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:1989 in video games

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{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2016}}

{{More citations needed|date=June 2018}}

{{Year nav topic5|1989|video games}}

1989 saw many sequels and prequels in video games, such as Phantasy Star II, Super Mario Land, Super Monaco GP, along with new titles such as Big Run, Bonk's Adventure, Final Fight, Golden Axe, Strider, Hard Drivin' and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The year also saw the release of the Sega Genesis and TurboGrafx-16 in North America, and the Game Boy worldwide along with Tetris and Super Mario Land.

The year's highest-grossing arcade games in Japan were Namco's Final Lap and Sega's Tetris, while the highest-grossing arcade video games in the United States were Double Dragon, Super Off Road and Hard Drivin' among dedicated arcade cabinets and Capcom Bowling and Ninja Gaiden among arcade conversion kits. The year's best{{nbh}}selling home system was the Nintendo Entertainment System (Famicom) for the sixth year in a row, while the year's best-selling home video games were Super Mario Bros. 3 in Japan and RoboCop in the United Kingdom.

Financial performance

=Highest-grossing arcade games=

==Japan==

In Japan, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games of 1989.

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! rowspan="2" | Rank

! colspan="2" | Gamest{{cite magazine |title=第３回 ゲーメスト大賞 〜 インカム部門ベスト10 |trans-title=3rd Gamest Awards – Income Category: Best 10 |magazine=Gamest |date=December 27, 1989 |volume=41 (February 1990) |url=https://archive.org/details/gamest0041/page/79 |pages=49–79 (79) |language=ja}} [http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~dummy/gamest/magazine/gamest/v041.html alternate url]

! colspan="2" |Game Machine{{cite magazine |title=Videos of The Year; "Tetris", "Chase H.Q." |magazine=Game Machine |issue=372 |publisher=Amusement Press, Inc. |date=15 January 1990 |page=26 |lang=ja |url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19900115p.pdf#page=14}}

Title

!Manufacturer

! Dedicated arcade cabinet

! Software conversion kit

1

| Tetris

|Sega

| Final Lap

| Tetris (Sega)

2

| Winning Run

|Namco

| Chase H.Q.

| World Stadium

3

| Super Monaco GP

|Sega

| Operation Thunderbolt

| Truxton

4

| Power Drift

|Sega

| Winning Run (deluxe)

| Image Fight

5

| Image Fight

|Irem

| Out Run (deluxe)

| Shanghai II

6

| Final Lap

|Namco

| Top Landing

| Kyukyoku Tiger (Twin Cobra)f

7

| Tenchi wo Kurau

|Capcom

| Power Drift (deluxe)

| Shanghai

8

| Ghouls 'n Ghosts

|Capcom

| Super Monaco GP (deluxe)

| Sichuan

9

| Turbo OutRun

|Sega

| Metal Hawk

| Birdie Try

10

| Chase H.Q.

|Taito

| Turbo OutRun

| Galaga '88

==Hong Kong and United Kingdom==

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

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"

! rowspan="2" | Month

! colspan="3" | Hong Kong (Bondeal)

! colspan="3" | United Kingdom

Dedicated cabinet

! Conversion kit

! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref|Reference}}

! Title

! Manufacturer

! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref|Reference}}

February

| rowspan="3" {{Unknown}}

| rowspan="3" {{Unknown}}

| rowspan="3" |

| rowspan="3" | Strider

| rowspan="3" | Capcom

| rowspan="3" | {{cite magazine |title=Capcom: A Captive Audience |magazine=The Games Machine |date=18 May 1989 |issue=19 (June 1989) |publisher=Newsfield |location=United Kingdom |pages=24–5 |url=https://archive.org/details/the-games-machine-19/page/n23/mode/2up}}

March
April
November

| Hard Drivin'

| Burning Force

| {{cite magazine |title=The Bondeal Chart |magazine=RePlay |date=January 1990 |volume=15 |issue=4 |page=148 |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-14-issue-no.-4-january-1990-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2014%2C%20Issue%20No.%204%20-%20January%201990/page/148}}

| colspan="2" rowspan="3" {{Unknown}}

| rowspan="3" |

rowspan="2" | December

| rowspan="2" | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

| Pang

|

Burning Force

| {{cite magazine |title=The Bondeal Chart |magazine=RePlay |date=February 1990 |volume=15 |issue=5 |page=90 |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-14-issue-no.-5-february-1990-600dpi/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2014%2C%20Issue%20No.%205%20-%20February%201990/page/90}}

== United States ==

In the United States, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games of 1989.

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

! rowspan="2" | Rank

! colspan="2" | AMOA{{cite magazine |title=AMOA Jukebox, Games & Cigarette Vending Awards Winners |magazine=Cash Box |date=1989-09-30 |page=36 |url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox53unse_10/page/36 |publisher=Cash Box Pub. Co.}}{{cite magazine |title=Coin Machine: AMOA Games Awards Nominees Announced |magazine=Cash Box |date=July 29, 1989 |page=25 |url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox53unse_1/page/25}}

! colspan="2" | RePlay{{cite magazine |title=Special Report: 1989's Best Videos and Pins |magazine=RePlay |date=January 1990 |volume=15 |issue=4 |pages=44, 46, 4 |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-14-issue-no.-4-january-1990-600DPI/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2014%2C%20Issue%20No.%204%20-%20January%201990/page/44}}

! rowspan="2" | AMAA{{cite magazine |title=ACME Awards: AAMA Achievement Awards |magazine=RePlay |date=April 1990 |volume=15 |issue=7 |page=94 |url=https://archive.org/details/re-play-volume-14-issue-no.-7-april-1990-600dpi/RePlay%20-%20Volume%2014%2C%20Issue%20No.%207%20-%20April%201990/page/94}}

Dedicated arcade cabinet

! Conversion kit

! Dedicated cabinet

! Conversion kit

1

| Double Dragon

| Capcom Bowling

| Super Off Road

| Ninja Gaiden

| Hard Drivin'

2

| rowspan="4" | Bad Dudes Vs. DragonNinja,
Operation Thunderbolt,
Super Off Road,
John Elway's Quarterback

| rowspan="4" | Ninja Gaiden,
Shinobi,
Tetris (Atari)
Cabal

| Hard Drivin'

| Cabal

| Tetris (Atari)

3

| Operation Thunderbolt

| Golden Axe

| rowspan="4" | Cabal,
Crime Fighters,
Chase H.Q.,
Operation Thunderbolt

4

| Chase H.Q.

| WWF Superstars

5

| Narc

| Capcom Bowling

6

| colspan="2" rowspan="6" {{N/A}}

| rowspan="4" | S.T.U.N. Runner,
Super Monaco GP,
Turbo OutRun,
Big Run

| rowspan="3" | Mechanized Attack,
Midnight Resistance,
Caliber .50

7

| rowspan="2" | Superman,
U.S. Classic

8
9

| rowspan="3" {{N/A}}

| rowspan="3" {{N/A}}

10

| rowspan="2 | Mechanized Attack,
Midnight Resistance

11

= Best-selling home systems =

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"

! rowspan="2" | Rank

! rowspan="2" | System(s)

! rowspan="2" | Manufacturer

! rowspan="2" | Type

! rowspan="2" | Generation

! colspan="5" | Sales

Japan

! USA

! Europe

! Korea

! Worldwide

1

|Nintendo Entertainment System

|Nintendo

|Console

|8-bit

|1,520,000{{Cite journal|last=小川 (Ogawa)|first=純生 (Sumio)|date=2010-12-14|title=テレビゲーム機の変遷 —ファミコン、スーパーファミコン、プレステ、プレステ2、Wiiまで—|trans-title=Recent Developments in Video Game Technology in Japan — Famicom, Super Famicom, Play Station, Play Station 2 and Wii —|url=http://www.toyo.ac.jp/uploaded/attachment/3049.pdf|journal=経営論集 (Keiei Ronshū)|language=ja|publication-date=March 2011|issue=77|pages=1-17 (2)|issn=0286-6439|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725185700/http://www.toyo.ac.jp/uploaded/attachment/3049.pdf|archive-date=2015-07-25|access-date=2021-12-06|via=Toyo University Academic Information Repository (Toyo University)}}

|9,200,000{{Cite news|last=Ramirez|first=Anthony|date=1990-12-08|title=Waiting for the Zapping of Nintendo|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/08/business/waiting-for-the-zapping-of-nintendo.html|access-date=2021-12-09|issn=0362-4331}}

|180,000+{{cite magazine|title=Europe: consoles contre micros|trans-title=Europe: consoles against microphones|url=https://i.imgur.com/qUXeIkm.jpg|magazine=Tilt|page=23|lang=fr}}

|20,000{{cite book|title=게임월드|date=1994|trans-title=Game World|lang=ko}}

|10,920,000+

2

|Game Boy

|Nintendo

|Handheld

|8-bit

|1,480,000

|1,000,000

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|2,500,000{{Cite magazine|year=1991|title=Asiaweek|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hIMMAQAAMAAJ|magazine=Asiaweek|page=2|quote=Introduced in 1989, Game Boy sold {{nowrap|2.5 million}} units that year and {{nowrap|10 million}} in 1990.}}

3

|Commodore 64

|Commodore

|Computer

|8-bit

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|1,250,000{{Cite web|last=Reimer|first=Jeremy|date=2005-12-15|title=Total share: 30 years of personal computer market share figures|url=https://arstechnica.com/features/2005/12/total-share/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-27|website=Ars Technica|language=en-us |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607023023/http://arstechnica.com:80/features/2005/12/total-share/ |archive-date=June 7, 2012}}

