1986

The The Legend of Zelda series began...

...and so did the Metroid series.

This page consists of Nintendo-related events that occured in 1986.

Timeline

• January 31: About 6.2 million Famicom units have been shipped.
• February 21: Nintendo releases the Famicom Disk System (FDS) in Japan alongside The Hyrule Fantasy: Zelda no Densetsu (The Legend of Zelda). It is later reported that Nintendo's future games will only be available for the Disk System, and that Nintendo's reason for this decision is that the limitations of ROM cartridges at the time did not allow them to make games that could surpass those they already put out on the market.
• April: Kensuke Tanabe joins Nintendo.
• April 14: Nintendo releases Nazo no Murasame-jō.
• April 15: It is reported that Nihon Bussan became a third-party publisher for the Famicom.
• May 27: The Dragon Quest (series) debuts with its first installment originally released for the Famicom and years later for the West, under the name of Dragon Warrior.
• June 3: Nintendo releases the FDS game Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan. This version was first officially made playable outside of Japan on the Wii's Virtual Console in 2007.
• August: Nintendo releases the PlayChoice-10.
• August 6: Nintendo releases Metroid in Japan.

NES released in Europe.

• September 1: Nintendo launches the NES throughout Europe.
• December 19: Nintendo releases Kid Icarus in Japan.

Third party publisher guide

Japan (debuts)

Publisher	First game	System	Release date
Toei Animation	Baltron	FC	1986-03-19March 19, 1986
Nihon Bussan	MagMax	FC	1986-03-19March 19, 1986
Tecmo	Mighty Bomb Jack	FC	1986-04-24April 24, 1986
Tokyo Shoseki	Keisan Game	FC	1986-04-25April 25, 1986
Data East	B-Wings	FC	1986-06-03June 3, 1986
Royal Industries	I Am a Teacher: Super Mario Sweater	FDS	1986-08-27August 27, 1986
SNK	ASO: Armored Scrum Project	FC	1986-09-03September 3, 1986
Victor	Banana	FC	1986-09-08September 8, 1986
Kawada	Othello	FDS	1986-10-13October 13, 1986
Imagineer	Ginga Denshō: Galaxy Odyssey	FDS	1986-11-06November 6, 1986
Vic Tokai	Aigiina no Yogen: From the Legend of Balubalouk	FC	1986-11-21November 21, 1986
VAP	Ganso Saiyuki: Super Monkey Daiboken	FC	1986-11-21November 21, 1986
K Amusement	Ikari	FC	1986-11-26November 26, 1986
Takara	The Transformers: Mystery of Convoy	FC	1986-12-05December 5, 1986
Use	Hottaman no Chitei Tanken	FC	1986-12-06December 6, 1986
HAL Laboratory	Gall Force	FDS	1986-12-10December 10, 1986
Towa Chiki	Sherlock Holmes: Hakushaku Reijo Yukai Jiken	FDS	1986-12-11December 11, 1986
CBS/Sony	Seikima II: Akuma no Gyakushu!	FC	1986-12-25December 25, 1986
Fuji Television	All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros.	FDS	19861986

North America (debuts)

Publisher	First game	Release date
Data East	Tag Team Wrestling	1986-10October 1986
Bandai	Chubby Cherub	1986-10October 1986
	M.U.S.C.L.E.
	Ninja Kid
Capcom	1942	1986-11November 1986
	Commando
	Ghosts 'n Goblins
Konami	Gradius	1986-12December 1986

Japan (last games)

Publisher	Last game	System	Release date
Royal Industries	I Am a Teacher: Teami no Kiso	FDS	1986-09-26September 26, 1986

Births

• January 24: Edward Bosco - Voice actor
• February 1: Yuma Ito - Violinist
• February 24: Bryce Papenbrook - Voice actor
• April 27: Jenna Coleman - Voice actress of Melia in Xenoblade Chronicles
• May 8:
  • Satomi Sato - Voice actress of Female Corrin in Fire Emblem: Three Houses
  • Abby Trott - Voice actress of Annette Fantine Dominic in Fire Emblem: Three Houses
• June 12: Kengo Takanashi - Voice actor of Link in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
• August 2: Ryota Osaka - Voice actor
• September 17: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka - Voice actor
• October 24: Nobuhiko Okamoto - Voice actor and singer
• December 25: Aya Suzaki - Voice actress

Character debuts

• The Legend of Zelda: Link, Princess Zelda, Ganon(dorf), Aquamentus
• Murasame Castle: Takamaru
• Metroid: Samus Aran, Ridley, Kraid, Mother Brain
• Castlevania: Simon Belmont, Dracula
• Kid Icarus: Pit, Palutena, Eggplant Wizard, Reaper, Medusa

Games released in 1986

Vs. System (North America)

• Vs. Super Mario Bros.
• Vs. Gumshoe
• Vs. Slalom
• Vs. Gradius
• Vs. The Goonies

Nintendo Entertainment System

• x
• Japan
• North America
• Europe

Please select a region.

