NES Revival

By: The Collector
 NES Revival

The latest trend of NES resurgence in the world of video games has been obvious to anyone who has paid attention. NES references have been popping up in mainstream game publications more and more, more people are buying and selling NES games, and Nintendo itself as been dusting off some of its ancient code for its latest hardware. Why has the trend picked up all of a sudden?

There are many factors that attribute to the reviving interest in Nintendo’s first effort in video game hardware. One of those factors can be linked to Nintendo itself. Mario is still a big name in gaming, and the decisive infrequency of game releases and the quality of games starring the fabled plumber make him a legend. Perhaps the masses remembered his adventures on the NES, or are seeking them out for the first time. Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt is one of the most common and affordable game cartridges in the world, especially since the value of these carts equals roughly twenty-five cents.

Besides Mario’s fame, Nintendo has been revitalizing the NES days with various re-releases and cameos. Super Smash Bros. Melee is one of the best examples of historical dedication, and the hidden NES games in Animal Crossing don’t hurt either. With the first two Mario games (or, rather, the first Mario game and Doki Doki Panic) having been released in an updated form, and the e-Card Reader providing a further opportunities to enter the NES world with modern technology, the massive exposure of Nintendo’s past may have coaxed players to discover the NES or give into a nostalgic trip. Whether Nintendo’s latest presentation of the NES was a fan service or a marketing angle is unclear, but, whatever the reason, the NES is getting back a fraction of the old spot light.

Ironically, one of the stronger reasons for the NES revival is something Nintendo absolutely hates: piracy. The self-contained multi-game joysticks may have had some factor in perking interest in NES games, but this isn’t a very probable. More likely than not, the advent of emulation has stirred the interest in NES. The NES is the most emulated system in existence, with over a dozen different emulators and all (or close to all) 700+ games captured in ROM form, free for download. Of course, unless you have an original cartridge of the ROM you’re downloading, you’re committing an act of piracy. So says Nintendo.

The legal implications of emulation are difficult to comprehend, and this article will not go into it deeply. Nintendo has to admit, however, that despite their claims, emulation may actually help the NES cause. The company isn’t going to get any more money from the NES in its present standing, outside of re-releases, which are likely enhanced, compilations, or hidden extras, not stand-alone originals. Perhaps it’s more of an issue of principle, or perhaps Nintendo is concerned no one will want to buy NES re-releases if ROMs are available for free. Emulation or re-release, if its not the original NES, it’s not the same experience anyway.

In my experience, emulation actually builds interest in the system its emulating. I’ve built a modest collection of ROMs from the early days of emulation, and I don’t plan on deleting them anytime soon. Emulation held my interest in NES even when I stopped buying the games, and being able to play the games I played before and never owned gave me the urge to buy the originals, and I’ve found a handful of new favorites through emulation. Though I know there are those who don’t care either way about owning an original, the exposure of NES games through emulation at least makes a positive image for the system.

The vintage aspect of the NES is also appealing. Back in 1995, classic games were becoming more popular, as can be seen by the surge of re-release packages like Williams Arcades Greatest Hits. Perhaps the NES is just now becoming old enough to be “cool” again. It’s not an obsolete system that you wouldn’t be caught dead playing; it’s a vintage relic from your childhood.

Video gamers have been expected to live a life of constant upgrading since the days of the Atari 2600. When new technology comes out, it’s expected that the consumer move to the newest platform. This was why the NES 2 failed, as by 1993, consumers were moving on to the 16-bit platform, and didn’t want to stay with the obsolete NES. Since that time, the NES successors have been laid to rest (as well as most of the 16-bit successors), and the 128-bit line is currently in full swing. With two generation (three, if you count Nintendo 64 as a generation) separating the NES from the current platforms, the system holds a more “classic” appeal.

The NES is also an attractive system because, having controlled 90 percent of the gaming market back in its heyday, it was hugely popular. This translates into a lot of games and accessories. Consider the age and quantity of the NES, and this translates to low-cost games. Most NES followers today know that most games cost less than five dollars; I frequently come across quality software for a dollar. Not only is the NES established, it’s also cheap.

It may not become apparent, but the NES offers games that can’t be found on other systems. This seems to be an odd statement, since NES games are simple and can easily be “improved” on a more powerful system. The limitations of the NES, however, fostered a forced innovation of sorts, making for games that will never be seen on any other system.

NES titles like River City Ransom, Monster Party, and Journey to Silius will never be copied with the integrity and the masterful skill that the NES’s limitations opposed. Even franchises that continue to this day, like Castlevania, Mega Man, and Contra were arguably done best on Nintendo’s system. The problem is when new technology comes along, companies are forced to make more advanced products with “improvements”.

This is certainly not a march against progress, however. You can’t blame companies for advancing onward, as this is the way of technology; if a company stayed completely in the past, they wouldn’t last long. When new-fangled toys get tedious, however, it’s nice to be able to go back to the older, simpler ways of entertainment.


Perhaps the biggest push for the comeback of the NES is from the NES gamers themselves. A lot of NES fans started playing the box when they were very young, and have since grown up. As we get older, the responsibilities of life force us to crave a way to escape. Many of the video game players who are coming into adulthood have played the NES, and the nostalgic ones wish to relive the times when life, and gaming, was a lot simpler. Plus, we, the old fogies, just find the old games a lot of fun.

Which is perhaps the strongest reason for the revival of the NES: the games are fun. There isn’t any other way to say it; the NES sported one of the best line-ups of any system. Only when the Playstation rolled around has there such a solid library of games. The NES, however, still has games that the PSX doesn’t, and, obviously, vice versa. The fans know that the NES is a great system, and that’s why we keep coming back.

All of these reasons support the NES’s revival, but has the old box really come back? To many NES fans, it has, but there is still a lot more progress that can be made. If Nintendo ever publishes a decent NES “greatest hits” package, or if other companies (specifically Konami and Capcom) decide to do the same, this may stoke a demand for more releases (imagine what a collection of Kunio games would do, especially if the games not released in the US were included).

Who knows? Maybe Nintendo would consider programming new NES games, releasing a redesigned system (using the original design with good pins would be nice), or creating a portable NES that (Redant, take note) is practical. It’s all a pipe dream, but stranger things have happened (Panesian games).

The NES can become more a presence in the modern gaming industry than it is now, but only if it’s handled correctly. It doesn’t need to be said that the NES was and is a great system, and it doesn’t need to be pointed out why people still love it. The NES isn’t going away anytime soon.