  • {{cite web |author=Jeremy Reimer |date=2012-12-07 |title=Total Share: Personal Computer Market Share 1975-2010 |url=https://jeremyreimer.com/rockets-item.lsp?p=137 |website=Jeremy Reimer}}
4

|PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16

|NEC

|Console

|16-bit

|920,000

|300,000{{Cite news|last=Rothstein|first=Edward|date=1990-04-26|title=Electronics Notebook; Adventures in Never-Never Land|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/04/26/garden/electronics-notebook-adventures-never-never-land-revenge-shinobi-ninja-without.html|access-date=2021-12-09|issn=0362-4331}}

| {{Unknown}}

| {{Unknown}}

|1,220,000+

5

|NEC UltraLite / PC-88 / PC-98

|NEC

|Computer

|8-bit / 16-bit

|{{formatnum:{{#expr:2500*0.41 round -1}},000}}{{Cite journal|last1=Methe|first1=David|last2=Mitchell|first2=Will|last3=Miyabe|first3=Junichiro|last4=Toyama|first4=Ryoko|date=January 1998|title=Overcoming a Standard Bearer: Challenges to NEC's Personal Computer in Japan|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5160396|journal=Research Papers in Economics (RePEc)|page=35|via=ResearchGate}}{{Cite book|last=Ozsomer|first=Aysegul|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h7NoO4fITxAC|title=A Dynamic Analysis of Entry Rates in the Global Personal Computer Industry|date=1993|publisher=Michigan State University (Department of Marketing and Logistics)|pages=36|chapter=The Japanese Personal Computer Market|quote=Traditionally, dominated by Japanese vendors, the market had reached 2.5 million units in 1989, and 3.3 million units in 1991 (Dataquest Inc.)}}

|115,800+{{Cite magazine|date=8 January 1990|title=Amid industry pessiminism, micro sales rose|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FMbci6pHoa0C&pg=PA34|magazine=Computerworld|publisher=IDG Enterprise|volume=24|issue=2|page=34|issn=0010-4841}}

| {{Unknown}}

| {{Unknown}}

|1,145,800+

6

|Mega Drive / Genesis

|Sega

|Console

|16-bit

|600,000

|500,000{{Cite news|date=January 4, 1991|title=Sega woos teen video players with new system|page=A4|work=The Beaver County Times|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=19910104&id=BbciAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ILUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3681,371077|access-date=19 December 2021}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|1,100,000

7

|Macintosh

|Apple Inc.

|Computer

|16-bit

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|1,100,000

8

|IBM Personal Computer (IBM PC)

|IBM

|Computer

|16-bit

| {{Unknown}}

|748,600+

| {{Unknown}}

| {{Unknown}}

|748,600+

9

|Mark III / Master System

|Sega

|Console

|8-bit

|200,000{{cite book|last1=Tanaka|first1=Tatsuo|url=http://www.stat.go.jp/english/info/meetings/iaos/pdf/tanaka.pdf#page=2|title=Network Externality and Necessary Software Statistics|date=August 2001|publisher=Statistics Bureau of Japan|page=2}}

| {{Unknown}}

|350,000

|130,000

|680,000+

10

|Amiga

|Commodore

|Computer

|16-bit

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|600,000

= Best-selling home video games =

==Japan==

The following titles were the top ten best-selling home video games of 1989 in Japan, according to the annual Family Computer Magazine (Famimaga) charts.{{cite magazine |title=グーム売上ベスト10 |trans-title=Best 10 Game Sales |magazine=Family Computer Magazine |date=23 February 1990 |publisher=Tokuma Shoten |page=133 |url=https://archive.org/details/famimaga-1990-feb-23/page/133 |lang=ja}}

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"

! Rank

! Title

! Developer(s)

! Publisher(s)

! Genre(s)

! Sales

! Platform(s)

1

| Super Mario Bros. 3

| Nintendo R&D4

| Nintendo

| Platformer

| < 3,840,000{{cite web |title=Japan Platinum Game Chart |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-JPPlatinum.shtml |website=The Magic Box |access-date=15 March 2021 |archive-date=August 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810010607/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-JPPlatinum.shtml |url-status=dead }}

| Famicom

2

| Tetris

| BPS / Nintendo R&D1

| BPS / Nintendo

| Puzzle

| {{Unknown}}

| FC / GB

3

| Famista '89: Kaimaku Ban!

| Namco

| Namco

| Sports (baseball)

| rowspan="2" {{Unknown}}

| rowspan="8" | Famicom

4

| SD Gundam World Gachapon Senshi 2

| Human Entertainment

| Bandai

| Strategy

5

| Dragon Ball 3: Goku Den

| TOSE

| Bandai

| RPG / card battle

| < 760,000{{cite book |chapter=Dragon Ball Video Game Data |title=Dragon Ball 30th Anniversary: Super History Book |year=2016 |publisher=Shueisha |isbn=978-4-08-792505-0 |page=216}}

6

| Mother (EarthBound Beginnings)

| Ape Inc.

| Nintendo

| RPG

| < 400,000{{cite web |title=Mother |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/mother/ |website=Hardcore Gaming 101 |date=January 8, 2011 |access-date=15 March 2021}}{{cite book |last1=Baumann |first1=Ken |title=EarthBound: Boss Fight Books #1 |date=2014 |publisher=Boss Fight Books |isbn=978-1-940535-00-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lvuEDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT19}}{{cite book |last1=Consalvo |first1=Mia |title=Atari to Zelda: Japan's Videogames in Global Contexts |date=8 April 2016 |publisher=MIT Press |isbn=978-0-262-03439-5 |page=57 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tH3TCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA57}}

7

| Kyuukyoku Harikiri Stadium: Heisei Gannenhan

| Taito

| Taito

| Sports (baseball)

| rowspan="2" {{Unknown}}

8

| Famicom Jump: Hero Retsuden

| TOSE

| Bandai

| Action RPG

9

| Famista '90

| colspan="2" | Namco

| rowspan="2" | Sports (baseball)

| rowspan="2" {{Unknown}}

10

| Family Stadium '88

| colspan="2" | Namco

==United Kingdom==

In the United Kingdom, RoboCop for the ZX Spectrum was the best-selling home video game of 1989.{{Cite magazine|date=16 December 1989|title=The Best Games of '89|url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-098/CVG_098_Jan_1990#page/n7/mode/2up|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=98 (January 1990)|page=9}} The following titles were the best-selling home video games of each month in the United Kingdom during 1989.

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
Month

! Title

! Developer

! Publisher

! Platform(s)

! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref|Reference}}

{{dts|January}}

| rowspan="3" | Operation Wolf

| rowspan="3" | Taito

| rowspan="3" | Ocean Software

| rowspan="3" | Computers

| {{cite magazine|date=February 1989|title=Charts: All Formats Top Ten|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-089/page/n10/mode/1up|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=89 (March 1989)|page=11}}

{{dts|February}}

| {{cite magazine|date=16 March 1989|title=Charts: All Formats Top Ten|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-090/page/n14/mode/1up|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=90 (April 1989)|page=15}}

{{dts|March}}

| {{cite magazine|date=11 April 1989|title=Charts|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-091/page/n16|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=91 (May 1989)|page=17}}

{{dts|April}}

| rowspan="5" | RoboCop

| rowspan="5" | Data East

| rowspan="5" | Ocean Software

| rowspan="3" | 8-bit micros

| {{cite magazine|date=16 May 1989|title=All Formats Top 20|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-092/page/n53/mode/2up|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=92 (June 1989)|pages=54–5}}

{{dts|May}}

| {{cite magazine|date=June 1989|title=All Formats Top 20|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-093/page/n57/mode/2up|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=93 (July 1989)|pages=58–9}}

{{dts|June}}

| {{cite magazine|date=15 July 1989|title=All Formats Top 20|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-093b/page/n57/mode/2up|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=93 (August 1989)|pages=58–9}}

{{dts|July}}

| rowspan="2" | Computers

| {{cite magazine|date=16 August 1989|title=All Formats Top 20|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-094/page/n57/mode/2up|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=94 (September 1989)|pages=58–9}}

{{dts|August}}

| {{cite magazine|date=16 September 1989|title=All Formats Top 20|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-095/page/n65/mode/2up|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=95 (October 1989)|pages=66–7}}

{{dts|September}}

| rowspan="2" | Crazy Cars

| rowspan="2" | Titus

| rowspan="2" | Titus

| 8-bit micros

| {{cite magazine|date=16 October 1989|title=All Formats Top 20|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-096/page/n65/mode/2up|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=96 (November 1989)|pages=66–7}}

{{dts|October}}

| Computers

| {{cite magazine|date=16 November 1989|title=All Formats Top 20|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-097/page/n82/mode/1up|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=98 (December 1989)|pages=82–3}}

{{dts|November}}

| Paperboy

| Atari Games

| Elite

| 8-bit micros

| {{cite magazine|date=16 December 1989|title=All Formats Top 20|url=https://archive.org/details/cvg-magazine-098/page/n69/mode/2up|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=99 (January 1990)|pages=70–1}}

{{dts|December}}

| Chase H.Q.

| Taito

| Ocean Software

| Computers

| {{cite web|last1=Cundy|first1=Matt|date=25 December 2007|title=Every Christmas Top 10 from the last 20 years|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/every-christmas-top-10-from-the-last-20-years/10/|access-date=9 March 2021|website=GamesRadar|page=10}}

1989

! RoboCop

! Data East

! Ocean Software

! ZX Spectrum

!

==United States==

In the United States, the following titles were the best-selling home video games of each month in 1989.

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
Month

! Bundle

! Standalone

! Platform

! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref|Reference(s)}}

{{dts|January}}

| {{Unknown}}

| rowspan="10" | Super Mario Bros. 2

| rowspan="10" | NES

| {{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=February 1989 |volume=7 |issue=11 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_feb89.pdf}}{{cite magazine|date=3 February 1989|title=U.S.A. TOP 10: 1月20日|trans-title=U.S.A. Top 10: January 20|url=https://www.retromags.com/files/file/4567-famitsu-issue-0067-february-3-1989/|magazine=Famicom Tsūshin|volume=1989|issue=3|page=14|lang=ja}}

{{dts|February}}

| Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt{{cite book |last1=Provenzo |first1=Eugene F. |title=Video Kids: Making Sense of Nintendo |date=1991 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=978-0-674-93709-3 |page=12 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sICibPktR68C |quote=For February 1989, 16 of the 20 top selling toys in the country were video games or video game-related. These included:
1. Action Set (Nintendo of America)
2. Power Set (Nintendo of America)}}

| {{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=March 1989 |volume=7 |issue=12 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_mar89.pdf}}

{{dts|March}}

| rowspan="7" {{Unknown}}

| {{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=April 1989 |volume=8 |issue=1 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_apr89.pdf}}

{{dts|April}}

| {{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=May 1989 |volume=8 |issue=2 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_may89.pdf}}

{{dts|May}}

| {{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=June 1989 |volume=8 |issue=3 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_jun89.pdf}}

{{dts|June}}

| {{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=July 1989 |volume=8 |issue=4 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_jul89.pdf}}

{{dts|July}}

| {{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=August 1989 |volume=8 |issue=5 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_aug89.pdf}}

{{dts|August}}

| {{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=September 1989 |volume=8 |issue=6 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_sep89.pdf}}

