1998 in video games

1998 saw many sequels and prequels in video games, such as Crash Bandicoot: Warped, F-Zero X, Fallout 2, Gex: Enter the Gecko, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes, Metal Gear Solid, Panzer Dragoon Saga, Resident Evil 2, Return to Krondor, Sonic Adventure, Soulcalibur, Street Fighter Alpha 3, and Tomb Raider III, along with new titles such as Banjo-Kazooie, Dance Dance Revolution, Half-Life, MediEvil, Parasite Eve, 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.

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
ArcadeArcade video gameDCDreamcastGBGame Boy
GBCGame Boy ColorGENSega Genesis / Mega DriveMACClassic Mac OS, 2001 and before
N64Nintendo 64, iQue PlayerNEONeo Geo AESNEOCDNeo Geo CD
NESNintendo Entertainment System / FamicomPS1PlayStation 1SATSega Saturn
SNESSuper Nintendo / Super
Famicom / Super Comboy
WINMicrosoft Windows, all
versions Windows 95 and up
Genre notes
ActionAction gameAction RPGAction role-playing gameAction-adventureAction-adventure game
AdventureAdventure gameBusiness SimTerm not foundCity builderCity-building game
Dating simDating simDCCGDigital collectible card gameFightingFighting game
FPSFirst-person shooterMusicMusic video gamePlatformerPlatformer
PuzzlePuzzle video gameRacingRacing gameRhythmRhythm game
RoguelikeRoguelikeRPGRole-playing video gameRTSReal-time strategy
RTTReal-time tacticsSportsSports video gameStealthStealth game
StrategyStrategy video gameTactical RPGTactical role-playing gameTPSThird-person shooter
Virtual petPet-raising simulationVisual novelVisual novel

Hardware releases

Dreamcast
DateSystem
April 14Game Boy LightJP[2]
October 21Game Boy ColorJP[3]
November 18Game Boy ColorNA
November 23Game Boy ColorEU
November 27DreamcastJP[4]

