994 https://web.archive.org/web/20150526101657/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/06/business/market-place-pummeling-a-warrior-of-video-games.html May 26, 2015 Capcom sold 6.5 million copies of the game for the Nintendo machine in the fiscal year that ended in March 1993, and an additional 5.4 million for the Nintendo and Sega machines combined in the year that ended last March. liveJapan Economic Almanac 1994 Japan Economic Journal 978-4-532-67504-2 90 https://books.google.com/books?id=-jCxAAAAIAAJ As for video-game software, accumulated sales of Capcom Co.'s Street Fighter II series reached 10 million units in 1993, compared with 15 million units of Enix Inc.'s Dragon Quest series and 100 million units of Nintendo's Super Mario series. 77,910+ Street Fighter II Turbo and Special Champion Edition sales in the US during AprilAugust. 941,000 Super Street Fighter II sales in Japan during JuneDecember. 341,728 Super Street Fighter II sales in the US during JulySeptember. 448,452 Street Fighter II, Turbo and Special Champion Edition sales in the US during December.3Final Fantasy VI (Final Fantasy III)SNES2,550,000+275,9522,825,952+4Mortal Kombat II 1,929,494+2,500,000+Shelf Talk: Soaring Sales Billboard 29 October 1994 106 44 80 https://books.google.com/books?id=YQgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA80 Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 0006-2510 24 February 2021 7 November 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211107100047/https://books.google.com/books?id=YQgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA80 live5NBA JamGEN, SNES 2,313,5262,313,526+6Sonic 3 & KnucklesGEN 1,473,7301,473,730+7Madden NFL 95GEN, SNES 811,568811,568+8Super MetroidSNES531,000256,262+June 30, 2006 September 1994: Top 40 https://www.neogaf.com/threads/classic-sales-age-sept-1994-top40-hw-mortal-kombat-ii-783-000-snes-gen.108253/ live 2021-11-07 The NPD Group en-US https://web.archive.org/web/20211107144806/https://www.neogaf.com/threads/classic-sales-age-sept-1994-top40-hw-mortal-kombat-ii-783-000-snes-gen.108253/ November 7, 2021 787,262+9Mighty Morphin Power RangersGEN, SNES 731,910731,910+10J.League Excite Stage '94 (Capcom's Soccer Shootout)SNES714,000 714,000+ Japan In Japan, the following titles were the top ten best-selling home video games of 1994. Rank Title Platform Publisher Genre Sales Ref Reference 1 Final Fantasy VI SNES Squaresoft RPG 2,550,000+ Final Fantasy III Electronic Gaming Monthly 63 Ziff Davis October 1994 172 https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_63/page/n177/mode/1up 2 Super Donkey Kong (Donkey Kong Country) SNES Nintendo Platformer 956,000 1994年のコンシューマーゲームソフトの売上 1994 Consumer Game Software Sales Dengeki Oh MediaWorks ja http://www.rnac.ne.jp/~zangel/1994.htm dead https://web.archive.org/web/20010920123100/http://www.rnac.ne.jp/~zangel/1994.htm 20 September 2001 16 September 2021 3 Super Street Fighter IISNES Capcom Fighting 941,000 4 J.League Excite Stage '94 (Capcom's Soccer Shootout)SNES Epoch Co. Sports (soccer) 714,000 5 Super Bomberman 2SNES Hudson Soft Maze 713,000 6 Super Momotarō Dentetsu IIISNES Hudson Soft Simulation 610,000 7 Dragon Ball Z: Super Butōden 3SNES Bandai Fighting 595,000 8 Fire Emblem: Monshō no Nazo (Mystery of the Emblem)SNES Nintendo Tactical RPG 563,000 9 Super MetroidSNES Nintendo Metroidvania 531,000 10 Mother 2: Gīgu no Gyakushū (EarthBound)SNES Nintendo RPG 518,000 United States In the United States, the following titles were the top ten best-selling home video games of 1994.Famighetti Robert Top-Selling Video Games, 1994 The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 1996 1995 World Almanac Books 259 https://archive.org/details/worldalmanac96bk00fami/page/259 registration Source: The NPD TRSTS Video