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[ SKIP INTRO ]
▶ NOW PLAYING
—
BREAKING
  ★ E3 EXPO OPENS IN LOS ANGELES — MAY 16-18, 1996   ★ TWISTER CRUSHES BOX OFFICE WITH $41.1M OPENING WEEKEND   ★ DEXTER'S LABORATORY PREMIERES ON CARTOON NETWORK   ★ SONY ANNOUNCES PLAYSTATION PRICE DROP TO $199 AT E3   ★ NINTENDO 64 CONFIRMED FOR SEPTEMBER 29, 1996 LAUNCH   ★ MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE OPENS MAY 22 — TOM CRUISE RETURNS   ★ CHICAGO BULLS FINISH 72-10 — BEST RECORD IN NBA HISTORY   ★ ATLANTA OLYMPICS OPEN JULY 19 — 71 DAYS AWAY   ★ MARIAH CAREY'S "ALWAYS BE MY BABY" TOPS BILLBOARD HOT 100   ★ BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY "THA CROSSROADS" DOMINATES RADIO   ★ CELINE DION "BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME" SWEEPS CHARTS   ★ THE CRAFT OPENS MAY 3 — WICCA GOES MAINSTREAM   ★ NO DOUBT "JUST A GIRL" BREAKS INTO TOP 20   ★ ASK JEEVES LAUNCHES — NEW NATURAL LANGUAGE SEARCH ENGINE   ★ AOL REACHES 5 MILLION SUBSCRIBERS THIS MONTH   ★ SEGA SATURN PRICE DROPS TO $299 AHEAD OF N64   ★ SUPER MARIO 64 SHOWN PLAYABLE AT E3 — LINES WRAP AROUND HALL   ★ POWER RANGERS ZEO AIRS SATURDAY MORNINGS ON FOX KIDS   ★ ANIMANIACS: FULL HOUR BLOCK ON KIDS' WB EVERY SATURDAY   ★ DRAGONHEART OPENS MAY 31 — SEAN CONNERY VOICES DRAGON   ★ NBA PLAYOFFS: BULLS DESTROY HEAT 3-0 IN FIRST ROUND   ★ KEN GRIFFEY JR. LEADS MARINERS WITH .316 BATTING AVG   ★ WIRED MAGAZINE COVERS THE INTERNET REVOLUTION   ★ WINDOWS 95 NOW IN 20% OF US HOMES   ★ SURGE SODA HITS STORES — COCA-COLA CHALLENGES MOUNTAIN DEW   ★ TAMAGOTCHI LAUNCHES IN JAPAN — VIRTUAL PET CRAZE BEGINS   ★ E3 EXPO OPENS IN LOS ANGELES — MAY 16-18, 1996   ★ TWISTER CRUSHES BOX OFFICE WITH $41.1M OPENING WEEKEND   
◼ SATURDAY  •  MAY 4, 1996  •  8:00 AM

YOU ARE NOW
ENTERING

MAY 1996

Six channels. Eight magazines. Three commercial blocks.
One Saturday morning you'll never forget.

LIVE FEED — MAY 4, 1996
E3 EXPO OPENS IN 12 DAYSLOS ANGELES
Super Mario 64 playable demo · PlayStation price drop to $199 confirmed
DEXTER'S LABORATORYPREMIERED APR 28
Cartoon Network's newest original — already the talk of the dial
TWISTER — NOW PLAYING#1
$41.1 million opening weekend · Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton
NO DOUBT — "JUST A GIRL"RISING
Breaking into Billboard Top 20 · Tragic Kingdom still climbing
SUPER MARIO RPGON SHELVES NOW
Square × Nintendo · #6 on the Nintendo Power chart this month
ZENITH
SAT. MORNING
NOSTALGIA
▐ ON AIR ▌
MAY 1996
CH 05
TIME CAPSULE → MAY 4, 1996
NETWORKS ON AIR → 6
SHOWS THIS MORNING → 28+
E3 OPENS IN → 12 DAYS
DEXTER'S LAB AGE → 6 DAYS OLD
PLAYSTATION PRICE → $299
N64 LAUNCH → 127 DAYS
ATLANTA OLYMPICS → 76D 00H 00M
_
□
✕
Ask Jeeves — www.ask.com — Netscape Navigator 2.0
★ JUST LAUNCHED — APRIL 1996 ★ ASK IN PLAIN ENGLISH ★
Jeeves says: Type a question and I shall answer it for you, old chap!
What is E3?
Who is Mariah Carey?
What movies are playing?
What is the best video game?
Who won the Super Bowl?
When is the N64 coming out?

