1987

This page consists of Nintendo-related events that occurred in 1987.

Timeline of events

• January 14: Nintendo releases Zelda II: The Adventure of Link in Japan.
• March 23: The amount of Famicom units shipped exceeds 10 million.
• August 22: Nintendo releases The Legend of Zelda in North America.
• November 15: Nintendo releases The Legend of Zelda in the Pal area.
• Date unknown: Nintendo releases R-Type to North American arcades. Nintendo acquired the distribution rights from Irem.

The international NES release was complete.

• Date unknown: Nintendo continues releasing the NES in Europe alongside Super Mario Bros.

Third party publisher guide

Japan (debuts)

Publisher	First game	System	Release date
Hot B	The Black Bass	FC	1987-02-06February 6, 1987
Culture Brain	Hiryu no Ken	FC	1987-02-10February 10, 1987
Toho	City Adventure Touch: Mystery of Triangle	FC	1987-03-14March 14, 1987
SOFEL	Cocona World	FDS	1987-04-10April 10, 1987
Bothtec	Relics: Ankoku Yousai	FDS	1987-04-10April 10, 1987
BPS	Igo: Kyuu Roban Taikyoku	FDS	1987-04-14April 14, 1987
Technos Japan	Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-kun	FC	1987-04-17April 17, 1987
Scorpion Soft	Michael English Daibouken	FDS	1987-06-19June 19, 1987
Epic/Sony	Tokoro-san no Mamoru mo Semeru mo	FC	1987-06-27June 27, 1987
Hi-Score Media Work	Zombie Hunter	FC	1987-07-03July 3, 1987
Gakken	Ao no Senritsu	FDS	1987-07-24July 24, 1987
King Records	Miracle Ropitt: 2100-Nen no Daibouken	FC	1987-08-07August 7, 1987
Pack-In-Video	Rambo	FC	1987-12-04December 4, 1987
Coconuts Japan	Mokushi Pachi Pro: Pachi Otto-kun	FC	1987-12-18December 18, 1987

Games released in 1987

Arcade games (North America)

• Vs. Castlevania
• R-Type

Nintendo Entertainment System

• x
• Japan
• North America
• Europe

Please select a region.

118 games were released in Japan.

