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In 1986, the video game industry recovered from the crash of 1983. The United States home video game market was revived with the arrival of the third generation of video game consoles led by the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).[1] Meanwhile, Sega reinvigorated the arcade market with advanced Super Scaler arcade games.

The year's highest-grossing video game worldwide was Sega's arcade blockbuster Hang-On. The year's best‑selling home system was the Nintendo Entertainment System for the third time in a row, while the best-selling home video game was Nintendo's Super Mario Bros for the second year in a row.

Financial performance[]

In 1986, the video game industry recovered from the crash of 1983. In the United States, there were 113 million arcade players that year.[2]

The following table lists the annual sales and revenue generated by the electronic games industry in 1986, 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 15,813,000+ $4,668,000,000 $13,000,000,000
Arcade games Worldwide 188,000+ $7,300,000,000 $20,000,000,000
Arcade Arcade games United States 173,000+ $4,000,000,000 $11,000,000,000 [3][4]
Japan $2,300,000,000 $6,400,000,000 [5][6]
United Kingdom 15,000+ $1,000,000,000 $2,800,000,000 [7][8]
Electro‑mechanical games United States $1,300,000,000 $3,600,000,000
United Kingdom $800,000,000 $2,200,000,000 [7][8]
Video games Worldwide 100,038,000+ $10,368,000,000 $29,000,000,000
Arcade Arcade video games United States 173,000 $2,700,000,000 $7,500,000,000 [3][4][9]
Japan $2,300,000,000 $6,400,000,000 [5][6]
United Kingdom 15,000+ $400,000,000 $1,100,000,000 [7][8]
Worldwide 188,000+ $5,400,000,000 $15,000,000,000
Console Game consoles Japan 7,310,000 [10]
United States 3,440,000 $220,000,000 $610,000,000 [10][3]
Worldwide 10,130,000+
Console games Japan 60,000,000 $2,400,000,000 $6,700,000,000 [11][12][13]
United States 8,000,000 $210,000,000 $580,000,000 [3][14][15]
Console market Japan 67,310,000 $4,000,000,000 $11,000,000,000 [16][17]
United States 11,440,000 $500,000,000 $1,400,000,000 [18][3][10]
United Kingdom $19,000,000 $53,000,000 [19]
Worldwide 78,750,000 $4,519,000,000 $13,000,000,000
Computer Computer games United States 4,200,000 $168,000,000 $470,000,000 [20][n 1]
United Kingdom 13,000,000 $154,000,000 $430,000,000 [19][21]
Japan 4,000,000 $70,000,000 $190,000,000 [22][n 2]
Worldwide 21,200,000+ $392,000,000 $1,000,000,000
Handheld Handheld LCD games Japan 1,000,000 $48,000,000 $130,000,000 [23]
United Kingdom $9,000,000 $25,000,000 [19]
Eurasia 1,000,000+ $57,000,000 $160,000,000
Video games Japan 72,310,000 $6,418,000,000 $18,000,000,000
United States 15,813,000 $3,368,000,000 $9,400,000,000
United Kingdom 13,015,000 $582,000,000 $1,600,000,000
Electronic games Worldwide 100,038,000+ $12,268,000,000 $34,000,000,000

Highest-grossing video games[]

The following titles were the highest-grossing video games worldwide in 1986, 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 Hang-On Sega $640,000,000 $1,800,000,000 $590,000,000 $50,000,000 Racing
2 Out Run Sega $330,000,000 $920,000,000 $330,000,000
3 Super Mario Bros. Nintendo $250,000,000 $690,000,000 $110,000,000 $140,000,000 Platformer
4 Gradius Konami $200,000,000 $560,000,000 $170,000,000 $34,000,000 Shmup
5 Ikari Warriors (Ikari) SNK $160,000,000 $440,000,000 $160,000,000 Run & gun
Mat Mania Taito $160,000,000 $440,000,000 $160,000,000 Wrestling
7 Ghosts 'n Goblins Capcom $150,000,000 $420,000,000 $130,000,000 $22,000,000 Platformer
Gauntlet Atari Games $150,000,000 $420,000,000 $150,000,000 $2,000,000 Maze
9 1942 Capcom $120,000,000 $330,000,000 $120,000,000 $400,000 Shmup
Pole Position II Namco $120,000,000 $330,000,000 $120,000,000 $14,000,000 Racing
Space Harrier Sega $120,000,000 $330,000,000 $120,000,000 $100,000 TPS
12 Arkanoid Taito $100,000,000 $280,000,000 $100,000,000 $40,000 Block
13 Major League Sega $98,000,000 $270,000,000 $98,000,000 Sports
14 Duck Hunt Nintendo $96,000,000 $270,000,000 $6,000,000 $90,000,000 FPS
15 Buggy Boy Tatsumi $94,000,000 $260,000,000 $94,000,000 Racing
Super Sprint Atari Games $94,000,000 $260,000,000 $94,000,000
17 Gyromite Nintendo $90,000,000 $250,000,000 $90,000,000 Platformer
18 Kung-Fu Master Irem / Data East $85,000,000 $240,000,000 $60,000,000 $25,000,000 Beat 'em up
Tehkan World Cup Tehkan $85,000,000 $240,000,000 $85,000,000 Sports
20 Choplifter Sega $82,000,000 $230,000,000 $82,000,000 Shmup
21 Enduro Racer Sega $81,000,000 $230,000,000 $81,000,000 Racing
22 Real Mahjong Hai Hai Alba $79,000,000 $220,000,000 $79,000,000 Mahjong
23 Green Beret Konami $77,000,000 $210,000,000 $75,000,000 $2,000,000 Run & gun
24 Commando Capcom $76,000,000 $210,000,000 $60,000,000 $16,000,000 Run & gun
25 Rygar (Argus no Senshi) Tecmo $67,000,000 $190,000,000 $67,000,000 Platformer

Highest-grossing arcade games[]

The following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games worldwide in 1986. See sub-sections below for breakdown of revenue estimates.

Rank Title Company Worldwide revenue (est.) Revenue breakdown (est.)
Nominal Inflation Japan USA UK
1 Hang-On Sega $590,000,000 $1,600,000,000 $360,000,000 $130,000,000 $100,000,000
2 Out Run Sega $330,000,000 $920,000,000 $190,000,000 $120,000,000 $15,000,000
3 Gradius Konami $170,000,000 $470,000,000 $68,000,000 $100,000,000
4 Ikari (Ikari Warriors) SNK $160,000,000 $440,000,000 $89,000,000 $60,000,000 $15,000,000
Mat Mania (Exciting Hour) Taito $160,000,000 $440,000,000 $27,000,000 $130,000,000
6 Gauntlet Atari Games $150,000,000 $420,000,000 $47,000,000 $100,000,000
7 Ghosts 'n Goblins Capcom $130,000,000 $360,000,000 $58,000,000 $60,000,000 $15,000,000
8 1942 Capcom $120,000,000 $330,000,000 $62,000,000 $60,000,000
Space Harrier Sega $120,000,000 $330,000,000 $70,000,000 $30,000,000 $15,000,000
10 VS. Super Mario Bros. Nintendo $110,000,000 $310,000,000 $110,000,000
Pole Position II Namco $110,000,000 $310,000,000 $49,000,000 $60,000,000
12 Arkanoid Taito $100,000,000 $280,000,000 $64,000,000 $23,000,000 $15,000,000
13 Major League Sega $98,000,000 $270,000,000 $98,000,000
14 Buggy Boy (Speed Buggy) Tatsumi $94,000,000 $260,000,000 $34,000,000 $60,000,000
Super Sprint Atari Games $94,000,000 $260,000,000 $19,000,000 $60,000,000 $15,000,000
16 Tehkan World Cup Tehkan $85,000,000 $240,000,000 $70,000,000 $15,000,000
17 Choplifter Sega $82,000,000 $230,000,000 $22,000,000 $60,000,000
18 Enduro Racer Sega $81,000,000 $230,000,000 $34,000,000 $32,000,000 $15,000,000
19 Real Mahjong Hai Hai Alba $79,000,000 $220,000,000 $79,000,000
20 Green Beret Konami $75,000,000 $210,000,000 $60,000,000 $15,000,000
21 Rygar (Argus no Senshi) Tecmo $67,000,000 $190,000,000 $39,000,000 $28,000,000
22 ASO Namco $64,000,000 $180,000,000 $64,000,000
Tiger-Heli Taito $64,000,000 $180,000,000 $28,000,000 $36,000,000
24 World Series Cinematron $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $60,000,000
Spy Hunter Midway $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $60,000,000
Kung-Fu Master Data East $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $60,000,000
Paperboy Atari Games $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $60,000,000
Pole Position Namco $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $60,000,000
Commando Capcom $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $60,000,000
Indiana Jones Atari Games $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $60,000,000

Japan[]

In Japan, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games of 1986.

Rank Title Company Points Units (est.)
[n 3][24]
Revenue
(est.)[n 4][5][6]
H1[25] H2[26] Total
1 Hang-On [27][28] Sega 1,576 1,679 3,255 10,000 $360,000,000
2 Out Run [29][30][28] Sega 2,700 2,700 3,500 $190,000,000
3 Major League Sega 968 1,678 2,646 9,000 $98,000,000
4 Ikari (Ikari Warriors) SNK 992 1,420 2,412 9,000 $89,000,000
5 Real Mahjong Hai Hai Alba 1,062 1,083 2,145 8,000 $79,000,000
6 World Cup (Tehkan World Cup) Tehkan 694 1,152 1,846 7,000 $70,000,000
7 Space Harrier Sega 887 949 1,836 7,000 $70,000,000
8 Gradius Konami 860 965 1,825 6,000 $68,000,000
9 Arkanoid Taito 1,719 1,719 6,000 $64,000,000
10 ASO: Armored Scrum Object Namco 898 820 1,718 6,000 $64,000,000
11 1942 Capcom 862 826 1,688 10,000 $62,000,000
12 Galaga Namco 775 821 1,596 10,000 $59,000,000
13 Makaimura (Ghosts 'n Goblins) Capcom 929 646 1,575 6,000 $58,000,000
14 Pinball Action Tehkan 601 772 1,373 5,000 $51,000,000
15 Pastel Gal Nichibutsu 703 638 1,341 5,000 $50,000,000
16 Pole Position II Namco 469 853 1,322 10,000 $49,000,000
17 Gauntlet Namco 645 631 1,276 5,000 $47,000,000
18 Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun [31] Taito 1,117 1,117 7,000 $41,000,000
19 Argus no Senshi (Rygar) Tecmo 1,058 1,058 4,000 $39,000,000
20 Ojanko Club V-System 931 931 3,000 $34,000,000
21 Buggy Boy Tatsumi 421 501 922 5,000 $34,000,000
22 Enduro Racer Sega 907 907 3,000 $34,000,000
23 Gun.Smoke Capcom 890 N/A 890 3,000 $33,000,000
24 TX-1 / TX-1 V8 Namco 439 443 882 20,000 $33,000,000
25 Halley's Comet Taito N/A 832 832 3,000 $31,000,000
26 Lode Runner: Majin no Fukkatsu Irem 804 N/A 804 3,000 $30,000,000
27 Fantasy Zone Sega 795 795 3,000 $29,000,000
28 Tiger-Heli Taito 749 749 3,000 $28,000,000
29 Exciting Hour (Mat Mania) Taito 727 727 3,000 $27,000,000
30 Big Event Golf Taito 722 722 3,000 $27,000,000
31 Terra Cresta Nichibutsu 713 713 3,000 $26,000,000
32 Scramble Formation Taito 713 713 3,000 $26,000,000
33 Salamander (Life Force) Konami 699 699 2,000 $26,000,000
34 Side Pocket Data East 677 677 2,000 $25,000,000
35 Dump Matsumoto (Body Slam) Sega 676 676 2,000 $25,000,000
36 Kage no Densetsu Taito 629 629 2,000 $23,000,000
37 Crystal Gal Nichibutsu 626 626 2,000 $23,000,000
38 Konami RF2 (Konami GT) Konami 603 603 2,000 $22,000,000
39 Choplifter Sega 598 598 3,000 $22,000,000
40 Spelunker Irem 584 584 2,000 $22,000,000
41 Finalizer: Super Transformation Konami 573 573 2,000 $21,000,000
42 Xevious Namco 557 557 10,000 $21,000,000
43 Night Gal Nichibutsu 542 542 10,000 $20,000,000
44 Slap Fight Taito 530 530 2,000 $20,000,000
45 Sweet Gal Nichibutsu 529 529 6,000 $20,000,000
46 Super Sprint Namco 527 527 2,000 $19,000,000
47 Shooting Master Sega 504 504 2,000 $19,000,000
48 VS. Tennis Nintendo 502 502 10,000 $19,000,000
49 Jan Oh (Jang-Oh) SNK 470 470 8,000 $17,000,000
50 N.Y. Captor Taito 413 413 2,000 $15,000,000
Total 24,168 31,106 55,274 700,000+[32] $2,300,000,000

United States[]

In the United States, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games of 1986. See tables below for breakdown of revenue estimates.

