The First Popular Game in Each Genre (1970s-1990s)
Sources: Wikipedia, Youtube, ChatGPT, Bing
1970s:
Racing (Top Down 2D): Monaco GP (1979) followed by Spy Hunter (1983) and Super Sprint (1986, single screen)
Light Gun Shooter: Shootout/Western Gun (1975) followed by Crossbow (1983)
Space Combat Sim (2.5D or 3D): Star Raiders (1979, sprite-based) followed by Elite (1984, open world, trading)
Sports (2D): Pong (1972, ping pong/tennis) followed by Atari Football (ARC, 1978)
Pinball or Pinball/Action hybrid: Video Pinball (1979/1981) followed by Pinball Construction Set (1983), Revenge of the Gator (1989) and Pinball Quest (1989)
Text Adventure: Colossal Cave Adventure (1976) followed by Zork: The Great Underground Empire (1980)
1980s:
Graphic Adventure/Visual Novel (2D, generally FP view): Mystery House (may 1980) followed by The Wizard and the Princess (aug 1980), Portopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken (1983)(in Japan) and King's Quest (1984)
RPG (2D, generally TD view besides combat): Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness (1981, FP view hybrid so 2D & 3D) followed by Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (1981)
FMV Action: Dragon's Lair (1983, FMV/QTE action)
Open World Space Flight/Trading Sim (AA, 3D): Elite (1984) followed by Frontier: Elite II (1993)
Rogue-like/Roguelike (Dungeon Crawler RPG variant, semi-TB): Rogue (1980) followed by NetHack (1987)
Thrust-like/Gravity-based Shooter (2D): Thrust (1986) followed by Solar Jetman: Hunt for the Golden Warpship (1990)
Stealth Action (2D): Metal Gear (1987, AA) followed by Metal Gear: Ghost Babel (2000)(Bonanza Bros (1990) was also moderately popular)
Trapping/Trap 'em up (Puzzle/Tactics offshoot, Side View): Lode Runner (1983)(also the first popular Puzzle Platformer) followed by Spy vs Spy (1984), Boulder Dash (march 1984) and Solomon's Key (1986)
Edutainment: The Oregon Trail (1985/1993 (graphical version), survival/travel, edutainment)(also the first popular survival game/survival sim), Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (april 1985)
Business Sim (Construction & Management): M.U.L.E. (1983, MP, trading) followed by Railroad Tycoon (1990)
Flight Sim (3D): Microsoft Flight Simulator (1982) followed by F-19 Stealth Fighter (1988)
Defender-like/Looping Shooter (side view/horizontal scrolling): Defender (1980) (also an auto-scrolling horizontal Shoot 'em up) followed by Fantasy Zone (1986)
Auto-scrolling Shoot 'em up (Vertical Scrolling, Top Down View): River Raid (dec 1982) & Xevious (dec 1982) followed by 1943: The Battle of Midway (1987)(1942 (1984) and Twin Cobra (1987) were also fairly popular)
Misc. Puzzle (2D): Sokoban aka Boxyboy/Shove It! (1982) followed by The Adventures of Lolo (1989)
Action Puzzle (real-time w/ a timing element): Qix (1981, trapping element) followed by Tetris (1984, falling block/matching)
Misc. Puzzle (3D): The Sentry/The Sentinel (1986) followed by Myst (1993, graphic adventure)
TBS (Turn-Based Strategy): Computer Bismarck (1980) followed by Nobunaga no Yabou/Nobunaga's Ambition (1983) and Romance of the Three Kingdoms (1985, Government Sim/TBS)
Political Strategy/Sim: Balance of Power (1985) followed by Hidden Agenda (1988)
Racing (2.5D or 3D): Pole Position (1982) followed by Out Run (1986), Super Monaco GP (1989) and Stunts/4D Sports Driving (1990)
Open World Action Adventure (2D, Top Down/Tilted View): Adventure (1980)(also the first Zelda-like AA) followed by The Legend of Zelda (feb. 1986) and Metroid (aug. 1986, side view)
Fighting (2D): Kung-Fu: The Way of the Exploding Fist (may 1985), followed by International Karate (nov 1985), Street Fighter (aug 1987) & IK+ (oct 1987)
Maze Action (2D): Pac-Man (jul 1980, maze/collectathon, TD view) followed by Lady Bug (1981) and Pengo (1982)
2D Maze Shooter (Top Down): Berzerk (1980) followed by Paradroid (1985, action puzzle hybrid) and Alien Syndrome (1986)
Isometric Action Adventure/Platform Adventure: Knight Lore (1984, no ability gating) followed by Batman (1986, some ability gating)
Isometric Platformer: Q*Bert (1982) followed by Knight Lore (1984, AA/puzzle)
Single Screen Platformer: Donkey Kong (jul 1981, temporary weapon power up) followed by Mario Bros. (jul 1983)
