There are an absolute tonne of classic games celebrating their milestone birthdays this year! From the 15th anniversary of Pokémon FireRed / LeafGreen to Super Metroid‘s 25th birthday, there’s a lot in store! Can you imagine some of these iconic classics being this old? Can you imagine you being this old? We’ve rummaged through release lists, hopped into a Tardis and collated the top Video Game Anniversaries of 2019 list! What are your most treasured games, and how will you be celebrating? Let us know with a comment!
Standout titles include the 25th anniversary of both Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Sonic & Knuckles; one of the most-loved pair of platformers. We’re also celebrating 20 years of Mario Party this year, alongside Final Fantasy VIII. It’s been two decades since we armed ourselves with a camera and went trigger happy in Pokémon Snap, and it’ll be three decades since the cult RPG classic Mother surfaced in Japan. Time is certainly flying in the world of gaming; and 2019’s gaming anniversaries are set to be something quite special!
We’ve arranged each month by day, the format, if it’s a Japan date and which milestone the game is celebrating in a handy Video Game Anniversaries of 2019 list. Now bring on those birthdays!
January
| 05 Jan | Sonic Battle (GBA) | 15th |
| 06 Jan | Elebits (DS) | 10th |
| 13 Jan | Mirror’s Edge (PC) | 10th |
| 13 Jan | The Lord of the Rings: Conquest (Multi) | 10th |
| 21 Jan | Super Smash Bros. (N64) | 20th |
| 21 Jan | Skate 2 (Multi) | 10th |
| 29 Jan | Pokémon FireRed / LeafGreen (Japan / GBA) | 15th |
| 31 Jan | Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter (PS1) | 20th |
| 31 Jan | Silent Hill (PS1) | 20th |
| 31 Jan | SimCity 3000 (PC) | 20th |
February
| 01 Feb | WCW Nitro (N64) | 20th |
| 02 Feb | Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (MD) | 25th |
| 02 Feb | R-Type Final (PS2) | 15th |
| 08 Feb | Mario Party (N64) | 20th |
| 09 Feb | Finay Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (GCN) | 15th |
| 09 Feb | Metroid: Zero Mission (GB) | 15th |
| 10 Feb | Unreal II: The Awakening (Xbox) | 15th |
| 10 Feb | F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin (Multi) | 10th |
| 11 Feb | Final Fantasy VIII (PS1) | 20th |
| 16 Feb | Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (NDS) | 10th |
| 17 Feb | Pro Evolution Soccer 3 | 15th |
| 17 Feb | Street Fighter IV (Multi) | 10th |
| 17 Feb | Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride (DS) | 10th |
| 23 Feb | Super Street Fighter II Turbo (Arc) | 25th |
| 24 Feb | 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand (Multi) | 10th |
| 27 Feb | Killzone 2 (PS3) | 10th |
| 28 Feb | Beetle Adventure Racing (N64) | 20th |
| 28 Feb | Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance (PC) | 20th |
March
| 04 Mar | Pepsiman (PS1) | 20th |
| 10 Mar | Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven (Xbox) | 15th |
| 15 Mar | Mega Man 6 (NES) | 25th |
| 15 Mar | The King of Fighters ’98 (PS1) | 20th |
| 19 Mar | Super Metroid (SNES) | 25th |
| 21 Mar | Phantasy Star II (MD) | 30th |
| 21 Mar | Pokémon Snap (N64) | 20th |
| 23 Mar | Final Fantasy XI (PS2) | 15th |
| 23 Mar | Sonic Heroes (Multi) | 15th |
| 23 Mar | Far Cry (PC) | 15th |
| 25 Mar | Elder Scrolls Arena (PC) | 25th |
April
| 02 Apr | Final Fantasy VI (Japan / SNES) | 25th |
| 07 Apr | Team Fortress Classic (PC) | 20th |
| 14 Apr | Game Boy Light released in Japan | 20th |
| 20 Apr | Manhunt (Xbox) | 15th |
| 21 Apr | Super Mario Land (GB) | 30th |
| 21 Apr | Nintendo Game Boy released in Japan | 30th |