86 games were released in Japan.

Title	Publisher	Release Date	Source
TwinBee	Konami	1986-01-04January 4, 1986	[1]
SonSon	Capcom	1986-02-08February 8, 1986	[2]
The Goonies	Konami	1986-02-21February 21, 1986	[3]
Circus Charlie	Soft Pro International	1986-03-04March 4, 1986	[4]
Ninja Hattori-kun: Ninja wa Shūgyō de Gozaru no Maki	Hudson Soft	1986-03-05March 5, 1986	[5]
Gyrodine	Taito	1986-03-13March 13, 1986	[6]
Hydlide Special	Toshiba EMI	1986-03-18March 18, 1986	[7]
MagMax	Nihon Bussan	1986-03-18March 18, 1986	[8]
Baltron	Toei Animation	1986-03-19March 19, 1986	[9]
Tag Team Pro Wrestling	Namco	1986-04-02April 2, 1986	[10]
Argus	Jaleco	1986-04-17April 17, 1986	[11]
Atlantis no Nazo	Sunsoft	1986-04-17April 17, 1986	[12]
Gegege no Kitaro: Youkai Daimakyou	Bandai	1986-04-17April 17, 1986	[13]
Dig Dug II	Namco	1986-04-18April 18, 1986	[14]
Kage no Densetsu	Taito	1986-04-18April 18, 1986	[15]
Mighty Bomb Jack	Tecmo	1986-04-24April 24, 1986	[16]
Gradius	Konami	1986-04-25April 25, 1986	[17]
Keisan Game Sansū 1-nen	Tokyo Shoseki	1986-04-25April 25, 1986	[18]
Keisan Game Sansū 2-nen	Tokyo Shoseki	1986-04-25April 25, 1986	[19]
Keisan Game Sansū 3-nen	Tokyo Shoseki	1986-04-25April 25, 1986	[20]
Spy vs. Spy	Kemco	1986-04-26April 26, 1986	[21]
Seicross	Nihon Bussan	1986-05-19May 19, 1986	[22]
Dragon Quest	Enix	1986-05-27May 27, 1986	[23]
B-Wings	Data East	1986-06-03June 3, 1986	[24]
Bird Week	Toshiba EMI	1986-06-03June 3, 1986	[25]
Makaimura	Capcom	1986-06-13June 13, 1986	[26]
Star Soldier	Hudson Soft	1986-06-13June 13, 1986	[27]
Super Chinese	Namco	1986-06-20June 20, 1986	[28]
Choplifter	Jaleco	1986-06-26June 26, 1986	[29]
Sqoon	Irem	1986-06-26June 26, 1986	[30]
Kanshaku Tamanage Kantarō no Tōkaidō Gojūsan-tsugi	Sunsoft	1986-07-03July 3, 1986	[31]
Babel no Tō(JPJapanese: バベルの塔 Romaji: Babel no Tō)	Namco	1986-07-18July 18, 1986	[32]
Ganbare Goemon! Karakuri Dōchū	Konami	1986-07-30July 30, 1986	[33]
Solomon no Kagi	Tecmo	1986-07-30July 30, 1986	[34]
Valkyrie no Bōken: Toki no Kagi Densetsu	Namco	1986-08-01August 1, 1986	[35]
Musashi no Ken: Tadaima Shugyō Chū	Taito	1986-08-08August 8, 1986	[36]
Hokuto no Ken	Toei Animation	1986-08-10August 10, 1986	[37]
JaJaMaru no Daibōken	Jaleco	1986-08-22August 22, 1986	[38]
Sky Kid	Namco	1986-08-22August 22, 1986	[39]
Mobile Suit Z Gundam: Hot Scramble	Bandai	1986-08-28August 28, 1986	[40]
ASO: Armored Scrum Object	SNK	1986-09-03September 3, 1986	[41]
Super Pitfall	Pony Canyon	1986-09-05September 5, 1986	[42]
Banana	Victor	1986-09-08September 8, 1986	[43]
Takahashi Meijin no Bouken Jima	Hudson Soft	1986-09-12September 12, 1986	[44]
King's Knight	Square	1986-09-18September 18, 1986	[45]
Super Xevious: GAMP no Nazo(JPJapanese: スーパーゼビウス ガンプの謎 Romaji: Sūpā Zebiusu Ganpu no Nazo)	Namco	1986-09-19September 19, 1986	[46]
