The year was 1985. The gaming industry was in shambles, recovering from the devastating crash that almost spelled doom for console gaming. And in the midst of this chaos, a little beige and red box arrived on the scene, ready to revolutionize the way we play video games. That box was the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), or the Famicom as it was known in Japan, and it would go on to leave an indelible mark on the gaming industry for decades to come.
One of the most iconic features of the NES was its groundbreaking D-pad. Prior to the NES, game controllers were a varied bunch, with each console sporting its own unique design. But the NES changed all that by introducing the cross-style D-pad, which has since become a standard feature on nearly every controller. This innovative design was born out of necessity, as Nintendo’s early handheld devices needed a control system that was both pocket-friendly and reliable. And so, the iconic D-pad was born, instantly becoming a winning formula and setting the stage for future console controllers.
But the NES’s impact went far beyond just controller design. It also brought about a significant change in the way third-party games were developed and published. In the early ’80s, third-party game development was a wild west with few checks and balances. Anyone could create and release games for any system, leading to a flood of low-quality titles. However, the NES changed the game by introducing the concept of licensed third-party games, thanks to its 10NES “lockout” chip. This chip prevented unauthorized game developers from publishing games for the platform, creating a form of quality control that would go on to become an industry standard.
While this move was beneficial for the gaming industry as a whole, it also had its drawbacks. The 10NES chip was essentially an early form of digital rights management (DRM), and it allowed Nintendo to impose a 30% licensing fee on third-party developers—an arrangement that still sparks controversy today. However, it’s important to recognize that without Nintendo’s “seal of approval,” the gaming industry might never have recovered from the crash of ’83. And let’s not forget the incredible titles that third-party developers brought to the NES, including Contra, Mega Man 2, and Dragon Warrior, which played a significant role in solidifying the platform’s success.
Another key legacy of the NES was the introduction of game saves. The Legend of Zelda, one of the NES’s most iconic games, brought with it the ability to save progress—a feature that was virtually unheard of on consoles at the time. Prior to this, console games relied on workarounds like passwords or codes to continue progress. But the NES changed all that by incorporating a battery save system into its cartridges, paving the way for more complex and immersive titles. While this technology had its flaws (such as the risk of losing saves if the battery died), it provided a viable solution for console games well into the 2000s.
Of course, no discussion about the NES would be complete without mentioning its most famous mascot: Mario. While Mario had appeared in various games prior to the NES, it was Super Mario Bros. that truly propelled him into stardom. This side-scrolling platformer not only became the best-selling game of all time at the time but also set the blueprint for future platformers with its power-ups, secret rooms, and colorful world. Super Mario Bros. and its sequels, Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3, received critical acclaim and solidified the platformer as a fundamental genre in console gaming.
The influence of Mario and other mascot platformers extended far beyond Nintendo. Crash Bandicoot, Ratchet & Clank, Spyro, and Banjo-Kazooie all emerged in the following decades as attempts to capture the same magic that Mario had brought to the gaming world. Even today, iconic characters like Master Chief from Xbox and Nathan Drake from PlayStation serve as mascots to sell consoles and merchandise.
But the NES’s impact didn’t stop at gaming. In 1993, it became the first console to receive a movie adaptation with the release of Super Mario Bros. The film may not have been a critical success, but it marked a significant moment for gamers who finally had a movie of their own. While subsequent video game adaptations struggled to find success, with titles like Double Dragon and Street Fighter failing to impress critics, the recent success of movies like Detective Pikachu and Sonic the Hedgehog gives hope that quality video game movies are indeed possible.
As we celebrate the 40th birthday of the NES, it’s clear that this humble beige and red box left an indelible mark on the gaming industry. From the introduction of the D-pad to the establishment of quality control for third-party games, from the innovation of game saves to the rise of mascot platformers, and even the bold foray into the world of video game movies, the NES’s legacy is undeniable. So here’s to the NES, the console that changed gaming forever and continues to shape the industry to this very day.
