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The timeline for Ohga Shrugs is broken into several sections.

2001[]

  • February 1- Onimusha: Warlords is released for the Dreamcast.
  • February 5 - Paper Mario is released, as the last in a line of great Role-Playing games for the Nintendo 64.
  • February 20 - The Zelda Oracle games are released for the Game Boy Color. Unlike most games in the series, they are developed by Capcom rather than Nintendo EAD. Each game is well received in general, selling millions of copies combined despite the imminent release of the Game Boy Advance.
  • March 5 - Conker's Bad Fur Day is released for the Nintendo 64. 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.
Castlevania Resurrection

Castlevania Resurrection

  • March 14 - Castlevania Resurrection is released for the Dreamcast. The game fails to leave much of an impact, as it is criticized for its unimpressive graphics, difficult controls, and general lack of brilliance. The game is soon overshadowed by other Dreamcast Action games.
  • March 21 - The Game Boy Advance is launched at a price of about $100 in Japan, followed by a Western release in June. Unlike its predecessors, it is virtually uncontested. It is released with Super Mario Advance, F-Zero: Maximum Velocity, Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, and Mega Man: Battle Network.
  • March 22 - Biohazard 5th Anniversary Edition is Released in Japan for the Dreamcast, the edition include special port of Resident Evil 1 to 3 of the Saturn plus an Demo of the them new Devil May Cry for the Dreamcast, the game become a very rare item when the franchise jump ship to Nintendo.
  • April 1 - Dr. Mario 64 is released. A minor release, it is notably Nintendo's smallest game ever made for the Nintendo 64.
  • April 21 - Animal Crossing is released for the Nintendo 64. However, the game remains relatively obscure until its GameCube port later in the year.
  • 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.
  • May - Anachronox Prime is released for the PC.
  • July 28 – Mario Kart: Super Circuit is released for the GBA.
  • August 16 - 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.
  • August 21 - Wario Land 4 is released for the Game Boy Advance in Japan, followed by a November release in the West. Though not quite as well received as Wario Land 3, it is still a hit. Note that the same game engine would be used for next year's Metroid Fusion.
  • September – Super Monkey Ball is released for the Dreamcast.
  • September 3 - Advance Wars is released in America. It is the first entry in the long-running series to do so, and it becomes a critical hit upon release.
  • September 7 – The GameCube is released in Japan at about $200. Key launch titles include Final Fantasy X, Wave Race: Blue Storm, and Luigi’s Mansion. Final Fantasy X easily dominates the launch, guaranteeing the GameCube a place in the country.
  • September 9 - The Neo Geo Portable is released. This is the most popular handheld from SNK ever, and goes on to sell decently until its replacement in 2005.
  • October 11 - Ace Attorney is released for the Game Boy Advance. The series becomes a cult classic in Japan, but doesn't arrive in the West until 2006's Game Boy Nitro port.
  • October 17 - Virtua Tennis 2 is released for the Dreamcast.
  • October 22 – Grand Theft Auto 3 Released For Dreamcast this game does not come to Gamecube due to Gamecube limited size disc
Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble 2

Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble 2 was one of the first pinball games to come out in 2001 on the GameCube.

  • November 2 – Pikmin is released for the GameCube.
  • November -The GameCube launches in America with the main Japanese launch titles and Pikmin.
  • November 10 - The iPod from Apple is released to the general public. Mobile devices such as these would eventually come to compete on at least a superficial level with gaming handhelds.
  • November 12 – 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 15 - Dead or Alive 3 is released for the Dreamcast.
  • November 18 - Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble 2 is released for the GameBoy Advance and the GameCube. It is the followup to Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble and uses the GBA as a controller, using a special GBA cart with Motion Sensors. The game ends up being a surprise hit both critically and commercially.
  • November 21 – Super Smash Bros Melee is released for the GameCube. Rez is released for the Dreamcast
Halo