{{dts|September}}

| {{cite magazine |title=Top Fifteen Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=October 1989 |volume=8 |issue=7 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_oct89.pdf}}

{{dts|October}}

| Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt{{cite news |last1=Karp |first1=Abby |title=Top Of The Toybox: Nintendo zaps competition as year's top toy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/132735985/ |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=The Palm Beach Post |date=December 11, 1989 |page=71 |quote=The larger Nintendo Action Set ($100), which hooks up to a monitor, topped the Toy and Hobby World magazine's list of October's bestsellers.}}

| {{cite magazine |title=Top 15 Videogames |magazine=Computer Entertainer |date=November 1989 |volume=8 |issue=8 |page=1 |url=http://www.ataricompendium.com/archives/newsletters/video_game_update/computer_entertainer_nov89.pdf}}

{{dts|November}}

| {{Unknown}}

| Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

| NES

| {{cite news |title=Toy Time Again: Toy Hit Parade |url=https://www.deseret.com/1989/11/27/18834248/toy-time-again-toy-hit-parade |access-date=13 September 2021 |work=Deseret News |date=27 November 1989 |language=en}}

{{dts|December}}

| colspan="2" | Tetris

| Game Boy

| {{cite magazine|date=5 January 1990|title=U.S.A. TOP 10: '89年12月22日|trans-title=U.S.A. Top 10: 1989-12-22|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/a/a4/Famitsu_JP_0091.pdf#page=14|magazine=Famicom Tsūshin|volume=1990|issue=1/2|page=14|lang=ja}}

Top-rated games

=Major awards=

==Japan and United Kingdom==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"

! rowspan="2" | Award

! 3rd Gamest Awards
(Japan, December 1989){{cite magazine |title=第３回 ゲーメスト大賞 |trans-title=3rd Gamest Awards |magazine=Gamest |date=December 27, 1989 |volume=41 (February 1990) |url=https://archive.org/details/gamest0041/page/49 |pages=49–79 |language=ja}} [http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~dummy/gamest/magazine/gamest/v041.html alternate url]

! 4th Famitsu Best Hit Game Awards
(Japan, February 1990){{cite magazine |title='89ベストヒットゲーム大賞 |trans-title='89 Best Hit Game Awards |magazine=Famicom Tsūshin |date=2 February 1990 |volume=1990 |issue=3 |lang=ja}}

! colspan="2" | 4th Famimaga Game Awards (Japan, February 1990){{cite magazine |title=1989 ファミマガゲーム大賞 |trans-title=1989 Famimaga Game Awards |magazine=Family Computer Magazine |date=23 February 1990 |publisher=Tokuma Shoten |pages=128–33 |url=https://archive.org/details/famimaga-1990-feb-23/page/128/mode/2up |lang=ja}}

! colspan="2" |7th Golden Joystick Awards
(UK, April 1990){{cite journal|date=May 1990|title=High Society|url=https://archive.org/stream/ACEIssue33Jun90/ACE_Issue_33_Jun_90#page/n9/mode/1up|journal=ACE|publisher=EMAP|issue=33 (June 1990)|page=10}}

Arcade

!Console

! Famicom

! Game Boy

!8-bit computer

!16-bit computer

Game of the Year

| Tetris (Sega)

| colspan="2" | Final Fantasy II

| Tetris

|The Untouchables

|Kick Off

Critics' Choice Awards

| Gain Ground
Image Fight
Super Monaco GP
Winning Run

| Idol Hakkenden (Famicom)
Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse (Famicom)
Gunhed (PC Engine)
Sweet Home (Famicom)
Far East of Eden: Ziria (PCD)
Dragon Ball 3: Goku Den (Famicom)
Pachio-kun 2 (Famicom)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Coin-Op Conversion

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|Chase H.Q.

|Hard Drivin'

Best Game Design / Planning

| {{N/A}}

| Daichi-kun Crisis: Do Natural (PC Engine)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Playability

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| Final Fantasy II

| Tetris

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Scenario / Story

| {{N/A}}

| Famicom Detective Club 2 (Famicom)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Production

| Strider HiryūI (Strider)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Graphics

| Darius II

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|Myth

|Shadow of the Beast

Best Music / Sound

| Valkyrie no Densetsu

| Mother (EarthBound Beginnings)

| Final Fantasy II

| Tetris

|Chase H.Q.

|Future Wars

Best Game Company

| Namco

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| colspan="2" |Ocean Software

Special Award

| CP System

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Originality / Original Game

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| Final Fantasy II

| Tetris

| colspan="2" |Populous

Best Character / Character Design

| Valkyrie (Valkyrie no Densetsu)

| Quinty (Mendel Palace)

|SD Gundam World Gachapon Senshi 2

|Pinball: 66 Hiki no Wani Daikoushin

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Group

| Tetris Blocks (Tetris)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Action Game

| Strider HiryūI (Strider)

|

| colspan="2" |Downtown Nekketsu Monogatari (Famicom)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Shooting Game

| Area 88

|

| colspan="2" |TwinBee 3: Poko Poko Daimaō (Famicom)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Adventure Game

| {{N/A}}

|

| colspan="2" |Yūyūki (Famicom Disk System)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best RPG

| {{N/A}}

| colspan="3" | Final Fantasy II (Famicom)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Simulation Game

| {{N/A}}

|

| colspan="2" |N/A

|Carrier Command

|M1 Tank Platoon

Best Sports Game

| {{N/A}}

|

| colspan="2" |Famista '89: Kaimaku Ban! (Famicom)

| colspan="2" |N/A

Best PC Leisure Product

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| colspan="2" |N/A

| colspan="2" |Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

==United States==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"

! rowspan="2" | Award

! Electronic Gaming Monthly
(December 1989){{cite magazine|date=December 1989|title=Electronic Gaming Best and Worst of 1989|url=https://archive.org/details/ElectronicGamingMonthly_201902/Electronic%20Gaming%20Monthly%20Issue%20005%20%28December%201989%29/page/n16|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=5 (The 1990 Video Game Buyer's Guide)|pages=17–24}}

! colspan="3" | VideoGames & Computer Entertainment
(February 1990){{cite magazine|date=February 1990|title=VG&CE's Best Games of 1989|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/94/VG%26CE_US_13.pdf#page=42|magazine=VideoGames & Computer Entertainment|issue=13|pages=42–79}}

!2nd Nintendo Power Awards
(May/June 1990){{cite magazine|date=May–June 1990|title=Second Annual Nintendo Power Awards '89 (Nester Awards)|url=https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Power_Issue001-Issue127/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20012%20May-June%201990/page/n23/mode/2up|magazine=Nintendo Power|issue=12|pages=26–9}}

! colspan="2" | Computer Entertainer Awards of Excellence
(December 1989){{cite journal |title=1989 Computer Entertainer Awards of Excellence announced |journal=Computer Entertainer |date=January 1990 |page=4 |url=https://archive.org/details/ComputerEntertainerJanuary1990/page/3}}

Console

! Console

! Computer

! Arcade

!NES

!Console

!Computer

Game of the Year

| rowspan="2" | Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Sega Genesis)

| The Legendary Axe (TG16)

| Populous

| S.T.U.N. Runner

|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Genesis Game of the Year

|Thunder Force II (Genesis)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|Ghouls 'n Ghosts

| {{N/A}}

Master System Game of the Year

| Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|SpellCaster

| {{N/A}}

Nintendo Game of the Year

| Ninja Gaiden (NES)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| colspan="2" |Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES)

| {{N/A}}

TurboGrafx Game of the Year

| colspan="2" | The Legendary Axe (TurboGrafx-16)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|Dungeon Explorer

| {{N/A}}

Computer Entertainment
Programs of the Year

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| Shadow of the Beast (Amiga)
Prince of Persia (Apple II)
Powerdrome (Atari ST)
Windwalker (C64/C128)
Budokan (DOS)
Cosmic Osmo (Mac)

Best Coin-Op Conversion

| {{N/A}}

| Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Genesis)

| Arkanoid

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Multiplayer Game

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| Crime Fighters

|Tecmo Bowl

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Hardware

| Sega Genesis

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Theme / Fun

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Play Control

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|Mega Man 2

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Most Challenge

| Phantasy Star (Master System)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|Ninja Gaiden

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Graphics

| Ghouls 'n Ghosts (Sega Genesis)

| rowspan="2" | Thunder Force II (Genesis)

| rowspan="2" | David Wolf

| {{N/A}}

| rowspan="2" |Mega Man 2

| {{N/A}}

| rowspan="2" |Shadow of the Beast (Amiga)

Best Music / Sound

| Fighting Street (TurboGrafx-CD)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Developer / Software House

| Sega, Konami, Acclaim, Sunsoft, Tecmo

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Character / Hero

| Mega Man (Mega Man 2)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|Link
(Zelda II: The Adventure of Link)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Sequel

| Mega Man 2 and Ghouls 'n Ghosts (tie)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Original / Special / Innovative

| {{N/A}}

| A Boy and His Blob (NES)

| Star Saga One

| Escape from the Planet
of the Robot Monsters

| {{N/A}}

|Romance of the Three Kingdoms

|Populous

Best Action / Combat /
Arcade-Style Game

| {{N/A}}

| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
(NES)

| Hostage

| Dynamite Duke

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|Blood Money

Best Adventure / Fantasy

| {{N/A}}

| Zelda II:
The Adventure of Link (NES)

| Manhunter:
New York

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|The Third Courier

Best RPG

| Ultima III: Exodus (NES)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Simulation Game

| {{N/A}}

| Alien Crush (TG16)

| Vette!

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|Vette!

