Difference between revisions of "Nintendo Entertainment System"

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[[Image:NES - USA.jpg|thumb|256x256px|The North American NES.]]
 
[[Image:NES - USA.jpg|thumb|256x256px|The North American NES.]]
  
The '''Nintendo Entertainment System''', first released in Japan as the [[Famicom|Family Computer]], is a third-generation video game console created by [[Nintendo]]. It was first released in 1983 in Japan and in America in 1985. The system uses a Ricoh 2A03 processor which is a modified [[MOS 6502]] with an integrated audio processing unit (APU), and a custom picture processing unit (PPU).
+
The '''Nintendo Entertainment System''', first released in Japan as the [[Famicom|Family Computer]], is a third-generation [[video game console]] created by [[Nintendo]]. It was first released on 1983-07-15 in Japan as the [[Famicom]], saw a test release in New York on 1985-10-18 and Los Angeles in February 1986, then a US nationwide release on 1986-09-27. The system uses a Ricoh 2A03 processor which is a modified [[MOS 6502]] with an integrated audio processing unit (APU), and a custom picture processing unit (PPU). The PPU allows for smooth scrolling, something that was rare in video games of the day and really added to the playability of the system. The system was followed up by the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]. At its end of life, the console was redesigned as a top-loader without a lockout chip called the NES-101.
  
The first NES game I ever saw was a [[VS. System]] arcade version of ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' (around 1986-1987), but I first saw the home console around 1987 at my baby sitter's house. They played ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' and ''[[Karate Champ]]''. As I watched them play, I was really looking forward to a turn on it, but the older boy in my baby sitter's family kept taking another turn over and over again. Finally, when he said he'd had enough and would let someone else play, someone in my baby sitter's family put their hand on the NES console and said that it had gotten too hot and might become damaged, so they unplugged it. I already didn't like the baby sitters, but I remember feeling especially cheated because of that, and I never did get a chance to play on their console because my mother picked us up before they turned it on again, and we stopped having them as a baby sitter shortly thereafter.
+
==Personal==
 +
The first NES game I ever saw was a [[VS. System]] arcade version of ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' (around 1986-1987), but I first saw the home console around 1987 at my baby sitter's house. They played ''[[Karate Champ]]'', ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', and I think, ''[[Popeye (video game)|Popeye]]''. As I watched them play, I was really looking forward to a turn on it, but the older boy in my baby sitter's family kept playing non-stop. Finally, when he said he'd had enough and would let someone else play, someone in my baby sitter's family put their hand on the NES console and said that it had gotten too hot and might become damaged, so they unplugged it and I never got to play. I already didn't like the baby sitters, but I remember feeling especially cheated because of that. I never did play on their console because my mother stopped using them as a baby sitter shortly after that.
  
Back around 1988, my brother and I pooled our paper route money to buy the Action Set which came with the [[Zapper]], two [[NES Controller|controllers]], and a [[Super Mario Bros. multicarts|''Super Mario Bros.'' / ''Duck Hunt'']] dual cart. I still have the system, though it barely works now due to the poor design. It has become one of my favorite video game platforms ever made. We later got the [[NES Advantage]], a friend of mine had the [[NES Max]], and my cousins had the [[Power Pad]]. For awhile we had a [[Game Genie]], and I also remember borrowing a [[Game Action Replay]] for a short time. The NES was certainly the more formative console for me, and I spent a lot of time designing my own games on paper that I was sure I would one-day make for it.
+
Back around 1988, my brother and I pooled our paper route money to buy the Action Set which came with the [[Zapper]], two [[NES Controller|controllers]], and a [[Super Mario Bros. multicarts|''Super Mario Bros.'' / ''Duck Hunt'']] dual cart. I still have the system, though it barely works now due to the poor design. It has become one of my favorite video game platforms ever made. We later got the [[NES Advantage]], a friend of mine had the [[NES Max]], and my cousins had the [[Power Pad]]. For awhile we had a [[Game Genie]], and I also remember borrowing a [[Game Action Replay]] for a short time. The NES was certainly the most formative console for me, and I spent a lot of time designing my own games on paper that I was sure I would one-day make for it.
  
