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| ⚫ | The '''1980s''' were a decade of highs and lows for video games and it was the [[History of video games|second decade in the industry's history]]. The decade began in the midst a boom in the arcade business with giants like [[Atari]] still dominating the market since the late |
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| + | | prev = 1970s |
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| + | | next = 1990s |
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| + | }} |
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| ⚫ | The '''1980s''' were a decade of highs and lows for video games and it was the [[History of video games|second decade in the industry's history]]. The decade began in the midst a boom in the arcade business with giants like [[Atari]] still dominating the market since the late 1970s. An over-saturation of third party games, the rising influence of the [[personal computer]], and a lack of quality in the games themselves lead to an implosion of the North American video game market that nearly destroyed the industry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvHcYe2sQ-I|title=The Video Game Crash of 1983}}</ref> It takes home consoles years to recover from the crash, but [[Nintendo]] fills in the void with its [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES), reviving interest in consoles.<ref name="gamespot.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/flashback-nes-6144735/|title=A 20-YEAR OLD LEGEND}}</ref> Up until this point, most investors believed video games to be a fad that has since passed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://listverse.com/2011/12/08/top-10-embarrassing-moments-in-video-game-history/|title=Top 10 Embarrassing Moments in Video Game History}}</ref> In the remaining years of the decade, [[SEGA]] ignites a [[Console wars|console war]] with Nintendo,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://n4g.com/news/77859/nintendo-vs-sega-the-16-bit-console-war-part-i|title=Nintendo vs. Sega-The 16-Bit Console War - Part-I}}</ref> developers that have been affected by the crash experiment with the superior graphics of the PC,<ref name="games.ign.com">{{Cite web|url=http://games.ign.com/articles/119/1195693p1.html|title=Ten Facts about the Great Video Game Crash of '83}}</ref> and Nintendo also releases the [[Game Boy]], which would become the best-selling handheld gaming device for the next two-decades.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/07/nintendos-ds-family-becomes-best-selling-gaming-handheld-in-his/|title=Nintendo's DS family becomes best selling gaming handheld in history}}</ref> |
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| − | [[File:NES-Console-Set.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] was released in the mid-1980s and became the [[List of best-selling game consoles|best-selling gaming console]] of its time]] |
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| ⚫ | Starting in 1983 the third generation began with the Japanese release of the Nintendo Family Computer (or "Famicom"; later known as the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] in the rest of the world). Although the previous generation of consoles had also used 8-bit processors, it was at the end of this generation that home consoles were first labeled by their "bits". This also came into fashion as 16-bit systems like |
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| ⚫ | Starting in 1983 the third generation began with the Japanese release of the Nintendo Family Computer (or "Famicom"; later known as the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] in the rest of the world). Although the previous generation of consoles had also used 8-bit processors, it was at the end of this generation that home consoles were first labeled by their "bits". This also came into fashion as 16-bit systems like SEGA's [[Mega Drive]] & [[Genesis]] were marketed to differentiate between the generations of consoles. In the [[United States]], this generation in gaming was primarily dominated by the NES/Famicom. |
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| − | === |
+ | ===Fourth generation consoles=== |
| ⚫ | |||
| − | [[File:Sega-Genesis-Mod1-Set.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Sega Genesis]] was released in America in 1988.]] |