Explore the Archive

Saturday TV Guide
Six networks, 28+ shows. Interactive channel guide with real May 1996 Saturday morning lineups from Fox Kids, Kids' WB, NBC, CBS, ABC, and Cartoon Network.
Magazine Rack
Eight real May 1996 issues — EGM, Nintendo Power, GamePro, Wired, Disney Adventures, Next Generation, HBO Guide, and Total! Browse covers and open full PDFs.
Commercial Break
Real commercial blocks from ABC, Cartoon Network, and NBC — May 1996. Watch them inside a retro TV bezel. Grab the remote and change the channel.
Game Zone
E3 1996 opens in two weeks. Super Mario 64 is the most-anticipated game of all time. The PlayStation just launched last fall. The N64 wars are about to begin.
Time Capsule
What else was happening in May 1996? Twister. Mission: Impossible. The early internet. Pogs. Power Rangers. Step back into the whole era.
International
Saturday mornings weren't just an American phenomenon. Explore what kids were watching around the world in May 1996 with the International archive.
◼ SATURDAY MORNING  •  MAY 1996

Saturday Morning TV Guide

SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1996 — Six networks, one morning, a full day of cartoons. This is the real 1995–96 season Saturday lineup. Hover any show to read more.

This Week's Must-Watch

FOX KIDS  •  9:00 AM
Power Rangers Zeo
The hottest show on Saturday morning. The Zeo Rangers are battling King Mondo and the Machine Empire. Zeo Crystal powers replace the Mighty Morphin suits. Toy stores can't keep the Zeo Megazord in stock.
HOT SABAN
KIDS' WB!  •  8:30 AM
Animaniacs (1 Hour)
This season, Animaniacs gets a full hour on Kids' WB. Yakko, Wakko, and Dot alongside Pinky & the Brain, Slappy Squirrel, and Goodfeathers. Arguably the best animated show of the 1990s.
MUST-WATCH SPIELBERG
CARTOON NETWORK  •  9:30 AM
Dexter's Laboratory
Just six days old! Dexter's Laboratory premiered on April 28, 1996 and is already generating buzz. Genndy Tartakovsky's debut is unlike anything else on TV. The future of Cartoon Network original animation starts here.
★ BRAND NEW CN ORIGINAL
◼ 8 ISSUES  •  MAY 1996

Magazine Rack

Step up to the magazine rack at the corner store — May 1996. Eight real issues, all from your local folder. Click any cover to open the full PDF.

ELECTRONIC GAMING MONTHLY
ISSUE 082  •  MAY 1996  •  $4.99
132 PAGES
OF PURE GAMING
Electronic Gaming Monthly
ISSUE 082  •  MAY 1996  •  $4.99
Ed Semrad editor. 132 pages of reviews, previews, and the most trusted scores in gaming. E3 1996 preview inside — the show opens May 16.
▶ OPEN FULL ISSUE
ISSUE 084  •  MAY 1996
KEN GRIFFEY JR.
WINNING RUN
12-PAGE COVER FEATURE
Nintendo Power
ISSUE 084  •  MAY 1996
Cover: Ken Griffey Jr.'s Winning Run with a 12-page feature. Also: Mohawk and Headphone Jack, Lobo preview. Official Nintendo source.
▶ OPEN FULL ISSUE
ISSUE 082  •  MAY 1996  •  $3.99
REVIEWS & PREVIEWS
FOR ALL PLATFORMS
SNES • GEN • SAT • PS1 • PC
GamePro
ISSUE 082  •  MAY 1996  •  $3.99
The multi-platform gaming authority. Reviews for SNES, Genesis, Saturn, PlayStation, and PC. E3 coverage, previews, and buyer's guides.
▶ OPEN FULL ISSUE
DISNEY
VOL. 06  •  MAY 1996
GARGOYLES!
DISNEY AFTERNOON
GAMES & FUN
Disney Adventures
VOLUME 06  •  MAY 1996
The magazine for Disney fans of all ages. Gargoyles, Disney Afternoon shows, comics, games, and behind-the-scenes looks at Disney's latest movies and TV.
▶ OPEN FULL ISSUE
MAY 1996  •  $5.99
THE N64:
"WORLD'S MOST
POWERFUL MACHINE"
THE INSIDER'S GUIDE
Next Generation
MAY 1996  •  $5.99
The premium gaming publication for industry insiders. Called the N64 the "world's most powerful game machine." In-depth analysis, business coverage, cutting-edge previews.
▶ OPEN FULL ISSUE
MAY 1996  •  $4.95
THE DIGITAL
REVOLUTION
IS NOW
THE FUTURE ARRIVES
Wired
MAY 1996  •  $4.95
The bible of the digital revolution. In May 1996, Wired was chronicling the early internet, Silicon Valley culture, and the people who would reshape the world. Required reading for the digerati.
▶ OPEN FULL ISSUE
GUIDE
MAY 1996
THIS MONTH
ON HBO
HBO Guide
MAY 1996
The monthly programming guide for HBO subscribers. What was in rotation on premium cable in May 1996? Movies, specials, and original programming listed inside.
▶ OPEN FULL ISSUE
ISSUE 53  •  MAY 1996  •  £2.25
UK'S NINTENDO
SPECIALIST MAG
SNES & GAMEBOY
Total! (UK)
ISSUE 53  •  MAY 1996  •  £2.25
The UK's specialist Nintendo magazine. Total! covered SNES and Game Boy with a distinctly British sense of humor. Issue 53 is a snapshot of late SNES-era gaming in the UK.
▶ OPEN FULL ISSUE
◼ 3 BLOCKS  •  MAY 1996

