1990 in video games

1990 saw many sequels and prequels in video games, such as Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Dr. Mario, Dragon Quest IV, Final Fantasy III, Phantasy Star II, and Super Mario World, along with new titles such as Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light and Magic Sword. The year's highest-grossing arcade video games were Final Fight in Japan and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in the United States. The year's bestTemplate:Nbhselling system was the Game Boy, while the year's best-selling home video game was Super Mario Bros. 3 for the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Financial performance

Highest-grossing arcade games

Japan

In Japan, the following titles were the top ten highest-grossing arcade video games of 1990.

Rank	Gamest<ref>Template:Cite magazine alternate url</ref>		Game Machine<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
	Title	Manufacturer	Dedicated arcade cabinet	Software conversion kit
1	Final Fight	Capcom	Super Monaco GP (deluxe)	Tetris (Sega)
2	Tetris	Sega	Final Lap	Final Fight
3	Super Monaco GP	Sega	Winning Run: Suzuka GP (deluxe)	Tecmo World Cup '90
4	Columns	Sega	Special Criminal Investigation (S.C.I.)	Columns
5	Parodius Da! Shinwa kara Owarai e	Konami	Big Run	Adventure Quiz: Capcom World
6	Raiden	Tecmo	Beast Busters	Super Formula: Chijou Saisoku no Battle
7	Bloxeed	Sega	Hard Drivin'	Volfied
8	Final Lap	Namco	Out Run (deluxe)	Adventure Quiz: Capcom World 2
9	G-LOC: Air Battle	Sega	Operation Thunderbolt	Parodius Da! Shinwa kara Owarai e
10	Gradius III	Konami	G-LOC: Air Battle (deluxe)	M.V.P.

United Kingdom and Australia

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

Month	United Kingdom	Australia (Timezone)		Template:Abbr
		Dedicated cabinet	Conversion kit
January	Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tecmo World Cup '90 Super Masters Line of Fire	rowspan="3" Template:Unknown	rowspan="3" Template:Unknown	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
February
March
July	Template:Unknown	Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles	Tecmo World Cup '90	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
August	Template:Unknown		Magic Sword	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

United States

In the United States, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade video games of 1990.

Rank	AMOA<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>		Play Meter
	Dedicated arcade cabinet	Conversion kit	Title	Manufacturer
1	Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles	Final Fight	Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	Konami
2	Super Off Road, Turbo Outrun, Mercs	Capcom Bowling, Big Event Golf, Cyber Police ESWAT, Badlands	colspan="2" rowspan="4" Template:Unknown
3
4
5	Template:N/A

The following were the top-grossing arcade video games on the monthly RePlay arcade charts in 1990.

Month	Title	Type	Points	Template:Abbr
January	Golden Axe	Software conversion kit	{{#expr:8.36*77 round 0}}	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
February	Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles	Dedicated cabinet	{{#expr:9.65*77 round 0}}	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
March			{{#expr:9.55*89 round 0}}	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
April			{{#expr:9.61*96 round 0}}	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
May			{{#expr:9.5*97 round 0}}	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
June			{{#expr:9.49*96 round 0}}	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
July			{{#expr:9.52*98 round 0}}	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
August			{{#expr:9.31*97 round 0}}	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
September			{{#expr:9.14*95 round 0}}	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
October			{{#expr:9.02*97 round 0}}	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
November			{{#expr:8.66*99 round 0}}	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
December			{{#expr:8.25*98 round 0}}	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Hong Kong

