Games Released in September 1996

187 new games released in September 1996, with PlayStation being the most active platform. September 27 was the busiest day, with 39 new releases.

Top Platform

PlayStation

New Releases

187

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 39 releases.

39 releases

September 27

33 releases

September 30

16 releases

September 13

14 releases

September 20

How did each week compare?

The fourth week of September was the busiest with 59 releases.

Week 1 (September 1–7)

42 releases

Most popular release in Week 1

Death Rally

Shoot your way through screaming bystanders, pick up more ammo and turbo from the side of the track, and floor the pedal while performing some shady deals for The Dealer. No trick is too dirty when you're preparing for The Final Confrontation. Only the hardest armor, the most powerful engine and the biggest guns will see you through the ultimate battle against The Adversary. And when you feel you can't take it anymore, you can check out the underground market: Spiked bumpers, landmines, rocket fuel or sabotage can provide a way to create some nasty accidents for the competition. Death Rally was remade for IOS and Android in 2012, by fellow Finnish company Mountain Sheep. Remedy Entertainment stayed on board with the publishing.

Week 2 (September 8–14)

31 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)

59 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)

38 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 48 new titles in September 1996. The runner up was PC (Microsoft Windows) with 38 new titles.

PlayStation48 releases

PC (Microsoft Windows)38 releases

Sega Saturn37 releases

Super Nintendo Entertainment System13 releases

DOS12 releases

Super Famicom11 releases

Arcade10 releases

Mac8 releases

Satellaview5 releases

Nintendo 645 releases

What genres were most popular?

Shooter was the dominant genre in September 1996 with 33 titles. Arcade followed closely with 31.

Shooter33

Arcade31

Adventure24

Platform22

Fighting22

Strategy20

Simulator20

Puzzle20

Sport20

Racing16

1996 Review

Aug Oct

January February March April May June July August

September

October November December