Best Sports Game

| World Class Baseball
Tommy Lasorda Baseball
Baseball Simulator 1.000

| Tommy Lasorda Baseball
(Sega Genesis)

| Zany Golf

| Cyberball

| {{N/A}}

| Goal! (NES)
Tommy Lasorda Baseball (GEN)

| TV Sports: Football (Amiga)
John Madden Football (Apple II)
Kings of the Beach (C64)
Grave Yardage (MS-DOS)
PlayMaker Football (Mac)

Best Driving Simulator

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| Hard Drivin'

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Flying Game

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| Metal Hawk

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Strategy / Wargame

| {{N/A}}

| A Boy and his Blob (NES)

| SimCity

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|Sands of Fire

Best Action-Strategy Game

| {{N/A}}

| Mega Man 2 (NES)

| Lords of the
Rising Sun

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Video Game Controller

| Joycard Sansui SSS

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Coolest Boss / Best Group

| Loki (Ghouls 'n Ghosts)
Jagu (The Legendary Axe)

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Movie to Game

| Batman: The Video Game

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

Best Ending in a Video Game

| Ninja Gaiden

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

|Ninja Gaiden

| {{N/A}}

| {{N/A}}

=Critically acclaimed titles=

==''Famitsu'' and ''CVG'' reviews==

In Japan, the following 1989 video game releases entered Famitsu magazine's "Platinum Hall of Fame" for receiving Famitsu scores of at least 35 out of 40.{{cite web |title=週刊ファミ通クロスレビュープラチナ殿堂入りソフト一覧 |trans-title=Weekly Famitsu Cross Review Platinum Hall of Fame Software List |url=http://geimin.net/da/db/cross_review/index.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081027205828/http://geimin.net/da/db/cross_review/index.php |website=Geimin |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 27, 2008 |access-date=24 February 2021 }}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

! Title

! Platform

! Score (out of 40)

! Developer(s)

! Publisher

! Genre

Makai Toushi SaGa (Final Fantasy Legend)

| Game Boy

| 35

| Squaresoft

| Squaresoft

| Role-playing

Ys I & II

| PC Engine CD-ROM²

| 35

| Nihon Falcom / Alfa System

| Hudson Soft

| Action role-playing

In the United Kingdom, the following titles were Computer and Video Games (CVG) magazine's highest-rated games of 1989.{{Cite magazine|date=16 December 1989|title=The Best Games of '89|url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-098/CVG_098_Jan_1990#page/n7/mode/2up|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=98 (January 1990)|pages=8–9}}

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"

! colspan="3" |Home video games

! colspan="2" |Arcade games

Title

! Platform

! Score

! Rank

!Title

Chase H.Q.

| ZX Spectrum

| 97%

| 1

|S.T.U.N. Runner

Super Mario Bros. 2

| Nintendo Entertainment System

| 97%

| 2

|Super Monaco GP

Indianapolis 500: The Simulation

| PC

| 96%

| 3

|Winning Run

Populous

| Amiga

| 96%

| 4

|Hard Drivin'

Ghouls 'n Ghosts

| Sega Mega Drive

| 96%

| 5

|Narc

F29 Retaliator

| Amiga

| rowspan="3" | 96%

| rowspan="7" {{N/A}}

| rowspan="7" {{N/A}}

Gunhed (Blazing Lazers)

| PC Engine

Xenon 2: Megablast

| Amiga

It Came from the Desert

| Amiga

| rowspan="4" | 95%

Damocles

| Atari ST

Tetris

| Game Boy

RoboCop

| ZX Spectrum

==English-language reviews==

Notable video game releases in 1989 that have accumulated overall critical acclaim from at least four contemporary English-language sources include:

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"

! Title !! Genre !! Publisher !! Platform !! Number of reviews

Apache 3

|Rail shooter

|Data East

|Arcade

|4{{cite web |title=Arcade game reviews |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews |website=Solvalou.com |access-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627213547/http://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews |archive-date=2021-06-27}}

Arthur: The Quest for Excalibur

|Interactive fiction

|Infocom

|Amiga

|8{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/zzap64-magazine-054/page/n29 |title=Arthur |magazine=Zzap! |date=October 1989}}{{cite web |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_5095 |title=Arthur: The Quest for Excalibur |author=Paul Rigby |date=October 1989 |magazine=The Games Machine |page=72}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-095/CVG_095_Oct_1989#page/n96/mode/1up |title=Arthur |author=Keith Campbell |date=October 1989 |magazine=Computer & Video Games |page=97}}{{cite web |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_6032 |title=Arthur |author=Nick Walkland |date=October 1989 |magazine=Amiga Format |page=87}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-24/ACE_Issue_24_1989_Sep#page/n51/mode/1up |title=Arthur |date=September 1989 |magazine=Advanced Computer Entertainment |page=52}}{{cite web |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_24518 |title=Arthur - The Quest |author=Lucinda Orr |date=November 1989 |magazine=Amiga Computing |page=22}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-72/Commodore_User_Issue_72_1989_Sep#page/n59/mode/1up |title=Arthur: The Quest for Excalibur |date=September 1989 |magazine=Commodore User |page=60}}{{cite web |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_24788 |title=King Arthur |author=Andy Mitchell |date=October 1989 |magazine=Amiga Action |pages=64–65}}

Big Run

|Racing

|Jaleco

|Arcade

|4

Blazing Lazers

|Shoot 'em up

|Hudson Soft

|TurboGrafx-16

|4{{cite journal |title=The Role of Computers |last1=Lesser |last2=Lesser |last3=Lesser |first1=Hartley |first2=Patricia |first3=Kirk |journal=Dragon |issue=169 |date=May 1991 |pages=61–65}}{{cite news |last=Glancey |first=Paul |author-link=Paul Glancey |title=Gunhed |newspaper=Computer and Video Games |page=100 |date=September 1989 |issue=94}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-01/Zero_01_Nov_1989#page/n62/mode/1up |title=Gunhed |date=November 1989 |magazine=Zero}}{{cite magazine |last=Harris |first=Steve |title=Turbo Champ – TurboGrafx Explodes with Games |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=4 |date=November 1989 |pages=68–69}}

Chase H.Q.

|Action-racing

|Ocean Software

|ZX Spectrum

|5{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-098/CVG_098_Jan_1990#page/n17/mode/2up |title=Chase H.Q. |author=Julian Rignall |date=January 1990 |magazine=Computer & Video Games |pages=18–19}}{{cite web |url=http://www.crashonline.org.uk/71/chase_hq.htm |title=CRASH 71 - Chase HQ |magazine=Crash! |date=December 1989}}{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919052212/https://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/chasehq.htm |url=https://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/chasehq.htm |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |title=Chase HQ |author=Matt Bielby |date=February 1990 |magazine=Your Sinclair}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-25/TheGamesMachine25#page/n75/mode/1up |title=Chase HQ |date=December 1989 |magazine=The Games Machine}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-29/ACE_Issue_29_1990_Feb#page/n41/mode/2up |title=Chase HQ |author=Eugene Lacey |date=February 1990 |magazine=Advanced Computer Entertainment}}

Chase HQ II: Special Criminal Investigation

|Action-racing

|Taito

|Arcade

|6

Crack Down

|Run & gun shooter

|Sega

|Arcade

|5

Dragon Breed

|Scrolling shooter

|Irem

|Arcade

|6

Dungeon Explorer

|Action role-playing

|Hudson Soft

|TurboGrafx-16

|4{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-22/ACE_Issue_22_1989_Jul#page/n55/mode/1up |title=Dungeon Explorer |author=Julian Rignall |date=July 1989 |magazine=Advanced Computer Entertainment}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-092/CVG_092_Jun_1989#page/n89/mode/2up |title=Mean Machines: Dungeon Explorer |author=Julian Rignall |date=July 1989 |magazine=Computer & Video Games}}{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/6/6e/EGM_US_004.pdf |title=Dungeon Explorer |date=November 1989 |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |page=12}}

Dynasty Wars

|Beat 'em up

|Capcom

|Arcade

|4

rowspan="3" | F-16 Combat Pilot

| rowspan="3" | Combat flight simulation

| rowspan="3" | Digital Integration

|Amiga

|7{{cite magazine |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_7332 |title=Entertainment: F-16 Combat Pilot |author=Mark Smiddy |date=November 1989 |magazine=Amiga User International |pages=85–87}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-26/ACE_Issue_26_1989_Nov#page/n96/mode/1up |title=Updates: F16 Combat Pilot |date=November 1989 |magazine=Advanced Computer Entertainment |page=97}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/amiga-computing-magazine-016/AmigaComputing_016_Sep_1989#page/n16/mode/1up |title=Games: F-16 Combat Pilot |author=Simon Rockman |date=September 1989 |magazine=Amiga Computing |pages=16–17}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/amigaformatmagazine-003/Amiga_Format_Issue_003_1989_10_Future_Publishing_GB#page/n41/mode/2up |title=Screen Play: F-16 Combat Pilot |author=Andy Smith |date=October 1989 |magazine=Amiga Format |pages=42–43}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-24/TheGamesMachine24#page/n90/mode/1up |title=Version Updates: F-16 Combat Pilot |date=November 1989 |magazine=The Games Machine |page=91}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-01/Zero_01_Nov_1989#page/n26/mode/1up |title=Flying Tonight: F-16 Combat Pilot |author=Duncan MacDonald |date=November 1989 |magazine=Zero |page=27}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-71/Commodore_User_Issue_71_1989_Aug#page/n29/mode/2up |title=Amiga Screen Scene: F-16 |author=Tony Dillon |date=August 1989 |magazine=Commodore User |pages=30–31}}

Atari ST

|4{{cite magazine |url=http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-atari-st-user-vol-4-no-05_1130.html |title=Software: Fly on Falcon |author=Nic Outterside |date=July 1989 |magazine=Atari ST User |page=34}}

DOS

|4{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-20/ACE_Issue_20_1989_May#page/n50/mode/1up |title=Screen Test: F-16 Combat Pilot |author=Andy Smith |date=May 1989 |magazine=Advanced Computer Entertainment |page=51}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/thegamesmachine-magazine-15/TheGamesMachine_15#page/n63/mode/1up |title=Reviews: F-16 Combat Pilot |date=February 1989 |magazine=The Games Machine |page=64}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-06/TheOne_06_Mar_1989#page/n75/mode/2up |title=Review: F-16 Combat Pilot |date=March 1989 |magazine=The One |pages=76–78}}

rowspan="3" | Forgotten Worlds

| rowspan="3" | Shoot 'em up

| rowspan="3" | U.S. Gold

|Amiga

|6{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-050/ZZap_64_Issue_050_1989_Jun#page/n73/mode/2up |title=Forgotten Worlds |publisher=Zzap! |date=June 1989 |pages=75–77 |access-date=March 13, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-19/TheGamesMachine19#page/n29/mode/2up |title=Forgotten Worlds |publisher=The Games Machine |date=June 1989 |access-date=March 13, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-092/CVG_092_Jun_1989#page/n23/mode/2up |title=Forgotten Worlds |author=Julian Rignall |publisher=Computer & Video Games |date=June 1989 |access-date=March 13, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/CommodoreUserIssue681989May/page/n15 |title=Amiga Screen Scene: Forgotten Worlds |author=Mark Patterson |publisher=Commodore User |date=May 1989 |pages=16–17 |access-date=March 13, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-23/ACE_Issue_23_1989_Aug#page/n79/mode/1up |title=Forgotten Worlds |magazine=Advanced Computer Entertainment |date=August 1989}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-08/TheOne_08_May_1989#page/n31/mode/1up |title=Forgotten Worlds |author=Gary Whitta |magazine=The One |date=May 1989}}