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| − | Starting in 1987 and ending in 1996, the fourth generation of [[video game console]]s consisted primarily of games and systems programmed for the 16-bit era. During this generation, 2D graphics had improved over the [[History of video game consoles (third generation)|previous generation]] and experimentation began to occur with 3D graphics, although 3D games were more prevalent on the [[Personal computer|PC]] at the time. The fourth generation also was the first time [[compact disc]]s were considered a viable port for video game retail sales with the [[Philips CD-i|CD-i]]. Some of the most notable systems released during this generation were the Super Famicom/[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (1990), the [[ |
+ | Starting in 1987 and ending in 1996, the fourth generation of [[video game console]]s consisted primarily of games and systems programmed for the 16-bit era. During this generation, 2D graphics had improved over the [[History of video game consoles (third generation)|previous generation]] and experimentation began to occur with 3D graphics, although 3D games were more prevalent on the [[Personal computer|PC]] at the time. The fourth generation also was the first time [[compact disc]]s were considered a viable port for video game retail sales with the [[Philips CD-i|CD-i]]. Some of the most notable systems released during this generation were the [[Super Famicom]]/[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (1990), the [[Mega Drive]] & [[Genesis]] (1988), and the [[Neo Geo]] (1990).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vintagegamesite.com/hwfourth.php |title=4th Generation Vintage Hardware and Computing Consoles |publisher=VintageGameSite.com |date=2007-08-19 |accessdate=2009-07-23|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20081222192552/http://www.vintagegamesite.com/hwfourth.php |archivedate = December 22, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref> Nintendo's [[Game Boy]] was also released during the fourth generation, which would later become the most popular series of [[handheld video game|handheld gaming systems]] during the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ciao.co.uk/Nintendo_GameBoy__Review_5406949|title=Nintendo GameBoy - Reviews}}</ref> A rivalry between Sega and Nintendo occurred during this generation, starting the first ever [[Console wars|console war]]. |
==History== |
==History== |
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| − | |||
===Golden age of arcade games=== |
===Golden age of arcade games=== |
||
| − | {{ |
+ | {{Main|Golden age of arcade video games}} |
| − | In the early-1980s, arcade games were a vibrant industry. The arcade video game industry in the US alone was generating $5 billion of revenue annually in 1981<ref name="Mark J. P. Wolf 103">{{Cite book|title=The video game explosion: a history from PONG to PlayStation and beyond|first=Mark J.P.|last=Wolf|publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]]| isbn=031333868X|page=103|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=XiM0ntMybNwC&pg=PA103|accessdate=2011-04-19|year=2008{{ |
+ | In the early-1980s, arcade games were a vibrant industry. The arcade video game industry in the US alone was generating $5 billion of revenue annually in 1981<ref name="Mark J. P. Wolf 103">{{Cite book|title=The video game explosion: a history from PONG to PlayStation and beyond|first=Mark J.P.|last=Wolf|publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]]| isbn=031333868X|page=103|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=XiM0ntMybNwC&pg=PA103|accessdate=2011-04-19|year=2008{{Inconsistent citations}}}}</ref> and the number of arcades doubled between 1980 and 1982.<ref name="Wolf-105">{{Cite book|title=The video game explosion: a history from PONG to PlayStation and beyond|first=Mark J.P.|last=Wolf|publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]]|isbn=031333868X|page=105|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=XiM0ntMybNwC&pg=PA105|accessdate=2011-04-19|year=2008{{Inconsistent citations}}}}</ref> The effect video games had on society expanded to other mediums as well such as major films and music. In 1982, "''[[Pac-Man Fever]]''" charted on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] charts<ref name="timemag">{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,921174,00.html|title=Pac-Man Fever|publisher=Time Magazine|date=1982-04-05|accessdate= 2009-10-15}}</ref> and ''[[TRON]]'' became a cult classic.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/gallery/top_cult_films?pg=9 | work=The Boston Globe | title=Top 20 cult films, according to our readers | date=17 August 2006}}</ref> |
| − | === |
+ | ===Third-party development and an oversaturated market=== |
| − | Following a dispute over recognition and royalties, several of Atari's key programmers split and founded their own company [[Activision]] in late-1979.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=sy8EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA158&dq=ray%20kassar%20insider%20trading&pg=PA151#v=onepage&q=ray%20kassar%20insider%20trading&f=false |title=InfoWorld|date=1983-11-28}}</ref> Activision was the first [[Video game developer#Third-party developers|third-party developer]] for the [[Atari 2600]].<ref>{{ |
