- January 17
- Microsoft and Sega Enterprises for an agreement for Microsoft to supply portions of operating system software for controlling a new Sega video game system. [222.D4]
- January 24
- Sega releases the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 video game for the Genesis in the US. [779.39]
- (month unknown)
- Sega introduces the CDX portable video game system. It features Genesis cartridge game playing, CD game playing, and audio CD playing. Ports are provided for game controller and television hook-up. Price when released should be about US$400. [336.80]
- February 10
- Nintendo announces it will not release a CD-based video game system, but will continue to use cartridges for its next-generation system. [223.D3]
- February
- Sunsoft releases the Bugs Bunny's Rabbit Rampage video game for the Super NES in the US. [624.115]
- Konami releases the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tournament Fighters video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [624.115]
- 3DO negotiates a US$200 price drop for the Real 3DO Interactive Multiplayer with manufacturer Matsushita. [343.41]
- (month unknown)
- Unit sales of the Mortal Kombat video game (for home systems) to date: 5 million. [339.102]
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- March 4
- The American Senate subcommittee on video game violence re-convenes hearings. A group of seven game industry companies (Electronic Arts, Sega, Nintendo, Atari, Acclaim, Philips, 3DO) tells the committee it would come up with a ratings system by the Christmas buying season. [88.7,53] [225.48] [1460.478] [1505.234]
- March 10
- 3DO announces that Goldstar and Samsung Electronics have been licenced to manufacture 3DO Interactive Multiplayer video game machines. [226.D3]
- Sega releases the Mega Jet video game system in Japan. The 16-bit system includes four titles, can accept plug-in cartridges, must hook to TV, uses 6-button controller. [1340.47] [1447.13]
- March 14
- Sega of America announces the Sega Genesis Super 32X cartridge for the Genesis game systems. It features two Hitachi 32-bit processors, 32,000 on-screen colors, 60 frame-per-second video, 40-MIPS processing power. [227.D4]
- March
- Absolute Entertainment releases the Turn & Burn: No Fly Zone video game for the Super NES in the US. [623.115]
- Capcom releases the Mega Man VI video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [420.69]
- Nintendo releases the Zola's Revenge: Star Tropics II video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the USA. [1220.82]
- Nintendo releases the Super Mario Land 3: Wario Land video game for the Game Boy in the US. [623.115] (February [1159.98])
- Electronic Arts releases the John Madden Football video game for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer. [241.S3.6]
- Nintendo announces that Rare would make games for the Project Reality video game system. [1460.510]
- March 30
- Nintendo announces an exclusive agreement with WMS Industries for video games for Nintendo's next-generation game system. [337.76]
- March 31
- Unit sales of Nintendo Game Boy game systems over the past twelve months: about 7.5 million. [271.D4]
- April 1
- Nintendo releases the Super Metroid video game for the Super NES in the US. [304.152] [359.134] [401] [451.9] [608.101] [779.25] [1159.89] [1192.73] [1420.72]
- April 12
- Acclaim releases the Mortal Kombat II video game for the Sega 32X in the US. [808]
- April 14
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A character's mansion includes an unnamed arcade video game. [800]
- April
- Hudson Soft releases the Bonk's Adventure video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [623.115]
- Capcom releases the Mega Man Soccer video game for the Super NES in the US. [420.69]
- Square releases the Final Fantasy VI video game for the Super Famicom in Japan. (Total sales over its lifetime: 3 million.) [556.99]
- Sega of America and MGM announce a deal to make video games together. [230.D17]
- Acclaim Entertainment and Sega sign an agreement making Acclaim the first US publisher to make games for the Genesis Super 32X machine. [337.76]
- Titus releases the Monster Max video game for the Game Boy in the US. [624.115]
- April 28
- Naxat releases the Kaza Kiri: Ninja Action video game for the PC Engine in Japan. [1255.80]
- (month unknown)
- The 3DO Company announces it has pressed the one millionth CD for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer. [728.170]
- Time Warner merges Time Warner Interactive Group, Atari Games, and Tengen, as Time Warner Interactive. [728.170]
- Unit sales of Sega Genesis video game systems in the US to date: 13 million. [335.116]
- May 5
- Nintendo confirms its Project Reality video game system will be cartridge-based. [1094.28] [1460.510]