Platformer/Hop 'n Bop Platformer (2D): Pitfall! (1982, flip screen), Mappy (1983, scrolling), Bubble Bobble (1986, single screen) - 2-player coop
Run 'n Gun (Platformer/SEU hybrid, Side View): Contra (1987/1988, 2-player coop) followed by Sunset Riders (1991)
Run 'n Gun (Top Down view): Commando (1985) followed by Ikari Warriors (1986) and Mercs (1990)
PoP-style Puzzle Platformer/Cinematic Platformer (2D): Prince of Persia (1989) followed by Another World/Out of This World (1991)
Mech Action (2D): Thexder (april 1985)(also one of the first popular scrolling platformers) followed by Cybernator/Assault Suits Valken (1992) and Metal Warriors (1995)
Mech Sim (3D): MechWarrior (PC, 1989) followed by MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat (PC, 1995)
City Builder/Construction & Management: SimCity (1989/SNES, 1991, city builder) followed by SimCity 2000 (PC, 1993)
RTT/Real-Time Tactics (2D): The Ancient Art of War (1984), followed by Herzog Zwei (1989, player avatar-based, proto-RTS/proto-MOBA) and General Chaos (1993)
Vehicle Combat Sim (2.5D & 3D): Battlezone (1980, tank-based) followed by MechWarrior (1989, mech sim) and Twisted Metal (1995, car combat)
Collectathon Platformer (2D): Bruce Lee (april, 1984), Jet Set Willy (1984) and Impossible Mission (1984) followed by Monty on the Run (1985), Dizzy: The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure (1986), Wizards & Warriors (1987) and Rainbow Islands (1987, vertical platformer)
TBS/Action Hybrid: Archon (1983, chess variant+1 vs 1 arena combat) followed by Defender of the Crown (1986, 1987 ST ver. had tactical battles) and by North & South (1989)
JRPG/Linear RPG (2D)(Character development/characterization, Linear or mostly linear progression, Predefined characters and story, Anime or manga aesthetics, Tactical if not TB combat): Mother/Earthbound Beginnings (1989, mostly non-linear?, barebones characterization?)(in Japan), Dragon Quest IV (1990, chapter-based)(in Japan), Final Fantasy IV (1991)
Flight Combat Sim (3D): F-15 Strike Eagle (1984) followed by F-19 Stealth Fighter (1988)
Beat 'em up/Hack 'n Slash (Side View, 2D): Kung Fu/Kung-Fu Master (1984) followed by Altered Beast (1988) and Bad Dudes (1989)
Beat 'em up/Hack 'n Slash (Tilted view, 2D): Renegade (1986) followed by Double Dragon (1987) and Golden Axe (jun 1989)
Action Platformer (Combat-focused Platformer): Spelunker (PCs, 1983/ARC, 1985, maze platformer), Ghosts 'n Goblins (jul 1985), Castlevania (1986), Wonder Boy (1986), Alex Kidd in Miracle World (1986, some maze levels)
Maze Platformer: Jet Set Willy (1984) followed by Monty on the Run (1985), Dizzy: The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure (1986), Wizards & Warriors (1987) and New Zealand Story (1988, some maze levels, shooter)
Rail Shooter (2.5D & 3D): Star Wars (1983, FP view, 3D) followed by Space Harrier (1985) and After Burner (1987)
Falling Block (Stacking) & Matching Puzzle: Tetris (1984/1989/1994) followed by Columns (1990) and Dr. Mario (1990)
God Sim/God Game: Populous (1989, 2D) followed by Populous II: Trials of the Olympian Gods (1991), Dungeon Keeper (jun 1997, C&M/RTS hybrid w/ FPS & RPG elements, 2D units) and Black & White (2000, fully 3D)
Platform Adventure/Metroidvania (2D, side view): Dragon Slayer II: Xanadu (1985, separate td view combat, ARPG)(in Japan), Metroid (1986) followed by Zelda II (jan 1987), Faxanadu (nov 1987) and Blaster Master (1988)
SRPG/TRPG (w/ exploration between battles): Pool of Radiance (1988, FP exploration, perma-death), Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday (1990, partial FP exploration on PCs), King's Bounty (1990/MD, 1991, real-time enemy enc during expl on MD), followed by X-COM: UFO Defense (1994) and Heroes of Might and Magic II (1996)
SRPG (w/o exploration between battles): Fire Emblem (1990, perma-death) followed by Shining Force II (1994), Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem (1994)(in Japan) and Final Fantasy Tactics (1997)
Artillery (2D, turn-based): Artillery Duel (1983) followed by Scorched Earth (1991)
Free-Roaming Shooter (Vehicle-based, Top Down): Bosconian (1981)(autoscrolling) followed by Time Pilot (1982), Sinistar (1983), Thunder Force II (1988, part horizontal shoot 'em up), Desert Strike (1992, isometric) and Cannon Fodder (1993, squad tactics)
