Timeline (Ohga Shrugs)

The timeline for Ohga Shrugs.

1991

 * June - Nintendo unexpectedly breaks a deal with Sony to create a CD-ROM attachment for the Super Nintendo. Sony President Norio Ohga is outraged, but ultimately decides to let it go.
 * August 23 - The Super Nintendo Entertainment System is released in America.
 * December 12 – The Sega CD is released as a Sega peripheral. It flops

1992

 * April 11 – The SNES is launched in Europe
 * June – The first version of Street Fighter 2 is released for the Super Nintendo.
 * August 27 - Super Mario Kart is released, starting the most successful racing series of games ever made.
 * November 21 - Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is released for the Genesis. It goes on to become its best selling non-bundled game.

1993

 * February - Star Fox is released for the Super Nintendo. The game is the first major true-3D game from Nintendo.
 * September - Sonic CD, the most notable Sega CD game, is released. Despite the game's critical acclaim, it sells little hardware.
 * October – Ridge Racer is released in the arcades. The game does not come to home consoles.
 * November - Atari releases the Jaguar console. Although powerful, the system proves to be a commercial failure, and is the last American console ever made.
 * December - Sega releases Virtua Fighter for the arcade, sparking the 3D gaming revolution.

1994

 * February - Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is released.
 * March - Daytona USA is released in the arcades. The game is acclaimed for its advanced 3D racing.
 * April - The Ultra 64, later renamed the Nintendo 64, is first shown to the public.
 * September 9 - Mortal Kombat 2 is released for the Super Nintendo, with all of the gore and fatalities intact.
 * November 21 – The 32X is released in the West. 6 games are made for it.
 * November 21 - Donkey Kong Country is released for the Super Nintendo. This new series helps the Super Nintendo do well in its latter years.
 * November 22 – The Sega Saturn is released in Japan. The key launch title is Virtua Fighter, which goes on to be the dominant fighting franchise on the platform.
 * December 9 – Tekken is released in the arcades. This series does not come to home consoles the entire 5th console generation.

1995

 * March – Panzer Dragoon is released for the Saturn
 * April – Daytona USA is released for the Saturn.
 * May - The first Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) is held in Los Angeles. Launch details for the Sega Saturn are given, while Nintendo reveals that it will release its next system in 1996.
 * September 2 – The Sega Saturn is released worldwide at a price of about $299. Key launch titles include Virtua Fighter and Daytona USA.
 * November - Virtua Cop is another major title, and is the leading on-rails shooter of the era.
 * December – Virtua Fighter 2 is released. The game goes on to become the Saturn’s best selling fighter.
 * December – Sega Rally Championship is released. This revolutionary racer, which allows for different surfaces to have different properties, is the primary Saturn racing game.

1996

 * January – A port of Street Fighter Alpha is brought to the Saturn.
 * February - Pokemon is released in Japan. The first generation of games breathes new life into the aging Game Boy, and, when combining versions, becomes Japan's best-selling retail game of all time.
 * March – Rayman is released for the Saturn. It becomes the #1 2D platformer for the system.
 * May – Resident Evil is released for the Saturn. It helps define early 3D gaming.
 * June 23 – The Nintendo 64 is released in Japan with Super Mario 64. This game helps define three-dimensional navigation and interaction in virtual spaces.
 * July – Nights into Dreams is released by the Sonic Team for the Saturn. Although a critical darling, it is no Sonic.
 * August - Gunpei Yokoi temporarily leaves Nintendo. However, he returns in 1997 as an adviser and mentor.
 * September – Sakura Taisen is released in Japan. This popular dating sim series makes it big in that country, but is never brought West.
 * September – Wave Race 64 is released.
 * September – Crash Bandicoot is released for the Saturn. This third party game, published by Universal Interactive Studios, becomes the Saturn’s answer to Mario.
 * September 26 – The Nintendo 64 is released in North America at $250. The Saturn’s price is cut to $250.
 * October – Tomb Raider is released for the Saturn. It becomes one of the system’s premiere franchises.
 * December – Fighters Megamix is released for the Saturn. The game combines aspects of multiple Sega fighting games in a King of Fighters-like fashion.
 * December – Mario Kart 64 is released in Japan. The game easily becomes the best selling racer on the N64.
 * December – Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire is released. Although a moderate hit, it merely hints at later great games like Goldeneye and Star Fox 64.