+ | Following a dispute over recognition and royalties, several of Atari's key programmers split and founded their own company [[Activision]] in late-1979.<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=sy8EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA158&dq=ray%20kassar%20insider%20trading&pg=PA151#v=onepage&q=ray%20kassar%20insider%20trading&f=false |title=InfoWorld|date=1983-11-28}}</ref> Activision was the first [[Video game developer#Third-party developers|third-party developer]] for the [[Atari 2600]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cgexpo.com/bios/amiller.htm|title=Classic Gaming Expo: ALAN MILLER}}</ref> Atari sues Activision for [[copyright infringement]] and theft of trade secrets in 1980,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/129961/the_history_of_activision.php?print=1|title=The History Of Activision}}</ref> but the two parties settle on fixed royalty rates and a legitimizing process for third parties to develop games on hardware.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0202/052.html|work=Forbes|first=Peter C.|last=Beller| title=Activision's Unlikely Hero | date=2 February 2009}}</ref> |
| − | In the aftermath of the lawsuit, an |
+ | In the aftermath of the lawsuit, an over-saturated market resulted in companies that had never had an interest in video games before beginning to work on their own promotional games; brands like [[Purina Mills|Purina Dog Food]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atariguide.com/4/423.php|title=Chase the Chuck Wagon}} |
| − | </ref> The market was also flooded with too many consoles and too many poor quality games,<ref>{{ |
+ | </ref> The market was also flooded with too many consoles and too many poor quality games,<ref>{{cite book|title=History of the Video Game Console : 1980s|publisher=videogameconsolelibrary}}</ref> elements that would contribute to the collapse of the entire video game industry in 1983. |
| + | ===Video game crash of 1983=== |
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| − | === Video game crash of 1983<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvHcYe2sQ-I&feature=player_embedded#!|title=The Video Game Crash of 1983}}</ref> === |
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| − | {{ |
+ | {{Main|North American video game crash of 1983}} |
| − | By 1983, the video game bubble created during the golden age had burst and several major companies that produced computers and consoles had went into [[bankruptcy]].<ref>{{ |
+ | By 1983<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvHcYe2sQ-I&feature=player_embedded#!|title=The Video Game Crash of 1983}}</ref>, the video game bubble created during the golden age had burst and several major companies that produced computers and consoles had went into [[bankruptcy]].<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.time.com/time/interactive/0,31813,2029221,00.html|title=A History of Video Game Consoles | work=Time}}</ref> Atari reported a $536 million loss in 1983.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.snopes.com/business/market/atari.asp|title=Five Million E.T. Pieces}}</ref> Some entertainment experts and investors lost confidence in the medium and believed it was a passing fad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.insidegamingdaily.com/2011/02/24/all-your-history-the-video-game-crash-of-1983-continue/|title=All Your History: The Video Game Crash of 1983}}</ref> A game often given [[poster child]] status to this era, ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (video game)|E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]]'' had such bad sale figures that it is reported that the remaining unsold cartridges were [[Atari video game burial|buried in the deserts of New Mexico]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/115/1157331p2.html|title=10 Ridiculous Old-School Video Game Rumors (That Were Actually True)}}</ref> |
| − | === |
+ | ===Rise of the PC and PC gaming=== |
| − | The brunt of the crash was felt mainly across the home console market. The personal computer and PC gaming in general actually thrived in this time period.<ref name="games.ign.com"/> Microsoft released [[MS-DOS]] in 1981 and the [[operating system]] was a popular outlet for [[Index of MS-DOS games|playing games]].<ref>{{ |