Quest Adventure/Point & Click Adventure (avatar-based): King's Quest (1984/1989/1990) followed by King's Quest II (may 1985), Maniac Mansion (oct 1987) and Space Quest IV (1991)
Survival Horror (AA or ARPG, 2D): Project Firestart (1989) & Sweet Home (1989, party-based JRPG w/ SH elements)(in Japan); Friday the 13th (NES, 1989) - more well known but had a mixed reception
ARPG/Action RPG (2D Side View, non-Open World): Dragon Slayer II: Xanadu (1985, separate td view combat, ARPG)(in Japan), Zelda II (jan 1987), Faxanadu (nov 1987) followed by Cadash (1989 or 1990)
ARPG (2D Top Down/Tilted View, non-Open World): Hydlide (1984)(in Japan), Ys: Vanished Omen (1987) followed by Final Fantasy Adventure/Seiken Densetsu: Final Fantasy Gaiden (1991) and Secret of Mana/Seiken Densetsu 2 (1993, party-based)
Cabal-like/Proto-TPS or "Gallery Shooter" (limited movement, 2.5D): Cabal (1988) followed by Blood Bros. (1990)
Arena Shooter/Robotron-like (generally twin stick shooters, Top Down): Asteroids (1979, inertia-based arena shooter), followed by Robotron 2084 (1982) and Smash TV (1990, maze element)
1990s:
God Sim/God Game (3D): Dungeon Keeper (jun 1997, C&M/RTS hybrid w/ FPS & RPG elements, 2D units) followed by Black & White (2000, fully 3D)
FPS/3D Maze Shooter: Wolfenstein 3D (1992) followed by Doom (1993), Heretic (1994), Star Wars: Dark Forces (1995) and Duke Nukem 3D (jan 1996)
MMORPG: Ultima Online (1997) followed by Tibia (jan 1997, 2D) and Everquest (1999, 3D)
4X TBS: Sid Meier's Civilization (1991) followed by Civilization II (1996) and Age of Wonders (1999)
Life Sim/Virtual Life: SimAnt (1991, ant colony) followed by Tamagotchi (GB, 1997, virtual pet) and The Sims (feb 2000)
3D ARPG (FP view): Ultima Underworld (1992, open world) followed by The Elder Scrolls: Arena (march 1994, FP view, open world) and King's Field (dec 1994, FP view)(in Japan); TP view: Star Ocean: The Second Story (1998, 2.5D)
Open World AA/ARPG (3D): Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss (1992, FP view ARPG, Immersive Sim?) & The Elder Scrolls: Arena (march 1994, FP view)
Mech Action (3D): Armored Core (1997, mech sim-lite) followed by Zone of the Enders (2001)
Squad Tactics (real-time, 2D): Syndicate (1993, TBS elements) followed by Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines (1998, stealth hybrid)
Squad Tactics (real-time, 3D): Space Hulk (jun 1993, 2.5D, FP RTT/squad combat, horror) followed by Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six (1998, FPS)
RTT (3D): Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat (1995) followed by Myth: The Fallen Lords (1997), Myth II: Soulblighter (1998), Warhammer: Dark Omen (1998) and Ground Control (2000)
Rhythm/Music: Parappa the Rapper (1996) followed by Dance Dance Revolution (1998)
RTS/Real-Time Strategy (2D)(Base-building, Resource Gathering, Unit training, Scouting, Direct unit control): Dune II (1992/1993) followed by Command & Conquer (1995) and Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness (1995)
RTS (3D): Dungeon Keeper (jun 1997, C&M hybrid w/ FPS & RPG elements, 2D units) and Total Annihilation (sept 1997, 2.5D-ish) followed by Populous: The Beginning aka Populous 3 (1998, 2D units) and Homeworld (1999, continuous army)
3D Zelda-like Action Adventure: System Shock (1994, FP view, survival horror/MV-ish, some platforming) and Mystical Ninja starring Goemon (N64, 1997, platforming) followed by The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) and Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver (1999)
Platform Adventure/Metroidvania (3D): System Shock (1994, FP view, minor ability gating and not that much platforming) or Mystical Ninja starring Goemon (1997, zelda-like w/ platforming), Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver (1999, zelda-like w/ platforming), Metroid Prime (2002)
Sports (3D): Virtua Striker (1994, football/soccer) followed by FIFA Soccer '96 (PS1, 1995), NFL Blitz (1997) and International Superstar Soccer Pro Evolution (1997)
Multiplayer FPS/MP FPS (Online MP): Team Fortress (1996, mod for Quake - standalone release in 1999) followed by Unreal Tournament (nov 1999), Quake III Arena (dec 1999) and Counter-Strike (nov 2000, HL1 mod)