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

Month	Dedicated arcade cabinet		Arcade conversion kit			Template:Abbr
January	Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles		Pang	Burning Force	Lady Frog	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="RePlay3">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
February	Hard Drivin'	Big Run	Roulette			<ref name="RePlay3"/><ref name="RePlay4">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
March	Big Run	Hard Drivin'	Roulette		Crude Buster	<ref name="RePlay4"/><ref name="RePlay5">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
April	Hard Drivin'	Big Run	Final Fight	Crude Buster		<ref name="RePlay5" />
May	Big Run		Rough Ranger			<ref name=":2">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
June	Big Run	Hard Drivin'	Alien Storm		Mustang	<ref name=":2"/><ref name="RePlay8">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
July	Big Run		Lightning Fighters	Combatribes	Smash TV	<ref name="RePlay8"/><ref name="RePlay9">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
August	Hard Drivin'	Big Run	Smash TV	Magic Sword		<ref name="RePlay9"/><ref name="RePlay10">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
September	Big Run	Hard Drivin'	Magic Sword		Smash TV	<ref name="RePlay10"/><ref name="RePlay11">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
October	Big Run		Smash TV		Pit-Fighter	<ref name="RePlay11"/><ref name="RePlay12">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
November	Big Run	Hard Drivin'	Pit-Fighter	Hydra	Pit-Fighter	<ref name="RePlay12"/><ref name="RePlay91">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
December	Four Trax	Cisco Heat	Double Dragon 3	Pit-Fighter	Super Pang	<ref name="RePlay91"/><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Best-selling home systems

Rank	System(s)	Manufacturer	Type	Generation	Sales
					Japan	USA	Europe	Korea	Worldwide
1	Game Boy	Nintendo	Handheld	8-bit	3,100,000<ref name=":22" />	5,000,000<ref name=":7">Template:Cite news</ref>	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	10,000,000<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
2	Nintendo Entertainment System	Nintendo	Console	8-bit	1,360,000<ref name=":22">Template:Cite journal</ref>	7,200,000<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	< 655,000<ref name="SP18">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	80,000<ref name="Korea">Template:Cite book</ref>	8,640,000+
3	IBM PC	IBM	Computer	16-bit	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	2,840,000<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
4	Sega Mega Drive / Genesis	Sega	Console	16-bit	900,000<ref name="Tanaka2">Template:Cite book</ref>	1,000,000<ref name=":7" />	193,000<ref name=":8">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	43,000<ref name="Korea" />	2,136,000+
5	PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16	NEC	Console	16-bit	1,300,000<ref name="Tanaka2" />	{{#expr:750,000−300,000}}<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	1,750,000+
6	Macintosh	Apple Inc.	Computer	16-bit	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	citation	CitationClass=web }} {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
7	Master System	Sega	Console	8-bit	Template:Unknown	300,000<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>	725,000<ref name=":8" />	180,000<ref name="Korea" />	1,205,000+
8	NEC PC-88 / PC-98	NEC	Computer	8-bit / 16-bit	{{#expr:(2,400/1.05)*0.50 round −2}},000<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	1,100,000+
9	Amiga	Commodore	Computer	16-bit	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	750,000<ref name=":222" />
10	Commodore 64 (C64)	Commodore	Computer	8-bit	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	700,000<ref name=":222" />

Best-selling home video games

Japan

In Japan, according to Famicom Tsūshin (Famitsu) magazine, the following titles were the top ten best-selling 1990 releases, including later sales up until 1992.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Rank	Title	Developer	Publisher	Genre	Platform	Sales
1	Super Mario World	Nintendo EAD	Nintendo	Platformer	SFC	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
2	Dragon Quest IV: Michibikareshi Monotachi	Chunsoft	Enix	RPG	Famicom	3,000,000<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
3	Final Fantasy III	Squaresoft	Squaresoft	RPG	Famicom	< 1,400,000<ref name="EGM63">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
4	Dr. Mario	Nintendo R&D1	Nintendo	Puzzle	Famicom	rowspan="2" Template:Unknown
5					Game Boy
6	Final Fight	Capcom	Capcom	Beat 'em up	SFC	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
7	SD Gundam: SD Sengokuden	Bandai	Bandai	TBT	Game Boy	rowspan="4" Template:Unknown
8	F-Zero	Nintendo EAD	Nintendo	Racing	SFC
9	SD Hero Sōkessen: Taose! Aku no Gundam	Interlink	Banpresto	Platformer	Famicom
10	Qix	Minakuchi	Nintendo	Puzzle	Game Boy

The following titles were the best-selling home video games on the Japan game charts published by Famicom Tsūshin (Famitsu) and Family Computer Magazine (Famimaga) in 1990.

