1982
The animated televsion special Christmas Comes to Pac-Land premiered on the ABC television network. Inspired by the hit Pac-Man arcade game, the special is part of the animated series of the same name as the game that ran for forty-three episodes beginning in 1982.
1993
Nintendo released the Super Mario All-Stars platform game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in Europe.
Two of the nation's largest game retailers, F.A.O. Schwarz and Toys ‘R’ Us, pull the Digital Pictures game The Night Trap from shelves in response to the very public controversy that errupted following a December 9, 1993 Senate hearings on video game violence that critically examined the game, along with Mortal Kombat complaints. While the game was, in retrospect, quite mild, it featured a highly inflamatory full-motion cut-scene in which a girl in a nightgown was murdered. During the Senate hearings, the game was described as “ultra-violent,” “sick,” “shameful,” and “disgusting."
1999
LucasArts released Star Wars Episode I: Racer, based on Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, for Macs in the U.S. ESRB: E (Everyone)
Konami released Dance Dance Revolution Solo 2000 to arcades.
Natsume released the Harvest Moon: Back to Nature simulation game for the PlayStation in Japan.
2002
Koei released the Crimson Sea shooting / roleplaying hybrid game for the Xbox in the U.S. (ESRB: T)
2003
Jaleco Entertainment released the Goblin Commander: Unleash the Horde real-time strategy game for the GameCube in the U.S. (ESRB: T)
THQ released the first-person shooter Red Faction for the Nokkia N-Gage in Europe. (BBFC: 15)
2005
Advertising firm Massive Incorporated and game developer THQ jointly announced plans to begin integrating advertising into THQ game titles. According to the companies, over twenty-nine publishers had already committed to selling ad space in more than one hundred upcoming titles.
Ubisoft released Prince of Persia: Warrior Within for the PlayStation Portable in PAL regions. (OFLC: MA15+)
2006
Time magazine published an article entitled "5 Things That Went From Buzz to Bust" in which it runs down the perceived shortcomings with the PlayStation 3 video game console, including the slew of untested technologies it includes, its high prices, and its poor line-up of launch titles. The article's author, Lev Grossman, commented that, "You know you're in trouble when you get beat by something called a Wii."