The 1990s was a decade that saw the rise of video games as a mainstream form of entertainment. With so many iconic titles released during this time, it can be difficult to determine which game truly stands out as the best-selling of the era. In this article, we will explore three of the most popular games from the 1990s: Tetris, Super Mario Bros., and Grand Theft Auto. We will look at their sales figures, impact on the industry, and enduring popularity to determine which game truly deserves the title of “best-selling video game of the 1990s”.
Tetris:
Tetris is a puzzle game that was first released in 1984 for the Soviet Union’s Elektronika computer. However, it wasn’t until its release on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985 that it truly gained worldwide popularity. Tetris is played by manipulating falling blocks of various shapes to fit together to form lines and clear space on the game screen.
Tetris was an instant hit, selling over 60 million copies for the NES alone. It went on to sell over 40 million copies for the Game Boy in the early 1990s, making it one of the best-selling games of all time. Tetris’ simple yet addictive gameplay and universal appeal have made it a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed today.
Super Mario Bros.:
Super Mario Bros. is a platformer game that was released in 1985 for the NES. It follows the adventures of Mario as he travels through various worlds, collecting coins and defeating enemies along the way. Super Mario Bros. was an instant hit, selling over 30 million copies worldwide by the end of the decade.
Super Mario Bros. revolutionized the platformer genre, introducing new gameplay mechanics such as power-ups and secret areas. It also popularized the concept of a “main character” in video games, with Mario becoming an instantly recognizable icon. Today, Super Mario Bros. is considered one of the greatest video games of all time, and its impact on the industry cannot be overstated.
Grand Theft Auto:
Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is an open-world adventure game that was first released in 1997 for the PlayStation. It allows players to explore a virtual city and engage in various activities such as driving, shooting, and interacting with non-playable characters (NPCs). GTA was an instant hit, selling over 8 million copies worldwide by the end of the decade.
GTA’s success can be attributed to its immersive world and realistic gameplay mechanics. It also introduced a new level of freedom to players, allowing them to explore the virtual city at their own pace and complete missions in any order they choose. GTA has since gone on to become one of the most successful game franchises of all time, with numerous sequels and spin-offs released over the years.
Comparing the Sales Figures:
While all three games were incredibly popular during the 1990s, Tetris stands out as the best-selling game of the era. With over 100 million copies sold worldwide by the end of the decade, it is clear that Tetris’ simple yet addictive gameplay and universal appeal resonated with players of all ages and backgrounds.
Super Mario Bros. also did incredibly well, selling over 30 million copies by the end of the decade. Its revolutionary gameplay mechanics and introduction of a main character made it an instant hit that continues to be enjoyed today.
Grand Theft Auto sold over 8 million copies worldwide by the end of the decade, but its sales figures pale in comparison to Tetris and Super Mario Bros. However, GTA’s impact on the industry cannot be overstated. It introduced new levels of freedom and immersion to players, and its success paved the way for the open-world adventure genre.
Impact on the Industry:
All three games had a significant impact on the video game industry during the 1990s. Tetris revolutionized the puzzle game genre and helped to establish the NES as a major player in the home console market. Super Mario Bros. introduced new gameplay mechanics and popularized the concept of a main character, making it an instant classic that continues to influence games today.
Grand Theft Auto introduced open-world gameplay and set the stage for future titles in the genre. Its success demonstrated the potential for video games to be more than just simple entertainment; they could also be immersive experiences that allowed players to explore virtual worlds at their own pace.