==Status==
+
I own an Action Set complete in box with all the manuals, paperwork, and styrofoam. I also own two other original model NESes. Both are working, though one has severe case damage.
I own a very damaged, but still working, original model NES.
 
  
 
==Games==
 
==Games==
 
: ''See all [[:Category:NES Games|NES Games]].''
 
: ''See all [[:Category:NES Games|NES Games]].''
  
 +
===Initial Games===
 +
The NES was released in a variety of packages throughout its life. The 1985 Deluxe Set included ''[[Gyromite]]'' and ''[[Duck Hunt]]''. The 1987 Basic Set could be purchased with or without ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' The 1988 Action Set came with a [[Super Mario Bros. multicarts|dual cart]] of ''Super Mario Bros.'' and ''Duck Hunt''. The 1989 Power Set included a triple cart of ''Super Mario Bros.'', ''Duck Hunt'', and ''[[World Class Track Meet]]''. The 1990 Sports Set included a dual cart of ''[[Super Spike V'Ball]]'' and ''[[Nintendo World Cup]]''. The 1992 Challenge Set included ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''. The 1993 new design Control Deck could be purchased without a game or with a triple cart of ''Super Mario Bros.'', ''[[Tetris]]'', and ''Nintendo World Cup''.
 +
 +
The following games were available at the console's launch: ''[[10-Yard Fight]]'', ''[[Baseball]]'', ''[[Clu Clu Land]]'', ''[[Duck Hunt]]'', ''[[Excitebike]]'', ''[[Golf]]'', ''[[Gyromite]]'', ''[[Hogan's Alley]]'', ''[[Ice Climber]]'', ''[[Kung Fu]]'', ''[[Pinball]]'', ''[[Soccer]]'', ''[[Stack-Up]]'', ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', ''[[Tennis]]'', ''[[Wild Gunman]]'', ''[[Wrecking Crew]]''
 +
 +
===Personal===
 
These are the NES games that are important to me:
 
These are the NES games that are important to me:
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 +
Adventures of Lolo - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Adventures of Lolo]]''
 
Bad Dudes - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Bad Dudes Vs. Dragon Ninja|Bad Dudes]]''
 
Bad Dudes - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Bad Dudes Vs. Dragon Ninja|Bad Dudes]]''
 +
Battletoads - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Battletoads]]''
 
Bionic Commando - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Bionic Commando (NES)|Bionic Commando]]''
 
Bionic Commando - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Bionic Commando (NES)|Bionic Commando]]''
 +
Blaster Master - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Blaster Master]]''
 +
Bomberman II - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Bomberman II]]''
 +
Boy and His Blob, A - Trouble on Blobolonia - NES - USA.jpg|''[[A Boy and His Blob: Trouble on Blobolonia]]''
 +
Bubble Bobble - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Bubble Bobble]]''
 +
Castlevania III - Dracula's Curse - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse]]''
 +
Chip 'N Dale - Rescue Rangers - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers (video game)|Chip 'N Dale: Rescue Rangers]]''
 
Contra - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Contra (NES)|Contra]]''
 
Contra - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Contra (NES)|Contra]]''
 +
Déjà Vu - Nightmare Comes True!!, A - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Déjà Vu: A Nightmare Comes True!!|Déjà Vu]]''
 +
Double Dragon - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Double Dragon (NES)|Double Dragon]]''
 +
Double Dragon II - Revenge, The - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Double Dragon II: The Revenge (NES)|Double Dragon II: The Revenge]]''
 +
Double Dribble - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Double Dribble]]''
 
Dragon Warrior - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Dragon Warrior]]''
 
Dragon Warrior - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Dragon Warrior]]''
DuckTales - NES - USA.jpg|''[[DuckTales]]''
+
Duck Hunt - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Duck Hunt]]''
 +
DuckTales - NES - USA.jpg|''[[DuckTales (video game)|DuckTales]]''
 +
Excitebike - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Excitebike]]''
 
Final Fantasy - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Final Fantasy]]''
 
Final Fantasy - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Final Fantasy]]''
 +
Galaga - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Galaga|Galaga: Demons of Death]]''
 +
Gauntlet - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Gauntlet (NES)|Gauntlet]]''
 
