Evolution of Video Game Graphics

I've been thinking about making some kind of topic (or chart or video) showing how video game graphics have evolved over the years, by showcasing the best-looking video game (or two) from each year.

I'll start from the very beginning, from the 1950s to the 1960s...

1952 - OXO

1958 - Tennis For Two (Analog)

1962 - Spacewar (Mainframe, MIT)

Now onto the 1970s...

1971 - Computer Space (Arcade, Nutting Associates)

1972 - Pong (Arcade, Atari)

1973 - Gotcha (Arcade, Atari)

1974 - Basketball (Arcade, Taito)

1974 - Speed Race (Arcade, Taito)

1975 - Gun Fight (Arcade, Taito)

1976 - Fonz (Arcade, Sega)

1976 - Heavyweight Champ (Arcade, Sega)

1977 - Boot Hill (Arcade, Midway)

1978 - Space Invaders (Arcade, Taito)

1978 - Super Speed Race (Arcade, Taito)

1979 - Galaxian (Arcade, Namco)

1979 - Monaco GP (Arcade, Sega)

And now onto the early 1980s...

1980 (October) - Rally-X (Arcade, Namco)

1980 (November) - Radar Scope (Arcade, Nintendo)

1981 (July) - Donkey Kong (Arcade, Nintendo)

1981 (October) - Turbo (Arcade, Sega)

1982 (January) - Zaxxon (Arcade, Sega)

1982 (July) - Pole Position (Arcade, Namco)

1982 (July) - SubRoc-3D (Arcade, Sega)

1982 (December) - Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom (Arcade, Sega)

1983 (February) - Congo Bongo (Arcade, Sega)

1983 (May) - Astron Belt (Arcade, Sega)

1983 (June) - Bega's Battle (Arcade, Data East)

1983 (June) - Dragon's Lair (Arcade, Cinematronics)

1983 (December) - Cliff Hanger (Arcade, Stern)

1984 (April) - Space Ace (Arcade, Cinematronics)

1984 - Plazma Line (NEC PC-8801, Technosoft)

1984 (June) - I, Robot (Arcade, Atari)

1984 (November) - Ninja Hayate (Arcade, Taito)

1984 (November) - GP World (Arcade, Sega)

Very good topic, waiting for more

And now for the mid-1980s:

1984

Real-Time - Punch-Out! (Arcade, Nintendo)

FMV - Space Ace (Arcade, Cinematronics)

Real-Time & FMV - Cobra Command (Arcade, Data East)

1985

FMV - Time Gal (Arcade, Taito)

Real-Time

July - Hang-On (Arcade, Sega)

October - Space Harrier (Arcade, Sega)

1986

3D - Wibarm (NEC PC-8801, Arsys Software)

2D - Out Run (Arcade, Sega)

It's no surprise that the best graphics belonged to the arcade machines as it didn't really matter if they took up 4 sq.f of room.

When you get to the 90's and 00's though, it's going to be purely a matter of taste.

It's no surprise that the best graphics belonged to the arcade machines as it didn't really matter if they took up 4 sq.f of room.

When you get to the 90's and 00's though, it's going to be purely a matter of taste.

BarbaricAvatar

[QUOTE="BarbaricAvatar"]

It's no surprise that the best graphics belonged to the arcade machines as it didn't really matter if they took up 4 sq.f of room.

When you get to the 90's and 00's though, it's going to be purely a matter of taste.

Holyspirit-Xbox

it wasn't until the 90's that PC started becoming more prevalent in the graphics department

[QUOTE="Holyspirit-Xbox"][QUOTE="BarbaricAvatar"]

It's no surprise that the best graphics belonged to the arcade machines as it didn't really matter if they took up 4 sq.f of room.

When you get to the 90's and 00's though, it's going to be purely a matter of taste.

rilpas

it wasn't until the 90's that PC started becoming more prevalent in the graphics department

I'd have placed more Atari vector graphics like Major Havoc, but other then that, great listrilpas

It's no surprise that the best graphics belonged to the arcade machines as it didn't really matter if they took up 4 sq.f of room.

When you get to the 90's and 00's though, it's going to be purely a matter of taste.

BarbaricAvatar

That isn't cliff hanger, that's lupin the third.Holyspirit-Xbox

It's no surprise that the best graphics belonged to the arcade machines as it didn't really matter if they took up 4 sq.f of room.