Top-rated games

Game of the Year awards

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

AwardsGame of the YearPlatform(s)Publisher(s)GenreRef
CESA AwardsThe Legend of Zelda: Toki no Ocarina
(Ocarina of Time)
N64NintendoAction-adventure[5]
Japan Media Arts Festival[6]
DigitiserThe 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 AwardsGoldenEye 007N64NintendoFPS[14]
Video Software Dealers Association[15][16]
HyperFinal Fantasy VIIPS1, WINSony, EidosRPG[17]
RPGFan[18]
GameSpotGrim FandangoWINLucasArtsAdventure[19]
Gamest AwardsPsychic Force 2012ArcadeTaitoFighting[20]
Official U.S. PlayStation MagazineMetal Gear SolidPS1KonamiStealth[21]
RPGFanLunar 2: Eternal BlueSATGame ArtsRPG[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 TimeNintendoNovember 21, 1998N6499/10097.54%
Tekken 3NamcoMarch 26, 1998PS196/10095.8%
Half-LifeSierra EntertainmentNovember 19, 1998WIN96/10094.02%
Metal Gear SolidKonamiSeptember 3, 1998PS194/10093.24%
Grim FandangoLucasArtsOctober 30, 1998WIN94/10092.97%
Resident Evil 2CapcomJanuary 21, 1998PS189/10093.13%
Street Fighter Alpha 3CapcomDecember 23, 1998PS193/100[25]90.28%[26]
StarCraftBlizzard EntertainmentMarch 31, 1998WIN88/10092.85%
Panzer Dragoon SagaSegaJanuary 29, 1998SAT92.46%
Banjo-KazooieNintendoJune 29, 1998N6492/10092.38%
Thief: The Dark ProjectEidos InteractiveDecember 1, 1998WIN92/10089.41%
Baldur's GateInterplay EntertainmentDecember 21, 1998WIN91/10091.94%
The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DXNintendoDecember 12, 1998GBC91.21%
International Superstar Soccer 98KonamiJune 4, 1998N6491/10089.15%
Crash Bandicoot: WarpedSony Computer EntertainmentOctober 31, 1998PS191/10089.07%
XenogearsSquareFebruary 11, 1998PS184/10090.99%
Oddworld: Abe's ExoddusGT InteractiveNovember 17, 1998PS188/10090.42%
NFL BlitzMidway GamesSeptember 12, 1998PS190.13%
NFL BlitzMidway GamesSeptember 9, 1998N6490.02%
1080° SnowboardingNintendoFebruary 28, 1998N6489.60%
BattlezoneActivisionMarch 11, 1998WIN89.03%
Railroad Tycoon IIGathering of DevelopersNovember 2, 1998WIN89/10083.15%
Turok 2: Seeds of EvilAcclaim EntertainmentDecember 10, 1998N6486/10088.96%
FIFA 99EA SportsOctober 31, 1998WIN88.87%
Caesar IIISierra EntertainmentSeptember 30, 1998WIN88.6%
UnrealGT InteractiveMay 22, 1998WIN88.58%
NBA Live 99EA SportsNovember 10, 1998PS188.39%
R4: Ridge Racer Type 4NamcoDecember 3, 1998PS188/100[25]88.16%[26]
NHL 99EA SportsSeptember 30, 1998WIN88.11%
Wario Land IINintendoMarch 7, 1998GBC88.04%[26]
Myth II: SoulblighterBungieDecember 28, 1998WIN88/10086.39%
Need for Speed III: Hot PursuitElectronic ArtsMarch 25, 1998PS188/10085.63%
Starsiege: TribesSierra EntertainmentDecember 23, 1998WIN88/10084.77%
Shogo: Mobile Armor DivisionMonolith ProductionsOctober 15, 1998WIN88/10081.6%
FIFA 99EA SportsOctober 31, 1998PS187.95%
F-Zero XNintendoJuly 14, 1998N6485/10087.61%
Madden NFL 99EA SportsSeptember 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)N64NintendoAction-adventure40
Tekken 3PS1NamcoFighting39
Sonic AdventureDCSegaPlatformer38
Biohazard 2 (Resident Evil 2)PS1CapcomSurvival horror37
Metal Gear SolidPS1KonamiStealth37
Virtua Fighter 3tbDCSegaFighting36
Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG (Panzer Dragon Saga)SATSegaRPG35
Neo AtlasPS1ArtdinkStrategy35
Shiritsu Justice Gakuen: Legion of Heroes (Rival Schools)PS1CapcomFighting35
Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry no WonderlandGBCEnixRPG35
BeatmaniaPS1KonamiRhythm35
R4: Ridge Racer Type 4PS1NamcoRacing35
Crash Bandicoot 3 (Warped)PS1SonyPlatformer35
Street Fighter Zero 3 (Street Fighter Alpha 3)PS1CapcomFighting35

