- (month unknown)
- Bandai announces it will shut down or sell off its Digital Entertainment division, due to poor sales of the Pippin video game system (about 42,000 units worldwide). [795.14]
- February 8
- The Official Video Game and Pinball Book of World Records is published. 984 pages, including records since 1981. [1447.7]
- February
- Activision releases the Tenchu video game for the PlayStation in Japan. [436.76]
- February 15
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. On a desert island, one character tells another to "draw up plans for a coconut radio and if possible a coconut Nintendo system". [839]
- February 26
- Sony releases PlayStation memory cards in black, candy orange, cherry red, crystal, emerald, gray, island blue, and lemon yellow. [545.26]
- February 27
- Sales to date of Crash Bandicoot 2 video game for the PlayStation: in USA, 1 million; in Japan, 0.8 million; in Europe, 0.34 million. [545.23]
- February 28
- Nintendo releases the Yoshi's Story video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [390.17] [411] [1160.104] [1396.30]
- Namco releases the Tekken 3 video game for the PlayStation in the US. [545.74] [628.60] [740.86] [1372.99]
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^^^ advertisement ^^^
- (month unknown)
- Hasbro announces it will pay about US$335 million to buy Tiger Electronics, maker of the Game.com video game system. [545.23] [795.15]
- March
- Namco releases the Klonoa: Door to Phantomile video game for the PlayStation in the US. [628.60] [740.86]
- Tecmo releases the Dead or Alive video game for the PlayStation in the US. [598.122] [628.60]
- Hasbro buys Atari's home video game assets. [1093.34]
- Nintendo announces the Game Boy Color handheld video game system. Specifications: 2.1 MHz 8-bit Z80 processor, 32 kB RAM, 2.3-inch 166x144 pixel TFT screen, 56 colors out of 32,000 palette, 4-channel FM stereo sound, two AA batteries power the system for about 10 hours. [1093.34,58] (4 or 8 MHz processor [1151.46])
- March 14
- Sega announces it will release three final games for the Saturn system in the US. [1460.545]
- March 18
- Sony releases the black and white diamond-patterned Dual Shock controller for the PlayStation in Japan. [545.26]
- March 27
- Nintendo introduces the Pocket Pikachi pedometer in Japan. [1262.33] [1407.5]
- March 29
- SquareSoft releases the Parasite Eve video game for the PlayStation in Japan and the US. [545.81] [1372.99]
- April 2
- Sony CEA sells the 10 millionth PlayStation video game system in North America. [483.110] [674.45]
- April 10
- Nintendo releases the Yoshi's Story video game for the Nintendo 64 in the UK. [1407.24]
- April
- Nintendo releases The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time video game for the Nintendo 64 in Japan. [1407.6]
- Sony releases PlayStation controllers in crystal (clear), emerald, island blue, and smoke gray. [545.26]
- April 23
- The National Broadcasting Company airs the Seinfeld TV show in the USA. One of the plot lines revolves around transporting a Frogger arcade machine from a closing-out business, without losing the high score record. The arcade machine is taken across a street, back and forth like playing the game. [674.45] [1041]
- April 30
- Sega releases the Panzer Dragoon Saga video game for the Saturn in the US. [304.148] [1372.99] (January [1483.18]) (May [1177.105])
- April (month)
- Top-selling video game in the US for the month: 1080 Snowboarding for the Nintendo 64. [1262.36]
- May
- The Electronic Entertainment Expo is held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Total attandance of the show is 41,300. Nintendo unveils the Pokémon video games. [546.28] [595.140] [674.45] [811.8] [1028.38]
- At the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences holds its first annual awards ceremony.
- Shigeru Miyamoto is indicted into the Hall of Fame for his contributions to the video game industry.
- Outstanding Achievement in Software Engineering: GoldenEye 007.
- Console Action Game of the Year: GoldenEye 007.
- Console Game of the Year: GoldenEye 007.
- Interactive Title of the Year: GoldenEye 007.
- Console Racing Game of the Year: Diddy Kong Racing.
- Best Sports Game of the Year: ISS 64.
- Best Fighting Game of the Year: WCW vs. NWO: World Tour.