+ | The brunt of the crash was felt mainly across the home console market. The personal computer and PC gaming in general actually thrived in this time period.<ref name="games.ign.com"/> Microsoft released [[MS-DOS]] in 1981 and the [[operating system]] was a popular outlet for [[Index of MS-DOS games|playing games]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/241668/the_10_greatest_msdos_games_of_all_time.html|title=The 10 Greatest MS-DOS Games of All Time}}</ref> Some computer companies adopted aggressive advertising strategies to compete with gaming consoles and to promote their educational appeal to parents as well.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2jRuh1bAxw|title=80's Radio Shack Color Computer Commercial}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK9VU1aJvTI&feature=related|title=Commodore VIC-20 ad with William Shatner}}</ref> [[Home computer]]s had better sound and visual capabilities than most of the consoles of the [[History of video game consoles (second generation)|era]]. |
| − | === |
+ | ===Rejuvenation=== |
By 1985, the home console market in North America had been dormant for nearly two years. The same could not be said elsewhere, however, where video games continued to be a staple of innovation and development. After seeing impressive numbers from its [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] system in Japan, [[Nintendo]] decided to jump into the North American market by releasing the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], or NES for short. It was released, despite the pessimism of critics, as a huge success and Nintendo is often credited with reviving the home console market.<ref name="gamespot.com"/> |
By 1985, the home console market in North America had been dormant for nearly two years. The same could not be said elsewhere, however, where video games continued to be a staple of innovation and development. After seeing impressive numbers from its [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] system in Japan, [[Nintendo]] decided to jump into the North American market by releasing the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], or NES for short. It was released, despite the pessimism of critics, as a huge success and Nintendo is often credited with reviving the home console market.<ref name="gamespot.com"/> |
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| − | One innovation that led to Nintendo's success was its ability to tell stories, whereas video games before lacked that ability. Nintendo also took measures to prevent another crash by creating regulations upon its third-party developers that are now observed industry-wide. Some of these regulations include a "lock and key" system to prevent [[reverse engineering]]. It also forced third parties to pay in full for their cartridges before release, so that in case of a flop, the liability will be on the developer and not the provider.<ref>{{ |
+ | One innovation that led to Nintendo's success was its ability to tell stories, whereas video games before lacked that ability. Nintendo also took measures to prevent another crash by creating regulations upon its third-party developers that are now observed industry-wide. Some of these regulations include a "lock and key" system to prevent [[reverse engineering]]. It also forced third parties to pay in full for their cartridges before release, so that in case of a flop, the liability will be on the developer and not the provider.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendojo.com/features/editorials/striking-a-balance|title=Striking a BalanceIs Nintendo digging its grave with shovelware?}}</ref> |
| − | === |
+ | ===Post-Revival=== |
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<!--In order to qualify as a franchise that accompanies a major film or television franchise, the game must have several games or game sequels associated with it. For example, in the 2000s, Harry Potter would qualify because of the numerous titles devoted to that film series.--> |
<!--In order to qualify as a franchise that accompanies a major film or television franchise, the game must have several games or game sequels associated with it. For example, in the 2000s, Harry Potter would qualify because of the numerous titles devoted to that film series.--> |
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| − | <!--In order to qualify as a spin-off, the game must feature a character or be within the same universe as another franchise. A sequel is NOT a spin-off--> |
+ | <!--In order to qualify as a spin-off, the game must feature a character or be within the same universe as another franchise. A sequel is NOT a spin-off.--> |
| − | <!-- |
+ | <!--An MMO can be included in the list, even if they are of the same or similar franchise of another game. For example, in the 1990s, Warcraft is listed, but in the 2000s, World of Warcraft can be listed as well and labelled a spin-off.--> |
=== Arcade === |
=== Arcade === |
||
| − | {{ |
+ | {{Columns-list|3| |
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[1942]] (1984) |
