With 2017 now upon us, players are quietly gearing up for a stacked 12 months of hardware launches (see: Nintendo Switch), new software and of course, a slew of video game anniversaries and milestones.
To clue you in on the latter, Game Kana has compiled a handy rundown of all the major video game anniversaries set to take place over the course of 2017 and, unsurprisingly, there’s quite a lot to look forward to. At the tip-top of Game Kana’s overview, Dig Dug is set to ring in its 35th anniversary in mid-April, while Assassin’s Creed is one of the many video game franchises due to celebrate its 5th anniversary later in the year.
Following its year-long hiatus, all signs point to AC making a big splash in 2017, though Ubisoft is yet to officially confirm the franchise’s return at the time of writing. One series that is expected to race onto the scene is Gran Turismo, given developer Polyphony Digital has all hands on deck in anticipation of Sport. Other notable milestones include the 30th anniversary of Street Fighter (August 30) and the 20th anniversary of Final Fantasy VII (January 31).
35th Anniversary
Dig Dug – First released in arcades on April 19, 1982
30th Anniversary
After Burner – First released in arcades on July 17, 1987
Contra – First released in arcades on February 20, 1987
Digital Devil Story: Megami Tensei – First released for NES on September 11, 1987
Double Dragon – First released in arcades in 1987
Final Fantasy – First released for NES on December 18, 1987
Mega Man – First released for NES on December 17, 1987
Metal Gear – First released for MSX2 on July 13, 1987
Phantasy Star – First released for Sega Master System on December 20, 1987
PC Engine – First released on October 30, 1987
R-Type – First released in arcades on July 1, 1987
Street Fighter – First released in arcades on August 30, 1987
Wonder Momo – First released in arcades on February 24, 1987
Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished – First released for NEC PC-8801 on June 21, 198725th Anniversary
Alone in the Dark– First released for PC in 1992
Art of Fighting – First released in arcades on September 24, 1992
Ecco the Dolphin – First released for Sega Mega Drive on July 31, 1992
Kirby’s Dream Land – First released for Game Boy on April 27, 1992
Lunar: The Silver Star – First released for Sega CD on June 26, 1992
Otogirisou – First released for SNES on March 7, 1992
Shining Force – First released for Sega Mega Drive on March 20, 1992
Shin Megami Tensei – First released for SNES on October 30, 199220th Anniversary
Atelier Marie: The Alchemist of Salburg – First released for PlayStation on May 23, 1997
Armored Core – First released for PlayStation on July 10, 1997
Bushido Blade – First released for PlayStation on March 14, 1997
Einhander – First released for PlayStation on November 20, 1997
Fallout – First released for PC on September 30, 1997
Final Fantasy VII – First released for PlayStation on January 31, 1997
Final Fantasy Tactics – First released for PlayStation on June 20, 1997
Gran Turismo – First released for PlayStation on December 23, 1997
Grandia – First released for Sega Saturn on December 18, 1997
Grand Theft Auto – First released for PC in October 1997
GoldenEye 007 – First released for Nintendo 64 on August 25, 1997
Mega Man Legends – First released for PlayStation on December 18, 1997
Kowloon’s Gate – First released for PlayStation on February 28, 1997
SaGa Frontier – First released for PlayStation on July 11, 1997
Sangoku Musou – First released for PlayStation on February 28, 1997
Star Fox 64 – First released for Nintendo 64 on April 27, 1997
Tobal 2 – First released for PlayStation on April 25, 199715th Anniversary
Disaster Report – First released for PlayStation 2 on April 25, 2002
Final Fantasy XI – First released for PlayStation 2 on May 16, 2002
Higurashi When They Cry – First released for PC on August 10, 2002
Kingdom Hearts – First released for PlayStation 2 on March 28, 2002
Mega Man Zero – First released for Game Boy Advance on April 26, 2002
Xenosaga Episode I – First released for PlayStation 2 on February 28, 200210th Anniversary
Assassin’s Creed – First released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on November 13, 2007
Chocobo Dungeon – First released for Wii on December 13, 2007
Dynasty Warriors: Gundam – First released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 2 on March 1, 2007
Etrian Odyssey – First released for DS on January 18, 2007
Odin’s Sphere – First released for PlayStation 2 on May 17, 2007
Opoona – First released for Wii on November 1, 2007
Super Mario Galaxy – First released for Wii on November 1, 2007
Uncharted: Drake’S Fortune – First released for PlayStation 3 on November 19, 2007
Umineko When They Cry – First released for PC on August 17, 2007
Wii Fit – First released for Wii on December 1, 2007
The World Ends with You – First released for DS on July 26, 20075th Anniversary
Binary Domain – First released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on February 16, 2012
Bravely Default – First released for 3DS on October 11, 2012
Dishonored – First released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on October 9, 2012
Dragon’s Dogma – First released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 30 on May 22, 2012
Fez – First released for Xbox 360 on April 13, 2012
Gravity Rush – First released for PS Vita on February 9, 2012
Senran Kagura – First released for 3DS on August 30, 2012
Skullgirls – First released for PlayStation 3 on April 10, 2012
Wii U – First released on November 18, 2012
Is there one anniversary in particular that you’re likely to celebrate? Do let us know.