1997

 * January – Final Fantasy 7 comes out in Japan for the N64, followed by a worldwide release later in the year. As an N64 exclusive, it is radically different from our timeline’s Final Fantasy 7. Character models are more developed, but lack the same level of detail in environments. The same character models are used in and out of battle, and load times are mostly eliminated, but the world is smaller, there is less music, and cinematics are kept to a minimum. The resulting project is significantly smaller (a 20 hour RPG rather than a 40 hour one), but more concentrated and coherent. Although a hit in the west, the series does not reach true superstardom like in our timeline.
 * March 1 – The N64 is released in Europe
 * March - Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is released for the Saturn. The game is one of the few successful fully 2D titles of the fifth console generation, and is even rarer in that it was allowed to be released in the West.
 * March - Tekken 3 is released in the arcades. This game's popularity gives the aging arcades a breathe of fresh air, allowing them to prosper for longer than in our timeline.
 * April – Star Fox 64 is released. The game features Rumble Pack compatibility, which is later used as an option in other games as well.
 * May – Saturn and N64 prices are cut to $200.
 * June - Final Fantasy Tactics is released for the N64, and becomes the best selling 2D game on the system, as well as one of the best-selling RPGs.
 * August – Goldeneye is released for the N64. The popularity of the first major console FPS draws in a lot of older gamers, especially due to the multiplayer.
 * September – Super Robot Taisen F is released for the Saturn in Japan. Like many popular Japanese Saturn games, it never leaves the country.
 * November – Diddy Kong Racing is released. It essentially feeds off of and expands upon Mario Kart’s success.
 * November – Tomb Raider 2 is released. It becomes one of the best selling action games on the Saturn.
 * December – Yoshi’s Story is released for the N64. The game sells well enough, but has a poor critical reception largely due to its brevity.
 * December - Crash Bandicoot 2 is released for the Saturn. It goes on to become the best selling 3D platformer on the system.

1998

 * March – Resident Evil 2 is released for the Saturn. It is eventually ported to the N64 in a slightly compromised fashion.
 * June – Banjo-Kazooie is released. It is arguably the greatest 3D platformer on the N64, a platform known for its 3D platformers.
 * August – Console prices are cut to $150.
 * October – Metal Gear Solid is released for the Saturn.
 * October – Spyro the Dragon is released for the Saturn.
 * October – The Game Boy Color is launched. Despite launching with a deluxe version of Tetris, it is overshadowed by the Pokemon phenomenon.
 * November – The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is released. The game is just as big a deal as it is in real life, if not more so.
 * November – Crash Bandicoot 3 is released.
 * November – Virtua Fighter 3 is released for the Saturn.
 * December - Star Wars: Rogue Squadron is released for the N64. Along with Star Fox 64, it is the most notable flying game of the generation.
 * December – Mario Party is released to good sales and some praise. It starts yet another multiplayer series for Nintendo systems.