* [[Arkanoid]] (1986) |
* [[Arkanoid]] (1986) |
||
* [[Balloon Fight]] (1984) |
* [[Balloon Fight]] (1984) |
||
* [[Baraduke]] (1985) |
* [[Baraduke]] (1985) |
||
* [[Bosconian]] (1981) |
* [[Bosconian]] (1981) |
||
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Contra]] (1987) |
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Centipede]] (1981) |
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Defender]] (1980) |
* [[Dig Dug]] (1982) |
* [[Dig Dug]] (1982) |
||
* [[Donkey Kong]] (1981) |
* [[Donkey Kong]] (1981) |
||
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Double Dragon]] (1987) |
* [[Dragon's Lair]] (1983) |
* [[Dragon's Lair]] (1983) |
||
* [[Frogger]] (1981) |
* [[Frogger]] (1981) |
||
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Gauntlet]] (1985) |
* [[Ice Climber]] (1984) |
* [[Ice Climber]] (1984) |
||
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Joust]] (1982) |
* [[Mappy]] (1983) |
* [[Mappy]] (1983) |
||
* [[OutRun]] (1986) |
* [[OutRun]] (1986) |
||
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Pac-Man]] (1980) |
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Pole Position]] (1982) |
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Street Fighter]] (1987) |
* [[Q*bert]] (1982) |
* [[Q*bert]] (1982) |
||
* [[Rally-X]] (1980) |
* [[Rally-X]] (1980) |
||
* [[Spy Hunter]] (1983) |
* [[Spy Hunter]] (1983) |
||
* [[Tank Battalion]] (1980) |
* [[Tank Battalion]] (1980) |
||
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Tempest]] (1981) |
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[TRON]] (1982){{Smallsup|1}} |
* [[World Stadium]] (1988) |
* [[World Stadium]] (1988) |
||
* [[Xevious]] (1982) |
* [[Xevious]] (1982) |
||
| Line 85: | Line 85: | ||
=== PC and console === |
=== PC and console === |
||
| − | {{ |
+ | {{Columns-list|3| |
* [[Castle Wolfenstein]] (1981) |
* [[Castle Wolfenstein]] (1981) |
||
* [[Castlevania]] (1987) |
* [[Castlevania]] (1987) |
||
* [[Dragon Quest]] (1986) |
* [[Dragon Quest]] (1986) |
||
* [[Duck Hunt]] (1985) |
* [[Duck Hunt]] (1985) |
||
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Dungeon Master]] (1987) |
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Elite]] (1984) |
* [[Final Fantasy]] (1987) |
* [[Final Fantasy]] (1987) |
||
* [[Jetpac]] (1983) |
* [[Jetpac]] (1983) |
||
* [[The Legend of Zelda]] (1986) |
* [[The Legend of Zelda]] (1986) |
||
* [[Madden NFL]] (1988) |
* [[Madden NFL]] (1988) |
||
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Mega Man]] (1987) |
* [[Metal Gear]] (1987) |
* [[Metal Gear]] (1987) |
||
* [[Metroid]] (1986) |
* [[Metroid]] (1986) |
||
* [[Phantasy Star]] (1987) |
* [[Phantasy Star]] (1987) |
||
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Populous]] (1989) |
* [[Prince of Persia]] (1989) |
* [[Prince of Persia]] (1989) |
||
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[The Prisoner]] (1980) |
* [[Shadow of the Beast]] (1989) |
* [[Shadow of the Beast]] (1989) |
||
* [[SimCity]] (1989) |
* [[SimCity]] (1989) |
||
* [[Space Quest: The Sarien Encounter|SpaceQuest]] (1986) |
* [[Space Quest: The Sarien Encounter|SpaceQuest]] (1986) |
||
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Super Mario Bros.]] (1985) |
* [[Tetris]] (1984) |
* [[Tetris]] (1984) |
||
* [[Ultima (series)|Ultima]] (1981) |
* [[Ultima (series)|Ultima]] (1981) |
||
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Warlords]] (1989) |
| − | * [[ |
+ | * [[Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?]] (1985) |
* [[Wizardry]] (1981) |
* [[Wizardry]] (1981) |
||
* [[Zork]] (1980) |
* [[Zork]] (1980) |
||
| Line 138: | Line 138: | ||
| No consensus on official release date<br>c. 1984–1989<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/06/02/us-videogames-tetris-idUSTRE5510V020090602 | work=Reuters | title=At 25, Tetris still eyeing growth | date=2 June 2009}}</ref> |
| No consensus on official release date<br>c. 1984–1989<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/06/02/us-videogames-tetris-idUSTRE5510V020090602 | work=Reuters | title=At 25, Tetris still eyeing growth | date=2 June 2009}}</ref> |
||
| ''Tetris'' |
| ''Tetris'' |
||
| − | | [[ |
+ | | [[Bullet Proof Software]] |
| Multiple |
| Multiple |
||
| 30.26 |
| 30.26 |
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| Line 175: | Line 175: | ||
|- |
|- |
||
|7 |
|7 |
||
| − | | [[ |
+ | | [[The Legend of Zelda]] |
| 21 February 1986 |
| 21 February 1986 |
||
| ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' |
| ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' |
||
| Line 199: | Line 199: | ||
|- |
|- |
||
|10 |
|10 |
||
| − | | [[Golf ( |
+ | | [[Golf (1984)|Golf]] |
| 1 May 1984 |
| 1 May 1984 |
||
| "–" |
| "–" |
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| 4.01 |
