Nintendo NES

Nintendo, in the early to mid '80s, was not the major power in home gaming they are today. They were too busy being the best games in arcades. Their initial Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) promised to bring true versions of their arcade classics to the home; a boast that made many gamers come running.

Being one of the first new game units offered after the video game world's economic crash, you can forgive Nintendo for going to the outer limits to get buyers' attentions. That said, here's a sales gimmick you had to see to believe; the Robotic Operating Buddy (R.O.B.), shown here, which was available if you purchased the "full system." This marvel-in-technology (with some sarcasm intended) grabbed a toy top from its holder, moved it to a spinning device, then moved the spinning top to one of two small pedestals. The video game played on screen had the challenge of keeping two such tops spinning at once before they slowed down and fell off. The amusement of this add-on lasted about as long as reading this paragraph. It also didn't make the wait for actual games any easier. However, every kid wanted one; after all, it was a robot, free, with a new video game system! This, among many other sales gimmicks, sold NES systems galore. In short time, the home video game world was back, and in full force!

Good games were to be expected, given characters like Mario (left) and Donkey Kong to fiddle with. However, there were additional titles that were just as groundbreaking, that had their start on the NES home system. Among the most memorable was, of course, The Legend of Zelda. In addition to an eye-grabbing gold box, this game was the first to include a built-in battery for saved games! Games could now be longer, better, and more elaborate than ever before.

NES was one of the first successful Video Game System swan songs; production was not cancelled because of economics nor because of any true lack of interest in the system; it was merely gradually replaced by newer technology, via the "Super Nintendo System." NES will always be remembered as a good system, that had a good life span...

"...here's a sales gimmick you had to see to believe; the Robotic Operating Buddy (R.O.B.)...[which] grabbed a toy top from its holder, moved it to a spinning device, then moved the spinning top to one of two small pedestals...This, among many other sales gimmicks, sold NES systems galore. In short time, the home video game world was back, and in full force!"