1999

 * January – Super Smash Bros is released for the N64. The game joins the library of multiplayer titles the N64 has become known for, and becomes the best selling fighting game on the system.
 * February – Final Fantasy 8 comes out for the N64.
 * March – Pokemon Snap is released. Despite its brevity, it becomes the second best selling on-rails shooter on the N64, following Star Fox 64.
 * April – Pokemon Stadium is released. The game helps breathe life into the aging N64, preparing it for the onslaught of the Dreamcast.
 * May – Star Wars Episode 1 Racer is released to critical acclaim and sales success on the N64. It is later ported to the upcoming Dreamcast.
 * July – Driver is released for the Saturn
 * July – Seaman is released for the Saturn alongside a microphone peripheral. It becomes a cult hit.
 * August - Tony Hawk's Pro Skater is released for the N64. This franchise becomes one of the prominent sports series in gaming up through the following console generation.
 * September – The N64’s price is cut to $130.
 * September - The Game Boy Micro is released. This version of the Game Boy requires a single AAA battery to power, and has all the features of its larger predecessors. Although incapable of playing Game Boy Color games, the system sells decently.
 * October - Rayman 2 is, controversially, released for the Nintendo 64, a platform that previously had no Rayman games. Rayman 2 is considered by many to be the best 3D platformer of the generation not by Nintendo or any of its affiliates.
 * October - Xenogears is released for the Saturn.
 * November - Donkey Kong 64 is released. The game required a special expansion pack for increased RAM, like the latter Majora’s Mask. Nonetheless, it sells well.

2000

 * February – Dead or Alive 2 is released for the Saturn.
 * March - Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards is released. It is the odd 2.5D platformer on a system dominated by 3D platforming.
 * March 22 - Earthbound 64, aka Mother 3, is released to critical acclaim and decent sales. The game is notably darker than its predecessors, containing elements such as drug-induced nightmares, depression, and suicide. It thus earns itself a "Mature" rating in the United States, a first-time event for a Nintendo game.
 * April – The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask is released. It suffers from lower sales than Ocarina of Time due to the need for a peripheral.
 * May - Perfect Dark is released for the N64. It continues the FPS tradition started by Goldeneye.
 * July – Dragon Quest 7 is released for the N64. The game helps the N64 temporarily overshadow the upcoming Dreamcast in Japan, despite its age.
 * September – The Dreamcast is launched in Japan, and is released worldwide over the next few months. Launch window titles include Sonic Adventure, Crazy Taxi, Jet Set Radio, Samba de Amigo, Shenmue, Sonic Shuffle, Rayman 2, and Capcom vs. SNK. It is renowned as one of the great launch lineups of all time.
 * September – Final Fantasy 9 is released for the N64.
 * October – Skies of Arcadia is released for the Dreamcast.
 * November – The N64’s price is cut to $100
 * December – Pokemon Stadium 2 is released. The game is one of the N64’s last hurrahs, driving much of its sales through the next few months.
 * December – Phantasy Star Online is launched, and becomes the first great console MMO.

2001

 * February - Paper Mario is released, as the last in a line of great RPGs for the N64.
 * March - Conker's Bad Fur Day is released for the N64. The game controversially includes references to sexual conduct and lewd behavior, and becomes a cult classic. Notably, it is Nintendo's second game to get a "Mature" rating.
 * May - E3 2001 is a bigger event than ever. On the Dreamcast side, games like Super Monkey Ball, Metal Gear Solid 2, and Sonic Adventure 2 are shown. Meanwhile, Nintendo highlights their two upcoming systems, the Game Boy Advance and the GameCube. Games featured include Final Fantasy X, Pikmin, and Super Smash Bros Melee.
 * June – The Game Boy Advance is launched. Unlike its predecessors, it is virtually uncontested. It is released with Super Mario Advance, F-Zero: Maximum Velocity and Castlevania: Circle of the Moon.
 * July – Mario Kart: Super Circuit is released for the GBA.
 * September – Super Monkey Ball is released for the Dreamcast
 * September – The GameCube is released in Japan. Key launch titles include Final Fantasy X and Luigi’s Mansion. Final Fantasy X easily dominates the launch, guaranteeing the GameCube a place in the country.
 * October – Grand Theft Auto 3 is released for the PC. The game is NOT available on the Dreamcast, due to the limited control scheme and the lackluster memory of Dreamcast discs.
 * October – Pikmin is released for the GameCube.
 * October - Devil may Cry comes out for the Dreamcast. This series of hack and slash action games becomes one of the more popular series on the system.
 * November -The GameCube launches in America with the main Japanese launch titles and Pikmin.
 * November – Super Smash Bros Melee is released. It becomes the first killer app for the GameCube.
 * November – Metal Gear Solid 2 is released for the Dreamcast. The game is a huge step above its predecessor on a technological level, but still falls short of our timeline’s respective version.
 * November – Rez is released for the Dreamcast
 * November - Dead or Alive 3 is released for the Dreamcast.
 * November - Halo is released for the PC and the Mac OS X. The game starts a series of popular FPS's that never migrate to the consoles.
 * December – Super Mario Advance 2 is released
 * December - Jak and Daxter is released for both 6th generation consoles. It begins one of the more influential platforming series of the era.