Month	Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4	Template:Abbr
Template:Dts	Makai Toushi SaGa (Game Boy)				citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Template:Dts	Dragon Quest IV (Famicom)				<ref name="Famitsu1990"/><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts	Dragon Quest IV (Famicom)			Mōryō Senki Madara (FC)	<ref name="Famitsu1990"/><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts	Dragon Quest IV (Famicom)			Final Fantasy III (FC)	<ref name="Famitsu1990"/><ref name="April">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts	Final Fantasy III (Famicom)			Tetris (Game Boy)	<ref name="Famitsu1990"/><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts	Tetris (Game Boy)		Dragon Quest IV (Famicom)
Template:Dts	Tetris (Game Boy)		Dr. Mario (Famicom)		<ref name="Famitsu1990"/>
Template:Dts	Dr. Mario (Famicom)				<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="Famitsu22">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts	Dr. Mario (Famicom)		Famista (Game Boy)		<ref name="Famitsu22"/>
Template:Dts	colspan="2" Template:Unknown	Dragon Ball Z: Kyôshū! Saiyan (FC)		<ref name="Famitsu1990"/>
Template:Dts	F1 Race (Game Boy)		Super Mario World (Super Famicom)
Template:Dts	Super Mario World (Super Famicom)		colspan="2" Template:Unknown

United States

In the United States, Super Mario Bros. 3 was the best-selling home video game of 1990.<ref name=":1"/><ref name="Famitsu83"/> The following titles were the best-selling home video games of each month in 1990.

Month	Standalone		Bundle	Sales	Revenue
	Weeks 1-2	Weeks 3-4			Nominal	Inflation
Template:Dts	Tetris (Game Boy / NES)<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>			Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown
Template:Dts	Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	250,000+<ref name=":5">Template:Cite news</ref>	Template:US$+<ref name=":5" />	Template:US$+
May	Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)<ref name=":4">Template:Cite magazine</ref>		Tetris (Game Boy)<ref name=":4" />	rowspan="5" Template:Unknown	rowspan="5" Template:Unknown	rowspan="5" Template:Unknown
Template:Dts	Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)<ref name="USA14">Template:Cite magazine</ref>		Tetris (Game Boy)<ref name="USA14"/>
Template:Dts	Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>		Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt (NES)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts	Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>		Template:Unknown
December	Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)<ref name=":6">Template:Cite magazine</ref>		Tetris (Game Boy)<ref name=":6" />
1990	Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES)<ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Famitsu83">Template:Cite magazine</ref>			8,000,000<ref name="Lancaster">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Good">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	Template:US$<ref name="SMB3">Template:Cite journal</ref>	Template:US$

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the following titles were the best-selling home video games of each month in 1990, for various home computer and game console platforms.

Month	Home computers	Master System	NES	Mega Drive	PC Engine	Template:Abbr
Template:Dts	Chase H.Q.	California Games	Super Mario Bros. 2	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts	Paperboy	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts		Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Ghouls 'n Ghosts	Chase H.Q.	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts	Fantasy World Dizzy	Wonder Boy III	Template:Unknown	New Zealand Story	PC Kid	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts		Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Final Blow	Atomic Robo Kid	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts	Italy 1990	Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Thunder Force III	Formation Soccer	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts		Template:Unknown	Template:Unknown	Ghostbusters	Don Doko Don	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts	Pro Boxing Simulator	Golden Axe	Super Mario Bros. 2	Batman	Super Star Soldier	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts	Shadow Warriors			Super Monaco GP	Devil Crash	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts	Guardian Angel		Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles	Strider	Splatterhouse	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts	Out Run				Devil Crash	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Template:Dts	Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles			Golden Axe	Aero Blasters	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Top-rated games

