1998 in video games

Last updated

1998 saw many sequels and prequels in video games, such as F-Zero X , Marvel vs. Capcom , The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time , Resident Evil 2 , Metal Gear Solid , Crash Bandicoot: Warped , Street Fighter Alpha 3 , Gex: Enter the Gecko , Fallout 2 , Panzer Dragoon Saga , Return to Krondor and Tomb Raider III , along with new titles such as Banjo-Kazooie, Dance Dance Revolution, Half-Life , MediEvil , Radiant Silvergun , Spyro the Dragon , StarCraft and Xenogears . In Japan, Sega released the Dreamcast which was the first console of the sixth generation and also the company's last major console.

Contents

The year has been retrospectively considered one of the best and most influential in video game history due to the release of numerous critically acclaimed, commercially successful and influential titles across all platforms and genres at the time. [1] The year's best-selling video game console was the PlayStation for the third year in a row. The year's most critically acclaimed title was The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, which remains Metacritic's highest-scoring game of all time. The year's best-selling home video game worldwide was Pokémon Red/Green/Blue/Pikachu for the Game Boy, while the year's highest-grossing arcade game in Japan was Tekken 3.

Legend

Video game platforms
Arcade Arcade video game DC Dreamcast GB Game Boy
GBC Game Boy Color GEN Sega Genesis / Mega DriveMAC Classic Mac OS, 2001 and before
N64 Nintendo 64 NEO Neo Geo AESNEOCD Neo Geo CD
NES Nintendo Entertainment System / FamicomPS1 PlayStation 1 SAT Sega Saturn
SNES Super Nintendo / Super FamicomWIN Microsoft Windows, all
versions Windows 2000 and up
Genre notes
Action Action game Action RPG Action role-playing game Action-adventure Action-adventure game
Adventure Adventure game Business Sim business simulation game City builder city-building game
Dating sim Dating sim DCCG Digital collectible card game Fighting Fighting game
FPS First-person shooter Music Music video game Platformer Platformer
Puzzle Puzzle video game Racing Racing game Rhythm Rhythm games
Roguelike Roguelike RPG role-playing video game RTS Real-time strategy game
RTTFeatures real-time tactical battlesSports Sports video game Stealth Stealth game
Strategy Strategy video game Tactical RPG Tactical role-playing game TPS Third-person shooter
Virtual pet Pet-raising simulation Visual novel Visual novel

Hardware releases

Dreamcast Dreamcast-Console-Set.png
Dreamcast
DateSystem
April 14 Game Boy Light JP [2]
October 21 Game Boy Color JP [3]
November 18 Game Boy Color NA
November 23 Game Boy Color EU
November 27 Dreamcast JP [4]

Top-rated games

Game of the Year awards

The following titles won Game of the Year awards for 1998.

Awards Game of the Year Platform(s)Publisher(s)GenreRef
CESA Awards The Legend of Zelda: Toki no Ocarina
(Ocarina of Time)
N64 Nintendo Action-adventure [5]
Japan Media Arts Festival [6]
Digitiser The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time [7]
Edge [8]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) [9]
Game Informer [10]
GamePro [11]
GameSpot [12]
Interactive Achievement Awards [13]
BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Awards GoldenEye 007 N64NintendoFPS [14]
Video Software Dealers Association [15] [16]
Hyper Final Fantasy VII PS1, WIN Sony, Eidos RPG [17]
RPGFan [18]
GameSpot Grim Fandango WIN LucasArts Adventure [19]
Gamest Awards Psychic Force 2012 Arcade Taito Fighting [20]
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine Metal Gear Solid PS1 Konami Stealth [21]
RPGFan Lunar 2: Eternal Blue SAT Game Arts RPG [18]

Critically acclaimed titles

Metacritic and GameRankings

Metacritic (MC) and GameRankings (GR) are aggregators of video game journalism reviews.

1998 games and expansions scoring at least 88/100 (MC) [22] or 87.5% (GR) [23] [24]
GamePublisherRelease DatePlatformMC scoreGR score
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Nintendo November 21, 1998N6499/10097.54%
Tekken 3 Namco March 26, 1998PS196/10095.8%
Half-Life Sierra Entertainment November 19, 1998WIN96/10094.02%
Metal Gear Solid Konami September 3, 1998PS194/10093.24%
Grim Fandango LucasArts October 30, 1998WIN94/10092.97%
Resident Evil 2 Capcom January 21, 1998PS189/10093.13%
Street Fighter Alpha 3 Capcom December 23, 1998PS193/100 [25] 90.28% [26]
StarCraft Blizzard Entertainment March 31, 1998WIN88/10092.85%
Panzer Dragoon Saga Sega January 29, 1998SAT92.46%
Banjo-Kazooie Nintendo June 29, 1998N6492/10092.38%
Thief: The Dark Project Eidos Interactive December 1, 1998WIN92/10089.41%
Baldur's Gate Interplay Entertainment December 21, 1998WIN91/10091.94%
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX Nintendo December 12, 1998GBC91.21%
International Superstar Soccer 98 Konami June 4, 1998N6491/10089.15%
Crash Bandicoot: Warped Sony Computer Entertainment October 31, 1998PS191/10089.07%
Xenogears Square February 11, 1998PS184/10090.99%
Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus GT Interactive November 17, 1998PS188/10090.42%
NFL Blitz Midway Games September 12, 1998PS190.13%
NFL Blitz Midway Games September 9, 1998N6490.02%
1080° Snowboarding Nintendo February 28, 1998N6489.60%
Battlezone Activision March 11, 1998WIN89.03%
Railroad Tycoon II Gathering of Developers November 2, 1998WIN89/10083.15%
Turok 2: Seeds of Evil Acclaim Entertainment December 10, 1998N6486/10088.96%
FIFA 99 EA Sports October 31, 1998WIN88.87%
Caesar III Sierra Entertainment September 30, 1998WIN88.6%
Unreal GT Interactive May 22, 1998WIN88.58%
NBA Live 99 EA Sports November 10, 1998PS188.39%
R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 Namco December 3, 1998PS188/100 [25] 88.16% [26]
NHL 99 EA Sports September 30, 1998WIN88.11%
Wario Land II Nintendo March 7, 1998GBC88.04% [26]
Myth II: Soulblighter Bungie December 28, 1998WIN88/10086.39%
Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit Electronic Arts March 25, 1998PS188/10085.63%
Starsiege: Tribes Sierra Entertainment December 23, 1998WIN88/10084.77%
Shogo: Mobile Armor Division Monolith Productions October 15, 1998WIN88/10081.6%
FIFA 99 EA Sports October 31, 1998PS187.95%
F-Zero X Nintendo July 14, 1998N6485/10087.61%
Madden NFL 99 EA Sports September 23, 1998N6487.59%

