Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Kicks Off New Season With Marketing Revamp Under Alicia Graf Mack
Mack's vision for the future is lofty, plans to engage contemporary audiences include integrating mainstream musicians moves forward.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrated its opening season Dec. 3. Leading the charge was the newly appointed artistic director, Alicia Graf Mack.
Graf Mack was named artistic director in 2025, becoming only the fourth person to lead the company since its founding in 1958 by choreographer Alvin Ailey. Her appointment followed the tenure of Robert Battle and came after years of direct involvement with the organization as both a dancer and educator. Graf Mack previously performed with the company and later served as dean and director of the Juilliard School’s Dance Division before returning to Ailey in a leadership role. In an interview with Inc, Mack frames her leadership as both personal and mission-driven.
“Working here is more than a job. It is part of who I am and what I believe in. So, I am not just here to fulfill my hours. I am all-in,” she said.
As a leader and former pupil who studied under the last two directors, Judith Jamison and Battle, she honors the founding philosophy while adapting to contemporary audiences and platforms.
“Dance came from the people and should always be delivered back to the people,” Ailey told the outlet.
Her vision for the future is lofty, plans to engage contemporary audiences include integrating mainstream musicians moves forward.
“We have to create collaborations across industries, like music collaborations, to reach more people too,” she said, describing how the organization plans to engage audiences beyond traditional concert settings.
Graf Mack’s appointment signals a new phase focused on strategic growth rather than reinvention. The company plans to emphasize digital outreach, partnerships and storytelling that reinforce the Ailey brand while remaining faithful to its cultural roots.
Founded in New York City, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has long been recognized for centering Black cultural expression within modern dance. The company has toured internationally as an ambassador of American art. Graf Mack’s return to the company places that legacy in the hands of a leader shaped by both its past and its evolving future.
The Weeknd Inks $1B Catalog Partnership, Maintaining Singer’s Creative Control Over Music
The partnership will ensure The Weeknd keeps creative control over his art while still capitalizing on the assets.
The Weeknd has announced a new billion dollar deal that solidifies his control of his artistic legacy.
The “Blinding Lights” singer has signed a catalog partnership with Lyric Capitol Group. The business venture will allow Lyric to invest in his extensive music catalog while The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, and his team maintains creative control. According to Variety, The Weeknd will also be a shareholder and part-owner in the business endeavor.
The Weeknd forged the deal by ensuring he maintains creative control over his music. Instead of simply selling off his catalog, he and Lyric created a new model where he keeps his publishing rights and masters. Lyric described the development of their unique deal with The Weeknd as it paves the way for other artists to scale their music without sacrificing artistic integrity.
“From the beginning of the meeting, it was clear to all at Lyric that Abel would not sell his catalog. He wanted to be more innovative and creative in the way we established a partnership. To that end, through this venture, we constructed and launched a new business model with Abel and his iconic catalog whereby Abel and his team have the freedom to execute their creative vision with the entirety of his rights, both publishing and masters. This unique catalog deal sets a new standard for artist equity and control.”
Lyric Capital invests in music royalties, with the deal estimating to have a lofty payout in royalty multiples. Estimates show that the assets’ value totaled around $1 billion, based on an 18.2 multiple of its $55 million in net label and net publisher share.
However, the deal only includes music by The Weeknd since 2025, and will not hold for future releases. His publishing catalog remains administered by Universal Music Publishing Group.
Despite the stipulations, the partnership has reportedly become one of the biggest deals for a single artist’s catalog. The two parties hope to revolutionize the music industry, while breaking ground on new deals that prioritize artists in these conversations.
“I couldn’t be more excited about what Lyric, Abel, and team have created together,” said Ross Cameron, Lyric founding/co-managing partner. “From our first meeting, it was clear to me that we were sitting around the table with individuals that were going to change the way an artist thinks about his assets, music, and legacy. The collaboration resulted in a first-of-its-kind partnership between an artist and Lyric, and we are beyond thrilled about this new venture.”
‘Sinners’ Honored With Best Film And Seven Other Wins By African American Film Critics Association
The Ryan Coogler-directed film received 8 awards by the film critics association.
“Sinners” is this year’s best film, bestowed the honor among seven other wins by the African American Film Critics Association.
The organization named the Ryan Coogler-directed horror film as its movie of the year. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film swept the nominations by the AAFCA, also taking home best ensemble.
It led the pack of other major films this award season, followed closely by “One Battle After Another” and “Hedda.” Other films featuring a Black lead that made the list include “Wicked For Good,” “F1,” and “One Of Them Days.”
