Look back at the original classic Nintendo Entertainment System/NES from the 1980s

Nintendo Entertainment System NES 1987

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THE FIRST TO MOVE VIDEO ACTION OFF THE SCREEN.

Home video entertainment is about to enter a whole new dimension.

Introducing The Nintendo Entertainment System — fully-equipped with the most progressive video components ever developed — including a robot, a light-sensing video gun, true-to-life graphics and a vast library of games that never stops growing.

IT’S NOT JUST KID STUFF. IT’S FAMILY STUFF TOO.

At Nintendo, we believe video entertainment should be for everyone. So we designed a system that’s both simple and sophisticated enough to challenge the abilities of everyone in your family.

What’s more, many Nintendo game paks allow two members of the family to play simultaneously. And at many different levels.

Classic Nintendo Entertainment System - NES robot from 1985

THE SYSTEM THAT COMES WITH A FRIEND TO PLAY WITH.

Introducing your Robotic Operating Buddy. The world’s first video robot. He’s your teammate, programmed to help you tackle the challenge at hand. Send him signals by way of the TV screen, and he will obey your every command.

It’s the first opportunity to experience video action in a whole new dimension, in a whole new place — off the screen.

THE LIGHT GUN THAT’S LOADED WITH THRILLS.

Through our breakthrough light-sensing technology, we’ve created an exclusive light gun. The Zapper. Never before has there been a video gun of this caliber.

To use it, you must possess pinpoint accuracy to hit your target, whether you’re shooting at ducks or gangsters. But hit or miss, the Zapper is always loaded with thrills.

Nintendo Entertainment System NES Zapper 1989

NOW THE EYES HAVE IT. SUPERIOR GRAPHICS.

Everybody promised you arcade graphics. We deliver. Instead of seeing 16 colors on the screen, the Nintendo Entertainment System offers an astounding 52 colors, an enhancement that results in brilliant tone refinements, realistic 3-D images, convincing depth of field and actual shadows.

NINTENDO’S CONTROL DECK. THE BRAINS BEHIND THE SYSTEM.

Inside the Nintendo Control Deck are two microchips. Not just chips off the old block, mind you. It takes highly unique, custom-designed microchips to run R.O.B., activate the Zapper and display such realistic graphics. In fact, you won’t find microchips like these anywhere else.

Classic Nintendo Entertainment System-NES 1985s

GAMES, GAMES, GAMES, AND MORE GAMES.

Our game plan is to supply you with as many arresting games as possible. We already have a library of seventeen games. Starting in January, ten more games are scheduled to be released. Choose from our authentic Sports Series, high flying Action Series, R.O.B. the Robot Series, Light Gun Series and more.

There’s even our revolutionary Programmable Series that lets you program games yourself by varying obstacles and changing the sequence of events. So a game is never played the same way twice. And you control the level of challenge.

MORE: Check out some of the vintage video games & classic consoles from the ’70s & ’80s

YOU’LL USE IT NOW. YOU’LL USE IT LATER. YOU’LL USE IT MUCH LATER.

We’ve spent a lot of time and research developing a system that would last for years. That’s why we’ll constantly be creating new components and new games to keep the thrill of the Nintendo Entertainment System growing.

And that’s also why, as years go by, you’ll be as wide-eyed about the system as you were the day you bought it.

The Nintendo Entertainment System comes complete with R.O.B., Zapper, Control Deck, two Controllers, and the Gyromite and Duck Hunt Game Paks.


Classic Nintendo Entertainment System/NES (1985)

Here’s an early prototype of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) that debuted at the CES (Consumer Technology Association) convention in 1985.

Nintendo Entertainment System NES early prototype 1985


R.O.B — Robotic Operating Buddy (1985)

The future of home entertainment is staring you in the face.

Nintendo robot 1985


R.O.B. with “Stack Up” pieces (1985)

Introducing the Nintendo video robot.

Nintendo Entertainment System NES Robot 1985


Classic Nintendo Entertainment System Control Deck (1986)

The control deck that puts you in control of incredible fun!

Nintendo Entertainment System NES Control Deck - 1986


NES with assorted Nintendo items (1987)

Set includes main console (“Control Deck”), R.O.B., “Stack Up” game pieces, two controllers, a Zapper, and two games — “Duck Hunt” and “Gyromite.”

Nintendo Entertainment System NES 1987 (2)


NES Advantage (1987)

NES Advantage — an arcade-style controller add on for the classic Nintendo Entertainment System, featuring a joystick.

Nintendo Entertainment System NES Advantage controller

MORE: What were the most popular toys in the early ’80s? See toys, games & fun for kids in the 1981 Sears Catalog Wishbook


NES with controllers (1987)

NES Control Deck with two classic controllers, Gyromite featured onscreen.

Nintendo Entertainment System NES system brochure 1987


NES Max Turbo controller (1988)

NES Max Turbo controller, with improved add-ons from the original control (includes wing handles and a directional pad — a “d-pad.”)

Nintendo Entertainment System NES Max 1988


John Elway’s Quarterback game for NES (1988)

John Elway's Quarterback game for NES 1988


Tengen video games for NES (1988)

Tengen video games for NES 1988

MORE: After arcade video games like Pac Man & Space Invaders hit the scene in the ’80s, weekends were never the same again

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