Famitsu Platinum Hall of Fame

The following video game releases in 1998 entered Famitsu magazine's "Platinum Hall of Fame" for receiving Famitsu scores of at least 35 out of 40. [27]

TitlePlatformPublisherGenreScore (out of 40)
The Legend of Zelda: Toki no Ocarina (Ocarina of Time)N64 Nintendo Action-adventure40
Tekken 3 PS1 Namco Fighting39
Sonic Adventure DC Sega Platformer38
Biohazard 2 (Resident Evil 2)PS1 Capcom Survival horror 37
Metal Gear Solid PS1 Konami Stealth37
Virtua Fighter 3tb DCSegaFighting36
Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG (Panzer Dragon Saga)SATSegaRPG35
Neo AtlasPS1 Artdink Strategy35
Shiritsu Justice Gakuen: Legion of Heroes (Rival Schools)PS1CapcomFighting35
Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry no Wonderland GBC Enix RPG35
Beatmania PS1KonamiRhythm35
R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 PS1NamcoRacing35
Crash Bandicoot 3 (Warped)PS1 Sony Platformer35
Street Fighter Zero 3 (Street Fighter Alpha 3)PS1 Capcom Fighting35

Financial performance

Best-selling video game consoles

RankManufacturerPlatformTypeGenerationSales
Japan United States Worldwide
1 Sony PS1 Home 32-bit 4,660,000 [28] 9,130,000 [28] 22,500,000 [28]
2 Nintendo GB / GBC Handheld 8-bit 4,730,000 [29] 2,430,000 [30] 12,990,000 [29]
3NintendoN64Home 64-bit 1,210,000 [29] 3,881,000 [31] 7,860,000 [29]
4NintendoSNESHome 16-bit 50,000 [29] 200,000 [31] 1,430,000 [29]
5 Sega DCHome 128-bit 900,000 [32] 900,000
6SegaGENHome16-bit659,000 [31] 659,000+
7SegaSATHome32-bit150,000 [32] 55,000 [31] 205,000+
8NintendoNESHome 8-bit 50,000 [29] 120 [31] 50,120

Best-selling home video games

The following titles were the top ten best-selling home video games (console games or computer games) of 1998 in Japan, the United States, and Germany.

Best-selling home video games in Japan, United States and Germany
RankTitlePlatformSales
Japan United States Germany Combined
1 Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / Pikachu GB3,288,391 [a] 4,000,000 [33] 7,288,391
2 Resident Evil 2 (Biohazard 2)PS12,298,814 [34] 1,194,840 [35] Unknown3,493,654+
3 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time N64920,000 [36] 2,500,000 [37] Unknown3,420,000+
4 Gran Turismo PS11,495,761 [38] 1,431,483 [35] 270,000+ [39] 3,197,244+
5 Tekken 3 PS11,266,000 [38] 1,113,749 [35] 100,000+ [40] 2,479,749+
6 GoldenEye 007 N64< 17,676 [41] 2,300,000 [42] Unknown2,300,000+
7 Metal Gear Solid PS1765,000 [36] 1,064,909 [35] 1,829,909
8 Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry no Wonderland GBC1,660,000 [36] 1,660,000
9 Crash Bandicoot: Warped (Crash Bandicoot 3)PS1649,000 [36] 858,726 [35] Unknown1,507,726+
10 Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back PS1395,884 [38] 941,686 [35] Unknown1,337,570+

The following titles were the top ten highest-grossing home video games of 1998 in the United States and Europe.