Major awards

Japan

Award	4th Gamest Awards (Japan, December 1990)<ref>Template:Cite magazine alternate url</ref>	5th Famitsu Best Hit Game Awards (Japan, February 1991)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
	Arcade	Console
Game of the Year	Final Fight	Dragon Quest IV (Famicom)
Handheld Game of the Year	Template:N/A	SaGa 2 (Game Boy)
Coin-Op Translation / Conversion	Template:N/A	Gradius III (Super Famicom)
PC-to-Console Translation	Template:N/A	Populous (Super Famicom)
Best Scenario / Story	Template:N/A	Final Fantasy III (Famicom)
Best Graphics	R-Type II	Castle of Illusion (Mega Drive)
Best BGM / Sound	Gradius III	Dr. Mario
Best Album	Darius II	Template:N/A
Best Production	Parodius! From Myth to Laughter	Template:N/A
Special Award / Most Talk	Neo Geo	Super Famicom
Best Game Company / Manufacturer	Namco	Template:N/A
Best Character / Character Design	Mike Haggar (Final Fight)	Yoshi (Super Mario World)
Best Action Game	Final Fight	F-Zero (Super Famicom)
Best Shooting Game	Parodius! From Myth to Laughter	Super Star Soldier (PCE)
Best RPG	Template:N/A	Megami Tensei II (Famicom) Dragon Quest IV (Famicom)
Best Action RPG	Template:N/A	Ys II (Famicom) Sorcerian (Mega Drive)
Best Adventure Game	Template:N/A	Urusei Yatsura: Stay With You (PCE)
Best Simulation / Strategy Game	Template:N/A	Fire Emblem (Famicom)
Best Puzzle Game	Template:N/A	Dr. Mario
Best Sports Game	Template:N/A	Formation Soccer (PCE)

United Kingdom

Award	8th Golden Joystick Awards (United Kingdom, April 1991)<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
	8-bit computer	16-bit computer	8-bit console	16-bit console
Game of the Year	Rick Dangerous 2	Kick Off 2	Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Best Console Game	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Mega Man (NES)	John Madden Football (MD)
PC Game of the Year	Railroad Tycoon		Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Best Coin-Op Conversion	Rainbow Islands	Golden Axe	Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Best Graphics	Midnight Resistance	Shadow of the Beast 2	Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Best Soundtrack	RoboCop 2	Speedball 2	Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Hardware Manufacturer of the Year	Sega
Software House of the Year	Ocean Software		Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Best Simulation	F19 Stealth Fighter		Template:N/A	Template:N/A

United States

Award	Electronic Gaming Monthly (United States, October 1990)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>	VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (United States, February 1991)<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
	Console	Console	Computer
Game of the Year	Strider (Sega Genesis)	Phantasy Star II (Genesis)	It Came from the Desert
Game of the Year (Nintendo)	Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (NES)	Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Game of the Year (TurboGrafx)	Ninja Spirit (TurboGrafx-16)	Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Handheld Game of the Year	Blue Lightning (Atari Lynx)	Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Coin-Op Translation / Conversion	Template:N/A	Columns (Genesis)	N.Y. Warrior
Best Graphics	Strider (Sega Genesis)	Phantasy Star II (Genesis)	Mean Streets
Best BGM / Sound	Ys I & II (TurboGrafx-CD)		Loom
Best System	Sega Genesis	Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Best New System	TurboExpress	Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Game Company / Manufacturer	Natsume, Sega, Capcom, Konami, Nintendo	Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Software House of the Year		Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Best Sequel to an Existing Game	Mega Man 3	Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Innovative Game / New Theme	Bonk's Adventure	Super Glove Ball	DragonStrike
Best Action Game	Template:N/A	Bonk's Adventure (TG16)	Prince of Persia
Best RPG	Ys I & II (TurboGrafx-CD)	Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Best Adventure Game	Template:N/A	Ys I & II (TG16) Phantasy Star II (Genesis)	Conquests of Camelot
Best Simulation Game	Template:N/A	Devil's Crush (TG16)	LHX Attack Chopper
Best Strategy Game	Template:N/A	Populous (Genesis)	Spot: The Video Game
Best Military-Strategy Game	Template:N/A	Herzog Zwei (Genesis) Military Madness (TG16)	Battles of Napoleon
Best Action-Strategy Game	Template:N/A	Klax	Pipe Dream
Best Sports Game	Super Monaco GP (Sega Genesis)	TV Sports: Football (TG16)	TV Sports: Basketball
Best Sports Simulation	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	PGA Tour Golf
Best Board Game	Template:N/A	Template:N/A	Clue: Master Detective
Best Science-Fiction Game	Template:N/A	Whip Rush (Genesis)	Star Control
Most Challenging Video Game	Phantasy Star II (Sega Genesis)	Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Best Peripheral of the Year	Game Genie	Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Best Movie to Game	Gremlins 2: The New Batch	Template:N/A	Template:N/A
Best Ending in a Game	Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos	Template:N/A	Template:N/A

