1990

1990 was a year of continued expansion of the computer and video game markets.

Computer market

Computers

Apple released several Macintosh computers, including the Macintosh Classic, Macintosh IIfx, Macintosh IIsi, and the Macintosh LC.

Atari Corporation released a model of Atari ST known as the Atari TT030.

Commodore International released the Amiga 3000 which introduced the Enhanced Chip Set.

Dell Computer Corporation began selling computers in warehouse clubs and computer superstores. This model would prove unprofitable, leading Dell to switch to a direct-to-consumer model.

To facilitate the manufacture of computers for the African, European, and Middle Eastern markets, Dell Computer opened the Dell European Manufacturing Facility in Limerick, Ireland.

Gateway 2000, a manufacturer IBM PC compatible computers, moved its headquarters from Sioux City, Iowa, to North Sioux City, South Dakota, because South Dakota did not have income taxes at the time.

IBM released the PS/1. The PS/2, released in 1987, failed to set a new standard. Instead, Technologies such as VESA, EISA, and PCI were standardized. The PS/1 was a less expensive and more limited machine than the PS/2 that returned to the architecture of its IBM PC AT line including an IDE disk interface, an ISA bus for component cards, and VGA graphics.

In Japan, IBM released three models of Personal System/55 computers. The IBM 5535-S was a 16 MHz i386SX laptop, the 5540-T was a 20 MHz i386SX desktop, the 5545-T was a 20 MHz i386SX smart television, the 5560-W was a 25 MHz Intel i486 desktop, and the 5580-Y was a 30 MHz i486 tower.

NeXT released the NeXTcube and a more affordable version known as the NeXTstation.

Computer components

Intel released the 32-bit i386SL microprocessor, a low-powered version of the i386 DX. It also released an update to the 32-bit i486DX microprocessor which fixed a bug that could cause computers to hang.

Motorola released the 68040, a 32-bit microprocessor, as the successor of the 68030.

Operating systems

Apple released version 6.0.5 of Mac OS with the release of Macintosh IIfx. Version 6.0.6 wasn't released due to a bug that would cause a crash if the computer was connected to an AppleTalk network. However, Mac OS 6.0.6 was mistakenly included on some Macintosh Classic computers. Mac OS 6.0.7 came out with the release of Macintosh LC, Macintosh IIsi, and Mac Classic computers.

Atari Corporation released versions 1.62 and 2.05 of TOS, the operating system for AtariST computers.

Be Inc. began development of BeOS, an operating system that would eventually see release in 1995.

Commodore International released version 2.0 of the Amiga operating system with the release of the Amiga 3000 computer.

Digital Research released version 5.0 of DR DOS, the MS-DOS compatible operating system.

IBM released OS/2 1.3. This was the last version of OS/2 that was co-developed by Microsoft. The development collaboration between IBM and Microsoft ended to allow Microsoft to realign its business model to focus on the development of Windows.

NeXT released version 2.0 of NeXTSTEP, which added support for the NeXTcube and the NeXTstation.

Software

CERN released Tim Berners-Lee's WorldWideWeb, the first World Wide Web browser and web editor, on BITNET alongside a web page dedicated to it.

Microsoft released Windows 3.0, the third iteration of its graphical operating environment for DOS. Windows 3.0a, a bugfix release, was released approximately seven months later.

Internet

As part of the transition of the internet to the World Wide Web, ARPANET and CSNET were shut down. NSFNET and BITNET remained online until 1995 and 1996, respectively.

Video game market

8-bit video game consoles

Commodore International released the Commodore 64 Game System, based on the 8-bit Commodore 64 computer, exclusively in Europe.

Nintendo released the monochrome portable video game console, Game Boy, in Europe.

Samurai Electronics, the official distributor of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in India under the Samurai Electronic TV Game brand name, began selling Family Computer (Famicom) clone systems from TXC Corporation. The Micro Genius IQ-501 was rebranded as the Samurai IQ-501 and the Micro Genius IQ-2000 was rebranded as the Samurai IQ-2000.

Sega released the Master System II in Europe, North America, and Oceania.

16-bit video game consoles

NEC released the PC Engine in Spain.

Nintendo released the Super Famicom in Japan.

Philips and Sony introduced the Compact Disc-Interactive format that extended CDDA and CD-ROM to combine audio, text, and graphics. CD-i systems would not be released for home consumers until 1991, however, Sony released hybrid home and portable Intelligent Discman branded CD-i systems for the professional market.

Sega released the Mega Drive in Brazil, Europe, Oceania, and South Korea.

SNK released the Neo Geo AES, the home version of the Neo Geo MVS arcade board, to rental outlets in Japan.

Video games

Capcom released two video game adaptions of Disney television series.Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers was released for the NES and arcade in Japan and North America. DuckTales was released for the NES in Europe and Japan and on the Game Boy in Japan and North America.

Intelligent Systems and Nintendo R&D1 developed the first game in the Fire Emblem series, Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon and the Blade of Light for the Famicom.

Jaleco released Bases Loaded on the Game Boy in North America.

Nintendo R&D1 developed the first entry in the Dr. Mario series with an NES version, an arcade version, and a Game Boy version. Another Nintendo division, Nintendo R&D3, developed StarTropics for the NES.

Nintendo EAD developed the two Japanese launch titles for the Super Famicom, F-Zero and Super Mario World. Other Super Famicom titles released in 1990 include ActRaiser by Quintet, Bombuzal by Image Works, Final Fight by Capcom, Gradius III by Konami, Pilotwings by Nintendo EAD, Populous by Bullfrog Productions, and SD The Great Battle by Banpresto.

Arcade market

Nintendo released the last game to use the VS. System arcade board, VS. Dr. Mario.

Games for Nintendo's timer-limited NES-based PlayChoice-10 arcade board also continued to be released, including Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, Mega Man 3, and Yo! Noid by Capcom, Super C and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game by Konami, Dr. Mario by Nintendo R&D1, Super Mario Bros. 3 by Nintendo R&D4, Captain Skyhawk, Pin Bot, and Solar Jetman by Rare, Rad Racer II by Square, Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos by Tecmo, and Nintendo World Cup by Technōs Japan.

Sega purchased Jay Geertsen's 1989 puzzle game, Columns, from Hewlett Packard and ported it to the System C arcade board.

The System 32 arcade board was introduced by Sega with the release of Rad Mobile. This game marked the first appearance of Sonic the Hedgehog, as an ornament hanging on the rearview mirror.

SNK released the Neo Geo MVS board, along with two video games titled Magician Lord and Top Player's Golf.

Due to a law enacted in Japan that required all arcade cabinets to be shipped with a working game so that purchasers could plug it in and immediately test whether the cabinet was functional, Sega created Dottori-kun as a simple game with a cheap 4Mhz Zilog Z80 CPU, limited graphics, and no sound. This game was intended to be included in the cabinet and then discarded by the purchaser.

Companies and organizations founded

On October 24, 1990, North Korea opened the Korea Computer Center (조선컴퓨터센터, Chosŏn Computer Center), the front-facing information technology research center run by the isolated nation.

In October 1990, the Japanese film company Matsushita Promotion was founded.

The American multimedia company, Lucasfilm, consolidated Lucasfilm Games, Industrial Light and Magic, and Skywalker Sound into LucasArts.

Rare purchased Zippo Games, which Rare had subcontracted to develop NES games, and renamed it Rare Manchester.

Companies and organizations closed

Hasbro closed Axlon, a toy maker and video game developer that Atari co-founder Nolan Bushnell founded in 1980.