| 4.01 |
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|} |
|} |
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| − | |||
==References== |
==References== |
||
{{Reflist}} |
{{Reflist}} |
||
| + | |||
| ⚫ | |||
| − | [[Category: |
+ | [[Category:Decade articles]] |
Latest revision as of 18:41, 2 June 2019
 | This article uses content from Wikipedia. The original aricle can be found at 1980s in video gaming. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Codex Gamicus, the text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 (unported) license. |
The 1980s were a decade of highs and lows for video games and it was the second decade in the industry's history. The decade began in the midst a boom in the arcade business with giants like Atari still dominating the market since the late 1970s. An over-saturation of third party games, the rising influence of the personal computer, and a lack of quality in the games themselves lead to an implosion of the North American video game market that nearly destroyed the industry.[1] It takes home consoles years to recover from the crash, but Nintendo fills in the void with its Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), reviving interest in consoles.[2] Up until this point, most investors believed video games to be a fad that has since passed.[3] In the remaining years of the decade, SEGA ignites a console war with Nintendo,[4] developers that have been affected by the crash experiment with the superior graphics of the PC,[5] and Nintendo also releases the Game Boy, which would become the best-selling handheld gaming device for the next two-decades.[6]
Consoles of the 1980s[ | ]
Third generation consoles[ | ]
Main article: History of video game consoles (third generation)
Starting in 1983 the third generation began with the Japanese release of the Nintendo Family Computer (or "Famicom"; later known as the Nintendo Entertainment System in the rest of the world). Although the previous generation of consoles had also used 8-bit processors, it was at the end of this generation that home consoles were first labeled by their "bits". This also came into fashion as 16-bit systems like SEGA's Mega Drive & Genesis were marketed to differentiate between the generations of consoles. In the United States, this generation in gaming was primarily dominated by the NES/Famicom.
Fourth generation consoles[ | ]
Main article: History of video game consoles (fourth generation)
Starting in 1987 and ending in 1996, the fourth generation of video game consoles consisted primarily of games and systems programmed for the 16-bit era. During this generation, 2D graphics had improved over the previous generation and experimentation began to occur with 3D graphics, although 3D games were more prevalent on the PC at the time. The fourth generation also was the first time compact discs were considered a viable port for video game retail sales with the CD-i. Some of the most notable systems released during this generation were the Super Famicom/Super Nintendo Entertainment System (1990), the Mega Drive & Genesis (1988), and the Neo Geo (1990).[7] Nintendo's Game Boy was also released during the fourth generation, which would later become the most popular series of handheld gaming systems during the 1990s.[8] A rivalry between Sega and Nintendo occurred during this generation, starting the first ever console war.
History[ | ]
Golden age of arcade games[ | ]
Main article: Golden age of arcade video games
In the early-1980s, arcade games were a vibrant industry. The arcade video game industry in the US alone was generating $5 billion of revenue annually in 1981[9] and the number of arcades doubled between 1980 and 1982.[10] The effect video games had on society expanded to other mediums as well such as major films and music. In 1982, "Pac-Man Fever" charted on the Billboard Hot 100 charts[11] and TRON became a cult classic.[12]
Third-party development and an oversaturated market[ | ]
Following a dispute over recognition and royalties, several of Atari's key programmers split and founded their own company Activision in late-1979.[13] Activision was the first third-party developer for the Atari 2600.[14] Atari sues Activision for copyright infringement and theft of trade secrets in 1980,[15] but the two parties settle on fixed royalty rates and a legitimizing process for third parties to develop games on hardware.[16]
In the aftermath of the lawsuit, an over-saturated market resulted in companies that had never had an interest in video games before beginning to work on their own promotional games; brands like Purina Dog Food.[17] The market was also flooded with too many consoles and too many poor quality games,[18] elements that would contribute to the collapse of the entire video game industry in 1983.