However, “Sinners” remained at the forefront of major AAFCA categories. Coogler earned the Best Director and Best Writing nods. The film’s star, Michael B. Jordan, also received the Best Actor recognition, with co-star Miles Canton getting the Emerging Face (Actor) award.
In other nods for the “Sinners” cast, Wunmi Mosaku won Best Supporting Actress. The film’s composer, Ludwig Goransson, also received the accolade for Best Music.
The AAFCA awards films for their notable and unique storytelling, especially movies focused on the Black experience. The organization also recognized the Tessa Thompson-led film “Hedda,” giving the star the Best Actress nod for her work.
“The cinematic voices recognized this year remind us of the power of film to challenge, inspire, and unite,” AAFCA President and Co-Founder Gil Robertson said in a statement. “From bold new visions to unforgettable performances, these winners represent storytellers who are pushing the art form forward while speaking to the moment we are living in. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and the impact their work continues to have on audiences worldwide.”
“Sinners” has already emerged a major contender this awards season, as the blockbuster hit had several IMAX runs along with rave reviews from critics. As award ceremonies get underway, the film hopes to make history, especially with its Black director and predominantly Black cast.
While the announcement of the awardees has already been made, the AAFCA will honor the winners will gather at its 17th annual Awards ceremony. The event will take place Feb. 8.
Hot 97 Hangs Up ‘Ebro in the Morning,’ As Host Claims Progressive Views Led To Cancellation
The show has been on air since 2012.
Hot 97 radio fans must say goodbye to one of its staple radio shows.
Billboardconfirmed the station has signed off on “Ebro In The Morning.” Hosted by Ebro Darden, the morning show had its final airing Dec. 12, ending a 13-year run on the New York-based station.
Funkmaster Flex is taking Ebro’s morning slot.
Darden and his co-hosts, Laura Stylez and Peter Rosenberg, all issued statements regarding the cancellation that shocked many listeners. Ebro made a brief comment to social media about the show’s axing, essentially telling fans to stay tuned.
Additional reps for Rosenberg doubled-down on the confirmed cancellation. However, the trio of co-hosts still plan to keep their fanbase fed with new content in the works. Stylez shared a more emotional tribute to her time on the show, joining her male counterparts a year after its initial debut, hinting at their continued work together.
“We had the best time… the most beautiful listeners and got to work with legends I love,” she wrote to IG. “I’m so proud of the work we did together… I lived so many of my dreams at Hot97 and got to work with my best friends! ….and best friends don’t let go… trust me, @oldmanebro @rosenbergradio and I have plans and more coming next year!”
As for why the show got axed, Ebro has his own theories about how his progressive views impacted the decision. The media personality spoke about how his “anti-Netanyahu” stances, among other left-leaning opinions, put the show on ice.
Ebro theorizes about why his show, 'Ebro in the Morning', was canceled after 13 years:
"They need my sh*t talking anti-Netanyahu, anti-government, progressive sh*t out the way."
“You look around at all the major media outlets… they all gotta fold up because they’re all trying to renew their deals and their licenses,” he began, as reported byComplex.
“Bro’s a casino owner,” Ebro added, referring to the man in charge of the media company. “You know the three licenses they got in NY for the casino? The guy that owns the shit owns one of the casino licenses. He gotta raise half a billion dollars. They need my shit talking, anti-Netanyahu, anti-government, progressive shit out of the way, bro. They need me out of the way.”
Ebro alleged that the station’s ownership cares more about getting a profit than their listenership, hence why they would allow the popular program to go off the air so abruptly.
“They are trying to get to these bags that these VCs got and raise some capital,” Ebro continued. “They don’t give a fuck about hip hop or black music or black community…They give a fuck about access, they give a fuck about going with their little nerdy friends to the concerts because that helps them raise money. They’ve been trying to get to me for years, bro.”
Hot 97 has yet to clarify why they chose to strip the program. However, syndication distributor Super Radio Networks has plans to keep Ebro on the airwaves.
“While the distribution of ‘Ebro in the Morning’ in its current form is ending, Superadio remains fully committed to the Ebro brand,” a spokesperson for Super Radio Networks said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing to bring Ebro’s voice and talent to the masses across new platforms, which we’ll be sharing more about very soon.”
Karen Bass, L.A.’s First Black-Woman Mayor, Announces Re-election Bid
Bass opened the 2026 mayoral contest with a rally in downtown Los Angeles.