Title	Publisher	Release Date	Source
Air Fortress	HAL Laboratory	1987-08-17August 17, 1987	[1]
Arabian Dream Scheherazade	Culture Brain	1987-09-03September 3, 1987	[2]
Argos no Senshi: Hachamecha Daishingeki	Tecmo	1987-04-17April 17, 1987	[3]
Artelius	Nihon Bussan	1987-11-13November 13, 1987	[4]
Athena	SNK	1987-06-05June 5, 1987	[5]
Attack Animal Gakuen	Pony Canyon	1987-12-26December 26, 1987	[6]
Bats & Terry	Use	1987-07-22July 22, 1987	[7]
Bio Senshi Dan: Increaser tono Tatakai	Jaleco	1987-09-22September 22, 1987	[8]
Bomber King	Hudson Soft	1987-08-07August 7, 1987	[9]
Booby Kids	Nihon Bussan	1987-07-10July 10, 1987	[10]
Chester Field: Ankoku Shin e no Chousen	Vic Tokai	1987-07-30July 30, 1987	[11]
City Adventure Touch: Mystery of Triangle	Toho	1987-03-14March 14, 1987	[12]
Digital Devil Monogatari: Megami Tensei	Namco	1987-09-11September 11, 1987	[13]
Dragon Buster	Namco	1987-01-07January 7, 1987	[14]
Dragon Quest II: Akuryou no Kamigami	Enix	1987-01-26January 26, 1987	[15]
Dragon Scroll: Yomigaerishi Maryuu	Konami	1987-12-04December 4, 1987	[16]
Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family	Namco	1987-07-17July 17, 1987	[17]
Dynamite Bowl	Toshiba EMI	1987-05-24May 24, 1987	[18]
Elnark no Zaihou	Towa Chiki	1987-08-10August 10, 1987	[19]
Esper Boukentai	Jaleco	1987-10-13October 13, 1987	[20]
Exciting Boxing	Konami	1987-12-16December 16, 1987	[21]
Family Boxing	Namco	1987-06-19June 19, 1987	[22]
Family Jockey	Namco	1987-04-24April 24, 1987	[23]
Family Mahjong	Namco	1987-08-11August 11, 1987	[24]
Family Tennis	Namco	1987-12-11December 11, 1987	[25]
Family Trainer: Aerobics Studio	Bandai	1987-02-26February 26, 1987	[26]
Family Trainer: Famitre Daiundoukai	Bandai	1987-11-27November 27, 1987	[27]
Family Trainer: Jogging Race	Bandai	1987-05-28May 28, 1987	[28]
Family Trainer: Manhattan Police	Bandai	1987-08-31August 31, 1987	[29]
Family Trainer: Meiro Daisakusen	Bandai	1987-07-31July 31, 1987	[30]
Family Trainer: Totsugeki! Fuuun Takeshi Shiro	Bandai	1987-12-28December 28, 1987	[31]
Fantasy Zone	Sunsoft	1987-07-20July 20, 1987	[32]
Faxanadu	Hudson Soft	1987-11-16November 16, 1987	[33]
Final Fantasy	Square	1987-12-18December 18, 1987	[34]
Gegege no Kitarou 2: Youkai Gundan no Chousen	Bandai	1987-12-22December 22, 1987	[35]
Getsufuu Maden	Konami	1987-07-07July 7, 1987	[36]
Ginga no Sannin(JPJapanese: 銀河の三人 Romaji: Ginga no Sannin)	Nintendo	1987-12-15December 15, 1987	[37]
Golf Club: Birdie Rush	Data East	1987-12-09December 9, 1987	[38]
Haja no Fuuin	ASCII	1987-10-13October 13, 1987	[39]
Hana no Star Kaidou	Victor	1987-03-17March 17, 1987	[40]
Hector '87	Hudson Soft	1987-07-16July 16, 1987	[41]
Heracles no Eikou: Toujin Makyouden	Data East	1987-06-12June 12, 1987	[42]
Hi no Tori: Gaou no Bouken	Konami	1987-01-04January 4, 1987	[43]
Higemaru Makaijima: Nanatsu no Shima Daibouken	Capcom	1987-04-14April 14, 1987	[44]
Highway Star	Square	1987-08-07August 7, 1987	[45]
Hikari no Senshi Photon: The Ultimate Game on Planet Earth	Takara	1987-08-28August 28, 1987	[46]
Hiryu no Ken: Ougi no Sho	Culture Brain	1987-02-14February 14, 1987	[47]
Hokkaidou Rensa Satsujin: Ohotsuku ni Kiyu	ASCII	1987-06-27June 27, 1987	[48]
Hokuto no Ken II: Seikimatsu Kyuuseishu Densetsu	Toei Animation	1987-04-17April 17, 1987	[49]
Hoshi o Miru Hito	HOT B	1987-10-27October 27, 1987	[50]
Ide Yosuke Meijin no Jissen Mahjong	Capcom	1987-09-24September 24, 1987	[51]
Igo: Kyuu Roban Taikyoku	BPS	1987-08-11August 11, 1987	[52]
Ikinari Musician	Tokyo Shoseki	1987-03-05March 5, 1987	[53]
Indora no Hikari	Kemco	1987-10-20October 20, 1987	[54]
Jikuu Yuten: Debias	Namco	1987-11-27November 27, 1987	[55]
JJ: Tobidase Daisakusen Part II	Square	1987-12-07December 7, 1987	[56]
Jongbou	K Amusement Leasing	1987-07-18July 18, 1987	[57]
Joust	HAL Laboratory	1987-10-30October 30, 1987	[58]
Kaiketsu Yancha Maru	Irem	1987-10-02October 2, 1987	[59]
Karaoke Studio	Bandai	1987-07-30July 30, 1987	[60]