Rank Title Company Release Annual revenue (est.) Revenue breakdown (est.)
Nominal Inflation Jan—Oct Nov—Dec
1 Hang-On [33][34] Sega 1985-07 $130,000,000 $360,000,000 $120,000,000 $11,000,000
2 Out Run [29][30] Sega 1986-09 $120,000,000 $330,000,000 $120,000,000
3 VS. Super Mario Bros. Nintendo 1986-02 $110,000,000 $310,000,000 $75,000,000 $36,000,000
4 Gauntlet [35][36] Atari Games 1985-11 $100,000,000 $280,000,000 $100,000,000 $10,000,000
5 Mat Mania [36] Taito 1985-10[37] $67,000,000 $190,000,000 $58,000,000 $9,000,000
6 World Series [33] Cinematron 1985-12[38] $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $52,000,000 $10,000,000
7 Spy Hunter [33] Midway 1984-01[39] $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $47,000,000 $9,000,000
8 Pole Position II [33] Namco 1983-10 $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $40,000,000 $10,000,000
9 Mania Challenge [33] Taito 1986-06[40] $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $31,000,000 $10,000,000
10 Ikari Warriors (Ikari) [33] SNK 1986-03 $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $39,000,000 $11,000,000
11 Ghosts 'n Goblins [33] Capcom 1985-09 $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $44,000,000 $9,000,000
12 Super Sprint [33] Atari Games 1986-04[41] $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $41,000,000 $11,000,000
13 Kung-Fu Master [33] Data East 1984-12 $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $35,000,000 $9,000,000
14 Paperboy [33] Atari Games 1985-04 $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $55,000,000 $10,000,000
15 Pole Position [33] Namco 1982-11[42] $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $35,000,000 $9,000,000
16 1942 [33] Capcom 1985-06 $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $40,000,000 $9,000,000
17 Choplifter [33] Sega 1985-12 $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $43,000,000
18 Commando [33] Capcom 1985-05 $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $41,000,000 $8,000,000
19 Speed Buggy [33] Data East 1985-12 $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $8,000,000 $10,000,000
20 Indiana Jones [33] Atari Games 1985-07[42] $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $54,000,000 $9,000,000
21 Rush'n Attack [34] Konami 1985-12 $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $19,000,000
22 Ring King Data East 1985-12 $60,000,000 $170,000,000 $52,000,000 $9,000,000
23 Cheyenne [33] Exidy 1984-09[43] $57,000,000 $170,000,000 $48,000,000 $9,000,000
24 Mini Golf Bally Sente 1985-11 $45,000,000 $130,000,000 $45,000,000
25 Demolition Derby Midway 1985-04[44] $41,000,000 $110,000,000 $41,000,000
26 Tiger-Heli Toaplan 1985-10[45] $36,000,000 $100,000,000 $36,000,000
27 VS. Baseball Nintendo 1984-04 $34,000,000 $95,000,000 $34,000,000
28 Enduro Racer Sega 1986-09 $32,000,000 $89,000,000 $21,000,000 $11,000,000
29 Space Harrier Sega 1985-12 $30,000,000 $83,000,000 $21,000,000 $8,000,000
30 Rygar Tecmo 1986-06 $28,000,000 $78,000,000 $19,000,000 $9,000,000
Phraze Craze Merit 1986-04[46] $28,000,000 $78,000,000 $20,000,000 $8,000,000
32 Gladiator Taito 1986-03[47] $27,000,000 $75,000,000 $18,000,000 $9,000,000
33 Karate Champ Data East 1984-09 $26,000,000 $72,000,000 $18,000,000 $8,000,000
Jail Break Konami 1986-04[48] $26,000,000 $72,000,000 $26,000,000
35 Terra Cresta Nichibutsu 1985-11[49] $25,000,000 $69,000,000 $25,000,000
The Legend of Kage Taito 1986-01 $25,000,000 $69,000,000 $25,000,000
37 Stocker Bally Sente 1984-12[50] $24,000,000 $67,000,000 $14,000,000 $10,000,000
38 Arkanoid Taito 1986-08 $23,000,000 $67,000,000 $12,000,000 $11,000,000
39 Rampage Midway 1986-10[51] $22,000,000 $61,000,000 $11,000,000 $11,000,000
Gun.Smoke Capcom 1985-10 $22,000,000 $61,000,000 $22,000,000
41 Quartet Sega 1986-06 $21,000,000 $58,000,000 $12,000,000 $9,000,000
Sarge Midway 1985-12[52] $21,000,000 $58,000,000 $21,000,000
Tic Tac Trivia Merit 1986-01[46] $21,000,000 $58,000,000 $21,000,000
44 Gauntlet II Atari Games 1986-08 $20,000,000 $56,000,000 $9,000,000 $11,000,000
45 Super Punch-Out! Nintendo 1984-10 $19,000,000 $53,000,000 $19,000,000
46 Big Event Golf Taito 1986-05[53] $18,000,000 $50,000,000 $7,000,000 $11,000,000
Hat Trick Bally Sente 1984-05 $18,000,000 $50,000,000 $18,000,000
Sex Trivia Merit 1985[54] $18,000,000 $50,000,000 $18,000,000
49 PlayChoice-10 Nintendo 1986-08 $17,000,000 $47,000,000 $8,000,000 $9,000,000
Cobra Command Data East 1984-04 $17,000,000 $47,000,000 $17,000,000
51 Crossbow Exidy 1983-11[39] $16,000,000 $44,000,000 $16,000,000
52 Shanghai Kid Taito 1985-11 $15,000,000 $42,000,000 $15,000,000
53 Combat Exidy 1985-03[55] $14,000,000 $39,000,000 $14,000,000
Hogan's Alley Nintendo 1985-03 $14,000,000 $39,000,000 $14,000,000
Trivia Whiz II Merit 1985-04[46] $14,000,000 $39,000,000 $14,000,000
TNK III (T.A.N.K.) SNK 1985-09 $14,000,000 $39,000,000 $14,000,000
57 Empire City: 1931 Taito 1986-06 $13,000,000 $36,000,000 $4,000,000 $9,000,000
BreakThru Data East 1986-02 $13,000,000 $36,000,000 $13,000,000
Shoot Out Data East 1985-09 $13,000,000 $36,000,000 $13,000,000
60 Gridiron Fight Tehkan 1985-05 $12,000,000 $33,000,000 $12,000,000
Trojan Capcom 1986-03 $12,000,000 $33,000,000 $12,000,000
62 Championship Sprint Atari Games 1986-09[56] $11,000,000 $31,000,000 $11,000,000
Gimme A Break Bally Sente 1985-07 $11,000,000 $31,000,000 $11,000,000
Special Forces Magic 1985-08[57] $11,000,000 $31,000,000 $11,000,000
VS. Ladies Golf Nintendo 1984-12 $11,000,000 $31,000,000 $11,000,000
66 Renegade Taito 1986-09 $10,000,000 $28,000,000 $10,000,000
Top Gunner (Jackal) Konami 1986-10 $10,000,000 $28,000,000 $10,000,000
Life Force (Salamander) Konami 1986-10 $10,000,000 $28,000,000 $10,000,000
Punch-Out! Nintendo 1984-03[58] $10,000,000 $28,000,000 $10,000,000
Return of the Jedi Atari Games 1984-09 $10,000,000 $28,000,000 $10,000,000
Star Rider Williams 1983-11 $10,000,000 $28,000,000 $10,000,000
Street Heat Epos 1985-03[59] $10,000,000 $28,000,000 $10,000,000
VS. Excitebike Nintendo 1985-02 $10,000,000 $28,000,000 $10,000,000
74 Bubble Bobble Taito 1986-10 $9,000,000 $25,000,000 $9,000,000
Power Drive Midway 1986-11[60] $9,000,000 $25,000,000 $9,000,000
Cruisin' Jaleco 1985-07 $9,000,000 $25,000,000 $9,000,000
Trivia Whiz I Merit 1985-02[61] $9,000,000 $25,000,000 $9,000,000
78 Birdie King 2 Taito 1983-09[62] $8,000,000 $22,000,000 $8,000,000
Birdie King 3 Taito 1984-06 $8,000,000 $22,000,000 $8,000,000
Monaco GP Sega 1980-01 $8,000,000 $22,000,000 $8,000,000
Little Casino III Digital 1986 $8,000,000 $22,000,000 $8,000,000
Pac-Land Namco 1984-12[63] $8,000,000 $22,000,000 $8,000,000
Return of the Invaders Taito 1985-08[64] $8,000,000 $22,000,000 $8,000,000
VS. Tennis Nintendo 1984-03[65] $8,000,000 $22,000,000 $8,000,000
Wonder Boy Sega 1986-07 $8,000,000 $22,000,000 $8,000,000
86 10-Yard Fight '85 Irem / Taito 1985-05[66] $7,000,000 $19,000,000 $7,000,000
Pinball Action Tehkan 1986-01[67] $7,000,000 $19,000,000 $7,000,000
Tokio Taito 1986-05[53] $7,000,000 $19,000,000 $7,000,000
89 Crowns Golf in Hawaii Sega 1985 $6,000,000 $17,000,000 $6,000,000
Duck Hunt Nintendo 1984-04 $6,000,000 $17,000,000 $6,000,000
Triv Quiz (Trivia Quiz) Status 1984-07[68] $6,000,000 $17,000,000 $6,000,000
92 Crackshot Exidy 1985-12[69] $5,000,000 $14,000,000 $5,000,000
Halley's Comet Taito 1986-04 $5,000,000 $14,000,000 $5,000,000
Marble Madness Atari Games 1984-12[56] $5,000,000 $14,000,000 $5,000,000
Video Trivia Greyhound 1985-02[70] $5,000,000 $14,000,000 $5,000,000
VS. Gumshoe Nintendo 1986-05 $5,000,000 $14,000,000 $5,000,000
97 Arm Wrestling Nintendo 1985-05 $4,000,000 $11,000,000 $4,000,000
Bomb Jack Tehkan 1984-10 $4,000,000 $11,000,000 $4,000,000
Land Sea Air Squad Taito 1986-02 $4,000,000 $11,000,000 $4,000,000
Lode Runner Irem 1984-11[71] $4,000,000 $11,000,000 $4,000,000
Name That Tune Bally Sente 1986-03[50] $4,000,000 $11,000,000 $4,000,000
VS. Mach Rider Nintendo 1985-11 $4,000,000 $11,000,000 $4,000,000
103 Buggy Challenge Taito 1984-12[72] $3,000,000 $8,000,000 $3,000,000
Empire Strikes Back Atari Games 1985-03[41] $3,000,000 $8,000,000 $3,000,000
Galaga 3 Namco 1984-09 $3,000,000 $8,000,000 $3,000,000
MagMax Nichibutsu 1985-05[73] $3,000,000 $8,000,000 $3,000,000
Major Havoc Atari Games 1984-01[39] $3,000,000 $8,000,000 $3,000,000
MotoRace USA Irem 1983-07[39] $3,000,000 $8,000,000 $3,000,000
Jr. Pac-Man Namco 1983-08 $3,000,000 $8,000,000 $3,000,000
Samurai Taito 1985-05[74] $3,000,000 $8,000,000 $3,000,000
Triv Quiz II Status 1984-11[68] $3,000,000 $8,000,000 $3,000,000
Triv Quiz 3 Status 1985-02[68] $3,000,000 $8,000,000 $3,000,000
Trivial Pursuit Bally Sente 1985-03[75] $3,000,000 $8,000,000 $3,000,000
Yie Ar Kung-Fu Konami 1985-03 $3,000,000 $8,000,000 $3,000,000

The following titles were the highest-earning arcade games between January and October 1986.