On Dec. 13, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass officially launched her campaign for re-election. Bass opened the 2026 mayoral contest with a rally in downtown Los Angeles.
The first Black-woman mayor outlined goals for affordability, safety, and continued opposition to federal policy. Her announcement came at the Trade-Technical College Culinary Arts event space, surrounded by supporters that included city officials and allied legislators.
The mayor’s current platform addresses the residents who were affected by the wildfires that swept the Palisades, vowing support. She also acknowledges the rising cost of living in Los Angeles. In an X post Bass, addressed challenges including the city’s housing affordability and homelessness crises, recovery from this year’s Palisades wildfires, and federal immigration enforcement actions in Los Angeles. Bass said the administration’s efforts on these issues would continue if she wins another term.
“From Northridge to Echo Park, this campaign is about bringing every single part of this city and this region together so that we can solve homelessness, reduce crime. and make Los Angeles more affordable for all.”
From Northridge to Echo Park, this campaign is about bringing every single part of this city and this region together so that we can solve homelessness, reduce crime and make Los Angeles more affordable for all.#KarenBassForMayorpic.twitter.com/ryCo3I8k8j
Bass, 72, first took office in 2022, becoming Los Angeles’s first woman mayor and the second Black person to hold the city’s top post.
Bass currently faces three opponents. Former Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Austin Beutner has criticized her record on issues like disaster response. Beutner, a former supporter of Bass, believes the city needs to move in a different direction, The Hill reported.
“I voted for Karen Bass last time. We had hopes, but now even she admits we need a citywide turnaround. I agree, Los Angeles needs change. This isn’t an ordinary time, and I’m not an ordinary candidate,” Beutner said in a video posted to YouTube.
Also running are Rae Huang, a housing advocacy executive, and Asaad Alnajjar, a longtime city employee and neighborhood council member.
The mayoral election is scheduled for June 2, 2026. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff election will be held Nov. 3, 2026.
Bass’s campaign launch comes as Los Angeles prepares to host global events, including the 2028 Olympics and FIFA World Cup, milestones that supporters and critics alike say will test the city’s planning and governance.
White House Attacks College Essays About Race In Latest DEI Crackdown
Personal statements highlighting race have become another issue in the DEI crackdown within college admissions.
The White House has issued another update in its crackdown of DEI in higher education.
The Trump Administration is looking beyond college departments as it tries to turn away from diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Now, the federal government is looking at college essays used during admissions as potential unlawful, as reported by the Boston Globe.
While many students have used personal essays to describe their academic journeys thus far, the government now deems their writings including race aligned with now-banned DEI practices. Many colleges require these personal statements to show beyond a student’s writing ability, but also highlight a moment where they overcame adversity, proving how they exemplify and contribute to the school’s values.
As some diverse applicants describe their personal obstacles as students of color, the proposed “dog whistle” can now seem part of a ” discriminatory” admissions process. Since the reversal of affirmative action, schools cannot consider identity factors such as race, ethnicity or national origin.
“A lot of students might read [a community prompt] and think, Oh, I’m in the band, I’m the editor of the paper, and I’m going to write about an activity,” said Jayson Weingarten, a senior admissions consultant, before adding how some “read between the lines of what admissions officers are asking — and they’re going to talk about their race, culture, ethnicity, heritage, socioeconomic status, anything like that.“
However, given how students’ livelihoods within and beyond academia become shaped by these experiences, many have wondered what will come of the admissions processes as they foster schools’ communities. With this, the mentioning of these identity markers in college essays has sparked legal issues. The White House now looks at these expressions of students’ voice as another way to bypass the removal of affirmative action.
In a post-affirmative action world, the number of Black and Brown students across many elite universities has seen a decline. An analysis by the Associated Pressalso confirmed that 20 selective colleges witnessed a significant drop in Black freshman enrollment since the 2023 ruling.
However, some elite schools remain committed to subtly finding students from unique backgrounds through these personal statements, although its future may be in jeopardy. Weingartern finds the continued use of these prompts as a way to still provide pathways for diversity.
“It’s a quiet signal, but it’s an unmistakable act of resistance.”
Black Journalists Are Being Laid Off At An Alarming Rate
Layoffs that have swept through news organizations amid a rollback of DEI efforts.
Journalists of color at major U.S. media outlets say they have been disproportionately affected by recent layoffs that have swept through news organizations amid a rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
Trey Sherman, a Black associate producer with CBS Evening News Plus, told The Guardian that he learned in late October he was being laid off while white colleagues on his team were reassigned.
