The Most Popular Game In Each Year of the 1980s

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I started gaming back in the ’80s, and that’s when things really took off. Sure, games existed before then, even in the ’70s, but the ’80s were when everything clicked. Arcades were everywhere, always getting new machines with better graphics and sound. Gameplay just kept getting better and better, both in the arcades and on home consoles – even handhelds! Every year brought a ton of great games, but a few really stood out. When I think about what made a game ‘popular,’ it’s a mix of how well it sold and how much of an impact it had on gaming at the time. That’s what I’m focusing on here – what games were huge when they first came out.

1980) Space Invaders

Released in arcades in 1978, Space Invaders quickly became a huge hit and remained popular for years, inspiring many similar games. It was the best-selling video game of 1980 and eventually generated $9.09 billion in sales when adjusted for inflation. Though simple by today’s standards, Space Invaders was a groundbreaking achievement and is considered one of the most influential games ever made. It continues to inspire new versions, sequels, and countless imitations. Other notable games from 1980 include Combat on the Atari 2600, Asteroids, and Pac-Man.

1981) Pac-Man & Donkey Kong

When Pac-Man launched in 1980, it quickly became a huge hit and truly revolutionized the gaming world. While it took a bit to gain momentum, by 1981, Pac-Man was the most popular arcade game everywhere. It’s not only one of the most important video games ever created, but also the most financially successful, earning Namco $10.57 billion (adjusted for inflation). 1981 also saw the rise of Donkey Kong, a game that essentially created the platforming genre. Donkey Kong was a lifesaver for Nintendo, preventing financial ruin, and it left a lasting impact on gaming. The game was a massive success, launched a long-running franchise, and kept arcades buzzing with players feeding quarters into the machine.

1982) Pole Position

Modern driving games evolved over time, thanks to key innovations introduced by a few pioneering titles. Among them, Pole Position stands out as the most influential. Released by Namco in 1982 as a sequel to F-1, Pole Position was created by the same team. It’s considered the first racing game modeled after a real-life race track, and it introduced the concept of a qualifying lap – hence the name. Players had to successfully complete this qualifying lap before competing in the main Grand Prix race. These features were groundbreaking, and the game was both a critical and commercial success. 1982 also saw the release of other popular games like Dig Dug, Defender, and Pitfall! on the Atari 2600.

1983) Ms. Pac-Man

Although Ms. Pac-Man came out in early 1982, it didn’t become a huge hit until 1983, when it quickly became the most popular game in arcades. As a sequel to Pac-Man, it offered a more challenging and improved experience. Notably, Ms. Pac-Man featured the first major female character in video games and had a big impact on pop culture, attracting more young girls to arcades and helping to sustain the video game industry. Other popular games released in 1983 included Dragon’s Lair, Tapper (a standout title), and Mario Bros.

1984) Punch-Out!!

The video game industry was recovering in 1984 after a major slump in 1983. Despite the challenges, some great games came out that year. While Tetris was popular, it wasn’t available outside of the Soviet Union. Pole Position II earned a lot of money in arcades, but our pick for the best game of 1984 is Nintendo’s Punch-Out!!. Many people know it as Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!! from the NES, but the arcade version was a groundbreaking boxing game with a unique double-screen cabinet. This innovative design allowed for a fantastic vertical view and made Punch-Out!! a massive success. Other popular and noteworthy games from 1984 include Kung-Fu Master, Marble Madness, 1942, and Karateka on the Apple II.

1985) Super Mario Bros.

In 1985, the video game industry was struggling until Nintendo launched the Nintendo Entertainment System in North America. It came with a game that became incredibly popular and influential: Super Mario Bros. This platformer was a major technological advancement and allowed people to enjoy arcade-style gaming at home. With over 58 million copies sold, Super Mario Bros. remains one of the best-selling and most impactful games ever created. Other popular games released that year included Gauntlet, Ghosts ‘n Goblins, DuckTales, and Gradius.

1986) Castlevania and Metroid

In 1986, Hang On was the top-selling arcade game and still fun to play if you can find it. However, several other games from that year had a bigger impact on the gaming world. While Bubble Bobble and Out Run were innovative, Castlevania and Metroid truly stood out. Castlevania, though not the best-selling game on the NES and often overshadowed by its sequels, was incredibly popular and influential, leaving a lasting mark on the industry. Metroid had a similar effect and remains a major franchise today. Together, these two games pioneered what is now known as the “Metroidvania” genre, significantly shaping the gaming landscape.

1987) The Legend of Zelda

Originally released in Japan in 1986, The Legend of Zelda quickly became a must-have game when it came to the NES in the West the following year. While adventure RPGs existed before, The Legend of Zelda really pushed the NES to its limits. A built-in battery allowed players to save their progress, which was a huge improvement over complicated codes and made exploring the game much more enjoyable. The Legend of Zelda launched a hugely successful series and is widely considered the best game of 1987, with other notable titles that year including Double Dragon, Maniac Mansion, and the NES version of Punch-Out!!.

1988) Mega Man 2

The original Mega Man series has many games, most of which came out for the NES. While the franchise has expanded over the years, Mega Man 2 is widely considered the best of the 11 main games. The first Mega Man didn’t sell well, but its sequel addressed all the problems and truly launched the series, becoming a standout title of 1988. Other games that could have been considered the best include Operation Wolf, Ninja Gaiden, Final Fantasy II, Super Mario Bros. 2, Contra, and Super Mario Bros. 3 – though the latter wasn’t available in North America until 1990, and some believe it was even better.

1989) Tetris

The Game Boy, Nintendo’s groundbreaking handheld console, launched in 1989. Despite its simple, monochrome screen and bulky design, it became one of the best-selling handhelds of all time. A key to its success was securing the rights to Tetris, a captivating puzzle game originally created in the Soviet Union. Tetris was easy to pick up, fun, and surprisingly competitive, appealing to both dedicated gamers and people who didn’t normally play games. While 1989 saw the release of many great titles – including River City Ransom, The Final Fantasy Legend, Batman: The Video Game, Final Fight, and Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse – the cultural impact of Tetris remains undeniable.

What’s the best game from the 1980s in your opinion? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-12 17:14