Games Released in 1996

1,571 new games released in 1996 across 10 platforms, with PlayStation being the most popular seeing 528 new titles. December was the busiest month of the year, launching 249 new releases.

Which days had the most releases?

February 1 was the busiest single day of 1996 with 56 releases.

Which month had the most releases?

The busiest release month of 1996 was December, totaling 249 titles.

How did each season compare?

Q4 was the busiest quarter of 1996 with 556 releases.

Q2 (Apr–Jun)

326 releases
Super Mario 64

Most popular release in Q2

Super Mario 64

Mario is super in a whole new way! Combining the finest 3-D graphics ever developed for a video game and an explosive soundtrack, Super Mario 64 becomes a new standard for video games. It's packed with bruising battles, daunting obstacle courses, and underwater adventures. Retrieve the Power Stars from their hidden locations and confront your arch-nemesis— Bowser, King of the Koopas! • Run freely in a grassy meadow, tip-toe through a gloomy dungeon, climb to the top of a mountain, or take a swim in the moat! • Leap headfirst into a watery painting and soon you'll be searching for the surface in an underwater realm! • On-the-fly, 3-D rendered gameplay delivers the action of ruthless enemy attacks from every angle! • Find the Caps that give Mario super powers and ponder the mysteries of the pyramid; you can even race Koopas for fabulous prizes! • With the Nintendo 64 Controller and its analog Control Stick, Mario can crawl, kick down obstacles, swim, do reverse flips, and even stick the landing on his backwards somersault! • Saved game information is stored for up to four players in memory.

Which platforms saw the most releases?

PlayStation received 528 new titles in 1996, holding the most releases. The runner up was Sega Saturn with 377 new titles.

PlayStation528 releases
Sega Saturn377 releases
PC (Microsoft Windows)322 releases
DOS154 releases
Super Famicom154 releases
Arcade99 releases
Satellaview86 releases
Mac72 releases
Super Nintendo Entertainment System59 releases
PC-9800 Series49 releases

What genres were most popular?

Adventure was the dominant genre in 1996 with 291 titles. Shooter followed closely with 256.

Adventure291
Shooter256
Sport213
Simulator176
Puzzle170
Strategy161
Role-playing161
Arcade158
Fighting122
Platform112