Game Tracking Service, The NPD Group, Inc., Port Washington, NY; ranked by units sold Rank Title Platform Publisher Genre Sales Ref Reference(s) 1 NBA Jam GEN, SNES Acclaim Entertainment Sports (basketball)2,313,526 2 Donkey Kong Country SNES Nintendo Platformer2,057,0063Mortal Kombat II GEN, SNESAcclaim EntertainmentFighting1,929,494 4 Sonic 3 & Knuckles GEN Sega Platformer1,473,730 5 Street Fighter II GEN, SNES Capcom Fighting989,178+SF2 222,224+ Street Fighter II Turbo and Special Champion Edition sales up until August.June 2006 January-August 1994 https://www.neogaf.com/threads/classic-sales-age-top25s-expanded-to-top40s-january-july-1994.107477/ live 2021-11-07 The NPD Group en-US https://web.archive.org/web/20190605140607/https://www.neogaf.com/threads/classic-sales-age-top25s-expanded-to-top40s-january-july-1994.107477/ June 5, 2019 341,728 Super Street Fighter II sales up until September.July 11, 2006 October 1994 https://www.neogaf.com/threads/classic-sales-age-is-back-oct-1994-final-fantasy-iii.109555/ live 2021-11-07 The NPD Group en-US https://web.archive.org/web/20211107144807/https://www.neogaf.com/threads/classic-sales-age-is-back-oct-1994-final-fantasy-iii.109555/ November 7, 2021 448,452 Street Fighter II, Turbo and Special Champion Edition sales in December. 6 Madden NFL 95 GEN, SNES EA Sports Sports (football)811,5687Mighty Morphin Power RangersGEN, SNESSega, BandaiAction731,9108The Lion KingGEN, SNESVirgin InteractivePlatformer619,3999NBA Live 95GEN, SNESEA SportsSports (basketball)542,75810Disney's AladdinSNESCapcomPlatformer421,996+ United Kingdom HMV, a British entertainment retailer, released a monthly list of the chain's highest-selling home video game titles. The following titles topped the monthly all-formats charts, as reported by Computer and Video Games. Month Title PlatformPublisherGenre Ref Reference January Sensible Soccer GENSonySports (soccer) https://retrocdn.net/images/8/8c/CVG_UK_148.pdf#page=9 Charts Computer & Video Games EMAP 148 (March 1994) 15 February 1994 9 February SimCity 2000 DOS, MACMindscapeCity builder https://retrocdn.net/images/7/7f/CVG_UK_149.pdf#page=12 Charts Computer & Video Games EMAP 149 (April 1994) 15 March 1994 12 March NBA JamGEN, SNES, GGAcclaimSports (basketball) https://retrocdn.net/images/d/dd/CVG_UK_150.pdf#page=114 Charts Computer & Video Games EMAP 150 (May 1994) 15 April 1994 114–115 AprilDoomId SoftwareFPS https://retrocdn.net/images/d/df/CVG_UK_151.pdf#page=126 All the Charts on All the Formats Computer & Video Games EMAP 151 (June 1994) 15 May 1994 126–128 May World Cup StrikerSNESU.S. GoldSports (soccer) https://retrocdn.net/images/4/45/CVG_UK_152.pdf#page=126 Chart Attack with HMV Computer & Video Games EMAP 152 (July 1994) 15 June 1994 126–128 June World Cup USA '94 GEN, SNES, GGU.S. GoldSports (soccer) https://retrocdn.net/images/6/61/CVG_UK_153.pdf#page=126 Chart Attack with HMV Computer & Video Games EMAP 153 (August 1994) 15 July 1994 126–128 July Star Wars: TIE FighterVirgin InteractiveSpace combat https://retrocdn.net/images/8/8c/CVG_UK_154.pdf#page=112 Chart Attack with HMV Computer & Video Games EMAP 154 (September 1994) 15 August 1994 112–113 August Super Street Fighter II GENSegaFighting https://retrocdn.net/images/1/14/CVG_UK_155.pdf#page=128 Chart Attack with HMV Computer & Video Games EMAP 155 (October 1994) 15 September 1994 128–129 September Mortal Kombat II SNES, GEN, SMS, GG, GBAcclaimFighting https://retrocdn.net/images/9/9c/CVG_UK_156.pdf#page=113 Chart Attack with HMV Computer & Video Games EMAP 156 (November 1994) 15 October 1994 113 October Doom IIVirgin InteractiveFPS https://retrocdn.net/images/6/6b/CVG_UK_157.pdf#page=145 Chart Attack with HMV Computer & Video Games EMAP 157 (December 1994) 15 November 1994 145 November FIFA Soccer 95 GENEA SportsSports (soccer) https://retrocdn.net/images/8/84/CVG_UK_158.pdf#page=115 Chart attack with HMV Computer and Video Games EMAP 158 (January 1995) 15 December 1994 115 December https://retrocdn.net/images/7/79/CVG_UK_159.pdf#page=95 Chart attack with HMV Computer and Video Games EMAP 159 (February 1995) 15 January 1995 95 Events Nintendo proclaims "1994: The Year of the Cartridge".http://www.thefreelibrary.com/'SHOWTIME'+AT+THE+NINTENDO+BOOTH+FOR+THE+WINTER+CONSUMER+ELECTRONICS...