Highest-grossing home video games in United States and Europe
RankTitlePlatform(s)Sales revenue
United States Europe [43] CombinedInflation
1 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time N64$150,000,000 [37] €39,000,000+ ($44,000,000+)$194,000,000+$370,000,000+
2 Gran Turismo PS1$58,568,520 [35] €66,000,000+ ($74,000,000+)$132,568,520+$255,745,191+
3 Resident Evil 2 PS1$58,597,202 [35] €29,000,000+ ($33,000,000+)$91,597,202+$176,705,178+
4 GoldenEye 007 N64$70,377,973+ [35] €19,000,000+ ($21,000,000+)$91,377,973+$176,282,251+
5 Tekken 3 PS1$48,554,550 [35] €36,000,000+ ($40,000,000+)$88,554,550+$170,835,431+
6 Banjo-Kazooie N64$51,790,624 [35] €26,000,000+ ($29,000,000+)$80,790,624+$155,857,617+
7 Tomb Raider III Unknown€68,000,000+ ($74,000,000+)$74,000,000+$143,000,000+
8 Pokémon Red / Blue GB$70,000,000+ [44] $70,000,000+$135,000,000+
9 Super Mario 64 N64$39,184,953 [35] €21,000,000+ ($24,000,000+)$63,184,953+$121,893,553+
10 FIFA 99 Unknown€50,000,000+ ($56,000,000+)$56,000,000+$108,000,000+

Japan

In Japan, the following titles were the top ten best-selling home video games of 1998.

RankTitlePlatformPublisherGenreSalesRef
1 Pocket Monsters: Red / Green / Blue / Pikachu (Pokémon)GB Nintendo RPG3,288,391 [a]
2 Biohazard 2 (Resident Evil 2)PS1 Capcom Survival horror 2,298,814+ [34]
3 Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry no Wonderland GBC Enix RPG1,660,000 [36]
4 Gran Turismo PS1 Sony Racing (Sim)1,495,761 [38]
5 Tekken 3 PS1 Namco Fighting1,266,000
6 Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters PS1 Konami DCCG1,175,000 [36]
7 Parasite Eve PS1 Squaresoft Horror 1,049,000
8 Tales of Destiny PS1NamcoAction RPG965,280+ [34]
9 The Legend of Zelda: Toki no Ocarina (Ocarina of Time)N64NintendoAction-adventure920,000 [36]
10 Xenogears PS1SquaresoftRPG892,015 [38]

United States

In the United States, the following titles were the top ten best-selling home video games of 1998.

RankTitlePlatformPublisherGenreSalesRevenueInflation
1 Pokémon Red / Blue GB Nintendo RPG4,000,000 [33] $70,000,000+ [44] $135,000,000+
2 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time N64NintendoAction-adventure2,500,000 [37] $150,000,000 [37] $290,000,000
3 GoldenEye 007 N64NintendoFPS2,300,000 [42] $70,377,973+ [35] $135,770,001+
4 Gran Turismo PS1 Sony Racing (Sim)1,431,483 [35] $58,568,520 [35] $112,987,739
5 Resident Evil 2 PS1 Capcom Survival horror 1,194,840 [35] $58,597,202 [35] $113,043,071
6 Tekken 3 PS1 Namco Fighting1,113,749 [35] $48,554,550 [35] $93,669,241
7 Madden NFL 99 PS1 EA Sports Sports1,073,777 [35] $44,130,798 [35] $85,135,139
8 Metal Gear Solid PS1 Konami Stealth1,064,909 [35] $51,834,077 [35] $99,995,956
9 Banjo-Kazooie N64NintendoPlatformer1,054,349 [35] $51,790,624 [35] $99,912,129
10 Super Mario 64 N64NintendoPlatformer946,411 [35] $39,184,953 [35] $75,593,838

Europe

In Europe, the following titles were the top ten highest-grossing home video games of 1998.

RankTitlePlatform(s) Europe sales revenue [43] France Germany
Sales revenueInflationRankSales
1 Tomb Raider III €68,000,000+ ($74,000,000+)$140,000,000+UnknownUnknown
2 Gran Turismo PS1€66,000,000+ ($74,000,000+)$140,000,000+1 [45] 270,000+ [39]
3 FIFA 99 €50,000,000+ ($56,000,000+)$108,000,000+UnknownUnknown
4 World Cup 98 €48,000,000+ ($54,000,000+)$104,000,000+Unknown339,000+ [39]
5 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time N64€39,000,000+ ($44,000,000+)$85,000,000+UnknownUnknown
Tomb Raider II €39,000,000+ ($44,000,000+)$85,000,000+Unknown358,000+ [39]
7 FIFA: Road to World Cup 98 €37,000,000+ ($41,000,000+)$79,000,000+Unknown160,000+ [39]
8 Tekken 3 PS1€36,000,000+ ($40,000,000+)$77,000,000+Unknown100,000+ [40]
9 Colin McRae Rally €30,000,000+ ($34,000,000+)$66,000,000+Unknown
10 Resident Evil 2 PS1€29,000,000+ ($33,000,000+)$64,000,000+

Australia

In Australia, the following titles were the top ten best-selling home console games of 1998. [46]

RankTitlePlatformDeveloperPublisherGenre
1 GoldenEye 007 N64 Rare Nintendo FPS
2 Gran Turismo PS1 Polys Entertainment Sony Racing (Sim)
3 Banjo-Kazooie N64RareNintendoPlatformer
4 Crash Bandicoot (Platinum)PS1 Naughty Dog Sony
5 Mario Kart 64 N64 Nintendo EAD NintendoRacing (Kart)
6 Super Mario 64 N64Nintendo EADNintendoPlatformer
7 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time N64Nintendo EADNintendoAction-adventure
8 Croc: Legend of the Gobbos PS1 Argonaut Software Fox Interactive Platformer
9 Yoshi's Story N64Nintendo EADNintendo
10 Tekken 2 (Platinum)PS1 Namco SonyFighting

Highest-grossing arcade games in Japan

In Japan, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games of 1998.