Goonies II, The - NES - USA.jpg|''[[The Goonies II]]''
 
Goonies II, The - NES - USA.jpg|''[[The Goonies II]]''
 
Guerrilla War - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Guerrilla War (NES)|Guerrilla War]]''
 
Guerrilla War - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Guerrilla War (NES)|Guerrilla War]]''
 +
Kickle Cubicle - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Kickle Cubicle]]''
 +
Kid Icarus - Angel Land Story - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Kid Icarus: Angel Land Story]]''
 
Legend of Zelda, The - NES - USA.jpg|''[[The Legend of Zelda]]''
 
Legend of Zelda, The - NES - USA.jpg|''[[The Legend of Zelda]]''
 
Life Force - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Life Force]]''
 
Life Force - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Life Force]]''
 +
Little Nemo - Dream Master, The - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Little Nemo: The Dream Master]]''
 +
Marble Madness - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Marble Madness]]''
 +
Mega Man - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Mega Man]]''
 
Mega Man II - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Mega Man II]]''
 
Mega Man II - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Mega Man II]]''
 +
Mega Man III - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Mega Man III]]''
 
Metroid - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Metroid]]''
 
Metroid - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Metroid]]''
 
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!]]''
 
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!]]''
 +
Ninja Gaiden - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Ninja Gaiden]]''
 +
Pinball Quest - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Pinball Quest]]''
 +
Rad Racer - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Rad Racer]]''
 +
Rambo - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Rambo (NES)|Rambo]]''
 +
Rampage - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Rampage]]''
 +
Ring King - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Ring King]]''
 
River City Ransom - NES - USA.jpg|''[[River City Ransom]]''
 
River City Ransom - NES - USA.jpg|''[[River City Ransom]]''
 +
Rygar - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Rygar (NES)|Rygar]]''
 
Section-Z - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Section-Z (NES)|Section-Z]]''
 
Section-Z - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Section-Z (NES)|Section-Z]]''
 
Shadowgate - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Shadowgate]]''
 
Shadowgate - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Shadowgate]]''
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Tecmo Bowl - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Tecmo Bowl]]''
 
Tecmo Bowl - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Tecmo Bowl]]''
 
Tecmo Super Bowl - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Tecmo Super Bowl]]''
 
Tecmo Super Bowl - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Tecmo Super Bowl]]''
 +
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (video game)|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]''
 +
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II - Arcade Game, The - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (arcade game)|Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game]]''
 +
Times of Lore - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Times of Lore]]''
 
Tetris - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Tetris (Nintendo)|Tetris]]''
 
Tetris - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Tetris (Nintendo)|Tetris]]''
 +
Toki - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Toki]]''
 +
Top Gun - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Top Gun (NES game)|Top Gun]]''
 
Ultima - Exodus - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Ultima: Exodus]]''
 
Ultima - Exodus - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Ultima: Exodus]]''
 
Ultima - Quest of the Avatar - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Ultima: Quest of the Avatar]]''
 
Ultima - Quest of the Avatar - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Ultima: Quest of the Avatar]]''
 
Uninvited - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Uninvited]]''
 
Uninvited - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Uninvited]]''
Legend of Zelda 2, The - Adventure of Link, The - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link]]''
+
Wrath of the Black Manta - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Wrath of the Black Manta]]''
 +
Zelda II - Adventure of Link, The - NES - USA.jpg|''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link]]''
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
Line 60: Line 101:
 
* A lot of really great games were released on the platform.
 
* A lot of really great games were released on the platform.
 
* The controllers, though not the most comfortable to hold, were very tough and could survive a lot of abuse.
 