- May
- Acclaim releases the Champions World Class Soccer video game for the Super NES in the US. [623.115]
- Data East releases the Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics video game for the Super NES in the US. [624.15]
- Bullet-Proof Software releases The Twisted Tales of Spike McFang video game for the Super NES in the US. [623.115]
- AT&T decides to not manufacture video game systems based on the 3DO design. [241.S3.6]
- May 18
- Sony forms the Sony Computer Entertainment of America company, to market the PlayStation CD-based video game system in the US, to be introduced in 1995. [228.D6]
- May 25
- Paramount Pictures releases the film Beverly Hills Cop 3 to theaters in the USA. Someone says "This place is as high tech as NASA and Nintendo combined." [1250]
- May 26
- Acclaim releases the Mortal Kombat video game for the Sega CD in the US. [808]
- May 27
- Acclaim releases the Mortal Kombat video game for the Genesis in Japan. [808]
- June 3
- Acclaim releases the Mortal Kombat video game for the Sega CD in Japan. [808]
- June 15
- Sony announces that LSI Logic will build a custom processor for its upcoming PlayStation game system. The processor will incorporate a 34 MHz MIPS R3000 microprocessor, a graphics coprocessor, video decompression logic, and system logic. [65] [229.D6]
- June
- Capcom introduces the Super Street Fighter II arcade game. [234.D1]
- Capcom releases the Super Street Fighter II video game for the Super NES and Genesis in the US. [410.9] [726.9] [728.34,38]
- Virgin Games releases The Jungle Book video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the USA. [610.90] [623.115] [725.114b] [728.68]
- June 23
- At the Summer Consumer Electronics Show in Chicago, Nintendo announces the release name for Project Reality: Ultra 64, and gives screenings to small groups. [1460.490,512]
- At the Summer Consumer Electronics Show, Sega of America releases the 32X peripheral for the Genesis video game system. It features two Hitachi 32-bit RISC chips, and 3D graphics processor. Price is $159. Code name during development was Mars. [1460.490]
- June
- Nintendo releases the Super Game Boy cartridge for the Super NES in the USA. Price is $60. The cartridge allows Game Boy games to operate via the Super NES. [1161.80] [1460.490]
- June 24
- NEC releases the PC Engine Duo-RX video game system in Japan. The system is basicly the same as the Duo-R, with a 6-button controller. [1255.78]
- At the Summer Consumer Electronics Show, Nintendo unveils the Donkey Kong Country video game for the Super NES. [1343.189] [1460.490]
- (month unknown)
- Panasonic introduces the FZ-1 REAL 3DO video game system. [234.C2]
- Sega, TCI, and Time Warner announce they will create the Sega Channel, with an adapter to plug into the Sega Genesis video game system. The service will offer downloadable games via cable television link. [611.28] [810.119]
- SNK releases the Samurai Shodown II video game for the NeoGeo in the US. [304.130] [595.26]
- Nintendo releases the Donkey Kong video game for the Game Boy in the US. [304.134]
- Following Sony's announcement of its video game system with 3D graphics, Sega makes a major redesign of its Saturn system. The single processor is replaced by two SH-2 RISC processors, and dual video display processors are incorporated. [1091.46]
- Rambus announces that it will supply the microprocessor for Nintendo's next-generation 64-bit game machine. The processor will be based on the R4200, with a single 16 Mbit RDRAM memory. [66]
- Capcom releases the Street Fighter II: The New Challengers video game for the Super NES in the US. [458.29]
- Capcom releases the X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse video game for the Super NES in the US. [626.93] [746.159]
- Bandai releases the Playdia video game system in Japan. [1091.91]
- The last Famicom video game cartridge is manufactured in Japan. [1255.19]
- Video game Mortal Kombat is banned in Germany. [1505.229]
- July
- Nintendo begins shipping Nintendo 64 development kits. [1095.28]
- Capcom releases the Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers video game for the Super NES in the US. [624.115] [724.114b]
- July 31
- The Interactive Digital Software Association announces a rating system for the violence, sex, and language content of video games. [231.D6]
- August 1
- A Federal District jury in New York awards US$208 million in damages to Alpex Computer, finding Nintendo guilty of infringement of an early video game patent held by Alpex. (An appeal will reverse the decision, and in 1997 the Supreme Court will refuse to hear the case.) [232.D1] [239.41] [1460.395]
- August 10