When you get to the 90's and 00's though, it's going to be purely a matter of taste.

BarbaricAvatar

That isn't cliff hanger, that's lupin the third.Holyspirit-Xbox

[QUOTE="rilpas"]

[QUOTE="Holyspirit-Xbox"] I don't know, Coleco had perfect and sometimes better arcade conversions than the arcade for a good time. Also lack of PC games jag?Holyspirit-Xbox

it wasn't until the 90's that PC started becoming more prevalent in the graphics department

I don't know, Coleco had perfect and sometimes better arcade conversions than the arcade for a good time.

Also lack of PC games jag?Holyspirit-Xbox

Both consoles and PC's were technically inferior to arcade machines up until the late 90s, hence the lack of console and PC games so far.

I believe starting around 82 the PC had very considerably superior graphics.Holyspirit-Xbox

That is basically the only Lupin that did well so i have no idea about unknown in north america, it did decent at the very least. Also, Miyazaki is still not too relevant outside of Japan(you are probably going to say that's not true, but it is.) outside of a few hits. Holyspirit-Xbox

[QUOTE="Holyspirit-Xbox"][QUOTE="rilpas"]we're still in the 80's so PCs weren't really a factor when it came to graphics.

 

it wasn't until the 90's that PC started becoming more prevalent in the graphics department

rilpas

[QUOTE="Holyspirit-Xbox"][QUOTE="rilpas"]we're still in the 80's so PCs weren't really a factor when it came to graphics.

 

it wasn't until the 90's that PC started becoming more prevalent in the graphics department

rilpas

[QUOTE="rilpas"]

[QUOTE="Holyspirit-Xbox"] I believe starting around 82 the PC had very considerably superior graphics.Darkman2007

[QUOTE="Darkman2007"][QUOTE="rilpas"]during the 80's most IBM PC games were still using either 4 colours or 16 colours, 256 colours, VGA and SVGA didn't become prevalent until the early 90's I think

Holyspirit-Xbox

not really, the NES and Master System both have higher colour counts than EGA mode, nevermind CGA with its 4 colours (the colour counts were 25 for the NES, 32 for the SMS , vs 16 colours for EGA) , and you can clearly see it, the only thing the PC really beats them in is resolution.

also,  if youre going to put Commander Keen Episode 4 in there , keep in mind that game came out in 1991, by that time the SNES ,MD and TG-16 were out, and it really does not compete with those systems.

but then I wasn't even comparing it to consoles, I was comparing it to other computers out at the time, in particular the Atari ST and the Amiga , both of which had better visuals and sound over the PC with its EGA and PC speaker

now of course when VGA became popular in the early 90s (there were a few VGA games in the late 80s, but very few  like Indiana Jones and the last Crusade) , and sound cards like the Soundblaster came out , the PC started to over take the consoles and other computers in visuals and sound, but until that point....not really.

@Holyspirit-Xbox

Firstly, that 8-bit PC port of Congo Bongo doesn't look any better than the ColecoVision console port:

Congo Bongo (ColecoVision)

And secondly, those 8-bit PC games you posted don't come close to the NES or SMS...

Ys III: Wanderers From Ys (NES)

Golf Grand Slam (NES)

Ninja Gaiden (Sega Master System)

Sega Chess (Sega Master System)

Super World Cup Chukku (Sega Master System)

Mortal Kombat (Sega Master System)

Anyway, I'll continue where I left off, and complete the 80s...

And now for the mid-1980s:

1984

Real-Time - Punch-Out! (Arcade, Nintendo)

FMV - Space Ace (Arcade, Cinematronics)

Real-Time & FMV - Cobra Command (Arcade, Data East)

1985

FMV - Time Gal (Arcade, Taito)

Real-Time

July - Hang-On (Arcade, Sega)

October - Space Harrier (Arcade, Sega)

1986

3D - Wibarm (NEC PC-8801, Arsys Software)

2D - Out Run (Arcade, Sega)

Jag85

1987

2D GRAPHICS

Shinobi (Arcade, Sega)

2.5D GRAPHICS

April - Super Hang-On (Arcade, Sega)

July - After Burner (Arcade, Sega)

2.5D DIGITIZED SPRITES

Final Lap (Arcade, Namco)

3D GRAPHICS

Driller (Commodore 64, Incentive Software)

1988

2D GRAPHICS

April - Bad Dudes vs Dragon Ninja (Arcade, Data East)

