We continue our series of Throwback Thursday reports drawn from the pages of Internal Correspondence, this time covering the world of hobby games in December 1990.

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Dungeons & Dragons publisher TSR was ascendant in December 1990, wrapping up its biggest year ever and announcing big plans for 1991.  A new version of the red boxed introductory set for D&D was planned, along with a new Rules Cyclopedia, which combined the materials from the Expert, Companion, and Masters boxed sets.

For Advanced D&D, TSR was planning new guidebooks (Vikings, Complete Dwarves) and Tome of Magic, written by David (“Zeb”) Cook, which Internal Correspondence was predicting would be its best new product for 1991.  New releases were also planned in the Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms, Ravenloft, Spelljammer, and Greyhawk worlds. 

TSR was also launching Dark Sun with a boxed set, novel, SSI computer game, DC comic series, and licensed miniatures.

TSR had a Marvel license at the time, and was revising its Marvel Super Heroes Basic Set for 1991, along with a Gamer’s Handbook and adventures for X-Men and Fantastic Four. 

In our market reports, we noted the success of fantasy novels, including the Dragonlance series from TSR, as a significant trend. 

Our bestseller charts for hobby games, based on pre-orders to Capital City Distribution for shipment in December, were divided into new releases and backlist.  Publishers are listed in parentheses.

Top 10 New Games—December 1990

  1. Rifts Source Book (Palladium)
  2. Fantasy Warriors (Grenadier)
  3. Vecna Lives, WGA4 (TSR)
  4. Crusade (TSR)
  5. Ninja Wars, FROA1 (TSR)
  6. When Gravity Fails Sourcebook (R. Talsorian)
  7. Blood Brothers (Chaosium)
  8. Dragon’s Rest, DLA3 (TSR)
  9. Heavy Omni Mechs (RalPartha)
  10. Villains of Krynn (RalPartha)

Top 10 Backlist Games – December 1990

  1. AD&D Players Handbook (TSR)
  2. Rifts (Palladium)
  3. AD&D Dungeon Master’s Guide (TSR)
  4. BattleTech (FASA)
  5. Cyberpunk 2020 (R. Talsorian)
  6. Space Hulk (Games Workshop)
  7. TSR Rack Pre-Pack (TSR)
  8. Warhammer Fantasy Battle (Games Workshop)
  9. Complete Fighter Handbook (TSR)
  10. Advanced Heroquest (Games Workshop)

Click here to see the world of comics in December 1990.

For last month’s Throwback Thursday report on games in November 1990, click here.