This week in gaming history provides GameRevolution’s readers with a blast from the past, going back in time to outline all the biggest news stories from this week in games. Every week, we will take a look at some things that happened this week in video game history over the past three decades.
Last week we took a break to celebrate E3 2019. If you missed out on any of the shows, we’ve got you covered. This week, we will celebrate the release of the Nintendo 64, Final Fantasy Tactics, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, and a whole lot more. So without further adieu, let’s take a look at this week in gaming history for the week of June 17 – 23.
This Week in Gaming History | June 17 – 23
June 17, 1986 | Now Production gets its start
There are a couple of historic gaming giants around these days like Konami, Capcom, Nintendo, and even Sega, but one you might not have heard of is Now Production. Founded on June 17, 1986, Now Production has developed games for some of the biggest publishers around, including Activision, Capcom, and Nintendo, just to name a few.
The first game that the team developed was Metro-Cross for the Famicom/NES. It’s a platformer where players play as a runner who is trying to dodge obstacles and collect drink cans. Some of Now Productions’ more recent titles include Mario Super Sluggers for the Wii, Bakugan Battle Brawlers, and Mega Man: Legacy Collection 2.
June 19, 2011 | The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is released, bringing Link to the 3DS
Serving as a remaster of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time from 1998, Ocarina of Time 3D was released on June 19, 2011 for the 3DS. Ocarina of Time 3D received updated graphics and added stereoscopic effects as Nintendo brought its classic game to its beloved handheld console.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, much like the original game, was highly praised by critics and considered to be a great remaster. It leaned heavily on what made the original so mesmerizing and is part of the portable remaster was so successful.
But it also added some minor changes to make the 3DS version exciting. For example, the game featured rearranged dungeons that were mirrored from the original title. It is one of the best-selling game for the 3DS and has sold over 4 million units, proving that remasters are a fantastic when done correctly.
June 20, 1997 | Final Fantasy Tactics releases to kick off the beloved side series
It is not often that you see a spin-off game from a major series release that is super successful. However, that was the case for Final Fantasy Tactics, which came out on June 20, 1997 and was the first game of this side series. It is unique when compared to other 32-bit games, in that it used a 3D isometric play when so many games of that time were 2D.
Final Fantasy Tactics tells the story of Ramza Beoulve, a cadet who winds up fighting in The Lion War. The game was loved by critics, receiving high scores and becoming a cult classic. It was even ported to the PSP in 2007. Who says a side series can’t be successful?
June 22, 1996 | Quake has a seismic release in North America
Serving as a successor to the popular Doom series, Quake was released in North America on June 22, 1996. This was the first game in the franchise and was built on the technology and gameplay foundation from id’s hellish shooter. Quake helped to popularize online multiplayer and is considered to be a trailblazer in the field.
In Quake, players play as Ranger, who is tasked with stopping an enemy called Quake. Thanks to a teleportation device known as a Slipgate, Quake can now send death squads to the human dimension to create havoc and destroy humanity. Ranger must travel through different dimensions and stop Quake before it is too late.
June 23, 1996 | Nintendo 64 released in Japan and puts an end to Sega
Sega and Nintendo battled it out to the end during the height of the console wars, but Nintendo releasing the Nintendo 64 on June 23, 1996 eventually helped move Sega out of the console business. Designed to compete with the Sega Saturn and the Sony PlayStation, the Nintendo 64 was 64-bit gaming console that would go on to be remembered as one of the greatest gaming consoles of all time, despite its odd controller.
The Nintendo 64 has sold around 33 million units worldwide, which was a respectable amount that didn’t quite match the PS1’s 104 million units. The Nintendo 64 saw the release of some of the greatest games of all time like GoldenEye 007, Super Mario World, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
