ON THIS DAY IN GAMING
December 31
The games released on this day in gaming history.
109 releases · Retro platforms, 1985–2010 · show all platforms and years
30 Years AgoJeopardy! Teen Tournament
Game BoyNorth America
An easier version of the classic trivia game show.
40 Years AgoHanse
Master SystemNorth America
Hanse is a managerial strategy game set in the 14th century. The player takes the role of an ambitious citizen who wants to become the mayor of Lübeck. To reach this goal he has to get rich by trading with other cities of the Hanseatic League.
40 Years AgoMomoko 120%
ArcadeJapan
This platform game features Momoko, a young Japanese girl who ages by several years each time the player reaches the next level.
40 Years AgoDaikaijuu no Gyakushuu
ArcadeJapan
An overhead run-and-gun game in which a kaiju terrorizes an island.
40 Years AgoSuper Maruo
FamicomJapan
Super Maruo is an unlicensed game released in Japan in 1986. Although very rare, this game is the first unlicensed Famicom game and the first unlicensed adult Famicom game as well. Despite the name, it has no relation to Mario at all.
39 Years AgoSpy Hunter II
ArcadeNorth America
The arcade sequel to Spy Hunter. It appeared in arcades and is simultaneously playable by two players.
39 Years Ago
39 Years AgoKid no Hore Hore Daisakusen
ArcadeJapan
Before the SNES adaptation, Nichibitsu had actually licensed the Heiankyo Alien game in order to create its Kid no Hore Hore Daisakusen series. Although it features hole digging/enemy trapping mechanic, it's hardly the trap-'em-up that Heiankyo Alien is.
38 Years AgoWinning Run
ArcadeJapan
Released by Namco in 1988, this was the first arcade driving game to use fully 3D polygon graphics. It was the inaugural title for the Namco System 21 "Polygonizer" arcade hardware, the first dedicated 3D gaming system.
37 Years Ago
36 Years AgoVandyke
ArcadeJapan
A one or two player fighting game published and developed by UPL Co., Ltd in 1990.
36 Years Ago
36 Years AgoDuck Maze
NESAustralia
Jack the duck is no ordinary quacker. He is witty and rather clever, but this is not enough to get his precious egg to safety. He needs your help and ingenuity to get through the 20 mind-boggling mazes!
36 Years AgoThe Ninja Kids
ArcadeNorth America
Taito's answer to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game starring color-coded puppet ninja kids. Fight your way through the forces of a cult determined to resurrect The Satan!
36 Years AgoBomberman: Users Battle
PC EngineJapan
This multiplayer-only Bomberman release is exceedingly rare and seems to have been produced for demo kiosks, tournaments, or both. Users Battle is a Bomberman game for the PC Engine, released only in Japan.
36 Years AgoDragon's Curse
PortPC EngineNorth America
A port of Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap developed by Hudson Soft for the PC-Engine. It was released in Japan under the title of Adventure Island, shouldn't be confused with the Adventure Island series, also by Hudson Soft.
36 Years AgoSuper Real Basketball
Mega Drive / GenesisEurope
The original version (relased in Japan and Europe) of the game released as Pat Riley Basketball in North America.
36 Years AgoPat Riley Basketball
PortMega Drive / GenesisNorth America
Pat Riley Basketball is a video game which was released for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. Pat Riley was the coach of the Los Angeles Lakers at the time of the game's release. There are two modes and eight different teams to choose from.
35 Years AgoKarate Blazers
ArcadeNorth America
Karate Blazers is a beat-em-up where four disciples are out to avenge their masters death, retrieve some stolen scrolls and save their masters daughter who has been kidnapped over various levels.
35 Years AgoThunder Cross II
ArcadeJapan
Thunder Cross II is an Action game, developed and published by Konami, which was released in 1991.
35 Years AgoBrat
ArcadeNorth America
Brat is an isometric action puzzle in which the player guides Nathan, the brat of the title, through a series of twelve levels. The isometric landscape scrolls up-screen, imposing a time limit on each level.
35 Years AgoStrike Force
ArcadeNorth America
Side scrolling action shooter. Shoot the aliens and rescue colonists from various planets. Defeat the alien mothership with the special weapons you collect.
35 Years AgoCosmic Cop
ArcadeWorldwide
Cosmic Cop, known in Japan as Armed Police Unit Gallop, is a shooter arcade game developed and released by Irem in 1991, running upon the Irem M-84 arcade board.
35 Years AgoSpace Invaders '91
PortMega Drive / GenesisNorth America
Space Invaders '91 is a port of the the coin-op Space Invaders '91, just like Super Space Invaders for other platforms, but still different from those.
Game data provided by IGDB.com. Original release dates only – not the dates of fan translations.