Halo

  • 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 14 – Super Mario Advance 2 is released in Japan, with a Western release coming early the next year.
  • 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.
  • February 14 - Diddy Kong Pilot is released by Rare for the Game Boy Advance.
  • February 28 - Cubivore is released for the GameCube in Japan. It is later brought West, albeit published by Atlus instead of Nintendo.
  • March 15 - Resident Evil has a remake released for the GameCube. The GameCube becomes the new home of Resident Evil this generation.
  • March 21 - Kingdom Hearts is released. The game does similarly well as in our timeline, and inspires future Action-RPGs.
  • March 29 - Fire Emblem: The Binding Blade is released in Japan. Although the game never comes West, it is still known to Western players due to the inclusion of its protagonist, Roy, in the popular Super Smash Bros Melee.
  • April 24 - G4, a network focusing on the tech and gaming industry genre, starts broadcasts for the first time.
  • April 26 - Mega Man Zero is released for the Game Boy Advance. Along with the Battle Network series, the Zero games keep the Mega Man franchise alive on the Game Boy Advance.
  • May – The GameCube is launched in Europe.
  • May - The Dreamcast's price is cut to $179, and the Saturn's price is cut to $50. In retaliation, Nintendo cuts the GameCube's price to $149.
Iwata

Nintendo's new president.

  • 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.
  • June - Sonic Adventure 2 is released for the Dreamcast.
  • June 28 - Shining Sun is released for the Dreamcast. It is one of the most acclaimed RPG's on the system.
  • 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. Also of note is Starcraft Ghost, a shooter based on the popular Strategy game, which is technically still under development as of 2013. 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 26 – Super Mario Sunshine is released. The game scores and sells better than Sonic’s recent outings, but not by tremendously much. It is generally seen as a lesser work than Super Mario 64.
  • August - Super Monkey Ball 2 is released for the Dreamcast.
Animal Crossing

Animal Crossing, despite originally being a Nintendo 64 game, became popular on the GameCube.

  • September 15 - Animal Crossing is first released in the West, after an extensive localization. The game starts a new major global franchise for Nintendo, particularly for its handhelds, as seen with Wild World in 2006.
  • September - Nintendo purchases Rare from the Stamper brothers, making it a first party developer.
  • September 13 – Super Mario Advance 3 is released.
  • September 22 - Dinosaur Planet is released for the GameCube. It is a success, but one that is never followed up on, possibly due to similarities to the more successful Zelda franchise.
  • September 23 - Hitman 2: Silent Assassin is released for the PC, Dreamcast, and GameCube.
  • October – Shenmue 2 is released for the Dreamcast.
  • October 18 – Kirby’s Nightmare in Dreamland is released for the Game Boy Advance.
  • October 21 - Mario Party 4 is released for the GameCube. The series prospers this generation, with annual releases for a few years.
  • October 29 - Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Released for Gamecube the first GTA game be on a Nintendo Console
  • November – Shinobi is released for the Dreamcast. It joins Devil May Cry in the Dreamcast's library of action games.
  • November 4 - Ratchet & Clank is released for the Dreamcast and GameCube.
  • November 10 - 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, to somewhat lesser but still great sales and reviews.
  • November 12 - Resident Evil Zero is released for the GameCube.
  • November 22-Mortal Kombat Deadly Alliance Released for Gamecube and Dreamcast
  • November 28 – Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire are released. in Japan, with the Western release coming the following Spring. The game is significantly less popular than its predecessors, and marks a low point for the series in terms of sales. Nevertheless, Pokemon still ends up selling more than any other Game Boy Advance game.
  • 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.
Wind Waker
  • December 6 – 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. A port of A Link to the Past is released the same day in Japan, which includes a bonus multiplayer-oriented game developed by Capcom called Four Swords.

2003[]

  • January – The House of the Dead 3 is released for the Dreamcast.
  • February 1 - 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 13 - Final Fantasy XI is released for the GameCube. Unlike most recent entries in the series, this one focuses on gameplay over story, reintroducing the Job System and featuring few cutscenes.
  • 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.
Donkey Kong Racing

Donkey Kong Racing was one of several notable racers to come out in 2003 on the GameCube.