Karaoke Studio Senyou Cassette Vol. 1	Bandai	1987-10-28October 28, 1987	[61]
Karnov	Namco	1987-12-18December 18, 1987	[62]
Kyonshis 2	Taito	1987-09-25September 25, 1987	[63]
Labyrinth: Maou no Meikyuu	Tokuma Shoten	1987-01-07January 7, 1987	[64]
Law of the West	Pony Canyon	1987-03-06March 6, 1987	[65]
Lost Word of Jenny: Ushinawareta Message	Takara	1987-03-25March 25, 1987	[66]
Lupin Sansei: Pandora no Isan	Namco	1987-11-06November 6, 1987	[67]
Magnum Kiki Ippatsu: Empire City 1931	Toshiba EMI	1987-12-15December 15, 1987	[68]
Majou Densetsu II: Daimashikyou Galious	Konami	1987-08-11August 11, 1987	[69]
Metal Gear	Konami	1987-12-22December 22, 1987	[70]
Mezase Pachi Pro: Pachiokun	Coconuts Japan	1987-12-18December 18, 1987	[71]
Mickey Mouse: Fushigi no Kuni do Daibouken	Hudson Soft	1987-03-06March 6, 1987	[72]
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!(JPJapanese: マイクタイソン・パンチアウト!! Romaji: Maiku Taison Panchi Auto!!)	Nintendo	1987-11-21November 21, 1987	[73]
Millipede: Kyodai Konchuu no Gyakushuu	HAL Laboratory	1987-10-01October 1, 1987	[74]
Minelvaton Saga: Ragon no Fukkatsu	Taito	1987-10-23October 23, 1987	[75]
Miracle Ropitt: 2100-Toshi no Daibouken	King Records	1987-08-07August 7, 1987	[76]
Mirai Shinwa Jarvas	Taito	1987-06-30June 30, 1987	[77]
Moero!! Pro Yakyuu	Jaleco	1987-06-26June 26, 1987	[78]
Momotarou Densetsu: Peach Boy Legend	Hudson Soft	1987-10-26October 26, 1987	[79]
Morita Shogi	SETA	1987-04-14April 14, 1987	[80]
Mugen Senshi Valis	Tokuma Shoten	1987-08-21August 21, 1987	[81]
Nankoku Shirei!! Spy vs. Spy	Kemco	1987-03-27March 27, 1987	[82]
Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-Kun	Technos Japan	1987-04-17April 17, 1987	[83]
Outlanders	Victor	1987-12-04December 4, 1987	[84]
Pocket Zaurus: Ju Ouken no Nazo	Bandai	1987-02-27February 27, 1987	[85]
Pro Yakyuu Family Stadium '87	Namco	1987-12-22December 22, 1987	[86]
Rambo	Pack-In-Video	1987-12-04December 4, 1987	[87]
RockMan	Capcom	1987-12-17December 17, 1987	[88]
Romancia	Tokyo Shoseki	1987-10-30October 30, 1987	[89]
Saint Seiya: Ougon Densetsu	Bandai	1987-08-10August 10, 1987	[90]
Salamander	Konami	1987-09-25September 25, 1987	[91]
Sanma no Meitantei	Namco	1987-04-02April 2, 1987	[92]
Shanghai	Sunsoft	1987-12-04December 4, 1987	[93]
Shinjinrui: The New Type	Hudson Soft	1987-02-10February 10, 1987	[94]
Side Pocket	Namco	1987-10-30October 30, 1987	[95]
Spelunker II: Yuushahe no Chousen	Irem	1987-09-18September 18, 1987	[96]
Star Wars	Namco	1987-12-04December 4, 1987	[97]
Stargate	HAL Laboratory	1987-09-24September 24, 1987	[98]
Stick Hunter: Exciting Ice Hockey	K Amusement Leasing	1987-12-18December 18, 1987	[99]
Superman	Kemco	1987-12-22December 22, 1987	[100]
SWAT: Special Weapons and Tactics	Toei Animation	1987-09-11September 11, 1987	[101]
Taito Grand Prix: Eikou e no License	Taito	1987-12-18December 18, 1987	[102]
Takahashi Meijin no Bug-tte Honey	Hudson Soft	1987-06-05June 5, 1987	[103]
Tenka no Goikenban: Mito Koumon	Sunsoft	1987-08-11August 11, 1987	[104]
Tetsudou-Oh	DB Soft	1987-12-12December 12, 1987	[105]
The Black Bass	HOT B	1987-02-06February 6, 1987	[106]
The Goonies II: Fratelli Saigo no Chousen	Konami	1987-03-18March 18, 1987	[107]
Tokoro-san no Mamorumo Semerumo	Epic/Sony Records	1987-06-27June 27, 1987	[108]
Top Gun	Konami	1987-12-11December 11, 1987	[109]
Tsuppari Oozumou	Tecmo	1987-09-18September 18, 1987	[110]
Uchuusen Cosmo Carrier	Jaleco	1987-11-06November 6, 1987	[111]
Ultima: Kyoufu no Exodus	Pony Canyon	1987-10-09October 9, 1987	[112]
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord	ASCII	1987-12-22December 22, 1987	[113]
Woody Poko	DB Soft	1987-06-20June 20, 1987	[114]
Yamamura Misa Suspense: Kyouto Ryuu no Tera Satsujin Jiken	Taito	1987-12-11December 11, 1987	[115]
Youkai Club	Jaleco	1987-05-19May 19, 1987	[116]
Zoids: Chuuou Tairiku no Tatakai	Toshiba EMI	1987-09-05September 5, 1987	[117]
Zombie Hunter	Hi-Score Media Work	1987-07-03July 3, 1987	[118]

