- February 5
- Nintendo announces a delay in introducing its 64-bit video game system in the US until September 30, due to a chip shortage. [255.D5]
- February 9
- Bandai's Digital Entertainment division unveils the Pippin Atmark video game system in Japan. The system is licensed from Apple Computer, comes with keyboard, mouse, and modem for Internet access, and plugs into a television. [597]
- February 27
- Nintendo releases the Pocket Monsters - Green Version and Pocket Monsters - Red Version video games for Super Game Boy in Japan. [542.84] [595.140] [1460.566]
- March 8
- Acclaim Entertainment releases the Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 video game for the Genesis in the US. [808]
- March 9
- Nintendo announces a delay in introducing the Nintendo 64 in Japan to June 23, due to a lack of chips, and delays in software development. [256.48]
- March 13
- In New York, Apple Computer and Bandai demonstrate the Pippin Atmark multimedia system, to recruit software developers. [257.D1]
- March
- Nintendo releases the 3D Tetris video game for the Virtual Boy. (This is the last game released for the system.) [685.136]
- Unit sales of the Sony PlayStation worldwide to date: 1 million. [342.145] [1093.34]
- March 22
- In Japan, Bandai releases the Pippin Atmark multimedia system. It features PowerPC 603 processor, 6 MB RAM, 14.4 kbps modem, CD-ROM reader. Price is 64,820 yen (US$620). (Sales are poor: total 30,000 in Japan.) [257.D1] [357.83] [795.14] (1995 [1447.13] [1482.13])
- Capcom releases the Resident Evil video game for the PlayStation in the US. The game innovates by creating the survival-horror genre. (Total sales: over two million copies.) [298.30] [411] [505.59] [625.49] [740.85] [1491.21] (March 30 [834.17]) (May [577.102])
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- TGL releases the Steam Hearts: the Crying Game video game for the PC Engine in Japan. [1255.80]
- March 29
- Sega Enterprises and Softbank create Sega Entertainment in the US, to convert Sega products to run on personal computers. First release title is expected by June. [597]
- March 31
- Unit sales of Nintendo Game Boy game systems over the past twelve months: about 4.1 million. [271.D4]
- March (month)
- Top selling video game in the US for the month: Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest by Nintendo for the Super NES. [779.25]
- April (month)
- Top selling video game in the US for the month: Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest by Nintendo for the Super NES. [828.24]
- (month unknown)
- Sales of Game Boy systems to date: 48 million worldwide; 19 million in North America. [1152.88]
- May 5
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. Two arcade games are shown: "Great White Hunter", and "Nuke". [833]
- May 13
- Nintendo releases the Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars video game for the Super NES in the US. [401] [429.51] [542.96] [871.38] [1159.91] [1161.80] [1192.80] [1420.75] (1998 [304.138])
- May 15
- In Los Angeles, California, Nintendo gives a preview of the Nintendo 64 game system, showing the Super Mario 64 and PilotWings video games. [258.D1]
- In Los Angeles, California, Bandai Digital Entertainment announces the Pippin @World computer. The device includes a keyboard and CD-ROM player. It can be hooked up to a television and connected to the Internet. Bandai expects to ship the device in September, priced at US$599. [597]
- May
- The television show Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm last airs in the US. [808]
- May 16
- In Los Angeles, California, the Electronic Entertainment Expo is held, over three days. Total attendance is 55,000. [261.D5] [542.108] [597] [633.98] [1028.38]
- May 19
- Sony drops the price of the PlayStation in the US, from US$299 to US$199. [259.D9] [591.22] [741.18] [869.26] [1094.28] [1298.133] (August [674.42])
- May
- Sega drops the price of the Saturn in the US to US$199. [869.26] [1094.28] (August [674.42])
- Unit sales of Sony PlayStation game systems in North America to date: 1.4 million. [262.D1]
- May (month)
- Top selling video game in the US for the month: Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars for the Super NES. [869.26]
- (month unknown)
- Unit sales of Sony PlayStation game systems worldwide to date: 5 million. [356.83]
- June 14
- Acclaim Entertainment releases the Mortal Kombat 3 video game for the PlayStation in Japan. [808]
- June
- Sega releases the Golden Axe Duel video game for the Sega Saturn in the US. [1408.54]
- The Primal Rage video game is pulled from retail outlets in the US. [674.42]
- June 23
- In Japan, Nintendo ships the Nintendo 64 video game system. Price is 25,000 yen. It features 64-bit 93.75 MHz MIPS R4000 Series RISC main processor, 64-bit 62.5 MHz graphics and sound coprocessor, 4.5 MB of RAM, 32-bit color at 640x480 resolution, four control ports. (500,000 units sell in the first week. Lifetime world unit sales: 32.9 million.) [28.34] [262.D1] [298.40] [353.24] [355.73] [363.52] [364.134] [391.10,12] [1152.70] [1460.534] [1494.182] [1504.95]
