Photo: Evan-Amos, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.
The Nintendo Entertainment System is Nintendo's 8-bit home console, released in Japan as the Family Computer (Famicom) in 1983.
Key facts
| Manufacturer | Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Release | Japan 1983 (as Famicom), North America 1985, Europe 1986 |
| Generation | 3rd (8-bit) |
| CPU | Ricoh 2A03 (MOS 6502-based), ~1.79 MHz NTSC |
| Media | ROM cartridge |
| Units sold (approx.) | ~61.9 million |
About the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
Launched in North America in 1985 after the 1983 video game crash, the NES helped revive the home console market. Nintendo's licensing program and its "Seal of Quality" controlled which games reached the system, and franchises such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda and Metroid began here.
Notable games
- Super Mario Bros.
- The Legend of Zelda
- Metroid
- Mega Man 2
- Super Mario Bros. 3