Card Battle (TB): Magic: The Gathering (1997), Pokemon Trading Card Game (1998) followed by Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game (1999), Magic: The Gathering Online (2002) and Duel Masters Trading Card Game (2002)
Arena Fighting: Outfoxies (1995, 2D side view), Virtual On/Virtual-On (jan 1996, 3D TP view, mechs) followed by Power Stone (1999) and Super Smash Bros. (1999, 2.5D)
Crime Sim (2D): Grand Theft Auto/GTA (1997, semi-OW) followed by Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999, semi-OW)
Crime Sim (3D): Driver (1999, car-based) followed by Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
Stealth Action (2.5D or 3D): Tenchu: Stealth Assassins (feb 1998, TP view) followed by Metal Gear Solid (sept 1998, TP/TD/FP view) and Thief (dec 1998, FP view)
Isometric ARPG/Diablo-like ARPG (KB & Mouse controls): Shadowrun (1993, real-time w/ pause combat, P&C combat and world interaction), Diablo (1996) followed by Nox (feb 2000) and Diablo II (jun 2000)
Fighting (3D): Virtua Fighter (1993) followed by Virtua Fighter 2 (1994) and Tekken (1994)
Trapping (3D): Tecmo's Deception: Invitation to Darkness (1996, FP ARPG) followed by Kagero: Deception II (1998)
Graphic Adventure (2.5D or 3D): Under a killing Moon (1994, real-time 3D/FMV hybrid) followed by followed by Clock Tower (1996 ver., Survival Horror), Grim Fandango (1998, pre-rendered backgrounds), The Longest Journey (1999, pre-rendered backgrounds) and Gabriel Knight 3: Blood of the Sacred, Blood of the Damned (1999)
Survival Horror (AA or ARPG, 2.5D & 3D): Alone in the Dark (1992), System Shock (1994, FP view) followed by Resident Evil (1996) and Clock Tower (1996 ver., P&C Adventure hybrid)
Beat 'em up/Hack 'n Slash (3D): Die Hard Arcade/Dynamite Deka (1996, 2.5D), Nightmare Creatures (1997, hack 'n slash, horror), Devil May Cry (2001, AA elements)
TPS/Third-Person Shooter (3D): Tomb Raider (oct 1996, maze/puzzle platformer aka cinematic platformer) and Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (dec 1996, vehicle segments) followed by Syphon Filter (1999) and Max Payne (2001)
Cinematic Platformer (3D): Tomb Raider (1996, TPS hybrid) followed by Tomb Raider II (1997), Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft (1998), Ico (2001) and Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
3D Platformer: Jumping Flash! (1995, FP view) - 3D collectathon platformer as well, Super Mario 64 (jun 1996), Crash Bandicoot (sept 1996, on rails) & Tomb Raider (oct 1996, maze/puzzle platformer/TPS)
Rogue-lite/Action Rogue-like (2D): Toejam & Earl (1991, TD maze action/collectathon) followed by Spelunky (2008, side view platformer)
Trainer RPG/Raising Sim RPG: Pokemon Blue/Red/Green (1996) followed by Monster Rancher (1997), Medabots (1997)(in Japan), Dragon Warrior Monsters (1998)(in Japan) and Digimon World (1999)
Systemic Game/Immersive Sim (player avatar-based, consistent and interacting systems, multiple solutions to problems that aren't necessarily intended by devs, little handholding, generally AA/ARPG): Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss (1992, 3D, FP view WRPG/ARPG, Open World) followed by System Shock (1994, MV/SH), System Shock 2 (1999, ARPG/SH/MV-lite) and Deus Ex (2000, ARPG, Stealth)
2000s WIP:
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena/MOBA (Online RTT): Defense of the Ancients/DotA (2003, custom map for Warcraft III) followed by League of Legends (2009)
Tower Defense (RTS/RTT): Warcraft III (Element TD and Gem Tower Defense custom maps from 2006) & Desktop Tower Defense (2007) followed by Plants vs. Zombies (2009) and Kingdom Rush (2011)
Rogue-lite/Action Rogue-like Platformer (2D): Spelunky (2008) followed by Rogue Legacy (2013, ARPG)
3D Survival Sim/Survival Game: The Sims 2: Castaway (2007, 3D, life sim) followed by Minecraft (2011) and Don't Starve (2013, rogue-lite)
Hero Shooter (MP FPS w/ unique characters instead of classes or generic models): Team Fortress 2 (2007) followed by Battleborn (may 3rd 2016) and Overwatch (may 24th 2016)
Looter Shooter aka Diablo-like ARPG/FPS Hybrid: Borderlands (2009) followed by Warframe (2013) and Destiny (2014)
