Games Released in 1990

1,553 new games debuted in 1990 across 10 platforms, with Family Computer seeing 153 releases. December was the busiest month, with 156 releases. Super Mario World was the most popular release of the year.

Which days had the most releases?

February 1 was the busiest single day of 1990 with 72 releases.

72 releases

February 1

29 releases

December 14

24 releases

June 1

24 releases

January 1

Which month had the most releases?

The busiest release month of 1990 was December, totaling 156 titles.

How did each season compare?

Q4 was the busiest quarter of 1990 with 297 releases.

Q1 (Jan–Mar)

224 releases

Most popular release in Q1

Loom

Long after the passing of the Second Shadow, when dragons ruled the twilight sky and the stars were bright and numerous, came the Age of the Great Guilds. Blacksmiths. Shepherds. Clerics. Each dedicated to the absolute control of secret knowledge. Another such Guild was the Weavers. Over the centuries, their craft transcended the limits of physical cloth, until they wove the very fabric of reality itself. Now, a strange power has swept the Weavers into oblivion, leaving behind one Weaver boy to unravel the mystery. Help young Bobbin rescue his Guild...and you just might save the universe from an unspeakable catastrophe.

Q2 (Apr–Jun)

205 releases

Most popular release in Q2

Disney's Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers

Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers is a platformer video game developed and published by Capcom based on the Disney animated series of the same name. Originally released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in Japan and North America in 1990, it came to Europe the next year, and was ported to the Nintendo PlayChoice-10 arcade system. It sold approximately 1.2 million copies worldwide.

Q3 (Jul–Sep)

213 releases

Most popular release in Q3

Mega Man 3

It's robot rebellion, and nobody's safe! Least of all, Mega Man! This time the superpowerful cyborg takes on a horde of metal maniacs who've had it with being obedient! And they use every android-annihilator ever invented to make you believe it! Mega Man goes berserk, blasting through a galaxy of mining stations in search of energy crystals. But it takes more than guts to battle the phenomenal robot masters who control these worlds. It's a wrenching job, the worst - and the best - that Mega Man's faced so far!

Q4 (Oct–Dec)

297 releases

Most popular release in Q4

Super Mario World

A 2D platformer and first entry on the SNES in the Super Mario franchise, Super Mario World follows Mario as he attempts to defeat Bowser's underlings and rescue Princess Peach from his clutches. The game features a save system, a less linear world map, an expanded movement arsenal and numerous new items for Mario, alongside new approaches to level design and art direction.

Which platforms saw the most releases?

Family Computer received 153 new titles in 1990, holding the most releases. The runner up was Nintendo Entertainment System with 111 new titles.

Family Computer153 releases

Nintendo Entertainment System111 releases

TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine101 releases

Game Boy99 releases

Sega Mega Drive/Genesis74 releases

Arcade68 releases

Sharp X6800049 releases

PC-9800 Series37 releases

DOS34 releases

Turbografx-16/PC Engine CD25 releases

What genres were most popular?

Shooter was the dominant genre in 1990 with 161 titles. Adventure followed closely with 148.

Shooter161

Adventure148

Platform137

Puzzle133

Arcade113

Role-playing109

Sport105

Strategy97

Hack and slash45

Simulator45

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