In the space of just 23 days three decades ago, two initially unassuming releases changed videogames forever.
On Feb. 27, 1996, Pokemon Red and Green first hit Japanese shelves. The role-playing titles were the original entries in a series that would grow to become what is now considered the top-grossing media franchise in the world, worth more than ¡°Mickey Mouse¡± or ¡°Star Wars.¡±
Just three weeks later, Capcom released Biohazard, better known outside Japan as Resident Evil. There was no cuddly Pikachu here, with the title a bloody experience that sought to make players feel the tension of being hunted by zombies. Almost 30 years on, gamers still can¡¯t get enough. The critically acclaimed latest entry, Resident Evil Requiem, sold 5 million copies in five days after its release last month, the fastest ever pace. The series has shipped more than 180 million units in total.
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