-a014671344 Showtime at the Nintendo Booth for the Winter Consumer Electronics Show Free Library January 5, 1994 February 10, 2014 July 14, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714121252/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/%27SHOWTIME%27+AT+THE+NINTENDO+BOOTH+FOR+THE+WINTER+CONSUMER+ELECTRONICS...-a014671344 deadhttps://www.gamespot.com/articles/gaming-highlights-from-1994/1100-6419705/ Gaming Highlights from 1994 Gamespot Peter Brown en 21 May 2014 4 July 2020 Nintendo Australia Pty. Ltd, the Australian subsidiary of Nintendo Co., Ltd is established and opened by Hiroshi Yamauchi and effectively ends Mattel Australia's distribution of Nintendo's products throughout Australia. "Project Reality" is renamed the Nintendo Ultra 64. The console's design is revealed to the public for the first time in spring 1994. The second of two congressional hearings on video games takes place on March 5. Topics for discussion include the depiction of violence and sexual content in video games, their influence on children, and the prospect of governmental regulation of video game content. April – The Interactive Digital Software Association (IDSA) is founded in response to the hearings (name changed to the Entertainment Software Association in 2003); the IDSA founds the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) in order to self-regulate content in video games in the mold of the Motion Picture Association of America film rating system. April 28 – Sega and MGM make a venture to create video games, movies, and television programs. June 24 – The Computer Game Developers Association is formed by Ernest W. Adams. November – Game Zero magazine drops their print format and becomes the first video game news magazine on the web. November 10 – William Higinbotham, creator of Tennis for Two (1958), dies at 84. Business New companies: Neversoft Defunct: Commodore, Tradewest September 14 – Video gaming magazine Nintendomagasinet is cancelled after four years. Number 9 of 1994 would have been released on this day, but instead the magazine joins Super Power. Apogee establishes the 3D Realms Entertainment division. Blizzard Entertainment is renamed from Silicon & Synapse. SSI sold to Mindscape Alpex Computer Corp. v. Nintendo lawsuit: Alpex sues Nintendo over patent infringements related to the NES. Nintendo loses the case. (In 1996 this ruling was reversed by an appeals court, which determined that no patents had been infringed upon.)Tidbits... Electronic Gaming Monthly 90 Ziff Davis January 1997 28Chris Johnston http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_06/24_alpex/index.html https://web.archive.org/web/19980119054100/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/97_06/24_alpex/index.html Nintendo Decision Final GameSpot January 19, 1998 June 24, 1997 July 28, 2022 Nintendo of America, Inc. v. Dragon Pacific Intern Notable releases in 1994 Release Date Title Platform Developer/Publisher Genre Ref Reference(s) February 2 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 GEN Sega Platformer October 2025 March X-COM: UFO Defense DOS Mythos Games/MicroProse Turn-based Strategy October 2025 March 19 Super Metroid SNES Nintendo Metroidvania October 2025 March 25 The Elder Scrolls: Arena DOS Bethesda Action RPG, Sandbox October 