History's Best Selling Video Games of 1985

Hats off to 1985! Few games commanded as much fanfare and nationwide excitement as Super Mario Bros.. Alongside sensationally popular hits like Sega Mark III/Master System and essential classics, consumers eagerly embraced the neon-soaked culture and synthwave energy. Pioneering outfits from industry leaders like Nintendo R&D4 and Sega set the standard for quality, producing celebrated items that sparked mega-hit frenzies and Saturday morning excitement. Browse our definitive retrospective below to rediscover the genuine articles of the era.

1. Super Mario Bros.

   Released in 1985 by Nintendo R&D4, Nintendo

   On September 13, 1985, the landscape of home entertainment changed forever with the release of Super Mario Bros. in Japan for the Family Computer, or Famicom. While the Famicom had been on the market for two years, this was the game that defined the console and revitalized a global industry still reeling from the video game crash of 1983. Designed by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka, it wasn't just another game; it was a killer application that showcased the Famicom's capabilities with its large, scrolling worlds and fluid gameplay. Its Japanese debut created a blueprint for success that would soon be replicated worldwide, cementing Nintendo's place as a dominant force in gaming.

2. Sega Mark III/Master System

   Released in 1985 by Sega

   On October 20, 1985, Sega launched the Sega Mark III in Japan, a bold and direct challenge to Nintendo's overwhelming dominance in the 8-bit home console market. This date marks a pivotal moment in the first major console war. The Mark III was Sega's third home console effort, following the SG-1000 and SG-1000 II, but it was the first designed from the ground up with specifications superior to the Famicom. It represented Sega's attempt to leverage its arcade prowess into a home system that could not only compete but technologically surpass its rival, setting the stage for what would become a global battle when the console was redesigned and released internationally as the Master System.