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[LordOfLore]

Gematsu made a list since news are slow right now.

A number of big games and franchises are celebrating major anniversaries in 2017. Given the slow news week start of the new year, we thought it would be fun to take a look at the list of titles.

Here’s everything:

30th Anniversary

After Burner – First released for arcades on July 17, 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 for arcades on July 1, 1987
Street Fighter – First released for arcades on August 30, 1987
Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished – First released for NEC PC-8801 on June 21, 1987

25th Anniversary

Kirby’s Dream Land – First released for Game Boy on April 27, 1992
Otogirisou – First released for SNES on March 7, 1992
Shin Megami Tensei – First released for SNES on October 30, 1992

20th 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
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
GoldenEye 007 – First released for Nintendo 64 on August 25, 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
Tobal 2 – First released for PlayStation on April 25, 1997

15th 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
Xenosaga Episode I – First released for PlayStation 2 on February 28, 2002

10th 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
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, 2007

5th Anniversary
There are a lot of fifth anniversaries. Here are just a few:

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

And some plans:

For Armored Core, From Software has previously confirmed a new title in the mecha action series is in development.

For Atelier, Gust has previously teased a 20th anniversary project coming soon.

For Final Fantasy, Square Enix is hosting an “Opening Ceremony” event on January 31, the same date Final Fantasy VII released. The company will share a bit about its plans for the 30th anniversary of the series there.

For Gran Turismo, Gran Turismo Sport is launching for PlayStation 4 worldwide in 2017.

For Gravity Rush, Gravity Rush 2 is due out for PlayStation 4 on January 18 in Europe, January 19 in Japan, and January 20 in the Americas and United Kingdom.

For Kowloon’s Gate, a PlayStation VR project called Kowloon’s Gate VR is due out in Japan in summer 2017.

For Metal Gear, Konami is releasing Metal Gear Survive for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in 2017.

For Opoona, the protagonist is set to appear as a playable character in Koei Tecmo’s cross-over action game Musou Stars.

For Senran Kagura, Senran Kagura: Peach Beach Splash is due out for PlayStation 4 in Japan on March 16. Producer Kenchiro Takaki has previously teased a new Senran Kagura action title.

For Shin Megami Tensei, Atlus has previously teased a “Variety of preparations” for the 25th anniversary and plans to announce “several unannounced titles” from the company in 2017. So there’s a possibility of a new Shin Megami Tensei title in there.

For Ys, the PlayStation 4 version of Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana is launching on May 25 in Japan.

And while not necessarily a celebration of Wii U’s fifth anniversary, Nintendo is launching new hardware in the form of Switch in March 2017. The formal unveil event is planned for January 12.

Not all games etc.

 

[Tizoc]

Hey is this a dig at me?
You also missed a series

 

[Robot Pants]

Some of these plans really suck

 

[JaseC]

The Half-Life series will have ended 10 years ago come October 10th.

 

[Net]

10th Anniversary

The World Ends with You – First released for DS on July 26, 2007

Jesus fuck have I been waiting that long for a sequel?

 

[brawly]

Halo 3?

 

[Mediking]

Happy to see stuff like this.

Make me proud Atlus+

 

[Madao]

this year is also 10 years since the last good Metroid game.

 

[Forkball]

Can't wait for the nonstop flow of goodness to celebrate the Mega Man and Phantasy Star anniversaries.

 

[Nightengale]

"Do you know the name Adol Christin?"

Mah boy Adol is going to be 30 years old this year. 😭

 

[LordOfLore]

Can't wait for the nonstop flow of goodness to celebrate the Mega Man and Phantasy Star anniversaries.

Aren't Capcom porting all the old MM games to iOS?

 

[oti]

What could Capcom do to celebrate? Rereleasing an older Street Fighter game maybe? That would be nice. A Nostalgia DLC for SFV would work out too.

 

[Inuhanyou]

SE's plans got me like

 

[BratmanDu]

Nice list, thanks!

1997 was a beast of a year for gaming:

• Armored Core
• Bushido Blade
• Gran Turismo
• FF7
• Goldeneye
• Fallout
• Symphony of the night
• Turok
• Tekken 3
• Abe's Oddysee
• GTA
• Jedi Knight
• Parappa
• Tomb Raider 2
• Quake 2

I was 14 - too early for exams, so much time to game. Good times. Take me back to 1997.