“We certainly have white producers, we have white reporters who could have been laid off as well,” a colleague identified only as Mary said in the article. “They had to have known that would not look good.”
“Every person who gets to stay and will be relocated within the company is white,” he said in the video.
Sherman continues to explain that the layoff selection was not based on merit but on familiarity, as his boss chose to keep the employees he’d “worked with before.”
Sherman said that in the months following the layoffs, he began receiving messages from journalists at other organizations who had similar experiences. He also noted many of the decisions coincided with leadership changes and corporate restructuring.
Similar patterns were reported at NBC News and Teen Vogue, where entire teams focused on coverage of racially and socially marginalized communities were eliminated or absorbed into broader operations with little staff retained.
The layoffs are ongoing and increasingly connected to a political climate that has targeted DEI initiatives. Brendan Carr, chair of the Federal Communications Commission, announced early in the Trump administration that the FCC would end its DEI efforts and remove them as a budget priority.
Some journalists cited in the article described the trend as part of a broader effort to diminish newsroom diversity rather than the result of isolated business decisions, saying the layoffs “fell along racial lines.”
11 Home Design Predictions For 2026, Based On Insights From Home Professionals And Homeowner Activity
Expect trends that are both boldly expressive and deeply rooted in classic craftsmanship.
What will homeowners ask design and construction pros for in 2026? Expect trends that are both boldly expressive and deeply rooted in classic craftsmanship.
Here are the top 11 Houzz U.S. home design trend predictions for 2026, informed by an analysis of activity from the platform’s 70 million-plus homeowners and home design enthusiasts, and more than 3 million construction and design professionals. These insights reflect what professionals share during interviews and what homeowners and pros are searching for, saving and discussing on Houzz.
Jeff Jones; design: Natalie Clayman Interior Design
1. Traditional Details
Traditional style is back, but not in the formal way you might remember. Today’s version feels warm, grounded and quietly elegant, led by English country and modern Tudor influences. In kitchens, inset cabinetry, plate racks, arched range hoods and rich woods bring handcrafted charm.
According to the 2025 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, traditional style rose 5 percentage points among renovating homeowners compared with the previous year, signaling a renewed appreciation for comfort, craftsmanship and classic detail. Curves, arches and scalloped edges soften spaces throughout the home. Built-ins, paneling and detailed millwork add depth and character. Earthy tones like olive green, taupe and deep brown, along with stained woods and muted blues or burgundies, reinforce the timeless appeal of this style.
M Real Estate Photography; design: Celaya | Soloway Interiors
2. Flat-Panel Cabinets and Vanities
Sleek and streamlined flat-panel, or slab-front, cabinets and vanities are gaining ground — even in traditional- and transitional-style rooms. Smooth, unframed doors and subtle edge profiles give cabinets a refined, custom look that feels modern yet timeless. They’re also easy to wipe clean. Warm wood tones, matte finishes and minimalist hardware keep the style inviting rather than stark. According to Houzz research, flat-panel cabinetry ranks as the second most popular style after Shaker.
Eric Rorer; design: LMB Interiors; architecture: Verner Architects
3. Natural Stone Slabs With Subtle Drama
Homeowners on Houzz are embracing natural stone countertops and backsplashes that make a statement through quiet elegance rather than bold contrast. Quartzite and marble slabs add movement and warmth with soft, sweeping green, brown, red and gold veining without overwhelming a space. This creates an understated drama that elevates a room without demanding attention. The result feels organic and luxurious, pairing beautifully with wood cabinetry, earthy palettes and classic metals.
Costa Christ; builder: New Leaf Custom Homes; architect/designer: The Design Shop
4. Checkerboard Everywhere
Checkerboard tile has made a stylish comeback. Searches on Houzz for “checkerboard floor” grew 38% in the first three quarters of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, and “bathroom checkerboard,” specifically, more than doubled (103%).
Designers are implementing the classic black-and-white colors, but are also using sage-and-cream palettes and richer hues like emerald, oxblood and burgundy for depth and sophistication. And it’s not limited to kitchens, bathrooms and entryways. The pattern is showing up in mudrooms and even patios, bringing a playful yet elegant touch. High-quality materials like honed marble and handmade terra cotta elevate the look and age gracefully over time, striking a balance between timeless charm and modern flair.
Seth Caplan; design: Claire Hung Design
5. Wall-Mounted Bathroom Faucets
Faucets are the No. 1 feature being upgraded in bathroom projects, according to the 2025 U.S. Houzz Bathroom Trends Report, and homeowners are getting creative with their placement.