Financial performance

Best-selling video game consoles

RankManufacturerPlatformTypeGenerationSales
JapanUnited StatesWorldwide
1SonyPS1Home32-bit4,660,000[28]9,130,000[28]22,500,000[28]
2NintendoGB / GBCHandheld8-bit4,730,000[29]2,430,000[30]12,990,000[29]
3NintendoN64Home64-bit1,210,000[29]3,881,000[31]7,860,000[29]
4NintendoSNESHome16-bit50,000[29]200,000[31]1,430,000[29]
5SegaDCHome128-bit900,000[32]900,000
6SegaGENHome16-bit659,000[31]659,000+
7SegaSATHome32-bit150,000[32]55,000[31]205,000+
8NintendoNESHome8-bit50,000[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
JapanUnited StatesGermanyCombined
1Pokémon Red / Green / Blue / PikachuGB3,288,391[a]4,000,000[33]7,288,391
2Resident Evil 2 (Biohazard 2)PS12,298,814[34]1,194,840[35]Unknown3,493,654+
3The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeN64920,000[36]2,500,000[37]Unknown3,420,000+
4Gran TurismoPS11,495,761[38]1,431,483[35]270,000+[39]3,197,244+
5Tekken 3PS11,266,000[38]1,113,749[35]100,000+[40]2,479,749+
6GoldenEye 007N64< 17,676[41]2,300,000[42]Unknown2,300,000+
7Metal Gear SolidPS1765,000[36]1,064,909[35]1,829,909
8Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry no WonderlandGBC1,660,000[36]1,660,000
9Crash Bandicoot: Warped (Crash Bandicoot 3)PS1649,000[36]858,726[35]Unknown1,507,726+
10Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes BackPS1395,884[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 StatesEurope[43]CombinedInflation
1The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeN64$150,000,000[37]€39,000,000+ ($44,000,000+)$194,000,000+$370,000,000+
2Gran TurismoPS1$58,568,520[35]€66,000,000+ ($74,000,000+)$132,568,520+$255,745,191+
3Resident Evil 2PS1$58,597,202[35]€29,000,000+ ($33,000,000+)$91,597,202+$176,705,178+
4GoldenEye 007N64$70,377,973+[35]€19,000,000+ ($21,000,000+)$91,377,973+$176,282,251+
5Tekken 3PS1$48,554,550[35]€36,000,000+ ($40,000,000+)$88,554,550+$170,835,431+
6Banjo-KazooieN64$51,790,624[35]€26,000,000+ ($29,000,000+)$80,790,624+$155,857,617+
7Tomb Raider IIIUnknown€68,000,000+ ($74,000,000+)$74,000,000+$143,000,000+
8Pokémon Red / BlueGB$70,000,000+[44]$70,000,000+$135,000,000+
9Super Mario 64N64$39,184,953[35]€21,000,000+ ($24,000,000+)$63,184,953+$121,893,553+
10FIFA 99Unknown€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
1Pocket Monsters: Red / Green / Blue / Pikachu (Pokémon)GBNintendoRPG3,288,391[a]
2Biohazard 2 (Resident Evil 2)PS1CapcomSurvival horror2,298,814+[34]
3Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry no WonderlandGBCEnixRPG1,660,000[36]
4Gran TurismoPS1SonyRacing (Sim)1,495,761[38]
5Tekken 3PS1NamcoFighting1,266,000
6Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel MonstersPS1KonamiDCCG1,175,000[36]
7Parasite EvePS1SquaresoftHorror1,049,000
8Tales of DestinyPS1NamcoAction RPG965,280+[34]
9The Legend of Zelda: Toki no Ocarina (Ocarina of Time)N64NintendoAction-adventure920,000[36]
10XenogearsPS1SquaresoftRPG892,015[38]

United States

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

RankTitlePlatformPublisherGenreSalesRevenueInflation
1Pokémon Red / BlueGBNintendoRPG4,000,000[33]$70,000,000+[44]$135,000,000+
2The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeN64NintendoAction-adventure2,500,000[37]$150,000,000[37]$290,000,000
3GoldenEye 007N64NintendoFPS2,300,000[42]$70,377,973+[35]$135,770,001+
4Gran TurismoPS1SonyRacing (Sim)1,431,483[35]$58,568,520[35]$112,987,739
5Resident Evil 2PS1CapcomSurvival horror1,194,840[35]$58,597,202[35]$113,043,071
6Tekken 3PS1NamcoFighting1,113,749[35]$48,554,550[35]$93,669,241
7Madden NFL 99PS1EA SportsSports1,073,777[35]$44,130,798[35]$85,135,139
8Metal Gear SolidPS1KonamiStealth1,064,909[35]$51,834,077[35]$99,995,956
9Banjo-KazooieN64NintendoPlatformer1,054,349[35]$51,790,624[35]$99,912,129
10Super Mario 64N64NintendoPlatformer946,411[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]FranceGermany
Sales revenueInflationRankSales
1Tomb Raider III€68,000,000+ ($74,000,000+)$140,000,000+UnknownUnknown
2Gran TurismoPS1€66,000,000+ ($74,000,000+)$140,000,000+1[45]270,000+[39]
3FIFA 99€50,000,000+ ($56,000,000+)$108,000,000+UnknownUnknown
4World Cup 98€48,000,000+ ($54,000,000+)$104,000,000+Unknown339,000+[39]
5The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeN64€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]
7FIFA: Road to World Cup 98€37,000,000+ ($41,000,000+)$79,000,000+Unknown160,000+[39]
8Tekken 3PS1€36,000,000+ ($40,000,000+)$77,000,000+Unknown100,000+[40]
9Colin McRae Rally€30,000,000+ ($34,000,000+)$66,000,000+Unknown
10Resident Evil 2PS1€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
1GoldenEye 007N64RareNintendoFPS
2Gran TurismoPS1Polys EntertainmentSonyRacing (Sim)
3Banjo-KazooieN64RareNintendoPlatformer
4Crash Bandicoot (Platinum)PS1Naughty DogSony
5Mario Kart 64N64Nintendo EADNintendoRacing (Kart)
6Super Mario 64N64Nintendo EADNintendoPlatformer
7The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeN64Nintendo EADNintendoAction-adventure
8Croc: Legend of the GobbosPS1Argonaut SoftwareFox InteractivePlatformer
9Yoshi's StoryN64Nintendo EADNintendo
10Tekken 2 (Platinum)PS1NamcoSonyFighting