- Adventure Game of the Year: Final Fantasy VII.
- Role-Playing Game of the Year: Final Fantasy VII.
- Sports Game of the Year: International Superstar Soccer.
- Outstanding Achievement in Sound and Music: Parappa the Rapper.
- Outstanding Achievement in Interactive Design: Parappa the Rapper.
[435.100] [1161.81] [1262.28]
- May 6
- Sony releases the Dual Shock controller for the PlayStation in the US. [628.60] (May 12 [1188.36])
- May 13
- Sony CEA releases the Gran Turismo video game for the PlayStation in the US. (Total lifetime sales: 11 million units.) [545.74] [625.51] [626.34] [628.60] [1147.30] [1200.54] [1270.105] [1482.62] (April [411])
- May
- Microsoft and Sega announce that Sega's Dreamcast video game console will use the Windows CE operating system. [77.15] [597]
- Capcom releases the Mega Man Legends video game for the PlayStation in the US. [460.72] [545.74]
- Sega announces the Dreamcast video game system in the US. [674.45] [1094.28]
- May 21
- Sega announces the Dreamcast video game system will be released in Japan on November 27. [1460.545]
- May
- Sega releases the Shining Force III video game for the Saturn in the US. [304.132] [545.74,92]
- May 31
- Acclaim Entertainment releases the Mortal Kombat 4 video game for the PlayStation in the US. [808]
- May (month)
- Top-selling video game in the US for the month: Tekken 3 for the PlayStation. [1262.36]
- (month unknown)
- Sony introduces the PlayStation Dual Shock package in the US, including the PlayStation video game system, Dual Shock controller, and Sound Scope light show generator. Price is US$149. [546.24]
- Sega licences the Genesis video game hardware to Majesco, who plans to releases a Genesis 3 system for US$49.95. [546.28]
- SNK announces it will release the NeoGeo Pocket soon. It will feature 16-bit processor, and 160x152 pixel eight-tone monochrome screen. [546.28]
- June 1
- Nintendo releases the Game Boy Camera in the US. Price is US$49.95. [422.38] [453.44] [978.84] [1161.81]
- Nintendo releases the Game Boy Printer in the US. Price is US$59.95. [422.38] [453.44] [1161.81]
- June
- Nintendo drops the price of the Nintendo 64 in the US to US$129. [674.45]
- Nintendo releases the Pokémon Stadium video game for the Nintendo 64 in Japan. [1407.12]
- Nintendo releases the F-Zero X video game for the Nintendo 64 in Japan. [1407.14]
- June 24
- Midway releases the Mortal Kombat 4 video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [545.74] [808]
- June 29
- Nintendo releases the Banjo-Kazooie video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [423.22] [545.74] [1372.98] [1396.30] (May 31 [411] [1102.113])
- June 30
- Take 2 Interactive releases the Grand Theft Auto video game for the PlayStation. [411] (July [674.45]) (July 1997 [570.76])
- June (month)
- Top selling video game for the month in the USA: Gran Turismo Racing for the PlayStation. [1400.33]
- (month unknown)
- Nintendo releases the F-Zero X video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [304.127]
- Activision signs a ten-year licensing agreement with Viacom for exclusive interactive multimedia rights for all Star Trek properties. [594.40]
- Ascii releases the R-Type video game for the PlayStation in the US. [304.134]
- Unit shipments of the PlayStation video game system to date: 33 million. [366.206]
- Unit shipments of the Nintendo 64 video game system to date: 16 million. [366.206]
- Namco releases the Soul Calibur arcade video game. [477.16]
- The Justice Ministry of Brazil bans sale of the Grand Theft Auto video game. [1399.30]
- The Sega Channel service is terminated. [611.28]
- July
- Nintendo releases the Banjo-Kazooie video game for the Nintendo 64 in the UK. [1407.16]
- July 31
- MCA/Universal Pictures releases the film BASEketball to theaters in the USA and Canada. A character says "You still hangin' out, playin' Nintendo?". [930]
- July (month)
- Top-selling video game in Japan for the month: XI for the PlayStation. [1262.38]
- Top-selling arcade game in the US for the month: Tekken 3. [1262.38]
- August
- Nintendo releases the World Class Track Meet video game with the Power Pad controller in the USA. [1161.78]