2002

 * January – Virtua Fighter 4 is released for the Dreamcast. It joins the vast library of Dreamcast fighters with a strong online fanbase.
 * March - Resident Evil has a remake released for the GameCube. The GameCube becomes the new home of Resident Evil this generation.
 * May – The GameCube is launched in Europe.
 * May - Sonic Adventure 2 is released for the Dreamcast.
 * May 31 - Hiroshi Yamauchi, the president of Nintendo, steps down after over 50 years at the helm. He is replaced by Satoru Iwata, who is notably an actual former creator of games.
 * July 9 - E3 2002 is held. Nintendo shows off their upcoming Mario, Metroid, and Zelda games as well as third party games like Kingdom Hearts, while Sega shows off their own Panzer Dragoon Orta along with Ninja Gaiden and Ratchet & Clank. On the handheld front, Nintendo continues to be the only notable player, with remakes of classic games like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland being prominently displayed.
 * July – Super Mario Sunshine is released. The game scores and sells better than Sonic’s recent outings, but not by tremendously much.
 * August - Super Monkey Ball 2 is released for the Dreamcast.
 * September - Nintendo purchases Rare from the Stamper brothers, making it a first party developer.
 * September – Super Mario Advance 3 is released.
 * September - Kingdom Hearts is released. The game does similarly well as in our timeline, and inspires future Action-RPGs.
 * October – Shenmue 2 is released for the Dreamcast.
 * October – Kirby’s Nightmare in Dreamland is released for the Game Boy Advance.
 * October - Mario Party 4 is released for the GameCube. The series prospers this generation, with nearly annual releases.
 * November – Shinobi is released for the Dreamcast. It joins Devil May Cry in the Dreamcast's library of action games.
 * November - Metroid Prime is released for the GameCube. It successfully restarts an old franchise, and is one of the best rated games of the generation. Metroid Fusion for the GBA is released on the same day.
 * November – Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire are released.
 * November - Ratchett and Clank is released for both consoles. It combines platforming and shooting gameplay to become its own popular franchise.
 * December – Panzer Dragoon Orta is released. It shames Star Fox fans.
 * December – The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker is released. Despite the controversial art style, the game ultimately is well received, although not as much as Ocarina of Time.

2003

 * January – The House of the Dead 3 is released for the Dreamcast.
 * January - Devil May Cry 2 is released for the Dreamcast. The game is a critical and sales disappointment, but not enough to kill the series.
 * February - The Game Boy Advance gets a facelift with the SP model. This version is a flip model of the GBA, with a built-in light.
 * March - Rayman 3 is released for both consoles. It is considered a step down from its predecessors, like many other 3D platformers of the era.
 * April - Donkey Kong Racing is released to general acclaim. However, the title is soon overshadowed by Mario's respective racing game.
 * May 14 - E3 2003 is held. The event is generally seen as disappointing, with Nintendo showing few major new titles other than racers and Mother 4 and Sega's Sonic Heroes receiving poor previews.
 * July – Super Mario Advance 4 is released.
 * August - Soul Calibur 2 is released for both consoles. Despite the Dreamcast version's online play, the GameCube version sells better, partially due to the inclusion of Link from the Zelda series.
 * November - Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is released. The game is an oddity in that it is a successful realistic platformer. However, it has minimal influence on the industry.
 * November – Mario Kart: Double Dash is released. The game receives generally good reviews, but is hindered by a lack on online play compared to the Dreamcast.