Title Company Release Play Meter points January—October
1/15
[76][77]
Feb
[77][78]
3/1
[78]
3/15
[78]
4/1
[78]
5/1
[79]
5/15
[79][80]
6/15
[79][80]
7/15[79]
[80][81]
8/15
[80][81]
9/15
[81]
10/15
[81]
Points Gross (est.)[n 5]
Hang-On (sitdown) Sega 1985-07 217 277 2,499 $97,000,000
Hang-On (upright) Sega 1985-07 244 162 195 209 198 186 194 133 129 177 178
Hang-On (mini) Sega 1985-07 276 149 143 127 695 $27,000,000
Gauntlet Atari (Namco) 1985-11 428 336 282 257 267 278 236 166 170 175 141 145 2,881 $100,000,000
VS. Super Mario Bros.[82] Nintendo 1986-02 113 118 99 99 104 97 83 713 $75,000,000
Mat Mania Technōs / Taito 1985-10[37] 171 161 151 134 126 145 112 117 90 101 99 90 1,497 $58,000,000
World Series Cinematronics 1985-12[38] 129 147 167 154 179 166 135 123 131 1,331 $52,000,000
Spy Hunter Bally Midway 1984-01[39] 105 106 96 92 102 111 111 92 103 100 88 92 1,198 $47,000,000
Pole Position II Namco 1983-10 93 76 89 69 77 70 95 84 84 91 86 106 1,020 $40,000,000
Mania Challenge Technōs / Taito 1986-06[40] 208 175 113 144 155 795 $31,000,000
Ikari Warriors SNK 1986-03 183 232 260 166 163 1,004 $39,000,000
Ghosts 'n Goblins Capcom 1985-09 114 110 117 126 147 103 91 97 94 119 1,118 $44,000,000
Super Sprint Atari (Namco) 1986-04[41] 262 243 280 265 1,050 $41,000,000
Kung-Fu Master Irem / Data East 1984-12 85 77 98 94 119 93 95 76 79 77 893 $35,000,000
Paperboy Atari (Namco) 1985-04 145 124 131 125 122 113 113 92 118 145 102 89 1,419 $55,000,000
Pole Position Namco 1982-11[42] 74 82 78 60 68 76 72 72 79 76 88 73 898 $35,000,000
1942 Capcom 1985-06 94 88 107 88 93 98 81 79 73 80 60 77 1,018 $40,000,000
Choplifter Sega 1985-12 177 122 155 129 129 105 107 92 82 1,098 $43,000,000
Commando Capcom 1985-05 124 92 124 111 98 99 79 72 82 73 88 1,042 $41,000,000
Speed Buggy Data East 1985-12 207 207 $8,000,000
Temple of Doom Atari (Namco) 1985-07[42] 136 147 150 110 110 120 109 92 84 116 94 117 1,385 $54,000,000
Cheyenne Exidy 1984-09[43] 114 70 136 113 95 155 93 95 101 111 87 73 1,243 $48,000,000
Rush'n Attack Konami 1985-12 113 83 106 98 92 492 $19,000,000
10-Yard Fight '85 Irem / Taito 1985-05[66] 89 85 174 $7,000,000
Arkanoid Taito 1986-08 143 159 302 $12,000,000
Arm Wrestling Nintendo 1985-05 107 107 $4,000,000
Big Event Golf Taito 1986-05[53] 53 129 182 $7,000,000
Bomb Jack Tehkan 1984-10 90 90 $4,000,000
BreakThru Data East 1986-02 119 95 107 321 $13,000,000
Buggy Challenge Taito 1984-12[72] 85 85 $3,000,000
Cobra Command Data East 1984-04 58 87 132 85 73 435 $17,000,000
Combat Exidy 1985-03[55] 107 63 79 108 357 $14,000,000
Crackshot Exidy 1985-12[69] 131 131 $5,000,000
Crossbow Exidy 1983-11[39] 85 49 35 40 214 423 $16,000,000
Crowns Golf in Hawaii Sega 1985 73 78 151 $6,000,000
Cruisin' Jaleco 1985-07 86 135 221 $9,000,000
Demolition Derby Bally Midway 1985-04[44] 123 126 91 88 102 117 138 84 99 83 1,051 $41,000,000
Duck Hunt Nintendo 1984-04 84 64 148 $6,000,000
Empire City: 1931 Taito 1986-06 93 93 $4,000,000
Enduro Racer Sega 1986-09 283 258 541 $21,000,000
Empire Strikes Back Atari (Namco) 1985-03[41] 72 72 $3,000,000
Return of the Jedi Atari (Namco) 1984-09 39 70 72 71 252 $10,000,000
Galaga 3 Namco 1984-09 85 85 $3,000,000
Gauntlet II Atari (Namco) 1986-08 241 241 $9,000,000
Gimme A Break Bally Sente 1985-07 73 92 106 271 $11,000,000
Gladiator Allumer / Taito 1986-03[47] 147 99 110 114 470 $18,000,000
Gridiron Fight Tehkan 1985-05 169 146 315 $12,000,000
Gun.Smoke Capcom 1985-10 163 100 122 79 101 565 $22,000,000
Halley's Comet Taito 1986-04 140 140 $5,000,000
Hat Trick Bally Sente 1984-05 93 105 68 116 88 470 $18,000,000
Hogan's Alley Nintendo 1985-03 85 74 85 57 68 369 $14,000,000
Jail Break Konami 1986-04[48] 131 100 109 78 96 64 76 654 $26,000,000
Karate Champ Data East 1984-09 83 68 83 63 84 78 459 $18,000,000
Trojan Capcom 1986-03 95 69 61 89 314 $12,000,000
Land Sea Air Squad Taito 1986-02 100 100 $4,000,000
Little Casino III Digital Controls 1986 53 62 88 203 $8,000,000
Lode Runner Irem 1984-11[71] 98 98 $4,000,000
MagMax Nichibutsu 1985-05[73] 74 74 $3,000,000
Major Havoc Atari (Namco) 1984-01[39] 84 84 $3,000,000
Marble Madness Atari (Namco) 1984-12[56] 52 65 117 $5,000,000
Mini Golf Bally Sente 1985-11 160 163 115 94 77 90 63 88 112 69 55 80 1,166 $45,000,000
MotoRace USA Irem 1983-07[39] 69 69 $3,000,000
Name That Tune Bally Sente 1986-03[50] 113 113 $4,000,000
Jr. Pac-Man Namco 1983-08 69 69 $3,000,000
Pac-Land Namco 1984-12[63] 81 120 201 $8,000,000
Pinball Action Tehkan 1986-01[67] 110 79 189 $7,000,000
PlayChoice-10 Nintendo 1986-08 111 83 194 $8,000,000
Punch-Out! Nintendo 1984-03[58] 70 53 61 73 257 $10,000,000
Super Punch-Out! Nintendo 1984-10 62 82 102 124 118 488 $19,000,000
Quartet Sega 1986-06 300 300 $12,000,000
Rampage Bally Midway 1986-10[51] 276 276 $11,000,000
Return of the Invaders Taito 1985-08[64] 65 58 82 205 $8,000,000
Ring King Data East 1985-12 163 85 93 111 134 106 137 104 86 90 104 108 1,321 $52,000,000
Rygar Tecmo 1986-06 180 108 192 480 $19,000,000
Samurai Taito 1985-05[74] 74 74 $3,000,000
Sarge Bally Midway 1985-12[52] 114 70 78 149 120 531 $21,000,000
Sex Trivia Merit 1985[54] 104 103 74 87 94 462 $18,000,000
Shanghai Kid Taito 1985-11 83 63 73 80 93 392 $15,000,000
Shoot Out Data East 1985-09 69 158 98 325 $13,000,000
Space Harrier Sega 1985-12 83 258 341 $21,000,000
Special Forces Magic 1985-08[57] 35 53 77 120 285 $11,000,000
Star Rider Williams 1983-11 42 119 85 246 $10,000,000
Stocker Bally Sente 1984-12[50] 179 88 80 347 $14,000,000
Street Heat Epos / Cardinal 1985-03[59] 66 83 103 252 $10,000,000
Trivia Whiz I Merit 1985-02[61] 61 42 58 78 239 $9,000,000
Trivia Whiz II Merit 1985-04[46] 84 80 51 73 81 369 $14,000,000
Tic Tac Trivia Merit 1986-01[46] 91 106 66 60 134 87 544 $21,000,000
Phraze Craze Merit 1986-04[46] 121 81 83 110 124 519 $20,000,000
Terra Cresta Nichibutsu 1985-11[49] 175 97 81 98 50 133 634 $25,000,000
The Legend of Kage Taito 1986-01 170 84 90 75 80 149 648 $25,000,000
Tiger-Heli Toaplan 1985-10[45] 96 134 128 93 90 98 85 87 104 915 $36,000,000
TNK III (T.A.N.K.) SNK 1985-09 79 86 88 108 361 $14,000,000
Tokio Taito 1986-05[53] 57 120 177 $7,000,000
Triv Quiz (Trivia Quiz) Status Games 1984-07[68] 84 79 163 $6,000,000
Triv Quiz II Status Games 1984-11[68] 75 75 $3,000,000
Triv Quiz 3 Status Games 1985-02[68] 70 70 $3,000,000
Trivial Pursuit Bally Sente 1985-03[75] 75 75 $3,000,000
Video Trivia Greyhound 1985-02[70] 66 64 130 $5,000,000
VS. Tennis Nintendo 1984-03[65] 39 25 48 92 204 $8,000,000
VS. Baseball Nintendo 1984-04 58 85 80 89 70 73 67 56 116 70 112 876 $34,000,000
VS. Ladies Golf Nintendo 1984-12 33 60 93 85 271 $11,000,000
VS. Excitebike Nintendo 1985-02 64 61 52 78 255 $10,000,000
VS. Mach Rider Nintendo 1985-11 98 98 $4,000,000
VS. Gumshoe Nintendo 1986-05 55 80 135 $5,000,000
Wonder Boy Escape / Sega 1986-07 80 127 207 $8,000,000
Yie Ar Kung-Fu Konami 1985-03 73 73 $3,000,000
January—October 51,282 $2,000,000,000

The following titles were the highest-earning arcade games between November and December 1986.

Title Company Release Units (est.)[83][84] RePlay points[85] Gross (est.)[n 6]
Out Run Sega 1986-09 8,000[29] 9.21 $120,000,000[30]
Hang-On Sega 1985-07 2,000+[86] 8.38 $11,000,000
Gauntlet Atari Games (Namco) 1985-11 7,848[41] 7.91 $10,000,000
VS. Super Mario Bros. [82] Nintendo 1986-02 25,000[87] 7.65 $36,000,000
Mat Mania (Exciting Hour) Technōs / Taito 1985-10[37] 1,000+ 7.18 $9,000,000
World Series: The Season Cinematronics 1985-12[38] 1,000+ 7.91 $10,000,000
Spy Hunter Bally Midway 1984-01[39] 4,000[88] 7.20 $9,000,000
Pole Position II Namco 1983-10 7,000[89][90] 7.35 $10,000,000
Mania Challenge Technōs / Taito 1986-06[40] 1,000+ 7.80 $10,000,000
Ikari Warriors SNK 1986-03 1,000+ 8.62 $11,000,000
Ghosts 'n Goblins (Makaimura) Capcom 1985-09 1,000+ 6.55 $9,000,000
Super Sprint Atari Games (Namco) 1986-04[41] 2,232[41] 8.60 $11,000,000
Kung-Fu Master (Spartan X) Irem / Data East 1984-12 5,000+[91] 6.96 $9,000,000
Paperboy Atari Games (Namco) 1985-04 3,442[41] 7.39 $10,000,000
Pole Position Namco 1982-11[42] 21,000[92] 7.01 $9,000,000
1942 Capcom 1985-06 3,000[84] 7.21 $9,000,000
Choplifter Sega 1985-12 1,000+
Commando (Senjō no Ōkami) Capcom 1985-05 4,000[84] 6.43 $8,000,000
Speed Buggy (Buggy Boy) Data East 1985-12 1,000+ 7.39 $10,000,000
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Atari Games (Namco) 1985-07[42] 2,825[42] 7.16 $9,000,000
Cheyenne Gun Exidy 1984-09[43] 1,000+ 6.61 $9,000,000
Rush'n Attack (Green Beret) Konami 1985-12 1,000+
Arkanoid Taito 1986-08 1,000+ 8.23 $11,000,000
Big Event Golf Taito 1986-05[53] 1,000+ 7.00 $7,000,000
Birdie King 2 Taito 1983-09[62] 2,000[93] 6.07 $8,000,000
Birdie King 3 Taito 1984-06 2,000[84] 6.07 $8,000,000
Bubble Bobble Taito 1986-10 1,000+ 7.00 $9,000,000
Empire City: 1931 Taito 1986-06 1,000+ 6.94 $9,000,000
Enduro Racer Sega 1986-09 1,000+ 8.55 $11,000,000
Gauntlet II Atari Games (Namco) 1986-08[42] 270[42] 8.55 $11,000,000
Gladiator Allumer / Taito 1986-03[47] 1,000+ 6.90 $9,000,000
Karate Champ Data East 1984-09 30,000[91] 6.34 $8,000,000
Life Force (Salamander) Konami 1986-10 1,000+ 7.47 $10,000,000
Monaco GP Sega 1980-01 2,000+[84] 6.06 $8,000,000
PlayChoice-10 Nintendo 1986-08 1,000+ 6.97 $9,000,000
Power Drive Bally Midway 1986-11[60] 1,000+ 6.92 $9,000,000
Quartet Sega 1986-06 1,000+ 7.15 $9,000,000
Rampage Bally Midway 1986-10[51] 1,000+ 8.50 $11,000,000
Renegade (Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun) Technōs / Taito 1986-09 1,000+ 7.86 $10,000,000
Ring King Data East 1985-12 1,000+ 6.87 $9,000,000
Rygar Tecmo 1986-06 1,000+ 7.12 $9,000,000
Championship Sprint Atari Games (Namco) 1986-09[42] 3,595[42] 8.41 $11,000,000
Space Harrier Sega 1985-12 1,000+ 6.23 $8,000,000
Stocker Bally Sente 1984-12[50] 1,000+ 7.39 $10,000,000
Phraze Craze Merit 1986-04[46] 1,000+ 6.21 $8,000,000
Top Gunner (Jackal) Konami 1986-10 1,000+ 7.83 $10,000,000
November—December 323.159 $500,000,000

United Kingdom[]

In the United Kingdom, the following titles were the highest-grossing arcade games of 1986.