  • April 25 - Donkey Kong Racing is released to general acclaim. However, the title is soon overshadowed by Mario's respective racing game. Giftpia is released the same day in Japan.
  • May 9 - Fire Emblem: The Sword of Flame is released in Japan. It is the first entry in the series to get brought to the West, where it is simply titled Fire Emblem.
  • 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. Sega announces a $30 price drop for the Dreamcast.
  • June 6 - Donkey Kong Country is released for the Game Boy Advance. It is the first port of a classic game from Rare to a handheld system.
  • June 23 - Advance Wars 2 is released for the Game Boy Advance. It continues the popular series, which eventually becomes a trilogy on the system.
  • June 26 - Viewtiful Joe is released for the GameCube. The game is eventually also brought to the Dreamcast. However, despite positive reviews, neither version of the game sells well. As Capcom's Clover Studio's debut, it sets a trend for great games that sell poorly.
  • July 11 – Super Mario Advance 4 is released.
  • July - Sonic Golf: Green Hills Zone is released for the Dreamcast. The game ends up being a surprise hit.
  • July 25 - Pokemon Channel is released for the GameCube. It is poorly received, much like its predecessor Hey You, Pikachu!
Soul Calibur 2
  • 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.
  • September 5 - The GameCube's price is cut to $129. Excitecycle, the continuation of Nintendo's long-running racing series, is released the same day.
  • October - Quantum Slide 2 is released for the PC.
  • October 14 - Jak II is released for the GameCube and Dreamcast.
  • 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 4 - Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando is released.
  • November 7 – 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.
  • November 10 - Mario Party 5 is released.
  • November 17 - Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga is released for the Game Boy Advance. It starts a second great franchise of Mario RPG games, focusing on the teamwork between the two famous brothers.
  • December 5 - 1080° Avalanche is released for the GameCube. It is less successful than its Nintendo 64 predecessor 1080° Snowboarding and even other snowboarding games, dooming the franchise.
  • December 12 - Pokémon Colosseum is released for the GameCube in Japan, with a Western release coming the following spring. It combines the RPG mechanics of the handheld games with the 3D graphics of the Nintendo 64's Stadium games.

2004[]

  • January 29 – Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen is released in Japan, with a Western release coming towards the end of the year. The game essentially follows the original Pokemon games using the mechanics and graphics of the most recent titles, and is one of the best selling titles for the Game Boy Advance.
  • February 7 - The first wave of NES Classics, including Super Mario Bros., Ice Climber, and Bomberman, are released for the Game Boy Advance in Japan, where they are available for a discount price of $20. Many NES games would eventually be re-released for the Game Boy Advance, including both Nintendo and third party games.
Metroid Zero Mission

The Game Boy Advance was well known for its ports, remakes, and continuations of classic series.

  • February 9 - Metroid: Zero Mission is released for the Game Boy Advance. A full remake of the original NES game, it is one of the most critically acclaimed remakes in video game history. The graphics, sound, added content, altered gameplay, and many other aspects are lauded. However, it sells much less than Metroid Fusion, possibly due to competition from the re-release of the NES game on the same system also during 2004.
  • February 10- Nightshade (Kunoichi) is released for the Dreamcast, as Sequel of the Dreamcast Version of Shinobi the game was well recived but very overshadow by Ninja Gaiden Revival.
  • March 2 - 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.
  • March 4 - Custom Robo is released in Japan. Actually the fourth entry in the franchise, known as Custom Robo: Battle Revolution in Japan, it is the first entry in the series to be brought West, where it received mixed reviews.
  • March 11 - Monster Hunter is released for the Dreamcast. The game is successful enough to warrant a sequel, but the series doesn't truly take off until the third main iteration in the series in 2009.
  • March 18 - The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Adventures is released. Combining the use of both the GBA and the GameCube, this hardware-heavy gaiden to the Zelda series still becomes a moderate success.
  • March 25 - Comcast announces its plans to purchase MobyGames, a site cataloging past and present computer and video games.
  • April 15 - Kirby & the Amazing Mirror is released for the Game Boy Advance. An unusual game even by Kirby standards, it combines Metroid style elements with classic Kirby platforming.
Nintendomination

The Nintendomination logo on Cartoon Network.