2004

 * January – Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen is released.
 * February – Sonic Heroes is released. It is the worst received main Sonic game yet.
 * March - Ninja Gaiden is released for the Dreamcast. Along with Shinobi and the Devil May Cry series, it helps define a generation of Action games, and defines the Dreamcast as the only console to get those games on.
 * April - Pikmin 2 is released for the GameCube. The game refines the RTS formula used in the original, and is generally considered the best console RTS ever made.
 * March - Grabbed by the Ghoulies is released for the GameCube. Unlike in our timeline, this game is an open-world platformer, and receives more positive than negative reviews.
 * September – Pokemon Emerald is released.
 * October - Mother 4 is released for the GameCube. The game is controversial within the gaming community, due to its distinct nature compared to its predecessors. Director Fumito Ueda is alternatively called a genius and an imbecile by divided fans.
 * October - Sega Superstars Smackdown is released for the Dreamcast. The game goes on to be the best selling fighter on the system.
 * November – Shenmue 3 is released. The series as a whole sold well and was a critical hit, but was financially draining. The series ends here.
 * November - Metroid Prime 2 is released. The game is not quite as well received as its predecessor.
 * November - Metal Gear Solid 3 is released for the Dreamcast. Though it is a departure from the series main storyline, its survival gameplay and mastery of the Dreamcast hardware make it a masterpiece.

2005

 * January - Resident Evil 4 is released for the GameCube. It becomes one of the GameCube's few best selling 2005 titles, and one of the best received shooters of all time.
 * March - Devil May Cry 3 is released for the Dreamcast. The game refines the series formula to become the top selling and best reviewed entry in the original trilogy.
 * April - Lego Star Wars is released, beginning a highly successful series of Lego games based off of different franchises.
 * May 17 - E3 2005 is held. Nintendo and Sega show off their next systems for the first time. Nintendo also shows off their next handheld, the Game Boy Nitro. However, most of the demos are in an unplayable form.
 * August - Kameo: Elements of Power is released for the GameCube.
 * September 13 - The Game Boy Micro, a miniscule version of the Advance, is released. It sells well enough, but ultimately gets overshadowed by the upcoming Nitro.
 * November - Perfect Dark Zero is released for the GameCube. Although a successful continuation of the series, it is unable to jump-start the faltering multiplayer shooter on consoles.
 * November - Shadow the Hedgehog is released. It receives very mixed reviews.
 * November - Dragon Quest 8 is released for the GameCube. The game is one of the top selling RPGs of the generation.

2006

 * February – The Game Boy Nitro is launched for $150. This handheld is similar to our DS, but with only the one touchscreen, a touch more horsepower, and an analog stick, making it appear similar to the PSP. Like the Advance, it goes virtually unopposed in the handheld market, other than the imminent rise of the iOS devices. Launch titles include Animal Crossing: Wild World, Super Mario 64 Deluxe, and Mario Kart Nitro.
 * February - Sonic Riders is released for the Dreamcast.
 * March - Kingdom Hearts 2 and Final Fantasy 12 arereleased for the GameCube. They are the last major RPGs for the system.
 * June - New Super Mario Bros is released for the Nitro. The game helps spark a revival of 2D and 2.5D platformers, both on the Nitro and the upcoming 7th generation consoles.
 * September - Okami is released for the GameCube, and prives to be the system's swansong. A Zelda-style game, it is one of the few examples that rivals the Zelda series itself.
 * September - Pokemon Diamond and Pearl are released in Japan. This fourth generation of games gains popularity over the third thanks to the inclusion of online battling and trading.
 * October 4 - Gunpei Yokoi leaves Nintendo for the last time. Although he is open for interviews in the future and even attends an event or two, this time his retirement is for real.
 * November – Sega and Nintendo release their 7th generation systems, the Pluto and the Revolution, for about $300 apiece at minimum with multiple skus and bundles. The two systems have similar specs, somewhere between our timeline’s Wii and the HD twins, and use 4.7 GB DVD discs. If anything, specs are comparable to the Vita’s, with some stats being higher and lower. Thus, games are typically rendered in 480p or 720p. Controllers are similar to the real-life standard, with four face buttons, a D-Pad, dual analogs, Start, Select, and home buttons, and two rows of shoulder buttons. The main difference between the two consoles is online strategy. Sega uses an Xbox Live-like system, where players pay per month of online access and play, and a market of downloadable games is quick to get started. The Revolution, on the other hand, is similar to the Wii in terms of online support. The service is free, and doesn’t launch with a true eShop, instead having a Virtual Console service. Over time, both consoles get better online support, including eventual Netflix compatibility.
 * November 11 – The Sega Pluto is launched. Sega launches the system with Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz, with 3rd party titles including sports and racing games, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and Blue Dragon, which is funded in part and published by Sega. Sonic the Hedgehog is intended to be a launch title, but is delayed for quality reasons. Therefore, the launch is considered somewhat disappointing, ala the PS3 launch in our timeline.
 * November 19 – The Nintendo Revolution is launched. Nintendo launches the system with The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and Viva Pinata, with third parties providing various sports and racing games and Dead Rising.

