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In 1984, the video game industry in North America was reeling from the video game crash of 1983 while the success of Nintendo's Famicom (NES) in Japan helped to establish console gaming in that market.

The year's highest-grossing video game worldwide was the arcade racing blockbuster Pole Position for the second year in a row, which was also the fourth time in a row for a Namco game. The year's best-selling home system was the Famicom (NES), which was only sold in Japan at the time, while the best-selling home video game was Nintendo's sports title Golf for the Famicom.

Financial performance[]

The video game crash of 1983 negatively impacted all segments of the US video game industry, with declining sales for console, arcade and computer games.[1][2][3]

The following table lists the annual sales and revenue generated by the electronic games industry in 1984, including video games and electro‑mechanical games. See sections below for breakdown of revenue estimates.

Industry Products Market Unit sales
(est.)
Annual revenue (est.) Ref
Nominal Inflation
Electronic games United States 65,330,648+ $5,964,800,000 $17,000,000,000
Arcade games Worldwide 345,648+ $7,219,000,000 $21,000,000,000
Arcade Arcade games United States 330,648 $4,900,000,000 $14,000,000,000 [4][5]
Japan $2,100,000,000 $6,200,000,000 [6]
Arcade video games United Kingdom 15,000+ $219,000,000 $640,000,000 [7][8]
Electro‑mechanical games United States 91,816 $1,400,000,000 $4,100,000,000 [4]
Video games Worldwide 129,493,832+ $8,627,800,000 $25,000,000,000
Arcade Arcade video games United States 238,832 $3,500,000,000 $10,300,000,000 [4][9][5]
Japan $2,100,000,000 $6,200,000,000 [6]
United Kingdom 15,000+ $219,000,000 $640,000,000 [7][8]
Worldwide 253,832+ $5,819,000,000 $17,000,000,000
Console Video game consoles Japan 3,490,000 [10]
United States 3,000,000 $165,000,000 $480,000,000 [9]
United Kingdom $20,000,000 $59,000,000 [8]
Worldwide 4,900,000+
Console game cartridges Japan 46,000,000 $950,000,000 $2,800,000,000 [11][12]
United States 54,500,000 $800,000,000 $2,300,000,000 [9][13]
United Kingdom 1,000,000 $13,000,000 $38,000,000 [8][14]
Console market Japan 49,490,000 $1,400,000,000 $4,100,000,000 [15][16]
United States 57,500,000 $965,000,000 $2,800,000,000 [9]
United Kingdom 1,000,000+ $33,000,000 $97,000,000 [8]
Worldwide 107,990,000 $2,398,000,000 $7,000,000,000
Computer Computer games United Kingdom 10,000,000 $133,000,000 $390,000,000 [8][17]
United States 3,000,000 $99,800,000 $290,000,000 [1][n 1]
Japan 2,000,000 $40,000,000 $120,000,000 [18][n 2]
Worldwide 15,000,000+ $272,800,000 $800,000,000
Handheld Handheld LCD games Japan 1,750,000+ $93,000,000 $270,000,000 [19][15]
United Kingdom $53,000,000 $155,000,000 [8]
Eurasia 1,750,000+ $146,000,000 $430,000,000
Video games United States 65,238,832+ $4,564,800,000 $13,000,000,000
Japan 53,240,000 $3,633,000,000 $11,000,000,000
United Kingdom 10,015,000 $439,000,000 $1,300,000,000 [7][8]
Electronic games Worldwide 129,585,648+ $10,035,800,000 $29,000,000,000

Highest-grossing video games[]

The following titles were the highest-grossing video games worldwide in 1984, including arcade and home video games. See sections below for breakdown of revenue estimates.

Rank Title Company Worldwide revenue (est.) Revenue breakdown (est.) Genre
Nominal Inflation Arcade Home
1 Pole Position Namco $360,000,000 $1,000,000,000 $310,000,000 $45,000,000 Racing
2 Track & Field (Hyper Olympic) Konami $330,000,000 $970,000,000 $320,000,000 $14,000,000 Sports
3 Pole Position II Namco $323,000,000 $950,000,000 $323,000,000 Racing
4 Punch-Out! Nintendo $290,000,000 $850,000,000 $280,000,000 $12,000,000 Boxing
5 Elevator Action Taito $260,000,000 $760,000,000 $260,000,000 Stealth
6 Ms. Pac-Man Namco $250,000,000 $730,000,000 $220,000,000 $27,000,000 Maze
Dragon's Lair Cinematron $240,000,000 $700,000,000 $240,000,000 FMV
8 M.A.C.H. 3 Mylstar $200,000,000 $590,000,000 $200,000,000 Shmup
9 Tennis (VS. Tennis) Nintendo $190,000,000 $560,000,000 $160,000,000 $33,000,000 Sports
10 Star Wars Atari $150,000,000 $440,000,000 $140,000,000 $10,000,000 Shooter
11 Spy Hunter Midway $140,000,000 $410,000,000 $140,000,000 Driving
12 Astron Belt Sega $110,000,000 $320,000,000 $110,000,000 TPS
Mario Bros. Nintendo $110,000,000 $320,000,000 $81,000,000 $30,000,000 Platform
14 Birdie King 2 Taito $100,000,000 $290,000,000 $100,000,000 Sports
Space Ace Cinematron $100,000,000 $290,000,000 $100,000,000 FMV
TX-1 (TX-1 V8) Namco $100,000,000 $290,000,000 $100,000,000 Racing
17 Baseball (VS. Baseball) Nintendo $94,000,000 $280,000,000 $66,000,000 $28,000,000 Sports
18 Time Pilot '84 Konami $93,000,000 $270,000,000 $93,000,000 Shmup
19 10-Yard Fight Irem / Taito $90,000,000 $260,000,000 $90,000,000 Sports
20 Crossbow Exidy $81,000,000 $240,000,000 $81,000,000 Shooter
21 Q*bert Mylstar $79,000,000 $230,000,000 $34,000,000 $45,000,000 Puzzle
22 Hyper Sports Konami $78,000,000 $230,000,000 $78,000,000 Sports
23 Champion Baseball Sega $75,000,000 $220,000,000 $75,000,000
24 Firefox (Fire Fox) Atari $73,000,000 $210,000,000 $73,000,000 Shmup
25 Cobra Command Data East $65,000,000 $190,000,000 $65,000,000 FPS
26 Xevious Namco $62,000,000 $180,000,000 $37,000,000 $25,000,000 Shmup

Highest-grossing arcade games[]

The following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games worldwide in 1984. See sub-sections below for breakdown of revenue estimates.

Rank Title Company Worldwide revenue (est.) Revenue breakdown (est.) Genre
Nominal Inflation Japan USA
1 Pole Position II Namco $323,000,000 $950,000,000 $60,000,000 $263,000,000 Racing
2 Track & Field (Hyper Olympic) Konami $320,000,000 $940,000,000 $19,000,000 $244,000,000 Sports
3 Pole Position Namco $310,000,000 $910,000,000 $51,000,000 $260,000,000 Racing
4 Punch-Out! Nintendo $280,000,000 $820,000,000 $34,000,000 $250,000,000 Boxing
5 Elevator Action Taito $260,000,000 $760,000,000 $14,000,000 $250,000,000 Stealth
6 Dragon's Lair Cinematron $240,000,000 $700,000,000 $4,000,000 $240,000,000 FMV
7 Ms. Pac-Man Namco $220,000,000 $650,000,000 $220,000,000 Maze
8 M.A.C.H. 3 Mylstar $200,000,000 $590,000,000 $40,000,000 $160,000,000 Shmup
9 VS. Tennis Nintendo $160,000,000 $470,000,000 $48,000,000 $110,000,000 Sports
10 Spy Hunter Midway $140,000,000 $410,000,000 $140,000,000 Driving
11 Star Wars Atari $140,000,000 $410,000,000 $51,000,000 $91,000,000 Shooter
12 Astron Belt Sega $110,000,000 $320,000,000 $28,000,000 $81,000,000 TPS
13 Birdie King 2 Taito $100,000,000 $290,000,000 $33,000,000 $69,000,000 Sports
Space Ace Cinematron $100,000,000 $290,000,000 $100,000,000 FMV
TX-1 (TX-1 V8) Namco $100,000,000 $290,000,000 $100,000,000 Racing
16 Time Pilot '84 Konami $93,000,000 $270,000,000 $7,000,000 $86,000,000 Shmup
17 10-Yard Fight / VS. 10-Yard Fight Irem / Taito $90,000,000 $260,000,000 $38,000,000 $52,000,000 Sports
18 Crossbow Exidy $81,000,000 $240,000,000 $81,000,000 Shooter
Mario Bros. Nintendo $81,000,000 $240,000,000 $28,000,000 $53,000,000 Platform
20 Hyper Sports (Hyper Olympic '84) Konami $78,000,000 $230,000,000 $19,000,000 $59,000,000 Sports
21 Champion Baseball Sega $75,000,000 $220,000,000 $26,000,000 $49,000,000
22 Firefox (Fire Fox) Atari $73,000,000 $210,000,000 $11,000,000 $62,000,000 Shmup
23 VS. Baseball Nintendo $66,000,000 $190,000,000 $29,000,000 $37,000,000 Sports
24 Cobra Command Data East $65,000,000 $190,000,000 $42,000,000 $23,000,000 FPS
25 Tapper Midway $55,000,000 $160,000,000 $13,000,000 $42,000,000 Action

Japan[]

In Japan, the following titles were the year's highest-grossing arcade games.