Commercial Break

ZENITH
SELECT A CHANNEL
TO TUNE IN
CH --
0:00 / 0:00 |
TUNE TO:
▶  SELECT A CHANNEL ABOVE TO START WATCHING  |  USE KEYBOARD 1-3 TO CHANNEL SURF
Real May 1996 commercial blocks from ABC · Cartoon Network · NBC
◼ FROM THE ARCHIVE
Original ABC, Cartoon Network, and NBC commercial blocks as they aired in May 1996 — three full reels of toy ads, cereal spots, and movie trailers. Broadcast reels are being re-mastered; check back soon.
Commercial Blocks
ABC CLASSIC
ABC Saturday Morning Commercials
MAY 1996
Toy ads, cereal spots, movie trailers, and product commercials as they aired during ABC's Saturday morning cartoon block in May 1996. The full Saturday morning ad experience.
90's Commercials – ABC May 1996 Part 1
CN CARTOON NET
Cartoon Network Commercials
MAY 1996
Bumpers, promos, and commercials from Cartoon Network in May 1996 — the same month Dexter's Laboratory premiered. See CN's brand identity when it was still finding its voice.
Cartoon Network commercials [May 1996]
NBC MAY 16
NBC Commercials
MAY 16, 1996
A specific date: May 16, 1996 — the same day E3 opened in Los Angeles. NBC commercials from that Thursday capture a precise moment in American television history.
NBC Commercials – May 16, 1996
// DID YOU KNOW
In May 1996, a 30-second Saturday morning commercial slot cost approximately $30,000–$60,000 on a major network. Toy companies budgeted millions for their Saturday morning ad buys — the only time many kids were in front of a TV together all week.
◼ E3 OPENS MAY 16  •  1996

Game Zone

E3
1996
MAY 16–18, 1996
LOS ANGELES, CA
The Show That Changed Everything
The Los Angeles Convention Center becomes the center of the universe for gamers in 12 days. The second annual E3 features Nintendo's fully-playable Super Mario 64, Sony's bombshell PlayStation price cut from $299 to $199, Sega's NiGHTS into Dreams, and the clearest picture yet of the 32-bit era's winners and losers. Attendance is 50,000. The lines are 3 hours long. Nothing will ever be the same.
SUPER MARIO 64 PLAYABLE PS1 DROPS TO $199 N64 CONFIRMED SEPT 29 SATURN IN TROUBLE 50,000 ATTENDEES

The Console Wars — May 1996

TRINITRON · XBR
▮ SELECT A CONSOLE ▮
CONSOLE WARS
MAY 1996
CH —
Super NES
SUPER NES
Sega Genesis
SEGA GENESIS
Sega Saturn
SEGA SATURN
Sony PlayStation
PLAYSTATION
Nintendo 64
NINTENDO 64
Wooden entertainment center