  • April 19 - The Nintendomination cartoon block begins on Cartoon Network. With it comes the new cartoon Captain N: The New Adventures, along with a localization of Star Fox Adventures. However, the Pokemon anime turns out to be the block's mainstay for the next two years.
  • April 20 - Hitman: Contracts is released for the PC, GameCube, and Dreamcast.
  • April 22 - 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.
  • May - The Dreamcast's price is cut by $20, to $129.
  • May 6 - 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.
  • May 10 - Comcast completes purchase of MobyGames, allowing themselves and G4 Media to let G4 take over the newly acquired MobyGames, resulting in G4MobyGames.
  • May 20 - Street Fighter 3: Perfect Edition is released for both the Dreamcast and the GameCube. The game is the ultimate edition of an aging fighter.
  • May 23 - E3 is held. Nintendo displays Mother 4, Metroid Prime 2, and Resident Evil 4 for the GameCube and mentions their seventh generation of game systems. The surprise announcement of the show is Star Fox: Dark Phoenix, which is being developed in cooperation with Capcom. Sega shows off Sega Superstars Smackdown, Shenmue 3, and Metal Gear Solid 3.
  • May 28 - G4MobyGames is officially created in the United States.
  • June 14 - Electronic Arts signs a deal with the NFL granting them the exclusive rights to make games with their license. This is a major blow to Sega, whose 2K series drew many fans to the Dreamcast.
  • June 25 - Donkey Kong Country 2 is released for the Game Boy Advance.
  • July - Revolution on Democratus is released for the PC. This sequel of Anachronox is well received, albeit not as well as the renowned original.
  • July 20 - Puyo Pop Fever is released for the Dreamcast.
Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door
  • July 22 - Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door is released in Japan. It solidifies Mario's status as an RPG icon, strengthens the GameCube's RPG library in general, and is considered one of the best games of the year.
  • September 9 - TechTV launches a new on-air look and a new logo (which is the 2000 logo, but it is silver with a red orb behind it.
  • September 16 – Pokemon Emerald is released in Japan.
  • October 4-Mortal Kombat Deception Released for Gamecube and Dreamcast
  • October 7 - WarioWare: Twisted!, a puzzle/variety game, is released for the Game Boy Advance. Although it never became a true sales hit, the game is one of the most acclaimed titles for the system, and the game eventually wins multiple awards.
  • October 8 - 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. On the same day, Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones is also released, for the Game Boy Advance.
  • October 11 - Sega Superstars Smackdown is released for the Dreamcast. The game goes on to be the best selling fighter on the system.
  • October 25 - Sonic Power Tennis is released for the Dreamcast. Though overshadowed by the crossover Smackdown, this game continues Camelot's trend of well received sports games based on the Sonic franchise. Mario Party 6 is released on the same day.
  • October 26 - Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is Released for Dreamcast
  • November - Dragon Quest 8 is released for the GameCube. The game is one of the top selling RPGs of the generation. Soon afterwards, the developer, Level-5, enters a permanent arrangement to create games for publisher Enix.
  • November 3 - Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal is released.
  • November 4 - The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap is released in Japan for the Game Boy Advance. One of the more obscure Zelda games, it was developed by Capcom. Despite being the only original title in the series for the GBA, it has merely moderate sales, although the critics were quite fond of the game.
  • November 8 – 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 15 - Metroid Prime 2 is released. The game is not quite as well received as its predecessor.
Metal Gear Solid 3

Metal Gear Solid 3 was one of the Dreamcast's most acclaimed games.

  • 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.
  • November 30 - World of Warcraft is released on the PC. It soon becomes the most popular MMORPG of all time, and along with Valve's Half-Life 2, breathes new life into the ailing PC games market.
  • December - The Behemoth's first game, Alien Hominid, is released for the Dreamcast and GameCube. It is a surprise hit, and ensures a successful future for the independent developer.
  • December– Sonic Heroes is released. It is the worst received main Sonic game yet.
  • December 2 - Derby Tsuku 4: Derby Uma o Tsukurō! is released in Japan for the Dreamcast.
  • December 16 - Donkey Kong Jungle Beat is released for the GameCube in Japan. It is a predecessor to the 2D platformer revival.

2005[]

Resident Evil 4

Resident Evil 4 highlighted the power of the GameCube, even over three years after launch.