Commodore 64

|5{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/details/CommodoreUserIssue681989May/page/n17 |title=64 Screen Scene: Forgotten Worlds |author=Mark Patterson |magazine=Commodore User |date=May 1989 |page=19}}

ZX Spectrum

|5{{cite web |url=http://www.crashonline.org.uk/65/forgotnw.htm |title=CRASH 65 - Forgotten Worlds |magazine=Crash! |date=June 1989}}{{cite journal |title=Forgotten Worlds |journal=Sinclair User |url=http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=SinclairUser/Issue086/Pages/SinclairUser08600009.jpg |access-date=25 February 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/forgottenworlds.htm|title=Forgotten Worlds|publisher=ysrnry.co.uk|access-date=2015-09-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117022304/http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/forgottenworlds.htm|archive-date=2015-11-17}}

rowspan="3" | Ghouls 'n Ghosts

| rowspan="3" | Platformer

|Capcom

|Arcade

|6

Sega

|Mega Drive/Genesis

|10{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_095_1989-10_EMAP_Publishing_GB/Computer__Video_Games_Issue_095_1989-10_EMAP_Publishing_GB#page/n115/mode/2up |title=Mean Machines: Ghouls 'n Ghosts |author=Paul Glancey |magazine=Computer & Video Games |date=October 1989}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/RAZE_Issue_03_1991-01_Newsfield_Publishing_GB#page/n59/mode/2up |title=Ghouls 'n Ghosts |author=Julian Boardman |magazine=Raze |date=January 1991}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.outofprintarchive.com/articles/reviews/MegaDrive/GhoulsNGhosts-MeanMachines1-3.html |title=Ghouls 'n Ghosts |magazine=Mean Machines |date=October 1990}}{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d5/EGM_US_005.pdf |title=Ghouls 'n Ghosts |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |date=December 1989 |page=62}}{{cite journal |title=ACE Magazine Issue 26 |journal=ACE Magazine |date=November 1989 |url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-26/ACE_Issue_26_1989_Nov#page/n143 |access-date=25 February 2021}}{{cite journal |title=Mega File |journal=Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming |date=October 1992 |issue=2 |page=78 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/c6/MDAG_UK_02.pdf#page=78}}{{cite journal |title=Platform Games |journal=Mega Action |date=June 1993 |issue=1 |page=65 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/1/14/MegaAction_UK_01.pdf#page=65}}{{cite journal |title=Game Index |journal=MegaTech |date=Christmas 1991 |issue=1 |page=78 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/90/MegaTech_UK_01.pdf#page=78}}{{cite journal |title=Ghouls 'N' Ghosts |journal=Sega Power |date=February 1991 |issue=15 |pages=18–9 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/b/b8/SegaPower_UK_15.pdf#page=18}}{{cite journal |title=Ghouls 'N' Ghosts |journal=Sega Pro |date=Christmas 1991 |issue=3 |page=19 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/3/34/SegaPro_UK_03.pdf#page=19}}

U.S. Gold

|Amiga

|4{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-27/TheGamesMachine27#page/n51/mode/1up |title=Ghouls 'n' Ghosts |author=Mark Caswell |magazine=The Games Machine |date=February 1990}}{{cite web |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_1884 |title=Ghouls 'n' Ghosts |author=Maff Evans |magazine=Amiga Format |date=February 1990}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-76/Commodore_User_Issue_76_1990_Jan#page/n29/mode/2up |title=Ghouls 'n' Ghosts |author=Mike Pattenden |magazine=Commodore User |date=January 1990}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-058/ZZap_64_Issue_058_1990_Feb#page/n68/mode/1up |title=Ghouls 'n' Ghosts |magazine=Zzap! |date=February 1990}}

rowspan="2" | Golden Axe

|rowspan="2" | Beat 'em up

|rowspan="2" | Sega

|Arcade

|6{{cite magazine |title=Golden Axe (Sega) |magazine=ACE |date=1 June 1989 |issue=22 (July 1989) |page=23 |url=https://archive.org/details/ACE_Issue_22_1989-07_Future_Publishing_GB/page/n22}}{{cite magazine |title=Golden Axe – Sega |magazine=Sinclair User |date=18 July 1989 |issue=89 (August 1989) |page=74 |url=https://archive.org/details/sinclair-user-magazine-089/page/n73}}{{cite magazine |last1=Bielby |first1=Matt |title=Slots of Fun: Golden Axe |magazine=Your Sinclair |date=17 July 1989 |issue=44 (August 1989) |page=74 |url=https://archive.org/details/your-sinclair-44/page/n73}}{{cite magazine |title=Arcades: Golden Axe |magazine=Commodore User |date=26 May 1989 |issue=69 (June 1989) |pages=96–7 |url=https://archive.org/details/Commodore_User_Magazine_Issue_069/page/27/mode/2up}}{{cite journal |title=Golden Axe |journal=The Games Machine |date=18 August 1989 |issue=22 (September 1989) |page=25 |url=https://archive.org/details/thegamesmachine-22/page/n24}}

Mega Drive/Genesis

|10{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/Computer_Video_Games_Issue_101_1990-04_EMAP_Publishing_GB/Computer__Video_Games_Issue_101_1990-04_EMAP_Publishing_GB#page/n97/mode/2up |title=Mean Machines: Golden Axe |author=Julian Rignall |date=April 1990 |magazine=Computer & Video Games}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-06/Zero_06_Apr_1990#page/n73/mode/1up |title=Golden Axe |date=April 1990 |magazine=Zero}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-28/TheGamesMachine28#page/n29/mode/2up |title=Golden Axe |author=Mark Caswell |date=March 1990 |magazine=The Games Machine}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/RAZE_Issue_03_1991-01_Newsfield_Publishing_GB#page/n61/mode/2up |title=Golden Axe |author=Les Ellis |date=January 1991 |magazine=Raze}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/goldenaxemd.pdf |title=Golden Axe |date=October 1990 |magazine=Mean Machines |access-date=March 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519023308/http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/goldenaxemd.pdf |archive-date=May 19, 2019 |url-status=dead }}{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/6/6e/EGM_US_008.pdf |title=Golden Axe |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |date=March 1990 |page=20 |access-date=March 13, 2019}}{{cite journal |title=Mega File |journal=Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming |date=November 1992 |issue=3 |page=78 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/97/MDAG_UK_03.pdf#page=78}}{{cite journal |title=Mega Library |journal=Mega Action |date=June 1993 |issue=1 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/1/14/MegaAction_UK_01.pdf#page=64}}{{cite journal |title=Mega Drive: Golden Axe |journal=Sega Power |date=December 1990 |issue=13 |pages=20–1 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/a/a5/SegaPower_UK_13.pdf#page=20}}{{cite journal |title=Golden Axe |journal=Sega Pro |date=Christmas 1991 |issue=3 |page=41 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/3/34/SegaPro_UK_03.pdf#page=41}}

Hard Drivin'

|Racing simulation

|Atari Games

|Arcade

|5

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure

|Graphic adventure

|Lucasfilm Games

|DOS

|4{{cite journal |title=The Role of Computers |last1=Lesser |last2=Lesser |last3=Lesser |first1=Hartley |first2=Patricia |first3=Kirk |journal=Dragon |issue=152 |date=December 1989 |pages=64–70}}{{Cite news |last=Rignall |first=Julian |author-link=Julian Rignall |title=Indy Adventure |journal=Computer and Video Games |pages=62–63 |date=September 1989 |issue=94}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-13/TheOne_13_Oct_1989#page/n77/mode/2up |title=Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure |author=Paul Presley |magazine=The One |date=October 1989}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-25/TheGamesMachine25#page/n63/mode/2up |title=Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The Graphic Adventure |magazine=The Games Machine |date=December 1989}}

rowspan="2" | Interphase

| rowspan="2" | Shooter

| rowspan="2" | Image Works

|Atari ST

|5{{cite magazine |url=http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-st-format-issue-04_1873.html |title=Games: Interphase |author=Mark Higham |date=November 1989 |magazine=ST Format |pages=60–61}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-atari-st-user-vol-4-no-11_1136.html |title=Futuristic fantasy |author=Janice Murray |date=November 1989 |magazine=Atari ST User |pages=50–51}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-25/TheGamesMachine25#page/n79/mode/1up |title=Reviews: Interphase: Edge of Dreamtime |date=December 1989 |magazine=The Games Machine |page=80}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-02/Zero_02_Dec_1989#page/n61/mode/2up |title=Review: Interphase |last1=MacDonald |first1=Duncan |last2=Kelly |first2=Sean |date=December 1989 |magazine=Zero |pages=62–63}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-097/CVG_097_Dec_1989#page/n69/mode/2up |title=Review: Interphase |author=Paul Glancey |date=December 1989 |magazine=Computer & Video Games |pages=70–71}}

Amiga

|9{{cite magazine |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_24556 |title=Interphase: Blow the mind |magazine=Amiga Computing |date=January 1990 |pages=22–23}}{{cite magazine |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_6959 |title=Zzap Test: Interphase |magazine=Zzap! |date=December 1989 |pages=78–79}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-27/ACE_Issue_27_1989_Dec#page/n48/mode/1up |title=Screentest: Interphase |magazine=Advanced Computer Entertainment |date=December 1989 |pages=49–50}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-74/Commodore_User_Issue_74_1989_Nov#page/n61/mode/2up |title=Amiga Screen Scene: Interphase |author=Mark Patterson |magazine=Commodore User |date=November 1989 |pages=62–63}}{{cite magazine |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_1824 |title=Screen Play: Interphase |author=Andy Smith |magazine=Amiga Format |date=November 1989 |pages=38–39}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-14/TheOne_14_Nov_1989#page/n90/mode/1up |title=Review: Interphase |author=Gary Whitta |magazine=The One |date=November 1989 |pages=91–92}}