Critically acclaimed titles

Famitsu Platinum Hall of Fame

The following video game releases in 1990 entered Famitsu magazine's "Platinum Hall of Fame" for receiving Famitsu scores of at least 35 out of 40.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Title	Platform	Score (out of 40)	Developer	Publisher	Genre
Dragon Quest IV: Michibikareshi Monotachi	Family Computer	37	Chunsoft	Enix	Role-playing
F-Zero	Super Famicom	37	Nintendo EAD	Nintendo	Racing
Final Fantasy III	Family Computer	36	Squaresoft	Squaresoft	Role-playing

English-language publications

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

Title	Genre	Publisher	Platform	Source(s)
Air Inferno	Combat flight simulator	Taito	Arcade	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World	Hack & slash	Sega	Master System	<ref name="cvg_alex_shinobi">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="segapro_kidd">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Aliens	Run & gun shooter	Konami	Arcade	<ref name="arcade" />
Alien Storm	Action	Sega
Buster Bros. (Pang)	Action	Mitchell
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse	Platformer	Sega	Sega Mega Drive/Genesis	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
G-LOC: Air Battle	Combat flight simulator	Sega	Arcade	<ref name="arcade"/>
Golden Axe	Beat 'em up	Sega	Master System	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="Zero">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
		Virgin Games	Amiga	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
GP Rider	Motorbike racing	Sega	Arcade	<ref name="arcade"/>
John Madden Football	Sports	Electronic Arts	Sega Mega Drive/Genesis	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Klax	Puzzle	Atari Games	Arcade	<ref name="arcade" />
Mercs	Run & gun shooter	Capcom
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker	Action	Sega
Out Zone	Run & gun shooter	Toaplan
Quarth (Block Hole)	Puzzle-shooter	Konami
Railroad Tycoon	Business simulation	MicroProse	DOS	<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
SimCity	City-building	Maxis	Atari ST	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Smash TV	Multi-directional shooter	Williams Electronics	Arcade	<ref name="arcade"/>
Strider	Hack & slash	Sega	Sega Mega Drive/Genesis	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Electronic Gaming Monthly, Strider Review, issue 16, November 1990, page 20</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Super Mario Bros. 3	Platformer	Nintendo	NES	citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="MeanMachines">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Super Mario World	Platformer	Nintendo	SNES	<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="GI">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
The Secret of Monkey Island	Graphic adventure	Lucasfilm Games	DOS	<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="ACEMonkeyIsland">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Two Crude (Crude Busters)	Beat 'em up	Data East	Arcade	<ref name="arcade"/>

Events

• The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in January. NEC and Sega respectively unveil prototypes for the TurboExpress and Game Gear handheld consoles, while more than 35 titles are announced for the Game Boy. Codemasters reveals an audio CD player compatible with the NES manufactured by Samsung and to be distributed by Camerica in the summer. Camerica also reveals the "Power Pak", later known as the Game Genie. Sega announces that 20 third-party titles would be released for the Sega Genesis by the end of 1990, as well as the continued development for Master System games.<ref name="GameProNews8">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
• David Pomije establishes the first FuncoLand location in New Hope, Minnesota in August.<ref name="Youngblood1993">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Baker1992">Template:Cite news</ref>
• August – Publication of Swedish language video game magazine Nintendomagasinet begins.
• March 8 – the Nintendo World Championships begins.
• Nintendo v. Color Dreams lawsuit: Nintendo sues Color Dreams over unlicensed production of Nintendo video games.
• Toy Headquarters merges with Trinity Acquisition Corporation forming THQ.
• New companies: Eidos, Interactive Studios, Team17, Revolution Software
• Defunct: Tynesoft