| 30 Apr | Pokémon Stadium (N64) | 20th |
| 30 Apr | Super Mario Bros. Deluxe (GBC) | 20th |
May
| 01 May | X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Multi) | 10th |
| 03 May | Jazz Jackrabbit (PC) | 25th |
| 10 May | (PC) | 10th |
| 12 May | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES) | 30th |
| 24 May | Mario vs. Donkey Kong (GBA) | 15th |
| 31 May | Ape Escape (PS1) | 20th |
| May 1989 | Golden Axe (Arc) | 30th |
June
| 02 Jun | Jagged Alliance (PC) | 25th |
| 05 Jun | Populous (PC) | 30th |
| 07 Jun | Sonic Advance 3 (GBA) | 15th |
| 07 Jun | Zelda: Four Swords Adventures (GC) | 15th |
| 14 Jun | Donkey Kong ’94 (GB) | 25th |
| 17 Jun | Descent 3 (PC) | 20th |
| 19 Jun | Counter-Strike (PC) | 20th |
| 21 Jun | Driver 3 (PS2/Xbox) | 15th |
| 24 Jun | Persona 2 (PS1) | 20th |
| 28 Jun | Pokémon Pinball (GBC) | 20th |
| 30 Jun | Croc 2 (PS1) | 20th |
| 30 Jun | Driver (PS1) | 20th |
| Jun 1994 | Super Game Boy launched | 25th |
July
| 03 Jul | Trine (PC) | 10th |
| 05 Jul | Darkstalkers (Arc) | 25th |
| 11 Jul | Mega Man 2 (NES) | 30th |
| 13 Jul | Tales of Symphonia (GCN) | 15th |
| 21 Jul | Crimson Tears (PS2) | 15th |
| 21 Jul | Little King’s Story (Wii) | 10th |
| 26 Jul | Mario Golf 64 N64) | 20th |
| 26 Jul | Wii Sports Resort (Wii) | 10th |
| 27 Jul | Mother (NES/FAM) | 30th |
| 31 Jul | Nintendo Game Boy released in the US | 30th |
August
| 02 Aug | Earthworm Jim (MD) | 25th |
| 03 Aug | Doom 3 (PC) | 15th |
| 12 Aug | Syphon Filter (PS1) | 20th |
| 16 Aug | Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver (PS1) | 20th |
| 18 Aug | Wolfenstein (Multi) | 10th |
| 19 Aug | TurboGrafx-16 released in the US | 30th |
| 24 Aug | Viewtiful Joe (PS2) | 15th |
| 24 Aug | Metroid Prime Trilogy (Wii) | 10th |
| 25 Aug | The King of Figters (Arc) | 25th |
| 25 Aug | Dissidia Final Fantasy (PSP) | 10th |
| 25 Aug | Batman: Arkham Asylum (Multi) | 10th |
| 26 Aug | Zelda (G&W) | 30th |
| 27 Aug | Mother 2 (Japan / SNES) | 25th |
| 27 Aug | Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun PC) | 20th |
| 30 Aug | Pikmin 2 (GCN) | 15th |
| 31 Aug | The Need for Speed (3DO) | 25th |
| 31 Aug | Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater (PS1/N64) | 20th |
September
| 01 Sep | Guitar Hero 5 (Multi) | 10th |
| 07 Sep | Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen (US / GBA) | 15th |
| 08 Sep | Colin McRae: Dirt 2 (Multi) | 10th |
| 09 Sep | Mortal Kombat 2 (SNES) | 25th |
| 09 Sep | SEGA Dreamcast Released in the US | 20th |
| 09 Sep | Sonic Adventure (DC) | 20th |
| 09 Sep | Soulcalibur (DC) | 20th |
| 12 Sep | Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver (Japan / DS) | 10th |
| 14 Sep | Ducktales (NES) | 30th |
| 14 Sep | Fable (Xbox) | 15th |
| 14 Sep | The Sims 2 (PC) | 15th |
| 14 Sep | Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story (DS) | 10th |
| 15 Sep | Need for Speed: Shift (Multi) | 10th |
| 16 Sep | Pokemon Emerald (Japan / GBA) | 15th |
| 20 Sep | F-Zero GP Legend (GBA) | 15th |
| 20 Sep | Def Jam: Fight for NY (Multi) | 15th |
| 21 Sep | Star Wars: Battlefront (Multi) | 15th |
| 22 Sep | Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (DC) | 20th |
| 22 Sep | Katamari Damacy (PS2) | 15th |
| 25 Sep | Professor Layton and the Diabolical Box (DS) | 10th |
| 29 Sep | Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (DS) | 10th |
| 30 Sep | Grand Theft Auto 2 (PS1) | 20th |
| 30 Sep | Pac-Man World (PS1) | 20th |
October
| 03 Oct | Prince of Persia (Apple) | 30th |
| 03 Oct | Sim City (Amiga/Mac) | 30th |
| 04 Oct | Disciples: Sacred Lands (PC) | 20th |
