Games Released in January 1997

74 new games debuted in January 1997, with PlayStation being the most active platform. January 1 was the busiest day, with 26 releases. Tibia was the most popular release of the month.

Which days had the most releases?

January 1 saw the most activity with 26 releases.

26 releases

January 1

16 releases

January 31

13 releases

January 17

12 releases

January 10

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat

Wed, Jan 1

26 releases

Thu, Jan 2

No releases

Fri, Jan 3

1 release

Sat, Jan 4

No releases

Sun, Jan 5

No releases

Mon, Jan 6

4 releases

Tue, Jan 7

2 releases

Wed, Jan 8

No releases

Thu, Jan 9

3 releases

Fri, Jan 10

12 releases

Sat, Jan 11

1 release

Sun, Jan 12

No releases

Mon, Jan 13

2 releases

Tue, Jan 14

2 releases

Wed, Jan 15

6 releases

Thu, Jan 16

No releases

Fri, Jan 17

13 releases

Sat, Jan 18

1 release

Sun, Jan 19

2 releases

Mon, Jan 20

4 releases

Tue, Jan 21

No releases

Wed, Jan 22

2 releases

Thu, Jan 23

9 releases

Fri, Jan 24

10 releases

Sat, Jan 25

2 releases

Sun, Jan 26

2 releases

Mon, Jan 27

No releases

Tue, Jan 28

2 releases

Wed, Jan 29

1 release

Thu, Jan 30

No releases

Fri, Jan 31

16 releases

How did each week compare?

The first week of January was the busiest with 33 releases.

Week 1 (January 1–7)

33 releases

Most popular release in Week 1

MDK

The game tells the story of Kurt Hectic, a janitor who reluctantly must attempt to save Earth from an alien invasion of gigantic strip mining city-size vehicles named "Minecrawlers". These Minecrawlers are not only removing all of earth's natural resources, but are also crushing any people and cities that get in their way. Aided by his boss, the (possibly) insane inventor/scientist Dr. Fluke Hawkins, and a genetically engineered robotic two-legged/four-armed dog named Bones (although he prefers Max), Kurt must infiltrate each Minecrawler, and fight his way to the pilot, whom he must then kill before returning to Hawkins' in-orbit space station, the Jim Dandy.

Week 2 (January 8–14)

20 releases

Most popular release in Week 2

Tibia

One of the earliest and most successful massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) in history, Tibia is a two-dimensional tile-based game set in a fantasy world with pixel art graphics and a top-down perspective. There are currently 68 game servers online, of which 24 in Europe, 25 in North America, and 19 in South America.

Week 3 (January 15–21)

26 releases

Most popular release in Week 3

Arkanoid: Doh It Again

Much like the game Breakout, the player controls the "Vaus", a space vessel that acts as the game's "paddle" which prevents a ball from falling from the playing field, attempting to bounce it against a number of bricks. The ball striking a brick causes the brick to disappear. When all the bricks are gone, the player goes to the next level, where another pattern of bricks appear. There are a number of variations (bricks that have to be hit multiple times, flying enemy ships, etc.) and power-up capsules to enhance the Vaus (expand the Vaus, multiply the number of balls, equip a laser cannon, break directly to the next level, etc.), but the gameplay remains the same.

Week 4 (January 22–28)

27 releases

Most popular release in Week 4

Real Bout Fatal Fury Special

The supreme trial of strength awaits! 19 of Fatal Fury's hottest heroes collide! One year since the fearsome conclusion to "Real Bout", the hungry wolves ready themselves for a new battle, "Real Bout Special" - the paramount pugilistic proving ground! The game retains the cast of the original Real Bout, with the addition of Tung Fu Rue, Cheng Sinzan, Laurence Blood and Wolfgang Krauser from Fatal Fury Special, with Krauser serving as the new final boss. Geese Howard, who was killed off in the end of the original Real Bout, appears in this game as a hidden final boss in a special "Nightmare Match" and as an unlockable playable character in the home versions. The game also features hidden "extra" versions of Tung Fu Rue, Billy Kane, Blue Mary, and Andy Bogard, for a total of 23 (24 if counting Geese) characters.

Week 5 (January 29–31)

17 releases

Most popular release in Week 5

Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII (note: this is the original Japan-exclusive version) is a role-playing game set in a post-modern, steampunk world where technology and fantasy elements coexist. Players control Cloud Strife, an ex-soldier who joins the eco-terrorist group AVALANCHE to oppose Shinra Inc., a corporation draining the planet's life energy. The game features turn-based combat with an active time element, a customizable Materia system for abilities, and unique Limit Break attacks for each character. Players explore 3D environments, engage in various mini-games, and uncover a complex plot involving Cloud's mysterious past and a powerful threat to the world. As the story progresses, players gain access to different vehicles, allowing them to explore new areas and uncover additional content.

Which platforms saw the most releases?

PlayStation received 31 new titles in January 1997. The runner up was Sega Saturn with 21 new titles.

PlayStation31 releases

Sega Saturn21 releases

PC20 releases

DOS12 releases

Super Nintendo Entertainment System9 releases

Arcade8 releases

Mac7 releases

Super Famicom4 releases

Game Boy3 releases

Satellaview3 releases

What genres were most popular?

Adventure was the dominant genre in January 1997 with 27 titles. Puzzle followed closely with 18.

Adventure27

Puzzle18

Shooter17

Platform14

Sport14

Arcade12

Role-playing12

Racing11

Point-and-click9

Simulator9

1997 Review

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