2007

 * February – Virtua Fighter 5 is released for the Pluto.
 * March – Virtua Tennis 3 is released for the Pluto.
 * April – Super Paper Mario is released for the Revolution.
 * May – Mario Party 8 is released. It performs similarly to its GameCube predecessors.
 * June – Sonic the Hedgehog, better known as Sonic 07, is released. Although by no means the mess our timeline’s counterpart was, the game is still heavily criticized for its story.
 * July - Ninja Gaiden Sigma is released for the Revolution. It marks a change in the exclusivity of games, and the increasing reliance on first party efforts.
 * July 10 - E3 2007 is held. Nintendo shows off Mario Kart X, Super Smash Bros Brawl, Super Mario Galaxy, and Revolution Fitness for the Revolution, while Sega demonstrates Nights: Journey of Dreams, Sonic at the Olympic Games, and third party games like Metal Gear Solid 4 for the Pluto. Other games shown include Assassins' Creed, Resident Evil 5, and Star Wars" The Force Unleashed. Meanwhile, the Nitro continues its run with games like The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass, Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword and Contra 4.
 * August – Metroid Prime 3 is released. The game finishes the Prime trilogy, but the lack of online multiplayer prevents it from becoming a killer app.
 * November – Sonic at the Olympic Games is released. The game is meant to compete with Nintendo’s Mario Sports titles. Although not quite as popular as our timeline’s Mario crossover series, it does well.
 * November – Super Mario Galaxy is released to about as much acclaim as in our timeline.
 * November – Assassin’s Creed is released for both consoles. The game is slightly scaled down from our timeline’s version, and still suffers from repetition. Nevertheless, the game proves to be a hit, starts a new franchise, and shows off what these new systems can do.
 * November – Guitar Hero is released for the Revolution and Pluto. It starts what becomes a major franchise. This is two years later than in our timeline due to the limits of G6 discs and the lack of establishment of the two consoles in 2006.
 * December – Revolution Fitness is released by Nintendo to the Revolution. In a timeline where the market is limited, this game helps sell a lot of systems, pushing this generation ahead of its predecessors.