Video game crash of 1983[ | ]
Main article: North American video game crash of 1983
By 1983[19], the video game bubble created during the golden age had burst and several major companies that produced computers and consoles had went into bankruptcy.[20] Atari reported a $536 million loss in 1983.[21] Some entertainment experts and investors lost confidence in the medium and believed it was a passing fad.[22] A game often given poster child status to this era, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial had such bad sale figures that it is reported that the remaining unsold cartridges were buried in the deserts of New Mexico.[23]
Rise of the PC and PC gaming[ | ]
The brunt of the crash was felt mainly across the home console market. The personal computer and PC gaming in general actually thrived in this time period.[5] Microsoft released MS-DOS in 1981 and the operating system was a popular outlet for playing games.[24] Some computer companies adopted aggressive advertising strategies to compete with gaming consoles and to promote their educational appeal to parents as well.[25][26] Home computers had better sound and visual capabilities than most of the consoles of the era.
Rejuvenation[ | ]
By 1985, the home console market in North America had been dormant for nearly two years. The same could not be said elsewhere, however, where video games continued to be a staple of innovation and development. After seeing impressive numbers from its Famicom system in Japan, Nintendo decided to jump into the North American market by releasing the Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES for short. It was released, despite the pessimism of critics, as a huge success and Nintendo is often credited with reviving the home console market.[2]
One innovation that led to Nintendo's success was its ability to tell stories, whereas video games before lacked that ability. Nintendo also took measures to prevent another crash by creating regulations upon its third-party developers that are now observed industry-wide. Some of these regulations include a "lock and key" system to prevent reverse engineering. It also forced third parties to pay in full for their cartridges before release, so that in case of a flop, the liability will be on the developer and not the provider.[27]
Post-Revival[ | ]
Notable video-game franchises established in the 1980s[ | ]
Arcade[ | ]
- 1942 (1984)
- Arkanoid (1986)
- Balloon Fight (1984)
- Baraduke (1985)
- Bosconian (1981)
- Contra (1987)
- Centipede (1981)
- Defender (1980)
- Dig Dug (1982)
- Donkey Kong (1981)
- Double Dragon (1987)
- Dragon's Lair (1983)
- Frogger (1981)
- Gauntlet (1985)
- Ice Climber (1984)
- Joust (1982)
- Mappy (1983)
- OutRun (1986)
- Pac-Man (1980)
- Pole Position (1982)
- Street Fighter (1987)
- Q*bert (1982)
- Rally-X (1980)
- Spy Hunter (1983)
- Tank Battalion (1980)
- Tempest (1981)
- TRON (1982)1
- World Stadium (1988)
- Xevious (1982)
- Zaxxon (1982)
PC and console[ | ]
- Castle Wolfenstein (1981)
- Castlevania (1987)
- Dragon Quest (1986)
- Duck Hunt (1985)
- Dungeon Master (1987)
- Elite (1984)
- Final Fantasy (1987)
- Jetpac (1983)
- The Legend of Zelda (1986)
- Madden NFL (1988)
- Mega Man (1987)
- Metal Gear (1987)
- Metroid (1986)
- Phantasy Star (1987)
- Populous (1989)
- Prince of Persia (1989)
- The Prisoner (1980)
- Shadow of the Beast (1989)
- SimCity (1989)
- SpaceQuest (1986)
- Super Mario Bros. (1985)
- Tetris (1984)
- Ultima (1981)
- Warlords (1989)
- Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? (1985)
- Wizardry (1981)
- Zork (1980)
Notes:
- 1Game franchises that also accompany major film or television franchises.
- 2Game franchises that are considered spin-offs of previously established franchises.