53 licensed and 2 unlicensed games were released in North America.

Title	Publisher	Release Date	Source
Trojan	Capcom	1987-02February 1987	[119]
Pro Wrestling	Nintendo	1987-03March 1987	[120]
Soccer	Nintendo	1987-03March 1987	[121]
Volleyball	Nintendo	1987-03March 1987	[122]
Rush'n Attack	Konami	1987-04April 1987	[123]
Track & Field	Konami	1987-04April 1987	[124]
BurgerTime	Data East	1987-05May 1987	[125]
Castlevania	Konami	1987-05May 1987	[126]
Ikari Warriors	SNK	1987-05May 1987	[127]
Side Pocket	Data East	1987-06June 1987	[128]
Athletic World	Bandai	1987-07July 1987	[129]
Kid Icarus	Nintendo	1987-07July 1987	[130]
Mighty Bomb Jack	Tecmo	1987-07July 1987	[131]
Rygar	Tecmo	1987-07July 1987	[132]
Section-Z	Capcom	1987-07July 1987	[133]
Solomon's Key	Tecmo	1987-07July 1987	[134]
Arkanoid	Taito	1987-08August 1987	[135]
Athena	SNK	1987-08August 1987	[136]
Elevator Action	Taito	1987-08August 1987	[137]
Metroid	Nintendo	1987-08-15August 1987	[138]
Slalom	Nintendo	1987-08August 1987	[139]
The Legend of Kage	Taito	1987-08August 1987	[140]
The Legend of Zelda	Nintendo	1987-08August 1987	[141]
3-D WorldRunner	Acclaim	1987-09September 1987	[142]
Deadly Towers	Brøderbund	1987-09September 1987	[143]
Double Dribble	Konami	1987-09September 1987	[144]
Lode Runner	Brøderbund	1987-09September 1987	[145]
Raid on Bungeling Bay	Brøderbund	1987-09September 1987	[146]
Ring King	Data East	1987-09September 1987	[147]
Sky Kid	Sunsoft	1987-09September 1987	[148]
Spelunker	Brøderbund	1987-09September 1987	[149]
Spy Hunter	Sunsoft	1987-09September 1987	[150]
Sqoon	Irem	1987-09September 1987	[151]
Stadium Events	Bandai	1987-09September 1987	[152]
Star Voyager	Acclaim	1987-09September 1987	[153]
Stinger	Konami	1987-09September 1987	[154]
Tiger-Heli	Acclaim	1987-09September 1987	[155]
Winter Games	Acclaim	1987-09September 1987	[156]
Alpha Mission	SNK	1987-10October 1987	[157]
Lunar Pool	FCI	1987-10October 1987	[158]
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!	Nintendo	1987-10October 1987	[159]
Rad Racer	Nintendo	1987-10October 1987	[160]
Zanac	FCI	1987-10October 1987	[161]
BreakThru	Data East	1987-11November 1987	[162]
Gotcha! The Sport!	LJN	1987-11November 1987	[163]
Jaws	LJN	1987-11November 1987	[164]
Kid Niki: Radical Ninja	Data East	1987-11November 1987	[165]
Star Force	Tecmo	1987-11November 1987	[166]
Super Pitfall	Activision	1987-11November 1987	[167]
The Goonies II	Konami	1987-11November 1987	[168]
The Karate Kid	LJN	1987-11November 1987	[169]
Top Gun	Konami	1987-11November 1987	[170]
Mega Man	Capcom	1987-12December 1987	[171]
Wizards & Warriors	Acclaim	1987-12December 1987	[172]

