Console Game Diversity by Generation

[brunoafh]

Inspired by the discussion in this thread about diversity in game selection throughout the years, I gathered some numbers and made a few charts out of a mix of boredom and curiosity. I just got to thinking "I wonder what the numbers would look like on paper", so I just did it. I'm not trying to prove anything one way or another, just figured it would be interesting to see and thought I'd share and see if it sparked any discussion.

Things to note:
-I only compared the three major consoles for each generation (I did generations three-seven, so only NES and SMS for gen three).
-I pulled the numbers from VGChartz, so I'm not sure that it's 100% accurate but it's at least a general idea. It was the first database I found that listed numbers and didn't have duplicate listings for special editions or re-releases.
-Only "major" genres are listed, so no RPG sub-genres, survival horror (lumped into adventure), shooters = shmups, stuff like that.

The images are too big and I don't feel like screwing with them (they would be too hard to read smaller), but, here's the charts.

[Jmustang1968]

And this doesn't even include PC and handhelds which have a considerable market share.

[MrPopo]

Handhelds would be interesting to do. PC is weirder because there aren't really "generations" once the Apple II stopped being relevant. So you can see what PC trends are for a given console era but that feels somewhat arbitrary to me.

[J T]

Nice.

I don't play many sports games. It's kind of suprising to me that they make up such a large percentage.

[isiolia]

Handhelds would be interesting to do. PC is weirder because there aren't really "generations" once the Apple II stopped being relevant. So you can see what PC trends are for a given console era but that feels somewhat arbitrary to me.

I think actually finding even "mostly complete" data for the PC would be a challenge considering how much of the market is direct download now, and those numbers aren't consistently shared.

[Jmustang1968]

If the argument that the big AAA mainstream games are less diverse, then I would agree there might be some merit to the argument. But on sheer numbers of all games, then I would say games are more diverse now and we have tons to choose from.

[Jmustang1968]

Handhelds would be interesting to do. PC is weirder because there aren't really "generations" once the Apple II stopped being relevant. So you can see what PC trends are for a given console era but that feels somewhat arbitrary to me.

I think actually finding even "mostly complete" data for the PC would be a challenge considering how much of the market is direct download now, and those numbers aren't consistently shared.

Are talking market share and sales? Or number of titles per genre?

[retrosportsgamer]

22% of Genesis games being sports games is interesting. 27% of N64 games surprises me.

[flex wood]

22% of Genesis games being sports games is interesting. 27% of N64 games surprises me.

I'm sure that counts all the awesome wrestling games that were considered must have titles for the N64.

[Jmustang1968]

22% of Genesis games being sports games is interesting. 27% of N64 games surprises me.

Not to me, N64 library was smaller than the Genesis. They pumped out a bunch of sports titles.