Incremental Game/Idle Game: Progress Quest (2002, RPG) followed by Cookie Clicker (2013) and Candy Box! (2013)
1970s:
Racing (Top Down 2D): Monaco GP (1979) followed by Spy Hunter (1983) and Super Sprint (1986, single screen)
Light Gun Shooter: Shootout/Western Gun (1975) followed by Crossbow (1983)
Space Combat Sim (2.5D or 3D): Star Raiders (1979, sprite-based) followed by Elite (1984, open world, trading)
Sports (2D): Pong (1972, ping pong/tennis) followed by Atari Football (ARC, 1978)
Pinball or Pinball/Action hybrid: Video Pinball (1979/1981) followed by Pinball Construction Set (1983), Revenge of the Gator (1989) and Pinball Quest (1989)
Text Adventure: Colossal Cave Adventure (1976) followed by Zork: The Great Underground Empire (1980)
1980s:
Graphic Adventure/Visual Novel (2D, generally FP view): Mystery House (may 1980) followed by The Wizard and the Princess (aug 1980), Portopia Renzoku Satsujin Jiken (1983)(in Japan) and King's Quest (1984)
RPG (2D, generally TD view besides combat): Ultima I: The First Age of Darkness (1981, FP view hybrid so 2D & 3D) followed by Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (1981)
FMV Action: Dragon's Lair (1983, FMV/QTE action)
Open World Space Flight/Trading Sim (AA, 3D): Elite (1984) followed by Frontier: Elite II (1993)
Rogue-like/Roguelike (Dungeon Crawler RPG variant, semi-TB): Rogue (1980) followed by NetHack (1987)
Thrust-like/Gravity-based Shooter (2D): Thrust (1986) followed by Solar Jetman: Hunt for the Golden Warpship (1990)
Stealth Action (2D): Metal Gear (1987, AA) followed by Metal Gear: Ghost Babel (2000)(Bonanza Bros (1990) was also moderately popular)
Trapping/Trap 'em up (Puzzle/Tactics offshoot, Side View): Lode Runner (1983)(also the first popular Puzzle Platformer) followed by Spy vs Spy (1984), Boulder Dash (march 1984) and Solomon's Key (1986)
Edutainment: The Oregon Trail (1985/1993 (graphical version), survival/travel, edutainment)(also the first popular survival game/survival sim), Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (april 1985)
Business Sim (Construction & Management): M.U.L.E. (1983, MP, trading) followed by Railroad Tycoon (1990)
Flight Sim (3D): Microsoft Flight Simulator (1982) followed by F-19 Stealth Fighter (1988)
Defender-like/Looping Shooter (side view/horizontal scrolling): Defender (1980) (also an auto-scrolling horizontal Shoot 'em up) followed by Fantasy Zone (1986)
Auto-scrolling Shoot 'em up (Vertical Scrolling, Top Down View): River Raid (dec 1982) & Xevious (dec 1982) followed by 1943: The Battle of Midway (1987)(1942 (1984) and Twin Cobra (1987) were also fairly popular)
Misc. Puzzle (2D): Sokoban aka Boxyboy/Shove It! (1982) followed by The Adventures of Lolo (1989)
Action Puzzle (real-time w/ a timing element): Qix (1981, trapping element) followed by Tetris (1984, falling block/matching)
Misc. Puzzle (3D): The Sentry/The Sentinel (1986) followed by Myst (1993, graphic adventure)
TBS (Turn-Based Strategy): Computer Bismarck (1980) followed by Nobunaga no Yabou/Nobunaga's Ambition (1983) and Romance of the Three Kingdoms (1985, Government Sim/TBS)
Political Strategy/Sim: Balance of Power (1985) followed by Hidden Agenda (1988)
Racing (2.5D or 3D): Pole Position (1982) followed by Out Run (1986), Super Monaco GP (1989) and Stunts/4D Sports Driving (1990)
Open World Action Adventure (2D, Top Down/Tilted View): Adventure (1980)(also the first Zelda-like AA) followed by The Legend of Zelda (feb. 1986) and Metroid (aug. 1986, side view)
Fighting (2D): Kung-Fu: The Way of the Exploding Fist (may 1985), followed by International Karate (nov 1985), Street Fighter (aug 1987) & IK+ (oct 1987)
Maze Action (2D): Pac-Man (jul 1980, maze/collectathon, TD view) followed by Lady Bug (1981) and Pengo (1982)
2D Maze Shooter (Top Down): Berzerk (1980) followed by Paradroid (1985, action puzzle hybrid) and Alien Syndrome (1986)
Isometric Action Adventure/Platform Adventure: Knight Lore (1984, no ability gating) followed by Batman (1986, some ability gating)
Isometric Platformer: Q*Bert (1982) followed by Knight Lore (1984, AA/puzzle)
Single Screen Platformer: Donkey Kong (jul 1981, temporary weapon power up) followed by Mario Bros. (jul 1983)