Rank Gamest [20] Game Machine [47]
TitleManufacturerTitleTypePoints
1 Tekken 3 Namco Tekken 3 Software 4561
2 Street Fighter Zero 3 (Street Fighter Alpha 3) Capcom Virtua Striker 2 / Ver. 98 Software4366
3 Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes Capcom Print Club 2 Other 3534
4 The King of Fighters '98 SNK The House of the Dead Dedicated 3334
5 Virtua Fighter 3 Team Battle (Virtua Fighter 3tb) Sega Virtua Fighter 3 Team Battle Dedicated2936
6 The King of Fighters '97 SNK Sega Bass Fishing (Get Bass)Dedicated2931
7 Virtua Striker 2 Sega The Lost World: Jurassic Park Dedicated2719
8 Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram Sega Strikers 1945 II Software2622
9 Street Fighter EX2 Capcom Final Furlong Dedicated2414
10 Virtua Striker 2 Ver. 98 Sega The King of Fighters '97 Software2377

Events

Business

Games released in 1998

Release dateTitlePlatformsGenresRef
January 5 Robotron 64 N64 Shoot 'em up [52]
January 8 No One Can Stop Mr. Domino! PS1Puzzle[ citation needed ]
January 12 Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes ArcadeFighting[ citation needed ]
January 21 Resident Evil 2 PS1 Survival horror [53]
January 22 Machi SATVisual novel [54]
January 29 Bomberman World PS1Action, maze [ citation needed ]
January 29 Bust a Groove PS1Music, Fighting[ citation needed ]
January 29 Panzer Dragoon Saga SATAction-adventure, RPG[ citation needed ]
February 6 Skullmonkeys PS1Platformer[ citation needed ]
February 9 James Bond 007 GBAction-adventure[ citation needed ]
February 11 Xenogears PS1RPG [55]
February 24 Gex: Enter the Gecko PS1Platformer[ citation needed ]
February 26 Burning Rangers SATAction, TPS[ citation needed ]
February 26 Tenchu: Stealth Assassins PS1Action-adventure, Stealth[ citation needed ]
February 26 X-Men vs. Street Fighter: EX Edition PS1Fighting[ citation needed ]
February 28 1080° Snowboarding N64Racing [56]
February 28 Battlezone WINFPS, RTS[ citation needed ]
February 28 ReBoot PS1Action [57]
February 28 Star Wars: Rebellion WINRTS[ citation needed ]
March 9 Wario Land II GBPlatformer[ citation needed ]
March 20 Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers ArcadeFighting[ citation needed ]
March 25 Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit PS1, WINRacing [58]
March 26 Dungeon Master Nexus SATRPG[ citation needed ]
March 26 The House of the Dead SAT Rail shooter [ citation needed ]
March 26 The King of Fighters '97 SATFighting[ citation needed ]
March 26 Tekken 3 PS1Fighting [59]
March 29 Parasite Eve PS1Action RPG [60]
March 31 Blasto PS1TPS[ citation needed ]
March 31 StarCraft WINRTS [61]
March 31 Warhammer: Dark Omen WINRTT[ citation needed ]
April 4 Sakura Wars 2: Thou Shalt Not Die SATTactical RPG, Dating sim, Visual novel [62]
April 7 Warhammer: Dark Omen PS1RTT [63]
April 9 G-Darius PS1 Shoot 'em up [64]
April 14 GT 64: Championship Edition N64Racing[ citation needed ]
April 17 Puyo Puyo Sun WINPuzzle [65]
April 29 Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers NEOFighting[ citation needed ]
April 29 Shining Force III Scenario 2 – Target: Child of God SATTactical RPG[ citation needed ]
April 29 Super Tempo SATPlatformer [66]
April 30 Bomberman Hero N64Platformer[ citation needed ]
April 30 Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven WINRPG[ citation needed ]
May 7 Jazz Jackrabbit 2 WINPlatformer [67]
May 13 Redneck Rampage Rides Again WINFPS [68]
May 19 World Cup 98 PS1, WIN, N64Sports (soccer) [69] [70]
May 21 Baroque SATRPG[ citation needed ]
May 22 Unreal WINFPS [71]
May 28 Radiant Silvergun Arcade Shoot 'em up [ citation needed ]
May 28 The King of Fighters '97 PS1Fighting[ citation needed ]
June 4 Atelier Marie Plus PS1RPG[ citation needed ]
June 4 International Superstar Soccer 98 N64Sports (soccer)[ citation needed ]
June 4 Vigilante 8 PS1 Vehicular combat [72]
June 5 Descent: FreeSpace – The Great War WIN Space combat simulation [73]
June 11 Super Gem Fighter Mini Mix PS1Fighting[ citation needed ]
June 12 Wetrix N64Puzzle [74]
June 24 Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines WINRTT[ citation needed ]
June 25 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night SATAction-adventure[ citation needed ]
June 29 Banjo-Kazooie N64Platformer [75]
June 29 Street Fighter Alpha 3 ArcadeFighting[ citation needed ]
June 30 Deathtrap Dungeon WINAction-adventure [76]
June 30 Deep Fear SAT Survival horror [ citation needed ]
June 30 N2O: Nitrous Oxide PS1 Shoot 'em up [77]
July 4 Heart of Darkness PS1Platformer[ citation needed ]
July 9 Super Gem Fighter Mini Mix SATFighting[ citation needed ]
July 14 F-Zero X N64Racing [78]
July 14 WWF War Zone PS1Sports (wrestling)[ citation needed ]
July 16 Brave Fencer Musashi PS1Action RPG[ citation needed ]
July 16 Hopkins FBI WINAdventure [79]
July 23 Radiant Silvergun SAT Shoot 'em up [ citation needed ]
July 23 Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The Newcomers NEOCDFighting[ citation needed ]
July 30 Star Ocean: The Second Story PS1Action RPG[ citation needed ]
July 31 Urban Assault WINFPS, RTS[ citation needed ]
July 31 F-1 World Grand Prix N64Racing[ citation needed ]
July 31 Heart of Darkness WINPlatformer[ citation needed ]
July 31 Iggy's Reckin' Balls N64Racing[ citation needed ]