- Electronic Arts acquires Westwood Studios and the assets of Virgin Interactive's development studio in Irvine, California. [991.46] [1096.28]
- Sony ships the 40 millionth PlayStation system. [1096.28]
- August 26
- Comedy Central airs the South Park TV show in the USA. Video game dialog: "Where is the Nintendo?" "We don't have a Nintendo. We got a ColecoVision plugged into the black and white TV." [1244]
- August 31
- Activision releases the Tenchu: Stealth Assassins video game for the PlayStation in the US. [411] [436.76]
- August (month)
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: WWF War Zone for the PlayStation. [474.58] [991.46] [1008.32]
- September 10
- Acclaim Entertainment releases the Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat II video games for the Game Boy in Japan. [808]
- Sony CEA releases the Spyro the Dragon video game for the PlayStation in the US. [626.34] [1372.98]
- September 14
- Capcom releases the Resident Evil Director's Cut Dual Shock Version video game for the PlayStation in the US. [834.17]
- September
- Konami releases the Pop'n Music arcade video game in Japan. [1025.11]
- Sega releases the Shining Force III: Scenario 3: Bulzome Rising video game for the Saturn in Japan. [577.61] [1444.173]
- The Game One video game satellite television channel launches in Paris, France. [991.44]
- The European Computer Trade Show names Goldeneye 007 for the Nintendo 64 the Console Game of the Year. [674.46]
- September 20
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. The line "Finish him!" is a reference to the Mortal Kombat video game. [858]
- September 27
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A videogame arcade includes various stand-up and sit-in machines, with some names visible: "Larry the Looter", "Touch of Death", "Pack Rat Returns", "Shark Bait", "Satans Funhouse", "Time Waster". [859]
- September 30
- Nintendo releases the Pokémon Red version and Pokémon Blue version games for the Game Boy in the US. (Total combined sales are 23 million units.) [546.34] [595.141] [1372.98] [1425.52] (September 1 [401]) (May 1999 [554.17])
- September (month)
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Madden NFL 99 for the PlayStation. [474.58] [1008.32] [1296.36]
- October 3
- The television show Mortal Kombat: Conquest first airs in the US. [808]
- October 6
- At the Sega New Challenge Conference in Tokyo, Sega debuts the Dreamcast video game system. [406.60] [597]
- October
- Midway releases the Gauntlet Legends arcade video game. [418.28] [1262.104]
- In Tokyo, Japan, the Tokyo Game Show is held. 350,000 fans attend. [406.66,113] [546.23]
- October 21
- Square releases the Xenogears video game for the PlayStation in the US. [628.60] [740.86] [1006.74]
- Konami releases the Metal Gear Solid video game for the PlayStation in the US. (350,000 copies are sold in the first three days. Total sales over its lifetime: 6 million copies.) [304.148] [471.52] [625.51] [628.60] [641.36] [666.58] [674.46] [740.92] [1372.98] (September [411] [1151.23])
- In Japan, Nintendo releases the Game Boy Color portable video game system. It features 2.1 MHz processor, and 32 kB RAM. It can display 10, 32, or 56 colors simultaneously from a palette of 32,000. Size is 3 x 5.25 x 1 inches; weight is 6.7 ounces. (155,774 units sell in the first week.) [298.40] [474.50] [545.26] [1340.15]
- October 28
- SNK releases the NeoGeo Pocket handheld video game system in Japan. Price is about US$68. [595.27] [685.133] [1091.95] [1485.76]
- October 30
- Lucas Arts releases the Grim Fandango video game. [1372.99]
- October (month)
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: Metal Gear Solid for the PlayStation. [961.33]
- (month unknown)
- Bandai announces the 16-bit WonderSwan handheld video game system. [406.67]
- Sony releases a new version of the PlayStation hardware, model 7501C, with an extra internal attachment to prevent the system from being opened to make modifications to play pirated games. [1009.28]
- Nintendo releases The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX video game for the Game Boy Color in the US. [304.138]
- The 1999 Guiness Book of Records lists Super Mario Bros. 3 as Best-Selling Video Game. [235.10]
