Games Released in 1996

1,904 new games debuted in 1996 across 10 platforms, with PlayStation seeing 424 releases. December was the busiest month, with 236 releases. Super Mario 64 was the most popular release of the year.

Which days had the most releases?

February 1 was the busiest single day of 1996 with 51 releases.

51 releases

February 1

47 releases

December 20

41 releases

March 29

37 releases

October 31

Which month had the most releases?

The busiest release month of 1996 was December, totaling 236 titles.

How did each season compare?

Q4 was the busiest quarter of 1996 with 534 releases.

Q1 (Jan–Mar)

442 releases

Most popular release in Q1

Pokémon Red Version

Pokémon Red, along with Pokémon Green, are the first video games in the Pokémon series of games. They are the first paired versions of Generation I. Developed over the course of several years, Red and Green established several standards for later Pokémon games and sequels. They take place in the Kanto region, with the player having to collect eight Gym Badges to become the Pokémon Champion while also completing the Pokédex by collecting all 151 Pokémon.

Q2 (Apr–Jun)

308 releases

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.

Q3 (Jul–Sep)

377 releases

Most popular release in Q3

Crash Bandicoot

Crash Bandicoot is the first installment in the Crash Bandicoot series that established Naughty Dog's reputation in the video game industry. Its premises chronicle the creation of the titular Crash, a bandicoot who has been uplifted by the mad scientist Doctor Neo Cortex. The goal of Crash Bandicoot is to traverse several levels in sequence in order to progress. The game is played from a third-person perspective in which the camera trails behind Crash, though some levels showcase forward-scrolling and side-scrolling perspectives. Crash is able to defeat enemies by either jumping on them or using a spinning attack that launches them.

Q4 (Oct–Dec)

534 releases

Most popular release in Q4

Pokémon Blue Version

Pokémon Blue is the third core series Pokémon game released as a minor revision of Pokémon Red and Green, which were released earlier that year. It was thus the first solitary version in the core series of Pokémon games. Various fixes in the game include a graphics and sound upgrade, as well as the removal of several known glitches that had been found in the original pair. Outside of Japan, its graphics, game engine and script formed the basis of Pokémon Red and Blue, while the wild Pokémon and game-exclusive Pokémon lists were changed to match Red and Green.

Which platforms saw the most releases?

PlayStation received 424 new titles in 1996, holding the most releases. The runner up was Sega Saturn with 299 new titles.

PlayStation424 releases

Sega Saturn299 releases

PC270 releases

Super Famicom151 releases

DOS130 releases

Arcade81 releases

Mac66 releases

Super Nintendo Entertainment System49 releases

PC-9800 Series45 releases

Satellaview40 releases

What genres were most popular?

Adventure was the dominant genre in 1996 with 272 titles. Shooter followed closely with 220.

Adventure272

Shooter220

Sport209

Simulator177

Puzzle167

Strategy157

Role-playing151

Arcade146

Fighting122

Platform106

1995 1997

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