Rank Title Company Date
[20][21]
Points Units (est.)
[n 3][22]
Coin drop
(est.)[n 4][6]
Genre
1 TX-1 Namco 1983-10 189.49 10,000 $76,000,000 Racing
2 Pole Position II Namco 1983-06 150.6 10,000 $60,000,000
3 Jangou Night Nichibutsu 1983-10 129.83 10,000 $52,000,000 Mahjong
4 Star Wars Atari 1983-05 128.42 10,000 $51,000,000 Shooter
5 Pole Position Namco 1982-09 127.85 10,000 $51,000,000 Racing
6 VS. Tennis Nintendo 1984-01 119.46 10,000 $48,000,000 Sports
7 Ultra Quiz Taito 1983-09 117.3 10,000 $47,000,000 Quiz
8 Galaga Namco 1981-07 112.2 10,000 $45,000,000 Shmup
9 Laser Grand Prix Taito 1983-07 111.46 10,000 $45,000,000 Racing
10 Thunder Storm (Cobra Command)[23] Data East 1984-02 105.3 7,000 $42,000,000 FPS
11 M.A.C.H. 3 Taito 1984-02 99.16 7,000 $40,000,000 Shmup
12 Interstellar Laser Fantasy Funai 1983-09 96.73 7,000 $39,000,000 TPS
13 Xevious Namco 1982-12 91.76 10,000 $37,000,000 Shmup
14 Star Blazer (Galaxy Ranger) Sega 1983-09 89.4 6,000 $36,000,000 TPS
15 Punch-Out! Nintendo 1984-02 86.22 6,000 $34,000,000 Boxing
16 Birdie King 2 Taito 1983-04 82.63 10,000 $33,000,000 Sports
17 Exerion Jaleco 1983-09 78.63 6,000 $31,000,000 TPS
18 Gaplus Namco 1984-01 75.62 5,000 $30,000,000 Shmup
19 10-Yard Fight Irem 1983-12 74.22 5,000 $30,000,000 Sports
20 Monaco GP Sega 1979-11 74.09 20,000 $30,000,000 Racing
21 Crowns Golf Sega 1984-06 73.73 5,000 $29,000,000 Sports
22 VS. Baseball Nintendo 1984-03 73.06 5,000 $29,000,000
23 Mario Bros. Nintendo 1983-06 70.27 7,000 $28,000,000 Platformer
24 Astron Belt Sega 1983-03 69.25 10,000 $28,000,000 TPS
25 Lode Runner Irem 1984-07 69.04 5,000 $28,000,000 Platformer
26 TX-1 V8 Namco 1984-09 66.34 5,000 $27,000,000 Racing
27 Pac-Land Namco 1984-08 58.26 4,000 $23,000,000 Platformer
28 Mahjong Kyoshitsu SNK 1983-04 58.25 5,000 $23,000,000 Mahjong
29 Big Pro Wrestling Data East 1983-12 56.87 4,000 $23,000,000 Sports
30 Karate Champ [24] Data East 1984-05 54.42 10,000 $22,000,000 Fighting
31 Buggy Challenge Taito 1984-07 53.56 4,000 $21,000,000 Racing
32 Champion Baseball II Sega 1983-08 53.16 4,000 $21,000,000 Sports
33 Libble Rabble Namco 1983-10 53.13 4,000 $21,000,000 Puzzle
34 Appoooh Sega 1984-06 52.23 4,000 $21,000,000 Wrestling
35 Exciting Soccer Alpha 1983-10 52.04 4,000 $21,000,000 Sports
36 Badlands Konami 1984-03 51.04 4,000 $20,000,000 FPS
37 Jan Oh (Jang-Oh) Toaplan 1984 50.69 4,000 $20,000,000 Mahjong
38 Genesis (Boomer Rang'r) Data East 1983 49.69 3,000 $20,000,000 Action ADV
39 Zoom 909 (Buck Rogers) Sega 1982-11 49.67 6,000 $20,000,000 TPS
40 The Tower of Druaga Namco 1984-06 48.9 3,000 $20,000,000 Action RPG
41 Hyper Olympic '84 Konami 1984-05 48.22 3,000 $19,000,000 Sports
42 Hyper Olympic (Track & Field) Konami 1983-09 47.5 38,000 $19,000,000
43 Vulgus Capcom 1984-05 46.91 3,000 $19,000,000 Shmup
44 Tube Panic Nichibutsu 1984-01 45.75 3,000 $18,000,000 TPS
45 SonSon Capcom 1984-07 45.46 3,000 $18,000,000 Platformer
46 Jangou Nichibutsu 1983-02 45.22 8,000 $18,000,000 Mahjong
47 Jantotsu Sanritsu 1983-04 44.54 8,000 $18,000,000
48 Night Gal Nichibutsu 1984-08 43.74 3,000 $17,000,000
49 Gyrodine Taito 1984-07 43.43 3,000 $17,000,000 Shmup
50 Flicky Sega 1984-05 42.11 3,000 $17,000,000 Platformer
51 Great Swordsman Taito 1984-08 39.47 3,000 $16,000,000 Fighting
52 Victorious Nine Taito 1984-05 39.46 3,000 $16,000,000 Sports
53 Genma Taisen (Bega's Battle) Data East 1983-06 35.48 3,000 $14,000,000 TPS
54 Pit & Run Taito 1984-02 34.06 2,000 $14,000,000 Racing
55 Elevator Action Taito 1983-05 33.87 8,000 $14,000,000 Stealth
56 Tapper Sega 1984-03 33.71 2,000 $13,000,000 Action
57 Chinese Hero (Kung Fu Heroes) Taito 1984-10 32.79 2,000 $13,000,000 Beat 'em up
58 Othello Fujiwara 1984-09 31.87 2,000 $13,000,000 Othello
59 Kick Start Taito 1984-07 31.39 2,000 $13,000,000 Racing
60 Bank Panic Sega 1984-09 28.82 2,000 $12,000,000 FPS
61 Equites Sega 1984-09 27.57 2,000 $11,000,000 Run & gun
62 Fire Fox Atari 1984 27.5 2,000 $11,000,000 Shmup
63 Ninja-kun (Ninja-Kid) Taito 1984-10 26.75 2,000 $11,000,000 Platformer
64 B-Wings Data East 1984-10 26.6 2,000 $11,000,000 Shmup
65 The Tin Star Taito 1983-10 26.3 2,000 $11,000,000 Run & gun
66 Zaviga Data East 1984-03 26.12 2,000 $10,000,000 Shmup
67 Master Viking Sega 1984-01 25.83 2,000 $10,000,000
68 Sea Fighter Poseidon Taito 1983-12 25.59 2,000 $10,000,000
69 Super Punch-Out! Nintendo 1984-09 24.8 2,000 $10,000,000 Boxing
70 Super Basketball Konami 1984-09 24.42 2,000 $10,000,000 Sports
71 Nova 2001 UPL 1983-11 24.27 2,000 $10,000,000 Shmup
72 Grobda Namco 1984-10 23.23 2,000 $9,000,000
73 VS. Mahjong Nintendo 1984-02 22.75 2,000 $9,000,000 Mahjong
74 Rlng Flghter Taito 1984-05 22.6 2,000 $9,000,000 Boxing
75 Ben Bero Beh Taito 1984-11 22.21 2,000 $9,000,000 Platformer
76 Stinger Seibu 1983-09 22.14 2,000 $9,000,000 Shmup
77 Scion Seibu 1984-02 21.63 2,000 $9,000,000
78 Turbo Sega 1981-10 21.55 4,000 $9,000,000 Racing
79 Fighting Ice Hockey Data East 1984-04 21.42 1,000 $9,000,000 Sports
80 Senjyo Tehkan 1983-11 20.59 1,000 $8,000,000 FPS
81 Circus Charlie Konami 1984-02 19.89 1,000 $8,000,000 Action
82 VS. 10-Yard Fight Irem 1984 19.44 1,000 $8,000,000 Sports
83 Bomb Jack Tehkan 1984-03 19.24 1,000 $8,000,000 Platformer
84 Joshi Volleyball Taito 1983-10 18.91 3,000 $8,000,000 Sports
85 Shōgi Alpha 1980-09 17.59 4,000 $7,000,000 Shogi
86 Hana Awase Seta 1982[25] 17.5 7,000 $7,000,000 Hanafuda
87 VS. Karate Champ Data East 1984-09 17.09 1,000 $7,000,000 Fighting
88 Super Don Quix-ote Universal 1984-11 17.0 1,000 $7,000,000 FMV
89 Shinnyū Shain Tōru-kun (Mikie) Konami 1984-09 16.86 1,000 $7,000,000 Maze
90 Sumou SNK 1984-06 16.68 1,000 $7,000,000 Wrestling
91 Time Pilot '84 Konami 1984-04 16.67 1,000 $7,000,000 Shmup
92 GP World Sega 1984-11 16.67 1,000 $7,000,000 Racing
93 Atama no Taisō Unienter 1983-04 16.51 6,000 $7,000,000 Puzzle
94 The Battle-Road Irem 1984-10 16.12 1,000 $6,000,000 Driving
95 T.T. Mahjong Taito 1981[26] 15.5 7,000 $6,000,000 Mahjong
96 Formation Z Jaleco 1984-07 15.04 1,000 $6,000,000 Run & gun
97 Mr. Do's Wild Ride Universal 1984-01 14.8 1,000 $6,000,000 Platformer
98 Pinbo Jaleco 1984-08 14.79 1,000 $6,000,000 Pinball
99 Star Force Tehkan 1984-09 13.97 1,000 $6,000,000 Shmup
100 Donkey Kong 3 Nintendo 1983-09 13.96 2,000 $6,000,000 Platformer
101 Dynamic Ski Nichibutsu 1984-03 13.5 1,000 $5,000,000 Sports
102 Pro Bowling Data East 1983-03 13.48 1,000 $5,000,000
103 Mr. Do! Universal 1982-09 13.45 4,000 $5,000,000 Maze
104 Champion Baseball Sega 1983-03 13.14 25,000 $5,000,000 Sports
105 Yellow Cab Data East 1984-08 13.03 1,000 $5,000,000 Driving
106 Scrum Try Data East 1984-02 12.58 1,000 $5,000,000 Sports
107 Water Match Sega 1984-07 11.6 1,000 $5,000,000
108 Cosmos Circuit Taito 1984-11 10.6 1,000 $4,000,000 Racing
109 Itazura Tenshi Nichibutsu 1984-11 10.5 1,000 $4,000,000 Puzzle
110 The Grand Sumo Data East 1984-05 10.35 1,000 $4,000,000 Wrestling
111 The Undoukai Taito 1984-05 9.76 1,000 $4,000,000 Sports
112 Parallel Turn Jaleco 1984-03 9.5 1,000 $4,000,000
113 Genma Tarot Data East 1983-06 9.5 2,000 $4,000,000 Card
114 SWAT Sega 1984-02 9.34 1,000 $4,000,000 Shmup
115 Dragon's Lair Universal 1984 9.34 1,000 $4,000,000 FMV
116 Gomoku Narabe Nichibutsu 1982-02 9.33 2,000 $4,000,000 Gomoku
117 Crystal Castles Atari 1983-12 9.33 1,000 $4,000,000 Maze
118 VS. Pinball Nintendo 1984-07 9.17 1,000 $4,000,000 Pinball
119 Espial Orca / GGI 1983-06 8.95 3,000 $4,000,000 Shmup
120 Future Spy Sega 1984-09 8.94 1,000 $4,000,000
121 Koi Koi Sanritsu 1982[25] 8.75 2,000 $4,000,000 Mahjong
122 Phozon Namco 1983-08 8.75 1,000 $4,000,000 Puzzle
123 Atama no Taisou II Unienter 1983-09 8.67 1,000 $3,000,000
124 Strike Bowling Taito 1982-05 8.66 3,000 $3,000,000 Sports
125 Battle Cruiser M-12 Sigma 1983-07 8.50 5,000 $3,000,000 Shmup
126 Albegas Sega 1984-03 8.50 1,000 $3,000,000 Action
127 Mappy Namco 1983-03 8.48 7,000 $3,000,000 Platformer
128 Zippy Race (MotoRace USA) Irem 1983-03 8.47 8,000 $3,000,000 Racing
129 Mr. Do vs. Unicorns Universal 1983-09 8.40 2,000 $3,000,000 Platformer
130 Pachi Fever Sanki 1983-09 8.33 1,000 $3,000,000 Pachinko
131 Sector Zone (Seicross) Nichibutsu 1984-04 8.15 1,000 $3,000,000 Driving
132 Mysterious Stones Data East 1984-11 7.33 1,000 $3,000,000 Action ADV
133 Road Fighter Konami 1984-12 7.33 1,000 $3,000,000 Racing
134 1942 Capcom 1984-11 7.00 500 $3,000,000 Shmup
135 Main Event SNK 1984-11 6.67 500 $3,000,000 Boxing
136 Bull Fighter Sega 1984-09 5.75 400 $2,000,000 Sports
137 Mad Crusher (Mad Crasher) SNK 1984-07 5.50 400 $2,000,000 Driving
138 Photo Finish Jaleco 1984 5.00 400 $2,000,000 Racing
139 The Tōgyū (Bullfight) Sega 1984-11 5.00 400 $2,000,000 Fighting
140 The Guinness Sun 1984-05 4.50 300 $2,000,000
141 Vanguard II SNK 1984-03 4.33 300 $2,000,000 Shmup
142 Zeroize Data East 1983-10 4.28 1,000 $2,000,000 Driving
143 Galaxian Namco 1979-09 4.12 100,000 $2,000,000 Shmup
144 Jongputer Sanritsu 1981 4.07 1,000 $2,000,000 Mahjong
145 Hamburger (BurgerTime) Data East 1982-08 4.00 3,000 $2,000,000 Platformer
146 Jumping Jack Universal 1984-05 4.00 300 $2,000,000
147 Pro Golf Data East 1981-08 4.00 10,000 $2,000,000 Sports
148 Regulus Sega 1983-12 4.00 300 $2,000,000 Driving
149 Pengo Sega 1982-09 3.92 10,000 $2,000,000 Puzzle
150 Doctor Q Unienter 1983[27] 3.50 200 $1,400,000
Total 5,319.22 700,000+[28] $2,100,000,000

Game Machine provided the following earning figures in terms of points.