Platformer/Hop 'n Bop Platformer (2D): Pitfall! (1982, flip screen), Mappy (1983, scrolling), Bubble Bobble (1986, single screen) - 2-player coop
Run 'n Gun (Platformer/SEU hybrid, Side View): Contra (1987/1988, 2-player coop) followed by Sunset Riders (1991)
Run 'n Gun (Top Down view): Commando (1985) followed by Ikari Warriors (1986) and Mercs (1990)
PoP-style Puzzle Platformer/Cinematic Platformer (2D): Prince of Persia (1989) followed by Another World/Out of This World (1991)
Mech Action (2D): Thexder (april 1985)(also one of the first popular scrolling platformers) followed by Cybernator/Assault Suits Valken (1992) and Metal Warriors (1995)
Mech Sim (3D): MechWarrior (PC, 1989) followed by MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat (PC, 1995)
City Builder/Construction & Management: SimCity (1989/SNES, 1991, city builder) followed by SimCity 2000 (PC, 1993)
RTT/Real-Time Tactics (2D): The Ancient Art of War (1984), followed by Herzog Zwei (1989, player avatar-based, proto-RTS/proto-MOBA) and General Chaos (1993)
Vehicle Combat Sim (2.5D & 3D): Battlezone (1980, tank-based) followed by MechWarrior (1989, mech sim) and Twisted Metal (1995, car combat)
Collectathon Platformer (2D): Bruce Lee (april, 1984), Jet Set Willy (1984) and Impossible Mission (1984) followed by Monty on the Run (1985), Dizzy: The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure (1986), Wizards & Warriors (1987) and Rainbow Islands (1987, vertical platformer)
TBS/Action Hybrid: Archon (1983, chess variant+1 vs 1 arena combat) followed by Defender of the Crown (1986, 1987 ST ver. had tactical battles) and by North & South (1989)
JRPG/Linear RPG (2D)(Character development/characterization, Linear or mostly linear progression, Predefined characters and story, Anime or manga aesthetics, Tactical if not TB combat): Mother/Earthbound Beginnings (1989, mostly non-linear?, barebones characterization?)(in Japan), Dragon Quest IV (1990, chapter-based)(in Japan), Final Fantasy IV (1991)
Flight Combat Sim (3D): F-15 Strike Eagle (1984) followed by F-19 Stealth Fighter (1988)
Beat 'em up/Hack 'n Slash (Side View, 2D): Kung Fu/Kung-Fu Master (1984) followed by Altered Beast (1988) and Bad Dudes (1989)
Beat 'em up/Hack 'n Slash (Tilted view, 2D): Renegade (1986) followed by Double Dragon (1987) and Golden Axe (jun 1989)
Action Platformer (Combat-focused Platformer): Spelunker (PCs, 1983/ARC, 1985, maze platformer), Ghosts 'n Goblins (jul 1985), Castlevania (1986), Wonder Boy (1986), Alex Kidd in Miracle World (1986, some maze levels)
Maze Platformer: Jet Set Willy (1984) followed by Monty on the Run (1985), Dizzy: The Ultimate Cartoon Adventure (1986), Wizards & Warriors (1987) and New Zealand Story (1988, some maze levels, shooter)
Rail Shooter (2.5D & 3D): Star Wars (1983, FP view, 3D) followed by Space Harrier (1985) and After Burner (1987)
Falling Block (Stacking) & Matching Puzzle: Tetris (1984/1989/1994) followed by Columns (1990) and Dr. Mario (1990)
God Sim/God Game: Populous (1989, 2D) followed by Populous II: Trials of the Olympian Gods (1991), Dungeon Keeper (jun 1997, C&M/RTS hybrid w/ FPS & RPG elements, 2D units) and Black & White (2000, fully 3D)
Platform Adventure/Metroidvania (2D, side view): Dragon Slayer II: Xanadu (1985, separate td view combat, ARPG)(in Japan), Metroid (1986) followed by Zelda II (jan 1987), Faxanadu (nov 1987) and Blaster Master (1988)
SRPG/TRPG (w/ exploration between battles): Pool of Radiance (1988, FP exploration, perma-death), Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday (1990, partial FP exploration on PCs), King's Bounty (1990/MD, 1991, real-time enemy enc during expl on MD), followed by X-COM: UFO Defense (1994) and Heroes of Might and Magic II (1996)
SRPG (w/o exploration between battles): Fire Emblem (1990, perma-death) followed by Shining Force II (1994), Fire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem (1994)(in Japan) and Final Fantasy Tactics (1997)
Artillery (2D, turn-based): Artillery Duel (1983) followed by Scorched Earth (1991)
Free-Roaming Shooter (Vehicle-based, Top Down): Bosconian (1981)(autoscrolling) followed by Time Pilot (1982), Sinistar (1983), Thunder Force II (1988, part horizontal shoot 'em up), Desert Strike (1992, isometric) and Cannon Fodder (1993, squad tactics)
