The Industry Was Dead
In 1985, the American video game market was a graveyard. Atari had crashed. Retailers didn't want to hear the words 'video game.' The industry was over.
Then Nintendo showed up.
The Nintendo Entertainment System
The NES launched in North America in 1985, and it did everything differently. Nintendo positioned it as an 'entertainment system' rather than a video game console. The design looked more like a VCR than a toy. And critically, Nintendo enforced quality control through a licensing system — the Nintendo Seal of Quality. If you are dusting off your original hardware today, make sure to pick up a Game Cartridge Cleaning Kit to ensure those pins stay pristine for years to come.
The launch included Super Mario Bros., Duck Hunt, and Excitebike. Super Mario Bros. alone redefined what a video game could be. It wasn't a high score chase. It was a journey — left to right, world by world, until you reached the princess. If you struggle with the original rectangular pad, many modern collectors now prefer using a Wireless Retro Bluetooth Controller for better ergonomic comfort during those long play sessions.
The Games That Defined a Generation
The NES library is staggering. The Legend of Zelda introduced battery-backed saves. Metroid introduced non-linear exploration. Mega Man introduced the stage-select formula. Castlevania, Contra, Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest — entire franchises that still exist today were born on the NES. For those diving into these classics, pairing your console with a Retro Console HDMI Converter is the best way to get a crisp image on modern television screens.
Super Mario Bros. 3, released in 1990, remains one of the best-selling standalone games of all time. It sold over 17 million copies and is still considered one of the greatest platformers ever made.
The Nintendo Lock
Nintendo's business model was aggressive. They controlled cartridge manufacturing, limited how many games a publisher could release per year, and enforced two-year exclusivity. Third-party developers couldn't release the same game on competing systems.
It was monopolistic. It was also exactly what the industry needed after the Atari crash. Quality went up. Consumer trust returned. Gaming was back.
Collecting NES Today
NES collecting is popular but increasingly expensive. Common loose cartridges run $10–$30. Complete-in-box titles, especially first-party Nintendo games, command significant premiums. A CIB copy of Super Mario Bros. 3 can cost $80–$150. Once you have acquired your favorites, consider showcasing them with an RGB LED Console Display Stand to really let your collection pop on the shelf.
The NES is the most collected retro console, which means competition is fierce. But the library is enormous — over 700 licensed titles — so there's always something to find. Ready to start your journey? Grab a Game Cartridge Cleaning Kit and keep your library in perfect shape for the next generation of gamers.