August 1 Gex: Enter the Gecko N64Platformer[ citation needed ]
August 1 Pokémon Stadium N64RPG [80]
August 6 Resident Evil: Director's Cut – Dual Shock Version PS1 Survival horror [ citation needed ]
August 6 Wachenröder SATTactical RPG[ citation needed ]
August 11 WWF War Zone N64Sports (wrestling)[ citation needed ]
August 21 Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six WIN Tactical shooter [ citation needed ]
August 25 Madden NFL 99 PS1Sports (football)[ citation needed ]
August 27 Black/Matrix SATTactical RPG[ citation needed ]
September 3 Metal Gear Solid PS1Action-adventure, Stealth [81]
September 9 NASCAR 99 N64Racing [82]
September 9 NFL Blitz N64Sports (football) [83] [82]
September 10 NFL Blitz PS1Sports (football) [84]
September 10 Spyro the Dragon PS1Platformer [85]
September 12 Pokémon Yellow GBRPG [86]
September 17 Suikoden SATRPG[ citation needed ]
September 23 Digital Monster Version S: Digimon Tamers SATVirtual pet[ citation needed ]
September 23 Madden NFL 99 N64Sports (football) [82]
September 23 Shining Force III Scenario 3 – Bulzome Rising SATTactical RPG[ citation needed ]
September 25 Dragon Warrior Monsters GBCRPG[ citation needed ]
September 26 Dance Dance Revolution ArcadeMusic[ citation needed ]
September 30 Body Harvest N64Action-adventure[ citation needed ]
September 30 Caesar III WINCity builder[ citation needed ]
September 30 Delta Force WIN Tactical shooter [ citation needed ]
September 30 Gex: Enter the Gecko WINPlatformer[ citation needed ]
September 30 NHL 99 PS1, WINSports (hockey)[ citation needed ]
September 30 Rogue Trip: Vacation 2012 PS1 Vehicular combat [ citation needed ]
September 30 Shogo: Mobile Armor Division WINFPS[ citation needed ]
October 1 MediEvil PS1Action-adventure [87]
October 1 NHL 99 N64Sports (hockey) [88]
October 2 NFL Blitz WINSports (football) [89]
October 12 Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit WINRacing[ citation needed ]
October 14 Star Trek: The Next Generation: Klingon Honor Guard WIN, MACFPS [90]
October 21 Turok 2: Seeds of Evil N64FPS [91]
October 21 Tetris DX GBCPuzzle [92]
October 21 Wario Land II GBCPlatformer [93]
October 22 Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter SATFighting[ citation needed ]
October 28 Grim Fandango WINAdventure [94]
October 28 Trespasser WINAction-adventure [95]
October 29 Fallout 2 WINRPG [96]
October 30 The Fifth Element WIN, PS1Action-adventure [97]
October 31 Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome WINRTS[ citation needed ]
October 31 Apocalypse PS1TPS[ citation needed ]
October 31 Centipede WIN Shoot 'em up [ citation needed ]
October 31 Crash Bandicoot: Warped PS1Platformer [98]
October 31 FIFA 99 WINSports (soccer)[ citation needed ]
October 31 Glover N64, WINPlatformer[ citation needed ]
October 31 Heretic II WINAction-adventure[ citation needed ]
October 31 NBA Live 99 PS1, WINSports (basketball) [99]
October 31 Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus PS1, WINPlatformer [100]
October 31 Railroad Tycoon II WINBusiness Sim[ citation needed ]
November 1 Red Comrades Save the Galaxy WINAdventure[ citation needed ]
November 4 NBA Live 99 N64Sports (basketball) [101]
November 5 Nancy Drew: Secrets Can Kill WINAdventure[ citation needed ]
November 9 SiN WINFPS [102]
November 10 Rush 2: Extreme Racing USA N64Racing[ citation needed ]
November 11 Sonic R WINRacing[ citation needed ]
November 14 The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard WINAction-adventure [103]
November 19 Half-Life WINFPS [104]
November 20 The Settlers III WINRTS, City builder [105]
November 20 Tomb Raider III PS1, WINAction-adventure [106]
November 21 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time N64Action-adventure [107]
November 25 Blood II: The Chosen WINFPS [108]
November 27 Puyo Puyo Sun GBCPuzzle[ citation needed ]
November 30 FIFA 99 PS1, N64Sports (soccer)[ citation needed ]
December 1 Gex: Enter the Gecko GBCPlatformer[ citation needed ]
December 1 Thief: The Dark Project WINStealth [109]
December 3 Star Wars: Rogue Squadron WINAction[ citation needed ]
December 4 Magic and Mayhem WINRTS[ citation needed ]
December 7 Star Wars: Rogue Squadron N64Action[ citation needed ]
December 12 Falcon 4.0 WIN Air combat simulation [ citation needed ]
December 12 Hey You, Pikachu! N64Virtual pet [110]
December 12 The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX GBCAction-adventure [111]
December 17 Suikoden II PS1RPG[ citation needed ]
December 18 Mario Party N64 Party [112]
December 18 Pokémon Trading Card Game GBCDCCG [113]
December 18 StarCraft: Brood War WINRTS [114]
December 21 Baldur's Gate WINRPG [115]
December 21 South Park N64FPS [116]
December 23 Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon 2 PS1Roguelike [117]
December 23 Sonic Adventure DCPlatformer [118]
December 23 Starsiege: Tribes WINFPS [119]
December 28 Myth II: Soulblighter WINRTT [120]
December 31 Akuji the Heartless PS1Action-adventure[ citation needed ]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 Pocket Monsters: Red / Green / Blue (Pokémon Red / Green / Blue) sold 1,739,391 units. [38] Pocket Monsters: Pikachu (Pokémon Yellow) sold 1,549,000 units. [36]

