During 1986, Nintendo’s focus was to bring arcade-quality experiences to the console market with the NES. It was during this time that we saw ports of popular arcade titles like Donkey Kong, Balloon Fight, and the original Mario Bros.
But not all of the titles released during this time were arcade ports. Nintendo also released a Light Gun title Gumshoe, a motorcycle racing game called Mach Rider, a two-player competitive fighting game called Urban Champion, and several others. Nintendo also started developing relationships with third-party developers who would later become creators of some the system’s most memorable titles.
This was a year of growth for Nintendo. Whether or not the NES would be a success in North America was proven this year with consoles sales reaching over a million total consoles sold. It was the start of something big. Nintendo had begun to turn people’s feelings around toward video games and that positive turn would only grow exponentially from here.
Donkey Kong
June 1986
“Can you save Mario’s girl from the clutches of Donkey Kong?
Donkey Kong has kidnapped Pauline and taken her to the top of a construction site! It’s up to you to help Mario save Pauline before time runs out. But it won’t be easy. Donkey Kong will do everything in his power to stop you. He’ll throw barrel bombs, flaming fireballs, and everything else he can get his hands on. So if you’re looking for action, don’t monkey around. Get the original DONKEY KONG from Nintendo Arcade Classics Series.”
Donkey Kong Jr.
June 1986
“Can Donkey Kong Jr. save his papa from Mario’s prison?
Mario has gone mad! He’s turned the tables on Donkey Kong and locked him in a cage. It’s up to you, as Donkey Kong Jr., to rescue your father by stealing Mario’s set of keys. But it won’t be easy. You’ll have to fight off ape-eating Snapjaws, jump onto moving islands, and break through a jungle of vines to get to the keys that will free Donkey Kong. Can you handle the action? Because this off-the-wall monkey business will have you going bananas!”
Donkey Kong Jr. Math
June 1986
“Learning is fun when you make a game of it!
Are you good with numbers? Well, here’s your chance to prove it. Use your brains to help Donkey Kong Junior add, subtract, divide, and multiply correctly. And to make it more of a challenge, you’ll have to climb up chains, jump on islands, and choose the right answers in the least amount of time! Play against the computer, or challenge a friend. Either way, you’ll learn a lot, and no one will ever make a monkey out of you. At least when it comes to numbers.”
Donkey Kong 3
June 1986
“Look out for flying coconuts! Donkey Kong is on the loose!
Donkey Kong is at it again! This times he’s loose in the greenhouse. And he’s got company: A swarm of pesky bees. It’s up to you to get Donkey Kong out of the greenhouse and exterminate the bees—without hurting the flowers. But that’s easier said than done. Because Donkey Kong has plenty of coconuts to hurl at you. And those bees know just where to sting you so it hurts. But if you keep your wits about you, you’ll score lots of points and have lots of laughs in the best Donkey Kong of them all—DONKEY KONG 3.”
Mario Bros.
June 1986
“You’ll need lightning-fast reactions to get out of this pipeline adventure alive!
Mario and Luigi are doing some underground plumbing when all sorts of weird creatures come flying out of the pipes. Turtles, crabs—even fighterflies—attack the helpless Mario Bros. It’s up to you to kick, punch, and knock out these sewer pests before time runs out! But beware. Just when you think you got rid of them, they come back for more! Play against the computer, or with a friend—either way, this is one underground classic you’ll want to play time and time again!”
Popeye
June 1986
“Now you’re the King of Spinach in a battle for Olive’s love!
Are you ready to climb ladders, jump landings, eat spinach, and punch out Brutus, Seahag, and the flying Bernard? Because that’s what it takes to win Olive Oyl’s hand in marriage. You’ll score points by defeating your enemies and collecting the “love tokens” Olive drops from her window. The more you collect, the more points you’ll score and the faster you’ll win her love. But watch out. Around every corner lurks another jealous suitor. You’ll have to think with your head as well as your heart to win this fast action love affair!”
Balloon Fight
August 1986
“You’ll need lightning fast reactions to win this battle in the sky!
Take to the skies! It’s BALLOON FIGHT. You’ll score lots of points and have loads of fun when you burst enemy balloons and send their parachutes crashing into the sea. But beware. These hot-air invaders have an amazing ability to land safely, blow up another balloon, and come back stronger than before! What’s more, if you fly too low you’ll be devoured by man-eating sharks! Challenge them alone if you think you’re up to it, or team up with a friend. Either way, you’ll have the time of your life fighting off your opponents in the sky and avoiding those hungry sharks below in BALLOON FIGHT!”
Gumshoe
August 1986
“You’ll have to shoot fast to get out of this Light Gun game alive!
Jennifer’s been kidnapped! Now’s your chance to prove you’re a sharp-shooting detective by helping Jennifer’s father find the five diamonds that will pay her ransom. You’ll use your Zapper light gun to blow away anything that gets in your way. But even with the Zapper, this case will be hard to crack. Because not only are the diamonds hard to find, but you only have 24 hours to find them! What’s more, you’ll have to think fast and shoot even faster, because ferocious monsters, diving airplanes, and hungry man-eating sharks will stop at nothing to prevent you from getting to the diamonds. Think you’re a sharp shooting detective? Well, you’d better be. Because if you’re not, it’s curtains for you in this quick-on-the-trigger Nintendo Light Gun game!”
Mach Rider
August 1986
“It’s a thrilling race to save the planet—on a course you can create yourself!
Grip the handles of your futuristic motorcycle. Feel the freezing wind crack against your cheeks. Suddenly you’re off! Riding at speeds up to 500 miles per hour in a desperate race to save the planet. You’ll love every hair pin curve because you’ve created this daredevil course yourself. Along the way you’ll be challenged by an endless array of ruthless villains who will do everything in their power to destroy you and your planet. You’ll defend yourself with a specially mounted Power Blaster. But watch out! The action is fast. The danger is imminent. Design your own course or ride one of ours, in this lightning fast Nintendo Programmable game!”
Urban Champion
August 1986
“Think you’re tough, huh?
Well, you’d better be. Because you’ve got to be quick on your feet and fast with your hands to knock your opponent off the screen and become the next URBAN CHAMPION. Play by yourself or challenge a friend, either way you’ll have a knockout time defeating the toughest guys in the neighborhood in URBAN CHAMPION.”