Rank Title Company Units Annual revenue (est.) Ref
Nominal Inflation
1 Nemesis (Gradius) Konami 1,000+ $100,000,000 $280,000,000 [94]
2 Hang-On Sega 1,000+ $100,000,000 $280,000,000 [86][95][30]
3 Ikari Warriors (Ikari) SNK 1,000+ $15,000,000 $42,000,000 [94]
4 Arkanoid Taito 1,000+ $15,000,000 $42,000,000
5 Super Sprint Atari Games (Namco) 1,000+ $15,000,000 $42,000,000
6 Salamander Konami 1,000+ $15,000,000 $42,000,000
7 Rampage Bally Midway 1,000+ $15,000,000 $42,000,000
8 Enduro Racer Sega 1,000+ $15,000,000 $42,000,000
9 GT Racer (Konami GT) Konami 1,000+ $15,000,000 $42,000,000
10 Jail Break Konami 1,000+ $15,000,000 $42,000,000
11 Ghosts 'n Goblins Capcom 1,000+ $15,000,000 $42,000,000 [96]
Green Beret (Rush'n Attack) Konami 1,000+ $15,000,000 $42,000,000 [97]
Space Harrier Sega 1,000+ $15,000,000 $42,000,000 [98][86][30]
Tehkan World Cup Tehkan 1,000+ $15,000,000 $42,000,000 [99][100]
14 Out Run Sega 1,000+ $15,000,000 $42,000,000 [29]
Arcade video games 100,000 $400,000,000 $1,100,000,000 [7][8]

Best-selling home systems[]

Rank System(s) Manufacturer Type Generation Sales Ref
Japan USA Worldwide
1 NES / Famicom Nintendo Console Gen 3 3,900,000 3,000,000 6,900,000+ [101][102]
2 IBM PC clones Various Computer 8/16/32-bit 2,800,000 [103][104]
Compaq PC Compaq Computer 8/16/32-bit 800,000
3 Commodore 64 (C64) Commodore Computer 8-bit 2,500,000 [103]
4 Famicom Disk System Nintendo Console Gen 3 2,500,000 2,500,000 [10]
5 IBM PC IBM Computer 8-bit / 16-bit 2,200,000 [103][104]
6 Game & Watch Nintendo Handheld 4-bit 1,000,000 1,000,000 [23]
7 Commodore 128 (C128) Commodore Computer 8-bit 1,000,000 [105]
8 Sega Master System Sega Console Gen 3 630,000 250,000+ 880,000+ [10][106]
9 Apple II Apple Inc. Computer 8-bit 700,000 [103]
10 NEC PC-88 / PC-98 NEC Computer 8-bit / 16-bit 510,000 510,000+ [107][108]
11 Macintosh Apple Inc. Computer 16-bit 380,000 [103]
12 Sega SG-1000 Sega Console Gen 3 280,000 280,000+ [10]
13 Amiga Commodore Computer 16-bit 200,000 [103]
Atari ST Atari Corporation Computer 16-bit 200,000
15 Atari 65XE / 130XE Atari Corporation Computer 8-bit 100,000+ 161,000 [109]
16 Fujitsu FM-7 Fujitsu Computer 8-bit 110,000 110,000+ [107][108]
17 Atari 7800 Atari Corporation Computer Gen 3 100,000 100,000 [110][111]

Best-selling home video games[]

Worldwide[]

The following titles were the best-selling home video games worldwide in 1986. See sections below for breakdown of sales and revenue estimates.

Rank Title Platform(s) Company Sales
(est.)
Gross revenue (est.) Genre
Nominal Inflation
1 Super Mario Bros. NES, G&W, PC-88, X1 Nintendo 4,270,000 $140,000,000 $390,000,000 Platformer
2 Super Mario Bros. 2 Famicom Disk Nintendo 1,699,732 $28,000,000 $78,000,000
3 Ninja Hattori-kun Famicom Hudson 1,500,000 $48,000,000 $130,000,000
4 TwinBee Famicom, MSX Konami 1,300,000 $38,000,000 $110,000,000 Shmup
5 Zelda no Densetsu Famicom Disk Nintendo 1,201,213 $19,000,000 $53,000,000 Action ADV
6 The Goonies Famicom, MSX Konami 1,110,000 $34,000,000 $95,000,000 Platformer
7 Gradius Famicom, MSX Konami 1,100,000 $34,000,000 $95,000,000 Shmup
Hydlide (Hydlide Special) Famicom, Computers T&E Soft 1,100,000 $34,000,000 $95,000,000 Action RPG
8 Dragon Quest Famicom Enix 1,000,000 $36,000,000 $100,000,000 RPG
10 Kung-Fu Master NES, Apple II, C64, ST Irem 980,000 $25,000,000 $69,000,000 Beat 'em up
11 Metroid Famicom Disk Nintendo 779,486 $13,000,000 $36,000,000 Metroidvania
12 Ganbare Goemon! Famicom Konami 742,740 $24,000,000 $67,000,000 Action ADV
13 Volleyball Famicom Disk Nintendo 722,449 $12,000,000 $33,000,000 Sports
14 Takahashi Meijin Famicom Hudson 679,627 $22,000,000 $61,000,000 Platformer
15 Ghosts 'n Goblins Famicom, Computers Capcom 669,017 $22,000,000 $61,000,000 Platformer
16 Gegege no Kitaro Famicom Bandai 643,755 $21,000,000 $58,000,000 Action
17 Pro Wrestling Famicom Disk Nintendo 576,560 $9,000,000 $25,000,000 Wrestling
18 Golf Famicom Disk, NES Nintendo 556,300 $15,000,000 $42,000,000 Sports
19 Balloon Fight NES, G&W Nintendo 550,000 $19,000,000 $53,000,000 Action
20 Duck Hunt NES Nintendo 500,000 $90,000,000 $250,000,000 FPS
Gyromite NES Nintendo 500,000 $90,000,000 $250,000,000 Platformer
22 Ninja JaJaMaru-kun Famicom Jaleco 500,000 $15,000,000 $42,000,000 Platformer
23 Excitebike NES Nintendo 500,000 $10,000,000 $28,000,000 Racing
24 Commando Famicom, Computers Capcom 445,208 $16,000,000 $44,000,000 Run & gun
25 10-Yard Fight NES Irem 400,000 $10,000,000 $28,000,000 Sports

Handheld games[]

The following titles were the year's best-selling handheld games.[23]

Title Sales Revenue
(est.)
Genre Platform Company
Super Mario Bros. 250,000 $12,000,000 Platformer Game & Watch Nintendo
Squish 250,000 $12,000,000 Action
Climber 250,000 $12,000,000
Balloon Fight 250,000 $12,000,000
Annual 1,000,000 $48,000,000

Japan[]

In Japan, the following home video games were the year's best-selling home video games, excluding dedicated handheld games. See sub-sections below for breakdown of sales and revenue estimates.

Rank Title Platform(s) Company Sales
(est.)
Revenue
(est.)
Genre
1 Super Mario Bros. Famicom, PC-88, X1 Nintendo 3,020,000 $97,000,000 Platformer
2 Super Mario Bros. 2 Famicom Disk System Nintendo 1,699,732 $28,000,000
3 Ninja Hattori-kun Famicom Hudson 1,500,000 $48,000,000
4 TwinBee Famicom, MSX Konami 1,300,000 $38,000,000 Shoot 'em up
5 Hyrule Fantasy: Zelda no Densetsu Famicom Disk System Nintendo 1,201,213 $19,000,000 Action-adventure
6 The Goonies Famicom, MSX Konami 1,110,000 $34,000,000 Platformer
7 Hydlide (Hydlide Special) Famicom, Computers T&E Soft 1,100,000 $34,000,000 Action RPG
8 Gradius Famicom, MSX Konami 1,100,000 $34,000,000 Shmup
9 Dragon Quest (Dragon Warrior) Famicom Enix 1,000,000 $36,000,000 RPG
10 Metroid Famicom Disk System Nintendo 779,486 $13,000,000 Metroidvania
11 Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū Famicom Konami 742,740 $24,000,000 Action-adventure
12 Volleyball Famicom Disk System Nintendo 722,449 $12,000,000 Sports
13 Takahashi Meijin no Bōken Jima Famicom Hudson 679,627 $22,000,000 Platformer
14 Gegege no Kitaro: Yōkai Daimakyō Famicom Bandai 643,755 $21,000,000 Action
15 Pro Wrestling Famicom Disk System Nintendo 576,560 $9,000,000 Wrestling
16 Makaimura (Ghosts 'n Goblins) Famicom Capcom 569,017 $20,000,000 Platformer
17 Ninja JaJaMaru-kun Famicom Jaleco 500,000 $15,000,000 Platformer
18 Hokuto no Ken Famicom Toei 391,596 $13,000,000 Beat 'em up
19 Pro Yakyū: Family Stadium Famicom Namco 360,528 $9,000,000 Sports
20 Nazo no Murasame Jō Famicom Disk System Nintendo 338,111 $5,000,000 Action-adventure
21 Z Gundam: Hot Scramble Famicom Bandai 328,776 $11,000,000 FPS
22 Dragon Ball: Shenlong Famicom Bandai 315,358 $9,000,000 Beat 'em up
23 Bomberman / Bomberman Special Famicom, Computers Hudson 311,000 $10,000,000 Maze
24 Akumajō Dracula (Castlevania) FDS Konami 309,025 $6,000,000 Platformer
25 Thexder Famicom Game Arts 300,000 $8,000,000 Run & gun

Console games[]

The following titles were the year's best-selling home console games in Japan.

Rank Title Platform Company Sales Revenue
(est.)
Genre Ref
1 Super Mario Bros. Famicom Nintendo 3,000,000 $96,000,000 Platformer [112][113][114]
2 Super Mario Bros. 2 (The Lost Levels) FDS Nintendo 1,699,732 $28,000,000 Platformer [115][116]
3 Ninja Hattori-kun Famicom Hudson 1,500,000 $48,000,000 Platformer [113][117]
4 Hyrule Fantasy: Zelda no Densetsu FDS Nintendo 1,201,213 $19,000,000 Action ADV [118][115][119]
5 TwinBee Famicom Konami 1,200,000 $37,000,000 Shmup [113][120]
6 Dragon Quest (Dragon Warrior) Famicom Enix 1,000,000 $36,000,000 RPG [121][122]
7 Gradius Famicom Konami 1,000,000 $32,000,000 Shmup [123][124][125]
Hydlide Special Famicom T&E Soft 1,000,000 $32,000,000 Action RPG [126][127]
The Goonies Famicom Konami 1,000,000 $32,000,000 Platformer [113][128]
10 Metroid FDS Nintendo 779,486 $13,000,000 Metroidvania [115][129]
11 Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū Famicom Konami 742,740 $24,000,000 Action ADV [115][130]
12 Volleyball FDS Nintendo 722,449 $12,000,000 Sports [115][131]
13 Takahashi Meijin no Bōken Jima Famicom Hudson 679,627 $22,000,000 Platformer [115][132]
14 Gegege no Kitaro: Yōkai Daimakyō Famicom Bandai 643,755 $21,000,000 Action [115][133]
15 Makaimura (Ghosts 'n Goblins) Famicom Capcom 569,017 $20,000,000 Platformer [115][134]
16 Pro Wrestling FDS Nintendo 576,560 $9,000,000 Wrestling [115][135]
17 Ninja JaJaMaru-kun Famicom Jaleco 500,000 $15,000,000 Platformer [136][137]
18 Hokuto no Ken (Fist of the North Star) Famicom Toei 391,596 $13,000,000 Beat 'em up [115][138]
19 Pro Yakyū: Family Stadium Famicom Namco 360,528 $9,000,000 Sports [115][139]
20 Nazo no Murasame Jō FDS Nintendo 338,111 $5,000,000 Action ADV [115][140]
21 Z Gundam: Hot Scramble Famicom Bandai 328,776 $11,000,000 FPS [115][141]
22 Dragon Ball: Shenlong Famicom Bandai 315,358 $9,000,000 Beat 'em up [115][142]
23 Bomberman Famicom Hudson 310,000 $10,000,000 Maze [113][143][144]
24 Akumajō Dracula (Castlevania) FDS Konami 309,025 $6,000,000 Platformer [115][145]
25 Doraemon Famicom Hudson 271,432 $10,000,000 Action ADV [115][146]
26 Golf FDS Nintendo 256,300 $8,000,000 Sports [115][147]
27 Valkyrie no Bōken Famicom Namco 240,241 $6,000,000 Action RPG [115][148]
28 Baseball FDS Nintendo 237,440 $7,000,000 Sports [115][149]
29 Family Trainer: Athletic World Famicom Bandai 208,526 $12,000,000 Sports [115][150]
30 The Legend of Kage Famicom Taito 201,375 $6,000,000 H&S [115][151]
31 Thexder Famicom Game Arts 200,000 $7,000,000 Run & gun [152][153]
32 Mahjong FDS Nintendo 197,665 $6,000,000 Mahjong [115][154]
33 Meikyū Kumikyoku Famicom Hudson 188,844 $6,000,000 Metroidvania [115][155]
34 Super Xevious Famicom Namco 175,543 $6,000,000 Shmup [115][156]
35 Mighty Bomb Jack Famicom Tecmo 169,378 $6,000,000 Platformer [115][157]
36 Tennis FDS Nintendo 166,892 $5,000,000 Sports [115][158]
37 Super Chinese Famicom Namco 149,593 $4,000,000 Beat 'em up [115][159]
38 Solomon's Key Famicom Tecmo 136,912 $4,000,000 Puzzle [115][160]
39 Musashi no Ken Famicom Taito 133,154 $4,000,000 Fighting [115][161]
40 Takeshi no Chōsenjō / Challenge Famicom Taito 128,505 $4,000,000 Action ADV [115][162]
41 Tōkaidō Gojūsan-tsugi Famicom Sunsoft 118,653 $4,000,000 Action [115][163]
42 Soccer FDS Nintendo 115,306 $4,000,000 Sports [115][164]
43 JaJaMaru no Daibōken Famicom Jaleco 108,555 $3,000,000 Platformer [115][165]
45 Commando Famicom Capcom 105,208 $3,000,000 Run & gun [115][166]
46 Babel no Tō Famicom Namco 100,864 $3,000,000 Platformer [115][167]
47 Star Soldier Famicom Hudson 99,279 $3,000,000 Shmup [115][168]
48 Dead Zone FDS Sunsoft 97,716 $2,000,000 VN / ADV [115][169]
49 Moero TwinBee FDS Konami 96,970 $2,000,000 Shmup [115][170]
50 Murder on the Mississippi Famicom Jaleco 89,773 $3,000,000 Adventure [115][171]
51 Terra Cresta Famicom Nichibutsu 87,360 $3,000,000 Shmup [115][172]
52 Atlantis no Nazo Famicom Sunsoft 64,111 $2,000,000 Platformer [115][173]
53 Ginga Denshō: Galaxy Odyssey Famicom Imagineer 61,058 $2,000,000 RPS [115][174]
54 Super Star Force Famicom Tecmo 49,610 $2,000,000 Action ADV [115][175]
55 Urusei Yatsura: Lum no Wedding Bell Famicom Jaleco 49,023 $2,000,000 Platformer [115][176]
56 Namida no Sōkoban Special FDS ASCII 35,520 $1,000,000 Sōkoban [115][177]
57 Othello FDS Kawada 20,471 $1,000,000 Othello [115][178]
58 Koneko Monogatari FDS Pony 7,086 $100,000 Platformer [115][179]

