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.
1998
January
Sega announces it will launch a new home video game system in the US in 1999, code-named Kitana. (Release name will be Dreamcast.) [674.45]
In Redmond, Washington, Digipen Institute of Technology opens, offering degree programs in Real-Time Interactive Simulations. [960.8] (February [473.235])
January 20
Midway Amusement Games releases the Mortal Kombat 4 video game Version 3.0 to arcades in the US. [808]
January 21
Capcom releases the Resident Evil 2 game for the PlayStation and Nintendo 64 in the US. [304.134] [577.102] [628.60] [740.88] [834.17] [1372.99] (December 1997 [411])
January 29
Square releases the Final Fantasy Tactics video game for the PlayStation in the US. [304.118,142] [628.60] [740.86] (January 20 [869.19]) (January 28 [1372.99])
(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]
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: 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]
Namco releases the Tekken 3 video game for the PlayStation in the US. [1372.99]
(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])
Nintendo introduces the Pocket Pikachi video game in Japan. [1262.33]
March 18
Sony releases the black and white diamond pattered Dual Shock controller for the PlayStation in Japan. [545.26]
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
Nintendo releases the 1080-degree Snowboarding video game for the Nintendo 64 in the US. [545.30]
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] (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] (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]
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]
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] (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])
(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 Sega Channel service is terminated. [611.28]
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]
Namco releases the Tekken 3 video game for the PlayStation in the US. [545.74] [628.60] [740.86]
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 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 Part 3 video game for the Saturn in Japan. [577.61]
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. [546.34] [595.141] [1372.98] (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]
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 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 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 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] [483.69] [546.28,62] [991.240] [1372.99]
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 23
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]
November
Nintendo releases the Tetris DX video game for the Game Boy Color. [474.92]
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]
Sega releases the Virtua Fighter 3TB video game for the Dreamcast in Japan. [406.60] [474.52,70] [1151.60]
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 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]
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]