Title Company Date
[20][21]
Points
1/1
[29]
1/15
[30]
2/1
[31]
2/15
[32]
3/1
[33]
3/15
[34]
4/1
[35]
4/15
[36]
5/1
[37]
5/15
[38]
6/1
[39]
6/15
[40]
7/1
[41]
7/15
[42]
8/1
[43]
8/15
[44]
9/1
[45]
9/15
[46]
10/1
[47]
10/15
[48]
11/1
[49]
11/15
[50]
12/1
[51]
12/15
[52]
1/1 
[53]
Total
Table
Jangou Night Nichibutsu 1983-10 4.66 5.80 5.75 6.33 6.22 6.43 6.22 5.43 5.44 5.56 5.75 5.53 5.77 5.14 5.65 5.24 5.64 5.31 4.52 4.93 4.77 4.80 4.36 4.58 129.83
VS. Tennis Nintendo 1984-01 7.00 7.00 6.85 6.38 6.44 6.42 6.05 6.63 6.50 6.39 6.41 5.96 5.89 5.88 5.06 5.42 5.00 4.74 4.50 4.94 119.46
Galaga Namco 1981-07 5.45 5.11 4.95 5.22 4.83 4.94 4.85 5.00 4.94 4.73 4.86 4.60 4.75 4.83 4.70 4.75 4.95 5.05 4.78 4.65 4.63 4.63 5.00 112.2
Xevious Namco 1982-12 5.81 5.57 5.47 5.61 5.16 4.77 4.90 4.82 4.76 4.78 4.83 4.50 4.46 4.39 4.09 4.57 4.45 4.53 4.29 91.76
Birdie King 2 Taito 1983-04 5.85 4.33 5.42 4.66 5.83 5.38 5.13 5.14 4.50 4.57 4.88 4.25 4.63 4.75 4.38 4.50 4.43 82.63
Exerion Jaleco 1983-09 7.45 6.13 6.38 6.00 5.62 5.30 5.19 5.24 4.55 4.62 4.80 4.58 4.41 4.17 4.19 78.63
Gaplus Namco 1984-01 7.55 7.11 6.81 6.45 5.76 5.73 5.96 5.57 5.39 5.12 4.72 4.85 4.60 75.62
10-Yard Fight Irem 1983-12 9.00 8.07 7.65 8.09 7.55 7.00 6.57 5.48 5.35 5.10 4.36 74.22
Crowns Golf Sega 1984-06 7.60 7.48 7.50 6.68 6.42 6.44 5.84 5.45 5.26 4.95 4.95 5.16 73.73
VS. Baseball Nintendo 1984-03 7.63 7.88 6.91 6.62 6.24 5.96 5.71 5.59 5.65 5.00 4.94 4.93 73.06
Mario Bros. Nintendo 1983-06 5.40 5.00 5.00 4.86 4.80 5.00 4.93 4.57 4.53 4.27 4.31 4.22 4.41 4.47 4.50 70.27
Lode Runner Irem 1984-07 9.00 6.00 6.94 7.07 6.75 6.35 5.79 5.47 5.37 5.06 5.24 69.04
Pac-Land Namco 1984-08 8.50 7.45 6.91 6.21 6.29 5.75 5.56 5.53 6.06 58.26
Mahjong Kyoshitsu SNK 1983-04 4.20 4.60 4.20 4.00 4.50 4.25 4.75 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.50 5.00 5.50 58.25
Big Pro Wrestling Data East 1983-12 9.00 8.13 8.26 7.14 5.67 5.52 5.05 4.24 3.86 56.87
Karate Champ Data East 1984-05 8.80 8.19 7.39 7.11 6.61 5.94 5.00 5.38 54.42
Champion Baseball II Sega 1983-08 4.70 4.40 4.43 4.53 3.92 4.25 4.43 4.64 4.25 4.11 4.50 5.00 53.16
Libble Rabble Namco 1983-10 8.66 5.90 5.35 5.50 4.92 5.08 4.86 4.29 3.90 4.67 53.13
Appoooh Sega 1984-06 8.20 6.75 6.24 5.60 6.08 5.00 5.17 4.64 4.55 52.23
Exciting Soccer Alpha 1983-10 5.72 5.75 5.71 5.86 5.60 5.13 5.27 4.50 4.00 4.50 52.04
Jan Oh (Jang-Oh) Toaplan 1984 9.00 7.89 7.27 7.38 6.77 6.71 5.67 50.69
Genesis Data East 1983 7.00 6.50 6.33 5.75 4.86 5.13 4.83 4.29 5.00 49.69
Hyper Olympic '84 Konami 1984-05 7.00 6.46 6.13 7.08 6.45 6.00 4.83 4.27 48.22
The Tower of Druaga Namco 1984-06 7.50 5.64 5.58 5.10 5.11 5.44 4.75 5.22 4.56 48.9
Hyper Olympic Konami 1983-09 8.61 7.73 6.81 5.95 5.14 4.27 4.32 4.67 47.5
Vulgus Capcom 1984-05 6.80 6.36 5.42 5.00 5.10 5.00 4.33 4.40 4.50 46.91
SonSon Capcom 1984-07 7.33 5.67 6.50 5.89 5.14 5.00 5.22 4.71 45.46
Jangou Nichibutsu 1983-02 4.38 4.38 4.60 4.50 4.25 4.53 4.69 5.67 4.29 3.93 45.22
Jantotsu Sanritsu 1983-04 4.84 4.88 4.36 4.55 4.80 4.50 4.20 4.20 4.10 4.11 44.54
Night Gal Nichibutsu 1984-08 8.00 7.00 7.38 7.00 7.17 7.19 43.74
Gyrodine Taito 1984-07 6.25 6.33 6.00 6.08 4.91 4.58 4.58 4.70 43.43
Flicky Sega 1984-05 6.67 6.09 5.55 5.33 4.67 4.80 4.50 4.50 42.11
Great Swordsman Taito 1984-08 9.40 7.36 7.23 5.69 5.00 4.79 39.47
Victorious Nine Taito 1984-05 8.00 6.33 6.13 5.33 4.56 4.67 4.44 39.46
Pit & Run Taito 1984-02 7.69 6.27 6.16 5.14 4.75 4.05 34.06
Elevator Action Taito 1983-05 5.71 5.05 4.75 4.63 4.80 4.50 4.43 33.87
Tapper Sega 1984-03 7.00 6.50 5.00 5.43 5.07 4.71 33.71
Chinese Hero Taito 1984-10 9.25 4.90 5.33 4.25 4.42 4.64 32.79
Othello Fujiwara 1984-09 6.00 6.33 5.40 5.14 4.29 4.71 31.87
Kick Start Taito 1984-07 7.60 6.83 6.46 5.40 5.10 31.39
Bank Panic Sega 1984-09 7.33 6.29 5.55 4.80 4.85 28.82
Equites Sega 1984-09 7.00 5.55 4.92 5.18 4.92 27.57
Ninja-kun Taito 1984-10 8.00 6.46 6.29 6.00 26.75
B-Wings Data East 1984-10 8.50 6.15 6.31 5.64 26.6
The Tin Star Taito 1983-10 8.00 7.60 6.14 4.56 26.3
Zaviga Data East 1984-03 6.50 5.23 5.13 4.93 4.33 26.12
Master Viking Sega 1984-01 6.75 6.00 4.55 4.33 4.20 25.83
Sea Fighter Poseidon Taito 1983-12 7.00 5.82 4.82 4.20 3.75 25.59
Super Basketball Konami 1984-09 8.40 5.94 5.47 4.61 24.42
Nova 2001 UPL 1983-11 6.00 5.38 4.47 4.09 4.33 24.27
Grobda Namco 1984-10 9.00 7.67 6.56 23.23
VS. Mahjong Nintendo 1984-02 6.00 6.25 5.50 5.00 22.75
Rlng Flghter Taito 1984-05 7.50 6.50 4.31 4.29 22.6
Ben Bero Beh Taito 1984-11 7.40 5.70 4.44 4.67 22.21
Stinger Seibu 1983-09 4.57 4.25 4.25 4.40 4.67 22.14
Scion Seibu 1984-02 4.33 4.50 4.60 4.20 4.00 21.63
Fighting Ice Hockey Data East 1984-04 4.17 4.25 3.75 4.25 5.00 21.42
Senjyo Tehkan 1983-11 6.50 5.05 4.87 4.17 20.59
Circus Charlie Konami 1984-02 5.67 5.53 4.41 4.28 19.89
VS. 10-Yard Fight Irem 1984 6.00 4.80 4.50 4.14 19.44
Bomb Jack Tehkan 1984-03 5.67 5.00 4.50 4.07 19.24
Joshi Volleyball Taito 1983-10 5.81 4.73 4.28 4.09 18.91
Shōgi Alpha 1980-09 4.71 4.42 4.29 4.17 17.59
Hana Awase Seta 1982[25] 4.50 4.33 4.00 4.67 17.5
VS. Karate Champ Data East 1984-09 6.00 5.71 5.38 17.09
Tōru-kun Konami 1984-09 7.50 4.89 4.47 16.86
Sumou SNK 1984-06 6.33 5.60 4.75 16.68
Time Pilot '84 Konami 1984-04 6.00 5.67 5.00 16.67
The Battle-Road Irem 1984-10 5.86 5.63 4.63 16.12
T.T. Mahjong Taito 1981[26] 5.00 5.50 5.00 15.5
Formation Z Jaleco 1984-07 5.64 4.90 4.50 15.04
Mr. Do's Wild Ride Universal 1984-01 6.00 4.50 4.30 14.8
Pinbo Jaleco 1984-08 5.43 4.86 4.50 14.79
Star Force Tehkan 1984-09 5.11 4.36 4.50 13.97
Donkey Kong 3 Nintendo 1983-09 5.00 4.63 4.33 13.96
Dynamic Ski Nichibutsu 1984-03 4.50 4.50 4.50 13.5
Pro Bowling Data East 1983-03 4.50 4.50 4.48 13.48
Mr. Do! Universal 1982-09 4.80 4.40 4.25 13.45
Champion Baseball Sega 1983-03 4.90 4.47 3.77 13.14
Yellow Cab Data East 1984-08 6.67 6.36 13.03
Scrum Try Data East 1984-02 7.50 5.08 12.58
Water Match Sega 1984-07 6.60 5.00 11.6
Itazura Tenshi Nichibutsu 1984-11 6.00 4.50 10.5
The Grand Sumo Data East 1984-05 5.50 4.85 10.35
The Undoukai Taito 1984-05 5.29 4.47 9.76
Parallel Turn Jaleco 1984-03 5.25 4.25 9.5
SWAT Sega 1984-02 4.71 4.63 9.34
Gomoku Narabe Nichibutsu 1982-02 4.33 5.00 9.33
VS. Pinball Nintendo 1984-07 4.50 4.67 9.17
Espial Orca / GGI 1983-06 4.20 4.75 8.95
Future Spy Sega 1984-09 4.56 4.38 8.94
Koi Koi Sanritsu 1982[25] 4.25 4.50 8.75
Phozon Namco 1983-08 4.75 4.00 8.75
Strike Bowling Taito 1982-05 4.33 4.33 8.66
Battle Cruiser M-12 Sigma 1983-07 4.50 4.00 8.50
Mappy Namco 1983-03 4.37 4.11 8.48
Zippy Race Irem 1983-03 4.40 4.07 8.47
Mr. Do vs. Unicorns Universal 1983-09 4.00 4.40 8.40
Pachi Fever Sanki 1983-09 4.00 4.33 8.33
Sector Zone Nichibutsu 1984-04 4.40 3.75 8.15
Mysterious Stones Data East 1984-11 7.33 7.33
Road Fighter Konami 1984-12 7.33 7.33
1942 Capcom 1984-11 7.00 7.00
Main Event SNK 1984-11 6.67 6.67
Bull Fighter Sega 1984-09 5.75 5.75
Mad Crusher SNK 1984-07 5.50 5.50
Photo Finish Jaleco 1984 5.00 5.00
The Tōgyū Sega 1984-11 5.00 5.00
The Guinness Sun 1984-05 4.50 4.50
Vanguard II SNK 1984-03 4.33 4.33
Zeroize Data East 1983-10 4.28 4.28
Galaxian Namco 1979-09 4.12 4.12
Jongputer Sanritsu 1981 4.07 4.07
Hamburger Data East 1982-08 4.00 4.00
Jumping Jack Universal 1984-05 4.00 4.00
Pro Golf Data East 1981-08 4.00 4.00
Regulus Sega 1983-12 4.00 4.00
Pengo Sega 1982-09 3.92 3.92
Upright / Cockpit
TX-1 Namco 1983-10 8.83 9.27 8.92 8.60 8.35 7.81 8.44 8.00 7.56 8.00 7.26 6.70 7.05 6.95 7.11 7.30 7.39 7.40 7.54 7.00 7.33 7.33 6.29 6.14 6.92 189.49
Pole Position II Namco 1983-06 8.30 7.41 7.68 7.12 6.50 6.41 6.53 6.12 6.07 7.53 5.50 5.62 5.83 5.67 6.00 5.78 5.63 5.94 5.60 5.63 6.00 6.29 5.31 6.13 150.6
Star Wars Atari 1983-05 7.18 6.90 7.00 7.09 6.45 6.50 6.44 6.10 6.50 5.60 5.55 5.11 5.00 4.78 5.22 5.40 5.71 4.57 3.50 3.57 3.00 3.25 3.25 4.75 128.42
Pole Position Namco 1982-09 6.12 6.15 5.90 6.10 5.20 4.20 6.50 6.00 5.50 6.00 3.33 5.25 4.43 4.71 5.67 5.29 6.50 6.00 5.33 4.67 4.75 5.25 4.50 4.50 127.85
Ultra Quiz Taito 1983-09 7.28 6.37 6.00 5.25 5.00 5.40 5.33 4.20 4.67 4.75 4.25 4.60 5.50 4.17 4.29 4.60 4.67 4.20 4.80 4.25 4.17 4.80 3.75 5.00 117.3
Laser Grand Prix Taito 1983-07 7.89 6.75 6.31 6.25 5.77 4.95 5.17 4.71 4.56 3.76 4.00 3.65 3.76 3.88 3.77 3.80 3.93 4.18 3.80 3.36 3.25 3.08 3.38 3.50 4.00 111.46
Thunder Storm Data East 1984-02 8.00 7.83 8.13 7.63 7.64 7.80 7.39 7.56 7.80 6.87 6.80 5.81 5.21 5.13 5.70 105.3
Interstellar Funai 1983-09 7.00 7.20 6.20 5.60 4.80 4.75 6.25 4.75 3.40 4.00 3.75 4.20 4.25 4.50 5.25 4.75 4.50 4.33 3.00 4.25 96.73
M.A.C.H. 3 Taito 1984-02 7.50 8.11 7.36 6.75 5.62 5.86 4.73 5.40 4.67 4.86 5.14 4.86 4.55 4.75 4.27 4.08 3.73 3.70 3.22 99.16
Star Blazer Sega 1983-09 7.00 5.91 5.66 5.25 4.92 5.23 4.62 4.91 4.42 4.64 3.67 4.00 3.50 3.38 4.13 3.25 3.80 3.20 4.25 3.66 89.4
Punch-Out! Nintendo 1984-02 7.50 7.31 7.53 7.32 6.74 6.42 6.11 5.65 5.70 4.81 4.75 4.27 3.82 4.46 3.83 86.22
Monaco GP Sega 1979-11 5.25 4.25 4.33 4.00 4.67 4.00 4.33 3.67 4.33 3.33 3.67 3.67 3.67 4.75 4.00 4.50 4.00 3.67 74.09
Astron Belt Sega 1983-03 5.50 5.36 6.42 5.71 4.66 4.67 4.50 5.50 4.50 3.00 4.60 3.00 4.33 3.50 4.00 69.25
TX-1 V8 Namco 1984-09 8.67 9.33 8.00 7.67 8.25 8.67 8.00 7.75 66.34
Buggy Challenge Taito 1984-07 10.0 7.86 7.30 6.78 6.00 5.56 5.50 4.56 53.56
Badlands Konami 1984-03 8.50 7.00 6.40 6.67 5.80 6.00 5.17 5.50 51.04
Zoom 909 Sega 1982-11 4.14 5.66 5.20 4.50 4.00 3.33 4.00 4.00 3.00 2.67 2.67 3.50 3.00 49.67
Tube Panic Nichibutsu 1984-01 7.00 5.50 5.25 5.33 5.50 5.00 4.00 4.50 3.67 45.75
Genma Taisen Data East 1983-06 5.66 5.66 5.33 4.00 4.00 4.33 3.50 3.00 35.48
Fire Fox Atari 1984 7.00 5.50 5.00 5.00 5.00 27.5
Super Punch-Out! Nintendo 1984-09 7.00 6.36 5.44 6.00 24.8
Turbo Sega 1981-10 3.80 4.00 3.75 3.25 3.25 3.50 21.55
Super Don Quix-ote Universal 1984-11 9.00 8.00 17.0
GP World Sega 1984-11 8.67 8.00 16.67
Atama no Taisō Unienter 1983-04 3.83 2.75 3.00 4.33 2.60 16.51
Cosmos Circuit Taito 1984-11 5.40 5.20 10.6
Genma Tarot Data East 1983-06 5.50 4.00 9.5
Dragon's Lair Universal 1984 4.67 4.67 9.34
Crystal Castles Atari 1983-12 6.00 3.33 9.33
Atama no Taisou II Unienter 1983-09 3.00 3.00 2.67 8.67
Albegas Sega 1984-03 4.50 4.00 8.50
Doctor Q Unienter 1983[27] 3.50 3.50

United States[]

In the United States, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games in 1984. See tables below for revenue breakdown.