Computer games[]

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

Rank Title Platform(s) Company Points
[n 7][180]
Sales
(est.)[n 8]
Revenue
(est.)[n 9]
1 Xanadu: Dragon Slayer II [181] PC-80, PC-88, PC-98, X1 Nihon Falcom 364 200,000 $4,000,000
2 Hydlide II: Shine of Darkness PC-88, FM-7, X1 T&E Soft 292 200,000 $4,000,000
3 The Goonies MSX Konami 193 110,000 $2,000,000
4 Sangokushi (Three Kingdoms) PC-88, PC-98, FM-16, X1 Koei 187 100,000 $2,000,000
5 Majō Densetsu (Knightmare) MSX Konami 169 100,000 $2,000,000
6 Chikyū Senshi Rayieza PC-88, FM-7 Enix 165 100,000 $2,000,000
7 Relics PC-88, PC-98, X1, MSX Bothtec 155 100,000 $2,000,000
8 Hydlide NEC, FM-7, X1, MZ, MSX T&E Soft 152 100,000 $2,000,000
9 Wizardry PC-88, PC-98, FM-7, X1 ASCII 139 100,000 $2,000,000
10 Haja no Fūin (Miracle Warriors) PC-88, PC-98 Kogado Studio 137 100,000 $2,000,000
11 Cruise Chaser Blassty PC-88, PC-98, X1 Squaresoft 133 100,000 $2,000,000
12 Gradius MSX Konami 129 100,000 $1,500,000
13 Wing-Man 2 PC-88, PC-98, FM-7, X1 Enix 120 100,000 $1,000,000
14 Tritorn NEC, FM-7, X1, MSX, MZ Sein-Soft 110 100,000 $1,000,000
15 Albatross PC-88, PC-98, X1, MSX Nihon Telenet 107 100,000 $1,000,000
16 Thexder NEC, FM-7, MZ, MSX, X1 Game Arts 105 100,000 $1,000,000
17 Hokuto no Ken: Gekiga Adventure PC-88 Enix 103 100,000 $1,000,000
18 Aoki Ōkami to Shiroki Mejika Computers Koei 103 100,000 $1,000,000
19 Rambo MSX Pack-In-Video 97 100,000 $1,000,000
20 TwinBee MSX Konami 95 100,000 $1,000,000
21 Final Zone PC-88 Nihon Telenet 94 100,000 $1,000,000
22 Daisenryaku / Daisenryaku 88 PC-88, PC-98 SystemSoft 93 100,000 $1,000,000
23 Mugen no Shinzō II PC-88, X1 Xtal Soft 92 100,000 $1,000,000
24 The Castle PC-88/98, FM-7, X1, MSX ASCII 88 50,000 $1,000,000
25 Xanadu Scenario II PC-88, PC-98, FM-7, X1 Nihon Falcom 87 50,000 $1,000,000
26 Yie Ar Kung-Fu II MSX Konami 86 50,000 $1,000,000
27 Lupin III: Cagliostro no Shiro PC-88, FM-7 Toho 86 50,000 $1,000,000
28 Märchen Veil I PC-88, PC-98, X1, MZ System Sacom 83 50,000 $1,000,000
29 Romancia: Dragon Slayer Jr. PC-88, PC-98, X1 Nihon Falcom 81 40,000 $1,000,000
30 Alpha PC-88, PC-98, X1, FM-7 Squaresoft 77 40,000 $900,000
31 Champion Wrestling Special PC-80/88, FM-7, X1, MZ Micronet 77 40,000 $900,000
32 Hokkaidō Rensa Satsujin NEC PC, FM-7, MSX ASCII 73 40,000 $900,000
33 Castle Excellent PC-88, FM-7, X1 ASCII 69 40,000 $800,000
34 Riglas PC-88, PC-98, FM-7, X1 Random House 69 40,000 $800,000
35 Macross Countdown PC-88, X1, MSX Bothtec 63 30,000 $800,000
36 Asteka II: Templo del Sol PC-88 Nihon Falcom 63 30,000 $800,000
37 The Black Onyx NEC PC, FM-7, X1, MSX BPS 62 30,000 $700,000
38 Bōken Romance PC-88 SystemSoft 62 30,000 $700,000
39 Professional Mahjong PC-60/80/88/98, FM-7 Chatnoir 57 30,000 $700,000
40 Magical Kid Wiz MSX Sony 57 30,000 $700,000
41 J.B. Harold no Jikenbo: Murder Club PC-88, PC-98, FM-7, X1 Riverhill Soft 56 30,000 $700,000
42 Yume Tairiku Adobenchā MSX Konami 55 30,000 $700,000
43 Phantasie PC-88, PC-98, FM-7 StarCraft 52 30,000 $600,000
44 Nobunaga no Yabō: Zenkokuban PC-88, PC-98, X1 Koei 52 30,000 $600,000
45 Super Mario Bros. Special PC-88, X1 Hudson Soft 43 20,000 $500,000
46 Konami's Soccer MSX Konami 42 20,000 $500,000
47 Deseni World PC-88, FM-7, X1 Hudson Soft 40 20,000 $500,000
48 Woody Poco PC-88, X1 dB-Soft 39 20,000 $500,000
49 Akumajō Dracula (Vampire Killer) MSX Konami 38 20,000 $500,000
50 American Truck NEC PC, FM-7, X1, MSX Nihon Telenet 37 20,000 $400,000
51 New Best Nine Baseball PC-88, PC-98, FM-7 ASCII 37 20,000 $400,000
52 Tokyo Nampa Street PC-88/98, FM-7, X1, MSX Enix 35 20,000 $400,000
53 Super Rambo PC-88, X1 Pack-In-Video 34 20,000 $400,000
54 Zone Computers System Sacom 34 20,000 $400,000
55 Lode Runner II MSX Sony 34 20,000 $400,000
56 World Golf PC-88, FM-7, X1 Enix 34 20,000 $400,000
57 KaleidoScope #1 PC-88, FM-7, X1, S1, MZ GA Yume 32 20,000 $400,000
58 The Fire Crystal PC-88, PC-98 BPS 32 20,000 $400,000
59 Wibarm PC-88, X1 Arsys Software 28 20,000 $300,000
60 Elysion PC-98 SystemSoft 26 10,000 $300,000
61 The Screamer PC-88 MagicalZoo 25 10,000 $300,000
62 Kenja no Yuigon PC-88 ASCII 25 10,000 $300,000
63 Five Holy Girls PC-88, PC-98, X1 Cosmos 24 10,000 $300,000
64 King's Night Computers Squaresoft 23 10,000 $300,000
65 Märchen Veil II PC-98 System Sacom 23 10,000 $300,000
66 Tenshitachi no Gogo PC-88, FM-7, X1 JAST 21 10,000 $300,000
67 The Protector MSX Pony Canyon 20 10,000 $200,000
68 Gall Force MSX Sony 19 10,000 $200,000
69 Kitahei PC-88, FM-7, X1, MZ, MZ SPS 19 10,000 $200,000
70 Xevious PC-88, PC-98 Enix 18 10,000 $200,000
71 Ninja-kun PC-88, FM-7, X1, MSX Nippon Dexter 18 10,000 $200,000
72 Wing-Man NEC PC, FM-7, X1, MSX Enix 17 10,000 $200,000
73 Topple Zip PC-88, FM-7, X1 Bothtec 17 10,000 $200,000
74 Hole-in-One Professional Computers HAL Laboratory 17 10,000 $200,000
75 177 PC-88, X1 dB-Soft 16 10,000 $200,000
76 Arion PC-88, FM-7, X1 ASCII 16 10,000 $200,000
77 Gendai Daisenryaku Computers SystemSoft 16 10,000 $200,000
78 Archon PC-88 BPS 15 10,000 $200,000
79 Warroid X1, MSX ASCII 15 10,000 $200,000
80 Star Force MSX Hudson Soft 15 10,000 $200,000
81 Mahākāla Computers MagicalZoo 15 10,000 $200,000
82 Operation Grenade PC-88, PC-98, X1 Pony Canyon 14 10,000 $200,000
83 Penguin Wars PC-88, FM-7, X1, MSX ASCII 13 10,000 $200,000
84 ReBirth PC-88, FM-7, X1, MZ SPS 13 10,000 $200,000
85 Galpo Club: Campus-hen Computers Micro Cabin 12 10,000 $100,000
86 Laydock Computers T&E Soft 12 10,000 $100,000
87 Road Fighter MSX Konami 11 10,000 $100,000
88 Nobunaga no Yabō Computers Koei 11 10,000 $100,000
89 A Ressha de Ikō Computers Artdink 10 10,000 $100,000
90 Robo Wres 2001 Computers Sega 10 10,000 $100,000
91 Mirai Computers Sein-Soft 10 10,000 $100,000
92 Hurry Fox: Yuki no Maō-hen Computers Micro Cabin 8 4,000 $100,000
93 Zanac Computers Pony Canyon 7 4,000 $100,000
94 Super Harumi Computers dB-Soft 7 4,000 $100,000
95 Soapland Story Computers HARD 7 4,000 $100,000
96 Highway Star Computers System Sacom 7 4,000 $100,000
97 Play Ball Computers Sony 7 4,000 $100,000
98 Lost Power Computers Winkysoft 7 4,000 $100,000
99 City Fight Computers Pony Canyon 6 3,000 $100,000
100 Yakyū Kyō Computers Hudson Soft 5 3,000 $100,000
101 Aspic Computers Xtal Soft 4 2,000 $50,000
102 Z Gundam Computers Bandai 3 2,000 $40,000
103 Arkanoid Computers Taito / Nidec 3 2,000 $40,000
104 Mugen no Shinzō Computers Xtal Soft 3 2,000 $40,000
105 Kinnikuman Computers Bandai 2 1,000 $20,000
106 Bomberman Special Computers Hudson Soft 2 1,000 $20,000
107 Champion Soccer Computers Pony Canyon 1 1,000 $10,000
Annual [22] 5,943 4,000,000 $70,000,000

United States[]

In the United States, the best-selling home video game of 1986 was the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) title Super Mario Bros.[182][183] The following titles were the best-selling video games of 1986 in the United States, excluding dedicated handheld games. See sub-sections below for breakdown of sales and revenue estimates.