- Square releases the Breath of Fire video game for the Super NES in the US. [401] [452.9] [608.101] [637.9] [723.114b] [725.114b] [1159.99] [1420.72]
- August
- Unit shipments of 3DO video game systems to date: 200,000. [233.D5]
- Unit shipments of Sega CD game systems to date: 1.3 million. [233.D5]
- August 24
- 3DO announces it will use the IBM/Motorola PowerPC processor for an expansion module for its 3DO Interactive Multiplayer game system. [67] [233.D1] (September [241.S3.6])
- September 1
- Nintendo releases the Illusion of Gaia video game for the Super NES in the USA. [401] [451.9] [452.9] [608.101] [637.9] [723.102] [972.94] [1159.100] [1420.71]
- September 9
- Acclaim Entertainment introduces the Mortal Kombat II arcade video game. (Sales of machines in the first week are US$50 million.) [236.D7]
- September
- Interplay releases the Blackthorne video game for the Super NES in the USA. [1159.100]
- Capcom releases the Mega Man V video game for the Game Boy in the US. [420.71] [723.106]
- Acclaim Entertainment releases the Mortal Kombat II video game for the Super NES and Game Boy in the US. [410.9] [609.9] [723.106,114b] [726.9] [808] [1159.95] [1420.70]
- The Interactive Digital Software Association forms the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), and develops a game rating system. [381.12]
- Hudson Soft releases the Super Bomberman 2 video game for the Super NES in the USA. [1159.92]
- September 28
- Atari and Sega Enterprises settle their lawsuit, with Sega paying Atari US$90 million, in return for 7.4 percent of Atari and rights to 70 Atari patents. [31.364] [237.D4]
- September
- Unit shipments of 3DO Interactive Multiplayer game systems worldwide to date: 300,000. [241.S3.6]
- October 11
- Square releases the Final Fantasy III video game for the Super NES in the US. This is the same game as Final Fantasy VI in Japan. (440,000 copies sell.) [304.150] [341.249] [401] [412.87] [452.9] [556.99] [608.101] [637.9] [723.103] [1159.89] [1420.72] (November 2 [869.19])
- October
- Sony begins manufacturing the PlayStation video game system. [1298.131]
- Nintendo releases the Super Punch-Out!! video game for the Super NES in the US. [304.138] [725.114b] [726.9] [1420.71]
- Playmates releases the Earthworm Jim video game for the Super NES in the USA. Price is US$69.99. [724.102] [1161.80] [1420.72]
- 3DO informs its software developers it would increase the licensing fee from US$3 per game to US$6. [241.S3.6]
- EA Sports releases the NBA Live '95 video game for the Super NES in the USA. [410.9] [1159.99]
- Peter Johnson, marketing and communications director for Sony PlayStation, is killed in a plane crash. [1460.506]
- Virgin Interactive releases The Lion King video game for the Super NES in the US. (Total sales: 1.27 million copies.) [608.104] [1195.96]
- October 18
- Sega releases the Sonic & Knuckles video game for the Genesis in the US. [779.39] [785.38]
- November 10
- Sega releases the Sonic the Hedgehog Triple Trouble video game for the Game Gear in the US. [779.39]
- November 14
- In Tokyo, Japan, Nintendo hosts the annual Shoshinkai Show. Nintendo announces the Virtual Boy video game system, which uses a special virtual reality headset to display 3-D red images on a black background. It features 32-bit RISC chip, two high-resolution mirror-scanning LED displays, stereo speakers, controller with dual directional controls and buttons. The system uses six AA batteries, giving about seven hours of play time. The unit is to be available in the US in April, for about US$200. [238.D1] [747.6,88] [1460.515] [1485.74] (November 15 [608.52])
- November
- Capcom releases the Demon's Crest video game for the Super NES in the USA. [1159.100]
- The film Double Dragon is released to theaters in the USA. [1161.80]
- 3DO releases the FIFA International Soccer video game for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer. [241.S3.1]
- Nintendo releases the Wario's Woods video game for the Super NES in the USA. [725.106] [1161.80]
- SNK releases the Samurai Shodown video game for the Super NES and Game Boy in the US. [410.9] [609.9] [726.9]
- November 18
- In San Diego, California, Nintendo holds the Nintendo PowerFest World Championships 1994 video game competition, over three days. Michael Iarossi of New Jersey wins the grand prize of US$5000 and a new Ford Mustang car. [608.14] [728.168]
- November 21
- Nintendo releases the Donkey Kong Country video game for the Super NES in the US and Canada. Price is US$69.95. The game was developed by Rare in England. (First week sales amount to US$35 million. 8.5 million copies sell over its lifetime.) [323.57] [350.91] [401] [453.42] [615] [724.102] [747.66] [1159.93] [1211.57] [1343.189] [1420.72] (November 25 [1102.113])
- November 22