References

  1. "Why 1998 Was the Best Year in Gaming". GameSpot. Retrieved December 23, 2024.
  2. "ゲームボーイライト" (in Japanese). Nintendo . Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  3. "ゲームボーイカラー" (in Japanese). Nintendo . Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  4. Kent, Steven L. (2001). The Ultimate History of Video Games: The Story Behind the Craze that Touched our Lives and Changed the World. Roseville, California: Prima Publishing. pp. 563–564. ISBN   0-7615-3643-4.
  5. "3rd CESA Awards". Japan Game Awards. 1998. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  6. "1998 Japan Media Arts Festival Awards" (in Japanese). Japan Media Arts Plaza, Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on September 5, 2010. Retrieved March 1, 2009.
  7. "Digitiser's Top Games of 1998". Digitiser . January 15, 1999. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
  8. "File:Edge UK 067.pdf – Retro CDN". retrocdn.net. Archived from the original on June 28, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2017.
  9. "1998 Gamers' Choice Awards". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 117. April 1999. pp. 107–114 [114].
  10. "25 Years Of Game Informer's GOTY Awards". Game Informer. January 2, 2017. Archived from the original on December 30, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  11. GamePro , issue 130 (July 1999), pages 44-46
  12. "GameSpot Console Game of the Year 1998 – Archived from original videogames.com web site". May 8, 1999. Archived from the original on May 8, 1999. Retrieved July 31, 2012.
  13. "Academy of Interactive Arts & Science Game of the Year 1998". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
  14. "Games in 1998". BAFTA. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
  15. "Home Entertainment Awards – Video Games". Entertainment Merchants Association. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved February 5, 2012.
  16. "VSDA Announces Nominations for 1998 Home Entertainment Awards". Video Software Dealers Association . May 12, 1998. Archived from the original on June 13, 1998. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  17. "The Hyper Reader Awards 97-98". Hyper . No. 63. January 1999. pp. 38–41.
  18. 1 2 "1st Annual RPG Awards - 1998". RPGFan. Archived from the original on June 30, 2001. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  19. "GameSpot PC Game of the Year 1998". Gamespot.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  20. 1 2 "第12回 ゲーメスト大賞" [11th Gamest Awards]. Gamest (in Japanese). Vol. 248 (January–February 1999). December 26, 1998. pp. 35–51. alternate url
  21. "1998 OPM Editors' Awards", Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine , volume 2, issue 5, February 1999, pages 92-99
  22. "Best Video Games for 1998". Metacritic. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  23. "Highest-Ranking Games of 1998 (with at least 5 reviews)". GameRankings. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  24. "Highest-Ranking Games of 1998 (with at least 20 reviews)". GameRankings. Archived from the original on October 7, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  25. 1 2 "Best Video Games for 1999". Metacritic. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  26. 1 2 3 "Highest-Ranking Games of 1999 (with at least 10 reviews)". GameRankings. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
  27. "週刊ファミ通クロスレビュープラチナ殿堂入りソフト一覧" [Weekly Famitsu Cross Review Platinum Hall of Fame Software List]. Geimin (in Japanese). Archived from the original on October 27, 2008. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  28. 1 2 3 "Cumulative Production Shipments of Hardware / PlayStation". Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Sony. December 31, 2003. Archived from the original on April 22, 2004. Retrieved December 25, 2021.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Consolidated Sales Transition by Region" (PDF). Nintendo . Nintendo Co., Ltd. September 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 30, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  30. "Game Boy Enjoys Record-Breaking Year" (PDF). GamePro . No. 136. January 2000. p. 34. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 Clements, Matthew T.; Ohashi, Hiroshi (October 2004). "Indirect Network Effects and the Product Cycle: Video Games in the U.S., 1994–2002" (PDF). NET Institute. pp. 12, 24. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  32. 1 2 小川 (Ogawa), 純生 (Sumio) (December 14, 2010). "テレビゲーム機の変遷 —ファミコン、スーパーファミコン、プレステ、プレステ2、Wiiまで—" [Recent Developments in Video Game Technology in Japan — Famicom, Super Famicom, Play Station, Play Station 2 and Wii —](PDF). 経営論集 (Keiei Ronshū) (in Japanese) (77) (published March 2011): 1–17 (2). ISSN   0286-6439. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 25, 2015. Retrieved December 6, 2021 via Toyo University Academic Information Repository (Toyo University).
  33. 1 2 Kohler, Chris (October 21, 2016). Power-Up: How Japanese Video Games Gave the World an Extra Life. Courier Dover Publications. p. 234. ISBN   978-0-486-80149-0. The Game Boy titles Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue were released on September 27, 1998. They became the fastest-selling Game Boy titles ever, selling a combined 200,000 copies in the first two weeks of their availability. By the end of 1998 they had sold four million units in the US alone across three versions. In Japan, across four versions the game had sold nearly 12 million copies.
  34. 1 2 3 "97年9月~98年8月" [1997.09~1998.08]. TV Game Ranking Databook: 1995.9~1998.8 (in Japanese). ベストセラーズ (Bestsellers). December 15, 1998. p. 19. ISBN   978-4-584-16090-9.
  35. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 "High Scores: Top Titles in the Game Industry". Feed Magazine . April 22, 1999. Archived from the original on May 8, 1999.
