1984 in video gaming

Business[]

The US arcade game market's revenues decline to $4.5 billion in 1984^[1] (equivalent to $10.2 billion in 2022).

Events[]

16-bit processors are increasingly used in arcade machines, resulting in much more detailed and faster graphics.
Japanese developers, with their recently aroused interest in the RPG genre, created the action role-playing game genre, combining the RPG genre with arcade-style action and action-adventure elements.^[2]^[3]

Notable Releases[]

Arcades[]

June: This trend of combining RPG elements with arcade-style action mechanics was popularized by The Tower of Druaga,^[3] an arcade game released by Namco in June 1984,^[4] paving the way for action role-playing games.
June: I, Robot is released, as the first commercially released polygonal 3D arcade game (and one of the first in general, along with Plazma Line).
July: Data East releases Technōs Japan's Karate Champ,^[5] which is credited with establishing and popularizing the one-on-one fighting game genre.^[6]
August: Namco releases Pac-Land, an influential side-scrolling platform game.
Irem releases Kung-Fu Master, which lays the foundations of the beat 'em up genre,^[7]^[8] combining side-scrolling platform and fighting game elements with multiple enemies.
December: Namco releases an early action role-playing game called Dragon Buster,^[9] the first game to feature a life meter, called "Vitality" in-game.^[10]
December: Atari Games releases Marble Madness, the first arcade game to use the Yamaha YM2151 FM synthesis sound chip, which is subsequently used in many arcade system boards in the 1980s.

Computers[]

Plazma Line is released, as the first commercially released polygonal 3D computer game, and one of the first in general.
October: Dragon Slayer,^[11] originally released for the FM-7 computer in October 1984,^[12] is often considered to be the first true action role-playing game.^[13]^[14]
December: Hydlide,^[15] is an action role-playing game that introduced innovations such as the ability to switch between attack mode and defense mode, quick save and load options through passwords, and a health regeneration mechanic.^[16]^[17]

References[]

↑ http://allincolorforaquarter.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/video-game-myth-buster-did-crash-of.html
↑ Adams, Roe R. (November 1990), "Westward Ho! (Toward Japan, That Is): An Overview of the Evolution of CRPGs on Dedicated Game Machines", Computer Gaming World (76): pp. 83–84, "While America has been concentrating on yet another Wizardry, Ultima, or Might & Magic, each bigger and more complex than the one before it, the Japanese have slowly carved out a completely new niche in the realm of CRPG. The first CRPG entries were Rygar and Deadly Towers on the NES. These differed considerably from the "action adventure" games that had drawn quite a following on the machines beforehand. Action adventures were basically arcade games done in a fantasy setting such as Castlevania, Trojan, and Wizards & Warriors. The new CRPGs had some of the trappings of regular CRPGs. The character could get stronger over time and gain extras which were not merely a result of a short-term "Power-Up." There were specific items that could be acquired which boosted fighting or defense on a permanent basis. Primitive stores were introduced with the concept that a player could buy something to aid him on his journey."
↑ ^3.0 ^3.1 Jeremy Parish (2012). What Happened to the Action RPG?. Retrieved on 2015-01-14
↑ The Tower of Druaga at the Gaming-History database
↑ Data East v. Epyx, 862 F. 2d 204, 9 U.S.P.Q.2d (BNA) 1322 (9th Cir. 1988).
↑ Ryan Geddes & Daemon Hatfield (2007-12-10). IGN's Top 10 Most Influential Games. IGN. Retrieved on 2009-04-14
↑ Spencer, Spanner, The Tao of Beat-'em-ups, Eurogamer, Feb 6, 2008, Accessed Mar 18, 2009
↑ Kunkel, Bill; Worley, Joyce; Katz, Arnie, "The Furious Fists of Sega!", Computer Gaming World, Oct 1988, pp. 48-49
↑ Dragon Buster at Museum of the Game
↑ Gaming's most important evolutions, GamesRadar
↑ Kurt Kalata, Dragon Slayer, Hardcore Gaming 101
↑ Dragon Slayer. Retrieved on 2015-01-14
↑ Shigeaki, Kamada (2007). レトロゲーム配信サイトと配信タイトルのピックアップ紹介記事「懐かし (Retro). 4Gamer.net. Retrieved on 2011-05-19 (Translation)
↑ Falcom Classics. GameSetWatch (July 12, 2006). Retrieved on 2011-05-18
↑ Hydlide (PC88). Retrieved on 2015-01-14
↑ Kalata, Kurt. Hydlide. Hardcore Gaming 101.
↑ Szczepaniak, John (7 July 2011). "Falcom: Legacy of Ys". Games^TM (111): 152–159 [153]. http://imageshack.us/f/32/yshistory02.jpg/. Retrieved 2011-09-07. (cf. Szczepaniak, John (July 8, 2011). History of Ys interviews. Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved on 6 September 2011)

Video game releases[]

