7 Must-Know Facts about NES and NES Classic

We can all agree that Nintendo Entertainment System (aka NES) is one of the most iconic gaming consoles ever made. NES was released in Japan in 1983, in the USA in 1985 and in the UK in 1986. More recently, in 2016, Nintendo released a mini version of NES titled NES Classic Edition or Nintendo Classic Mini: Nintendo Entertainment System. 

The Facts

Now lets dive deeper into the facts word of that old-school 8-bit gaming system and its tiny modern version.

1. It became the best selling console

Although there was an enormous gap in the release dates between different regions of the world, NES managed to get to the top by reaching 61.9 Million Sales.

2. The name variation can drive you crazy

We'll have to list it to make it less confusing (and because we love lists):

• USA/UK/Europe: NES (Nintendo Entertainment System)

• Japan: Famicon (short for Family Computer)

• Korea: Huyndai Comboy (???)

3. It was NOT a high-tech gem for its ERA

The NES was originally designed as a 16-bit gaming system with the gaming medium being a floppy disk and a keyboard as a controller. Hiroshi Yamauchi, Nintendo's president at the time, dissed the idea because, as he stated, it wouldn't be interesting for non-tech users and the cost would've been a lot higher. Instead, it came out as a cheaper 8-bit system, with cartridge as a gaming medium making Hiroshi's decision one of the best ever made in Nintendo.

4. It gave birth to some of the most iconic gaming characters

To be honest, Mario made its first appearance in the 1981 Arcade game Donkey Kong, but he was just known as 'Jumpman'. It wasn't until the game Super Mario Bros that he really started gaining fame. Few more characters are princess Peach, Luigi, Bowser and Link from Legend of Zelda.

5. The NES Classic comes with 30 titles of the past

Released from the need to blow the cartridge, which is positive for some people and negative of us - the nostalgia geeks, NES Classic has 30 awesome titles preinstalled. Here's a list of them:

• Balloon Fight

• Bubble Bobble

• Castlevania

• Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest

• Donkey Kong

• Donkey Kong Jr.

• Double Dragon II: The Revenge

• Dr. Mario

• Excitebike

• Final Fantasy

• Galaga

• Ghosts’ N Goblins

• Gradius

• Ice Climber

• Kid Icarus

• Kirby’s Adventure

• Mario Bros.

• Mega Man 2

• Metroid

• Ninja Gaiden

• Pac-Man

• Punch-Out!! Featuring Mr. Dream

• StarTropics

• Super C

• Super Mario Bros.

• Super Mario Bros. 2

• Super Mario Bros. 3

• Tecmo Bowl

• The Legend of Zelda

• Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

6. NES Classic emulates the retro "feeling"

All NES Classic games can be played in 720p 60Hz which makes them extremely crisp and clean. Nintendo added an extra feature for video output that melts the hearts of all the retro nerds out there. It can emulate artifacts similar to those an 80s CRT TV would have.

7. No more lost progress in case of power loss. (80s and 90s people will know)

Playing video games back in the 80s and 90s was hard (drama mode on). Back in the day, only a few games supported the ability to save the progress. Also, some games, gave you the ability to have a level password that will allow you to reach the same progress in case of power loss. Unfortunately, for the rest of the games, one power shut loss (lets randomly say because, for some reason, your mom though that your homework is more important) could ruin your entire weekend. NES Classic, allows you to save your progress, literally at any point you need. Thank you Nintendo.