Highest-grossing arcade games in Japan

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

RankGamest[20]Game Machine[47]
TitleManufacturerTitleTypePoints
1Tekken 3NamcoTekken 3Software4561
2Street Fighter Zero 3 (Street Fighter Alpha 3)CapcomVirtua Striker 2 / Ver. 98Software4366
3Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super HeroesCapcomPrint Club 2Other3534
4The King of Fighters '98SNKThe House of the DeadDedicated3334
5Virtua Fighter 3 Team Battle (Virtua Fighter 3tb)SegaVirtua Fighter 3 Team BattleDedicated2936
6The King of Fighters '97SNKSega Bass Fishing (Get Bass)Dedicated2931
7Virtua Striker 2SegaThe Lost World: Jurassic ParkDedicated2719
8Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio TangramSegaStrikers 1945 IISoftware2622
9Street Fighter EX2CapcomFinal FurlongDedicated2414
10Virtua Striker 2 Ver. 98SegaThe King of Fighters '97Software2377

Events

Business

Games released in 1998

Release dateTitlePlatformsGenresRef
January 5Robotron 64N64Shoot 'em up[52]
January 8No One Can Stop Mr. Domino!PS1Puzzle[citation needed]
January 12Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super HeroesArcadeFighting[citation needed]
January 21Resident Evil 2PS1Survival horror[53]
January 22MachiSATVisual novel[54]
January 29Bomberman WorldPS1Action, maze[citation needed]
January 29Bust a GroovePS1Music, Fighting[citation needed]
January 29Panzer Dragoon SagaSATAction-adventure, RPG[citation needed]
February 6SkullmonkeysPS1Platformer[citation needed]
February 9James Bond 007GBAction-adventure[citation needed]
February 11XenogearsPS1RPG[55]
February 23Metal Slug 2ArcadeRun and gun[citation needed]
February 24Gex: Enter the GeckoPS1Platformer[citation needed]
February 26Burning RangersSATAction, TPS[citation needed]
February 26Tenchu: Stealth AssassinsPS1Action-adventure, Stealth[citation needed]
February 26X-Men vs. Street Fighter: EX EditionPS1Fighting[citation needed]
February 281080° SnowboardingN64Racing[56]
February 28BattlezoneWINFPS, RTS[citation needed]
February 28ReBootPS1Action[57]
February 28Star Wars: RebellionWINRTS[citation needed]
March 9Wario Land IIGBPlatformer[citation needed]
March 20Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The NewcomersArcadeFighting[citation needed]
March 25Need for Speed III: Hot PursuitPS1, WINRacing[58]
March 26Dungeon Master NexusSATRPG[citation needed]
March 26The House of the DeadSATRail shooter[citation needed]
March 26The King of Fighters '97SATFighting[citation needed]
March 26Tekken 3PS1Fighting[59]
March 29Parasite EvePS1Action RPG[60]
March 31BlastoPS1TPS[citation needed]
March 31StarCraftWINRTS[61]
March 31Warhammer: Dark OmenWINRTT[citation needed]
April 4Sakura Wars 2: Thou Shalt Not DieSATTactical RPG, Dating sim, Visual novel[62]
April 7Warhammer: Dark OmenPS1RTT[63]
April 9G-DariusPS1Shoot 'em up[64]
April 14GT 64: Championship EditionN64Racing[citation needed]
April 17Puyo Puyo SunWINPuzzle[65]
April 29Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The NewcomersNEOFighting[citation needed]
April 29Shining Force III Scenario 2 – Target: Child of GodSATTactical RPG[citation needed]
April 29Super TempoSATPlatformer[66]
April 30Bomberman HeroN64Platformer[citation needed]
April 30Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of HeavenWINRPG[citation needed]
May 7Jazz Jackrabbit 2WINPlatformer[67]
May 13Redneck Rampage Rides AgainWINFPS[68]
May 19World Cup 98PS1, WIN, N64Sports (soccer)[69][70]
May 21BaroqueSATRPG[citation needed]
May 22UnrealWINFPS[71]
May 28Radiant SilvergunArcadeShoot 'em up[citation needed]
May 28The King of Fighters '97PS1Fighting[citation needed]
June 4Atelier Marie PlusPS1RPG[citation needed]
June 4International Superstar Soccer 98N64Sports (soccer)[citation needed]
