This generation began with the release of the NEC Home Electronics console, but was marked by the presence of the two giants of that era: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and Sega Mega Drive. There were even other consoles that were present such as the Nintendo Game Boy and Sega Game Gear, but it is inevitable to talk about the success and hype that these companies had mainly for the competition between them.
Fourth Generation (1987 - 2004)
The changes of this generation were the 16-bit microprocessors, dubbing the 16-bit era, increased game sprites allowing for more detailed designs, even larger color palette, improved music system and improved game developers' taste. This era is considered to have the best games of all times, and are exceptionally played currently, although the many generations to come.
In this generation the idea of optical discs was introduced but at the time they were not very successful. Developers still preferred to make limited but well-rounded games rather than having to get used to storage technology, so they wouldn't risk the release of worse and more expensive games.
The consoles that marked the generation were: TurboGrafx-16 (NEC Home Electronics), Sega Mega Drive / Genesis, Super NES, SNK Neo Geo and the handhelds.
The games that marked the generation were: Air Zonk (TurboGrafx-16), Alien Crush (TurboGrafx-16), Altered Beast (Mega Drive), Sonic The Hedgehog 2 (Mega Drive), Streets of Rage 2 (Mega Drive), Kid Chameleon (Mega Drive), Super Mario World (SNES), Super Metroid (SNES), Donkey Kong Country (SNES), EarthBound (SNES), Star Fox (SNES), Kirby (SNES), Contra III (SNES), Street Fighter 2 (SNES), Chrono Trigger (SNES), Metal Slug (Neo Geo), The King of Fighters 97 (Neo Geo), and dozens of other classics.
TurboGrafx-16(1987)
Mega Drive(1988)
SNES(1990)
SNK Neo Geo(1990)
Altered Beast(1988)
Sonic The Hedgehog 2(1988)
Super Metroid(1988)
Chrono Trigger(1988)
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