The Nintendo Entertainment System first appeared in Japan in 1983.  It was first introduced to America in 1985.  More than 60 million consoles sold in the U.S.  Then in 1989 the Game Boy was introduced; in 1991 came the release of the Super Nintendo; in 1996 came the Nintendo 64.  Then there was the Game Boy Pocket, the Game Boy Advance, the GameCube, the Game Boy Advance SP, the Nintendo DS, the Nintendo DS Lite and, finally, in 2006 the Wii. [Nintendo]  (For a more detailed history click here!)

 

Recently, an original NES console bundled with five games sold on eBay for $13,105.

(http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/old-nintendo-system-sells-for-13-105/1389101)

 

 

 

The most recent console released by Nintendo is the Wii.  It has a wireless controller, is the first Nintendo console to use full size compact discs, it enables players to go online and purchase games from the older Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and it will play Nintendo GameCube games and will connect to the Nintendo DS.  [Moore]

 

 

 

 

The success of the Nintendo and the games for the Nintendo can be explained very simply.  First, when the Nintendo was initially advertised, it was not advertised as a toy.  This allowed it to be separated from its competition (like the Atari).  This also allowed it to be sold at more locations than toy stores.  It was sold by electronics stores (like Circuit City), discount stores (like Sears) along with toy chains (like Toys “R” Us).  [Sheff 159-166]  Second, the city it was first introduced to (in America) was New York City.  “What is the most difficult town to start in?”  [Sheff 163]  This question was asked by Yamauchi who started Nintendo as a small business in Japan.  This small business started in 1889 when it produced and sold handmade cards.  He named the company nin-ten-do which can be translated as "Leave luck to heaven".  [Sheff 14]  Finally, the games for the Nintendo are only released to be played on the Nintendo.  [International]  This gives Nintendo a sort of monopoly, because if you want to play the game, you have to have an NES. 

 

 

 

 

 

In class we have been discussing Manga.  Comic books have been a favorite pastime for people of the Japanese culture for a long time.  When thinking of entertainment that has come to America from Japan, the first thing that comes to my mind is the Nintendo.  We have learned of comic books that represent the young man from a disadvantaged background being the hero.  This is similar to the Mario whom I’m sure we are all familiar with.  (Mario was a plumber who could stay away from and attack enemies.  An unlikely feat we would expect from a plumber.) [Sheff 3]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

However, what you may not know is that, according to an article from International Academy of Design and Technology, nine of the ten top selling video games of all time come from Japan and they are games that can only be played on a NES.  [International]

 

 

 

These top ten games are:

 

 

 

#1)  Wii Sports (2006)

 

47 million copies sold

Gamers can virtually play one of five sports:  baseball, tennis, golf, bowling and boxing.

 

 

 

 

#2)  Super Mario Bros (1985)

40 million copies sold

Mario and Luigi try to save the princess.

 

 

 

 

 

#3)  Pokémon Red/Green/Blue (1998)

31 million copies sold

The gamer tries to master Pokémon battling.

 

 

#4)  Tetris (1989)

Created in Russia

30     illion copies sold

 

 

#5)  Duck Hunt (1985)

28 million copies sold

Players use a NES Zapper to shoot at ducks on the screen.

 

 

#6)  Wii Play (2007)

Sold 24 million copies

A disc with minigames such as Duck Hunt and Ping Pong.

 

 

#7)  Pokémon Gold/Silver (2000)

23 million copies sold

Another attempt at mastering Pokémon Battling.

 

 

#8)  Nintendogs (2005)

23 million copies sold

Pet simulation video game.

 

 

#9)  Wii Fit (2008)

21 million copies sold

Exercising game which includes a balancing board.

 

 

#10)  Super Mario World (1991)

21 million copies sold

Another attempt for Mario and Luigi to try to save the princess!

 

 

All detailed descriptions can be found at Wikipedia.org.  All videos can be found at youtube.com.

 

 

WORKS CITED

 

 

Nintendo, "Nintendo Company History". Nintendo. February 1, 2010

                <http://www.nintendo.com/corp/history.jsp>.

 

 

Moore, Chris. "Nintendo Wii Description". ehow. February 1, 2010

                <http://www.ehow.com/facts_5142672_nintendo-wii-description.html>.

 

 

Sheff, David. Game Over: How Nintendo Zapped an American Industry, Captured Your Dollars, and

                Enslaved Your Children. New York: Random House, 1993.

 

 

International Academy of Design and Technology, "Ten Best-Selling Video Games of All Time". January

                30, 2010 <http://www.iadtseattle.com/articles/best-video-games.asp>.

 

 

LINKS TO PICTURES

 

 

Wii Console:  http://www.iguk.org/files/images/2008/6795-wii.jpg

 

 

Original NES:  http://cybernetnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/nes-console.jpg

 

 

Yamauchi:  http://cdn1.gamepro.com/article_img/gamepro/183088-1.jpg

 

 

Mario:  http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2007/09/12/mario300_narrowweb__300x392,0.jpg