21 games were released in Europe.

Title	Publisher	Release Date	Source
Alpha Mission	SNK	19871987	[173]
Balloon Fight	Nintendo	1987-03March 1987	[174]
Clu Clu Land	Nintendo	1987-02February 1987	[175]
Devil World	Nintendo	1987-07July 1987	[176]
Donkey Kong 3	Nintendo	1987-09September 1987	[177]
Donkey Kong Jr.	Nintendo	1987-06June 1987	[178]
Duck Hunt	Nintendo	1987-08August 1987	[179]
Hogan's Alley	Nintendo	1987-12December 1987	[180]
Kid Icarus	Nintendo	1987-02February 1987	[181]
Kung Fu	Nintendo	1987-04April 1987	[182]
Les Chevaliers du Zodiaque: La Legende d'Or	Bandai	19871987	[183]
Lunar Pool	FCI	19871987	[184]
Mach Rider	Nintendo	1987-03March 1987	[185]
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!	Nintendo	1987-12December 1987	[186]
Pro Wrestling	Nintendo	1987-09September 1987	[187]
Slalom	Nintendo	1987-10October 1987	[188]
Soccer	Nintendo	1987-01January 1987	[189]
Super Mario Bros.	Nintendo	1987-05May 1987	[190]
The Legend of Zelda	Nintendo	1987-11November 1987	[191]
Volleyball	Nintendo	1987-11November 1987	[192]
Wrecking Crew	Nintendo	1987-10October 1987	[193]

Family Computer Disk System

• x
• Japan

Please select a region.

69 games were released.

