Welcome to the very first episode of the Retro Gaming Chart Show. Every month, I’ll be releasing one of these videos, taking a look at the gaming charts from a particular month gone by, as researched from a games magazine from that period.
In this August episode, I’m going to be taking a look at the UK SNES charts, as taken from the pages of the legendary Super Play’s 10th Issue, back in August 1993. So without further ado, here’s the Top 10 UK SNES releases:
At number 10, is Konami’s superb run-and-gunner, Super Probotector, or as it’s known outside of Europe – Contra 3: The Alien Wars. This is Contra at it’s best, bringing the NES hit to the 16-bit consoles with some of the most impressive visuals seen early on in the SNES library.
The Magical Quest: Starring Mickey Mouse, another great Disney licensed game from Capcom, hits the chart at number 9. This SNES platformer took Capcom’s Disney games to the next level, with some amazing spritework.
Kick Off, the console version of the classic football game takes the number 8 slot. Probably not the most popular football game of the 16-bit generation, but it was certainly popular enough to hit the charts.
Number 7 is currently the home of the SNES port of Electronic Arts’ Desert Strike, the first of many Strike games to come. Like many EA games, it might have come later than the Mega Drive version, but that certainly do it any harm.
The second sports game on this chart, and another Electronic Arts game, it’s PGA Tour Golf, at Number 6. If you like golf, then the PGA Tour games were always the pinnacle of the genre.
Yet another sports game by Electronic Arts occupies the fifth slot, it’s NHLPA Hockey. Strange for an Ice Hockey game to sell so well in the UK, but these games always had their charm.
They’re Tiny, They’re Toony and they’re all a little loony, it’s Konami’s Tiny Toon Adventures: Buster Busts Loose, at Number 4. Gorgeous graphics and unusual mechanics made this release a refreshing change from the usual platforming fare.
Number 3 is the highest charting new entry this month, it’s The Addams Family: Pugsley’s Scavenger Hunt. Ocean’s adaptation of the short-running Addams Family cartoon might not have made the impact of it’s games based on the original movie, but this chart position proves that the license still had legs.
The legendary Super Mario Kart is at number 2, an impressive feat considering it’s release was way back in January. Of course, this position is fully justified because it’s easily one of the best SNES releases, offering superb driving action, plus an always-addictive multiplayer mode.
And for our number one, the force is strong with this one, yes, it’s JVC’s Super Star Wars. In 1993, this was as close to being in the movie as it got, and earnt a lot of fans with it’s multiple playable characters, vehicle levels and of course, that legendary Trench Run level, culminating in the eventual destruction of the Death Star.
That was the SNES UK charts of August 1993, and I hope you enjoyed that look into the past. I’m sure you agree that there were some real surprise entries there. I’ll be back with another look at game charts gone by, but until then, please click that subscribe button, throw me a comment with what you think of this chart and it’s games, and why not tell a friend about this video.
Thank you very much for watching, and I hope to see you soon some more chart-topping gaming hits.