 

[bman94]

I feel like Nintendo is going to gloss over Kirby's 25th anniversary. Maybe a sale or something. Crazy to see no other Nintendo IPs having an anniversary this year, Kirby is all alone.

 

[Spieler Eins]

Hey time - stop.

 

[silva1991]

Kingdom Hearts anniversary baby! I can't wait for the inevitable holiday release announcement

Spoiler

with high chance of being delayed to March 2018

 

[abstract alien]

I'd be willing to do questionable things if it meant we'd get another Einhander on ps4.

 

[orichalcos]

Halo 3 - 2007. szeptember 25.

I want H3: Anniversary. \o/

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Metal Gear's 30th birthday celebrated by Survive. FeelsFittingMan

 

[Bishop89]

Armored Core.

Come on FROM!

 

[BGBW]

Super Mario Kart was released in 1992, so that's another anniversary. Sure it's a spin-off, but it's a pretty big one.

Mortal Kombat also started life in 1992.

 

[Lichter]

Halo 3?

.

 

[LordOfLore]

I'd be willing to do questionable things if it meant we'd get another Einhander on ps4.

Didn't WoFF have a cameo from it last year?

 

[bman94]

Halo 3 - 2007. szeptember 25.

I want H3: Anniversary. \o/

I kinda want one as a update to the Master Chief Collection. Halo 3 looks really ugly on that game compared to the remastered 1 and 2.

 

[True Fire]

For Higurashi's 15th and Umineko's 10th we're finally getting When They Cry Series 3!

 

[Tizoc]

Correct me on any of these btw @o@
Here're more series or games that debuted

35 years ago

Dig Dug
Debuted in Arcades in April 1982

30 years ago

Konami's Arumana no Kiseki for the Famicom Disk System. Name translates to 'The Stone of Almana' or whereabouts methinks.

Bionic Commando debuted in arcades in 1987, though the NES ver. is the better game.

Mutha effin' CONTRA debuted in arcades in 1987.
JUNGLE THEME FOREVER!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tifv7qh_hmY

Amusingly enough the video game 'adaptation' of Digital Devil Saga: Megami Tensei originally released in 1987!

That website is slacking a new Double Dragon game was announced recently for Steam and PS4 releasing in January in celebration of the series' 30th anniversary! While the arcade ver. isn't that well received, it remains the one that started it all.

Konami's Getsu Fuuma-den (The Legend of Fuuma) was released 30 years ago on the NES in Japan only.


Konami released not one but TWO games based on Osamu Tezuka's Phoenix/Hi no Tori series, one for the NES/Famicom and the other to the MSX2.

Maniac Mansion released in 1987 as well originally.

Taito's The Ninja Warriors debuted in 1987 in arcades.

Sid Meier's Pirates! released on PCs in 1987.

Sierra's Police Quest series debuted in 1987.

Taito's Rastan series debuted in 1987 too.

Shadowgate released on PCs in 1987.

SEGA's Shinobi series debuted in 1987.

Falcom's Sorcerian released in 1987.

Wizardry IV: The Return of Werdna was released in 1987. Granted it's not a debut but this game is rather infamous for its difficulty.

Namco's Wonder Momo debuted in 1987.

Less noteworthy releases but worth bringing up for the heck of it
Captain America in: The Doom Tube of Dr. Megalomann was released 30 years ago

Taito's Full Throttle aka Top Speed, an OutRun copycat but with a Nitro Boost button was released 30 years ago.


Shadows of Mordor released 30 years ago.

 

[Caipirinha]

Uncharted being 10 is fucking disgusting, I can't believe that much time has passed..

 

[rockman zx]

Mega Man Legends 20th anniversary and Mega Man Zero 15th anniversary too.

 

[Nightbird]

Jesus fuck have I been waiting that long for a sequel?

Not gonna happen Bro, it's not going to happen ;-;

 

[LordOfLore]

Not gonna happen Bro, it's not going to happen ;-;

If Nomura wasn't on both KH3 and FFVIIR we might've had a chance. Maybe a PS4 port?

 

[abstract alien]

Didn't WoFF have a cameo from it last year?

Pretty damn sweet, if so.

