Retro Game Consoles – Nintendo Entertainment System

Nintendo Entertainment System

In 1984, Nintendo test marketed the NES in several markets before releasing it in 1985 as Nintendo Entertainment System, though it ost often called Nintendo or NES. While most manufacturers of game console were either pulling out of the market or waiting for the market to recover, Nintendo decided to push into the digital world. Entering the gaming market was seen as a big risk with the crash and having to deal with pricing preasures form Commodore’ C64 harsh marketing and price cutting.

Commodore 64 Retro computer

Above: Commodore 64 Retro computer

Steeling Victory From Atari

Nintendo was not the best video game console of the third generation, but it was the earliest and was able to take onsiderable market share from Atari, the current leader. Atari held off releasing the 7800 until the market had recovered.

Nintendo Entertainment System retail box

Above: Nintendo Entertainment System retail box

The 7800 was seen as the console to retrun Atari to its leadership role and generate much needed revenue. However, Atari held off unti the crash was offer, giving up much of it’s lead to others like Nintendo, which very quickly became the top selling game console and market leader.

Former Toy Company

This was a dramatic change for a company was previously a simple toy company. Nintendo also learned from Atari’s earlier successes by porting important arcade games while also developing their own games such as the popular Zelda series.

Zelda Screen Shot

Above: Zelda Screen Shot

Nintendo always seemed to balance the market needs for a competitive while providing a depth in games and still manage to make a buck or two. In fact, Nintendo still has one of the popular modern consoles in production, the Wii.

Nintendo Entertainment System game console

Above: Nintendo Entertainment System game console

Nintendo began it’s gaming history producing arcade hits like Donkey Kong and Mario Bros, and selling the licensing rights to those games for home console use (See Colecovision). Eventually Nintendo decided to take a crack at the home console industry.

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