October - Ninja Gaiden (Arcade, Tecmo)

2.5D GRAPHICS

May - Galaxy Force (Arcade, Sega)

June - Galaxy Force II (Arcade, Sega)

3D GRAPHICS

Winning Run (Arcade, Namco)

1989

2D GRAPHICS

March - Strider (Arcade, Capcom)

December - Knight Arms: The Hybrid Framer (Sharp X68000, Arsys Software)

December - Final Fight (Arcade, Capcom)

2.5D GRAPHICS

January - Last Survivor (FM Towns, Sega)

February - Turbo Outrun (Arcade, Sega)

May - Super Monaco GP (Arcade, Sega)

3D GRAPHICS

April - Star Cruiser (Sharp X68000, Arsys Software)

June - Hard Drivin' (Arcade, Atari)

December - Winning Run: Suzuka Grand Prix (Arcade, Namco)

Some of your dates are off, but your doing alright for the most part. Although around 89 computers had some kigs as well (not pc.)Holyspirit-Xbox

Which dates? I've checked each one to make sure the dates are accurate.

And yes, I did include a few computer games above. The Sharp X68000 and FM Towns computers in particular were pretty much the closest thing to arcade quality in the late 80s.

I haven't included a single console game yet though, but we'll start seeing a few more of those too in the 90s.

And now for the 90s...

1990

2D GRAPHICS

April - Magician Lord (Neo Geo, Alpha Denshi)

July - Ninja Combat (Neo Geo, Alpha Denshi)

2.5D GRAPHICS

The Super Spy (Neo Geo, SNK)

October - GP Rider (Arcade, Sega)

CGI & 3D GRAPHICS

Galaxian 3 (Arcade, Namco)

3D GRAPHICS

Driver's Eyes (Arcade, Namco)

1991

2D GRAPHICS

March - Street Fighter II (Arcade, Capcom)

Arabian Fight (Arcade, Sega)

2.5D GRAPHICS

Crossed Swords (Neo Geo, SNK)

February - Rad Mobile (Arcade, Sega)

December - Air Rescure (Arcade, Sega)

FMV

Time Traveler (Arcade, Sega)

3D GRAPHICS

September - StarBlade (Arcade, Namco)

December - Solvalou (Arcade, Namco)

[QUOTE="Holyspirit-Xbox"]Some of your dates are off, but your doing alright for the most part. Although around 89 computers had some kigs as well (not pc.)Jag85

Which dates? I've checked each one to make sure the dates are accurate.

And yes, I did include a few computer games above. The Sharp X68000 and FM Towns computers in particular were pretty much the closest thing to arcade quality in the late 80s.

I haven't included a single console game yet though, but we'll start seeing a few more of those too in the 90s.

[QUOTE="Jag85"]

[QUOTE="Holyspirit-Xbox"]Some of your dates are off, but your doing alright for the most part. Although around 89 computers had some kigs as well (not pc.)Darkman2007

Which dates? I've checked each one to make sure the dates are accurate.

And yes, I did include a few computer games above. The Sharp X68000 and FM Towns computers in particular were pretty much the closest thing to arcade quality in the late 80s.

I haven't included a single console game yet though, but we'll start seeing a few more of those too in the 90s.

The FM Towns, on the other hand, was pretty much a PC pushed to its limits in 1989, adding some arcade features to the PC architecture. It was also the first computer with a built-in CD-ROM drive and an operating system bootable from CD (a precursor to Windows 95). Its resolution could go up to 1024x1024 pixels in low colour (like the X68000), or up to a 16.78 million colour palette (or 32,768 simultaneous colours, half that of the X68000) in low resolution. The reason for that overlay feature (combining two separate display modes) was mainly because high resolution was required for Japanese kanji text, but high colour was required for arcade-quality graphics.

Overall, the X68000 had the more advanced graphics, while the FM Towns had the more advanced audio and multimedia capabilities.