Hardware releases

File:Game-Gear-Handheld (cropped).jpg

Sega Game Gear

• Camerica releases Codemasters' Game Genie adapter in Canada and the UK (In the US, it was released by Galoob).
• NEC releases the TurboExpress handheld console.
• Nintendo releases the Super Famicom 16-bit console in Japan.
• SNK releases the Neo Geo Advanced Entertainment System (AES) home console.
• September 28 – Nintendo releases the Game Boy across Europe. It became a huge success and a wide phenomenon over the continent, particularly in Germany and the UK.
• October 6 – Sega's Game Gear color handheld is released in Japan. It is launched in North America in 1991 and Europe and Australia in 1992.
• November 30 – Sega's Mega Drive released in Europe.
• Amstrad halts production of the ZX Spectrum, ending that platform's 8-year dominance of the UK home computer market.
• Amstrad introduces its only console, the Amstrad GX4000, which fails to garner interest and is discontinued the following year.

Game releases

• Bonk's Adventure is released for NEC's TurboGrafx-16 and is the first US appearance of Bonk, the mascot of the TurboGrafx-16.
• Namco releases Kyuukai Douchuuki, World Stadium '90, Final Lap 2, Pistol Daimyo no Bouken, which is a spin-off from Berabow Man, Souko Ban Deluxe, Dragon Saber, Rolling Thunder 2, Steel Gunner and Golly! Ghost!.
• February 12 – Nintendo releases the NES game Super Mario Bros. 3 in North America. It sells 17.28 million copies, making it one of the best-selling stand-alone video games of all time.
• April – Konami releases Snake's Revenge, a sequel to Metal Gear for the Nintendo Entertainment System in North America, developed without the involvement of Hideo Kojima.
• April – Williams releases Smash TV in arcades, a twin-stick shooter about an ultra-violent game show.
• April 20 – Nintendo releases Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light in Japan, innovating the tactical role-playing genre.
• June 1 – Origin releases Ultima VI: The False Prophet
• July 12 – Nintendo of America publishes Final Fantasy for the Nintendo Entertainment System in North America. This game started Square's popular and long-running Final Fantasy series.
• July 20 – Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake for the MSX2 computer, is released exclusively in Japan. It is KonamiTemplate:'s last major game for the hardware.
• July 27– Nintendo releases Dr. Mario for 3 Nintendo platforms.
• August – Pit Fighter from Atari Games introduces digitized sprites to arcade fighting games.
• September – Broderbund releases a port of Prince of Persia for the MS-DOS computers.
• September 26 – Origin releases the first Wing Commander game.
• September 28 – Capcom releases Mega Man 3 for NES in Japan, introducing the characters Rush and Proto Man, Mega Man's slide is introduced, and Capcom's character cameos.
• November 9 – Sierra On-Line releases King's Quest V.
• October 15 – LucasArts releases The Secret of Monkey Island
• November 1 – Mega Man 3 is released in the US.
• November 21 – Nintendo releases Super Mario World and F-Zero in Japan as launch titles for the Super Famicom. Super Mario World introduced Yoshi and F-Zero introduced Captain Falcon.
• December 14 – Commander Keen is released as shareware, the first major platformer on a PC.
• Sega releases the G-LOC: Air Battle R-360 arcade game, featuring the first 3D – 360° gameplay that physically rotated the real world player.
• Sid Meier's Railroad Tycoon, the first of the "Tycoon" games, is released by MicroProse.
• Infogrames releases Alpha Waves, the first 3D platform game.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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• Mindscape publishes Captive.
• Konami releases Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The Arcade Game, on the Nintendo Entertainment System.

See also

• 1990 in games