Games Released in September 1996

126 new games debuted in September 1996, with PlayStation being the most active platform. September 27 was the busiest day, with 35 releases.

Top Platform

PlayStation

New Releases

126

Busiest Day

September 27

What was the most popular game of September 1996?

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.

Which days had the most releases?

September 27 saw the most activity with 35 releases.

35 releases

September 27

32 releases

September 30

14 releases

September 13

13 releases

September 20

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat

How did each week compare?

The fourth week of September was the busiest with 54 releases.

Week 1 (September 1–7)

37 releases

Most popular release in Week 1

Crusader: No Regret

No Regret begins 46 hours after the events of No Remorse. The Silencer's escape pod is picked up by a freighter that is headed to the WEC penitentiary mining facility on the Moon, where political dissidents and Resistance members are held. The mining operation there is the key to destabilizing the entire WEC structure from within, and this is why Chairman Draygan himself is overseeing the program. The Resistance has also managed to install a cell on the Moon and is trying to delay the Di-Corellium extraction as much as possible. All the pieces are in place and it is up to you to make the first move - and the last one. Compared to its predecessor, Crusader: No Regret is much more straightforward, and with a higher emphasis on action. This is by no means a bad thing, because sometimes good old-fashioned shotgun diplomacy is the right solution to the problem, and the Silencer is an unquestionable expert in this field.

Week 2 (September 8–14)

29 releases

Most popular release in Week 3

Casper

Based on the Casper film, the game pits you in the role of the friendly ghost trying to make a friend and a second chance at life instead of scaring everyone away. The plot centers around the "spoiled, grasping inheritor of Whipstaff Manor" - Carrigan Crittenden. She's after the treasure she thinks is hidden in the walls. Casper will need the help of Dr James Harvey - therapist to the dead - if he has any hope of succeeding in his adventures. Casper will also have to deal with his uncles - Stretch, Stinkie and Fatso, who just love to scare "Fleshies" and thwart Casper's efforts. The gameplay is 3d - and is mostly puzzle solving, with Casper able to take a variety of forms and manipulating objects.

Week 4 (September 22–28)

54 releases

Most popular release in Week 4

Wave Race 64

Wave Race 64 is sure to provide some of the most exciting racing you've ever experienced. Feel the pounding and crashing of the waves as you accelerate into straight-aways, whip around the marker buoys and go airborne on the jump ramps. Don't race alone - challenge a friend! Take control in three different modes of play - Championship, Time Trials and Stunt Mode. Nine challenging courses set in exotic locales - race conditions change and the wave action responds to the way both you and your opponents race!

Week 5 (September 29–30)

36 releases

Most popular release in Week 5

Wipeout XL

WipEout XL is set in the year 2097, around four decades after its predecessor. Instead of the F3600 anti-gravity racing competition, the game features an even faster and more dangerous tournament: the F5000 AG league. The gameplay system is similar to that of the previous game: players race against each other or computer in high-speed futuristic environments, liberally picking up weapons scattered around the stages and using them against the opponents to finish the race in the highest position.

Which platforms saw the most releases?

PlayStation received 46 new titles in September 1996. The runner up was Sega Saturn with 35 new titles.

PlayStation46 releases

Sega Saturn35 releases

PC31 releases

DOS11 releases

Super Famicom11 releases

Super Nintendo Entertainment System11 releases

Arcade8 releases

Mac5 releases

Neo Geo CD4 releases

Satellaview4 releases

What genres were most popular?

Shooter was the dominant genre in September 1996 with 28 titles. Arcade followed closely with 27.

Shooter28

Arcade27

Fighting22

Adventure20

Sport20

Platform19

Puzzle19

Simulator19

Strategy19

Racing16

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