* The controllers, though not the most comfortable to hold, were very tough and could survive a lot of abuse.
* The system's PPU (picture processing unit) was designed very well and provided some of the best graphic abilities of the day.
+
* The system's PPU (picture processing unit) was designed very well and provided some of the best graphic abilities of the day. Most other systems were seeing rough scrolling in 8-bit chunks, but the NES could scroll smoothly. Later hardware advances allowed 8-way smooth scrolling.
* The APU (audio processing unit) built into the CPU was was the best audio for a home console at the time. While it featured the typical 3 pulse wave/1 noise channel design, Nintendo engineers wisely changed one of the pulse waves into a triangle wave giving it a more robust sound. They also added a DPCM channel for digital sound effects, voice, and even sample-based music.
+
* The APU (audio processing unit) built into the CPU was was the best audio for a home console at the time. While it featured the typical 3 pulse wave/1 noise channel structure, Nintendo engineers wisely changed one of the pulse waves into a triangle wave giving it a more robust sound. They also added a DPCM channel for digital sound effects, voice, and even sample-based music.
 
* Allowing cartridges to include extra chips for additional functionality was a fantastic idea which greatly extended the life of the platform.
 
* Allowing cartridges to include extra chips for additional functionality was a fantastic idea which greatly extended the life of the platform.
 
* Nintendo of America wisely created an official magazine to help direct buyers toward the best games.
 
* Nintendo of America wisely created an official magazine to help direct buyers toward the best games.
Line 77: Line 118:
 
===Documentation===
 
===Documentation===
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
NES - Manual.pdf|Manual.
+
Nintendo Entertainment System - Control Deck - Manual - Rev-3.pdf|Control Deck manual, rev-3.
Top Secret Passwords - Nintendo Player's Guide.pdf|Top Secret Passwords - [[Nintendo Player's Guide]].
+
Nintendo Entertainment System - Control Deck - Manual - Rev-5.pdf|Control Deck manual, rev-5.
NES Game Atlas - Nintendo Player's Guide.pdf|NES Game Atlas - [[Nintendo Player's Guide]].
+
Top Secret Passwords - Nintendo Player's Guide.pdf|Top Secret Passwords - ''[[Nintendo Player's Guide]]''.
I Am Error - Hardcover - USA - 1st Edition.jpg|''[[I Am Error: The Nintendo Family Computer / Entertainment System Platform]]''.
+
NES Game Atlas - Nintendo Player's Guide.pdf|NES Game Atlas - ''Nintendo Player's Guide''.
 +
I Am Error - Hardcover - USA - 1st Edition.jpg|''[[I Am Error]]''.
 
Master System - NES - Toys R Us Ad.jpg|Toys "R" Us ad with a [[Master System]].
 
Master System - NES - Toys R Us Ad.jpg|Toys "R" Us ad with a [[Master System]].
 +
NES - Ad - South Korea - Hyundai Comboy Games.jpg|Hyundai Comboy Games advertisement from South Korea.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
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===Videos===
 
===Videos===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VBjikK8-A4 youtube.com/watch?v=_VBjikK8-A4] - Did You Know Gaming?
+
{{YouTube|Vk6vGRD6tkA|NES Works - Advanced Video System.}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVgWaIAiOBY youtube.com/watch?v=gVgWaIAiOBY] - Boundary Break.
+
{{YouTube|B9kyey_qxNM|NES Works - NES.}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWQ0591PAxM youtube.com/watch?v=ZWQ0591PAxM] - Fitting a game into 40 KB.
+
{{YouTube|czjBGRDKydE|NES Works - Launch.}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD_xsYCCawE youtube.com/watch?v=vD_xsYCCawE] - 8-Bit Guy, NES clones.
+
{{YouTube|lFFxg-Y37_s|NES Works - Fandom.}}
 +
{{YouTube|Hj_rmcaHvEE|NES Works - Region locking.}}
 +
{{YouTube|BcEt1J4U2bE|NESComplex.}}
 +
{{YouTube|_VBjikK8-A4|Did You Know Gaming?}}
 +
{{YouTube|gVgWaIAiOBY|Boundary Break.}}
 +
{{YouTube|ZWQ0591PAxM|Fitting a game into 40 KB.}}
 +
{{YouTube|vD_xsYCCawE|8-Bit Guy - NES clones.}}
 +
{{YouTube|sJFCwDJq1gU|NESHacker - Lockout chip explained.}}
 +
 
 +
==Favorites==
 +
===Games===
 +
This is a list of my top 20 favorite games published on the NES.
 +
 