Rank Title Company Release Annual revenue (est.) Revenue breakdown (est.)
Nominal Inflation Jan—Oct Nov—Dec
1 Pole Position II [54][55] Namco 1983-10 $263,000,000 $770,000,000 $240,000,000 $23,000,000
2 Pole Position [54][56][57] Namco 1982-11[58] $260,000,000 $760,000,000 $240,000,000 $15,000,000
3 Punch-Out! [55] Nintendo 1984-03[59] $250,000,000 $730,000,000 $230,000,000 $23,000,000
Elevator Action [55] Taito 1983-07[59] $250,000,000 $730,000,000 $230,000,000 $16,000,000
5 Track & Field [55] Konami 1983-10[60] $244,000,000 $720,000,000 $230,000,000 $14,000,000
6 Dragon's Lair Cinematronics 1983-07[59] $240,000,000 $700,000,000 $230,000,000 $14,000,000
7 Ms. Pac-Man [55] Namco 1982-02 $220,000,000 $650,000,000 $220,000,000
8 M.A.C.H. 3 [55] Mylstar 1983-10[59] $160,000,000 $470,000,000 $140,000,000 $24,000,000
9 Spy Hunter [55] Bally Midway 1984-01[59] $140,000,000 $410,000,000 $120,000,000 $16,000,000
10 VS. Tennis Nintendo 1984-03[59] $110,000,000 $320,000,000 $87,000,000 $21,000,000
11 Space Ace Cinematronics 1983-12[61] $100,000,000 $290,000,000 $93,000,000 $13,000,000
12 Star Wars Atari 1983-05[58] $91,000,000 $270,000,000 $91,000,000
13 Time Pilot '84 Konami 1984-05[62] $86,000,000 $250,000,000 $69,000,000 $17,000,000
14 Astron Belt Sega 1983-10[59] $81,000,000 $240,000,000 $70,000,000 $11,000,000
Crossbow Exidy 1983-11[59] $81,000,000 $240,000,000 $66,000,000 $15,000,000
16 Birdie King 2 Taito 1983-09[63] $69,000,000 $200,000,000 $54,000,000 $15,000,000
17 Firefox Atari 1984-01[58] $62,000,000 $180,000,000 $46,000,000 $16,000,000
18 Hyper Sports Konami 1984-05[59] $59,000,000 $170,000,000 $42,000,000 $17,000,000
19 Star Rider Williams 1983-11 $54,000,000 $160,000,000 $35,000,000 $19,000,000
20 Mario Bros. Nintendo 1983-03[64] $53,000,000 $160,000,000 $53,000,000
21 10-Yard Fight Irem / Taito 1983-12 $52,000,000 $150,000,000 $39,000,000 $13,000,000
22 Champion Baseball Sega 1983-06 $49,000,000 $140,000,000 $35,000,000 $14,000,000
23 Tapper Bally Midway 1984-02[59] $42,000,000 $120,000,000 $33,000,000 $9,000,000
24 VS. Baseball Nintendo 1984-04 $37,000,000 $110,000,000 $12,000,000 $25,000,000
25 Gyruss Konami 1983-03 $36,000,000 $110,000,000 $36,000,000
26 Q*bert Mylstar 1982-10 $34,000,000 $100,000,000 $34,000,000
27 Major Havoc Atari 1984-01[59] $30,000,000 $88,000,000 $19,000,000 $11,000,000
MotoRace USA Irem 1983-07[59] $30,000,000 $88,000,000 $17,000,000 $13,000,000
29 Cobra Command Data East 1984-04 $23,000,000 $67,000,000 $6,200,000 $17,000,000
Mega Zone Konami 1983-10 $23,000,000 $67,000,000 $7,500,000 $15,000,000
31 Two Tigers Bally Midway 1984-07[59] $21,000,000 $62,000,000 $5,300,000 $16,000,000
32 Up'n Down Sega 1984-03[65] $18,000,000 $53,000,000 $4,800,000 $13,000,000
33 Exerion Jaleco / Taito 1983-11 $17,000,000 $50,000,000 $2,200,000 $15,000,000
Tag Team Wrestling Data East 1984-01[66] $17,000,000 $50,000,000 $3,500,000 $13,000,000
35 Millipede Atari 1982-11[58] $16,000,000 $47,000,000 $3,500,000 $12,000,000
36 Circus Charlie Konami 1984-03[59] $15,000,000 $44,000,000 $4,000,000 $11,000,000
Gaplus Namco 1984-09 $15,000,000 $44,000,000 $15,000,000
38 Superbike Crown 1983 $14,000,000 $41,000,000 $2,200,000 $12,000,000
39 Karate Champ Data East 1984-09 $13,000,000 $38,000,000 $13,000,000
40 Discs of Tron Bally Midway 1983-09[59] $12,000,000 $35,000,000 $7,500,000 $4,000,000
41 Jr. Pac-Man Namco 1983-08 $12,000,000 $35,000,000 $440,000 $12,000,000
42 Nova 2001 Universal 1984-03[67] $12,000,000 $35,000,000 $4,800,000 $7,000,000
43 Mr. Do's Wild Ride Universal 1984-03[67] $9,000,000 $26,000,000 $1,300,000 $8,000,000
44 Great Guns Stern 1984-01[59] $9,000,000 $26,000,000 $880,000 $8,000,000
45 Cloak & Dagger Atari 1984-03 $9,000,000 $26,000,000 $2,600,000 $6,000,000
46 Donkey Kong 3 Nintendo 1983-10 $7,000,000 $21,000,000 $7,000,000
47 The Tin Star Taito 1984-02[68] $5,000,000 $15,000,000 $2,600,000 $2,000,000
48 H.B’s Olympics Magic 1984-10[69] $4,000,000 $12,000,000 $4,000,000
49 Return of the Jedi Atari 1984-09[58] $4,000,000 $12,000,000 $4,000,000
50 Super Bagman Stern 1984-05[59] $3,000,000 $9,000,000 $440,000 $3,000,000
51 Pandora's Palace Konami 1984-03[70] $3,000,000 $9,000,000 $3,000,000
52 Root Beer Tapper Bally Midway 1984 $3,000,000 $9,000,000 $3,000,000
53 Bomb Jack Tehkan 1984-10 $2,000,000 $6,000,000 $2,000,000
I, Robot Atari 1984-06[58] $2,000,000 $6,000,000 $2,000,000
Mystic Marathon Williams 1984-02[71] $2,000,000 $6,000,000 $2,000,000
SWAT Sega 1984-10[65] $2,000,000 $6,000,000 $2,000,000
The Glob Magic 1983-10[69] $2,000,000 $6,000,000 $2,000,000
58 Boomer Rang'r Data East 1984-04 $1,000,000 $3,000,000 $1,000,000
Video games $3,500,000,000 $10,300,000,000
1 High Ball Norton 1982-11[72] $19,000,000 $56,000,000 $6,200,000 $13,000,000
2 Bowler Roller Bob's Space 1984 $14,000,000 $41,000,000 $5,300,000 $9,000,000
Skee-Ball Skee-Ball $14,000,000 $41,000,000 $4,400,000 $10,000,000
4 Big Bat Bally Midway 1984 $11,000,000 $32,000,000 $4,000,000 $7,000,000
5 10 Pin Deluxe Bally Midway 1984 $10,000,000 $29,000,000 $2,600,000 $7,000,000
6 Big Strike Williams 1966 $9,000,000 $26,000,000 $3,500,000 $5,000,000
7 Shoot Away Namco 1978 $7,000,000 $21,000,000 $1,300,000 $6,000,000
Whac-A-Mole TOGO 1977 $7,000,000 $21,000,000 $7,000,000
Whirly Bucket Exidy 1983 $7,000,000 $21,000,000 $2,200,000 $5,000,000
Triple Strike Williams 1975 $7,000,000 $21,000,000 $3,100,000 $4,000,000
11 Super Shifter Bob's Space 1982 $6,000,000 $18,000,000 $880,000 $5,000,000
12 English Mark Darts Arachnid 1984 $5,000,000 $15,000,000 $440,000 $5,000,000
13 Boom Ball Meltec 1980[73] $5,000,000 $15,000,000 $5,000,000
Mr. Muscle Zamperia 1984 $5,000,000 $15,000,000 $1,800,000 $3,000,000
15 Face-Off Entertainment 1983[74] $4,000,000 $12,000,000 $4,000,000
Midnight Marauders Bally Midway 1984-05[75] $4,000,000 $12,000,000 $4,000,000
17 Ninja Gun Kasco 1977[76] $3,000,000 $9,000,000 $3,000,000
Fire Escape ICE 1984[77] $3,000,000 $9,000,000 $3,000,000
Electro-mechanical $1,400,000,000 $4,100,000,000

January–October[]

The following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games between January and October 1984.

Title Company Release Points Jan—Oct[n 5]
1/1—10/15[n 6][78][79] 11/1[n 7][79][78] Points Revenue (est.)
Pole Position II Namco 1983-10 520 30 550 $240,000,000
Pole Position Namco 1982-11[58] 520 30 550 $240,000,000
Punch-Out! Nintendo 1984-03[59] 500 28 528 $230,000,000
Elevator Action Taito 1983-07[59] 500 16 516 $230,000,000
Track & Field Konami 1983-10[60] 500 19 519 $230,000,000
Dragon's Lair Cinematronics 1983-07[59] 500 22 522 $230,000,000
Ms. Pac-Man Namco 1982-02 500 500 $220,000,000
M.A.C.H. 3 Mylstar 1983-10[59] 281 26 307 $140,000,000
Spy Hunter Bally Midway 1984-01[59] 256 26 282 $120,000,000
10-Yard Fight Irem / Taito 1983-12 79 10 89 $39,000,000
Astron Belt Sega 1983-10[59] 138 22 160 $70,000,000
Birdie King 2 Taito 1983-09[63] 106 17 123 $54,000,000
Champion Baseball Sega 1983-06 70 10 80 $35,000,000
Circus Charlie Konami 1984-03[59] 9 9 $4,000,000
Cloak & Dagger Atari 1984-03 6 6 $2,600,000
Cobra Command Data East 1984-04 14 14 $6,200,000
Crossbow Exidy 1983-11[59] 129 21 150 $66,000,000
Discs of Tron Bally Midway 1983-09[59] 17 17 $7,500,000
Mario Bros. Nintendo 1983-03[64] 121 121 $53,000,000
Donkey Kong 3 Nintendo 1983-10
Exerion Jaleco / Taito 1983-11 5 5 $2,200,000
Firefox Atari 1984-01[58] 92 13 105 $46,000,000
Great Guns Stern 1984-01[59] 2 2 $880,000
Gyruss Konami 1983-03 82 82 $36,000,000
Hyper Sports Konami 1984-05[59] 73 23 96 $42,000,000
Jr. Pac-Man Namco 1983-08 1 1 $440,000
Major Havoc Atari 1984-01[59] 33 11 44 $19,000,000
Mega Zone Konami 1983-10 17 17 $7,500,000
Millipede Atari 1982-11[58] 8 8 $3,500,000
MotoRace USA Irem 1983-07[59] 21 18 39 $17,000,000
Mr. Do's Wild Ride Universal 1984-03[67] 3 3 $1,300,000
Nova 2001 Universal 1984-03[67] 11 11 $4,800,000
Q*bert Mylstar 1982-10 78 78 $34,000,000
Space Ace Cinematronics 1983-12[61] 193 19 212 $93,000,000
Star Rider Williams 1983-11 80 80 $35,000,000
Star Wars Atari 1983-05[58] 206 206 $91,000,000
Super Bagman Stern 1984-05[59] 1 1 $440,000
Superbike Crown 1983 5 5 $2,200,000
Tag Team Wrestling Data East 1984-01[66] 8 8 $3,500,000
Tapper Bally Midway 1984-02[59] 76 76 $33,000,000
The Tin Star Taito 1984-02[68] 6 6 $2,600,000
Time Pilot '84 Konami 1984-05[62] 137 19 156 $69,000,000
Two Tigers Bally Midway 1984-07[59] 12 12 $5,300,000
Up'n Down Sega 1984-03[65] 11 11 $4,800,000
VS. Tennis Nintendo 1984-03[59] 171 26 197 $87,000,000
VS. Baseball Nintendo 1984-04 28 28 $12,000,000
Video games 6,532 $2,900,000,000
10 Pin Deluxe Bally Midway 1984 6 6 $2,600,000
Big Bat Bally Midway 1984 9 9 $4,000,000
Big Strike Williams 1966 8 8 $3,500,000
Boom Ball Meltec 1980[73]
Bowler Roller Bob's Space 1984 12 12 $5,300,000
English Mark Darts Arachnid 1984 1 1 $440,000
Face-Off Entertainment 1983[74]
Fire Escape ICE 1984[77]
High Ball Norton 1982-11[72] 14 14 $6,200,000
Midnight Marauders Bally Midway 1984-05[75]
Mr. Muscle Zamperia 1984 4 4 $1,800,000
Ninja Gun Kasco 1977[76]
Shoot Away Namco 1978 3 3 $1,300,000
Skee-Ball Skee-Ball 10 10 $4,400,000
Super Shifter Bob's Space 1982 2 2 $880,000
Triple Strike Williams 1975 7 7 $3,100,000
Whac-A-Mole TOGO 1977
Whirly Bucket Exidy 1983 5 5 $2,200,000
Electro-mechanical $1,200,000,000

November–December[]

According to Play Meter polls, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games between November and December 1984.