Wall-mounted faucets, which offer both a sleek, streamlined look and practical benefits, are rising in popularity. By mounting the spout and handles above the sink, countertops stay clear, making cleaning easier. Wall-mounted faucets also save valuable space in compact vanities, freeing up countertops for essentials. They work well with vessel, custom and double sinks, and offer more flexibility than deck-mounted faucets.
Image created using Houzz Pro’s 3D Floor Plan tool
6. Zoned Built-Ins
Multifunctional built-in wall units are transforming living rooms into organized, stylish hubs in renovated homes on Houzz. These cabinetry walls combine zoned areas for TVs, fireplaces, open and closed storage, benches and even bars into a single, cohesive feature. By maximizing wall space, they reduce the need for extra furniture, making rooms feel more open.
Custom shelving allows homeowners to display decor, while closed cabinetry keeps essentials neatly tucked away. Wood, glass, painted finishes, stone accents, and metal details add texture, warmth and visual interest. When considering built-in features, it’s helpful to meet with a professional who can provide visualizations of your options before construction begins to ensure that built-ins will integrate seamlessly with the rest of the space.
Courtesy of Elizabeth Frost Designs
7. Art Deco Influences
Art Deco is making a glamorous resurgence, bringing bold geometry, luxurious materials and timeless elegance into modern homes. Think chevrons, sunbursts and stepped details paired with marble, lacquered surfaces and metallic accents in brass, gold or chrome.
Jewel tones and rich earthy hues such as emerald, ocher and charcoal add depth, while mirrored surfaces and glossy finishes amplify light and drama. This trend blends historical sophistication with contemporary sensibilities, creating spaces that feel opulent and modern.
Miranda Estes; courtesy of Jackson Design Build
8. Warm Yellow Accents
Earthy yellows like ocher, mustard and honey are bringing warmth and depth into home design. Designers on Houzz are favoring these muted, grounded shades over bright citrus tones, using them in textiles, upholstery and accents to add a cozy, sun-washed glow.
Paired with rust, burgundy or rich browns, these hues feel understated and comforting, perfect for creating an inviting, layered palette. Whether through a velvet sofa, wall paint or drapery, warm yellows infuse spaces with character and a sense of timeless optimism. This new take on yellow is less bold statement, and more effortless warmth.
Homeowners are increasingly approaching their yards as collections of garden rooms — distinct outdoor zones with defined purposes. Instead of one open expanse, landscapes are divided into destinations: Think a dining patio, a fire lounge, a play lawn and a quiet reading nook surrounded by greenery.
Landscape architects on Houzz are adding low hedges, trellises, planters and pathways to subtly define boundaries while maintaining flow and cohesion. This creates a sense of discovery even in compact yards and makes outdoor spaces appear larger and more intentional. The result is a layered landscape that feels structured and inviting, with multiple places to relax, entertain and connect with nature.
Photo Courtesy of Houzz; design: Curated Nest
10. Transparent Renovation Projects
In 2026, homeowners will look for more openness and clarity throughout their renovation journey. Recent Houzz research found that more than 40% of renovating homeowners think a clearer timeline would have improved their project experience, and the same share wanted better communication from their pros. Expect digital project dashboards complete with easy-to-follow schedules, visual progress updates and payment timelines to become a regular part of how construction and design firms keep homeowners informed.
Image created using Houzz Pro’s 3D Floor Plan tool
11. Immersive Visualization Becomes the New Blueprint
More homeowners are looking for ways to picture their finished spaces before demolition begins. With over 1 in 5 saying they struggled to visualize the end result at the start of a project (22%), tools like 3D floor plans and AR walkthroughs are becoming essential for building confidence in design decisions.
Hip-Hop Artist-Turned-Politician Dupre ‘DoItAll’ Kelly Releases Children’s Book
DoItAll and Khairi Williams release 'You Can Do It All.'
Newark Councilman Dupre Kelly has accomplished many things throughout his life, including a career in music and becoming the first American platinum hip-hop artist to be duly elected to political office. He has now added children’s author to his list of accomplishments.
Along with co-author, educator, and media producer Khairi Williams, the pair has recently released a children’s book titled “You Can Do It All,” a play off his professional stage name and rap moniker, DoItAll from the group, Lords of the Underground.
The two men recently held a picture-book reading and meet-and-greet at the Newark Public Library’s main branch. As they stood on stage to discuss the book’s contents, both men took the opportunity to engage with the audience, explaining why the book was written and how it would help children (and adults).
BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke with the co-authors, who explained how the book idea came about and what they want readers to take away.
The book, released in November, follows a young boy who harnesses self-belief and capitalizes on opportunities to achieve his goals. It can be viewed as an autobiography of DoItAll, detailing his love of hip-hop, his success, and his drive to build on that success to become a politician.
Williams explained that he brought the children’s book idea to DoItAll and convinced him to proceed.
“Well, I really was on dude for a long time about doing these memoirs and putting some sort of book together. But I was just reflecting on a lot of stories that he’s told me, peaks and valleys through life, the fails and the triumphs of just life. And I said, ‘Wow, we need to articulate this in a way that’s digestible for children, but parents can read it to them and even take in some of these lessons.'”
DoItAll admitted that the book could only be completed with Williams taking the lead, and through Williams’ persistence, it was accomplished. He explains why they chose a children’s book rather than a regular book or a biography.
“Well, the reason that we chose a children’s book and this platform is because when you reach the babies, you reach their parents, right? You remind their parents. So we wanted to pour into the children because it’s bigger than us. It’s about the youth. It’s not about us anymore.”
He goes on to say that although everyone wants to be an influencer, they wish to inspire.
“Influence is powerful, right? But we wanna inspire, because when you’re inspired by somebody, you are in spirit with them. When you influence somebody, you know, usually you’re not yourself. You’re under the influence. When I have ever been under the influence of anything, I have not been myself.
“We want people to add on, to be greater than the thing that they love, and that’s when you are in spirit with it. So that’s why we chose a children’s platform, because they’re the next generation for real.”
Top 7 Video Games That Rewired Global Gaming In The 1990s
Some video games from the 1990s both entertained audiences and deeply transformed the gaming culture.
A recent report covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE revealed how video games from the 1990s shaped children’s brains. The games appeared simple, but as it turned out, they were complex. Technology paired with those video games established a golden era, and that also created lasting franchises, the evolution of consoles, and cultural events that remain significant today—ushering in an entire universe of gaming.
Here are seven key video games from the 1990s that both entertained audiences and deeply transformed the gaming culture.
Super Mario 64
Super Mario 64 became available in 1996 as a launch title for the Nintendo 64 console because of Shigeru Miyamoto’s visionary leadership at Nintendo. The 3D platformer pioneer transformed movement and level design through Super Mario 64, which established the basic principles of modern gaming. The worldwide distribution of Super Mario 64 through Nintendo’s home console platform established the game as one of the most historically influential video game titles.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Nintendo EAD developed The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998), which transformed the action-adventure genre through its Z-targeting and cinematic storytelling. The Nintendo 64 game launched in 1998 before becoming available digitally through Nintendo services after its initial cartridge release. Ocarina of Time stands as one of the greatest video games ever made while permanently transforming action-adventure mechanics.
Sonic the Hedgehog
The Sega Genesis platformer Sonic the Hedgehog launched in 1991 through Sega’s Sonic Team development. The game Sonic the Hedgehog targeted Nintendo’s Mario as its main competitor. The game Sonic the Hedgehog launched in Japan, together with the North America and Europe markets, where its fast gameplay and rebellious marketing helped Sega control early ’90s console culture.
Final Fantasy VII
The 1997 PlayStation release of Final Fantasy VII transformed the role-playing game (RPG) genre. The game developed by Square (now Square Enix) introduced RPGs to mainstream audiences in Western markets. Final Fantasy VII started in Japan before becoming a worldwide commercial success. The game’s storytelling, together with its FMV cutscenes and vast world, expanded RPG expectations.
GoldenEye 007
The first-person shooter gameplay of GoldenEye 007, developed by Rare, transformed console multiplayer gaming. The game debuted in 1997 on Nintendo 64 and focused on worldwide markets, including North America and Europe. The game’s four-player split-screen mode established itself as a defining feature of ’90s gaming culture.
Street Fighter II
The competitive fighting game Street Fighter II was developed by Capcom to transform the e-sports industry. The game first appeared in arcades in 1991, before home console versions were launched in Japan and subsequently spread globally. The fighting game culture was influenced by the game’s character roster, and combo system and competitive structure.
Pokémon Red & Blue
The Game Freak developed Nintendo published Pokémon Red and Blue launched in Japan during 1996 and reached North America in 1998. The monster-catching RPGs started their generational phenomenon on the Game Boy handheld platform. The games launched one of the most successful media franchises worldwide, which includes TV shows and trading cards.
