The NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) was released to the masses in 1985 in Europe. The box-like 8 bit system still has influences from it’s design, even on today’s powerhouse machines.

Things, such as the gamepad layout are still seen on the current home systems – left hand d-pad layout, separate start and select buttons, not to mention the prime buttons being to the right hand side of the pad.

Nintendo revitalised the market with their vision – allowing 3rd party developers to work on and make games for the system. It allowed their system to be a platform to a wider number and types of titles.

Along with their own hit franchises, such as Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda and Metroid beginning to gather a quick and profitable fan base, the system dominated the 8 bit console market and gave Nintendo worldwide success over their rivals Sega.

In Japan, the system was known as the Famicom. Although the two machines looked vastly different in appearance, a lot of the internal parts and build were similar – although a major difference on the twi machines, was that the NES used a 72 pin cartridge, whereas the Famicom used a 60 pin cartidge.

Overall, Nintendo’s machine helped really get Nintendo on the worldwide map it terms of home gaming and is still hugely popular, with a large number of the original titles, now being played on the current systems via download