Title Company Release Points Nov—Dec[n 8]
11/15[79] 12/1[80] 12/31[81] Points Revenue (est.)
Pole Position II Namco 1983-10 173.8 187.9 176.6 538.3 $23,000,000
Pole Position Namco 1982-11[58] 130.1 120.9 106.3 357.3 $15,000,000
Punch-Out! Nintendo 1984-03[59] 188.2 192.8 150.5 531.5 $23,000,000
Elevator Action Taito 1983-07[59] 122.4 118.4 120.7 361.5 $16,000,000
Track & Field Konami 1983-10[60] 122.8 105.6 91.8 320.2 $14,000,000
Dragon's Lair Cinematronics 1983-07[59] 135.2 111.0 90.3 336.5 $14,000,000
Ms. Pac-Man Namco 1982-02
M.A.C.H. 3 Mylstar 1983-10[59] 119.5 143.9 113.9 377.3 $16,000,000
Spy Hunter Bally Midway 1984-01[59] 195.0 195.5 164.2 554.7 $24,000,000
10-Yard Fight Irem / Taito 1983-12 103.6 105.0 102.1 310.7 $13,000,000
Astron Belt Sega 1983-10[59] 68.9 95.0 100.2 264.1 $11,000,000
Birdie King 2 Taito 1983-09[63] 124.4 104.3 119.2 347.9 $15,000,000
Bomb Jack Tehkan 1984-10 56.8 56.8 $2,000,000
Boomer Rang'r Data East 1984-04[59] 29.6 29.6 $1,000,000
Champion Baseball Sega 1983-06 103.4 115.1 99.6 318.1 $14,000,000
Circus Charlie Konami 1984-03[59] 113.9 88.4 43.4 245.7 $11,000,000
Cloak & Dagger Atari 1984-03 36.4 80.0 22.2 138.6 $6,000,000
Cobra Command Data East 1984-04 100.0 100.0 200.0 400 $17,000,000
Crossbow Exidy 1983-11[59] 149.3 68.2 124.2 341.7 $15,000,000
Discs of Tron Bally Midway 1983-09[59] 42.3 50.5 92.8 $4,000,000
Mario Bros. Nintendo 1983-03[64]
Donkey Kong 3 Nintendo 1983-10 27.2 69.1 68.6 164.9 $7,000,000
Exerion Jaleco / Taito 1983-11 92.4 141.2 114.7 348.3 $15,000,000
Firefox Atari 1984-01[58] 77.7 164.4 131.6 373.7 $16,000,000
Gaplus Namco 1984-09 174.8 91.9 80.5 347.2 $15,000,000
Great Guns Stern 1984-01[59] 127.1 47.6 174.7 $8,000,000
Hyper Sports Konami 1984-05[59] 141.3 152.9 108.0 402.2 $17,000,000
H.B’s Olympics Magic 1984-10[69] 51.3 38.0 89.3 $4,000,000
I, Robot Atari 1984-06[58] 44.1 44.1 $2,000,000
Jr. Pac-Man Namco 1983-08 101.5 87.7 83.9 273.1 $12,000,000
Karate Champ Data East 1984-09 94.0 200.0 294 $13,000,000
Major Havoc Atari 1984-01[59] 90.7 77.6 86.1 254.4 $11,000,000
Mega Zone Konami 1983-10 114.3 139.6 103.0 356.9 $15,000,000
Millipede Atari 1982-11[58] 99.3 67.4 101.7 268.4 $12,000,000
MotoRace USA Irem 1983-07[59] 91.5 106.2 110.5 308.2 $13,000,000
Mr. Do's Wild Ride Universal 1984-03[67] 32.2 89.6 65.6 187.4 $8,000,000
Mystic Marathon Williams 1984-02[71] 41.3 41.3 $2,000,000
Nova 2001 Universal 1984-03[67] 51.9 59.2 50.3 161.4 $7,000,000
Q*bert Mylstar 1982-10
Pandora's Palace Konami 1984-03[70] 60.9 60.9 $3,000,000
Return of the Jedi Atari 1984-09[58] 81.5 81.5 $4,000,000
Root Beer Tapper Bally Midway 1984 37.1 39.8 76.9 $3,000,000
Space Ace Cinematronics 1983-12[61] 95.9 107.6 93.4 296.9 $13,000,000
Star Rider Williams 1983-11 171.2 162.9 103.0 437.1 $19,000,000
Star Wars Atari 1983-05[58]
Super Bagman Stern 1984-05[59] 69.8 69.8 $3,000,000
SWAT Sega 1984-10[65] 47.4 47.4 $2,000,000
Superbike Crown 1983 132.9 76.9 60.3 270.1 $12,000,000
Tag Team Wrestling Data East 1984-01[66] 103.9 102.4 93.1 299.4 $13,000,000
Tapper Bally Midway 1984-02[59] 43.1 84.1 79.8 207 $9,000,000
The Glob Magic 1983-10[69] 35.5 35.5 $2,000,000
The Tin Star Taito 1984-02[68] 57.9 57.9 $2,000,000
Time Pilot '84 Konami 1984-05[62] 131.3 144.1 120.1 395.5 $17,000,000
Two Tigers Bally Midway 1984-07[59] 137.2 88.1 150.1 375.4 $16,000,000
Up'n Down Sega 1984-03[65] 108.7 70.4 122.1 301.2 $13,000,000
VS. Tennis Nintendo 1984-03[59] 166.1 166.5 150.7 483.3 $21,000,000
VS. Baseball Nintendo 1984-04 190.2 198.7 190.8 579.7 $25,000,000
Video games 14,088 $600,000,000
10 Pin Deluxe Bally Midway 1984 71.4 46.4 56.0 173.8 $7,000,000
Big Bat Bally Midway 1984 56.3 46.4 56.0 158.7 $7,000,000
Big Strike Williams 1966 45.8 46.4 35.0 127.2 $5,000,000
Boom Ball Meltec 1980[73] 46.4 59.5 105.9 $5,000,000
Bowler Roller Bob's Space 1984 62.5 75.4 70.0 207.9 $9,000,000
English Mark Darts Arachnid 1984 31.3 29.0 44.8 105.1 $5,000,000
Face-Off Entertainment 1983[74] 87.5 87.5 $4,000,000
Fire Escape ICE 1984[77] 23.2 23.2 23.3 69.7 $3,000,000
High Ball Norton 1982-11[72] 100.0 100.0 100.0 300 $13,000,000
Midnight Marauders Bally Midway 1984-05[75] 48.1 37.0 85.1 $4,000,000
Mr. Muscle Zamperia 1984 25.0 23.2 32.7 80.9 $3,000,000
Ninja Gun Kasco 1977[76] 23.2 46.7 69.9 $3,000,000
Shoot Away Namco 1978 41.7 52.2 56.0 149.9 $6,000,000
Skee-Ball Skee-Ball 95.8 54.8 76.0 226.6 $10,000,000
Super Shifter Bob's Space 1982 37.5 34.8 46.7 119 $5,000,000
Triple Strike Williams 1975 65.6 34.8 100.4 $4,000,000
Whac-A-Mole TOGO 1977 58.0 98.0 156 $7,000,000
Whirly Bucket Exidy 1983 40.0 19.3 50.2 109.5 $5,000,000
Electro-mechanical $200,000,000

United Kingdom[]

in the United Kingdom, the following title was the highest-grossing arcade game in 1984.

Rank Title Manufacturer Sales Annual revenue (est.) Ref
Nominal Inflation
1 Track & Field (Hyper Olympic) Konami 1,000+ $54,000,000 $150,000,000 [82][83]

Best-selling home systems[]

Rank System Manufacturer Type Generation Sales Ref
Japan Worldwide
1 Famicom (NES) Nintendo Console Gen 3 2,940,000 2,940,000 [15]
2 Atari 2600 Atari Console Gen 2 2,900,000 [84]
3 Commodore 64 (C64) Commodore Computer 8-bit 2,500,000 [85]
4 Game & Watch Nintendo Handheld 4-bit 1,750,000 [86]
5 IBM PC IBM Computer 8-bit / 16-bit 6,000+ 1,300,000 [85][87]
IBM JX IBM Japan Computer 8-bit / 16-bit 6,000 6,000 [88]
6 TI-99/4A TI Computer 8-bit / 16-bit 1,000,000+ [89]
7 Apple II Apple Computer 8-bit 1,000,000 [85]
8 IBM PC clones Various Computer 8-bit / 16-bit 700,000 [85][87]
Compaq Portable Compaq Computer 8-bit / 16-bit 149,000 [88]
9 MSX ASCII Computer 8-bit 350,000 500,000 [90][91]
10 NEC PC-88 / PC-98 NEC Computer 8-bit / 16-bit 470,000 470,000+ [92][93]
11 Apple Macintosh Apple Computer 16-bit 372,000 [85]
12 Super Cassette Vision Epoch Console Gen 3 300,000 300,000 [15]
13 Coleco Adam Coleco Computer 8-bit 255,000 [94]
14 Sega SG-1000 Sega Console Gen 3 250,000 250,000+ [95]
15 Sharp X1 / MZ Sharp Computer 8-bit 240,000 240,000+ [96][97]
16 Atari 5200 Atari Console Gen 2 200,000 [84]
17 Atari 8-bit Atari Computer 8-bit 200,000 [85]
18 FM-7 / FM-11 Fujitsu Computer 8-bit 130,000 130,000+ [98][99]
19 TRS-80 Tandy Computer 8-bit 50,000 [85]
20 AT&T PC 6300 AT&T Computer 16-bit 28,500 [88]
Annual sales
Personal computers Computer 1,200,000[99] 6,322,000 [85]
Video game consoles Console 3,490,000 4,900,000+ [10]

Best-selling home video games[]

The following titles were the best-selling home video games worldwide in 1984. See sub-sections below for breakdown of sales and revenue estimates.

Rank Title Platform(s) Company Sales
(est.)
Gross revenue (est.) Genre
Nominal Inflation
1 Golf Famicom Nintendo 2,460,000 $52,000,000 $150,000,000 Sports
2 Tennis Famicom Nintendo 1,560,000 $33,000,000 $97,000,000
3 Baseball Famicom Nintendo 1,350,000 $28,000,000 $82,000,000
4 Pole Position Consoles Namco 1,290,000 $45,000,000 $130,000,000 Racing
5 Xevious Famicom Namco 1,270,000 $25,000,000 $73,000,000 Shmup
6 Q*bert Consoles Parker Bros. 1,200,000 $45,000,000 $130,000,000 Puzzle
7 Mahjong Famicom Nintendo 1,130,000 $24,000,000 $70,000,000 Mahjong
8 Frogger Multi-platform Konami / Sega 1,120,000 $45,000,000 $130,000,000 Action
9 Popeye Consoles Nintendo 1,100,000 $42,000,000 $120,000,000 Platformer
10 Mario Bros. Multi-platform Nintendo 1,080,000 $30,000,000 $88,000,000
11 Centipede Consoles Atari 1,000,000+ $41,000,000 $120,000,000 Shmup
12 Pitfall II: Lost Caverns Consoles Activision 1,000,000 $40,000,000 $120,000,000 Platformer
13 F1 Race Famicom Nintendo 1,000,000 $21,000,000 $62,000,000 Racing
4 Nin Uchi Mahjong Famicom Nintendo 1,000,000 $21,000,000 $62,000,000 Mahjong
15 Activision Decathlon Consoles Activision 800,000 $34,000,000 $100,000,000 Sports
16 Track & Field Computers Konami 800,000 $14,000,000 $41,000,000
17 Mappy Multi-platform Namco 730,000 $15,000,000 $44,000,000 Platformer
18 BurgerTime Consoles Data East 700,000+ $27,000,000 $79,000,000
19 Ms. Pac-Man Consoles Namco 700,000+ $27,000,000 $79,000,000 Maze
20 Kangaroo Consoles Sun 700,000 $27,000,000 $79,000,000 Platformer
21 Space Shuttle Consoles Activision 680,000 $26,000,000 $76,000,000 Space
22 River Raid Consoles Activision 630,000 $20,000,000 $59,000,000 Shmup
23 Congo Bongo Consoles Sega 600,000 $26,000,000 $76,000,000 Platformer
24 Pac-Man Multi-platform Namco 550,000 $19,000,000 $56,000,000 Maze
25 Dig Dug Multi-platform Namco 520,000 $18,000,000 $53,000,000

Console games[]

Rank Title Platform(s) Company Sales (est.) Gross (est.) Genre
1 Golf Famicom Nintendo 2,460,000 $52,000,000 Sports
2 Tennis Famicom Nintendo 1,560,000 $33,000,000
3 Baseball Famicom Nintendo 1,350,000 $28,000,000
4 Xevious Famicom Namco 1,270,000 $25,000,000 Shmup
5 Pole Position Atari 2600, Atari 5200 Namco 1,260,000 $45,000,000 Racing
6 Q*bert Multi-platform Parker Bros. 1,200,000 $45,000,000 Puzzle
7 Mahjong Famicom Nintendo 1,130,000 $24,000,000 Mahjong
8 Popeye Multi-platform Nintendo 1,100,000 $42,000,000 Platformer
9 Mario Bros. Famicom, Atari 2600 Nintendo 1,030,000 $29,000,000
10 Centipede Atari 2600 Atari 1,000,000 $41,000,000 Shmup
Frogger Multi-platform Konami / Sega 1,000,000 $41,000,000 Action
12 Pitfall II Multi-platform Activision 1,000,000 $40,000,000 Platformer
13 4 Nin Uchi Mahjong Famicom Nintendo 1,000,000 $21,000,000 Mahjong
F1 Race Famicom Nintendo 1,000,000 $21,000,000 Racing
15 The Activision Decathlon Atari 2600 Activision 800,000 $30,000,000 Sports
16 Mappy Famicom Namco 710,000 $15,000,000 Platformer
17 BurgerTime Atari 2600, Intellivision Data East 700,000 $27,000,000 Platformer
Kangaroo Atari 2600, Atari 5200 Sun 700,000 $27,000,000
19 Ms. Pac-Man Atari 2600 Namco 700,000 $27,000,000 Maze
20 Space Shuttle Atari 2600 Activision 680,000 $26,000,000 Maze
21 River Raid Atari 2600, Intellivision Activision 630,000 $20,000,000 Shmup
22 Congo Bongo Atari 2600, Atari 5200 Sega 600,000 $26,000,000 Platformer
23 Dig Dug Atari 2600 Namco 510,000 $18,000,000 Maze
24 WarGames ColecoVision Coleco 500,000 $19,000,000 Strategy
25 Excitebike Famicom Nintendo 500,000 $12,000,000 Racing

Japan[]

In Japan, the following titles were the year's best-selling home console game cartridges.

