The Launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System

October 18, 1985 – The day the Nintendo Entertainment System launched in North America. Known as the Family Computer (“Famicom”) in Japan, the NES released quietly in the US with a total of 17 launch titles.

Nintendo started in 1889 as a manufacturer of cards for a popular card game known as “Hanafuda,” or “Flower Cards.” They continued to manufacture cards for decades, but eventually moved toward creating and manufacturing toys in the 1960s. When the arcade boom hit in the ‘70s, Nintendo decided to try their hand at game development. They released a variety of arcade titles with moderate success, but they wouldn’t become a big name in the game industry until the release of the arcade megahit Donkey Kong in 1981.

Arcade games were major hits in the late ’70s, but began to simmer in the early ’80s.

The big names in gaming and electronics at the time had moved on to bringing the arcade experience to the American home, where they were met with massive success. But by the time Nintendo had released the NES, the game industry was on shaky ground.

A wave of poor-quality games left consumers wary of purchasing any new games or home consoles that hit the store shelves. Video games were also considered a burden for retailers at the time, since it’s said that most of them had large bargain bins filled to the brim with old games and consoles. Rumor has it that Nintendo had to market the NES as a toy, instead of video game console, in order to convince retailers to sell it. (Check out our Peripherals chapter for details.)

The NES released quietly and with only a small number of consoles produced. There were 17 titles available at launch, but they weren’t enough to sway American consumers—at least not right away.

It took time, but eventually the NES became a smash hit that reignited the game industry and set the standard not only for quality games, but for entire genres. Today the NES is known and beloved by game enthusiasts the world over. Incredible games were created for the system, and several started entire franchises that have lived on for decades.

Join us as we relive the NES era: a time of Nintendo Power magazines, game paks, and summers well spent.