- Nintendo releases the Super Mario 64 video game for the Nintendo 64 in Japan. The game was developed at Nintendo by Shigeru Miyamoto. (Total sales: 11.62 million.) [43.51] [298.40] [412.24] [1147.30] [1152.72] [1460.534]
- Nintendo releases the PilotWings 64 video game for the Nintendo 64 in Japan. [298.40] [1152.72] [1460.534]
- (month unknown)
- Nintendo installs the Nintendo 64 game system in three Nintendo Family Entertainment Centres in Canada, in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. [1153.18]
- Sega releases the Guardian Heroes video game for the Saturn in the US. [304.140] (1998 [470.90])
- Sega releases the Panzer Dragoon II Zwei video game for the Saturn in the US. [304.140]
- Working Designs releases the Dragon Force video game for the Saturn. [304.148]
- Namco releases the Soul Edge Ver. II arcade video game. [477.16]
- The film Subliminal Seduction is aired on TV in the USA. The arcade game Ms. Pac-Man appears. [907]
- Sega opens SegaWorld in London, England. [1494.196]
- July 5
- Sega releases the NiGHTS Into Dreams video game for the Sega Saturn in Japan. [1395.15]
- July 10
- Sega releases the Sonic Championship video game to arcades in the US. [779.39]
- July
- TH-Q releases the Alone in the Dark video game for the Sega Saturn in the USA. [1408.58]
- Nintendo launches the Pokémon Blue video game for the Game Boy in Japan. [595.140]
- July 21
- Nintendo releases the Game Boy Pocket handheld video game system in Japan. Specifications: 4.19 MHz Z80 processor, 8 kB RAM, 4 gray shades, 4.5 x 3 x 1 inch size, 4.5 ounce weight, 2 x AAA power the unit for about 8-10 hours. Price is 6800 yen (US$60). [483.56,70] [685.133] [1152.87] [1408.97]
- July 30
- Atari merges with JTS Corporation in US$80 million stock swap. [1460.522]
- July (month)
- Top selling video game in the US for the month: Ken Griffey Jr.'s Winning Run for the Super NES. [871.35]
- August 2
- Acclaim Entertainment releases the Mortal Kombat II video game for the PlayStation in Japan. [808]
- August
- Sony releases the Jumping Flash! 2 video game for the PlayStation in the USA. [557.94] [1188.45]
- Sega releases the Nights... Into Dreams video game for the Saturn in the US. [304.134] [567.91] [1409.53]
- Nintendo releases the Tetris Attack video game for the Super NES in the US. [391.96] [1159.90]
- Unit sales of Nintendo 64 game systems in Japan to date: 900,000. [262.D1]
- Unit sales of Sega Saturn game systems in the US to date: 700,000. [262.D1]
- August (month)
- Top selling video game in the US for the month: Tekken 2 for the PlayStation. [793.36] [914.18]
- September 1
- Sony drops the price of several PlayStation games which have sold over 150,000 copies: Destruction Derby, NHL Face Off, Twisted Metal, WarHawk, WipeOut, NFL GameDay. [793.19]
- Nintendo releases the Donkey Kong Land 2 video game for the Game Boy in the US. [391.94] [401]
- September 3
- Nintendo releases the Game Boy Pocket portable game system in the USA. [1152.89] [1161.80]
- September 5
- Sony releases the Crash Bandicoot video game for the PlayStation. (Total sales: in US, 1.5 million; in Japan, 610,000; in Europe, 725,000.) [545.23] [1460.536]
- September
- Nintendo releases the Mega Man video game for the Game Boy in the US. Price is US$19.99. [391.95]
- Titus releases the Realm video game for the Super NES in the US. [391.95]
- Sega releases the OutRun video game for the Sega Saturn system in Japan. [1343.36]
- September 16
- 3DO announces that it plans to sell off its hardware business by the end of the year, shifting its focus to making entertainment software. [263.D2]
- September
- The one-millionth copy of Resident Evil for the PlayStation is sold. [914.18]
- September 29
- Nintendo releases the Nintendo 64 video game system in North America. Price is US$199.95. (350,000 sell out in the first three days.) [42.44] [262.D1] [265.42] [355.72] [377.62] [391.6,10] [453.44] [674.42] [686.12] [687.22] [981.23] [1097.30] [1154.102] [1155.9] [1161.80] [1460.537] [1494.182]
- Nintendo releases the Super Mario 64 video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [298.38] [453.44] [686.12] [793.18] [981.23] [1159.88] (September 26 [401] [871.38])
- Nintendo releases the Pilotwings 64 video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [391.95] [793.18] [981.23] [1159.93] (August 31 [411])
- September (month)
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64. [981.23]
- (month unknown)
- Sega Entertainment releases Sonic CD for Windows 95-based personal computers. This is the first Sonic video game to appear on a personal computer. [490.267]
- October 1
- Acclaim Entertainment releases the Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 video game for the Super NES in the US. [401] (June 16 [808])
- October 13
- Acclaim Entertainment releases the Mortal Kombat Trilogy video game for the PlayStation in the US. [808]
- October
- Crystal Dynamics releases the Legacy of Kain: Blood Omen video game for the PlayStation in the US. [1409.66]
