Featured moment
Super Mario Kart Released
Nintendo invented the mascot kart-racing genre, creating one of gaming's most enduring and profitable franchises.
Kart racing and dial-up.
Mario Kart started ruined friendships, Mortal Kombat brought the blood, and the US elected Bill Clinton.
The Cost of Living in 1992
Gallon of Gas
$1.16
Loaf of Bread
$0.79
Gallon of Milk
$2.66
World Population
5.49 billion
Featured moment
Mortal Kombat Hits Arcades
The hyper-violent fighting game sparked moral panic and ultimately led to the creation of the ESRB rating system.
Featured moment
Los Angeles Riots
The acquittal of police officers who beat Rodney King sparked six days of unrest, resulting in 63 deaths and $1B in damage.
The wider picture
More from 1992
A few more things worth remembering.
Sports
USA Basketball "Dream Team"
Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird led the first US Olympic team to feature active NBA players, dominating the Barcelona Games.
Music
Dr. Dre Releases "The Chronic"
The album popularized G-funk and established Death Row Records and Snoop Dogg in the mainstream.
World Events
Bill Clinton Elected President
The Democrat defeated incumbent George H.W. Bush, ending 12 years of Republican rule in the White House.
Technology
First SMS Text Message Sent
Neil Papworth sent the message "Merry Christmas" to a Vodafone executive in the UK.
Cinema & TV
Aladdin Released
Disney's animated hit featured a tour-de-force voice performance by Robin Williams as the Genie.
Cinema & TV
Reservoir Dogs Released
Quentin Tarantino's independent crime film debuted at Sundance, launching his highly influential career.
You arrivedin 1992.
The longer view
This was only the opening scene.
Follow the world as it changed around you, from 1992 to today.