| 04 Oct | Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 (Multi) | 15th |
| 05 Oct | Mega Man Zero 3 (GBA) | 15th |
| 06 Oct | Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Republic Heroes (Multi) | 10th |
| 10 Oct | Doom II (PC) | 25th |
| 11 Oct | Jet Force Gemini (N64) | 20th |
| 11 Oct | Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (GCN) | 15th |
| 12 Oct | BloodRayne 2 (PS2) | 15th |
| 12 Oct | Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne (PS2) | 15th |
| 13 Oct | Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (Multi) | 10th |
| 14 Oct | Sega Genesis released in the US | 30th |
| 14 Oct | Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3) | 10th |
| 18 Oct | Sonic & Knuckles | 25th |
| 18 Oct | Kirby & the Amazing Mirror (GBA) | 15th |
| 19 Oct | Pokémon Yellow (GBC) | 20th |
| 20 Oct | Marvel Super Hero Squad (Multi) | 10th |
| 26 Oct | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2) | 15th |
| 26 Oct | Dead or Alive Ultimate (Xbox) | 15th |
| 27 Oct | Tekken 6 (Multi) | 10th |
| 29 Oct | Rayman 2: The Great Escape (PS1) | 20th |
| 29 Oct | Bayonetta (Multi) | 10th |
| 31 Oct | Age of Wonders (PC) | 20th |
| 31 Oct | South Park: Chef’s Luv Shack (N64/PS1) | 20th |
| 31 Oct | Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! (PS1) | 20th |
| Oct 1994 | Killer Instinct (arc) | 25th |
November
| 02 Nov | Killzone (PS2) | 15th |
| 03 Nov | Dragon Age: Origins (Multi) | 10th |
| 09 Nov | Halo 2 (Xbox) | 15th |
| 10 Nov | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (Multi) | 10th |
| 11 Nov | Medal of Honor (PS1) | 20th |
| 15 Nov | Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (GC) | 15th |
| 15 Nov | Need for Speed: Underground 2 (Multi) | 15th |
| 15 Nov | New Super Mario Bros Wii (Wii) | 10th |
| 16 Nov | Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 3 (PS2) | 15th |
| 16 Nov | Half-Life 2 (PC) | 15th |
| 16 Nov | Pokémon Rumble (Wii) | 10th |
| 17 Nov | Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2) | 15th |
| 17 Nov | Assassin’s Creed II (Multi) | 10th |
| 17 Nov | Left 4 Dead 2 (Multi) | 10th |
| 18 Nov | Chrono Cross (PS1) | 20th |
| 21 Nov | Donkey Kong Country (SNES) | 25th |
| 21 Nov | Pokémon Gold and Silver (Japan / GBC) | 20th |
| 21 Nov | Metroid Prime Hunters (DS) | 15th |
| 22 Nov | Tomb Raider: The Last Revelation (DC) | 20th |
| 23 Nov | Warcraft: Orcs & Humans (PC) | 25th |
| 24 Nov | Donkey Kong 64 (N64) | 20th |
| 30 Nov | South Park Rally (PS1/N64) | 20th |
| 30 Nov | Unreal Tournament (PC) | 20th |
December
| 02 Dec | The Revenge of Shinobi (MD) | 30th |
| 02 Dec | The Legend of Dragoon (Japan / PS1) | 20th |
| 02 Dec | Quake III Arena (PC) | 20th |
| 03 Dec | PlayStation releasecd in Japan | 25th |
| 05 Dec | Mario Party 6 (GC) | 15th |
| 07 Dec | Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories (GBA) | 15th |
| 07 Dec | The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (DS) | 10th |
| 09 Dec | Tekken (Arc) | 25th |
| 10 Dec | Wario’s Woods (NES) | 25th |
| 11 Dec | Gran Turismo 2 (PS1) | 20th |
| 15 Dec | Bonk’s Adventure (TG16) | 30th |
| 15 Dec | Dragon Ball Z: Budokai 2 (GCN) | 15th |
| 17 Dec | Mario Party 2 (Japan / N64) | 20th |
| 22 Dec | Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse (NES) | 30th |
| 22 Dec | Batman: The Video Game (Japan) | 30th |
| 22 Dec | Harvest Moon 64 (N64) | 20th |
| 24 Dec | Garry’s Mod (PC) | 15th |
| 26 Dec | Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers (Wii) | 10th |
| 28 Dec | Grand Turismo 4 (PS2) | 15th |
| 29 Dec | Shenmue (Japan / DC) | 20th |
| Dec 1989 | Final Fight (Arcade) | 30th |