2025 April 2 Final Fantasy VI SNES Square Co. RPG October 2025 June 14 Donkey Kong GB Nintendo Puzzle-platformer October 2025 July TIE Fighter DOS LucasArts Space flight simulation October 2025 August 2 Earthworm Jim SNES, GEN Shiny Entertainment Platformer October 2025 August 25 The King of Fighters '94 NEO SNK Fighting McFerran Damien 25 August 2024 King Of Fighters Is 30 Years Old https://www.timeextension.com/news/2024/08/anniversary-king-of-fighters-is-30-years-old Time Extension 1 May 2026 August 27 EarthBound SNES Nintendo RPG October 2025 September Master of Magic DOS MicroProse 4X, Turn-based Strategy October 2025 September 9 Mortal Kombat II SNES Sculptured Software/Acclaim Entertainment Fighting October 2025 September 22 System Shock DOS Looking Glass Studios/Origin Systems Action-adventure October 2025 October 10 Doom LIN Dave D. Taylor/id Software FPS October 2025 October 10 Doom II DOS id Software FPS October 2025 October 17 Sonic & Knuckles GEN Sega Platformer http://www.gamefaqs.com/genesis/586468-sonic-and-knuckles/data Sonic & Knuckles Release Information for Genesis GameFAQs October 17, 1994 November 5, 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20121031063014/http://www.gamefaqs.com/genesis/586468-sonic-and-knuckles/data October 31, 2012 October 28 Killer Instinct Arcade Rare Fighting October 2025 November 15 Warcraft: Orcs & Humans DOS Blizzard Entertainment Real-time Strategy October 2025 November 15 NFL '95 GEN, GG Double Diamond Software (GEN) Blue Sky Software (GG) Sports (football) October 2025 November 21 Donkey Kong Country SNES Rare/Nintendo Platformer October 2025 November 23 King's Quest VII: The Princeless Bride DOS Sierra On-Line Adventure October 2025 November 25 Banshee's Last Cry SNES Chunsoft Visual novel Weekly Famitsu New Game Cross Review December 2, 1994 ASCII Corporation Japanese 311 40 Noda Sawadi Uchisawa Roringu Nagano Isabella Taco Xhttps://www.timeextension.com/news/2026/08/this-new-patch-lets-you-play-chunsofts-landmark-super-famicom-sound-novel-kamaitachi-no-yoru-in-english Time Extension Hookshot Media This New Patch Lets You Play Chunsoft's Landmark Super Famicom Sound Novel 'Kamaitachi no Yoru' In English Yarwood Jack August 4, 2026 live https://web.archive.org/web/20260804112443/https://www.timeextension.com/news/2026/08/this-new-patch-lets-you-play-chunsofts-landmark-super-famicom-sound-novel-kamaitachi-no-yoru-in-english August 4, 2026 August 7, 2026University of Minnesota Press The Sound of Visual Novels Crawford Rebecca 13 2 Spring 2021 2152-6648 Mechademia: Second Arc 10.5749/mech.13.2.0169 169http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=30175 https://web.archive.org/web/20141115032312/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=30175 August 11, 2026 dead Kamaitachi no Yoru [Japanese] Allgame November 15, 2014 All Media Network December The Need for Speed 3DO Electronic Arts Racing https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=File%3AEGM_US_066.pdf&page=254 The Need for Speed Electronic Gaming Monthly 8 1 254 January 1995 March 5, 2024 December Magic Carpet DOS, PS1, SAT Bullfrog Productions Action October 2025 December Wing Commander III: Heart of the Tiger DOS Origin Space combat simulator Coleman, Terry Lee Is The Price of Freedom Worth $12 Million? December 1995 137 Computer Gaming World 46–7, 50, 52, 54 https://archive.org/details/Computer_Gaming_World_Issue_137/page/n49 December 9 Tekken Arcade Namco Fighting October 2025 December 10 Wario's Woods NES Nintendo Puzzle October 2025 December 16 King's Field PS1 FromSoftware Action RPG October 2025 December 21 Marathon MAC Bungie FPS October 2025 December 27 Heretic DOS, MAC Raven Software/id Software FPS October 2025 See also 1994 in games Notes References Category:Video games by year