Mechanized Attack

|Rail shooter

|SNK

|Arcade

|4

Midnight Resistance

|Run & gun shooter

|Data East

|Arcade

|4

Myth: History in the Making

|Platformer

|System 3

|Commodore 64

|4{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-24/TheGamesMachine24#page/n91/mode/1up |title=Reviews: Myth |magazine=The Games Machine |date=November 1989 |page=92}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-28/ACE_Issue_28_1990_Jan#page/n61/mode/2up |title=Screentest: Myth |author=Laurence Scotford |date=January 1990 |magazine=Advanced Computer Entertainment |page=62}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-75/Commodore_User_Issue_75_1989_Dec#page/n75/mode/2up |title=C64 Screen Scene: Myth |author=Mark Patterson |date=December 1989 |magazine=Commodore User |pages=76–77}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-095/CVG_095_Oct_1989#page/n49/mode/2up |title=Review: Myth |author=Paul Glancey |date=October 1989 |magazine=Computer & Video Games |pages=50–51}}

Ninja Gaiden (Shadow Warriors)

|Beat 'em up

|Tecmo

|Arcade

|4

Ninja Gaiden (Shadow Warriors)

|Hack & slash

|Tecmo

|NES

|5{{cite magazine |title=Top 30 |magazine=Nintendo Power |issue=7 |date=July–August 1989 |page=36 |publisher=Nintendo |location=Redmond, WA |issn=1041-9551 |oclc=18893582}}{{cite magazine |last=Wen |first=Howard H. |title=Video Games Reviews – Ninja Gaiden |magazine=VideoGames & Computer Entertainment |issue=10 |date=November 1989 |pages=54, 56 |issn=1059-2938 |oclc=25300986 |publisher=Larry Flynt Publications |location=Beverly Hills, CA}}{{cite magazine |title=Electronic Gaming Top Ten |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=2 |date=July–August 1989 |page=82 |publisher=Sendai Publications |location=Lombard, IL|issn=1058-918X |oclc=23857173}}{{cite magazine|last1=Glancey |first1=Paul |last2=Regan |first2=Matt |title=Nintendo review – Shadow Warriors |magazine=Mean Machines |issue=10 |date=July 1991 |pages=66–68 |url=http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/shadowwarriornes.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090105180903/http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/shadowwarriornes.pdf |archive-date=2009-01-05 |issn=0960-4952 |oclc=500020318 |publisher=EMAP |location=Peterborough |url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine |title=Shadow Warrior |magazine=Raze |date=25 July 1991 |issue=11 (September 1991) |pages=36–37 |url=https://archive.org/stream/RAZE_Issue_11_1991-09_Newsfield_Publishing_GB#page/n35/mode/2up}}

Operation Thunderbolt

|Light gun shooter

|Taito

|Arcade

|5

Phantasy Star II

|Role-playing

|Sega

|Mega Drive/Genesis

|8{{cite journal |title=The Role of Computers |last1=Lesser |last2=Lesser |last3=Lesser |first1=Hartley |first2=Patricia |first3=Kirk |journal=Dragon |issue=160 |date=August 1990 |pages=47–52}}{{cite journal |title=Phantasy Star II |journal=Raze |date=April 1991 |issue=5 |url=http://www.outofprintarchive.com/articles/reviews/MegaDrive.html |access-date=29 January 2012}}{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/f/f2/EGM_US_009.pdf |title=Phantasy Star 2 |date=April 1990 |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |page=18}}{{cite journal|title=Phantasy Star II|journal=VideoGames & Computer Entertainment| date=March 1990 |issue=14|url=http://retrocdn.net/images/d/d2/VG%26CE_US_14.pdf#page=24|access-date=31 July 2016|page=34}}{{cite journal|title=Phantasy Star 2|journal=Zero| date=March 1991 |issue=17|url=http://amr.abime.net/review_5765|access-date=5 February 2012|page=88}}{{cite journal |title=ACE Magazine Issue 37 |journal=ACE Magazine |date=October 1990 |url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-37/ACE_Issue_37_1990_Oct#page/n90 |access-date=25 February 2021}}{{cite journal |title=Ying Games |journal=Mega |date=March 1994 |issue=18 |page=71 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/3/35/Mega_UK_18.pdf#page=71}}{{cite journal |title=Mega Drive: Phantasy Star II |journal=Sega Power |date=February 1991 |issue=15 |pages=22–3 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/b/b8/SegaPower_UK_15.pdf#page=22}}

Populous

|God

|Electronic Arts

|Amiga

|9{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-19/ACE_Issue_19_1989_Apr#page/n39/mode/2up |title=Screen Test: Populous |author=Andy Smith |date=April 1989 |magazine=Advanced Computer Entertainment |pages=40–41}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/COMPUTEs_Amiga_Resource_Volume_1_Number_4_1989-10_COMPUTE_Publications_US#page/n73/mode/2up |title=Reviews: Populous |author=Keith Ferrell |date=October 1989 |magazine=Compute's Amiga Resource |pages=73–75}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-090/CVG090_Apr_1989#page/n29/mode/2up |title=Reviews: Populous |author=Julian Rignall |date=April 1989 |magazine=Computer & Video Games |pages=30–32}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-07/TheOne_07_Apr_1989#page/n33/mode/2up |title=Review: Populous |author=Gary Whitta |date=April 1989 |magazine=The One |pages=34–36}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-048/ZZap_64_Issue_048_1989_Apr#page/n20/mode/1up |title=Populous |date=April 1989 |magazine=Zzap! |pages=21}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-67/Commodore_User_Issue_67_1989_Apr#page/n24/mode/1up |title=Amiga Screen Scene: Populous |author=Mark Patterson |date=April 1989 |magazine=Commodore User |pages=24–25}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/ST_Amiga_Format_Issue_10_1989-04_Future_Publishing_GB#page/n71/mode/2up |title=Review: Populous |author=Mark Higham |date=April 1989 |magazine=ST/Amiga Format |pages=72–73}}{{cite magazine |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_7257 |title=Entertainment: Populous |author=Nancy Picard |date=May 1989 |magazine=Amiga User International |pages=74–75}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/thegamesmachine-magazine-17/TheGamesMachine_17#page/n23/mode/2up |title=Reviews: Populous |date=April 1989 |magazine=The Games Machine |pages=24–25}}

The Revenge of Shinobi

|Hack & slash

|Sega

|Mega Drive/Genesis

|10{{cite journal|title=The Role of Computers |last1=Lesser |last2=Lesser |last3=Lesser |first1=Hartley |first2=Patricia |first3=Kirk |journal=Dragon |issue=163 |date=November 1990 |pages=47–50}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-05/Zero_05_Mar_1990#page/n50/mode/1up |title=The Super Shinobi |magazine=Zero |date=March 1990}}{{cite web |url=http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/revengeofshinobimd.pdf |title=Revenge of Shinobi |magazine=Mean Machines |date=October 1990 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403015507/http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/revengeofshinobimd.pdf |archive-date=April 3, 2014 |access-date=March 14, 2019 }}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/RAZE_Issue_03_1991-01_Newsfield_Publishing_GB#page/n57/mode/2up |title=The Revenge of Shinobi |author=Julian Boardman |magazine=Raze |date=January 1991}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-28/TheGamesMachine28#page/n35/mode/2up |title=The Super Shinobi |date=March 1990 |magazine=The Games Machine}}{{cite web |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/6/6e/EGM_US_008.pdf |title=Revenge of Shinobi |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |date=March 1990 |page=20}}Mega, issue 9, page 23, Future Publishing, June 1993MegaTech, EMAP, issue 5, page 78, May 1992{{cite magazine |magazine=Computer and Video Games Magazine |issue=99 |date=February 1990 |url=https://archive.org/details/computer-video-games-magazine-099/page/n91}}{{dead link|date=February 2022}}{{cite journal |title=Ninja master takes on international gang of terrorists: Revenge of Shinobi |journal=Computer Entertainer |date=January 1990 |page=18 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d9/ComputerEntertainer_US_Vol.8_10.pdf#page=18}}

R-Type II

|Shoot 'em up

|Irem

|Arcade

|6{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-04/Zero_04_Feb_1990#page/n89/mode/1up |title=Dosh Eaters: R-Type II |author=Matt Bielby |magazine=Zero |date=February 1990 |page=90}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/your-sinclair-51/YourSinclair_51_Mar_1990#page/n83/mode/2up |title=Slots of Fun: R-Type II |author=Matt Bielby |magazine=Your Sinclair |date=March 1990 |page=84}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-099/CVG_099_Feb_1990#page/n65/mode/1up |title=Arcade Action: R-Type II |magazine=Computer & Video Games |date=February 1990 |page=66}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-76/Commodore_User_Issue_76_1990_Jan#page/n109/mode/2up |title=Arcades: R-Type II |magazine=Commodore User |date=January 1990 |pages=110–111}}{{cite journal |title=R-Type II review |journal=Crash |date=February 1990 |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/83/269 |access-date=25 February 2021}}{{cite journal |title=R-Type II review |journal=Zzap!64 |date=March 1990 |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/98/269 |access-date=25 February 2021}}

SimCity

|City-building

|Maxis

|Amiga

|7{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-057/ZZap_64_Issue_057_1990_Jan#page/n77/mode/2up |title=SimCity |date=January 1990 |magazine=Zzap!}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/COMPUTEs_Amiga_Resource_Volume_1_Number_4_1989-10_COMPUTE_Publications_US#page/n83/mode/1up |title=SimCity |date=October 1989 |magazine=Compute's Amiga Resource}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-75/Commodore_User_Issue_75_1989_Dec#page/n59/mode/1up |title=SimCity |author=Mark Patterson |date=December 1989 |magazine=Commodore User}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-26/TheGamesMachine26#page/n31/mode/2up |title=SimCity |date=January 1990 |magazine=The Games Machine}}{{cite web |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_6930 |title=SimCity |author=Eugene Lacey |date=September 1989 |magazine=Advanced Computer Entertainment}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-095/CVG_095_Oct_1989#page/n41/mode/2up |title=SimCity |author=John Cook |date=October 1989 |magazine=Computer & Video Games}}{{cite web |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_39343 |title=SimCity |author=Sean Kelly |date=January 1990 |magazine=Zero}}

rowspan="3" | Strider

|rowspan="3" | Hack & slash

|Capcom

|Arcade

|5

rowspan="2" | U.S. Gold

|Amiga

|4{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-23/TheGamesMachine23#page/n83/mode/2up |title=Strider |date=October 1989 |magazine=The Games Machine}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-25/ACE_Issue_25_1989_Oct#page/n46/mode/1up |title=Strider |author=Mark Patterson |date=October 1989 |magazine=Advanced Computer Entertainment}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-01/Zero_01_Nov_1989#page/n71/mode/2up |title=Strider |date=November 1989 |magazine=Zero}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-12/TheOne_12_Sep_1989#page/n57/mode/2up |title=Strider |author=Gary Whitta |date=September 1989 |magazine=The One}}