  • January 11 - 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.
  • January 13 - Mario Party Advance is released for the Game Boy Advance. It is poorly received by critics. Interestingly, this is one of the last games made by Hudson Soft before they become a subsidiary of Nintendo.
  • February 8 - Jak 3 is released for the Dreamcast and GameCube, ending the trilogy.
  • February 14 - Star Fox: Dark Phoenix is released for the GameCube. Though not as successful as 64, the game nevertheless is a solid hit both critically and commercially.
  • February 15 - Less than a year after the takeover, G4MobyGames drops the words "MobyGames" from its name and changes its name to G4 Gaming Catalogs.
  • March 1 - 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.
  • March 6 - The American television show 60 Minutes runs a feature about video games and their connection to violence. The show takes a strong stance against games. This troubles Tom Fulp of The Behemoth and Newgrounds.com, leading to the creation of the charity "Extra Life" as of March 17.
  • March 22 - Metal Gear Solid: Special Ops is first shown on television. This anime series would be aired until shortly before the release of Metal Gear Solid 4.
  • April - Hudson Soft, after years of losses, turns to Nintendo for aid. Due to the two companies' close relationship, similar to that between Nintendo and HAL Laboratories in the early 90's, Nintendo announced that they would fund Hudson Soft in return for Nintendo exclusivity. Nintendo would also eventually go on to also buy a majority of shares in the company.
LEGO Star Wars

LEGO Star Wars began a series of LEGO adaptations of various franchises.

  • April - Lego Star Wars is released, beginning a highly successful series of Lego games based off of different franchises.
  • April 19 - Psychonauts is released for the GameCube and the Dreamcast.
  • April 20 - The GameCube's price is cut to $99. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance is released on the same day in Japan, where the game is bundled.
  • 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.
  • May 19 - Brain Age is released for the Game Boy Advance in Japan. However, the game does not truly shine until the Nitro port released worldwide the following year.
  • June 21 - Destroy All Humans! is released for the GameCube and the Dreamcast.
  • June 23 - Chibi-Robo! is released for the GameCube in Japan. Although brought West in 2006, it fails to make an impact in either a critical or commercial sense. On the same day, Advance Wars 3 is released, finishing the GBA trilogy.
  • August 4 - Pokemon XD is released for the GameCube. It is seen as a simple sequel, and fails to reach the upper levels of GameCube Role-Playing games.
  • August 14 - Phantasmagoria of Flower View, the ninth Touhou game, is released. Notably, it is the first entry in the series to officially be released in the West, as Rising Star Games publishes the game in America and Europe by the end of the year.
  • August 29 - Kameo: Elements of Power is released for the GameCube.
  • September 13 - The Game Boy Micro, a minuscule version of the Advance, is released. It sells well enough, but ultimately gets overshadowed by the upcoming Nitro. Older versions of the Advance are cut in price to $75.
  • October - Bandai purchases a majority share of Taito, turning Taito into a subsidiary.
  • November 2 - Ratchet: Deadlocked is released.
  • November 7 - Mario Party 7, the last annual Mario Party game, is released for the GameCube.
  • November 11 - Donkey Kong Country 3 is released for the Game Boy Advance.
Joanna Dark

Joanna Dark of Perfect Dark fame.

  • November 17 - 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. Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, the first in a series of Pokemon spinoffs, is released on the same day.
  • November 18 - Next Level Games and Capcom release Mega Man Soccer for the Dreamcast and GameCube. A popular re-imagining of the popular sport using the Mega Man series, this marks the beginning of a long relationship between Next Level Games and Capcom.
  • November 28 - Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time is released for the Game Boy Advance. It is Nintendo's last notable games for the system.
  • December - The Neo Geo Gold is released. This system starts healthily, but ultimately fails to compare to the Game Boy Nitro, which is released a few months later.
  • December 8- Ryu Ga Gotoku, better know in the west as Yazuka is released for the Dreamcast, the game considered as Shenmue Spiritual Sucessor was praised by this Open World Elements and his very dynamic Beat-em-Up Combat System, the game would spark a new Franchise for SEGA
  • December 22 - Kingdom Hearts 2 is released in Japan, and is brought West the following year. The game sells somewhat less than the original, but still very well, while actually scoring slightly better.

2006[]

Super Mario 64 Deluxe

A scene from Super Mario 64 Deluxe. Note the improved graphics over the N64 original.