Quest Adventure/Point & Click Adventure (avatar-based): King's Quest (1984/1989/1990) followed by King's Quest II (may 1985), Maniac Mansion (oct 1987) and Space Quest IV (1991)
Survival Horror (AA or ARPG, 2D): Project Firestart (1989) & Sweet Home (1989, party-based JRPG w/ SH elements)(in Japan); Friday the 13th (NES, 1989) - more well known but had a mixed reception
ARPG/Action RPG (2D Side View, non-Open World): Dragon Slayer II: Xanadu (1985, separate td view combat, ARPG)(in Japan), Zelda II (jan 1987), Faxanadu (nov 1987) followed by Cadash (1989 or 1990)
ARPG (2D Top Down/Tilted View, non-Open World): Hydlide (1984)(in Japan), Ys: Vanished Omen (1987) followed by Final Fantasy Adventure/Seiken Densetsu: Final Fantasy Gaiden (1991) and Secret of Mana/Seiken Densetsu 2 (1993, party-based)
Cabal-like/Proto-TPS or "Gallery Shooter" (limited movement, 2.5D): Cabal (1988) followed by Blood Bros. (1990)
Arena Shooter/Robotron-like (generally twin stick shooters, Top Down): Asteroids (1979, inertia-based arena shooter), followed by Robotron 2084 (1982) and Smash TV (1990, maze element)
1990s:
God Sim/God Game (3D): Dungeon Keeper (jun 1997, C&M/RTS hybrid w/ FPS & RPG elements, 2D units) followed by Black & White (2000, fully 3D)
FPS/3D Maze Shooter: Wolfenstein 3D (1992) followed by Doom (1993), Heretic (1994), Star Wars: Dark Forces (1995) and Duke Nukem 3D (jan 1996)
MMORPG: Ultima Online (1997) followed by Tibia (jan 1997, 2D) and Everquest (1999, 3D)
4X TBS: Sid Meier's Civilization (1991) followed by Civilization II (1996) and Age of Wonders (1999)
Life Sim/Virtual Life: SimAnt (1991, ant colony) followed by Tamagotchi (GB, 1997, virtual pet) and The Sims (feb 2000)
3D ARPG (FP view): Ultima Underworld (1992, open world) followed by The Elder Scrolls: Arena (march 1994, FP view, open world) and King's Field (dec 1994, FP view)(in Japan); TP view: Star Ocean: The Second Story (1998, 2.5D)
Open World AA/ARPG (3D): Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss (1992, FP view ARPG, Immersive Sim?) & The Elder Scrolls: Arena (march 1994, FP view)
Mech Action (3D): Armored Core (1997, mech sim-lite) followed by Zone of the Enders (2001)
Squad Tactics (real-time, 2D): Syndicate (1993, TBS elements) followed by Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines (1998, stealth hybrid)
Squad Tactics (real-time, 3D): Space Hulk (jun 1993, 2.5D, FP RTT/squad combat, horror) followed by Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six (1998, FPS)
RTT (3D): Warhammer: Shadow of the Horned Rat (1995) followed by Myth: The Fallen Lords (1997), Myth II: Soulblighter (1998), Warhammer: Dark Omen (1998) and Ground Control (2000)
Rhythm/Music: Parappa the Rapper (1996) followed by Dance Dance Revolution (1998)
RTS/Real-Time Strategy (2D)(Base-building, Resource Gathering, Unit training, Scouting, Direct unit control): Dune II (1992/1993) followed by Command & Conquer (1995) and Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness (1995)
RTS (3D): Dungeon Keeper (jun 1997, C&M hybrid w/ FPS & RPG elements, 2D units) and Total Annihilation (sept 1997, 2.5D-ish) followed by Populous: The Beginning aka Populous 3 (1998, 2D units) and Homeworld (1999, continuous army)
3D Zelda-like Action Adventure: System Shock (1994, FP view, survival horror/MV-ish, some platforming) and Mystical Ninja starring Goemon (N64, 1997, platforming) followed by The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998) and Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver (1999)
Platform Adventure/Metroidvania (3D): System Shock (1994, FP view, minor ability gating and not that much platforming) or Mystical Ninja starring Goemon (1997, zelda-like w/ platforming), Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver (1999, zelda-like w/ platforming), Metroid Prime (2002)
Sports (3D): Virtua Striker (1994, football/soccer) followed by FIFA Soccer '96 (PS1, 1995), NFL Blitz (1997) and International Superstar Soccer Pro Evolution (1997)
Multiplayer FPS/MP FPS (Online MP): Team Fortress (1996, mod for Quake - standalone release in 1999) followed by Unreal Tournament (nov 1999), Quake III Arena (dec 1999) and Counter-Strike (nov 2000, HL1 mod)