Ghostbusters	Tokuma Shoten	1986-09-22September 22, 1986	[47]
Space Hunter	Kemco	1986-09-25September 25, 1986	[48]
Senjou no Ookami	Capcom	1986-09-27September 27, 1986	[49]
Terra Cresta	Nihon Bussan	1986-09-27September 27, 1986	[50]
Buggy Popper	Data East	1986-10-08October 8, 1986	[51]
Urusei Yatsura: Lum's Wedding Bell	Jaleco	1986-10-23October 23, 1986	[52]
Keisan Game Sansū 4-nen	Tokyo Shoseki	1986-10-30October 30, 1986	[53]
Keisan Game Sansū 5+6-nen	Tokyo Shoseki	1986-10-30October 30, 1986	[54]
Mississippi Satsujin Jiken	Jaleco	1986-10-31October 31, 1986	[55]
Super Star Force: Jikūreki no Himitsu	Tecmo	1986-11-11November 11, 1986	[56]
Family Trainer: Athletic World	Bandai	1986-11-12November 12, 1986	[57]
Meikyuu Kumikyoku: Miron no Daibouken	Hudson Soft	1986-11-13November 13, 1986	[58]
Othello	Kawada	1986-11-13November 13, 1986	[59]
Aigīna no Yogen: Barubarūku no Densetsu Yori(JPJapanese: アイギーナの予言 バルバルークの伝説より Romaji: Aigīna no Yogen: Barubarūku no Densetsu Yori)	Vic Tokai	1986-11-21November 21, 1986	[60]
Ganso Saiyūki: Super Monkey Daibōken	VAP	1986-11-21November 21, 1986	[61]
Nagagutsu o Haita Neko: Sekai Isshū 80 Nichi Dai Bōken	Toei Animation	1986-11-21November 21, 1986	[62]
Ikari	K Amusement Leasing	1986-11-26November 26, 1986	[63]
Mappy-Land	Namco	1986-11-26November 26, 1986	[64]
Dragon Ball: Shenlong no Nazo	Bandai	1986-11-27November 27, 1986	[65]
Castle Excellent	ASCII	1986-11-28November 28, 1986	[66]
Daiva Story 6: Imperial of Nirsartia	Toshiba EMI	1986-12-05December 5, 1986	[67]
Tiger-Heli	Pony Canyon	1986-12-05December 5, 1986	[68]
Transformers: Convoy no Nazo	Takara	1986-12-05December 5, 1986	[69]
Hottāman no Chitei Tanken	Use Corporation	1986-12-06December 6, 1986	[70]
Pro Yakyuu Family Stadium	Namco	1986-12-10December 10, 1986	[71]
Takeshi no Chōsenjō	Taito	1986-12-10December 10, 1986	[72]
Sherlock Holmes: Hakushaku Reijō Yūkai Jiken	Towa Chiki	1986-12-11December 11, 1986	[73]
Doraemon	Hudson Soft	1986-12-12December 12, 1986	[74]
Mashou	Irem	1986-12-15December 15, 1986	[75]
Metro-Cross	Namco	1986-12-16December 16, 1986	[76]
King Kong 2: Ikari no Megaton Punch	Konami	1986-12-18December 18, 1986	[77]
Madoola no Tsubasa: The Wing of Madoola	Sunsoft	1986-12-18December 18, 1986	[78]
Layla	dB-SOFT	1986-12-20December 20, 1986	[79]
Cosmo Genesis	ASCII	1986-12-23December 23, 1986	[80]
Family Trainer: Running Stadium	Bandai	1986-12-23December 23, 1986	[81]
Seikima II Akuma no Gyakushū!	CBS/Sony Group	1986-12-24December 24, 1986	[82]
Tatakai no Banka	Capcom	1986-12-24December 24, 1986	[83]
Arkanoid	Taito	1986-12-26December 26, 1986	[84]
Crazy Climber	Nihon Bussan	1986-12-26December 26, 1986	[85]
Toki no Tabibito: Time Stranger	Kemco	1986-12-26December 26, 1986	[86]