- Nintendo releases the Wave Race 64 video game for the Nintendo 64 in the USA. [1159.90]
- October 22
- Sega releases the Net Link modem and Internet Web browser, a US$200 plug-in adapter for the Saturn. Sega announces that it will develop, with Catapult's XBAND technology, Internet-based online game play for Net Link by next March. [597]
- October 23
- The National Broadcasting Company airs the NewsRadio TV show in the USA. An arcade video game replaces a sandwich vending machine in an office. It is called Stargate Defender, but no actual game play is shown. [1034]
- October 31
- Eidos Interactive releases the Tomb Raider video game for the PlayStation and the Saturn. The game innovates with 3D third-person adventure gameplay. (Total lifetime sales for the PlayStation: 1.9 million.) [308.82] [411] [444.34] (November [625.50] [691.86] [1151.29])
- October (month)
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64. [976.28]
- Unit shipments of Nintendo 64 video game systems during the month: 500,000. [42.44]
- November 1
- Acclaim Entertainment releases the Mortal Kombat Trilogy video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [401] [808] [1409.47]
- Nintendo releases the Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble video game for the Super NES in the US. [401] [1159.91]
- November 7
- Sega releases the Sonic 3D Blast video game for the Genesis and Saturn in the US. [779.39]
- November 14
- Sega releases the Sonic Blast video game for the Game Gear in the US. [779.40]
- November 15
- At the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, Washington, over five days, 3000 participants rate 57 video games. Top pick is Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64. [772.196]
- November
- Nintendo releases the Killer Instinct Gold video game for the Nintendo 64 in the USA. [1159.95]
- Midway releases the Wayne Gretkzy's 3D Hockey video game for the Nintendo 64 in the USA. [1159.97]
- The Shoshinkai and Space World shows are held in Japan. Nintendo shows a prototype 64 Disc Drive for the Nintendo 64. Nintendo shows many upcoming games for the Nintendo 64, including Star Fox 64, Mario Kart 64, Yoshi's Island 64, Zelda 64, Kirby's Air Ride, Earthbound 64, Blast Corps, and GoldenEye 007. [1040.29] [1156.22]
- Nintendo ceases marketing the Virtual Boy in the USA. Less than 500,000 systems were sold in North America, with only 14 titles available. [1040.29]
- By Thanksgiving Day in the USA, Nintendo has sold 750,000 Nintendo 64 systems in the USA, making this the fastest-selling system to date. [1040.29]
- November 25
- The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reverses the August 1994 decision in favor of Alpex Computer versus Nintendo, over patent infringement of video game technology. The court rules that Alpex's bit-mapped memory system is different from Nintendo's system. [264.D2] [1460.396]
- November
- Lawyers for Alpex Computer file a petition for a rehearing of the case against Nintendo by the U.S. Supreme Court. [264.D2]
- November (month)
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64. [1040.29]
- December 1
- Bandai Digital Entertainment introduces the @World entertainment system in the US. It features 66 MHz PowerPC 603 processor, 5 MB RAM, 4X CD-ROM drive, 28.8 kbps modem, Mac OS System 7.5.2 in 1 MB of RAM, controller with trackball and buttons, video output to TV (NTSC format). The system is based on Apple Computer's Pippin technology. Price is US$499. (Sales are poor: only 12,000 in the US.) [71.40A] [597] [795.14]
- December 3
- Acclaim Entertainment releases the Mortal Kombat Trilogy video game for the Saturn in the US. [808]
- December 4
- Shares of GT Interactive Software drop 37.6 percent in Nasdaq trading, after the company reported that its games for the Nintendo 64 would be delayed. [681.D4]
- December 6
- Enix releases the Dragon Quest III Remix video game for the Super Famicom in Japan. [298.51]
- December
- Intel announces the Open Arcade Architecture, a common hardware platform specification incorporating a Pentium II processor and high-end graphics accelerator. Arcade machines built to this specification will be able to have their games changed by software only, with minimal hardware changes. [597]
- G-Sonic is final game released for the Game Gear in Japan. [1483.50]
- Enix releases the Terranigma video game for the Super NES in the USA. [1203.68]
- Nintendo releases the Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire video game for the Nintendo 64 in the USA. [643.116] [1159.94]
- December (month)
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64. [1073.59]
- Year
- Top selling video game in Europe for the year: Formula One for the PlayStation. [1091.47]
- Unit sales of the Nintendo 64 video game system in the US during the year: 1.7 million. [265.42] [377.62] [1074.36]
- Unit sales of the Super Mario 64 video game during the year: 1.6 million. [265.42]
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