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Around this same time, 35 years ago, Nintendo was quietly introducing the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) to the United States, shipping only a limited batch to potential retailers.
Relax because the idea of releasing video games during this time was out of the question – the video game market was almost non-existent after personal computers came into vogue. Video game consoles like Atari, Mattel, and Coleco shut down as fast as they grew, abruptly obliterated by the multifunctional personal computer.
Despite the current market situation, Nintendo made a gamble and began their US launch in the most difficult area they could think of: New York City. Unfortunately for the Japanese-made console, no retailer wanted them; Americans at the time never thought Japan and its products were great, much less good enough to at least try them.
But Nintendo of America CEO Minoru Arakawa, son-in-law of Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi, hasn’t given up just yet. He made an offer to retailers that they couldn’t possibly refuse – Nintendo will provide all the settings in their stores and they will only have to pay for the ones that were sold. The deal was pretty good and Nintendo was able to convince some stores to sell NES.
Nintendo released its console in America with just 17 games, and it still didn’t include its newest baby at the time, Super Mario Bros.
While it was only able to sell about 50,000 consoles during that season, half of what they made for the United States, it was enough to continue its sales and expand its reach outside of New York City. It was in early 1986 that they began selling consoles in Los Angeles, and then finally in Chicago and San Francisco.
By the end of 1986, Nintendo was already national and part of its popularity can be attributed to the Mario brothers in their matching outfits. Video games were a hit once again, and all thanks to Nintendo.
POPULAR! Creator Community / Nicole Valdez
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