Must-Play Games — May 1996

Must-Play Games
May 1996  ·  All Titles In Stock
RENT 2 NIGHTS $3.99
📼  VIDEO GAME RENTALS  —  MAY 1996 ALL TITLES $3.99 / 2 NIGHTS
PlayStation
SURVIVAL HORROR · FIGHTING · RACING
$3.99 / 2 NIGHTS
RESIDENT EVIL
Capcom · PS1 · 1996
Resident Evil PS1 NEW 9.6
Resident Evil
PlayStation · March 22, 1996
The game that defined survival horror. Explore the Spencer Mansion, ration your ammo, and pray the door-loading screens give you enough time to catch your breath.
🔥 HOTSURVIVAL HORROR
STREET FIGHTER ALPHA 2
Capcom · PS1 · 1996
Street Fighter Alpha 2 PS1 9.1
Street Fighter Alpha 2
PlayStation · March 1996
Capcom's prequel series reaches its peak. Fluid anime art, 30-character roster, and the best console SF of the era.
FIGHTINGARCADE PORT
MORTAL KOMBAT TRILOGY
Midway · PS1 · 1996
Mortal Kombat Trilogy PS1 8.5
Mortal Kombat Trilogy
PS1 / Saturn / N64 / PC · 1996
Every fighter in one brutal package. Fatalities, Animalities, Brutalities. Ask the clerk if you're under 17.
FIGHTING🔥 HOT
RIDGE RACER
Namco · PS1 · 1995
Ridge Racer PS1 8.8
Ridge Racer
PlayStation · 1995
The PS1 launch title that sold the system. Arcade-perfect drifting. Load it once, play Galaga while you wait.
RACING
JUMPING FLASH!
Sony · PS1 · 1995
Jumping Flash! PS1 8.2
Jumping Flash!
PlayStation · 1995
Robot rabbit mech hops through psychedelic 3D worlds. Sony's early PS1 gem. Vertical leap mechanic unlike anything else.
PLATFORMER
WIPEOUT
Psygnosis · PS1 · 1995
Wipeout PS1 8.7
Wipeout
PlayStation · 1995
Psygnosis anti-grav racer with a jaw-dropping techno soundtrack. The coolest thing you could show off on PS1 in 1996.
RACING
Super NES
PLATFORMER · RPG · FIGHTING
$2.99 / 2 NIGHTS
DONKEY KONG COUNTRY 2
Rare · SNES · 1995
Donkey Kong Country 2 SNES 9.8
Donkey Kong Country 2
Super NES · November 1995
Rare's masterpiece. Diddy and Dixie storm K. Rool's ship. Best platformer on SNES with David Wise's legendary soundtrack.
🏆 MUST-PLAYPLATFORMER
SUPER MARIO RPG
Square · SNES · 1996
Super Mario RPG SNES NEW 9.5
Super Mario RPG
Super NES · March 9, 1996
Nintendo + Square. An actual RPG in the Mario universe. Brilliant combat, incredible music, unforgettable characters. Geno for Smash.
🔥 HOTRPG
KILLER INSTINCT
Rare · SNES · 1995
Killer Instinct SNES 9.0
Killer Instinct
Super NES · 1995
C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER. Rare brings the arcade brawler home. Fulgore vs. Spinal. Ultra combos. The Orchid kick.
FIGHTING
YOSHI'S ISLAND
Nintendo · SNES · 1995
Yoshi's Island SNES 9.4
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
Super NES · 1995
Hand-drawn watercolor stages. Baby Mario on Yoshi's back. The most creative SNES platformer, period.
PLATFORMER
SUPER METROID
Nintendo · SNES · 1994
Super Metroid SNES 9.7
Super Metroid
Super NES · 1994
Still the GOAT. Samus hunts Mother Brain across Planet Zebes. The Etecoons and Dachoras. The ending. A perfect game.
🏆 MASTERPIECE
CHRONO TRIGGER
Square · SNES · 1995
Chrono Trigger SNES 9.9
Chrono Trigger
Super NES · 1995
Square's time-traveling RPG masterwork. Thirteen unique endings. The greatest JRPG ever made. If it's not rented, you're in luck.
🏆 LEGENDARYRPG
Sega Saturn
3D FIGHTING · RAIL SHOOTER
$3.99 / 2 NIGHTS
NiGHTS INTO DREAMS
Sega · Saturn · 1996
NiGHTS into Dreams SAT NEW 9.5
NiGHTS into Dreams
Sega Saturn · July 1996
Yuji Naka's masterwork. A dream-jester glides through surreal dreamscapes. Bundled with the 3D analog pad. Pure Saturn magic.
⭐ SATURN EXCLUSIVE
VIRTUA FIGHTER 2
Sega · Saturn · 1995
Virtua Fighter 2 SAT 9.3
Virtua Fighter 2
Sega Saturn · 1995
The most technically demanding fighter of 1996. Akira's shoulder ram. Jacky's combos. Lau's viper stance. The arcade perfected at home.
3D FIGHTING
PANZER DRAGOON II ZWEI
Sega · Saturn · 1996
Panzer Dragoon II Zwei SAT NEW 9.0
Panzer Dragoon II: Zwei
Sega Saturn · May 1996
The rail shooter sequel that arrived this very month. Shape-shifting dragon. Alien landscapes. More levels, more spectacle.
⭐ MAY 1996
DAYTONA USA
Sega · Saturn · 1995
Daytona USA SAT 8.3
Daytona USA
Sega Saturn · 1995
LET'S GO AWAY! Rolling start, Three Seven Speedway, and the catchiest arcade racing soundtrack in history.
RACING
GUARDIAN HEROES
Treasure · Saturn · 1996
Guardian Heroes SAT NEW 9.1
Guardian Heroes
Sega Saturn · 1996
Treasure's beat-em-up RPG masterpiece. Branching story, six characters, legendary soundtrack. A criminally overlooked gem.
BEAT 'EM UP⭐ HIDDEN GEM
PC / Multi
FPS · STRATEGY · RTS
ASK CLERK FOR PC BOX
DUKE NUKEM 3D
3D Realms · PC · 1996
Duke Nukem 3D PC NEW 9.4
Duke Nukem 3D
PC · January 1996
Come get some. 3D Realms drops the most quotable FPS of the era. Levels designed with actual humor. Hail to the king, baby.
🔥 HOTFPS
WARCRAFT II
Blizzard · PC · 1995
Warcraft II PC 9.2
Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness
PC · December 1995
Blizzard's RTS juggernaut. Zug-zug. Work work. The game that made Blizzard a household name and ate all of 1996.
STRATEGY / RTS
COMMAND & CONQUER
Westwood · PC · 1995
Command and Conquer PC 9.1
Command & Conquer
PC · 1995
GDI vs. Nod in a war over Tiberium. FMV cutscenes, iconic soundtrack, Tesla coils. Every LAN party had this installed.
STRATEGY / RTS
QUAKE
id Software · PC · 1996
Quake PC NEW 9.6
Quake
PC · June 1996
id Software's revolutionary true-3D shooter. Dark gothic horror meets Trent Reznor's industrial soundtrack. Deathmatch over dial-up will ruin your life.
🔥 HOTFPS