Rank Title Platform Company Sales Gross revenue (est.) Genre Ref
Nominal Inflation
1 Golf Famicom Nintendo 2,460,000 $52,000,000 $150,000,000 Sports [100][12]
2 Tennis Famicom Nintendo 1,560,000 $33,000,000 $97,000,000 Sports [100][101]
3 Baseball Famicom Nintendo 1,350,000 $28,000,000 $82,000,000 Sports [100][102]
4 Xevious Famicom Namco 1,270,000 $25,000,000 $73,000,000 Shmup [100][103]
5 Mahjong Famicom Nintendo 1,130,000 $24,000,000 $70,000,000 Mahjong [100][104]
6 F1 Race Famicom Nintendo 1,000,000 $21,000,000 $62,000,000 Racing [100][105]
4 Nin Uchi Mahjong Famicom Nintendo 1,000,000 $21,000,000 $62,000,000 Mahjong [100][106]
8 Mappy Famicom Namco 710,000 $15,000,000 $44,000,000 Platformer [100][107]
9 Mario Bros. Famicom Nintendo 630,000 $13,000,000 $38,000,000 Platformer [108]
10 Excitebike Famicom Nintendo 500,000 $12,000,000 $35,000,000 Racing [100][109]
11 Pac-Man Famicom Namco 480,000 $18,000,000 $53,000,000 Maze [110]
12 Lode Runner Famicom Hudson Soft 300,000 $6,000,000 $18,000,000 Platformer [111][112][113]

United States[]

In the United States, the following titles were the year's best-selling console game cartridges in the US, across all console platforms. The points are calculated from chart rankings on video game charts.

Rank Title Platform(s) Company Points[n 9]
[114][115]
Sales (est.)
[n 10][116]
Gross (est.)
[n 11][9]
Ref
1 Q*bert 2600, 5200, CV, INTV Parker Bros. 620 1,200,000 $45,000,000 [117][114]
2 Pole Position Atari 2600, Atari 5200 Namco 535 1,100,000 $43,000,000
3 Centipede Atari 2600 Atari 503 1,000,000+ $41,000,000
4 Popeye 2600, 5200, CV, INTV Nintendo 441 1,000,000+ $41,000,000
5 Frogger 2600, 5200, CV Konami / Sega 482 1,000,000+ $41,000,000
6 Pitfall II: Lost Caverns 2600, CV, INTV Activision 512 1,000,000 $40,000,000 [117][118]
7 Activision Decathlon Atari 2600 Activision 429 800,000 $30,000,000 [117][114]
8 BurgerTime Atari 2600, Intellivision Data East 305 700,000+ $27,000,000
9 Ms. Pac-Man Atari 2600 Namco 215 700,000+ $27,000,000
10 Kangaroo Atari 2600, Atari 5200 Sun 305 700,000 $27,000,000
11 Space Shuttle Atari 2600 Activision 339 680,000 $26,000,000 [114]
12 Congo Bongo Atari 2600, Atari 5200 Sega 324 600,000 $26,000,000
13 River Raid Atari 2600, Intellivision Activision 254 500,000 $19,000,000
14 WarGames ColecoVision Coleco 234 500,000 $19,000,000
15 Tarzan ColecoVision Coleco 213 400,000 $17,000,000
16 Dig Dug Atari 2600 Namco 212 400,000 $17,000,000
17 Mario Bros. Atari 2600 Nintendo 205 400,000 $16,000,000
18 Star Trek ColecoVision Sega 196 400,000 $16,000,000
19 Jungle Hunt Atari 2600, ColecoVision Taito 178 400,000 $14,000,000
20 Jumpman Jr. ColecoVision Epyx 149 300,000 $11,000,000 [115]
21 Moon Patrol Atari 2600, Atari 5200 Irem 142 300,000 $11,000,000 [114]
22 Front Line ColecoVision Taito 134 300,000 $11,000,000
23 Joust Atari 2600, Atari 5200 Atari 134 300,000 $11,000,000
24 E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Atari 2600 Atari 291,070 $11,000,000 [119][120]
25 Bump 'n' Jump CV, INTV, 2600 Data East 123 250,000 $10,000,000 [114]
26 Gateway to Apshai ColecoVision Epyx 144 200,000 $10,000,000 [115]
27 Frenzy ColecoVision Coleco 121 200,000 $10,000,000 [114]
28 Mr. Do! Atari 2600, ColecoVision Universal 121 200,000 $10,000,000
29 Star Wars Atari 2600, Atari 5200 Parker Bros. 119 200,000 $10,000,000
30 Pitfall! 2600, CV, INTV Activision 110 200,000 $9,000,000
31 War Room Atari 2600 Probe 2000 108 200,000 $9,000,000
32 Real Sports Baseball Atari 2600, Atari 5200 Atari 106 200,000 $8,000,000
33 Qix Atari 5200 Taito 102 200,000 $8,000,000
34 Buck Rogers ColecoVision Sega 87 170,000 $7,000,000
35 Time Pilot Atari 2600, ColecoVision Konami 84 170,000 $7,000,000
36 Roc'n Rope ColecoVision Konami 79 160,000 $6,000,000
37 H.E.R.O. 2600, 5200, CV Activision 71 140,000 $6,000,000
38 Donkey Kong 2600, CV, INTV Nintendo 64 130,000 $5,000,000
39 Dukes of Hazzard ColecoVision Coleco 61 100,000 $5,000,000 [115]
40 Enduro Atari 2600 Activision 61 100,000 $5,000,000 [114]
41 Squish 'Em Featuring Sam ColecoVision Interphase 60 100,000 $5,000,000 [115]
42 Defender Atari 2600, Atari 5200 Williams 51 100,000 $4,000,000 [114]
43 Heist ColecoVision Micro Fun 59 100,000 $5,000,000 [115]
44 Donkey Kong Jr. 2600, CV, INTV Nintendo 45 100,000 $4,000,000 [114]
45 Nova Blast ColecoVision Imagic 45 100,000 $4,000,000 [115]
46 Pengo Atari 5200 Sega 44 100,000 $4,000,000 [115]
47 Cabbage Patch Kids ColecoVision Konami 44 100,000 $4,000,000 [114]
48 B.C.'s Quest for Tires ColecoVision Sierra 42 100,000 $3,000,000 [114]
49 Montezuma's Revenge ColecoVision Parker Bros. 42 100,000 $3,000,000 [115]
50 Millipede Atari 2600 Atari 40 100,000 $3,000,000
51 Miner 2049er ColecoVision, Atari 2600 Micro Lab 40 100,000 $2,000,000
52 Galaxian 2600, 5200, CV Namco 35 100,000 $3,000,000 [114]
53 Frogger II: ThreeeDeep! ColecoVision Konami / Sega 34 100,000 $3,000,000 [115]
54 James Bond Atari 2600, ColecoVision Parker Bros. 33 70,000 $3,000,000 [114]
55 Blockade Runner Intellivision Interphase 32 60,000 $3,000,000 [115]
56 Antartic Adventure ColecoVision Konami 31 60,000 $2,000,000 [114]
57 Gyruss Atari 2600, Atari 5200 Konami 31 60,000 $2,000,000
58 Robotron Atari 5200 Atari 25 50,000 $2,000,000
59 AD&D: Treasure Of Tarman Atari 2600 Mattel 19 40,000 $2,000,000 [114]
60 Fortune Builder ColecoVision Coleco 19 40,000 $2,000,000 [115]
61 Astrochase Atari 5200 Parker Bros. 18 40,000 $1,400,000 [115]
62 Wing War ColecoVision Imagic 18 40,000 $1,400,000
63 SubRoc ColecoVision Sega 17 30,000 $1,000,000 [114]
64 Mr. Do's Castle Atari 5200 Universal 17 30,000 $1,000,000 [115]
65 Tutankham ColecoVision Konami 17 30,000 $1,000,000
66 Pinball Intellivision Mattel 17 30,000 $1,000,000
67 Pitstop ColecoVision Epyx 17 30,000 $1,000,000
68 Super Action Baseball ColecoVision Coleco 17 30,000 $1,000,000 [114]
69 Zenji ColecoVision Activision 17 30,000 $1,000,000 [115]
70 Moonsweeper ColecoVision Imagic 16 30,000 $1,000,000
71 Mountain King Atari 2600 CBS 16 30,000 $1,000,000
72 Quest for Quintana Roo ColecoVision Sunrise 16 30,000 $1,000,000
73 Robot Tank Atari 2600 Activision 16 30,000 $1,000,000 [114]
74 Battlezone Atari 2600 Atari 13 30,000 $1,000,000
75 Kaboom! Atari 2600 Activision 13 30,000 $1,000,000
76 Asteroids Atari 2600 Atari 27,650 $1,000,000 [119][121]
77 Berzerk Atari 2600 Atari 26,570 $1,000,000
78 Football ColecoVision Coleco 11 20,000 $1,000,000 [114]
79 Zaxxon Atari 2600, ColecoVision Sega 10 20,000 $1,000,000
80 Space Invaders Atari 2600 Taito 14,350 $500,000 [119][121]
81 Warlords Atari 2600 Atari 11,660 $400,000
82 Phoenix Atari 2600, Atari 5200 TPN / Hiraoka 5 10,000 $400,000 [114]
83 Keystone Kapers Atari 2600 Activision 3 6,000 $200,000
84 Death Star Battle Atari 2600 Parker Bros. 1 2,000 $100,000
Annual 9,621 54,500,000 $800,000,000 [9]

United Kingdom[]

The following titles were the UK's best-selling home console games in 1984. Points are calculated from Computer & Video Games (CVG) chart rankings.

Rank Title Platform Company Points
[n 12][122]
Sales
(est.)[n 13]
Gross revenue
(est.)[n 14]
Genre Ref
1 Battlezone Atari VCS Atari 10 180,000 $2,000,000 Shmup
2 Pole Position Atari VCS Namco 9 160,000 $2,000,000 Racing
3 Donkey Kong Atari VCS Nintendo 8 140,000 $2,000,000 Platformer
4 River Raid Atari VCS Activision 7 130,000 $1,400,000 Shmup
5 Dig Dug Atari VCS Namco 6 110,000 $1,200,000 Maze
6 Popeye Atari VCS Nintendo 5 100,000 $1,000,000 Platformer
7 Tutankham Atari VCS Konami 4 70,000 $1,000,000 Action ADV
8 Galaxian Atari VCS Namco 3 50,000 $1,000,000 Shmup
9 Moon Patrol Atari VCS Irem 2 40,000 $400,000 Driving
10 Beamrider Atari VCS Activision 1 20,000 $200,000 Shmup
Annual 55 1,000,000 $13,000,000 [8][14]

Computer games[]

Japan[]

The following titles were the year's best-selling home computer game software in Japan.

No. Title Platform Company Points
[n 15][123]
Sales
(est.)[n 16]
Price
[123][n 17]
Gross
(est.)[n 18]
Genre
1 The Death Trap [124][125] Computers Squaresoft 300,000 ¥9,800 $10,000,000 VN / ADV
2 Lode Runner PC-9801 SystemSoft 223 200,000 ¥6,800 $3,000,000 Platformer
3 Xevious Sharp X1 Namco 208 100,000 ¥5,100 $2,000,000 Shmup
4 Hydlide [126][127][128] PC-8801 T&E Soft 100,000 ¥6,800 $3,000,000 Action RPG
5 Jankyō Computers Hudson Soft 136 100,000 ¥5,400 $2,000,000 Mahjong
6 Mario Bros. Computers Hudson Soft 118 100,000 ¥4,800 $1,000,000 Platformer
7 Deseni Land [129] Computers Hudson Soft 114 50,000 ¥5,800 $1,000,000 VN / ADV
8 Thunder Force Sharp X1 Technosoft 94 50,000 ¥4,800 $1,000,000 Shmup
9 Flappy Computers dB-Soft 83 50,000 ¥6,000 $1,000,000 Puzzle
10 Star Arthur: Planet Mephius Computers T&E Soft 77 50,000 ¥5,800 $1,000,000 VN / ADV
11 Salad no Kuni no Tomato Hime Computers Hudson Soft 67 40,000 ¥5,800 $800,000
12 Jelda Computers Carry Lab 62 40,000 ¥6,800 $700,000 TPS
13 Door Door Computers Enix 60 40,000 ¥4,800 $700,000 Platformer
14 Yakyū Kyō Computers Hudson Soft 60 40,000 ¥5,400 $700,000 Sports
15 The Black Onyx [130][131][132] PC-88/98 BPS 59 40,000 ¥7,500 $700,000 RPG
16 Newtron PC-8801 Enix 57 30,000 ¥5,800 $600,000 Puzzle
17 Mappy Sharp X1 Namco 55 30,000 ¥3,500 $600,000 Platformer
18 The Cockpit Computers Compac 55 30,000 ¥5,300 $600,000 Flight sim
19 Volguard Computers dB-Soft 54 30,000 ¥5,700 $600,000 Shmup
20 Pac-Man FM-7 Dempa 51 30,000 ¥3,300 $600,000 Maze
21 Shiri Mahjong Computers Tsukumo 50 30,000 ¥4,800 $600,000 Mahjong
22 Alphos Computers Enix 46 30,000 ¥5,800 $500,000 Shmup
23 Hyper Olympic [133][134] MSX Konami 44 30,000 ¥4,800 $500,000 Sports
24 Ball Panicker PC-8801 Pony Canyon 43 30,000 ¥2,800 $500,000 Pinball
25 Polar Star III Computers Carry Lab 42 30,000 ¥4,800 $500,000 TPS
26 Chack'n Pop Computers Taito 38 20,000 ¥6,000 $400,000 Platformer
27 Sokoban 2 Computers Thinking 33 20,000 ¥4,600 $400,000 Puzzle
28 Gundam 1: Daishi ni Tatsu PC88, FM7 Rapport 31 20,000 ¥3,900 $400,000 RPG / FPS
29 Jelda II Computers Carry Lab 31 20,000 ¥4,800 $400,000 TPS
30 Moon Ball PC-9801 Sacom 30 20,000 ¥7,300 $300,000 Action
31 David's Midnight Magic PC-8801 SystemSoft 27 20,000 ¥6,800 $300,000 Pinball
32 Front Line Computers Taito 27 20,000 ¥5,100 $300,000 Run & gun
33 Ōshō Computers Carry Lab 22 20,000 ¥5,000 $300,000 Shogi
34 Dig Dug Computers Namco 21 10,000 ¥3,300 $200,000 Maze
35 Ankoku Shiro FM-7 Enix 18 10,000 ¥3,800 $200,000 VN / ADV
36 Choplifter FM-7, X1 Soft Pro 17 10,000 ¥5,300 $200,000 Shmup
37 Dragon Slayer PC88, FM7 Nihon Falcom 17 10,000 ¥6,000 $200,000 Action RPG
38 Woom PC-9801 Sacom 17 10,000 ¥7,200 $200,000 Platformer
39 The Fire Crystal PC-88/98 BPS 16 10,000 ¥6,300 $200,000 RPG
40 Zexas Computers dB-Soft 16 10,000 ¥4,800 $200,000 TPS
41 3-D Golf Simulation Computers T&E Soft 13 10,000 ¥5,400 $100,000 Sports
42 Galaxian Computers Namco 13 10,000 ¥3,300 $100,000 Shmup
43 Star Fleet Computers Technosoft 13 10,000 ¥4,500 $100,000 FPS
44 Yōkai Tantei Chimachima PC88, SMC7 Bothtec 12 10,000 ¥5,800 $100,000 Maze
45 Antarctic Adventure MSX Konami 12 10,000 ¥4,800 $100,000 Platformer
46 Door Door mkII Computers Enix 12 10,000 ¥5,000 $100,000 Platformer
47 Fan Fun PC-8001 Enix 10 10,000 ¥3,800 $100,000 Action
48 Plazma Line PC8801, X1 Technosoft 9 10,000 ¥6,700 $100,000 Racing
49 Portopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken Computers Enix 9 10,000 ¥3,600 $100,000 VN / ADV
50 Star Arthur II: Dark Nebula PC88, FM7 T&E Soft 8 10,000 ¥5,800 $100,000 VN / ADV
51 Time Secret Computers Pascal II 7 10,000 ¥3,700 $100,000 Adventure
52 Pro Yakyū Super Simulation Computers JDS 6 10,000 ¥4,000 $100,000 Sports
53 Uootoy FM-7, S1 Compac 5 10,000 ¥5,300 $100,000 Platformer
54 Professional Mahjong Computers Chatnoir 4 3,000 ¥7,900 $50,000 Mahjong
55 Rally-X MSX Namco 4 3,000 ¥4,500 $50,000 Driving
56 Zarth PC-88, FM7 Enix 3 2,000 ¥4,800 $30,000 VN / ADV
57 Arfgaldt Computers ASCII 2 1,000 ¥1,800 $20,000 RPG / ADV
Super Pinball PC-8001 ASCII 2 1,000 ¥1,800 $20,000 Pinball
59 A.E. PC-88, FM Comptiq 1 1,000 ¥6,800 $10,000 TPS
60 Dungeon NEC, FM7 Koei 1 1,000 ¥5,200 $10,000 RPG
Gundam: Last Shooting MSX Bandai 1 1,000 ¥4,800 $10,000 FPS
Time Tunnel Computers Bond Soft 1 1,000 ¥4,300 $10,000 Adventure
The Cannonball Run 2 Computers Pony Canyon 1 1,000 ¥3,500 $10,000 Racing
Annual [18] 2,000,000 ¥5,000 $40,000,000

