References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here.
A number after the dot gives the page in the source.
Last updated: 2011 November 13.
1992
January
In Las Vegas, Nevada, the Winter Consumer Electronics Show is held. Nintendo announces that a CD-ROM drive for the Super NES will be introduced in January 1993. [639.70] [1134.112]
January 9
Nintendo of America lowers the suggested retail price of the Super Nintendo from US$199.95 to US$179.95. Price of the Game Boy is lowered from US$89.95 to US$79.95. [207.D4]
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show. A scene shows an arcade video game, Larry the Looter. [762]
January
Sega Enterprises lowers the price of the Genesis game system from US$190 to US$149, and includes the game Sonic the Hedgehog. [124.362] (June 1991 [315.42])
Capcom releases the Mega Man IV game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [420.68]
January 24
Hudson releases the Ninja Gaiden video game for the PC Engine in Japan. [1255.81]
Novalogic begins work on Super Mario's Wacky Worlds for the CD-i. (The project is cancelled in June 1993.) [786.60]
February 13
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show. A character refers to a yo-yo as "not much competition for a video game". [763]
February
Konami releases The Legend of the Mystical Ninja video game for the Super NES in the US. [422.74] [1194.84]
Archie Comics magazine debuts the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series. [475.112]
Capcom releases the Mega Man II video game for the Game Boy in the US. [420.71]
February 20
Nintendo asks a United States trade representative to cite Taiwan for failing to stop piracy of video game cartridges, wohich would lead to Taiwan being assessed punitive duties to their exports to the US. [195.D3]
March
Nintendo releases the Dragon Warrior III video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. The game had been previously released in Japan for the Famicom as Dragon Quest III. [298.48]
March 31
Unit sales of Nintendo Game Boy game systems over the past twelve months: about 10.5 million. [271.D4]
April 1
Nintendo releases The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past video game for the Super NES in the US. [304.152] [401] [406.33] [452.9] [453.42] [591.96] [608.101] [637.9] [1159.88] [1161.79] (August [451.9])
April 3
NCS releases the Macross 2036 video game for the PC Engine in Japan. [1255.81]
A United States District Court rules that Accolade infringed Sega Enterprises' copyright in creating Sega Genesis videogame cartridges. This ruling effectively outlaws disassembling computer programs. [37.16] [46]
April 11
Nintendo releases the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in the UK. Price is 149 pounds. [1340.22]
April 12
The jury of a Federal District Court in Los Angeles, California, finds Sega Enterprises guilty of infringing an American inventor's patent, ordering US$33 million paid. The jury finds that the infringement was intentional, so the judge can triple the fine. The inventor's attorney will seek an order barring the sale of video games by Sega. [196.D4]
April
Nintendo drops the price os the Nintendo Entertainment System in the UK to 49.99 pounds. [1340.22]
Konami releases the Contra III: The Alien Wars game for the Super NES in the US. [304.142] [1159.94]
T&E Soft releases the True Golf Classics: Pebble Beach video game for the Super NES in the USA. [1159.101]
April 23
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show. A convenience store includes two arcade video game systems. [764]
April 24
Hudson releases the Star Parodia video game for the PC Engine in Japan. [1255.81]
May 1
In the lawsuit of Atari versus Nintendo, a jury in a San Francisco courtroom finds that Nintendo's licensing program had not hurt Atari. The jury concludes that Nintendo did not try to monopolize the video game market. However, the jury is deadlocked on the issues of illegal maintenance of a monopoly and unfair restraint of trade. [124.417] [197.42] [1094.28]
Nintendo announces a reduction of the price of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [124.418]
May 7
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show. A character says "Let's go to the arcade". [765]
May 14
Federal District Court Judge Fern Smith drops the remaining charges by Atari against Nintendo, based on the jury's finding that Atari did not suffer from Nintendo's licensing practices, and that it was not proven that Nintendo intended to monopolize the video game market. [124.417] [198.40]
May
The US Court of Appeals upholds the July 1991 decision in favor of Lewis Galoob Toys against Nintendo over the alleged infringement of the Game Genie on Nintendo copyrights. [201.D3]
Production begins on a Super Mario feature film, starring Bob Hoskins (Mario) and Dennis Hopper (King Koopa). [124.193]
Absolute releases the Race America video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [514.28]
Atlus releases the Wacky Races video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [514.28]
Mindscape releases the Roundball: 2 on 2 Challenge video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [514.28]
May 20
Sega of America announces a partnership with Sony Electronic Publishing to develop video games on compact disks. Sega plans to introduce in November a CD-ROM player for the Sega Genesis game system, for US$299. [199.D5]
May 28
The Summer Consumer Electronics Show is held in Chicago, Illinois, over four days.
Nintendo has a 76,000 square foot booth, the largest in the history of the trade show.
Nintendo announces it will sell the Super Nintendo system with one controller for US$99.95 in the US, or US$149.95 with 2 controller and Super Mario World.
Sega announces a price drop of the Genesis to US$99.99 with one controller, and the GameGear to US$99.99.