At the Arcade — May 1996

The local arcade is still where you go to play the best fighting games before they hit consoles. Quarter-up culture is at its absolute peak. These are the machines you can't walk past without stopping.
Street Fighter Alpha 2 arcade flyer
STREET FIGHTER
ALPHA 2
Street Fighter Alpha 2
🕹️
INSERT COIN
▶ PLAY NOW
Mortal Kombat 3
MORTAL
KOMBAT 3
Mortal Kombat 3
🕹️
INSERT COIN
▶ PLAY NOW
Daytona USA arcade flyer
DAYTONA
USA
Daytona USA
🏎️
INSERT COIN
▶ PLAY NOW
Killer Instinct 2 arcade flyer
KILLER
INSTINCT 2
Killer Instinct 2
🕹️
INSERT COIN
▶ PLAY NOW

The Charts — May 1996

SOURCE: Nintendo Power Issue #84, May 1996 — Power Chart (scanned from local archive)
★ Super NES Top 10 NP #84
1Donkey Kong Country 2Donkey Kong Country 2SNES—
2Chrono TriggerChrono TriggerSNES▲3
3Zelda: Link to the PastZelda: Link to the PastSNES—
4Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's IslandSuper Mario World 2: Yoshi's IslandSNES—
5Final Fantasy IIIFinal Fantasy IIISNES▲4
6Super Mario RPGSuper Mario RPGSNESNEW
7Super MetroidSuper MetroidSNES—
8Killer InstinctKiller InstinctSNES—
9Donkey Kong CountryDonkey Kong CountrySNES—
10Earthworm Jim 2Earthworm Jim 2SNES—
⭐ Most Wanted — May 1996 NP #84
1Nintendo 64Nintendo 64HARDWARE
2Killer Instinct GoldKiller Instinct GoldN64
3Cruis'n USACruis'n USAN64
4X-Band ModemX-Band ModemSNES
5Dragon Quest VDragon Quest VSNES
6DoomDoomN64
7Super Mario RPGSuper Mario RPGSNES
8Mortal Kombat 3Mortal Kombat 3N64
9Virtual BoyVirtual BoyHARDWARE
10DKC 2: Diddy's Kong QuestDKC 2: Diddy's Kong QuestSNES
★ Game Boy Top 10 NP #84
1Zelda: Link's AwakeningZelda: Link's AwakeningGB—
2Donkey Kong LandDonkey Kong LandGB—
3Metroid IIMetroid IIGB▲1
4TetrisTetrisGB▲37
5Dr. MarioDr. MarioGB—
6Super Mario Land 2Super Mario Land 2GB—
7Wario LandWario LandGB—
8Kirby's Dream Land 2Kirby's Dream Land 2GB▲1
9Donkey KongDonkey KongGB—
10Defender / JoustGBNEW
★ Top 5 RPGs NP #84
1Chrono TriggerChrono TriggerSNES
2Final Fantasy IIIFinal Fantasy IIISNES
3Super Mario RPGSuper Mario RPGSNES
4Final Fantasy (in color)NES
5EarthBoundEarthBoundSNES
VIRTUAL BOY TOP 5
1Wario Land VBWario LandVB
2Mario's TennisMario's TennisVB
3Mario ClashMario ClashVB
4Galactic PinballGalactic PinballVB
53-D TetrisVB
On the Magazine Rack This Month
The charts above are sourced directly from the Nintendo Power #84 Power Chart (May 1996). EGM #82 features an 8th Anniversary special and E3 previews. GamePro #82 covers all platforms. Next Generation dives deep into N64 launch strategy. All five issues are in the .
◼ WHAT ELSE WAS HAPPENING