  • February - Sonic Riders is released for the Dreamcast.
  • February 23 - Baten Kaitos Origins is released for the GameCube. Despite lackluster sales, it had good reviews, although it is soon overshadowed by other RPG's.
  • February 24 – The Game Boy Nitro is launched in Japan 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, Mario Kart Nitro, and Mega Man Powered Up.
  • March 16 - Final Fantasy XII, the last great RPG for the GameCube, is released in Japan. Unbeknownst to the general public, it is the end of a nearly two-decade era of Nintendo-exclusivity for the series.
  • March 20 - Tetris Nitro is released.
  • March 22 - Resident Evil 10th Anniversary Collection is Released for the Gamecube, Include the whole Franchise game in the Gamecube plus special DVD from the creator Shinji Mikami & Hideki Kamiya.
  • March 30 - Pokemon Ranger is released in Japan. Developed by the makers of Kirby, this game marks the start of a new successful series, selling a couple million copies.
  • April - A remake of Commander Keen in Invasion of the Vorticons is released. Along with June's New Super Mario Bros, this game helps revive the 2D platformer.
  • April - The Dreamcast's price is cut to $99.
Okami

Okami

  • April 13 - Okami is released for the GameCube, and proves to be a major critical hit. A Zelda-style game, it is one of the few examples that rivals the Zelda series itself. However, initially low sales help doom Clover Studio.
  • May 18 - Bomberman is released for the Nitro. It is one of the first notable Hudson Soft projects as a subsidiary of Nintendo.
  • May 19 - Hitman: Blood Money is released.
  • June - Dave the Barbarian, a licensed game from Ion Storm, is released for all major platforms. Though only a minor hit, publisher Disney is impressed enough to let the same studio handle the development of Epic Mickey.
  • June 2 - Nintendomination airs on Cartoon Network for the last time. It is replaced by a combination of shows from Nintedomination and original Cartoon network material.
  • June 5 - Excitecycle Extreme is released for the GameCube in America.
  • June 6 - 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.
  • June 13 - Daxter is released for the Game Boy Nitro.
Kirby Pop Up

Kirby's Story was one of the last major games of the sixth generation.

  • July 20 - Kirby's Story is released for the GameCube. It is Nintendo's last notable title for the system.
  • August 1 - Platinum Games is founded from the employees of Clover Studio. Notable employees include Shinji Mikami, the creator of Resident Evil, Atsushi Inaba, who helped develop Ace Attorney, and Hideki Kamiya, who led the development of Resident Evil 2.
  • August 3 - Rhythm Heaven is released for the Game Boy Advance in Japan. The game becomes a cult classic, despite it coming out after the release of the Nitro.
  • September - Apple begins selling games for their mobile devices on the iOS App Store. These games, which quickly included titles from developers both major and minor, turn out to be the Game Boy greatest competitor, rather than the Neo Geo family of handhelds.
  • September - Anachronox Terminus is released by Ion Storm for PC's.
  • September 5 - Konami is sued by Soft-World International, a video game and magazine publisher based in Taiwan, for US$3.78 million. Soft-World alleged that Konami has broken a contract signed in 2004 to distribute one of its massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) in Taiwan, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong.
  • September 21 - 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.
  • October 9-Mortal Kombat Armageddon released for Gamecube and Dreamcast this finale Mortal Kombat game to released on sixth generation
  • November 2 - Nintendogs is released for the Nitro. The game becomes a phenomenon, attracting people who would usually not be interested in video games.
  • 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.
Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz

Although not poorly received, Banana Blitz was considered part of a disappointing launch lineup for the Pluto.

  • November 11 – The Sega Pluto is launched in Japan. 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 17 - The Pluto is launched in America.
  • November 19 – The Nintendo Revolution is launched in America. 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.
  • December 2 - The Revolution is launched in Japan, with WarioWare: Smooth Moves being an additional launch title.
  • December 7 - Mega Man Star Force is released for the Game Boy Nitro. Like other Mega Man games of this generation, it scores and sells worse than its predecessors.
  • December 7- Yazuka 2 is released for the Dreamcast in Japan, was The last major game by SEGA for the Dreamcast.
  • December 8 - The Revolution and Pluto are launched in Europe.
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