 

[Ferr986]

Also, even though it was last year, the Anniversary games from Sonic franchise will release this year (Sonic Mania and the Sonic Team one with both Classic and Modern Sonic in it).

 

[Theslammer]

Also, 10 years since God of War II, the last major release on the PS2.

 

[Kuraudo]

Mass Effect turns 10 too.

 

[Tizoc]

Here are some more games

Released or debuted 25 years in 1992

Square's Romancing SaGa series which spun off the original SaGa series.

Steel Empire debut.

World Heroes' series debut.

Zool debut.

Aero Fighters/Sonic Wings

Alone in the Dark series debut.

Konami released an arcade game based on Bucky O'hare cartoon series.

Cho Aniki series debut.

Capcom's Magical Quest series debut.

Caesar series debut.

SEGA's bizarre Adventure series Ecco the Dolphin debuted in 1992.

Flashback debut.

Gimmick! released in 1992.

The Legend of Kyrandia debut, originally developed by Westwood Studios.

Lunar series debut.

Mortal Kombat was already mentioned.


Other notable releases and games of 1992

Konami's Axelay

Capcom released a game based on the Darkwing Duck cartoon. The game plays similar to the Megaman games.

 

[bitbydeath]

So, 1987 was practically the birth of gaming.
What a year.

 

[Tizoc]

So, 1987 was practically the birth of gaming.
What a year.

That is the most American thing I've read today ;P

 

[Patryn]

Mass Effect turns 10 too.

Yeah, it's the 10th Anniversary of Mass Effect 1, and the 5th Anniversary of Mass Effect 3.

 

[Shion]

Shining Force turns 25 too.

 

[Nzyme32]

The Half-Life series will have ended 10 years ago come October 10th.

Yeah, no idea how this has been missed out. As usual, I'll probably be replaying it at some point again this year, with the added amusement of seeing how it holds up a full decade later

 

[Tizoc]

Shining Force turns 25 too.

Close!
To be exact it is Camelot's Shining Force series and it began with Shining in the Darkness in 1991.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Missing tons of stuff from the 10 year anniversary list:

Mass Effect
Bioshock
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Portal
Halo 3
Super Mario Galaxy

And probably more. 2007 was an incredible year in gaming.

 

[JimmyRustler]

Damn man, those 20 year anniversaries really feel like they were 20 years ago. Those 10 year anniversaries however... like it was yesterday. What the fuck?

 

[Peltz]

Man I'm turning 30 this year too :-(

Damn man, those 20 year anniversaries really feel like they were 20 years ago. Those 10 year anniversaries however... like it was yesterday. What the fuck?

Every year of your life is a smaller and smaller percentage of your life. So time appears to accelerate as you age.

 

[JimmyRustler]

Man I'm turning 30 this year too :-(

Every year of your life is a smaller and smaller percentage of your life. So time appears to accelerate as you age.

Well, that probably also plays into it but I think it has a lot to do with the fact that games haven't changed that much in the past 10 years. But the 10 years before that.... The difference was huuuuuggggeee.

 

[Triggerhappytel]

Also: Alundra was released in 1997. Everyone should play Alundra. It's the best 2D Zelda game.

 

[Zalman]

I feel like Nintendo is going to gloss over Kirby's 25th anniversary. Maybe a sale or something. Crazy to see no other Nintendo IPs having an anniversary this year, Kirby is all alone.

Kirby already has a dedicated Twitter account for the anniversary, with a brand new logo and everything. They're not going to gloss over it. It does help that Kirby is co-owned by HAL, who will likely do quite a bit themselves.

 

[bitbydeath]

That is the most American thing I've read today ;P

Lol, and i'm not even American. ^_^

 

[kswiston]

Nice list, thanks!

1997 was a beast of a year for gaming:

• Armored Core
• Bushido Blade
• Gran Turismo
• FF7
• Goldeneye
• Fallout
• Symphony of the night
• Turok
• Tekken 3
• Abe's Oddysee
• GTA
• Jedi Knight
• Parappa
• Tomb Raider 2
• Quake 2

I was 14 - too early for exams, so much time to game. Good times. Take me back to 1997.

1997-2000 were my favourite years for gaming. So much amazing stuff coming out for every system and PC.