Rank Title Platform(s) Company Sales
(est.)
Revenue
(est.)
Genre
1 Super Mario Bros. NES Nintendo 1,000,000+ $30,000,000 Platformer
2 Kung-Fu Master (Kung Fu) NES, Apple II, C64 Irem / Data East 900,000 $23,000,000 Beat 'em up
3 Duck Hunt NES Nintendo 500,000 $90,000,000 FPS
4 Gyromite NES Nintendo 500,000 $90,000,000 Platformer
5 Excitebike NES Nintendo 500,000 $10,000,000 Racing
6 10-Yard Fight NES Irem 400,000 $10,000,000 Sports
7 Mach Rider NES Nintendo 300,000 $9,000,000 Racing
8 Donkey Kong 3 NES Nintendo 300,000 $8,000,000 Platformer
9 Balloon Fight NES Nintendo 300,000 $7,000,000 Action
10 Golf NES Nintendo 300,000 $7,000,000 Sports
11 Gumshoe NES Nintendo 300,000 $7,000,000 Platformer
12 Mario Bros. NES, 2600, 5200 Nintendo 276,344 $5,403,890 Platformer
13 Hang-On Master System Sega 250,000 $50,000,000 Racing
14 Commando Computers Capcom / Data East 200,000 $10,000,000 Run & gun
15 Silent Service Computers MicroProse 200,000 $10,000,000 Vehicle sim
16 Soccer NES Nintendo 200,000 $6,000,000 Sports
17 Hogan's Alley NES Nintendo 200,000 $5,000,000 FPS
18 Wild Gunman NES Nintendo 200,000 $5,000,000
19 Jet Computers SubLogic 200,000 $8,000,000 Flight sim
20 The Bard's Tale Apple II, C64 Electronic Arts 200,000 $8,000,000 RPG
21 Hardball Apple II, C64 Accolade 170,000 $8,000,000 Baseball
22 Pac-Man Multi-platform Namco 166,779 $1,351,954 Maze
23 Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar Computers Origin Systems 160,000 $8,000,000 RPG
24 Karate Champ Apple II, C64 Technōs / Data East 150,000 $6,000,000 Fighting
25 Pole Position 2600, 5200 Namco 138,137 $757,518 Racing

Console games[]

The following titles were the year's best-selling console games in the United States. See tables below for breakdown of sales and revenue estimates.

Rank Title Platform(s) Company Sales (est.) Revenue (est.) Genre Ref
1 Super Mario Bros. [182] NES Nintendo 1,000,000+ $30,000,000 Platformer [183]
2 Kung Fu (Kung-Fu Master) NES Irem 800,000 $20,000,000 Beat 'em up
3 Duck Hunt NES Nintendo 500,000 $90,000,000 FPS [184]
Gyromite NES Nintendo 500,000 $90,000,000 Platformer
5 Excitebike NES Nintendo 500,000 $10,000,000 Racing
6 10-Yard Fight NES Irem 400,000 $10,000,000 Sports
7 Mach Rider NES Nintendo 300,000 $9,000,000 Racing
8 Gumshoe NES Nintendo 300,000 $7,000,000 Platformer
9 Balloon Fight NES Nintendo 300,000 $7,000,000 Action
Golf NES Nintendo 300,000 $7,000,000 Sports
11 Donkey Kong 3 NES Nintendo 300,000 $8,000,000 Platformer
12 Mario Bros. NES, 2600, 5200 Nintendo 276,344 $5,403,890 Platformer [185]
13 Hang-On Master System Sega 250,000 $50,000,000 Racing [186][187][188]
14 Soccer NES Nintendo 200,000 $6,000,000 Sports
15 Hogan's Alley NES Nintendo 200,000 $5,000,000 FPS
16 Wild Gunman NES Nintendo 200,000 $5,000,000 FPS
17 Pole Position 2600, 5200 Namco 138,137 $757,518 Racing [185]
18 Joust 2600, 5200 Williams 135,727 $710,789 Action
19 Safari Hunt Master System Sega 125,000 $25,000,000 FPS [187][188]
20 Astro Warrior Master System Sega 125,000 $19,000,000 Shmup [188][189][186]
21 Galaxian 2600, 5200 Namco 121,485 $493,986 Shmup [185]
22 Moon Patrol 2600, 5200 Irem 111,338 $548,407 Driving
23 Jungle Hunt 2600, 5200 Taito 106,697 $575,551 Platformer
24 Super Breakout 2600, 5200 Atari 100,279 $474,802 Block break
25 Pole Position II 7800 Namco 100,000 $14,000,000 Racing [190][189]
26 Popeye NES Nintendo 100,000 $4,000,000 Platformer
27 Tennis NES Nintendo 100,000 $4,000,000 Sports
28 Baseball NES Nintendo 100,000 $3,000,000
29 Pinball NES Nintendo 100,000 $3,000,000 Pinball
30 Donkey Kong Jr. Math NES Nintendo 100,000 $3,000,000 Platformer
31 Donkey Kong NES Nintendo 100,000 $2,000,000
32 Kangaroo 2600, 5200 Sunsoft 86,471 $460,549 Platformer [185]
33 Centipede 2600, 5200 Atari 86,253 $262,166 Shmup
34 Defender 2600, 5200 Williams 78,091 $388,033
35 Battlezone 2600 Atari 75,893 $182,039
36 Star Raiders 2600, 5200 Atari 70,606 $351,197
37 Pac-Man 2600, 5200 Namco 66,779 $351,954 Maze
38 Dig Dug 2600, 5200 Namco 62,535 $338,588
39 Crystal Castles 2600 Atari 61,853 $338,633
40 Soccer 5200 Atari 54,328 $271,731 Sports
41 Space Invaders 2600, 5200 Taito 54,324 $236,731 Shmup
42 Missile Command 2600, 5200 Atari 50,455 $248,193
43 Football 2600, 5200 Atari 47,356 $136,734 Sports
44 Qix 5200 Taito 46,747 $231,776 Puzzle
45 Ms. Pac-Man 2600, 5200 Namco 41,331 $224,016 Maze
46 Vanguard 2600, 5200 Tose, SNK 38,868 $176,087 Shmup
47 Millipede 2600 Atari 35,886 $189,272
48 Berzerk 2600, 5200 Atari 35,433 $173,518
49 Pengo 5200 Coreland / Sega 32,136 $160,743 Maze
50 Donkey Kong Jr. NES Nintendo 30,000 $1,000,000 Platformer
51 Wrecking Crew NES Nintendo 30,000 $1,000,000
52 Phoenix 2600 TPN / Hiraoka 29,698 $14,136 Shmup [185]
53 Pac-Man Jr. 2600 Namco 28,568 $185,542 Maze
54 Countermeasure 5200 Atari 22,500 $112,766 Shmup
55 Stargate 2600 Atari 19,714 $103,793
56 Midnight Magic 2600 Atari 19,618 $128,209 Pinball
57 Tennis 5200 Atari 17,753 $89,514 Sports
58 Air Sea Battle 2600 Atari 15,085 $46,002 Shooter
59 Track & Field 2600 Konami 13,416 $134,805 Sports
60 Robotron 5200 Atari 12,594 $63,135 Shmup
61 Baseball II 2600 Atari 11,742 $41,293 Sports
62 Warlords 2600 Atari 11,412 $34,432 Block break
63 Oscar's Trash Race 2600 Atari 11,010 $33,648 Racing
64 Football II 2600 Atari 10,958 $54,603 Sports
65 Tennis II 2600 Atari 10,350 $29,273
66 Baseball 5200 Atari 10,341 $53,099
67 Space Dungeon 5200 Taito 10,149 $50,813 Run & gun
68 Ballblazer 5200 Atari 10,002 $50,010 Sports
69 Solaris 2600 Atari 9,886 $66,209 Rail shooter
70 Big Bird Egg 2600 Atari 9,570 $29,555 Edutainment
71 Alpha Beam with Ernie 2600 Atari 9,180 $25,209
72 A Game of Concentration 2600 Atari 7,524 $23,099 Card
73 Asteroids 2600 Atari 7,503 $22,909 Shmup
74 Volleyball 2600 Atari 7,356 $23,153 Sports
75 Championship Soccer 2600 Atari 7,154 $22,027
76 Real Sports Soccer 2600 Atari 7,111 $40,875
77 Breakout 2600 Atari 7,060 $22,642 Block break
78 Rescue on Fractalus! 5200 Atari 7,047 $35,312 Shooter
79 Circus Atari 2600 Atari 7,039 $22,036 Block break
80 Video Pinball 2600 Atari 6,624 $21,683 Pinball
81 Basketball 2600 Atari 6,399 $22,155 Sports
82 Home Run 2600 Atari 5,881 $20,583
83 Outlaw 2600 Taito 5,492 $17,755 Shooter
84 Canyon Bomber 2600 Atari 4,734 $16,562
85 Gremlins 2600 Atari 3,680 $19,828
86 Taz 2600 Atari 3,120 $14,967
87 Choplifter 5200 Atari 3,000 $15,000
88 Cookie Monster 2600 Atari 2,622 $7,903
89 Surround 2600 Atari 2,340 $8,152
90 Snoopy Red Baron 2600 Atari 2,340 $7,451
91 Dodge 'Em 2600 Atari 2,064 $6,497
92 Street Racer 2600 Atari 2,043 $7,150
93 Yar's Revenge 2600 Atari 1,362 $4,289
94 E.T. 2600 Atari 1,138 $443
95 Raiders of the Lost Ark 2600 Atari 1,124 $3,394
96 Indy 500 2600 Atari 1,117 $3,519
97 Haunted House 2600 Atari 930 $2,768
98 Demons To Diamonds 2600 Atari 432 $1,358
99 Maze Craze 2600 Atari 336 $1,040
100 Sorcerer's Apprentice 2600 Atari 222 $830
101 Krull 2600 Atari 210 $654
102 Basic Math 2600 Atari 186 $581
103 Adventure 2600 Atari 180 $1,170
104 Basic Programming 2600 Atari 156 $493
105 Pigs In Space 2600 Atari 150 $506
106 Gravitor 2600 Atari 144 $564
107 Swordquest: Earthworld 2600 Atari 144 $450
108 Othello 2600 Atari 143 $448
109 Video Checkers 2600 Atari 108 $338
110 Swordquest: Fireworld 2600 Atari 108 $335
111 Swordquest: Waterworld 2600 Atari 105 $312
112 Combat 2600 Atari 90 $265
113 Nite Driver 2600 Atari 84 $263
114 Sky Diver 2600 Atari 74 $224
115 Brain Games 2600 Atari 54 $167
116 Atari Cube 2600 Atari 48 $141
117 Casino 2600 Atari 40 $119
118 Backgammon 2600 Atari 24 $74
119 Black Jack 2600 Atari 16 $47
120 Bowling 2600 Atari 9 $27
121 Video Olympics 2600 Atari 7 $21
122 Math Grand Prix 2600 Atari 6 $19

The following titles were the year's best-selling NES game cartridges in the US, excluding console bundles.

Title Company Points[n 10] Sales (est.)[3][14]
6/6
[191]
6/20
[192]
7/4
[193]
7/18
[194]
8/1
[194]
8/22
[195]
9/5
[196]
9/19
[197]
10/3
[198]
10/17
[199]
10/31
[200]
11/14
[201]
11/28
[202]
12/12
[203]
12/26
[204]
1/23
[205]
Total Units
[n 11]
Gross
[n 12]
Super Mario Bros. Nintendo 10 10 9 10 9 10 9 10 10 9 8 8 8 10 9 8 147 1,000,000 $30,000,000
Kung Fu Irem 9 9 10 9 10 9 10 9 9 10 9 7 6 7 5 3 131 800,000 $20,000,000
Excitebike Nintendo 7 8 8 8 8 7 7 7 3 7 4 74 500,000 $10,000,000
10-Yard Fight Irem 6 4 4 4 5 6 5 1 1 5 2 4 5 6 6 6 70 400,000 $10,000,000
Mach Rider Nintendo 10 10 7 8 8 7 50 300,000 $9,000,000
Gumshoe Nintendo 6 10 9 10 9 44 300,000 $7,000,000
Balloon Fight Nintendo 5 9 9 7 10 40 300,000 $7,000,000
Golf Nintendo 5 6 2 3 7 5 4 3 1 2 2 40 300,000 $7,000,000
Donkey Kong 3 Nintendo 8 8 8 8 6 38 200,000 $6,000,000
Soccer Nintendo 4 5 1 8 6 3 2 3 3 35 200,000 $6,000,000
Mario Bros. Nintendo 5 4 6 3 5 5 28 200,000 $5,000,000
Hogan's Alley Nintendo 7 6 2 3 3 3 4 28 200,000 $5,000,000
Wild Gunman Nintendo 6 7 3 1 1 4 5 27 200,000 $5,000,000
Popeye Nintendo 6 7 1 7 1 22 100,000 $4,000,000
Tennis Nintendo 2 3 2 4 2 2 2 2 1 1 21 100,000 $4,000,000
Baseball Nintendo 8 7 5 20 100,000 $3,000,000
Pinball Nintendo 3 1 3 1 6 4 1 19 100,000 $3,000,000
Donkey Kong Math Nintendo 4 5 4 1 4 18 100,000 $3,000,000
Donkey Kong Nintendo 2 6 2 4 14 100,000 $2,000,000
Donkey Kong Jr. Nintendo 2 3 5 30,000 $1,000,000
Wrecking Crew Nintendo 1 2 1 4 30,000 $1,000,000
875 5,600,000 $150,000,000

Computer games[]

The following titles were the year's best-selling computer games in the United States.