 +
# ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]''
 +
# ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]''
 +
# ''[[Bionic Commando (NES)|Bionic Commando]]''
 +
# ''[[Mega Man II]]''
 +
# ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''
 +
# ''[[Metroid]]''
 +
# ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]''
 +
# ''[[Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!]]''
 +
# ''[[Super C]]''
 +
# ''[[Contra (NES)|Contra]]''
 +
# ''[[Final Fantasy]]''
 +
# ''[[River City Ransom]]''
 +
# ''[[Blaster Master]]''
 +
# ''[[Mega Man III]]''
 +
# ''[[Life Force (NES)|Life Force]]''
 +
# ''[[Guerilla War (NES)|Guerilla War]]''
 +
# ''[[Zelda II: The Adventure of Link]]''
 +
# ''[[Double Dragon II: The Revenge (NES)|Double Dragon II: The Revenge]]''
 +
# ''[[Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles]]''
 +
# ''[[Kirby's Adventure]]''
 +
 
 +
===Companies===
 +
This is a list of my top ten favorite game companies that developed or published games on the NES.
 +
# [[Nintendo]]
 +
# [[Capcom]]
 +
# [[Konami]]
 +
# [[Technos]]
 +
# [[Sunsoft]]
 +
# [[Kemco]]
 +
# [[Enix]]
 +
# [[Square]]
 +
# [[Tecmo]]
 +
# [[Fujisankei Communications International|FCI]]
 +
 
 +
==See Also==
 +
* [[List of NES games without a clear ending]]
 +
* [[List of NES game guides]]
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
Line 112: Line 204:
 
{{Link|VGMPF|2=http://www.vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php?title=Nintendo_Entertainment_System}}
 
{{Link|VGMPF|2=http://www.vgmpf.com/Wiki/index.php?title=Nintendo_Entertainment_System}}
  
 +
* [https://8bitworkshop.com 8bitworkshop.com] - Online development.
 
* [http://tasvideos.org/EmulatorResources/NESAccuracyTests.html tasvideos.org/EmulatorResources/NESAccuracyTests.html] - Accuracy tests of NES emulators.
 
* [http://tasvideos.org/EmulatorResources/NESAccuracyTests.html tasvideos.org/EmulatorResources/NESAccuracyTests.html] - Accuracy tests of NES emulators.
  
  
 
[[Category: Video Game Platforms]]
 
[[Category: Video Game Platforms]]

Latest revision as of 11:49, 15 December 2023

The North American NES.

The Nintendo Entertainment System, first released in Japan as the Family Computer, is a third-generation video game console created by Nintendo. It was first released on 1983-07-15 in Japan as the Famicom, saw a test release in New York on 1985-10-18 and Los Angeles in February 1986, then a US nationwide release on 1986-09-27. The system uses a Ricoh 2A03 processor which is a modified MOS 6502 with an integrated audio processing unit (APU), and a custom picture processing unit (PPU). The PPU allows for smooth scrolling, something that was rare in video games of the day and really added to the playability of the system. The system was followed up by the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. At its end of life, the console was redesigned as a top-loader without a lockout chip called the NES-101.

Personal

The first NES game I ever saw was a VS. System arcade version of Super Mario Bros. (around 1986-1987), but I first saw the home console around 1987 at my baby sitter's house. They played Karate Champ, Super Mario Bros., and I think, Popeye. As I watched them play, I was really looking forward to a turn on it, but the older boy in my baby sitter's family kept playing non-stop. Finally, when he said he'd had enough and would let someone else play, someone in my baby sitter's family put their hand on the NES console and said that it had gotten too hot and might become damaged, so they unplugged it and I never got to play. I already didn't like the baby sitters, but I remember feeling especially cheated because of that. I never did play on their console because my mother stopped using them as a baby sitter shortly after that.

Back around 1988, my brother and I pooled our paper route money to buy the Action Set which came with the Zapper, two controllers, and a Super Mario Bros. / Duck Hunt dual cart. I still have the system, though it barely works now due to the poor design. It has become one of my favorite video game platforms ever made. We later got the NES Advantage, a friend of mine had the NES Max, and my cousins had the Power Pad. For awhile we had a Game Genie, and I also remember borrowing a Game Action Replay for a short time. The NES was certainly the most formative console for me, and I spent a lot of time designing my own games on paper that I was sure I would one-day make for it.