Title	Publisher	Release Date	Source
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link	Nintendo	1987-01-14January 14, 1987
Eggerland	HAL Laboratory	1987-01-29January 29, 1987
Ultraman: Kaijuu Teikoku no Gyakushuu	Bandai	1987-01-29January 29, 1987
Nazolerland	Sunsoft	1987-02-06February 6, 1987
Esper Dream	Konami	1987-02-20February 20, 1987
Famicom Golf: Japan Course	Nintendo	1987-02-21February 21, 1987
Marchen Veil	Sunsoft	1987-03-03March 3, 1987
Super Lode Runner	Sunsoft	1987-03-05March 5, 1987
Tobidase Daisakusen	Square	1987-03-12March 12, 1987
Chitei Tairiku Ordola	Sunsoft	1987-03-27March 27, 1987
Otocky	ASCII	1987-03-27March 27, 1987
Dirty Pair: Project Eden	Bandai	1987-03-28March 28, 1987
Apple Town Monogatari	Square	1987-04-03April 3, 1987
Cocona World	SOFEL	1987-04-10April 10, 1987
Green Beret	Konami	1987-04-10April 10, 1987
Relics: Ankoku Yousai	Bothtec	1987-04-10April 10, 1987
Igo: Kyuu Roban Taikyoku	BPS	1987-04-14April 14, 1987
Fuuun: Shourin Ken	Jaleco	1987-04-17April 17, 1987
Ai Senshi Nicol	Konami	1987-04-24April 24, 1987
Detective Saburō Jingūji: Shinjuku Central Park Murder Mystery	Data East	1987-04-24April 24, 1987
Hao-kun no Fushigi na Tabi	Square	1987-05-01May 1, 1987
Kinnikuman: Kinniku-Sei Ooi Soudatsusen	Bandai	1987-05-01May 1, 1987
Kineko Vol. II	Irem	1987-05-01May 1, 1987
Seiken: Psycho Calibur	Imagineer	1987-05-19May 19, 1987
Pro Golfer Saru: Kage no Tournament	Bandai	1987-05-25May 25, 1987
Section Z	Capcom	1987-05-25May 25, 1987
Meikyuu Jiin Dababa	Konami	1987-05-29May 29, 1987
Smash Ping Pong	Nintendo	1987-05-30May 30, 1987
Yuushi no Monshou	Square	1987-05-30May 30, 1987
Reflect World	East Cube	1987-06-02June 2, 1987
Nazoler Land Dai 2-gou	Sunsoft	1987-06-12June 12, 1987
Famicom Golf: U.S. Course	Nintendo	1987-06-14June 14, 1987
Dr. Chaos	Pony Canyon	1987-06-19June 19, 1987
Michael English Daibouken	Scorpion Soft	1987-06-19June 19, 1987
Exciting Billiard	Konami	1987-06-26June 26, 1987
Jikai Shounen Mettomag	Square	1987-07-03July 3, 1987
Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic	Fuji TV	1987-07-10July 10, 1987
Cleopatra no Mahou	Square	1987-07-24July 24, 1987
Exciting Basketball	Konami	1987-07-24July 24, 1987
Ao no Senritsu	Gakken	1987-07-24July 24, 1987
Monty no Doki Doki Daisassou	Jaleco	1987-07-31July 31, 1987
Mahjong Kazoku	Irem	1987-08-04August 4, 1987
Almana no Kiseki	Konami	1987-08-11August 11, 1987
Super Lode Runner II	Irem	1987-08-25August 25, 1987
Dracula II: Noroi no Fuuin	Konami	1987-08-28August 28, 1987
Kiki Kaikai: Dotou Hen	Taito	1987-08-28August 28, 1987
Transformers: The Headmasters	Takara	1987-08-28August 28, 1987
Shin Onigashima (Part one)	Nintendo	1987-09-04September 4, 1987
Shin Onigashima (Part two)	Nintendo	1987-09-30September 30, 1987
Pulsar no Hikari	Soft Pro	1987-10-02October 2, 1987
Kalin no Tsurugi	Square	1987-10-02October 2, 1987
Topple Zip	Bothtec	1987-10-09October 9, 1987
Falsion	Konami	1987-10-21October 21, 1987
Youkai Yashiki	Irem	1987-10-23October 23, 1987
Famicom Grand Prix: F-1 Race	Nintendo	1987-10-30October 30, 1987
Bubble Bobble	Taito	1987-10-30October 30, 1987
Family Composer	Tokyo Shoseki	1987-10-30October 30, 1987
Tanigawa Kouji no Shōgi Shinan II	Pony Canyon	1987-11-13November 13, 1987
Kick Challenger: Air Foot	Vap	1987-11-20November 20, 1987
Nakayama Miho no Tokimeki High School	Nintendo	1987-12-01December 1, 1987
Doremikko	Konami	1987-12-04December 4, 1987
Santa Claus no Takarabako	Data East	1987-12-04December 4, 1987
Exciting Baseball	Konami	1987-12-08December 8, 1987
Gokuraku Yuugi: Game Tengoku	SOFEL	1987-12-12December 12, 1987
Nazoler Land Special	Sunsoft	1987-12-18December 18, 1987
Ultraman 2: Shutsugeki Katoku Tai	Bandai	1987-12-18December 18, 1987

Character debuts

• Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!: Little Mac, Doc Louis, Von Kaiser, Piston Honda, Don Flamenco, Soda Popinski, King Hippo, Mike Tyson (Character)
• Kid Icarus: Pit, Palutena, Eggplant Wizard, Reaper, Medusa
• Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic: Shy Guy, Snifit, Beezo, Cobrat, Pokey, Pidgit, Phanto, Albatoss, Bob-omb, Autobomb, Ostro, Tweeter, Birdo, Mouser, Fryguy, Tryclyde, Wart/Namu