The Nintendo Entertainment System was Nintendo's first foray into the console market, releasing in Japan on July 15, 1983 as the Family Computer (now more commonly known in the west as the shorter Famicom). It would take a few years for the console to make its way to the west, finally launching in North America on October 18, 1985.

Some of this delay could be attributed to some initial issues with the Famicom — early hardware was often faulty, and very few titles were available at launch. However, said titles also included a port of Donkey Kong, an iconic arcade release from Nintendo that would eventually go on to spawn its most recognised mascot, Mario.

The western release in the form of the Nintendo Entertainment System was designed differently from the Famicom, which even extended to making the game cartridges larger to have them seem more premium. This design philosophy did not continue with future Nintendo consoles (outside of specific color schemes for the SNES), but did help the NES succeed in the once-failing American gaming market.

 

All Articles about Nintendo Entertainment System Games

A character on a computer screen saying "they're coming for ya!" in the homebrew NES cyberpunk adventure Courier
News

Actual NES Cyberpunk Adventure Game Courier Crowdfunded in Under Three Hours

Homebrew NES adventure game Courier has been fully funded on Kickstarter in less than three hours. The game, which will be fully playable on actual NES machines, had a relatively modest funding goal…

January 2, 2024 | 11:52 EST

A maze in the NES game Devil World, which has received a Nintendo Switch Online release
News

Nintendo Switch Online Gets Three More Spooky Retro Classics

Nintendo has announced three more retro games for the Nintendo Switch Online library, and they're perfect for spooky season. Last week saw the addition of Mario Party 3 to the service's Expansion…

October 31, 2023 | 04:46 EDT

The title screen of Kirby's Star Stacker, one of the games being added in the Nintendo Switch Online September update
News

Nintendo Switch Online September Update Brings More Obscure Games

Nintendo has announced four more games for the Nintendo Switch Online service, three of which were never released outside of Japan. Previous Switch Online drops have seen obscure gems like Crusader…

September 6, 2023 | 08:36 EDT

 Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai Release, Header image

Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai Release Announced

Square Enix Game Studio and Kai Graphics have released some brand new information in regards to The Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai release. Though there is no concrete release…

September 14, 2022 | 02:27 EDT

Dragon Quest Header
Feature

A Brief History of Dragon Quest

Among the Marios and Zeldas celebrating their franchise's 35th anniversary lies the equally time-honored, yet not as celebrated in the West, Dragon Quest. Fabled for its fantasy setting, slimes, and…

May 26, 2021 | 12:00 EDT

Dragon Quest 3 Original Cover Art
Game Page

Dragon Quest III

Dragon Quest III is arguably the best JRPG in the early days of the genre. The third entry into the Dragon Quest series, Dragon Quest III features ground-breaking systems such as a personality system…

September 30, 2019 | 08:40 EDT

Dragon Quest II: Luminaries of a Legendary Line Original Cover Art
Game Page

Dragon Quest II

Dragon Quest II is the sequal to one of Japan's most famous early JRPG titles. Set 100 years after the events of the first game in the series you play as the descendants of the original game's hero,…

September 30, 2019 | 08:28 EDT

Dragon Quest 1 Original Cover Art
Game Page

Dragon Quest

Dragon Quest is the daddy of the JRPG genre, having gone on to inspire some of the all-time most popular JRPG series in the world. Although unsuccessful on it's original release in the west, going by…

September 30, 2019 | 08:18 EDT

Dragon Quest Trilogy Original Box Art
Preview

Dragon Quest Trilogy Shows Square's Porting Struggles

Sometimes, revisiting classic games can be something of a challenge. While it's hard to deny the classic status of games like Ocarina of Time and Goldeneye, going back and playing them through a…

September 30, 2019 | 07:31 EDT

Image of Mario From The Mario Movie Clutching His Chest
Opinions

The Mario Bros' History of Character Design

The Character of Mario & Luigi Through the Years September 13, 2015 marked the 30th anniversary of the world renowned Super Mario Bros.'s release on the NES. Despite being the defining game of…

September 21, 2015 | 01:00 EDT