United States[]

The following titles were the year's best-selling home computer game software in the US. The points are calculated from chart rankings on computer software sales charts.

Rank Title Platform(s) Company Points
[n 19][114]
Sales (est.)
[n 20][135]
Gross (est.)
[n 21][136]
Genre Ref
1 Flight Simulator II Apple, Atari, C64, IBM SubLogic 485 190,000 $6,000,000 Flight sim
2 Zork I Computers Infocom 377 152,100 $5,000,000 Adventure [135][137]
3 One-on-One Apple II, Atari, C64 EA 368 150,000 $5,000,000 Sports
4 Kids on Keys Computers Spinnaker 150,000 $5,000,000 Education [138]
5 Lode Runner Apple II, Atari, C64 Broderbund 326 100,000 $2,000,000 Platformer [139][140]
6 Wizardry Apple II, Atari 8-bit Sir-Tech 286 100,000 $5,000,000 RPG [141][142]
7 Temple of Apshai Apple, Atari, C64, IBM Epyx 28 100,000 $3,000,000 RPG [143][144]
8 Ghostbusters C64 Activision 26 100,000 $3,000,000 Action [145][146]
9 Beach-Head Atari 8-bit, C64, IBM Access 226 90,000 $3,000,000 Shmup
10 Pinball Construction Set Apple, Atari, C64, IBM EA 225 90,000 $3,000,000 Pinball
11 Seven Cities of Gold Apple II, Atari, C64 EA 48 90,000 $4,000,000 Strategy [147][148]
12 Frogger Apple II, IBM Konami/Sega 12 90,000 $3,000,000 Action [147][149]
13 Bruce Lee Apple II, Atari, C64 Data Soft 10 90,000 $3,000,000 Platformer [147][150]
14 Summer Games Computers Epyx 205 90,000 $3,000,000 Sports [147][151]
15 F-15 Strike Eagle Multi-platform MicroProse 90,000 $2,000,000 Flight sim [147][152]
16 Sargon III Computers Hayden 194 70,000 $2,000,000 Chess
17 Zork II Computers Infocom 44 67,309 $2,000,000 Adventure [135][137]
18 Zaxxon Computers Sega 150 60,000 $2,000,000 Shmup
Castle Wolfenstein Apple II, Atari 8-bit Muse 150 60,000 $2,000,000 Action ADV
20 Hitchhiker's Guide Computers Infocom 59,007 $2,000,000 Adventure [135][137]
21 Deadline Computers Infocom 59 53,525 $2,000,000
22 Cutthroats Computers Infocom 36 52,703 $2,000,000
23 Zork III Computers Infocom 50,734 $2,000,000
24 Exodus: Ultima III Computers Origin 356 50,000 $1,500,000 RPG [145]
25 Choplifter Apple II, Atari, C64 Broderbund 135 50,000 $2,000,000 Shmup
26 Planetfall Computers Infocom 43,606 $2,000,000 Adventure [135][137]
27 Suspended Computers Infocom 40,324 $2,000,000
28 Blue Max Atari 8-bit, C64 Synapse 107 40,000 $1,000,000 Shmup
29 Raid Over Moscow C64 Access 104 40,000 $1,000,000 Strategy
30 Wizardry III Apple II Sir-Tech 24 10,000 $300,000 RPG
31 Questron Computers SSI 35,000 $1,000,000 RPG [153]
32 Witness Computers Infocom 34,712 $1,000,000 Adventure [135][137]
33 Starcross Computers Infocom 32,970 $1,000,000
34 Seastalker Computers Infocom 31,384 $900,000
35 Sorcerer Computers Infocom 31,334 $900,000
36 Enchanter Computers Infocom 30 31,222 $900,000
37 Archon Apple II, Atari, C64 EA 81 30,000 $900,000 Strategy
38 Sargon II Computers Hayden 79 30,000 $900,000 Chess
39 Ultima II Apple II, Atari 8-bit Sierra 77 30,000 $900,000 RPG
40 Q*bert Computers Parker Bros. 73 29,000 $900,000 Arcade
41 Archon II: Adept Atari 8-bit, C64 EA 70 28,000 $800,000 Strategy
42 Beyond Castle Wolfenstein Apple II, Atari, C64 Muse 67 27,000 $800,000 Action ADV
43 Transylvania Apple II, Atari, Mac Penguin 21 23,000 $700,000 Adventure [154]
44 Suspect Computers Infocom 22,659 $700,000 Adventure [135][137]
45 Infidel Computers Infocom 20,250 $600,000
46 Miner 2049er Computers Big Five 28 20,000 $600,000 Shmup
47 Skyfox Apple II, Atari 8-bit EA 45 18,000 $500,000 RPG
48 Donkey Kong Computers Nintendo 41 16,000 $500,000 Platformer
49 Pitstop Computers Epyx 34 14,000 $400,000 Racing
50 King's Quest Apple II, IBM Sierra 33 13,000 $400,000 Adventure
51 Murder by the Dozen Computers CBS 33 13,000 $400,000
52 Jumpman Apple, Atari, C64, IBM Epyx 32 13,000 $400,000 Platformer
53 Pole Position Atari 8-bit Namco 31 12,000 $400,000 Racing
54 Missile Command Atari 8-bit Atari 30 10,000 $300,000 Shmup
55 The Mask of the Sun Atari 8-bit, C64, IBM Broderbund 29 10,000 $300,000 Adventure
56 Sorcerer Computers Infocom 27 10,000 $300,000
57 Space Invaders Atari 8-bit, CP/M Taito 25 10,000 $300,000 Shmup
58 Death in the Caribbean Computers Micro Lab 24 10,000 $300,000 Adventure
59 Hes Games Apple, Atari, C64, IBM H.E.S. 24 10,000 $300,000 Sports
60 Realm of Impossibility Atari 8-bit, C64 EA 23 10,000 $300,000 Adventure
61 Spy vs. Spy Apple II, Atari, C64 First Star 22 10,000 $300,000 Puzzle
62 Trivia C64 Mirage 18 7,000 $300,000 Trivia
Annual 5,115 3,000,000 $99,800,000 [1]

The following titles were the year's best-selling computer games for the Apple II.[155]

Rank Title Company Points
[155]
Sales (est.)
[n 22][156][84]
Revenue (est.)
[n 21][136]
1 Flight Simulator II SubLogic 561.48 60,000 $2,000,000
2 MasterType Lightning Software 415.85 40,000 $1,000,000
3 Lode Runner Broderbund Software 298.31 30,000 $900,000
4 One-on-One Electronic Arts 235.88 20,000 $600,000
5 Wizardry Sir-Tech 225.15 20,000 $600,000
6 Zork Infocom 183.81 20,000 $600,000
7 Wizardry III: Legacy of Llylgamyn Sir-Tech 146.29 10,000 $300,000
8 Zaxxon Sega 134.97 10,000 $300,000
9 Choplifter Broderbund Software 125.18 10,000 $300,000
10 Exodus: Ultima III Origin Systems 113.07 10,000 $300,000
11 Beyond Castle Wolfenstein MUSE 68.77 7,000 $200,000
12 Miner 2049er Micro Fun 60.24 6,000 $200,000
13 Sargon III Hayden Software 54.39 5,000 $200,000
14 Pinball Construction Set BudgeCo 45.35 5,000 $200,000
15 Castle Wolfenstein MUSE 39.01 4,000 $100,000
16 Zork II Infocom 33.88 3,000 $90,000
17 Knight of Diamonds Sir-tech 33.17 3,000 $90,000
18 Zork III Infocom 32.22 3,000 $90,000
19 Early Games for Young Children Early Game Company 28.34 3,000 $90,000
20 Snooper Troops I Spinnaker Software 23.22 2,000 $60,000
21 Math Blaster Davidson and Associates 20.25 2,000 $60,000
22 Frogger Konami / Sega 19.94 2,000 $60,000
23 Death in the Caribbean Micro Fun 17.90 2,000 $60,000
24 Enchanter Infocom 15.75 2,000 $60,000
25 Sorcerer Infocom 14.21 1,000 $30,000

United Kingdom[]

In the United Kingdom, the following titles were the year's best-selling home computer game software in the UK.