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "1998年のコンシューマーゲームソフトの売上Top100" [1998 Consumer Game Software Sales: Top 100]. Dengeki Oh (in Japanese). MediaWorks. Archived from the original on September 21, 2001. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  37. 1 2 3 4 "Zelda Breaks All Records". IGN . January 8, 1999. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  38. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "1998 Top 30 Best Selling Japanese Console Games". The Magic Box. Archived from the original on May 9, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  39. 1 2 3 4 5 Müller, Eva; Canibol, Hans-Peter (November 23, 1998). "Die Spaßmaschine". Focus (in German). Archived from the original on December 6, 2018.
  40. 1 2 "Neues aus der Verbandsgeschäftstelle" (Press release) (in German). Paderborn: Verband der Unterhaltungssoftware Deutschland. November 27, 1998. Archived from the original on June 10, 2000.
  41. "Game Search". Game Data Library. Famitsu . Retrieved April 25, 2020.
  42. 1 2 "On Top Of Their Game". Supermarket News. February 8, 1999. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  43. 1 2 "Milia News; ECCSELL Awards Name Winners". GameSpot . February 12, 1999. Archived from the original on August 30, 1999. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  44. 1 2 King, Sharon R. (April 26, 1999). "Mania for 'Pocket Monsters' Yields Billions for Nintendo". The New York Times . Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  45. Lemaire, Oscar. "Animal Crossing New Horizons est le jeu vidéo le plus vendu de l'année 2020 en France en physique" [Animal Crossing New Horizons is the best-selling video game of the year 2020 in France in physical]. Twitter (in French). Ludostrie. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  46. "Top 20 Console Games Ranked by Units Sold, 1998–2013". Screen Australia . Australian Government . Retrieved October 22, 2021.
  47. Akagi, Masumi, ed. (February 1, 1999). ""Tekken 3", "House of the Dead" Top Annual Chart" (PDF). Game Machine . No. 580. Amusement Press, Inc. p. 22.
  48. Stephanie Strom (March 14, 1998). "Sega Enterprises Pulls Its Saturn Video Console From the U.S. Market". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 30, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
  49. Kent, Steven L. (2001). The Ultimate History of Video Games: The Story Behind the Craze that Touched our Lives and Changed the World . Roseville, California: Prima Publishing. p. 558. ISBN   0-7615-3643-4.
  50. "Attendance and Stats". IGN. June 8, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  51. "FuncoLand game store opens at 100 Oaks". The Tennessean . Nashville, Tennessee. November 28, 1998. p. 53 via Newspapers.com.
  52. "Robotron 64 Ships to Retailers". IGN . January 5, 1998. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  53. "Resident Evil 2 (1998)". GameSpot . Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  54. Machi at The Visual Novel Database
  55. "ゼノギアス詳細" (in Japanese). Square Enix . Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  56. "テン・エイティ スノーボーディング" (in Japanese). Nintendo Co., Ltd. Archived from the original on 27 December 2007. Retrieved 24 October 2007.
  57. "ReBoot (1998)". GameSpot . Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  58. "NFS III Update". GameSpot . September 23, 1998. Archived from the original on June 22, 2000. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  59. "PlayStation/鉄拳3-TEKKEN3" (in Japanese). Bandai Namco Entertainment . Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  60. "パラサイト・イヴ [PS] / ファミ通.com". www.famitsu.com. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  61. "StarCraft's 10-Year Anniversary: A Retrospective". Blizzard Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 2, 2008. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  62. サクラ大戦.com ゲームタイトル紹介 – サクラ大戦2~君、死にたもうことなかれ~ (in Japanese). Sakura Wars Portal Site. Archived from the original on July 19, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  63. "Warhammer: Dark Omen for PlayStation (1998)". MobyGames. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  64. "G Darius Releases". MobyGames. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  65. "Puyo Puyo Sun Releases". MobyGames. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  66. "スーパーテンポ [セガサターン] / ファミ通.com". www.famitsu.com. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  67. "The Daily Carrot: Jazz 2 Top Stories". Jazz Jackrabbit. May 7, 1998. Archived from the original on June 28, 1998. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  68. "YEEE-HAWWW!!!!!!!!!!!! REDNECK RAMPAGE RIDES AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!". Interplay Entertainment . May 13, 1998. Archived from the original on July 10, 1998. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  69. Schneider, Peer (May 19, 1998). "World Cup 98 (Preview)". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 16, 2023. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  70. Ocampo, Jason (May 19, 1998). "EA Sports delivers its soccer game based on France 98". Computer Games Strategy Plus . Strategy Plus, Inc. Archived from the original on May 29, 2003. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  71. "Unreal Releases". MobyGames. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  72. Nelson, Randy (June 4, 1998). "Vigilante 8 (PS)". IGN . Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  73. "New Releases". GameSpot. June 5, 1998. Archived from the original on February 21, 2001. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  74. "John Pickford's Biography". www.zee-3.com. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  75. "Banjo-Kazooie". GameSpot . Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  76. Ian Livingstone's Deathtrap Dungeon (Asylum Studios) (Making of / Así se hizo), June 8, 2017, retrieved September 12, 2022