- Sega introduces the Saturn video game system in Japan. It features two 28.6 MHz 32-bit Hitachi SH7064 RISC processors, two video display processors, Hitachi SH7034 processor controlling the double-speed CD-ROM drive, Tamaha FH1 digital signal processor, Motorola 68EC000 sound processor, QSound surround sound, 2 MB main memory, 1.5 MB video memory, 24-bit color in 640x224 resolution, memory cartridge slot, expansion slot. Price is 44800 yen (about US$450). (Sales in the first two days: 250,000. 500,000 units are sold in the first month. 9.1 million units are sold over the unit's lifetime worldwide.) [70] [241.S3.6] [363.52] [364.134] [483.66] [615] [1091.46] [1183.133] [1460.500] [1504.95]
- November 27
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A video game cartridge is shown with name "Disembowler IV". [801]
- November 29
- The American Broadcasting Company airs the Full House TV show in the USA. The family is playing the Super Nintendo using a NES Max controller. [919]
- December 1
- US Senator for Connecticut Joseph Lieberman holds a press conference in Washington, DC, to bring up issue of violence in video games, showing segments of Mortal Kombat and Night Trap. [1505.225]
- December 2
- A Federal District Court judge in New York upholds the US$208 million patent infringement award against Nintendo, ordering the company to pay Alpex Computer. [239.41]
- Federal District Court Judge Kimba Wood in New York refuses Nintendo's request for a new trial in the matter of patent infringement against Alpex Computer. [239.41]
- December 3
- Sony introduces the PlayStation in Japan. It features a 33 MHz 32-bit MIPS R3000A processor, with special audio and graphics functions integrated, geometry coprocessor, 2 MB RAM, 1 MB video RAM. Graphics resolution is 640x480 in 24-bit color. Price is 39800 yen, about US$399. Sony spent US$500 million developing the system. Code name during development was Play Station X. (100,000 systems sell in the first two days. Lifetime world unit sales: 100 million.) [70] [241.S3.6] [338.76] [342.145] [353.27] [356.83] [364.135] [438.40] [483.41] [611.28] [1298.131] [1460.502] [1504.95]
- Namco releases the Ridge Racer video game for the PlayStation in Japan. [1298.131]
- December 5
- The Walt Disney Company creates the Disney Interactive division, to develop and license interactive multimedia products on CD-ROM for computers, and cartridges for Sega Enterprises and Nintendo video game systems. The products will be distributed by Buena Vista Home Video. [240.D5]
- December
- Unit shipments of Atari Jaguar game systems worldwide to date: 270,000. [241.S3.6]
- Unit shipments of 3DO Interactive Multiplayer game systems worldwide to date: 525,000. [241.S3.6]
- Unit shipments of Sega Saturn game systems worldwide to date: 200,000. [241.S3.6]
- Unit shipments of Sony PlayStation game systems worldwide to date: 100,000. [241.S3.6]
- December 13
- Apple Computer announces the Pippin video game system specification, based on the Macintosh personal computer. It features a PowerPC 603 processor, produces graphics with 640x480 resolution in 24-bit color on a television, and uses CD-ROM disks. A license is granted to Bandai of Japan to manufacture and sell units, tentatively called the Power Player. [70] [242.D4]
- December
- Nintendo releases the Wario's Woods video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. Price is US$39.95. (This is the last game released by Nintendo for the system.) [611.28] [724.114b] [725.106]
- Nintendo releases the Tetris & Dr. Mario video game for the Super Nintendo in the US. [543.9]
- December 21
- In Japan, Nintendo and St. Giga television service company announce the Satellaview service, allowing Super Famicom users to download games via cable service. Price is 14,000 yen (about US$150), set to begin in April. [787.114]
- December 23
- The Street Fighter film opens in theaters in the US. (Total American theater ticket sales: US$34 million.) [496.40] [611.28] [1161.80]
- December 31
- Shipments of home video games in the US to date: 40 million. [70]
- Year
- U.S. Market share of 16-bit game systems: Nintendo 57 percent. [70]
- Unit sales of home video game machines in the US during the year: 10.5 million. (16 million [70]) [353.24] [43.51]
- Best selling video game (for a home game system) in the US for the year: Donkey Kong Country. [43.51]
- Unit sales of home video game machines in Japan during the year: 28.5 million. [341.249]
- Unit sales of arcade video game machines in the US during the year: 10.5 million. [43.51]
- Sales of arcade games in the USA for the year: US$1570 million. [1505.283]
- Sales of video game hardware and software in the US during the year: US$2.7 billion. [42.45]
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