The Nintendo Entertainment System

THE NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

• A- The tradional NES, nicknamed the Toaster. Not the most dependable machine ever.
• B- The top-loading NES 2, released in 1993 to replace the old NES and boost sales. Harder to find than the original. Plays identical, only has cosmetic changes. Generally more dependable than the toaster style.
• C- The original rectangular NES controller. Set the standard for others to follow.
• D- The so called dogbone controller. It took its rounded design cues from the Super Nintendo controller. More comforable to use, but not as sturdy as the original. Compatible with both styles of the NES.
• E- Typical NES game box. Note the Nintendo Seal of Quality in the bottom corner, signifying a licensed game.
• F- An example of an unlicensed cartridge for the NES. This particular one is from American Video Entertainment.
• G- This is a standard licensed cartridge. NES cartridges are actually some of the largest for any system.
• H- Another licensed cart. This was made by Tengen, the largest of the unlicensed game makers. Tengen was an offshoot of Atari.

The Nintendo Entertainment System has one of the most interesting and varied histories in the annals of videogaming. It went from unwelcome oddity to a household name in a few short years. It reintroduced home videogames after the crash of 1984, and made Nintendo one of the most profitable companies on Earth.

Read this earlier article I wrote about the story of the NES.

Memorable Games: So many, where to begin... Super Mario Bros. series, Legend of Zelda series, Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!, Metroid, Contra series, Castlevania series, Mega Man series, Dragon Warrior, Duck Tales, Ninja Gaiden series, Double Dragon series, Tecmo Super Bowl...

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