2008

 * January – Devil May Cry 4 is released for both consoles.
 * March – Sega Superstar Tennis is released, to surprisingly good reviews and sales.
 * March – Super Smash Bros Brawl is released for the Revolution. It is the first game to make extensive use of Nintendo’s online service, and is the beginning of a positive trend for Nintendo.
 * April - Valkyria Chronicles is released for the Pluto.
 * April – Mario Kart X is released for the Revolution. It becomes the best selling racing game of its generation, and pushes a lot of hardware.
 * June - Ninja Gaiden 2 is released for both the Pluto and the Revolution.
 * June – Metal Gear Solid 4 is released for the Pluto.
 * July 15 - E3 2008 is held. This year is a disappointing one for Nintendo fans, as few first party games are shown. Sega shows off Sonic Unleashed and Valkyria Chronicles. Third party games include Resident Evil 5.
 * July – Soul Calibur 4 is released
 * September – Star Wars: The Force Unleashed is released as a multiplatform title.
 * October – Guitar Hero 2 is released. The game builds on the previous entry’s success.
 * November - Sega Superstars Smackdown: The Skirmish is released for the Pluto. This second iteration in the series receives slightly better reviews and worse sales than the original, but still manages to be a success.
 * November - Banjo-Threeie is released for the Revolution. The game is well received, but pales in comparison to the recent Super Mario Galaxy.
 * November - A new version of the Nitro called the Game Boy Nitro Plus is released. The Nitro Plus is similar to the original, but with slightly more RAM, two built-in cameras, internal and external storage, and a new component of the Nintendo eShop.
 * December – Final Fantasy 13 is released for both consoles, although the better selling and received version is on the Revolution.

2009

 * February – Sonic Unleashed is released. It is considered a return to form for the series, albeit not as good as Mario's recent Super Mario Galaxy.
 * February – Street Fighter 4 comes to the consoles. The game resparks the fighting genre, aided by both systems' online play.
 * February – Yakuza 3 is released for the Pluto.
 * March – Resident Evil 5 is released for both consoles. The game is one of the most popular shooters of the generation, and further popularizes 3rd person shooters.
 * June 2 - E3 2009 is held. This year's event is considered a step above the previous disappointing year. Sega's titles include Bayonetta, a Devil May Cry-esque action game, Aliens Vs. Predator, and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games. Nintendo, meanwhile, shows off New Super Mario Bros Revolution, Metroid: Other M, Ico, and Super Mario Galaxy. Third party games demonstrated include Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars, Need for Speed: Shift, and Batman: Arkham Asylum. Nitro games displayed include The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, Scribblenauts, and Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days.
 * June – Prototype is released. It continues the trend of open-world games on the consoles this generation.
 * July - Dragon Quest 9 is released for the Nitro, marking a Japanese shift towards portable gaming.
 * August – Batman: Arkham Asylum is released for both consoles. The game does very well critically and commercially, starting a new franchise.
 * August – Monster Hunter 3 is released as a Revolution exclusive. A port of the game is eventually brought to the Nitro in a somewhat altered form.
 * September – Need for Speed: Shift is released
 * September – Revolution Sports by Rare is released for the Revolution.
 * October – Bayonetta is released for the Pluto.
 * October – Revolution Fitness Plus is released.
 * October – Tekken 6 is released for both consoles.
 * November – Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games is released
 * November – At long last, the first Call of Duty game is brought to the consoles: a port of Modern Warfare. Although the series is at home on the PC, it finds some success on the Revolution and Pluto.
 * November – New Super Mario Bros Revolution is released. The game repopularizes 2D platformers, and expands the Revolution’s installbase. In fact, this game is often accredited with giving the Revolution the final push necessary to dominate the console generation.
 * November – Assassin’s Creed 2 is released. In lieu of popular FPS’s like Call of Duty and Halo, and even some sandbox games like Grand Theft Auto, this game helps define the console generation.

2010

 * February - Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing is released for the Pluto.
 * May – Super Mario Galaxy 2 is released to critical acclaim.
 * June 14 - E3 2010 is held. This is the last E3 before the generatonal transition begins. Nintendo displays possibly their best lineup for the next year or so yet for the Revolution, with games such as Donkey Kong Country Returns, Ico, Epic Yarn, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Revolution Party, Mario Sports Mix, and Metroid: Other M in the first party lineup. Sega, in response, displayed Sonic Colors, Sonic the Hedgehog 4, Yakuza 4, and Valkyria Chronicles 2. Third party games included Goldeneye 007 as a Revolution exclusive, Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Epic Mickey, Metal Gear Rising, Final Fantasy XIV, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, Rayman Origins, and a Mortal Kombat reboot.
 * July - Ico is released for the Revolution. Although critically successful, the game suffers from poor sales.
 * August – Revolution Party is released, and sells well.
 * October - Sonic the Hedgehog 4, a downloadable title for the Pluto, is released. The game is considered a general disappointment.
 * November – Sonic Colors is released to the most critical acclaim the series has had since the Adventure duo of games.
 * November – Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood is released. From this point on, Assassin’s Creed is an annual franchise.
 * November – Epic Mickey is released for both consoles.
 * November - Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit is released.
 * December – Monster Hunter 3 Portable is released for the Nitro. The game is somewhat compromised to fit on the platform, but is nonetheless a hit in Japan.