Rank Title Platform(s) Company Points[n 13]
[206][207]
Sales
(est.)[n 14]
Gross (est.)
[n 15][208]
Genre Ref
1 Silent Service Computers MicroProse 529 200,000 $10,000,000 Vehicle sim
2 Commando Computers Capcom / Data East 37 200,000 $10,000,000 Run & gun [209][210]
3 Jet Computers SubLogic 392 200,000 $8,000,000 Flight sim
4 The Bard's Tale Apple II, C64 Electronic Arts 370 200,000 $8,000,000 RPG [211]
5 Hardball Apple II, C64 Accolade 357 170,000 $8,000,000 Baseball
6 Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar Computers Origin Systems 330 160,000 $8,000,000 RPG
7 Karate Champ Apple II, C64 Technōs / Data East 162 150,000 $6,000,000 Fighting [209][212]
8 Leader Board C64 Access 253 100,000 $6,000,000 Sports
9 Elite C64 Firebird 242 100,000 $6,000,000 Space sim
10 Flight Simulator II Computers SubLogic 221 100,000 $5,000,000 Simulation
11 F-15 Strike Eagle Computers Micro Prose 191 100,000 $4,000,000 Flight sim
12 Hacker Computers Activision 175 100,000 $4,000,000 Strategy
13 Flight Simulator C64, IBM Microsoft 160 100,000 $4,000,000 Simulation
14 Math Blaster! Apple II, C64, IBM Davidson 135 100,000 $3,000,000 Education [213][214]
15 Typing Tutor III Computers Simon & Schuster 131 100,000 $3,000,000 Education
16 New Improved Master Type Computers Scarborough 123 100,000 $3,000,000
17 Gato Apple II, IBM, Mac Spectrum HoloByte 121 100,000 $3,000,000 Strategic
18 Little Computer People Apple II, C64 Activision 112 100,000 $3,000,000 Fantasy
19 Kung-Fu Master Apple II, C64 Irem / Data East 111 100,000 $3,000,000 Beat 'em up
20 Karateka Apple II, C64 Broderbund 106 100,000 $3,000,000 Fighting [215][216]
21 Winter Games Computers Epyx 100,000 $2,000,000 Sports [209][217]
22 Pac-Man Computers Namco 100,000 $1,000,000 Maze [218][219]
23 Where in the World is Carmen Computers Broderbund 2 60,000 $2,000,000 Education [209][220]
24 Leather Goddesses IBM, Apple II Infocom 51 53,543 $2,000,000 Adventure [221]
25 Alter Ego Computers Activision 107 50,000 $2,000,000 RPG
26 The Way of the Exploding Fist C64 Data East / UXB 23 50,000 $2,000,000 Fighting
27 Wizard’s Crown Computers SSI 47,676 $2,000,000 RPG [222]
28 Star Raiders Atari XE Atari 46,816 $13,974 Shmup [185]
29 Infiltrator C64 Mindscape 94 40,000 $2,000,000 Flight sim
30 Bop'n Wrestle C64 Mindscape 89 40,000 $2,000,000 Sports
31 Flight Simulator Scenery Disks Computers SubLogic 86 40,000 $2,000,000 Flight sim
32 King's Quest II Apple II Sierra On-Line 82 40,000 $2,000,000 Adventure
33 Conflict in Vietnam Apple II MicroProse 76 40,000 $2,000,000 Strategy
34 Championship Baseball C64 Gamestar 1 40,000 $2,000,000 Sports [209]
35 Wargame Construction Set Computers SSI 40,000 $2,000,000 Strategy [222][209]
36 Where in the USA Is Carmen Computers Broderbund 40,000 $2,000,000 Education [209][220]
37 Temple of Apshai Computers Epyx 37,000 $1,000,000 RPG [223]
38 Trinity Computers Infocom 35,159 $1,000,000 Adventure [224]
39 Roadwar 2000 Computers SSI 34,044 $1,000,000 RPG [222]
40 Phantasie II Apple II, C64 SSI 73 30,100 $1,000,000 RPG
41 Alternate Reality Computers Datasoft 71 30,000 $1,000,000 RPG
42 GBA Basketball 2on2 C64 Gamestar 71 30,000 $1,000,000 Sports
43 Battle of Antietan Computers SSI 66 30,000 $1,000,000 Simulation
44 Garry Kitchen's GameMaker Apple II, C64 Activision 58 30,000 $1,000,000 GCS
45 Reader Rabbit Apple II, IBM Learning Company 57 30,000 $1,000,000 Education
46 Ultima Computers Origin Systems 30,000 $1,000,000 RPG [225][226]
47 Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Computers Infocom 129 29,350 $900,000 Adventure [227]
48 E.T. Atari XE Atari 26,844 $1,092 Adventure [185]
49 Donkey Kong Atari XE Nintendo 25,430 $6,766 Platformer
50 Moonmist Computers Infocom 24,777 $700,000 Adventure [228]
51 Ballyhoo Apple II, IBM Infocom 42 23,912 $700,000
52 U.S.A.A.F. Computers SSI 49 20,000 $1,000,000 Simulation
53 Mean 18 C64, IBM Accolade 48 20,000 $1,000,000 Sports
54 Temple of Apshai Trilogy Apple II, IBM Epyx 46 20,000 $1,000,000 RPG
55 Hacker II C64 Activision 44 20,000 $1,000,000 Puzzle
56 Championship Golf IBM, TRS Gamestar 36 20,000 $900,000 Sports
57 Charlie Brown's ABC's Apple II Random House 36 20,000 $900,000 Education
58 Sargon III Apple II Hayden 36 20,000 $900,000 Chess
59 Psi-5 Trading Company Apple II, C64 Accolade 35 20,000 $900,000 Space sim
60 Super Boulder Dash Apple II, C64 Electronic Arts 34 20,000 $900,000 Maze
61 Acro Jet Apple II, C64 MicroProse 33 20,000 $800,000 Flight sim
62 Balance of Power Mac Mindscape 32 20,000 $800,000 Strategy
63 Defender Atari XE Williams 19,544 $3,497 Shmup [185]
64 Zork I Computers Infocom 19,182 $600,000 Adventure [229]
65 Rings of Zilfin Computers SSI 17,479 $700,000 RPG [222][208]
66 Millipede Atari XE Atari 13,895 $9,183 Shmup [185]
67 Shard of Spring Computers SSI 11,942 $500,000 RPG [222]
68 Ghostbusters Computers Activision 30 10,000 $800,000 Action
69 Bingo Bugglebee: Home Alone C64 Quest Learning 29 10,000 $700,000 Education
70 Rocky's Boots Apple II Learning Company 29 10,000 $700,000
71 Marble Madness Amiga, C64 Electronic Arts 28 10,000 $700,000 Platformer
72 Rambo: First Blood Part II Apple II Mindscape 26 10,000 $700,000 Adventure
73 G.I. Joe Apple II, C64 Epyx 22 10,000 $600,000 Run & gun
74 Star Trek: Kobayashi Alternative Apple II Simon & Schuster 21 10,000 $500,000 Adventure
75 Super Cycle C64 Epyx 21 10,000 $500,000 Racing
76 Spy vs. Spy Computers Accolade 10,000 $400,000 Strategy [230]
77 Cornerstone Computers Infocom 9,265 $300,000 Adventure [231]
78 Hacker II: The Doomsday Papers Apple II, Atari Activision 20 9,000 $500,000 Strategy
79 Early Games Computers Springboard 19 9,000 $500,000 Education
80 Phantasie Apple II, C64 SSI 18 8,000 $500,000 RPG
81 Eidolon C64 Epyx 17 8,000 $400,000 Action ADV
82 Gunship C64 Microprose 17 8,000 $400,000 Flight sim
83 Fooblitzky Apple II Infocom 2 7,725 $200,000 Board [232]
84 Enchanter Computers Infocom 7,246 $200,000 Adventure
85 Championship Golf V1 IBM Activision 15 7,000 $400,000 Sports
86 Koronis Rift Atari, C64 Epyx 15 7,000 $400,000 Strategy
87 MicroLeague Baseball Apple II MicroLeague 14 7,000 $400,000 Sports
88 Qix Atari XE Taito 6,971 $8,359 Puzzle [185]
89 Gemstone Healer Computers SSI 6,030 $200,000 RPG [222]
90 Heart of Africa C64 Electronic Arts 12 6,000 $300,000 Strategy
91 Superbowl Sunday C64 Avalon Hill 12 6,000 $300,000 Sports
92 Deja Vu Mac Mindscape 10 5,000 $300,000 Adventure
93 The Chessmaster 2000 Computers Toolworks 10 5,000 $300,000 Chess
94 Star Raiders II Atari XE Atari 4,632 $45,552 Shmup [185]
95 Enchanter Trilogy Computers Infocom 4,500 $100,000 Adventure [233]
96 Zork III Computers Infocom 4,071 $100,000
97 Cutthroats Computers Infocom 3,302 $100,000
98 Entertainer Kit Atari XE Atari 3,276 $15,323 Shmup [185]
99 Zork Trilogy Computers Infocom 3,270 $100,000 Adventure [233]
100 Spellbreaker Computers Infocom 3,096 $90,000
101 Chipwits C64 Epyx 6 3,000 $200,000 Education
102 Shanghai Apple II Activision 6 3,000 $200,000 Mahjong
103 States and Traits Apple II DesignWare 6 3,000 $200,000 Education
104 Zork II Computers Infocom 2,983 $90,000 Adventure [234]
105 Sorcerer Computers Infocom 2,260 $70,000 Adventure
106 King's Quest Apple II Sierra On-Line 5 2,000 $100,000 Adventure
107 Sundog Apple II Access 5 2,000 $100,000 Space sim
108 Chessmaster 2000 Computers Electronic Arts 4 2,000 $100,000 Chess
109 Suspect Computers Infocom 1,929 $60,000 Adventure [235]
110 Seastalker Computers Infocom 1,926 $60,000
111 A Mind Forever Voyaging Apple II Infocom 48 1,818 $100,000
112 Mind Forever Computers Infocom 1,818 $50,000
113 Witness Computers Infocom 1,739 $50,000
114 Starcross Computers Infocom 1,625 $50,000
115 Joust Atari XE Atari 1,533 $14,889 Action [185]
116 Football Atari XE Atari 1,096 $8,190 Sports
117 Donkey Kong Jr. Atari XE Nintendo 1,008 $9,874 Platformer
118 Caverns of Mars Atari XE Atari 906 $6,994 Shmup
119 Addition Magician C64 The Learning Co. 2 900 $50,000 Education
120 Archon: The Light and the Dark IBM Electronic Arts 2 900 $50,000 Strategy
121 Halley Project Apple II Mindscape 2 900 $50,000 Space sim
122 The Goonies C64 DataSoft 2 900 $50,000 Platformer
123 Deadline Computers Infocom 756 $20,000 Adventure [236]
124 Wishbringer Computers Infocom 740 $20,000
125 Track & Field Atari XE Konami 714 $9,948 Sports [185]
126 Ms. Pac-Man Atari XE Namco 646 $6,147 Maze
127 Jungle Hunt Atari XE Taito 636 $6,117 Platformer
128 Planetfall Computers Infocom 617 $20,000 Adventure [237]
129 Moon Patrol Atari XE Irem 558 $5,292 Shooter [185]
130 Infidel Computers Infocom 501 $20,000 Adventure [238]
131 Defender of the Crown Amiga MDS 1 500 $30,000 Strategy
132 Gettysburg: The Turning Point Apple II, Atari SSI 1 500 $30,000 Simulation
133 Rogue ST Epyx 1 500 $30,000 RPG
134 Dig Dug Atari XE Namco 468 $4,563 Maze [185]
135 Robotron Atari XE Atari 438 $4,237 Shmup
136 Tennis Atari XE Atari 384 $2,865 Sports
137 Final Legacy Atari XE Atari 378 $3,582 Shmup
138 Centipede Atari XE Atari 281 $2,121
139 Pengo Atari XE Coreland / Sega 240 $2,259 Maze
140 Galaxian Atari XE Namco 228 $1,705 Shmup
141 Missile Command Atari XE Atari 192 $1,434
142 Pole Position Atari XE Namco 176 $1,668 Racing
143 Space Invaders Atari XE Taito 150 $1,126 Shmup
144 Asteroids Atari XE Atari 126 $937
145 Basketball Atari XE Atari 84 $630
146 Super Breakout Atari XE Atari 60 $455
147 3D Tic-Tac-Toe Atari XE Atari 24 $110
148 Computer Chess Atari XE Atari 23 $169
149 Scram Atari XE Atari 18 $133
150 Eastern Front '41 Atari XE Atari 6 $47
Annual 6,347 4,200,000 $168,000,000 [20]

United Kingdom[]

In the United Kingdom, the following titles were the year's best-selling home computer games. The best-selling game was Konami's Yie Ar Kung-Fu, making it the second year in a row that a fighting game topped the annual charts, after The Way of the Exploding Fist in 1985.[239]