Turbo Technologies drops the price of the TurboGrafx-16 to US$69.99 or $99.99 including Bonk's Revenge and Keith Courage.
[710.58] [711.13.24] [1347.102]
June 10
Capcom releases the Street Fighter II Championship Edition arcade video game in the US. [715.93] [1167.36]
June
Konami releases the King's Quest V video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [719.92]
Nintendo announces it will release a CD-ROM drive for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993. [124.383]
June 22
Data West releases the Rayxanber III video game for the PC Engine in Japan. [1255.80]
June 24
At a meeting in Sony headquarters in Japan, president Norio Ohga decides to break from making a Nintendo-compatible 16-bit machine, and "chart our own course". [1298.128]
(month unknown)
Midway releases the Super Spy Hunter video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System. [397.59]
Capcom releases the Darkwing Duck video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [715.93]
Capcom releases the Gargoyle's Quest II video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [715.93]
Capcom releases the G.I. Joe: The Atlantis Factor video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [715.93]
Capcom releases the Gold Medal Challenge video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [715.93]
Capcom releases the Mega Man 4 video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [715.93]
Capcom releases the Mega Man 2 video game for the Game Boy in the US. [715.93]
Capcom releases the Snow Bros. Jr. video game for the Game Boy in the US. [715.93]
Capcom releases the Magic Sword video game for the Super NES in the US. [715.93]
Capcom releases the Super Buster Bros. video game for the Super NES in the US. [715.93]
Watara releases the SuperVision handheld video game system. It features 160x160 pixel screen, four green shades, 4 MHz 65C02 proc Price in the USA is US$44.95, with games costing about US$15 each. [1091.92] [1139.90]
Atari officially retires the Atari 2600 video game system. [1180.29] [1362.25]
July 2
Atari withdraws its appeal of the verdict in the antitrust case against Nintendo. Nintendo agrees not to persue legal costs from Atari. [200.D3]
July 7
Federal District Court Judge Fern Smith awards Lewis Galoob Toys US$15 million against Nintendo regarding the Game Genie Video Game Enhancer. [201.D3]
July 10
Hudson releases the Soldier Blade video game for the PC Engine in Japan. [1255.81]
July
Nintendo cuts the price of the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US to US$99, but no longer includes a game cartridge. [334.34]
Capcom releases the Street Fighter II: The World Warrior video game for the Super NES in the USA. Price is US$70. (1.5 million copies are sold in the first six months.) [234.D6] [328.56] [458.29] [664.48] [715.93] [1159.94] [1347.52]
Capcom releases the Street Fighter II video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the USA. [334.34]
(month unknown)
Tandy introduces the Video Information System (VIS) multimedia player. It features CD-ROM drive, CD audio player, infrared remote controller, and audio/video output to a television set. Microsoft announces it is developing a ROM version of Modular Windows for it. Tandy will license the VIS format to other drive manufacturers. VIS players by Zenith and Radio Shack are expected to be priced at about US$700. [647.40]
Interplay releases the Mario Teaches Typing software for MS-DOS personal computers. It includes Nintendo characters Mario, Luigi, and Princess Toadstool. [523.139] [530.29]
August 1
Nintendo releases the Mario Paint video game and mouse controller for the Super NES in the USA. [401] [1159.92] [1161.79] (May [871.38])
August 9
Midway Amusement Games releases the Mortal Kombat video game Version 1.0 to arcades in the US. [460.76] [808]
August
Tecmo releases the Tecmo Bowl video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the USA. [1159.92]
Nintendo releases the Kirby's Dream Land video game for the Game Boy in the USA. [1161.79]
Konami releases the TMNT IV: Turtles in Time for the Super NES in the USA. [1159.99]
August 18
Midway Amusement Games releases the Mortal Kombat video game Version 2.0 to arcades in the US. [808]
August 28
A US Court of Appeals reverses the decision in Sega Enterprises versus Accolade, which was ruled in Sega's favor in April. The new ruling in the game cartridge copyright infringement suit accepts Accolade's claim of "fair use" of Sega's copyrighted games, to learn how to create other games for the Sega game console, which were then created without knowledge of the disassembled object code. This ruling allows software developers to learn from hidden software interfaces, when no other means is available. [46]
August 31
Midway Amusement Games releases the Mortal Kombat video game Version 3.0 to arcades in the US. [808]
September 1
Nintendo releases the Super Mario Kart game for the Super NES in the US. [304.142] [401] [458.41] [871.38] [1159.92] [1348.135]
September 13
A US Court of Appeals rules that reverse engineering is a legitimate business practice. The ruling comes in the Nintendo versus Atari copyright infringement case. The court rules, however, that Atari had infringed Nintendo copyrights for other reasons. [203.D3]
September
Tengen loses its appeal against Nintendo, and has to recall its game cartridges for the Nintendo Entertainment System. [124.259]
Nintendo loses an appeal against the decision allowing Lewis Galoob Toys to manufacture and sell the Game Genie. [124.288]
