What was the NES called before 1985?

The NES: A Console With a Fascinating History

The Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES, is a beloved console that has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. But before it became a household name, it was known by a different name in Japan. So, what was the NES called before 1985?

The Birth of Famicom

The NES was first released in Japan in 1983 under the name Family Computer, or Famicom for short. This name was chosen to emphasize the console’s focus on family-friendly gaming. The Famicom was a groundbreaking console that introduced many innovative features, such as the use of cartridges and a controller with a directional pad.

The Rise of Famicom

The Famicom was a huge success in Japan, with sales exceeding 2 million units within the first year. It wasn’t long before the console made its way to North America, where it was rebranded as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and released in 1985.

Why the Name Change?

So, why did Nintendo change the name of the console for the North American market? According to Nintendo’s founders, the name "Family Computer" didn’t resonate with American audiences. In the United States, "family" was often associated with a more traditional or conservative image, which wasn’t what Nintendo was looking for. The name "Nintendo Entertainment System" was chosen to emphasize the console’s focus on entertainment and gaming.

Key Differences Between Famicom and NES

While the Famicom and NES consoles share many similarities, there are some key differences. Here are a few:

Conclusion

The NES, or Famicom, has a fascinating history that spans over 35 years. From its humble beginnings in Japan to its global success, the console has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. The name change from Famicom to NES may have been a strategic move to better market the console to Western audiences, but it ultimately led to the console’s massive success.

Trivia

• The Famicom was originally designed to be a more advanced console than the NES, but it was ultimately released before the NES due to unforeseen delays.
• The Famicom Disk System, a peripheral that added disk-based storage to the Famicom, was not released outside of Japan due to the console’s poor reception in North America.
• The NES was originally supposed to be released in 1984, but the date was pushed back to 1985 due to technical issues and the need to improve the console’s games library.

In conclusion, the NES, or Famicom, is an iconic console that has played a significant role in the history of gaming. Whether you’re a retro gamer or a newcomer to the world of gaming, it’s essential to understand the console’s fascinating history, including its name change from Famicom to NES.