  77. "N2O: Nitrous Oxide". GameSpot . Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  78. "F-Zero X Introduction" (in Japanese). Nintendo. Archived from the original on April 22, 2009. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  79. "Hopkins FBI (PC)". Gry Online (in Polish). Retrieved November 11, 2019.
  80. "ポケモンスタジアム" (in Japanese). Nintendo . Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  81. "『メタルギアソリッド』発売20周年!90年代の世相を内包した『MGS』サーガの再出発を振り返る【特集】" (in Japanese). Game*Spark. September 3, 2018. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  82. 1 2 3 "N64 Games in September". IGN . September 16, 1998. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  83. "Blitz Ships Early". IGN . September 9, 1998. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  84. "Go Get Blitzed!". IGN . September 10, 1998. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  85. "Spyro the Dragon". Insomniac Games website. Archived from the original on June 3, 2004. Retrieved February 24, 2019. Release Date: September 10, 1998
  86. "ポケットモンスターイエロー" (in Japanese). Nintendo . Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  87. "MediEvil". GameSpot . Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  88. "EA Ships NHL 99". IGN . October 1, 1998. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  89. Jason Bates (October 6, 1998). "NFL Blitz". IGN . Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  90. "Star Trek: The Next Generation - Klingon Honor Guard (1998)". MobyGames. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  91. "Turok 2: Seeds of Evil". GameSpot . February 26, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  92. "テトリスデラックス" (in Japanese). Nintendo . Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  93. "ワリオランド2" (in Japanese). Nintendo . Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  94. Evenson, Laura (October 27, 1998). "Fleshing Out an Idea". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2008.
  95. Wyckoff, Richard (May 14, 1999). "Postmortem: DreamWorks Interactive's Trespasser". Game Developer. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  96. Mullen, Micheal (October 26, 1998). "Fallout 2 Ships". GameSpot . Archived from the original on June 10, 2000. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
    "Fallout 2 for Windows 95/98 should show up on retailers' shelves nationwide on Thursday, October 29."
  97. "Fifth Element Review - IGN". May 17, 2024. Archived from the original on May 17, 2024. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  98. "Naughty Dog – 30 Year Timeline". Naughty Dog . Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  99. "NBA Live 99". GameSpot . Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  100. "Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus". GameSpot . December 7, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  101. "NBA Live Ships Early". IGN . November 4, 1998. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  102. "Sin Ships". IGN. November 9, 1998. Archived from the original on April 17, 2000. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  103. "The Elder Scrolls | The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard". Elder Scrolls. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  104. "Half-Life". GameSpot . Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  105. "What's Up?: Wesolych Swiat" (PDF). PC Games (in German). No. 76. January 1999. p. 5. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  106. "Lara Swings for Three". IGN . November 19, 1998. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  107. "ゼルダの伝説 時のオカリナ" (in Japanese). Nintendo . Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  108. "Blood II Bleeds Out to Retailers". GameSpot. November 25, 1998. Archived from the original on June 8, 2000. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  109. Dunkin, Alan (December 1, 1998). "Thief on the Loose". GameSpot . Archived from the original on June 5, 2000. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  110. "ピカチュウげんきでちゅう" (in Japanese). Nintendo . Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  111. "ゼルダの伝説" (in Japanese). Nintendo . Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  112. "マリオパーティ" (in Japanese). Nintendo . Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  113. "ポケモンカードGB" (in Japanese). Nintendo . Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  114. Mullen, Micheal (December 18, 1998). "Playback: Week in Review". GameSpot . Archived from the original on June 13, 2000. Retrieved September 20, 2019. "Starcraft fans have been waiting - and not so patiently - for Blizzard's first expansion pack Brood War[s]. Well, Blizzard announced that the title is on its way to stores nationwide (and we actually received box copies Friday morning to prove it)."
  115. "Baldur's Gate Ships". RPG Vault. December 21, 1998. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  116. "South Park". GameSpot . July 25, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  117. チョコボの不思議なダンジョン 2 (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived from the original on January 4, 2014. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  118. "ドリームキャスト". Sonic Channel (in Japanese). Sega. Archived from the original on December 7, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2019.
  119. "New Releases". GameSpot . December 23, 1998. Archived from the original on June 8, 2000. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  120. Mahin, Bill (March 23, 2000). "Monsters in a Box". Chicago Reader . Retrieved February 24, 2019.