1987 in video gaming
|
Yokai Douchuuki was not only Namco's first 16-bit game, it was THE first 16-bit game. |
Notable releases
*
Namco releases
Wonder Momo,
Yokai Douchuuki, which is their first 16-bit game,
Dragon Spirit,
Blazer,
Quester,
Pac-Mania,
Galaga '88 and
Final Lap.
*
Konami Corporation releases
Metal Gear in
Japan ,
Castlevania and
Contra. All three games were the beginning of some of Konami's most popular franchises.
*
Nintendo releases
The Legend Of Zelda in America and Europe. The first of one of their longest running and most popular series of games.
*
Taito Corporation releases the
Double Dragon arcade game, the first in a long series of games.
*
Squaresoft's
Hironobu Sakaguchi introduces the
Final Fantasy video game series to Japan.
*
LucasArts releases
Maniac Mansion, the first game to use the
SCUMM engine, innovating the
point-and-click interface for the
adventure game genre.
*
Capcom releases the first
Mega Man game in the long-standing series for the NES/Famicom.
*
FTL Games releases
Dungeon Master.
*
Incentive Software release
Driller a milestone in 3D gaming and a precursor to modern first-person 3D games.
*
Ocean Software release
Head Over Heels, an isometric
arcade adventure, to critical acclaim and huge popularity.
Hardware
*
Namco develops the
Namco System 1 arcade system board
*At the end of the year, Namco also releases the
Namco System 2 arcade system board
*
October 30 —
NEC releases the
PC Engine console in
Japan.
*
Acorn releases the
Acorn Archimedes home computer, which brought the game
Zarch (later known on other platforms as
Virus) to prominence.
*
Atari releases the
XE Game System (
XEGS) home console.
*
Sega Master System released in
Japan.
* The
VGA standard developed for
IBM's new
PS/2 line gave the
PC the potential for 256-color graphics.
*
AdLib set an early defacto standard for sound cards with its card based on the
Yamaha YM3812 sound chip. (This would last until the introduction of
Creative Labs'
Sound Blaster in
1989.)
Business
* New companies:
Maxis,
Gametek Inc.,
Apogee Software, Ltd.,
Empire Interactive PLC
*
Activision acquires
Infocom*
Electronic Arts acquires
Batteries Included* Warner Communications'
Atari Games establishes the
Tengen division
*
Nintendo of America, Inc. v.
Blockbuster Entertainment lawsuit: Nintendo sues Blockbuster for photocopying complete
NES manuals for its rental games. Nintendo wins the suit, and Blockbuster includes original manuals with its rentals.
*
SSI President
Joel Billings acquires the license to the
Dungeons and Dragons role playing game, setting the stage for the
Gold Box line of D&D games.