Atari ST

|7{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-094/CVG_094_Sep_1989#page/n15/mode/2up |title=Strider |author=Julian Rignall |date=September 1989 |magazine=Computer & Video Games}}{{cite web |url=http://www.atarimania.com/mags/hi_res/atari-st-format-issue-003_79.jpg |title=Strider |author=Mark Higham |date=October 1989 |magazine=ST Format}}{{cite web |url=http://www.atarimania.com/mags/hi_res/atari-st-user-vol-04-issue-08_50.jpg |title=Carry on hacking |author=Janice Murray |date=October 1989 |magazine=Atari ST User}}

rowspan="3" | Stunt Car Racer

| rowspan="3" | Racing

| rowspan="3" | MicroStyle

|Amiga

|7{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/amiga-computing-magazine-022/AmigaComputing_022_Mar_1990#page/n33/mode/2up |title=Games: Stunt Car Racer |date=March 1990 |magazine=Amiga Computing |pages=34–35}}{{cite magazine |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_1862 |title=Screenplay: Stunt Car Racer |author=Andy Smith |date=January 1990 |magazine=Amiga Format |page=45}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/Amiga_User_International_Volume_04_No_01_1990-01_Croftward_Limited_GB#page/n105/mode/2up |title=Entertainment: Stunt Car Racer |date=January 1990 |magazine=Amiga User International |pages=106–107}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-02/Zero_02_Dec_1989#page/n35/mode/2up |title=Review: Stunt Car Racer |last1=MacDonald |first1=Duncan |last2=Kelly |first2=Sean |date=December 1989 |magazine=Zero |pages=36–39}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/Amiga_Action_Issue_05_1990-02_Gollner_Publishing_GB#page/n69/mode/2up |title=Stunt Car Racer |date=February 1990 |magazine=Amiga Action |pages=68–69}}

Atari ST

|7{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-093b/CVG_093b_Aug_1989#page/n75/mode/2up |title=Review: Stunt Car |author=Julian Rignall |magazine=Computer & Video Games |date=August 1989 |pages=76–77}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-24/TheGamesMachine24#page/n88/mode/1up |title=Stunt Car Racer |magazine=The Games Machine |date=November 1989 |page=89}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-24/ACE_Issue_24_1989_Sep#page/n67/mode/2up |title=Screentest: Stunt Car |author=Mike Pattenden |magazine=Advanced Computer Entertainment |date=September 1989 |pages=68–69}}{{cite web |url=http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-atari-st-user-vol-4-no-11_1136.html |title=Screentest: Road Hog! |author=Roland Waddilove |magazine=Atari ST User |date=January 1990 |pages=36–37}}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-11/TheOne_11_Aug_1989#page/n71/mode/2up |title=Review: Stunt Car Racer |author=Gary Penn |magazine=The One |date=August 1989 |pages=68–69}}{{cite web |url=http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-st-format-issue-04_1873.html |title=Games Roundup: Stunt Car Racer |magazine=ST Format |date=August 1989 |page=73}}

Commodore 64

|4{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-27/ACE_Issue_27_1989_Dec#page/n99/mode/2up |title=C64 Stunt Car |date=December 1989 |magazine=Advanced Computer Entertainment |page=100}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-056/ZZap_64_Issue_056_1989_Dec#page/n73/mode/2up |title=Zzap Test: Stunt Car Racer |date=December 1989 |magazine=Zzap! |pages=74–75}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-25/TheGamesMachine25#page/n88/mode/1up |title=Reviews: Stuntcar Racer |date=December 1989 |magazine=The Games Machine |page=89}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-75/Commodore_User_Issue_75_1989_Dec#page/n51/mode/2up |title=Amiga Screen Scene: Stunt Car Racer |author=Tony Dillon |date=December 1989 |magazine=Commodore User |pages=52–53}}

Super Mario Land

|Platformer

|Nintendo

|Game Boy

|4{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-34/TheGamesMachine34#page/n16/mode/1up |access-date=April 11, 2015 |title=Boy Friends |date=September 1990 |work=The Games Machine |issue=34 |page=17 }}{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-096/CVG_096_Nov_1989#page/n118/mode/1up |access-date=April 11, 2015 |title=Marioland |last1=Rand |first1=Paul |date=November 1989 |work=Computer and Video Games |issue=96 |page=119 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/review/39/super-mario-land.php |access-date=April 12, 2015 |title=Super Mario Land review |last1=Regan |first1=Matt |last2=Rignall |first2=Julian |date=November 1990 |issue=2 |work=Mean Machines |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128144053/http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/review/39/super-mario-land.php |archive-date=January 28, 2015 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}{{cite magazine |title=Electronic Gaming Review Crew |last1=Harris |first1=Steve |last2=Semrad |first2=Ed |last3=Nauert |first3=Donn |last4=Allee |first4=Jim |date=September 1989 |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=3 |page=15 }} The magazine's review score is a composite of four reviews: 8, 8, 7, 8.

Super Monaco GP

|Racing simulation

|Sega

|Arcade

|5

rowspan="3" | The Untouchables

| rowspan="3" | Action-adventure

| rowspan="3" | Ocean Software

|Amiga

|4{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-02/Zero_02_Dec_1989#page/n19/mode/2up |title=Review: The Untouchables |magazine=Zero |author=Sean Kelly |date=December 1989 |pages=18–21}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-059/ZZap_64_Issue_059_1990_Mar#page/n75/mode/2up |title=The Untouchables |magazine=Zzap! |date=March 1990 |pages=76–77}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/Amiga_Format_Issue_008_1990-03_Future_Publishing_GB#page/n31/mode/2up |title=Screen Play: The Untouchables |magazine=Amiga Format |date=March 1990 |pages=32–33}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-28/TheGamesMachine28#page/n51/mode/1up |title=Reviews: The Untouchables |magazine=The Games Machine |date=March 1990 |page=52}}

Atari ST

|4{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-27/TheGamesMachine27#page/n53/mode/1up |title=The Untouchables |author=Mark Caswell |magazine=The Games Machine |date=February 1990 |page=54}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-02/Zero_02_Dec_1989#page/n17/mode/2up |title=Review: The Untouchables |magazine=Zero |date=December 1989 |pages=18–21}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/ace-magazine-29/ACE_Issue_29_1990_Feb#page/n56/mode/1up |title=Screen Test: The Untouchables |author=Laurence Scotford |magazine=Advanced Computer Entertainment |date=February 1990 |page=57}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.stformat.com/stf07/index.html |title=The Untouchables |author=Mark Higham |magazine=ST Format |date=February 1990 |pages=46–47}}

ZX Spectrum

|4{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/sinclair-user-magazine-092/SinclairUser_092_Nov_1989#page/n31/mode/2up |title=Games Review: The Untouchables |date=November 1989 |magazine=Sinclair User |pages=30–32}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-24/TheGamesMachine24#page/n83/mode/2up |title=Reviews: The Untouchables |date=November 1989 |magazine=The Games Machine |pages=84–85}}{{cite web |url=http://www.crashonline.org.uk/70/untouchables.htm |title=The Untouchables |magazine=Crash! |date=November 1989 |access-date=July 25, 2019}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-096/CVG_096_Nov_1989#page/n57/mode/2up |title=Review: The Untouchables |author=Paul Rand |date=November 1989 |magazine=Computer & Video Games |pages=58–59}}

Willow

|Platformer

|Capcom

|Arcade

|4

Winning Run

|Racing simulation

|Namco

|Arcade

|4

Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

|Platform-adventure

|Sega

|Master System

|10{{cite journal |title=Console Wars: Wonder Boy III |journal=ACE |date=November 1989 |issue=26 |page=144 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d9/ACE_UK_26.pdf#page=144 |access-date=31 March 2019}}{{cite journal |title=Guide: WONDERBOY III |journal=Computer + Video Games: Complete Guide To Consoles |issue=4 |page=110 |year=1991 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/7/7f/CGtC_UK_04.pdf#page=110 |access-date=31 March 2019}}{{cite magazine|title=Best and Worst of 1989|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=5|date=December 1989|page=17}}{{cite magazine|author=C.A.T.|title=Sega ProView – Wonder Boy III|magazine=GamePro|issue=3|date=September–October 1989|pages=38–39}}{{cite journal|last1=Regan|first1=Matt|author-link=Matt Regan|last2=Rignall|first2=Julian|author-link2=Julian Rignall|title=Wonderboy III|journal=Mean Machines|issue=1|date=October 1990|pages=40–41|url=http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/wonderboythreems.pdf|access-date=2010-06-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120003207/http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/pdf/wonderboythreems.pdf|archive-date=2008-11-20|url-status=live}}{{cite journal |title=Feature: WONDERBOY III |journal=Mean Machines Sega |date=October 1992 |issue=1 |page=112 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/5/5c/MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf#page=112 |access-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151120062425/http://retrocdn.net/images/5/5c/MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf#page=112 |archive-date=20 November 2015 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite journal |title=WONDERBOY 3: The Dragon's Trap |journal=Sega Power |date=September 1993 |issue=46 |page=101 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/b/b9/SegaPower_UK_46.pdf#page=101 |access-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326065520/http://retrocdn.net/images/b/b9/SegaPower_UK_46.pdf#page=101 |archive-date=26 March 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite journal |title=Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap |journal=Sega Pro |date=April 1992 |issue=6 |page=31 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/e/e6/SegaPro_UK_06.pdf#page=31 |access-date=31 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316082347/http://retrocdn.net/images/e/e6/SegaPro_UK_06.pdf#page=31 |archive-date=16 March 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}{{cite journal |title=Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap |journal=S: The Sega Magazine |date=December 1989 |issue=1 |pages=4–7 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/d/d0/StheSegaMagazine_UK_01.pdf#page=4}}{{cite journal|last=Gaksch|first=Martin|title=Kleider Machen Leute – Wonderboy III: The Dragon's Trap|journal=Video Games|language=de|volume=1991|date=January 1991|page=78|issue=1}}

rowspan="2" | Xenon 2: Megablast

| rowspan="2" | Shoot 'em up

| rowspan="2" | Image Works

|Amiga

|8{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/zzap64-magazine-054/ZZap_64_Issue_054_1989_Oct#page/n69/mode/2up |title=Zzap! Test: Xenon 2 Megablast |date=October 1989 |magazine=Zzap! |pages=70–71}}{{cite magazine |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_1820 |title=Xenon 2 |author=Andy Smith |date=October 1989 |magazine=Amiga Format |pages=52–53}}{{cite magazine |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_7333 |title=Entertainment: Xenon 2 Megablast |author=Tony Horgan |date=November 1989 |magazine=Amiga User International |pages=90–91}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/commodore-user-magazine-73/Commodore_User_Issue_73_1989_Oct#page/n39/mode/2up |title=Amiga Screen Scene: Xenon II |author=Mike Pattenden |date=October 1989 |magazine=Commodore User |pages=40–41}}