- Nintendo and LucasArts sign a five-year agreement for three new Star Wars video games on the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color. [961.32]
- Nintendo releases the Expansion Pak for the Mintendo 64. It provides an extra 4 MB of memory for the game system. Price is US$29.95. [961.33]
- November 4
- Sony CEA releases the Crash Bandicoot: Warped video game for the PlayStation in the US. Price is US$49. [367.94] [626.34] [628.60] [740.88] (October [627.36])
- November 5
- In San Francisco, California, Sega holds a Gamer's Day, to show the press the Dreamcast video game system prior to its launch in Japan. [474.34]
- November 10
- Guernsey issues a 17-pence postage stamp depicting a video game machine, probably a Sony PlayStation. [1189.361]
- November 11
- Capcom releases the Resident Evil 2: Dual Shock Version video game for the PlayStation in the US. [834.17]
- November
- Konami releases the Dance Dance Revolution arcade video game in Japan. [1025.11]
- Nintendo releases the Pokémon Pikachu handheld electronic pet. It can record walking steps. [546.34] [595.141]
- November 16
- Buena Vista Pictures releases the film Enemy of the State to theaters in the USA. A NEC Turbo Express portable video game system appears. [1256]
- November 21
- Nintendo releases The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. Price is US$59.95. [298.38] [304.150] [367.94] [1372.99] (November 23 [483.69] [546.28,62] [1438.44]) (November 25 [991.240])
- November 22
- The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A child plays a home video game system, playing game "Dingo Dash", similar to Crash Bandicoot. A child mispronounces "superintendant" as "Super Nintendo". [877]
- November 24
- Eidos releases the Tomb Raider III video game for the PlayStation in the US. (Total lifetime sales: 1.3 million.) [308.82] [444.34] [626.34] [628.60] [991.241]
- November 27
- In Japan, Sega Enterprises releases the Dreamcast video game system. It features a 200 MHz 128-bit Hitachi SH-4 processor, special NEC graphics processing chip, 26 MB RAM (16 MB main memory, 2 MB sound, 8 MB video), built-in 56 kbps modem, serial port, Web browser, Microsoft Windows CE operating system, one controller, and CD-ROM drive for 1 GB capacity disks. Price is 29,800 Yen, about US$220. (101,490 units sell in the first week. About 10 million systems and 400 different games are shipped in the product's lifetime.) [298.40] [365.108] [369.41] [376.22] [378.59] [383.79] [406.67] [546.23] [551.30] [597] [1151.60] [1343.59] [1460.563] [1494.198]
- Sega releases the Virtua Fighter 3tb video game for the Dreamcast in Japan. [406.60] [474.52,70] [1151.60] [1460.563]
- November 28
- Nintendo releases the Game Boy Color handheld video game system in the US. Price is US$79.95. [453.44] [483.69] [546.28] [685.133] [1262.38] [1460.567]
- November
- Nintendo releases the Tetris DX video game for the Game Boy Color. [474.92]
- November (month)
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64. [1093.36]
- December 1
- Nintendo releases the Bomberman 64 video game for the Nintendo 64 in the USA. [1396.30]
- December 9
- LucasArts releases the Star Wars: Rogue Squadron video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. Price is US$49.99. [304.54] [643.116] [991.240]
- December 10
- Acclaim releases the Turok 2: Seeds of Evil video game for the Nintendo 64. [1372.99]
- December 11
- Warner Bros. Pictures releases the Jack Frost film to theaters in the USA. A character says he has packed "batteries for the Game Boy". [1068]
- December (month)
- Top selling video game in the USA for the month: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64. [1397.32]
- Year
- Top selling video game in the US for the year: GoldenEye 007 for the Nintendo 64. Total sales: 1.6 million copies. [820.30]
- Sales of the Game Boy and Game Boy Color in the USA during the year: 2.43 million. [1100.34]
- Total sales of video game hardware and software in the US during the year: US$6.3 billion. [378.58]
- Total handheld video game sales in the USA: US$466 million. [1460.568]
- Sales of arcade games in the USA for the year: US$1129 million. [1505.283]
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