2011

 * January - Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is released. Although sucessful, fans are outraged by the expanded version released under a year later.
 * April – The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword is released. The game features some of the best graphics in console history, with both technical prowess and artistic genius.
 * April - Mortal Kombat is released to critical acclaim and sales success, continuing the fighting genre revival.
 * June 6 - E3 2011 is held. This event marks the first appearance of all three major 8th generation gaming devices: the successors of the Pluto and Revolution, called the Eclipse and Stream respectively, and the Game Boy 3DS, all of which would be released the next year. Of particular note is the Game Boy 3DS, which has a radically innovative design, similar to our timeline's 3DS with a clam-shell connecting the main system to a top 3D screen. Early demos of games are shown, and the early lineup is revealed to include Mario Kart 3D, Nintendogs+cats, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Kid Icarus: Uprising, and Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon. Third party games for the Game Boy 3DS include Resident Evil: Revelations, Metal Gear Solid 3D, and Ace Combat.
 * October - Batman: Arkham City is released. This game is the critical darling of the year, and sells about as well as the original.
 * October - Skylanders is released for every platform still being supported. The game is moderately successful, and starts a new series that crosses over toys and video games.
 * October - Kirby's Return to Dreamland is released for the Revolution.
 * November – Sonic at the 2012 Olympic Games is released.
 * November – Sonic Generations is released to celebrate the Hedgehog’s 20th birthday. The game combines 2D and 3D gameplay.
 * November – Assassins' Creed: Revelations is released.

2012

 * March - The Game Boy 3DS is released worldwide. Launch titles include Mario Kart 3D, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Nintendogs+cats, Resident Evil: Revelations, and various multiplatform and licensed games. The system is a major success, despite rising competition from cell phones, MP3 players, and tablets.
 * March - Ninja Gaiden 3 is released. Unlike its predecessors, it is critically panned, destroying the franchise.
 * May - Pokemon Black/White 2 is released for the Nitro. It is the last major game for the system.
 * June 5 - E3 2012 is held. The two companies display their new systems in their final forms. Launch window titles for the upcoming systems are revealed, and include Aliens: Colonial Marines, Sega Superstars Smackdown: Strife and Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed from Sega and New Super Mario Bros S and Wii Fit 2 from Nintendo. Other upcoming titles include Resident Evil 6, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, Metal Gear Rising, Assassin's Creed 3 and Tomb Raider for the new systems and Epic Mickey 2 for systems both old and new. Ports of various PC games like the latest Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto are promised.
 * August - New Super Mario Bros 2 is released for the 3DS. It quickly becomes one of the best selling games on the system.
 * November – The Sega Eclipse and Nintendo Stream are launched. The two systems are similar in power to our timeline's Wii U, which is to say they're roughly ten times as powerful as their predecessors. Much of their power, however, is diverted to non-gaming purposes. Both systems are capable of multitasking and are constantly connected to the internet, with Nintendo having a social network called "Miiverse" for their system, nevertheless.
 * November 11 - The Sega Eclipse is launched in America.
 * November 18 - The Nintendo Stream is launched in America.
 * November 23 - The Sega Eclipse is launched in Europe.
 * November 30 - The Nintendo Stream is launched in Europe.
 * December 8 - The Nintendo Stream is launched in Japan.
 * December 15 - The Sega Eclipse is launched in Japan.