Atari ST

|7{{cite magazine |url=http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-atari-st-user-vol-4-no-08_1133.html |title=Atari ST User Star Game: Blast it! |author=Roland Waddilove |date=October 1989 |magazine=Atari ST User |pages=36–37}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-23/TheGamesMachine23#page/n79/mode/2up |title=Reviews: Xenon 2 Megablast |author=Warren Lapworth |date=October 1989 |magazine=The Games Machine |pages=80–81}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/cvg-magazine-094/CVG_094_Sep_1989#page/n51/mode/2up |title=Review: Xenon 2 |author=Paul Glancey |date=September 1989 |magazine=Computer & Video Games |pages=52–53}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/zero-magazine-00/Zero_00_Oct_1989#page/n7/mode/2up |title=Review: Xenon 2 Megablast |date=October 1989 |magazine=Zero |pages=8–11}}{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/stream/theone-magazine-11/TheOne_11_Aug_1989#page/n40/mode/1up |title=Xenon 2 Megablast |author=Brian Nesbitt |date=August 1989 |magazine=The One |pages=41–44}}{{cite magazine |url=http://amr.abime.net/review_14038 |title=Screentest: Xenon II |author=Pete Connor |date=October 1989 |magazine=Advanced Computer Entertainment |pages=50–51}}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.atarimania.com/atari-magazine-issue-st-format-issue-03_1144.html |title=Xenon 2 |author=Gary Barrett |date=October 1989 |magazine=ST Format |pages=82–83}}

Ys: The Vanished Omens

|Action role-playing

|Sega

|Master System

|7ACE, issue 26, [http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=ACE/Issue26/Pages/ACE2600144.jpg page 144]{{cite journal|title=Mean Machines: Ys|journal=Computer and Video Games|date=March 1989|issue=89|pages=92–3|url=http://www.smspower.org/Scans/CVG-Magazine-Issue089?gallerypage=92|access-date=3 February 2012}}Electronic Gaming Monthly, issue 1, p. 45{{cite magazine |title=Y'S |magazine=Mean Machines Sega |date=September 1992 |issue=1 (October 1992) |page=137 |url=https://archive.org/details/mean-machines-sega-magazine-01/page/n136/mode/1up}}Sega Pro, issue 6, p. 31S: The Sega Magazine, issue 2, p. 6-7{{cite journal|title=Minding Your R's, P's and G's: Ys|journal=The Games Machine|date=May 1989|issue=18|pages=36–7|url=http://www.smspower.org/Scans/TGM-Magazine-Issue18?gallerypage=37|access-date=3 February 2012}}

Ys I & II

|Action role-playing

|Hudson Soft

|TurboGrafx-CD

|7{{cite journal|last=Szczepaniak|first=John|title=Falcom: Legacy of Ys|journal=GamesTM|date=7 July 2011|issue=111|pages=152–159 [156]|url=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/yshistory05.jpg/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721085820/http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/35/yshistory05.jpg/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 21, 2012|access-date=2011-09-08}} (cf. {{cite web|last=Szczepaniak|first=John|title=History of Ys interviews|url=http://blog.hardcoregaming101.net/2011/07/history-of-ys-interviews-by-john.html|work=Hardcore Gaming 101|access-date=8 September 2011|date=July 8, 2011}}){{cite magazine|last=Adams|first=Roe R.|title=Lands and Legends: TurboGrafx 16's Ys & II|magazine=Computer Gaming World|date=December 1990|issue=77|pages=93–4}}{{cite journal|title=The Role of Computers|author1=Lesser, Hartley|author2=Lesser, Patricia |author3=Lesser, Kirk|journal=Dragon|issue=172|date=August 1991|pages=55–64 [58]}}{{Cite magazine|title=The 1991 Video Game Buyer's Guide|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=15|date=October 1990|pages=14–20 & 78}}{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/90/GamePro_US_017.pdf |title=TurboGrafx-16 ProView: Ys – Book I and II |author=Dominion |magazine=GamePro |date=December 1990 |page=134}}{{cite journal |title=Y's Book 1 & 2 |journal=TurboPlay |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/4/46/TurboPlay_US_05.pdf#page=28 |access-date=25 February 2021}}{{cite journal |title=VideoGames & Computer Entertainment Issue 22 November 1990 |journal=VideoGames & Computer Entertainment |date=November 1990 |url=https://archive.org/details/vg-ce-november-1990/page/132 |access-date=25 February 2021}}

Events

  • The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is held at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 7–10. Nintendo announces that it would release 40 new NES titles through its licensees in 1989, while Sega announces 20 titles that include several translations of arcade games. Peripherals unveiled and demonstrated at this event include Broderbund's U-Force, Beeshu's Zoomer, and Nintendo's Power Pad. The next CES is held in Chicago in June.{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/6/6d/GamePro_US_001.pdf |title=ProNews Report |date=May–June 1989 |magazine=GamePro |pages=44–45}}
  • CSG Imagesoft and Sony hold regional Super Dodge Ball contests in Los Angeles (July 15–16 and 29–30), Chicago (August 5–6), New York City (September 9–10 and 16–17), Boston (September 23–24), and Seattle (October 14–15). Finalists from each region enter the "Super Dodge Ball World Cup" in Seattle on October 27–28, where the winners receive an assortment of Sony products as prizes.{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/b/b2/GamePro_US_002.pdf |title=ProNews Report |date=July–August 1989 |magazine=GamePro |pages=74–75}}
  • In August, Capcom donates $50,000 worth of video game equipment and Capcom titles to pediatric wards of California hospitals.{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/93/GamePro_US_003.pdf |title=ProNews Report |date=September–October 1989 |magazine=GamePro |pages=70–71}}
  • Sega of America ends its Master System distribution deal with Tonka,{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/5/5a/GamePro_US_005.pdf |title=ProNews Report |date=December 1989 |magazine=GamePro |page=80}} and appoints former Atari Corporation President Michael Katz as its new president in October.{{cite web |url=https://www.sega-16.com/2006/04/interview-michael-katz/ |title=Interview: Michael Katz (CEO of Sega of America) |date=April 28, 2006 |last=Horowitz |first=Ken |website=Sega-16 |access-date=March 24, 2020}}{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/a/af/GamePro_US_006.pdf |title=ProNews Report |date=January 1990 |magazine=GamePro |page=78}}
  • Konami launches the "Crumble Competition", in which participants win a free Konami title from rub-off cards found in specially marked packages of Chips Ahoy! and Oreo cookies. Konami also collaborates with Ralston Purina to create a breakfast cereal based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
  • On October 3, Nintendo and Fidelity Investments announce plans to jointly develop a home trading system for financial services.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/03/business/stock-link-by-nintendo.html |title=Stock Link By Nintendo |date=October 3, 1989 |newspaper=The New York Times}}
  • NEC promotes the TurboGrafx-16 with contests held at local shopping centers in Los Angeles (October 6–8), Trumbull, Connecticut (October 21–22), Chicago (October 27–31), Wayne, New Jersey (November 11–12), Marlborough, Massachusetts (November 18–19) and Atlanta (December 2–3).{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/ce/GamePro_US_004.pdf |title=ProNews Report |date=November 1989 |magazine=GamePro |page=78}} The Los Angeles contest is won by 17-year-old Jim Hakola of Lakewood, California, who scored 220,080 points on Blazing Lazers.
  • Corey Sandler and Tom Badgett's Ultimate Unauthorized Nintendo Game Strategies, the first in Bantam Books' "Game Mastery" series, is released in November.
  • PepsiCo awards over 4,000 Game Boy systems via an under-the-cap contest across a variety of Pepsi soft drinks.
  • The Galaxy of Electronic Games show, produced by Pinnacle Productions, opens at the San Jose Convention Center in November 17–19. The show features a display of more than 300 computer and video games and a 2,500 square foot area of arcade games.
  • On December 2, the world premiere of the Universal Pictures film The Wizard is held at the Cineplex Odeon Theatre in Universal City, California.{{cite magazine |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/0/00/GamePro_US_007.pdf |title=ProNews Report |date=February 1990 |magazine=GamePro |page=88}} The film – starring Fred Savage, Luke Edwards, Jenny Lewis, Christian Slater and Beau Bridges – tells the story of two brothers who travel to a video game tournament.

Hardware releases

File:Game-Boy-FL.jpg.]]

  • August 14 – The Mega Drive is released in North America as the Sega Genesis.
  • August 29 – NEC's PC-Engine released in North America as the TurboGrafx-16.
  • October 11 – Atari Corporation releases the Lynx handheld console with color and backlighting.
  • Nintendo releases the Game Boy handheld console.{{cite web |last1=Stuart |first1=Keith |title=Nintendo Game Boy – 25 facts for its 25th anniversary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/apr/21/nintendo-game-boy-25-facts-for-its-25th-anniversary |website=The Guardian |access-date=17 June 2018 |language=en |date=21 April 2014}}
  • Mattel releases the Power Glove controller for the NES home console.

Game releases

Business

  • Hasbro, Inc. acquires elements of Coleco Industries, Inc.
  • Trinity Acquisition Corporation founded (renamed THQ in 1990)
  • Nintendo withdraws from the Japan Amusement Machinery Manufacturers Association (JAMMA) on February 28.{{cite web|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19890401p.pdf#page=14|title=Nintendo Co. Withdrew From JAMMA|publisher=Amusement Press|date=1989-04-01|access-date=2020-04-19}}
  • Nintendo of America, Inc. v. Tengen:
  1. Nintendo sues Tengen over the Tetris video game copyrights. Tengen loses and recalls all its Tetris games.
  2. In November, Nintendo sues Tengen over production of unlicensed Nintendo games. Tengen loses. (Tengen originally sued Nintendo on December 12, 1988, for antitrust violations.)
  • Nintendo v. Camerica Ltd. Nintendo sues Camerica over patent violations of the Game Genie for the NES console. Camerica wins the suit.
  • UK publisher Martech goes out of business.

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

{{History of video games}}

Category:Video games by year