Best-selling video games of the decade[ | ]
| Rank | Title | Release Date | Franchise | Developer(s) | Platform | Units sold (in Millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Super Mario Bros. | 13 September 1985 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | NES | 40.24 |
| 2 | Tetris | No consensus on official release date c. 1984–1989[28] |
Tetris | Bullet Proof Software | Multiple | 30.26 |
| 3 | Duck Hunt | 21 April 1984 | "–" | Nintendo | NES | 28.31 |
| 4 | Super Mario Land | 21 April 1989 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | Game Boy | 18.14 |
| 5 | Super Mario Bros. 3 | 23 October 1988 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | NES | 17.28 |
| 6 | Super Mario Bros. 2 | 01 September 1988 | Super Mario Bros. | Nintendo | NES | 7.46 |
| 7 | The Legend of Zelda | 21 February 1986 | The Legend of Zelda | Nintendo | NES | 6.51 |
| 8 | Zelda II: The Adventure of Link | 14 January 1987 | the Legend of Zelda | Nintendo | NES | 4.38 |
| 9 | Excitebike | 30 November 1984 | "–" | Nintendo | NES | 4.16 |
| 10 | Golf | 1 May 1984 | "–" | Nintendo | NES | 4.01 |
References[ | ]
- ↑ The Video Game Crash of 1983.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 A 20-YEAR OLD LEGEND.
- ↑ Top 10 Embarrassing Moments in Video Game History.
- ↑ Nintendo vs. Sega-The 16-Bit Console War - Part-I.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ten Facts about the Great Video Game Crash of '83.
- ↑ Nintendo's DS family becomes best selling gaming handheld in history.
- ↑ 4th Generation Vintage Hardware and Computing Consoles. VintageGameSite.com (2007-08-19). Archived from the original on December 22, 2008 Retrieved on 2009-07-23
- ↑ Nintendo GameBoy - Reviews.
- ↑ Wolf, Mark J.P. (2008
). The video game explosion: a history from PONG to PlayStation and beyond. ABC-CLIO. p. 103. ISBN 031333868X. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=XiM0ntMybNwC&pg=PA103. Retrieved 2011-04-19.
This article's citations may not be appropriate for Codex Gamicus. Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. See Codex Gamicus' guide to writing better articles for suggestions. - ↑ Wolf, Mark J.P. (2008
). The video game explosion: a history from PONG to PlayStation and beyond. ABC-CLIO. p. 105. ISBN 031333868X. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=XiM0ntMybNwC&pg=PA105. Retrieved 2011-04-19.This article's citations may not be appropriate for Codex Gamicus. Specific concerns may be found on the talk page. See Codex Gamicus' guide to writing better articles for suggestions. - ↑ "Pac-Man Fever". Time Magazine. 1982-04-05. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,921174,00.html. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
- ↑ "Top 20 cult films, according to our readers". The Boston Globe. 17 August 2006. http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/gallery/top_cult_films?pg=9.
- ↑ InfoWorld. 1983-11-28. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=sy8EAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA158&dq=ray%20kassar%20insider%20trading&pg=PA151#v=onepage&q=ray%20kassar%20insider%20trading&f=false.
- ↑ Classic Gaming Expo: ALAN MILLER.
- ↑ The History Of Activision.
- ↑ Beller, Peter C. (2 February 2009). "Activision's Unlikely Hero". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2009/0202/052.html.
- ↑ Chase the Chuck Wagon.
- ↑ History of the Video Game Console : 1980s. videogameconsolelibrary.
- ↑ The Video Game Crash of 1983.
- ↑ "A History of Video Game Consoles". Time. http://www.time.com/time/interactive/0,31813,2029221,00.html.
- ↑ Five Million E.T. Pieces.
- ↑ All Your History: The Video Game Crash of 1983.
- ↑ 10 Ridiculous Old-School Video Game Rumors (That Were Actually True).
- ↑ The 10 Greatest MS-DOS Games of All Time.
- ↑ 80's Radio Shack Color Computer Commercial.
- ↑ Commodore VIC-20 ad with William Shatner.
- ↑ Striking a BalanceIs Nintendo digging its grave with shovelware?.
- ↑ "At 25, Tetris still eyeing growth". Reuters. 2 June 2009. http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/06/02/us-videogames-tetris-idUSTRE5510V020090602.