Time Capsule

At the Box Office — May 1996

N O W   P L A Y I N G
GALAXY MEGAPLEX
16 SCREENS  ·  STADIUM SEATING  ·  DOLBY DIGITAL
▶ NOW SHOWING  ·  BOX OFFICE TOP 5  ·  MAY 27, 1996 ◀
MISSION:
IMPOSSIBLE
PARAMOUNT · 1996
Mission: Impossible poster
1
$56.8M
Mission: Impossible
Dir: Brian De Palma · Tom Cruise
◼ #1 THIS WEEK ◼
Mission: Impossible
DIR: Brian De Palma
STARS: Tom Cruise, Jon Voight
OPENED: MAY 22, 1996
$56.8M Opening Weekend
THRILLER
TWISTER
WARNER BROS · 1996
Twister poster
2
$41.1M
Twister
Dir: Jan de Bont · Helen Hunt
◼ #2 THIS WEEK ◼
Twister
DIR: Jan de Bont
STARS: Helen Hunt, Bill Paxton
OPENED: MAY 10, 1996
$41.1M Opening Weekend
DISASTER
ERASER
WARNER BROS · 1996
Eraser poster
3
$24.0M
Eraser
Dir: Chuck Russell · Schwarzenegger
◼ #3 THIS WEEK ◼
Eraser
DIR: Chuck Russell
STARS: Arnold Schwarzenegger
OPENED: MAY 22, 1996
$24.0M Opening Weekend
ACTION
THE
CRAFT
COLUMBIA · 1996
The Craft poster
4
$8.1M
The Craft
Dir: A. Fleming · Fairuza Balk
◼ #4 THIS WEEK ◼
The Craft
DIR: Andrew Fleming
STARS: Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk
OPENED: MAY 3, 1996
$8.1M Weekend · Cult Classic
CULT HIT
JAMES AND
THE GIANT
PEACH
DISNEY · 1996
James and the Giant Peach poster
5
$5.1M
James and the Giant Peach
Dir: Henry Selick · Roald Dahl
◼ #5 THIS WEEK ◼
James and the Giant Peach
DIR: Henry Selick
Roald Dahl adaptation
OPENED: APR 12, 1996
$5.1M Weekend
FAMILY
HOVER FOR DETAILS OPENING WEEKEND GROSS CLICK TO WATCH TRAILER
What's Playing — Spring '96
Hootie & the Blowfish — "Time"
Their debut album Cracked Rear View is still selling millions. One of the biggest crossover success stories of the decade.
Alanis Morissette — Jagged Little Pill
Released in June 1995 and still everywhere in Spring 1996. "You Oughta Know" and "Ironic" define the cultural moment.
Tupac — "California Love"
The hip-hop anthem of 1996. Dr. Dre's production. A defining moment for West Coast rap's mainstream dominance.
Bush — "Glycerine"
Post-grunge alt-rock dominance. Sixteen Stone is still an MTV staple. Gavin Rossdale is everywhere.
No Doubt — "Just a Girl"
Tragic Kingdom was released in October 1995. By May 1996, it's exploding. Gwen Stefani is becoming a star.
The Internet in May 1996
INTERNET USERS WORLDWIDE
~45 million
WEBSITES IN EXISTENCE
~230,000
STANDARD DIAL-UP SPEED
28.8 Kbps
DOMINANT BROWSER
Netscape 2.0
TOP ISP
AOL
SEARCH ENGINE
Yahoo! / AltaVista
Most American kids in May 1996 had never used the internet. Those who had were on AOL with a shrieking dial-up modem. The World Wide Web was two years from transforming daily life. Wired magazine was the only mainstream outlet covering what was coming.
Netscape Navigator 2.0 — Yahoo! - The Best Home Page
_
□
✕
FileEditViewGoBookmarksOptionsDirectoryWindowHelp

Yahoo!

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Toy Aisle — May 1996
Power Rangers Zeo Megazord toy SOLD OUT
Power Rangers Zeo Zords
The Zeo Megazord is the must-have toy of spring 1996. Stores can't keep them stocked. Bandai is printing money.
Pogs and slammers collection BANNED
Pogs / Slammers
Peak popularity, final year. Every school has banned them. Every kid has hundreds of caps and a skull slammer.
LEGO Pirates 1996 set NEW WAVE
LEGO Pirates / Space
LEGO's golden era of themed sets — Pirates Wave 4 hits shelves. Space, Town, Technic, and Castle all thriving.
Vintage Kenner Star Wars figures VINTAGE
Kenner Star Wars Figures
Special Editions arriving 1997. Vintage Kenner figures are back on shelves, building massive anticipation.
Tamagotchi virtual pet COMING SOON
Tamagotchi
Bandai's virtual pet launches in Japan Nov 1996. The worldwide craze is about to begin. Get ready.
Space Jam McDonald's Happy Meal toy McDONALD'S
Space Jam Happy Meal
8 collectible toys — Bugs Bunny, Lola, Daffy, MJ, Tweety, Porky, Tazmanian Devil, Swackhammer. Collect them all!
M
McDONALD'S HAPPY MEAL
★ SPACE JAM — SPRING/SUMMER 1996 ★
Bugs Bunny Space Jam Happy Meal Toy
Bugs
Bunny
Taz Space Jam Happy Meal Toy
Taz
Monstar Space Jam Happy Meal Toy
Mon-
star
Daffy Duck Space Jam Happy Meal Toy
Daffy
Duck
COLLECT ALL 8! ASK FOR A HAPPY MEAL! WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.
Sports & Big Events
Chicago Bulls — 72-Win Season
Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman's Bulls finished 72–10, the best regular season record in NBA history. The NBA Finals are next month.
Atlanta Olympics — 71 Days Away
The 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta open July 19. Dream Team III is being assembled. The world's biggest sporting event is almost here.
Seattle Mariners — Ken Griffey Jr.
The Kid is on the cover of Nintendo Power this month. He's on pace for a record-breaking season. The most exciting player in baseball.
TV Sweeps — May 1996
Network sweeps month means season finales, special episodes, and the biggest programming of the year. ER, Seinfeld, Friends, and X-Files all have major finales this month.
◼ 1996 NBA PLAYOFFS — EASTERN CONFERENCE PATH TO THE FINALS
FIRST ROUND
(1) Chicago Bulls W 3-0
(8) Miami Heat
(4) New York Knicks W 3-0
(5) Cleveland Cavaliers
(2) Indiana Pacers W 3-0
(7) Atlanta Hawks
(3) Orlando Magic
(6) Chicago... wait
CONFERENCE SEMIS
(1) Chicago Bulls W 3-1
(4) New York Knicks
(2) Indiana Pacers W 3-2
(3) Orlando Magic
CONFERENCE FINALS
Chicago Bulls W 4-2
Indiana Pacers
NBA FINALS
★ CHICAGO BULLS
def. Seattle SuperSonics
4 – 2
IN PROGRESS — MAY 1996
◼ THE VIBE — MAY 1996
GRUNGE IS OVER 32-BIT ERA DIAL-UP INTERNET POGS & SLAMMERS POWER RANGERS ZEO ANIMANIACS RULES DEXTER JUST LAUNCHED TWISTER IN THEATERS BULLS 72-WIN SEASON N64 HYPE BUILDING AOL CD-ROMS EVERYWHERE NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR
◼ WEEK OF MAY 4, 1996

The Charts

Billboard Hot 100 — May 4, 1996

The definitive chart of what America was listening to the week you woke up for Saturday morning cartoons.