1992

2D GRAPHICS

September - Art of Fighting (Neo Geo, SNK)

December - Fatal Fury 2 (Neo Geo, SNK)

2D PIXEL ART

September - Hokkaido Chain Murders (NEC PC-98, ASCII)

PRE-RENDERED

Alone in the Dark (PC, Infogrames)

October - Mortal Kombat (Arcade, Midway)

2.5D GRAPHICS

August - Gun Buster (Arcade, Taito)

August - F1 Super Lap (Arcade, Sega)

December -Dark Edge (Arcade, Sega)

HOLOGRAPHIC (2.5D)

Holosseum (Arcade, Sega)

3D GRAPHICS

October - Virtua Racing (Arcade, Sega)

December - Air Combat (Arcade, Namco)

1993

2D GRAPHICS

June - SegaSonic the Hedgehog (Arcade, Sega)

July - Burning Rival (Arcade, Sega)

2D PIXEL ART

Nightmare Collection II: Marine Philt (NEC PC-98, Fairy Tail)

2.5D GRAPHICS

Escape From Monster Manor (3DO, The 3DO Company)

Super Chase (Arcade, Taito

September - Alien 3: The Gun (Arcade, Sega)

PRE-RENDERED GRAPHICS

July - Silpheed (Sega CD, Game Arts)

September - Myst (PC, Cyan)

3D GRAPHICS

October - Ridge Racer (Arcade, Namco)

December - Virtua Fighter (Arcade, Sega)

Daytona USA (Arcade, Sega)

Magic Edge Hornet (Arcade, Namco)

Really fun thread to scroll through.

my thoughts

A lot of the arcade ports to the Commodore Amiga matched the quality and sound on the arcade versions.

my thoughts

mahlasor

A lot of the arcade ports to the Commodore Amiga matched the quality and sound on the arcade versions.

jun_aka_pekto

O wow, kind of forgot how much graphics have actually evolved through the years, pretty cool thread to scroll and read through, good job, keep it going!

This is a pretty neat thread.

1994

2D GRAPHICS

Super Visual Football (Arcade, Sega)

February - Hard Dunk (Arcade, Sega)

2D PIXEL ART

July - 3x3 Eyes: Sanjiyan Henjou (NEC PC Engine, Nihon Create)

July - Policenauts (NEC PC-98, Konami)

2D PRE-RENDERED

Donkey Kong Country (SNES, Rare)

2D DIGITIZED SPRITES

Lethal Enforcers II: The Gun Fighters (Arcade, Konami)

2.5D GRAPHICS

Doom (Atari Jaguar, id Software)

February - Jurassic Park (Arcade, Sega)

2.5D ANIMATED SPRITES

March - Dragon Ball Z: V.R.V.S. (Arcade, Banpresto)

FMVLIVE-ACTION

Who Shot Johnny Rock? (PC, American Laser Games)

3D CEL-SHADING

Doctor Hauzer (3DO, River Hill Software)

3D GRAPHICS

September - Virtua Cop (Arcade, Sega)

October - Ace Driver (Arcade, Namco)

October - Cyber Commando (Arcade, Namco)

November - Virtua Fighter 2 (Arcade, Sega)

1995

2D GRAPHICS

June - The King of Fighters '95 (Neo Geo, SNK)

August - Dragoon Might (Arcade, Konami)

2D PIXEL ART

EVE: Burst Error (NEC PC-98, C's Ware)

FMV LIVE-ACTION

Roberta Williams' Phantasmagoria (PC, Sierra Online)

FMV PRE-RENDERED

D (3DO/PC/Saturn/PlayStation, WARP)

2.5D SPRITE-SCALING

Slipstream (Arcade, Capcom)

2.5D RAY CASTING

Star Wars: Dark Forces (PC, LucasArts)

2.5D DIGITIZED SPRITES

Virtual Hydlide (Sega Saturn, T&E Soft)

2.5D SPRITES & POLYGONS

Crypt Killer (Arcade, Konami)

3D GRAPHICS

January - Sega Rally (Arcade, Sega)

June - Rave Racer (Arcade, Namco)

November - Fighting Vipers (Arcade, Sega)

1996

2D GRAPHICS

February - Osman / Cannon Dancer (Arcade, Mitchell Corporation)

November - Red Earth (Arcade, Capcom)

2D PIXEL ART

YU-NO: A Girl Who Chants Love at the Bound of This World (NEC PC-98, ELF)

2.5D GRAPHICS

Duke Nukem 3D (PC, 3D Realms)

LIVE-ACTION FMV

Phantasmagoria 2: A Puzzle of Flesh (PC, Sierra Entertainment)

PRE-RENDERED FMV

Tekken 2 (PlayStation, Namco)

PRE-RENDERED GRAPHICS

BioHazard / Resident Evil (PC, Capcom / NEC)

3D GRAPHICS

February - Ace Driver: Victory Lap (Arcade, Namco)