June 4Vigilante 8PS1Vehicular combat[72]
June 5Descent: FreeSpace – The Great WarWINSpace combat simulation[73]
June 11Super Gem Fighter Mini MixPS1Fighting[citation needed]
June 12WetrixN64Puzzle[74]
June 24Commandos: Behind Enemy LinesWINRTT[citation needed]
June 25Castlevania: Symphony of the NightSATAction-adventure[citation needed]
June 29Banjo-KazooieN64Platformer[75]
June 29Street Fighter Alpha 3ArcadeFighting[citation needed]
June 30Deathtrap DungeonWINAction-adventure[76]
June 30Deep FearSATSurvival horror[citation needed]
June 30N2O: Nitrous OxidePS1Shoot 'em up[77]
July 4Heart of DarknessPS1Platformer[citation needed]
July 9Super Gem Fighter Mini MixSATFighting[citation needed]
July 14F-Zero XN64Racing[78]
July 14WWF War ZonePS1Sports (wrestling)[citation needed]
July 16Brave Fencer MusashiPS1Action RPG[citation needed]
July 16Hopkins FBIWINAdventure[79]
July 23The King of Fighters '98ArcadeFighting[citation needed]
July 23Radiant SilvergunSATShoot 'em up[citation needed]
July 23Real Bout Fatal Fury 2: The NewcomersNEOCDFighting[citation needed]
July 30SoulcaliburArcadeFighting[citation needed]
July 30Star Ocean: The Second StoryPS1Action RPG[citation needed]
July 31Urban AssaultWINFPS, RTS[citation needed]
July 31F-1 World Grand PrixN64Racing[citation needed]
July 31Heart of DarknessWINPlatformer[citation needed]
July 31Iggy's Reckin' BallsN64Racing[citation needed]
August 1Gex: Enter the GeckoN64Platformer[citation needed]
August 1Pokémon StadiumN64RPG[80]
August 6Resident Evil: Director's Cut – Dual Shock VersionPS1Survival horror[citation needed]
August 6WachenröderSATTactical RPG[citation needed]
August 11WWF War ZoneN64Sports (wrestling)[citation needed]
August 21Tom Clancy's Rainbow SixWINTactical shooter[citation needed]
August 25Madden NFL 99PS1Sports (football)[citation needed]
August 27Black/MatrixSATTactical RPG[citation needed]
September 3Metal Gear SolidPS1Action-adventure, Stealth[81]
September 9NASCAR 99N64Racing[82]
September 9NFL BlitzN64Sports (football)[83][82]
September 10NFL BlitzPS1Sports (football)[84]
September 10Spyro the DragonPS1Platformer[85]
September 12Pokémon YellowGBRPG[86]
September 17SuikodenSATRPG[citation needed]
September 23Digital Monster Version S: Digimon TamersSATVirtual pet[citation needed]
September 23Madden NFL 99N64Sports (football)[82]
September 23Shining Force III Scenario 3 – Bulzome RisingSATTactical RPG[citation needed]
September 25Dragon Warrior MonstersGBCRPG[citation needed]
September 26Dance Dance RevolutionArcadeMusic[citation needed]
September 30Body HarvestN64Action-adventure[citation needed]
September 30Caesar IIIWINCity builder[citation needed]
September 30Delta ForceWINTactical shooter[citation needed]
September 30Gex: Enter the GeckoWINPlatformer[citation needed]
September 30NHL 99PS1, WINSports (hockey)[citation needed]
September 30Rogue Trip: Vacation 2012PS1Vehicular combat[citation needed]
September 30Shogo: Mobile Armor DivisionWINFPS[citation needed]
October 1MediEvilPS1Action-adventure[87]
October 1NHL 99N64Sports (hockey)[88]
October 2NFL BlitzWINSports (football)[89]
October 12Need for Speed III: Hot PursuitWINRacing[citation needed]
October 14Star Trek: The Next Generation: Klingon Honor GuardWIN, MACFPS[90]
October 21Turok 2: Seeds of EvilN64FPS[91]
October 21Tetris DXGBCPuzzle[92]
October 21Wario Land IIGBCPlatformer[93]
October 22Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street FighterSATFighting[citation needed]
October 28Grim FandangoWINAdventure[94]
October 28TrespasserWINAction-adventure[95]
October 29Fallout 2WINRPG[96]
October 30The Fifth ElementWIN, PS1Action-adventure[97]
October 31Age of Empires: The Rise of RomeWINRTS[citation needed]
October 31ApocalypsePS1TPS[citation needed]