Konami releases the Axelay video game for the Super NES in the US. [972.94]
Capcom releases the Bionic Commando video game for the GameBoy. [1348.121]
Nintendo releases The Super Scope light gun controller for the Super NES in the USA. [1161.79]
Namco releases the Wings 2: Aces High video game for the Super NES in the USA. [1135.116]
September 21
In Tokyo, Japan, Jeff Hansen of the US defeats Yuichi Suyama of Japan to become the World Nintendo Champion. [714.7]
September 27
Enix releases the Dragon Quest V game for the Super Famicom in Japan. (2.8 million copies are sold over its lifetime.) [298.48,51]
September 28
Midway Amusement Games releases the Mortal Kombat video game Version 4.0 to arcades in the US. [808]
October 1
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A character is playing a handheld video game strongly resembling a Nintendo Game Boy. [774]
October 5
Nintendo releases the Final Fantasy Mystic Quest for the Super NES in the US. [869.19]
October 10
Nintendo releases the Metroid II: The Return of Samus video game for the Game Boy. [779.25] (1991 [359.134])
Turbo Technologies releases the TurboDuo in Los Angeles and New York, for US$299.99, including Bonk's Adventure, Bonk's Revenge, Gate of Thunder, Ys Book I and II. [674.38] [1348.96]
October 13
Nintendo and Sony reach an agreement on a standard for CD-ROM players for a new video game system that can play Super NES cartridges and CD-ROMs. Nintendo will license all game software, and Sony will license, through Nintendo, all other software types. [124.387] [204.D14] [325.88]
October
Acclaim releases the Double Dragon III video game for the GameBoy. [1348.122]
Nintendo releases the Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the USA. [1159.92] [1161.79]
Tradewest releases the Super Double Dragon for the Super Nintendo in the USA. [1347.55]
Enix releases the Dragon Warrior IV video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super NES in the US. The game had been previously released in Japan for the Famicom as Dragon Quest IV. [296.106] [298.48] [715.93] [1159.99] [1348.134]
Nintendo announces that it plans to unveil a 32-bit CD-based video game player in August 1993. [325.88]
October 20
The US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decides to dismiss the appeal by Sega to review the August 28 ruling in favor of Accolade. [537.12]
November 8
Sega of America releases the Sega CD Multimedia Entertainment System, with a CD player, for US$299. The unit is an add-on product for the Genesis system. It features MC68000 processor, two music CDs, and 2 game discs, including Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective, Columns, Golden Axe, Revenge of Shinobi, Streets of Rage, and Super Monaco GP1. [124.384] [233.D5] [325.87] [332.28] [333.36] [432.44] [674.38] [1348.58] (October 15 [1362.25])
November 12
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. One scene shows children playing in a video game arcade. [775]
November
Hudson Soft releases the Felix the Cat video game for the NES in the USA. [1135.116]
Interplay releases the Out of this World video game for the Super NES in the USA. [972.94]
Nintendo releases the Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins video game for the Game Boy in the USA. (Total sales: 11.09 million.) [412.24] [453.42] [1161.79]
November 24
Sega releases the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 game for the Genesis and Game Gear game systems. Sega calls the day "Sonic 2sday". [304.132] [396.24] [779.38] [1314.31] [1348.128]
December 2
The US Federal Trade Commission announces it is closing the case of its two-year investigation of Nintendo, with no further action being warranted. [124.420] [205.D4]
December 3
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the US. A character says "Ms. Pacman struck a blow for women's rights" (in the spring of 1983). A flashback scene shows kids playing "early" arcade video games: Mumblity Peg, Stickball, and Kick the Can. [776]
December 11
Naxat releases the Nexzr video game for the PC Engine in Japan. [1255.80]
December
Square releases the Final Fantasy V video game for the Super Famicom in Japan. (Total sales over its lifetime: 2.5 million.) [556.99]
Capcom releases The Magical Quest Starring Mickey Mouse video game for the Super NES in the USA. [712.8] [715.93] [1159.99]
Capcom releases the Mega Man V video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. [420.69]
Capcom releases the Mega Man III video game for the Game Boy in the US. [420.71]
December 31
Unit sales of Nintendo Game Boy game systems worldwide to date: 32.2 million. [124.340,419]
Unit sales of Nintendo Entertainment Systems worldwide to date: 64.2 million. [124.416]
Unit sales of Super Nintendo Entertainment System game systems worldwide to date: 17.8 million. [124.419]
Year
Unit sales of Nintendo Game Boy systems in Europe during the year: 6 million. [124.416]
Unit sales of Nintendo Entertainment Systems in Europe during the year: 3.5 million. [124.416]
Unit sales of video game machines in the US during the year: 27 million. [43.51] [353.24]
During the year, 170 million game cartridges for the Nintendo Entertainment System are sold, worth about US$7 billion. [124.7]
Unit sales of Sonic The Hedgehog 2 video game during the year: 2 million. [332.28]
Unit sales of Street Fighter II video game during the year: 1 million. [332.28]
Unit sales of The Legend of Zelda video game during the year: 1 million. [332.28]
Market share of US video game industry: Nintendo 52%, Sega 38%. [349.35]
