AD&D 2nd Edition Players Handbook, #2 on the backlist chart
We took a look today at the games market in November 1990, as reported by Internal Correspondence, the predecessor of ICv2.  Our bestseller charts for games, based on pre-orders to Capital City Distribution for shipment in November, were divided into new releases and backlist.  Other than the absence of any CCGs (Magic:  The Gathering was not launched until three years later), many of the brands represented in the top ranks are still around today.

Capital City was carrying some Nintendo games at the time, which appeared on the bestseller lists.  Publishers are listed in parentheses.

Top 10 New Games—November 1990

  1. Silver Surfer (Nintendo)
  2. Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay -- Grimoire (Games Workshop)
  3. Exile (TSR)
  4. Star Wars:  Rebel Alliance Sourcebook (West End)
  5. Galen Beknighted (TSR)
  6. Chromebook (R. Talsorian)
  7. Wolf Clan Sourcebook (FASA)
  8. Cadillacs & Dinosaurs (GDW)
  9. Blood Charge (TSR)
  10. Nehwon (TSR)

Top 10 Backlist Games – November 1990

  1. Rifts (Palladium)
  2. AD&D Players Handbook (TSR)
  3. Complete Priest Handbook (TSR)
  4. Shadowrun (FASA)
  5. AD&D Dungeon Master’s Guide (TSR)
  6. Ravenloft (TSR)
  7. Legends & Lore (TSR)
  8. Complete Thief Handbook (TSR)
  9. Aliens Board Game (Leading Edge)
  10. BattleTech Tech Readout (FASA)