BILLBOARD HOT 100
WEEK OF MAY 4, 1996
★ 1
Always Be My Baby
Mariah Carey
▲ WK 2
2
Because You Loved Me
Celine Dion
— SAME
3
Tha Crossroads
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
▲ NEW
4
Nobody Knows
The Tony Rich Project
▼ -1
5
1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)
Coolio
— SAME
6
Give Me One Reason
Tracy Chapman
▲ +2
7
Hook
Blues Traveler
▲ +1
8
Missing
Everything But the Girl
▼ -2
9
Count On Me
Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans
— SAME
10
Ironic
Alanis Morissette
▼ -3
11
Not Gon' Cry
Mary J. Blige
▲ +2
12
Name
Goo Goo Dolls
▲ +3
13
Just a Girl
No Doubt
● NEW
14
California Love
2Pac ft. Dr. Dre
▼ -2
15
Theme from Mission: Impossible
Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen
● NEW
16
Follow You Down / Till I Hear It From You
Gin Blossoms
— SAME
17
Glycerine
Bush
▲ +4
18
Sittin' Up In My Room
Brandy
▼ -5
19
Exhale (Shoop Shoop)
Whitney Houston
▼ -4
20
Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)
Los Del Rio
● NEW
◼ BILLBOARD 200 — TOP ALBUMS
1
Waiting to Exhale
Waiting to Exhale: Soundtrack
Various Artists
2
Cracked Rear View
Cracked Rear View
Hootie & the Blowfish
3
Tragic Kingdom
Tragic Kingdom
No Doubt
4
Jagged Little Pill
Jagged Little Pill
Alanis Morissette
5
Daydream
Daydream
Mariah Carey
◼ MTV HEAVY ROTATION — MAY 1996
▶
Ironic
Ironic — Alanis Morissette
Dir: Stephane Sednaoui  HEAVY ROTATION
▶
Tonight Tonight
Tonight Tonight — Smashing Pumpkins
Dir: Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris  BUZZ CLIP
▶
Tha Crossroads
Tha Crossroads — Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Debuted #1 this week  NEW ADD
▶
California Love
California Love — 2Pac ft. Dr. Dre
Dir: Hype Williams  HEAVY ROTATION
▶
Killing Me Softly
Killing Me Softly — Fugees
From The Score  BUZZ CLIP
▶
Always Be My Baby
Always Be My Baby — Mariah Carey
#1 Billboard Hot 100  HEAVY ROTATION
▶
Just a Girl
Just a Girl — No Doubt
Climbing fast  BUZZ CLIP
▶
Glycerine
Glycerine — Bush
From Sixteen Stone  HEAVY ROTATION
▶
Wonderwall
Wonderwall — Oasis
Dir: Nigel Dick  HEAVY ROTATION
▶
Nobody Knows
Nobody Knows — Tony Rich Project
From Words  NEW ADD
◼ SATURDAY AFTERNOON — MAY 1996

The Mall

◼ CROSSROADS MALL — LEVEL 1  CLICK A STORE TO WATCH REAL FOOTAGE
OPEN MON–SAT 10AM–9PM • SUN 12–6PM
Electronics Boutique storefront
◼ VIDEO GAMES • SOFTWARE
Electronics Boutique
PRE-ORDER N64 NOW AVAILABLE
▶ ENTER STORE
Super Mario World $39.99 · MK3 $49.99 · SF Alpha 2 $54.99 · N64 pre-orders open
K-B Toys store
◼ TOYS • ACTION FIGURES • GAMES
KB Toys
POWER RANGERS · STAR WARS · POGS
▶ ENTER STORE
Power Rangers Zeo Megazord SOLD OUT · New Kenner Star Wars in · Pogs 3 for $5
Sam Goody store
◼ MUSIC • CDs • CASSETTES
Sam Goody
NEW RELEASES EVERY TUESDAY
▶ ENTER STORE
Jagged Little Pill $13.99 · Alanis sold out again · 2Pac All Eyez On Me $16.99
Suncoast Video store
◼ VHS • LaserDisc • ANIME • COLLECTIBLES
Suncoast Video
BRAVEHEART · TOY STORY · AKIRA
▶ ENTER STORE
Braveheart $19.99 · Toy Story $24.99 · Akira LaserDisc $34.99 · 2-for-1 VHS weekend
Waldenbooks store
◼ BOOKS • MAGAZINES • GIFTS
Waldenbooks
MALL AMERICA'S BOOKSTORE
▶ ENTER STORE
Wired May '96 · Nintendo Power #84 · EGM Issue 82 · Goosebumps wall half the store
Aladdin's Castle arcade
◼ ARCADE • TOKENS • PRIZES
Aladdin's Castle
TOKENS 4 FOR $1.00
▶ ENTER STORE
MK3 · SF Alpha 2 · Time Crisis · Daytona USA · NBA Jam TE · Tokens 4 for $1
Foot Locker store
◼ SNEAKERS • ATHLETIC WEAR
Foot Locker
THE STRIPED EXPERIENCE
▶ ENTER STORE
Air Jordan XI Concord back in stock · Nike Air Max 95 $110 · Reebok Pump $89.99
Spencer Gifts store
◼ NOVELTY • GIFTS • WEIRD STUFF
Spencer Gifts
LAVA LAMPS · BLACKLIGHTS · EVERYTHING
▶ ENTER STORE
Lava lamps · Black lights · Magic Eye posters · Liquid Motion bubblers · Incense
Sbarro restaurant
◼ FOOD COURT • ITALIAN
Sbarro
NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA · PASTA
▶ ENTER STORE
Giant greasy slice + breadstick $3.99 · Line always 12 people long on Saturday
▶ Click any store to watch real footage from the era
▶ VID
Take a Mall Walk — May 1996
Real footage: people watching at an American shopping mall, 1996