I own an Action Set complete in box with all the manuals, paperwork, and styrofoam. I also own two other original model NESes. Both are working, though one has severe case damage.

Games

See all NES Games.

Initial Games

The NES was released in a variety of packages throughout its life. The 1985 Deluxe Set included Gyromite and Duck Hunt. The 1987 Basic Set could be purchased with or without Super Mario Bros. The 1988 Action Set came with a dual cart of Super Mario Bros. and Duck Hunt. The 1989 Power Set included a triple cart of Super Mario Bros., Duck Hunt, and World Class Track Meet. The 1990 Sports Set included a dual cart of Super Spike V'Ball and Nintendo World Cup. The 1992 Challenge Set included Super Mario Bros. 3. The 1993 new design Control Deck could be purchased without a game or with a triple cart of Super Mario Bros., Tetris, and Nintendo World Cup.

The following games were available at the console's launch: 10-Yard Fight, Baseball, Clu Clu Land, Duck Hunt, Excitebike, Golf, Gyromite, Hogan's Alley, Ice Climber, Kung Fu, Pinball, Soccer, Stack-Up, Super Mario Bros., Tennis, Wild Gunman, Wrecking Crew

Personal

These are the NES games that are important to me:

Hardware

Review

Good

  • A lot of really great games were released on the platform.
  • The controllers, though not the most comfortable to hold, were very tough and could survive a lot of abuse.
  • The system's PPU (picture processing unit) was designed very well and provided some of the best graphic abilities of the day. Most other systems were seeing rough scrolling in 8-bit chunks, but the NES could scroll smoothly. Later hardware advances allowed 8-way smooth scrolling.
  • The APU (audio processing unit) built into the CPU was was the best audio for a home console at the time. While it featured the typical 3 pulse wave/1 noise channel structure, Nintendo engineers wisely changed one of the pulse waves into a triangle wave giving it a more robust sound. They also added a DPCM channel for digital sound effects, voice, and even sample-based music.
  • Allowing cartridges to include extra chips for additional functionality was a fantastic idea which greatly extended the life of the platform.
  • Nintendo of America wisely created an official magazine to help direct buyers toward the best games.

Bad

  • Despite Nintendo's strong control over the platform, far too many horrible games were made for the system, which led to the market becoming over-saturated with crappy games.
  • The available color palette of the PPU is pretty awful.
  • The system is not very ascetically pleasing to look at.
  • In order to eliminate competition, Nintendo prevented those developers who initially released their games on the NES from releasing them on any other console.

Ugly

  • The spring-loaded toaster design had an engineering problem, and it was amplified by the lock-out chip. This caused most systems to begin experiencing problems after only a couple months and keep getting worse over time. Nintendo not only refused to fix them, but completely denied responsibility for their error.

Media

Documentation

Infographics

Prototypes

Fan Art

Videos

NES Works - Advanced Video System.
NES Works - NES.
NES Works - Launch.
NES Works - Fandom.
NES Works - Region locking.
NESComplex.
Did You Know Gaming?
Boundary Break.
Fitting a game into 40 KB.
8-Bit Guy - NES clones.
NESHacker - Lockout chip explained.

Favorites

Games

This is a list of my top 20 favorite games published on the NES.

  1. Super Mario Bros. 3
  2. The Legend of Zelda
  3. Bionic Commando
  4. Mega Man II
  5. Super Mario Bros.
  6. Metroid
  7. Super Mario Bros. 2
  8. Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!
  9. Super C
  10. Contra
  11. Final Fantasy
  12. River City Ransom
  13. Blaster Master
  14. Mega Man III
  15. Life Force
  16. Guerilla War
  17. Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
  18. Double Dragon II: The Revenge
  19. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
  20. Kirby's Adventure

Companies

This is a list of my top ten favorite game companies that developed or published games on the NES.

  1. Nintendo
  2. Capcom
  3. Konami
  4. Technos
  5. Sunsoft
  6. Kemco
  7. Enix
  8. Square
  9. Tecmo
  10. FCI

See Also

Links

Link-Wikipedia.png  Link-MobyGames.png  Link-VGMPF.png