Rank Title Platform Company Points[n 16]
[240][241]
Sales
(est.)[n 17]
Gross (est.)
[n 18][21]
Genre Ref
1 Yie Ar Kung-Fu Computers Konami 586 200,000 $4,000,000 Fighting [239]
2 Formula 1 Simulator Computers Mastertronic 585 150,000 $3,000,000 Racing
3 Commando Computers Capcom 551 140,000 $3,000,000 R&G
4 Green Beret Computers Konami 410 110,000 $2,000,000
5 Thrust Computers Superior 409 100,000 $2,000,000 Shmup
6 Ghosts 'n Goblins Computers Capcom 315 100,000 $2,000,000 Platform
7 Paperboy Computers Atari Games 314 100,000 $2,000,000 Action
8 Rambo Computers Ocean 313 100,000 $2,000,000 R&G
9 Kikstart Computers Mastertronic 312 100,000 $2,000,000 Racing
10 Ninja Master ZX, CPC, ST Firebird 311 100,000 $2,000,000 Action
11 Winter Games Computers Epyx 310 80,000 $2,000,000 Sports
12 Spellbound Computers Mastertronic 309 80,000 $2,000,000 ADV
13 ACE Computers Cascade 308 80,000 $2,000,000 Flight sim
14 Finders Keepers Computers Mastertronic 307 80,000 $2,000,000 Platform
15 Kane Computers Mastertronic 306 80,000 $2,000,000 Arcade
16 Trivial Pursuit Computers Domark 305 80,000 $2,000,000 Quiz
17 Elite Computers Acornsoft 304 80,000 $2,000,000 Space
18 One Man and his Droid Computers Mastertronic 303 80,000 $2,000,000 Arcade
19 Action Biker Computers Mastertronic 302 80,000 $2,000,000 Racing [239][242]
20 Galaxions / Skramble Computers Namco / Konami 301 80,000 $2,000,000 Arcade [239]
21 The Last V8 Computers Mastertronic 300 80,000 $2,000,000 Racing
22 Kung-Fu Master C64, ST Irem 299 80,000 $2,000,000 Brawler
23 Speed King Computers Mastertronic 298 80,000 $2,000,000 Racing
24 BMX Racers Computers Mastertronic 297 80,000 $2,000,000
25 Vegas Jackpot Computers Mastertronic 296 80,000 $2,000,000 Casino
26 They Sold a Million (Daley) Computers Konami 295 80,000 $2,000,000 Sports
27 Way of the Tiger Computers Gremlin 258 70,000 $1,000,000 Brawler
28 Gauntlet Computers US Gold 223 60,000 $1,000,000 H&S
29 Dragon's Lair Computers Software 222 60,000 $1,000,000 Arcade
30 Uridium C64 Hewson 221 60,000 $1,000,000 Shmup
31 Exploding Fist (Karate Champ) Computers Data East 220 60,000 $1,000,000 Fighting
32 10 Computer Hits Computers Beau Jolly 219 60,000 $1,000,000 Misc
33 Bruce Lee Computers US Gold 45 60,000 $1,000,000 Platform [243]
34 Bomb Jack Computers Tehkan 207 50,000 $1,000,000 Platform
35 Hyper Sports / Daley's Super Test Computers Konami 189 50,000 $1,000,000 Sports
36 FA Cup Football Computers Virgin 140 40,000 $1,000,000
37 Batman Computers Ocean 138 40,000 $1,000,000
38 Spindizzy Computers Electric 125 30,000 $1,000,000
39 World Cup Carnival Computers US Gold 118 30,000 $1,000,000
40 Rock'n Wrestle Computers Melbourne 114 30,000 $1,000,000
41 Superbowl Computers Ocean 111 30,000 $1,000,000
42 Infiltrator Computers US Gold 110 30,000 $1,000,000
43 V C64, ZX, C64 Ocean 110 30,000 $1,000,000
44 Ping Pong (Konami's Ping Pong) Computers Konami 109 30,000 $1,000,000
45 Ninja Computers Mastertronic 105 30,000 $1,000,000
46 Jack The Nipper Computers Gremlin 101 30,000 $600,000
47 Leaderboard Computers US Gold 101 30,000 $600,000
48 Movie ZX, ZX Imagine 101 30,000 $600,000
49 Molecule Man Computers Mastertronic 96 20,000 $400,000
50 Hardball C64 US Gold 95 20,000 $400,000
51 180 Computers Mastertronic 93 20,000 $400,000
52 International Karate/Karate Combat C64, ZX, C64 Data East 92 20,000 $400,000
53 Dan Dare Computers Virgin 92 20,000 $400,000
54 Knight Tyme ZX, ST, ZX Mastertronic 92 20,000 $400,000
55 Go for Gold Computers Kixx 89 20,000 $400,000
56 10 Computer Hits Vol. 2 Computers Beau Jolly 84 20,000 $400,000
57 Olli & Lissa Computers Firebird 84 20,000 $400,000
58 Turbo Espirit ZX, CPC Durell 79 20,000 $400,000
59 Fist II: The Legend Continues Computers Melbourne 76 20,000 $400,000
60 Druid Computers Firebird 73 20,000 $400,000
61 1942 Computers Capcom 72 20,000 $400,000
62 Super Cycle Computers US Gold 71 20,000 $400,000
63 Lightforce Computers FTL 68 20,000 $400,000
64 Rockman Computers Mastertronic 68 20,000 $400,000
65 Biggles C64, ZX Mirrorsoft 64 20,000 $400,000
66 Sky Fox Computers Ariolasoft 64 20,000 $400,000
67 Knight Games Computers English 61 20,000 $400,000
68 Bounder Computers Gremlin 59 20,000 $400,000
69 Barry Mcguigan Boxing Computers Activision 57 10,000 $200,000
70 Eidolon C64, Atari Activision 57 10,000 $200,000
71 Silent Service C64 MicroProse 51 10,000 $200,000
72 Big Mac C64, C16 Mastertronic 47 10,000 $200,000
73 Mr Puniverse C16 Mastertronic 47 10,000 $200,000
74 Saboteur Computers Durell 47 10,000 $200,000
75 Caves of Doom Computers Mastertronic 46 10,000 $200,000
76 The Great Escape Computers Macmillan 45 10,000 $200,000
77 Winter Olympics Computers Tynesoft 45 10,000 $200,000
78 Mikie / Konami's Coin-Op Hits C64 Imagine 43 11,000 $200,000
79 Heavy on the Magick ZX Gargoyle 42 10,000 $200,000
80 Street Olympics C16 Mastertronic 40 10,000 $200,000
81 World Games Computers US Gold 40 10,000 $200,000
82 Fingers Malone C16 Mastertronic 39 10,000 $200,000
83 Five Star Games Computers Beau-Jolly 38 10,000 $200,000
84 Lord of the Rings Computers Melbourne 37 10,000 $200,000
85 Transformers Computers Ocean 37 10,000 $200,000
86 Video Olympics Computers Mastertronic 36 10,000 $200,000
87 Warhawk Computers Firebird 34 10,000 $200,000
88 Koronis Rift C64, ST, Atari Activision 32 10,000 $200,000
89 Knight Rider Computers Ocean 31 10,000 $200,000
90 Hole in One Computers HAL 29 10,000 $200,000
91 Theatre Europe Computers PSS 27 7,000 $100,000
92 Cobra Computers Ocean 26 7,000 $100,000
93 Tutti Frutti C16, ST, Atari Mastertronic 26 7,000 $100,000
94 Mercenary C64, ST, Atari Novagen 23 6,000 $100,000
95 Pub Games Computers Alligata 23 6,000 $100,000
96 Tennis ST, C64, BBC Bugbyte 23 6,000 $100,000
97 Cauldron C64 Palace 21 5,000 $100,000
98 Booty Computers Firebird 20 5,000 $100,000
99 Psi-5 Trading Company C64, ZX US Gold 20 5,000 $100,000
100 Dragon's Lair 2 Computers Software 19 5,000 $100,000
101 Incredible Shrinking Fireman ZX,ZX, ZX Mastertronic 19 5,000 $100,000
102 Now Games ZX, C64 Virgin 19 5,000 $100,000
103 Happiest Days Computers Firebird 17 4,000 $100,000
104 Off the Hook Computers Off the Hook 17 4,000 $100,000
105 Scooby Doo Computers Elite 17 4,000 $100,000
106 Tomahawk ZX, C64, CPC Digital Int. 17 4,000 $100,000
107 BreakThru Computers Data East 16 4,000 $100,000
108 Elektra Glide C64, ST Activision 16 4,000 $100,000
109 Kai Temple Computers Firebird 15 4,000 $100,000
110 Now Games 2 ZX, C64 Virgin 15 4,000 $100,000
111 Footballer of the Year Computers Gremlin 14 4,000 $100,000
112 Kung Fu Kid C16 Gremlin 14 4,000 $100,000
113 Steve Davis Snooker Computers CDS 14 4,000 $100,000
114 BMX Simulator Computers Codemaster 13 3,000 $100,000
115 Bump Set Spike Computers Mastertronic 13 3,000 $100,000
116 Gyroscope Computers Melbourne 13 3,000 $100,000
117 Solo Flight 2 Computers MicroProse 13 3,000 $100,000
118 Starstrike ZX Realtime 13 3,000 $100,000
119 Starstrike II ZX, Amiga, ZX Realtime 13 3,000 $100,000
120 Strike Force Harrier Computers Mirrorsoft 12 3,000 $100,000
121 Video Poker Computers Loadstar 12 3,000 $100,000
122 Zoids ZX, C64 Martech 12 3,000 $100,000
123 Alleykat Computers Hewson 11 3,000 $100,000
124 Space Harrier Computers Sega 11 3,000 $100,000
125 Jack Attack ST, BBC Bugbyte 10 3,000 $60,000
126 Streethawk Computers Ocean 10 3,000 $60,000
127 Ace of Aces Computers US Gold 9 2,000 $40,000
Arcade Hall of Fame (Up'n Down) ZX, C64 Sega 9 2,000 $40,000
Beer Belly Burt's Brew Biz BBC Americana 9 2,000 $40,000
Cauldron II Computers Palace 9 2,000 $40,000
Crystal Castles Computers US Gold 9 2,000 $40,000
Fairlight Computers The Edge 9 2,000 $40,000
Harvey Headbanger ZX Firebird 9 2,000 $40,000
Hit Pack Computers Elite 9 2,000 $40,000
Kambo ZX, C64 Ocean 9 2,000 $40,000
Quazatron ZX Hewson 9 2,000 $40,000
Sport of Kings C64, ZX Mastertronic 9 2,000 $40,000
Storm Computers Mastertronic 9 2,000 $40,000
Trap Door Computers Macmillan 9 2,000 $40,000

Notes[]

  1. See Best-selling home video games section
  2. See Computer games section
  3. 4 units per point (est.)
    • 3,255 points equivalent to 10,000 units (Hang-On)
    • 2,700 points equivalent to 3,500 units (Out Run)
    • 1,117 points equivalent to 7,000 units (Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun)
  4. 49,319 points equivalent to $1.81 billion (excluding Hang-On and Out Run) = $37,000 per point (est.)
  5. 51,282 points equivalent to $2 billion = $39,000 per point (est.)
  6. 313.95 points equivalent to $400 million (excluding Out Run) = $1.3 million per point (est.)
  7. Points based on monthly Softlog chart rankings from LOGiN magazine during 1986 (March 1986 to March 1987 issues).
    • Rank #1 = 20 points
    • Rank #10 = 11 points
    • Rank #20 = 1 point
  8. 364 points equivalent to 200,000 units (Xanadu) = 550 units per point (est.)
  9. 5,943 points equivalent to $70 million = $12,000 per point
  10. Rank #1 = 10 points
    Rank #10 = 1 point
  11. 728 points equivalent to 4.6 million NES cartridges (excluding Super Mario Bros.) = 6,300 cartridges per point (est.)
  12. 875 points equivalent to $150 million NES cartridge sales revenue = $170,000 per point (est.)
  13. Points calculated from chart rankings:
    • Billboard entertainment and Computer Entertainer charts
      • Rank #1 = 20 points
      • Rank #20 = 1 point
    • Billboard education charts
      • Rank #1 = 10 points
      • Rank #10 = 1 point
  14. 272 points equivalent to 127,595 units (five Infocom games) = 470 units per point (est.)
  15. 6,347 points equivalent to $168 million = $25,000 per point (est.)
    Average price: $39.95
  16. Points based on UK chart rankings during 1986.
    • CVG (multi-platform)
      • Rank #1 = 30 points
      • Rank #30 = 1 point
    • CVG (single-platform)
      • Rank #1 = 10 points
      • Rank #10 = 1 point
    • Popular Computing Weekly
      • Rank #1 = 20 points
      • Rank #20 = 1 point
  17. 302 points equivalent to 80,000 units (Action Biker) = 260 units per point (est.)
  18. Average price:
    • £20 for 60% of games
    • £2.99 for 40% of games
    • £13 ($19) average

References[]

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