18 games were released in North America.

Title	Publisher	Release Date	Source
Gumshoe	Nintendo	1986-06-06June 6, 1986	[87]
Balloon Fight	Nintendo	1986-06June 1986	[88]
Donkey Kong	Nintendo	1986-06June 1986	[89]
Donkey Kong 3	Nintendo	1986-06June 1986	[90]
Donkey Kong Jr.	Nintendo	1986-06June 1986	[91]
Mario Bros.	Nintendo	1986-06June 1986	[92]
Popeye	Nintendo	1986-06June 1986	[93]
Urban Champion	Nintendo	1986-06June 1986	[94]
Ninja Kid	Bandai	1986-10-29October 29, 1986	[95]
Chubby Cherub	Bandai	1986-10October 1986	[96]
Tag Team Match: M.U.S.C.L.E.	Bandai	1986-10October 1986	[97]
Tag Team Wrestling	Data East	1986-10October 1986	[98]
1942	Capcom	1986-11November 1986	[99]
Commando	Capcom	1986-11November 1986	[100]
Ghosts 'n Goblins	Capcom	1986-11November 1986	[101]
Karate Champ	Data East	1986-11November 1986	[102]
Gradius	Konami	1986-12December 1986	[103]

10 games were released in Europe.

Title	Publisher	Release Date	Source
Excitebike	Nintendo	1986-09-01September 1, 1986	[104]
Ice Climber	Nintendo	1986-09-01September 1, 1986	[105]
Mario Bros.	Nintendo	1986-09-01September 1, 1986	[106]
Pinball	Nintendo	1986-09-01September 1, 1986	[107]
Popeye	Nintendo	1986-09-01September 1, 1986	[108]
Tennis	Nintendo	1986-09-01September 1, 1986	[109]
Donkey Kong	Nintendo	1986-10-15October 1986	[110]
Golf	Nintendo	1986-11-15November 15, 1986	[111]
Donkey Kong Jr. Math	Nintendo	19861986	[112]
Urban Champion	Nintendo	19861986	[113]

Family Computer Disk System

• x
• Japan

Please select a region.

34 games were released.

Title	Publisher	Release Date	Source
Baseball	Nintendo	1986-02-21February 21, 1986	[114]
Golf	Nintendo	1986-02-21February 21, 1986	[115]
Mahjong	Nintendo	1986-02-21February 21, 1986	[116]
Soccer	Nintendo	1986-02-21February 21, 1986	[117]
Super Mario Bros.	Nintendo	1986-02-21February 21, 1986	[118]
Tennis	Nintendo	1986-02-21February 21, 1986	[119]
Zelda no Densetsu	Nintendo	1986-02-21February 21, 1986	[120]
Nazo no Murasame Jō	Nintendo	1986-04-14April 14, 1986	[121]
Super Mario Bros. 2	Nintendo	1986-06-03June 3, 1986	[122]
Volleyball	Nintendo	1986-07-21July 21, 1986	[123]
Namida no Sōkoban Special	ASCII	1986-07-30July 30, 1986	[124]
Metroid	Nintendo	1986-08-06August 6, 1986	[125]
I Am a Teacher: Super Mario Sweater	Royal Kougyou	1986-08-27August 27, 1986	[126]
Koneko Monogatari	Pony Canyon	1986-09-19September 19, 1986	[127]
Akumajō Dracula	Konami	1986-09-26September 26, 1986	[128]
I Am a Teacher: Teami no Kiso	Royal Kougyou	1986-09-26September 26, 1986	[129]
Pro Wrestling	Nintendo	1986-10-21October 21, 1986	[130]
Ginga Denshō: Galaxy Odyssey	Imagineer	1986-11-06November 6, 1986	[131]
Othello	Kawada	1986-11-13November 13, 1986	[132]
Dead Zone	Sunsoft	1986-11-20November 20, 1986	[133]
Moero TwinBee: Cinnamon-hakase o Sukue!	Konami	1986-11-21November 21, 1986	[134]
Monitor Puzzle Kineko: Kinetic Connection	Irem	1986-11-28November 28, 1986	[135]
Zanac	Pony Canyon	1986-11-28November 28, 1986	[136]
Gall Force: Eternal Story	HAL Laboratory	1986-12-10December 10, 1986	[137]
Adian no Tsue	Sunsoft	1986-12-12December 12, 1986	[138]
Nazo no Kabe: Block Kuzushi	Konami	1986-12-13December 13, 1986	[139]
Breeder	Soft Pro International	1986-12-15December 15, 1986	[140]
Suishō no Dragon	Square	1986-12-15December 15, 1986	[141]
Deep Dungeon	Square	1986-12-19December 19, 1986	[142]
Hikari Shinwa: Palutena no Kagami	Nintendo	1986-12-19December 19, 1986	[143]
Knight Lore	Jaleco	1986-12-19December 19, 1986	[144]
Kieta Princess	Imagineer	1986-12-20December 20, 1986	[145]
Professional Mahjong Goku	ASCII	1986-12-25December 25, 1986	[146]
Electrician	Kemco	1986-12-26December 26, 1986	[147]
All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros.	Fuji TV	1986-12December 1986	[148]