Name	Release Date	Category	Region(s)	Platform(s)
1942	December, 1984	Video Game	International	Arcade
2010: The Graphic Action Game	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
4ninuchi Mahjong	November 2, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Family Computer
50 Mission Crush	1984	Video Game	North America	Apple II, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, DOS
Acrobatic Dog-Fight	1984	Video Game	International	Arcade
Alphabet Zoo	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
Amazing Bumpman	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
Appoooh	1984	Video Game	Japan	Arcade
Aquattack	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
Badlands (1984)	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Bagman	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Ballblazer	1984	Video Game	North America	Undefined
Battle Wings	October, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Arcade
BC's Quest for Tires II: Grog's Revenge	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Begin - A Tactical Starship Simulation	1984	Video Game	North America	MS-DOS
Ben Bero Beh	1984	Video Game	Japan	Arcade
Beyond Castle Wolfenstein	June, 1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Birdie King 3	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Blockade Runner	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
Bokosuka Wars	1984	Video Game	Japan	MSX, PC-88
Bomb Jack	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Bounty Bob Strikes Back	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Brain Strainers	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
Burgertime	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
Cabbage Patch Kids: Picture Show	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Campaign ‘84	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
Champion Boxing	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Chinese Hero	October, 1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Choplifter!	1984	Video Game	North America	Atari 5200, ColecoVision
Circus Charlie	1984	Video Game	Japan	Arcade
Clu Clu Land	November 22, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Family Computer
Cobra Command (1984)	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Cosmic Crisis	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
Courageous Perseus	September, 1984	Video Game	Japan	PC-8801, MSX, FM-7, Sharp X1
Dance Fantasy	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Defender II	1984	Video Game	North America	Atari 2600
Destructor	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Devil World	October 5, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Family Computer
Donkey Kong 3	July 4, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Famicom
Dr. J and Larry Bird Go One on One	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
Dr. Seuss' Fix-Up the Mix-Up Puzzler	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Dragon Buster	1984	Video Game	International	Arcade
Dragon Slayer	September 10, 1984	Video Game	Japan	NEC PC-88
Duck Hunt	April 21, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Family Computer
Dukes of Hazzard	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Dynamic Ski	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Espial	1984	Video Game	North America	Atari 2600
Excitebike	November 30, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Famicom
Facemaker	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Firefox	February, 1984	Video Game	North America	Arcade
Flicky	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Flipper Slipper	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Formation Z	1984	Video Game	International	Arcade
Fortune Builder	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
Fraction Fever	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Frogger	1984	Video Game	Brazil	Magnavox Odyssey 2
Frogger II: Threeedeep!	1984	Video Game	North America	Atari 2600, ColecoVision
Front Line	1984	Video Game	Japan	Family Computer
Gaplus	October, 1984	Video Game	North America	Arcade
Gaplus	April, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Arcade
Ghostbusters	1984	Video Game	North America	Commodore 64, MSX
Girl's Garden	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Golf (1985)	May 1, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Family Computer
Grobda	December, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Arcade
Gust Buster	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
H.E.R.O.	1984	Video Game	North America	Atari 2600, ColecoVision
Hat Trick	1984	Video Game	North America	Arcade
Hogan's Alley	June 12, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Family Computer
Hover Bovver	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Hydlide	December 13, 1984	Video Game	Japan	NEC PC-8801
Hyper Sports	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
I, Robot	June, 1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Illusions	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
It's Only Rock n Roll	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
James Bond 007	1984	Video Game	North America	Atari 5200, Atari 8-bit, ColecoVision
Karate Champ	September, 1984	Video Game	International	Arcade
Karate Champ	July, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Arcade
Karateka	1984	Video Game	North America	Apple II
Karateka	1984	Video Game	Japan	Family Computer
Keystone Kapers	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
Kung Fu Superkicks	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
Kung-Fu Master	December, 1984	Video Game	International	Arcade
Kung-Fu Master	1984	Video Game	Japan	Arcade
Le Trésor Englouti +	1984	Video Game	Europe	Magnavox Odyssey 2
Learning with Leeper	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
Marble Madness	1984	Video Game	North America	Arcade, Nintendo Entertainment System
Mikie	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Millipede	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Montezuma's Revenge	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
Moto-Crash +	1984	Video Game	Europe	Magnavox Odyssey 2
Motocross Racer	1984	Video Game	North America	Atari 2600
Mr. Do!'s Castle	1984	Video Game	North America	Atari 2600, Atari 5200, ColecoVision
Mr. Kougar	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
NetTrek	1984	Video Game	North America	Apple Macintosh
Ninja Hayate	November, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Arcade
Ninja-Kid	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Paperboy	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Pinball (1984)	February 2, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Family Computer
Pirate Ship Higemaru	September, 1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Pitfall II: Lost Caverns	1984	Video Game	North America	Atari 2600
Private Eye	1984	Video Game	North America	Atari 2600
Q*Bert's Qubes	1984	Video Game	North America	Atari 2600, ColecoVision
Rescue on Fractalus!	1984	Video Game	North America	Atari 8-Bit, Atari 5200
River Patrol	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Road Fighter	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Roc'n Rope	1984	Video Game	North America	Atari 2600, ColecoVision
Satan's Hollow	1984	Video Game	North America	Commodore 64
Sewer Sam	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Smurf Paint & Play Workshop	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
SonSon	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Space Ace	1984	Video Game	North America	Arcade
Space Wreck	1984	Video Game	North America	Tandy Color Computer
Spy Hunter (1983)	1984	Video Game	North America	Atari 2600
Spy vs. Spy	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Squish 'Em	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
Star Trek: Strategic Operations Simulator	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision
StarShip: Invasion	1984	Video Game	North America	MS-DOS
Super Don Quix-ote	1984	Video Game	Japan	Arcade
Super Punch-Out	September, 1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Super Xevious	December, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Arcade
Tetris	June 6, 1984	Video Game	Russia	Electronika 60
Thayer's Quest	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
The Castles of Dr. Creep	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
The Dam Busters	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
The Death Trap	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
The Jetsons' Ways With Words	1984	Video Game	North America	Intellivision
Tower of Druaga, The	June, 1984	Video Game	International	Arcade
Timber	October, 1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Time Pilot '84	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Track & Field	1984	Video Game	North America	Arcade
Track & Field (1984)	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Up n Down	1984	Video Game	Undefined	Undefined
Urban Champion	November 14, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Family Computer
Vulgus	1984	Video Game	North America	Arcade
Vulgus	September 10, 1984	Video Game	Japan	Arcade
WarGames	1984	Video Game	North America	ColecoVision