October 31CentipedeWINShoot 'em up[citation needed]
October 31Crash Bandicoot: WarpedPS1Platformer[98]
October 31FIFA 99WINSports (soccer)[citation needed]
October 31GloverN64, WINPlatformer[citation needed]
October 31Heretic IIWINAction-adventure[citation needed]
October 31NBA Live 99PS1, WINSports (basketball)[99]
October 31Oddworld: Abe's ExoddusPS1, WINPlatformer[100]
October 31Railroad Tycoon IIWINBusiness Sim[citation needed]
November 1Red Comrades Save the GalaxyWINAdventure[citation needed]
November 4NBA Live 99N64Sports (basketball)[101]
November 5Nancy Drew: Secrets Can KillWINAdventure[citation needed]
November 9SiNWINFPS[102]
November 10Rush 2: Extreme Racing USAN64Racing[citation needed]
November 11Sonic RWINRacing[citation needed]
November 14The Elder Scrolls Adventures: RedguardWINAction-adventure[103]
November 19Half-LifeWINFPS[104]
November 20The Settlers IIIWINRTS, City builder[105]
November 20Tomb Raider IIIPS1, WINAction-adventure[106]
November 21The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of TimeN64Action-adventure[107]
November 25Blood II: The ChosenWINFPS[108]
November 27Puyo Puyo SunGBCPuzzle[citation needed]
November 30FIFA 99PS1, N64Sports (soccer)[citation needed]
December 1Gex: Enter the GeckoGBCPlatformer[citation needed]
December 1Thief: The Dark ProjectWINStealth[109]
December 3Star Wars: Rogue SquadronWINAction[citation needed]
December 4Magic and MayhemWINRTS[citation needed]
December 7Star Wars: Rogue SquadronN64Action[citation needed]
December 12Falcon 4.0WINAir combat simulation[citation needed]
December 12Hey You, Pikachu!N64Virtual pet[110]
December 12The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DXGBCAction-adventure[111]
December 17Suikoden IIPS1RPG[citation needed]
December 18Mario PartyN64Party[112]
December 18Pokémon Trading Card GameGBCDCCG[113]
December 18StarCraft: Brood WarWINRTS[114]
December 21Baldur's GateWINRPG[115]
December 21South ParkN64FPS[116]
December 23Chocobo's Mystery Dungeon 2PS1Roguelike[117]
December 23Sonic AdventureDCPlatformer[118]
December 23Starsiege: TribesWINFPS[119]
December 28Myth II: SoulblighterWINRTT[120]
December 31Akuji the HeartlessPS1Action-adventure[citation needed]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "Best Video Games for 1999". Metacritic. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  26. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b c d e f g "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. ^ a b c d e 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "High Scores: Top Titles in the Game Industry". Feed Magazine. April 22, 1999. Archived from the original on May 8, 1999.
  36. ^ a b c d e f g h "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. ^ a b c d "Zelda Breaks All Records". IGN. January 8, 1999. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
  38. ^ a b c d e f "1998 Top 30 Best Selling Japanese Console Games". The Magic Box. Archived from the original on May 9, 2013. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  39. ^ a b c d e Müller, Eva; Canibol, Hans-Peter (November 23, 1998). "Die Spaßmaschine". Focus (in German). Archived from the original on December 6, 2018.
  40. ^ a b "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. ^ a b "On Top Of Their Game". Supermarket News. February 8, 1999. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  43. ^ a b "Milia News; ECCSELL Awards Name Winners". GameSpot. February 12, 1999. Archived from the original on August 30, 1999. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  44. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c "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.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1998_in_video_games&oldid=1320667520"