Card Battle (TB): Magic: The Gathering (1997), Pokemon Trading Card Game (1998) followed by Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game (1999), Magic: The Gathering Online (2002) and Duel Masters Trading Card Game (2002)
Arena Fighting: Outfoxies (1995, 2D side view), Virtual On/Virtual-On (jan 1996, 3D TP view, mechs) followed by Power Stone (1999) and Super Smash Bros. (1999, 2.5D)
Crime Sim (2D): Grand Theft Auto/GTA (1997, semi-OW) followed by Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999, semi-OW)
Crime Sim (3D): Driver (1999, car-based) followed by Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
Stealth Action (2.5D or 3D): Tenchu: Stealth Assassins (feb 1998, TP view) followed by Metal Gear Solid (sept 1998, TP/TD/FP view) and Thief (dec 1998, FP view)
Isometric ARPG/Diablo-like ARPG (KB & Mouse controls): Shadowrun (1993, real-time w/ pause combat, P&C combat and world interaction), Diablo (1996) followed by Nox (feb 2000) and Diablo II (jun 2000)
Fighting (3D): Virtua Fighter (1993) followed by Virtua Fighter 2 (1994) and Tekken (1994)
Trapping (3D): Tecmo's Deception: Invitation to Darkness (1996, FP ARPG) followed by Kagero: Deception II (1998)
Graphic Adventure (2.5D or 3D): Under a killing Moon (1994, real-time 3D/FMV hybrid) followed by followed by Clock Tower (1996 ver., Survival Horror), Grim Fandango (1998, pre-rendered backgrounds), The Longest Journey (1999, pre-rendered backgrounds) and Gabriel Knight 3: Blood of the Sacred, Blood of the Damned (1999)
Survival Horror (AA or ARPG, 2.5D & 3D): Alone in the Dark (1992), System Shock (1994, FP view) followed by Resident Evil (1996) and Clock Tower (1996 ver., P&C Adventure hybrid)
Beat 'em up/Hack 'n Slash (3D): Die Hard Arcade/Dynamite Deka (1996, 2.5D), Nightmare Creatures (1997, hack 'n slash, horror), Devil May Cry (2001, AA elements)
TPS/Third-Person Shooter (3D): Tomb Raider (oct 1996, maze/puzzle platformer aka cinematic platformer) and Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (dec 1996, vehicle segments) followed by Syphon Filter (1999) and Max Payne (2001)
Cinematic Platformer (3D): Tomb Raider (1996, TPS hybrid) followed by Tomb Raider II (1997), Tomb Raider III: Adventures of Lara Croft (1998), Ico (2001) and Tomb Raider: Legend (2006)
3D Platformer: Jumping Flash! (1995, FP view) - 3D collectathon platformer as well, Super Mario 64 (jun 1996), Crash Bandicoot (sept 1996, on rails) & Tomb Raider (oct 1996, maze/puzzle platformer/TPS)
Rogue-lite/Action Rogue-like (2D): Toejam & Earl (1991, TD maze action/collectathon) followed by Spelunky (2008, side view platformer)
Trainer RPG/Raising Sim RPG: Pokemon Blue/Red/Green (1996) followed by Monster Rancher (1997), Medabots (1997)(in Japan), Dragon Warrior Monsters (1998)(in Japan) and Digimon World (1999)
Systemic Game/Immersive Sim (player avatar-based, consistent and interacting systems, multiple solutions to problems that aren't necessarily intended by devs, little handholding, generally AA/ARPG): Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss (1992, 3D, FP view WRPG/ARPG, Open World) followed by System Shock (1994, MV/SH), System Shock 2 (1999, ARPG/SH/MV-lite) and Deus Ex (2000, ARPG, Stealth)
2000s WIP:
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena/MOBA (Online RTT): Defense of the Ancients/DotA (2003, custom map for Warcraft III) followed by League of Legends (2009)
Tower Defense (RTS/RTT): Warcraft III (Element TD and Gem Tower Defense custom maps from 2006) & Desktop Tower Defense (2007) followed by Plants vs. Zombies (2009) and Kingdom Rush (2011)
Rogue-lite/Action Rogue-like Platformer (2D): Spelunky (2008) followed by Rogue Legacy (2013, ARPG)
3D Survival Sim/Survival Game: The Sims 2: Castaway (2007, 3D, life sim) followed by Minecraft (2011) and Don't Starve (2013, rogue-lite)
Hero Shooter (MP FPS w/ unique characters instead of classes or generic models): Team Fortress 2 (2007) followed by Battleborn (may 3rd 2016) and Overwatch (may 24th 2016)
Looter Shooter aka Diablo-like ARPG/FPS Hybrid: Borderlands (2009) followed by Warframe (2013) and Destiny (2014)
Incremental Game/Idle Game: Progress Quest (2002, RPG) followed by Cookie Clicker (2013) and Candy Box! (2013)