Hardware releases[]

Name	Release Date	Category	Region(s)

[golden_rev-1] ttp://allincolorforaquarter.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/video-game-myth-buster-did-crash-of.html

[cgw_76-2] Adams, Roe R. (November 1990), "Westward Ho! (Toward Japan, That Is): An Overview of the Evolution of CRPGs on Dedicated Game Machines", Computer Gaming World (76): pp. 83–84, "While America has been concentrating on yet another Wizardry, Ultima, or Might & Magic, each bigger and more complex than the one before it, the Japanese have slowly carved out a completely new niche in the realm of CRPG. The first CRPG entries were Rygar and Deadly Towers on the NES. These differed considerably from the "action adventure" games that had drawn quite a following on the machines beforehand. Action adventures were basically arcade games done in a fantasy setting such as Castlevania, Trojan, and Wizards & Warriors. The new CRPGs had some of the trappings of regular CRPGs. The character could get stronger over time and gain extras which were not merely a result of a short-term "Power-Up." There were specific items that could be acquired which boosted fighting or defense on a permanent basis. Primitive stores were introduced with the concept that a player could buy something to aid him on his journey."

[1up_parish-3] 3.0 ^3.1 Jeremy Parish (2012). What Happened to the Action RPG?. Retrieved on 2015-01-14

[4] The Tower of Druaga at the Gaming-History database

[data_east_v_epyx-5] Data East v. Epyx, 862 F. 2d 204, 9 U.S.P.Q.2d (BNA) 1322 (9th Cir. 1988).

[6] Ryan Geddes & Daemon Hatfield (2007-12-10). IGN's Top 10 Most Influential Games. IGN. Retrieved on 2009-04-14

[tao1-7] Spencer, Spanner, The Tao of Beat-'em-ups, Eurogamer, Feb 6, 2008, Accessed Mar 18, 2009

[CGW-8] Kunkel, Bill; Worley, Joyce; Katz, Arnie, "The Furious Fists of Sega!", Computer Gaming World, Oct 1988, pp. 48-49

[9] Dragon Buster at Museum of the Game

[GamesRadar-10] Gaming's most important evolutions, GamesRadar

[Dragon-Slayer-11] Kurt Kalata, Dragon Slayer, Hardcore Gaming 101

[12] Dragon Slayer. Retrieved on 2015-01-14

[4Gamer-Retro-13] Shigeaki, Kamada (2007). レトロゲーム配信サイトと配信タイトルのピックアップ紹介記事「懐かし (Retro). 4Gamer.net. Retrieved on 2011-05-19 (Translation)

[GameSetWatch-14] Falcom Classics. GameSetWatch (July 12, 2006). Retrieved on 2011-05-18

[15] Hydlide (PC88). Retrieved on 2015-01-14

[Hydlide-16] Kalata, Kurt. Hydlide. Hardcore Gaming 101.

[gtm_falcom-17] Szczepaniak, John (7 July 2011). "Falcom: Legacy of Ys". Games^TM (111): 152–159 [153]. http://imageshack.us/f/32/yshistory02.jpg/. Retrieved 2011-09-07. (cf. Szczepaniak, John (July 8, 2011). History of Ys interviews. Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved on 6 September 2011)

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

1984 in video gaming

Contents

Business[]

Events[]

Notable Releases[]

Arcades[]

Computers[]

References[]

Video game releases[]

Hardware releases[]

Fan Feed