April - Gunblade NY (Arcade, Sega)

May - Virtua Fighter 3 (Arcade, Sega)

December - SCUD Race / Sega Super GT (Arcade, Sega)

1997

2D GRAPHICS

February - Street Fighter III: New Generation (Arcade, Capcom)

April - Alundra (PlayStation, Matrix Software)

2D PIXEL ART

The Curse of Monkey Island (PC, LucasArts)

2.5D GRAPHICS

May - Shadow Warrior (PC, 3D Realms)

PRE-RENDERED GRAPHICS

Riven (PC, Cyan)

LIVE-ACTION CINEMATICS

Wing Commander: Prophecy (PC, Origin Systems)

CGI CINEMATICS

Final Fantasy VII (PlayStation, Squaresoft)

3D GRAPHICS

August - GoldenEye 007 (Nintendo 64, Rare)

August - Fighting Bujitsu (Arcade, Konami)

September - Le Mans 24 (Arcade, Sega)

December - Harley-Davidson & L.A. Riders (Arcade, Sega)

December - Sega Bass Fishing (Arcade, Sega)

Great thread :). Gunblade NY is still an awesome game, very happy they ported it and LA Machingun to the Wii.

Great thread :). Gunblade NY is still an awesome game, very happy they ported it and LA Machingun to the Wii.

Shenmue_Jehuty

1998

2D GRAPHICS

November - Shock Troopers: 2nd Squad (Neo Geo, SNK)

December - JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (Arcade, Capcom)

2.5D SPRITE-SCALING

Neo Geo Cup '98 (Neo Geo, SNK)

2.5D ISOMETRIC GRAPHICS

Baldur's Gate (PC, BioWare)

PRE-RENDERED GRAPHICS

January - Resident Evil 2 (PlayStation, Capcom)

October - Grim Fandango (PC, LucasArts)

CGI CINEMATICS

Xenogears (PlayStation, Squaresoft)

3D GRAPHICS

March - Time Crisis 2 (Arcade, Namco)

April - Fighting Vipers 2 (Arcade, Sega)

June - Daytona USA 2 (Arcade, Sega)

November - Godzilla Generations (Dreamcast, General Entertainment)

November - The House of the Dead 2 (Arcade, Sega)

December - LA Machineguns (Arcade, Sega)

1999

2D GRAPHICS

April - SaGa Frontier 2 (PlayStation, Squaresoft)

July - Legend of Mana (PlayStation, Squaresoft)

2D PIXEL ART

Kanon (PC, Key)

2.5D ISOMETRIC GRAPHICS

Planescape: Torment (PC, Black Isle)

CEL-SHADING

Fear Effect (PlayStation, Kronos)

CINEMATIC CGI

February - Final Fantasy VIII (PlayStation, Squaresoft)

November - Chrono Cross (PlayStation, Squaresoft)

3D GRAPHICS

April - Sega Bass Fishing (Dreamcast, Sega)

May - Airline Pilots (Arcade, Sega)

June - Brave Firefighters (Arcade, Sega)

August - Soul Calibur (Dreamcast, Namco)

October - Dead or Alive 2 (Arcade, Team Ninja)

October - Ferrari F355 Challenge (Arcade, Sega)

December - Shenmue (Dreamcast, Sega)

2000

2D GRAPHICS

February - Marvel vs Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (Arcade/Dreamcast, Capcom)

Capcom vs SNK: Millenium Fight 2000 Pro (Arcade/Dreamcast, Capcom)

2D PIXEL ART

Sakura Wars (PC, Sega)

September - Air (PC, Key)

2.5D ISOMETRIC GRAPHICS

Sakura Wars (PC, Sega)

September - Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn (PC, BioWare)

PRE-RENDERED GRAPHICS

April - The Longest Journey (PC, Funcom)

July - Final Fantasy IX (PlayStation, Squaresoft)

CINEMATIC FMV

Final Fantasy IX (PlayStation, Squaresoft)

2.5D CEL-SHADING

Jet Set Radio (Dreamcast, Sega)

3D GRAPHICS

February - Resident Evil Code: Veronica (Dreamcast, Capcom)

March - Tekken Tag Tournament (PlayStation 2, Namco)

June - Star Wars Racer Arcade (Arcade, Sega/LucasArts)

September - NASCAR Arcade (Arcade, Sega)

December - Planet Harriers (Arcade, Sega)