Grab Something From the Machine

SURGE!
THE FULLY LOADED CITRUS
SURGE
$0.75
MTN DEW
$0.75
SPRITE
$0.75
PEPSI
$0.75
SNAPPLE
$0.99
ARIZONA
$0.99
INSERT $0.75
Surge — The Coke That Fought The Dew

Launched in 1996, Surge was The Coca-Cola Company's answer to Mountain Dew — a heavily caffeinated, citrus-flavored soft drink marketed directly at teenagers with extreme sports energy. The slogan was "Feed the Rush."

By May 1996, Surge had just hit shelves in test markets. The green can with lightning bolts was everywhere in mall vending machines, 7-Eleven coolers, and school cafeterias by fall 1996. Fans would eventually campaign online to bring it back — and succeed in 2014.

▸
Surge launched in 1996 to compete directly with Mountain Dew
▸
Slogan: "Feed the Rush" — targeted at 12-24 year olds
▸
Discontinued in 2003, brought back in 2014 due to fan demand
▸
The green can design became iconic before it was discontinued

Food Court Prices — May 1996

◼ CROSSROADS MALL FOOD COURT — SPRING 1996 PRICES
Sbarro Slice + Breadstick
$3.99
McDonald's Happy Meal
$2.99
Orange Julius (medium)
$1.89
Chick-fil-A Sandwich
$2.49
Cinnabon Classic Roll
$2.15
Panda Express (2-item)
$4.25
Arcade Token (4-pack)
$1.00
Surge / Pepsi (vending)
$0.75
—
◼ WORLDWIDE  •  MAY 1996

International

Saturday mornings weren't just an American institution. In May 1996, kids worldwide were glued to their own beloved shows — SM:TV Live in the UK, Club Dorothée in France, Cheez TV in Australia, and anime-saturated mornings in Japan. Click any card to watch a real clip.

United Kingdom
SM:TV LIVE  ·  ITV
SM:TV Live and Going Live dominated UK Saturday mornings. Total! magazine was the SNES authority. British kids had PAL imports and a distinct gaming culture — often getting games months before or after the US.
UK Saturday Morning TV · ITV · 1996
Japan
NINTENDO 64  ·  JUNE 1996
Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, and Doraemon were appointment TV. The Super Famicom was still king. Nintendo's N64 was launching June 23 — just weeks away. The hype was unlike anything before it.
Nintendo 64 Japanese Commercial · 1996
Australia
CHEEZ TV  ·  NETWORK TEN
Cheez TV on Network Ten was appointment viewing — Adam and Jess hosting cartoons every morning. Australian kids got American shows with a slight delay but had their own distinct Saturday morning culture.
Cheez TV · Network Ten Australia · 1996
France
CLUB DOROTHÉE  ·  TF1
Club Dorothée on TF1 was France's beloved kids TV block — running from 1987 to 1997. France was years ahead of the US in anime fandom; Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon had French dubs long before American broadcasts.
Club Dorothée · TF1 · France · 1996
Germany
RTL II  ·  ProSieben
ProSieben's 'ran SAT.1 Fun' and RTL II's 'Toggo' dominated German kids' TV. Dragon Ball Z was dubbed into German years before its US premiere — German kids called Goku 'Son-Goku'. TMNT was huge. German kids also had strong access to Super Nintendo games through import shops.
RTL II · Dragon Ball Z · Germany · 1990s
Canada
YTV  ·  CBC KIDS
YTV launched in 1988 as Canada's answer to Nickelodeon — and by 1996 it was home to cult Canadian originals like 'The Kids of Degrassi Street', 'Reboot' (the world's first all-CGI TV series, produced in Vancouver), and 'Beakman's World'. Canadian kids got a unique blend of US imports and genuinely homegrown weirdness.
YTV · ReBoot · Canada · 1994