Rank Title Platform Company Points
[n 23][157]
Sales
(est.)[n 24]
Revenue
(est.)[n 25]
Genre Ref
1 Jet Set Willy Computers Software 287 500,000 $8,000,000 Platformer [158]
2 Daley Thompson / Micro Olympics Computers Konami 277 500,000 $7,500,000 Sports [159][160]
3 Manic Miner Computers Bug-Byte 209 400,000 $6,000,000 Platformer [158]
4 Fighter Pilot Computers Digital 150 300,000 $4,000,000 Flight
5 Atic Atac Spectrum Ultimate 142 280,000 $4,000,000 Adventure
6 Chequered Flag Spectrum Psion 77 200,000 $4,000,000 Racing
7 Hunchback Computers Ocean 155 200,000 $4,000,000 Platformer
8 Sabre Wulf Spectrum Ultimate 130 200,000 $4,000,000 Adventure
9 Night Gunner Spectrum Digital 106 200,000 $3,000,000 Shmup
10 Jetpac Spectrum Ultimate 29 200,000 $2,000,000
11 Beach-Head Computers U.S. Gold 228 200,000 $2,000,000 Shmup [160][161]
12 Fighter Pilot Computers Digital 150 200,000 $2,000,000 Flight [162][163]
13 Monty Mole Computers Gremlin 108 200,000 $2,000,000 Platformer
15 Trashman Spectrum New Gen 102 200,000 $2,000,000 Action
16 Bruce Lee Computers Datasoft 8 200,000 $1,100,000 Platformer [164][165]
17 International Soccer C64 Commodore 98 200,000 $2,000,000 Sports
18 Codename MAT Spectrum Micromega 95 200,000 $2,000,000 Shooter
19 Lords of Midnight Spectrum Beyond 92 200,000 $2,000,000 Strategy
20 Psytron Spectrum Beyond 92 200,000 $2,000,000 Shooter
21 Tornado Low Level Spectrum Vortex 91 200,000 $2,000,000 Shmup
22 Blue Thunder Spectrum Wilcox 90 200,000 $2,000,000
23 Full Throttle Spectrum Micromega 90 200,000 $2,000,000 Racing
24 Kong / Crazy Kong / Select 1 Computers Nintendo 87 200,000 $2,000,000 Platformer
25 Elite Computers Acornsoft 87 200,000 $2,000,000 Space [166][167]
26 Chiller C64 Mastertronic 71 140,000 $2,000,000 Platformer [168]
27 Space Pilot C64 Anirog 70 140,000 $2,000,000 Shmup
28 Valhalla C64 Legend 69 140,000 $2,000,000 Adventure
29 Zaxxon / Fortress Computers Sega 68 140,000 $2,000,000 Shmup
30 Mugsy Spectrum Melbourne 68 100,000 $1,800,000 Strategy
31 The Hobbit Computers Melbourne 63 100,000 $1,700,000 Adventure
32 Blagger Computers Alligata 61 100,000 $1,000,000 Platformer
33 Blade Alley Spectrum P.S.S. 58 100,000 $1,000,000 Shmup
34 Jack & The Beanstalk Spectrum Thor 57 100,000 $1,000,000 Platformer
35 Scuba Dive Spectrum Durell 53 100,000 $1,000,000 Action
36 Match Point Spectrum Psion 47 90,000 $1,000,000 Sports
37 Underwurlde Spectrum Ultimate 46 90,000 $1,000,000 Platformer
38 Decathlon C64 Activision 45 90,000 $1,000,000 Sports
39 Knight Lore Computers Ultimate 42 80,000 $1,000,000 Adventure [164][169]
40 Aztec Challenge U.S. Gold Cosmi 39 80,000 $1,000,000 Action
41 Backpacker's Guide Spectrum Fantasy 39 80,000 $1,000,000 Platformer
42 Kokotoni Wilf Spectrum Elite 39 80,000 $1,000,000
43 Combat Lynx Spectrum Durell 37 70,000 $1,000,000 Flight sim
44 Frankenstein Spectrum P.S.S. 37 70,000 $1,000,000 Adventure
45 Ant Attack Spectrum Quicksilva 35 70,000 $900,000 Action
46 BMX Racers Spectrum Mastertronic 33 70,000 $900,000 Racing [168]
47 Wanted Monty Mole Computers Gremlin 33 70,000 $900,000 Platformer
48 Flight Path 737 Computers Anirog 32 60,000 $900,000 Flight sim
49 Arabian Nights C64 Interceptor 31 60,000 $800,000 Platformer
50 Ghostbusters C64 Activision 30 60,000 $800,000 Action [159][170]
51 Death Star Interceptor C64 System 3 30 60,000 $800,000 Shmup
52 Alchemist Spectrum Imagine 29 60,000 $800,000 Adventure
53 Pilot 64 C64 Abbex 29 60,000 $800,000 Flight sim
54 Aviator BBC Micro Acornsoft 27 50,000 $700,000
55 Booty Spectrum Firebird 26 50,000 $700,000 Platformer [159][171]
56 Fred Spectrum Quicksilva 26 50,000 $700,000 Maze
57 Hungry Horace (Pac-Man) Spectrum Psion 25 50,000 $700,000 Maze
58 Sherlock Holmes Spectrum Melbourne 25 50,000 $700,000 Adventure
59 Son of Blagger C64 Alligata 25 50,000 $700,000 Platformer
60 Suicide Express C64 Gremlin 25 50,000 $700,000 Shmup
61 Pyjamarama Spectrum Mikro-Gen 24 50,000 $500,000 Adventure [159][172]
62 Squirm Computers Mastertronic 50,000 $500,000 Maze [168]
63 Cyclone Spectrum Vortex 22 40,000 $600,000 Shmup
64 Football Manager Computers Addictive 22 40,000 $600,000 Sports
65 Mutant Camels C64 Llamasoft 20 40,000 $500,000 Shmup
66 Tir-Na-Nog Spectrum Gargoyle 20 40,000 $500,000 Adventure
67 Jack & the Beanstalk Spectrum Thor 19 40,000 $500,000 Platformer
68 Kosmic Kanga Spectrum Micromania 19 40,000 $500,000 Action
69 Olympicon Spectrum Mitec 19 40,000 $500,000 Sports
70 Dark Star Spectrum Design 18 40,000 $500,000 Shmup
71 Skool Daze Spectrum Microsphere 18 40,000 $500,000 Adventure
72 Fighter Pilot Spectrum Digital 18 40,000 $500,000 Flight sim
73 Chuckie Egg BBC Micro A &F 16 30,000 $400,000 Platformer
74 Guardian Electron Alligata 16 30,000 $400,000 Shmup
75 Perils of Willy VIC-20 Software 16 30,000 $400,000 Platformer
76 World Cup Football Spectrum Artic 16 30,000 $400,000 Sports
77 War of the Worlds Spectrum CRL 16 30,000 $400,000 Adventure
78 Eddie Kidd Jump Challenge Spectrum Martech 15 30,000 $400,000 Racing
Hunter-Killer Spectrum Protek 15 30,000 $400,000 Simulation
Lunar Jetman Spectrum Ultimate 15 30,000 $400,000 Shmup
81 Forest at World's End Spectrum Interceptor 14 30,000 $400,000 Adventure
82 Twin Kingdom Valley C64 Bug-Byte 13 30,000 $400,000
83 Pole Position Atari 8-bit Namco 12 20,000 $300,000 Racing
Jumpin' Jack (Frogger) C64 Konami 12 20,000 $300,000 Action
Frak BBC Micro Ardvaak 12 20,000 $300,000 Platformer
Steve Davis ' Snooker Spectrum C.D.S. Micro 12 20,000 $300,000 Sports
87 D.M. In Double Trouble Spectrum Creative 11 20,000 $300,000
88 Quo Vadis C64 The Edge 11 20,000 $300,000
89 Wizard And The Princess VIC-20 Melbourne 11 20,000 $300,000
90 Cavelon Spectrum Ocean 10 20,000 $300,000
91 Chess Spectrum Psion 10 20,000 $300,000
92 Cylon Attack BBC A & F 10 20,000 $300,000
93 Zorgons Revenge Oric I.J.K. 10 20,000 $300,000
94 Alcatraz Harry Spectrum Mastertronic 9 20,000 $200,000
95 Danger Mouse Spectrum Creative 9 20,000 $200,000
96 Giant's Revenge Spectrum Thor 9 20,000 $200,000
97 Harrier Attack Spectrum Durrell 9 20,000 $200,000
98 Stonkers Spectrum Imagine 9 20,000 $200,000
99 Triad Live C64 Wire 9 20,000 $200,000
100 American Football Spectrum Mind Games 8 20,000 $200,000
101 Avalon Spectrum Hewson 8 20,000 $200,000
102 Battle Cars Spectrum Workshop 7 10,000 $200,000
103 Flip & Flop C64 State 7 10,000 $200,000
104 Moon Alert Spectrum Ocean 7 10,000 $200,000
105 Vegas Jackpot VIC-20 Mastertronic 7 10,000 $200,000
106 Falcon Patrol II C64 Virgin 6 10,000 $200,000
107 Snooker BBC Visions 6 10,000 $200,000
108 Summer Games C64 Quicksilva 6 10,000 $200,000
109 3D Lunar Attack Spectrum Hewson 5 10,000 $100,000
110 Astro Chase C64 State 5 10,000 $100,000
111 Hektik / Hectic VIC-20 Mastertronic 5 10,000 $100,000
112 Loco C64 Alligata 5 10,000 $100,000
113 Rubik Cube Sharp Solo 5 10,000 $100,000
114 Solo Flight C64 U.S. Gold 5 10,000 $100,000
115 Battle Of The Medway Spectrum P.S.S. 4 8,000 $100,000
116 D.M. In The Black Forest Chateau Spectrum Creative 4 8,000 $100,000
117 Doomdark's Revenge Spectrum Beyond 4 8,000 $100,000
118 Encounter Atari Novagen 4 8,000 $100,000
119 Eureka Spectrum Domark 4 8,000 $100,000
120 Zodiac C64 Anirog 4 8,000 $100,000
121 Pedro Spectrum Imagine 3 6,000 $80,000
122 Pyramid C64 Fantasy 3 6,000 $80,000
123 World Cup Football Spectrum Artic 3 6,000 $80,000
124 Ad Astra Spectrum Gargoyle 2 4,000 $50,000
125 Football Manager C64 Addictive 2 4,000 $50,000
126 Wheelie Spectrum Microsphere 2 4,000 $50,000
127 Cuthbert Goes Digging Dragon Microdeal 1 2,000 $30,000
Annual 5,128 10,000,000 $133,000,000 [8][17]

Handheld games[]

Title Sales Gross revenue (est.) Genre Series Company Ref
Nominal Inflation
Boxing (Punch-Out!) 250,000 $12,000,000 $35,000,000 Boxing Game & Watch Nintendo [86]
Crab Grab 250,000 $12,000,000 $35,000,000 Action
Donkey Kong 3 250,000 $12,000,000 $35,000,000 Platformer
Donkey Kong Circus 250,000 $12,000,000 $35,000,000 Action
Donkey Kong Hockey 250,000 $12,000,000 $35,000,000 Sports
Mickey Mouse 250,000 $12,000,000 $35,000,000 Action
Spitball Sparky 250,000 $12,000,000 $35,000,000

Notes[]

  1. See Best-selling home video games section
  2. See Computer games section
  3. 105.3 points equivalent to 7,000 units (Thunder Storm) = 70 units per point (est.)
  4. 5,319.22 points equivalent to $2.1 billion = $400,000 per point (est.)
  5. 6,532 points equivalent to $2.9 billion = $440,000 per point (est.)
  6. Points = average rating X poll listings
  7. As per Play Meter, points are awarded "according to a game’s ranking on each poll. A first place rank rewarded 14 points, second place 13 points, third place 12 points, etc."
  8. 14,088 points equivalent to $600 million = $43,000 per point (est.)
  9. Points based on chart rankings from Billboard (1984-01-07 to 1985-01-05). When Billboard chart rankings are unavailable for a game, points are based on chart rankings from Computer Entertainer (January 1984 to December 1984).
    • Rank #1 = 25 points
    • Rank #10 = 16 points
    • Rank #25 = 1 point
  10. 512 points equivalent to 1 million units (Pitfall II) = 2,000 units per point (est.)
  11. 8,775 points equivalent to $765 million = $80,000 per point (est.)
  12. Points calculated from sales chart rankings published in Computer & Video Games (CVG) magazine (March 1984 issue).
    • Rank #1 = 10 points
    • Rank #10 = 1 point
  13. 55 points equivalent to 1 million units = 18,000 units per point (est.)
  14. 55 points equivalent to $13 million = $200,000 per point (est.)
  15. Points based on monthly Softlog chart rankings from LOGiN magazine during 1984 (April 1984 to February 1985 issues).
    • Rank #1 = 20 points
    • Rank #10 = 11 points
    • Rank #20 = 1 point
  16. Average price: ¥5,000 ($20)
  17. Exchange rate: ¥237 per US$
  18. 2,368 points equivalent to $27 million (excluding The Death Trap and Hydlide) = $11,400 per point (est.)
  19. Points based on chart rankings from Billboard (1984-01-07 to 1985-01-05).
    • Rank #1 = 25 points
    • Rank #10 = 16 points
    • Rank #25 = 1 point
  20. 377 points equivalent to 152,100 units = 400 units per point (est.)
  21. 21.0 21.1 Average price: $30
  22. 100 unit sales per point (est.)
    • 45.88 points equivalent to 5,000 units (Horizon V in 1982)
    • 1,744.36 points equivalent to 190,000 units (Wizardry up until 1984)
  23. Points based on monthly chart rankings from CVG (issues 31-40) during 1984.
    • Rank #1 = 31 points
    • Rank #10 = 22 points
    • Rank #30 = 2 points
    • Rank #31 = 1 point
  24. 5,128 points equivalent to 10,000,000 units = 2,000 units per point (est.)
  25. 5,128 points equivalent to $133,000,000 = $26,000 per point (est.)

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 https://books.google.com/books?id=uZddAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA22&article_id=5946,1708632
  2. "Popularity of home computers falls along with sales". Eugene Register-Guard. 7 July 1985.
  3. https://books.google.com/books?id=ZSQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA29
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 "State of the Industry" (PDF). Play Meter. Vol. 10, no. 20. 1 November 1984. pp. 32–47.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Video File". The Los Angeles Times. February 21, 1984. p. 63. Retrieved 2023-12-22.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Aoyama, Masaharu (September 1997). "Structural Changes in the Home Market for Video Games". NLI Research Institute. Japan. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Meades, Alan (2022-10-25). "SegaWorld, Street Fighter II, and Exporting Games to Japan" (PDF). Arcade Britannia: A Social History of the British Amusement Arcade. The MIT Press. pp. 203-231 (214-20). ISBN 978-0-262-37234-3.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 "Market size and market shares". Video Games: A Report on the Supply of Video Games in the UK. United Kingdom: Monopolies and Mergers Commission (MMC), H.M. Stationery Office. April 1995. pp. 66 to 68. ISBN 978-0-10-127812-6.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 "Video Game Sales: 1972-1999". Gaming Alexandria. June 7, 2021.
  10. 10.0 10.1 Third generation of video games
  11. Ikuine, Fumihiko (2022-01-21). The Efficiency and Creativity of Product Development: Lessons from the Game Software Industry in Japan. Springer Nature. p. 59. ISBN 978-981-16-7743-4.
  12. 12.0 12.1 https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=18369&redirect=no
  13. Lindner, Richard (1990). Video Games: Past, Present and Future; An Industry Overview. United States: Nintendo of America.
  14. 14.0 14.1 "Book of Reviews". Computer & Video Games. No. 17 (published 1983-02-16). March 1983.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 "昔(1970年代)のテレビゲームは何台売れた? (How many old (1970s) video games sold?)". Classic Videogame Station Odyssey (CVS Odyssey) (in Japanese). 2014-01-09. Archived from the original on 2014-01-09. Retrieved 16 April 2021. {{cite web}}: More than one of |archivedate= and |archive-date= specified (help); More than one of |archiveurl= and |archive-url= specified (help)
  16. "The Home Video-Game Industry (1983-1996) - Competitive Strategy Revolving around Industry Standards" (PDF). gbrc.jp. p. 43.
  17. 17.0 17.1 https://www.crashonline.org.uk/45/budget.htm
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  19. Game & Watch
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