The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) celebrates its 39th anniversary today, marking nearly four decades since it revolutionized the gaming world. Learn about its impact on the industry, the iconic games it introduced, and why it remains a cultural touchstone.
Happy 39th birthday to the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)! Today, we celebrate the legacy of that little grey box that changed gaming forever when it launched on October 18, 1985, alongside legendary titles like Super Mario Bros. And while we’re talking about iconic moments, I have to mention my own less-than-glorious introduction to the NES. My first game was Friday the 13th by LJN—a game that was almost impossible to love. If you remember it, you probably know what I mean. But hey, we all have our origins, right?
A Look Back at the NES
Released on October 18, 1985, the NES became a household name, especially in North America, where it helped revive the gaming industry after the infamous video game crash of 1983. It was a defining moment—the NES wasn’t just a console; it was the resurrection of gaming. And while not every game was a classic (looking at you, Friday the 13th), it brought with it legends like The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and Mega Man that defined genres and gave us countless reasons to keep coming back. It wasn’t just about the hardware—it was the iconic games, the unforgettable music, and the pure joy of side-scrolling adventures that brought the NES to life. Titles like The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Mega Man, and Castlevania each carved their own niche into the history of gaming, defining genres and establishing fan bases that thrive even today.
The Console that Defined a Generation
For many of us, the NES was our first taste of video games. I mean, the simplicity of the two-button controller gave way to games that were anything but simple. Whether you were battling Bowser to save Princess Peach, fighting off aliens with Samus Aran, or struggling to survive against Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th (seriously, that game was a nightmare), the NES knew how to leave an impression.
The NES introduced countless children to the joy of gaming, and its influence reached beyond its era. From launching the careers of legendary developers like Shigeru Miyamoto to setting the template for platformers and RPGs, the NES laid the groundwork for the industry we know today.
Nostalgia Reigns Supreme
Fans are reminiscing today, sharing stories and memories of what the NES meant to them. Twitter/X user @16bitnostalgia captured the moment perfectly, tweeting:
Happy 39th birthday to the NES!
39 years ago, this little grey box made its way into our homes and into our hearts along with Super Mario Bros and changed the face of gaming forever!
What's your best game and memory of the NES? pic.twitter.com/XfyFryvUFS
— Nostalgic Gamer (@16bitnostalgia) October 18, 2024
Other users chimed in with their favorite memories:
- @ItsMoneyMiller asked: “What was your favorite NES game? Also; What was the best Mario?” (posted on Twitter/X on October 18, 2024)
- @JWthib responded with the famous Konami Code: “up, up, down, down…” (posted on Twitter/X on October 18, 2024)
- @GaryW_Rodgers shared a nostalgic sentiment: “Wow, 39 years…” (posted on Twitter/X on October 18, 2024)
- @DJDanzadotcom mentioned: “The Goonies 2!” (posted on Twitter/X on October 18, 2024)
- @Cryptocrazy589 added: “Metroid” (posted on Twitter/X on October 18, 2024)
- @Lowherz9 simply said: “Goes hard” (posted on Twitter/X on October 18, 2024)
- @thecheesyboy reminisced about playing Duck Hunt and Super Mario Bros in a demo machine: “My only real memories are of playing Duck Hunt and SMB in Dixon’s on the demo machine. Usually, it was on something like a 2-minute reset loop, but occasionally that was turned off.” (posted on Twitter/X on October 18, 2024)
- @TheModelGamerYT shared a fond memory with their father: “I remember my father picking me up from daycare and my NES Action Set sitting in the back seat. It was a huge moment.” (posted on Twitter/X on October 18, 2024)
- @Valdain listed a top 5: “1. First games Zelda/Super Mario. 2. First Other RPG’s: Final Fantasy/Dragon Warrior. 3. Action games: Metroid, Ninja Gaiden and Contra. 4. Sports games: Original Baseball/Tecmo Bowl. 5. Other Games: Super Mario 3 and Punch Out.” (posted on Twitter/X on October 18, 2024)
- @JamesBu43811238 recalled playing Super Mario 3 non-stop with their cousin: “Super Mario 3. I have the fondest memories of this one because my cousin and I played it non–stop for what seems like forever.” (posted on Twitter/X on October 18, 2024)
- @ChrisCeleste1 shared how renting Battletoads turned mundane games into fun: “Super Mario Bros 3, Blades of Steel, always renting Battletoads to try to beat the game (which I never did), having the Game Genie turned mundane games into a fun romp.” (posted on Twitter/X on October 18, 2024)
NES and Its Impact on Gaming and Pop Culture
The NES wasn’t just a gaming console; it was a cultural phenomenon. It introduced millions to the world of video gaming and set the standard for what home entertainment could be. The NES turned video games into a mainstream hobby, and its influence extended into pop culture—from Saturday morning cartoons to breakfast cereals. Its characters, like Mario and Link, became cultural icons that transcended the gaming world, representing the joy, creativity, and adventure of a new era.
The NES’s impact wasn’t confined to its generation. It paved the way for the console wars of the ’90s, influenced the indie game movement of today, and laid the foundation for gaming as a respected and dominant entertainment medium. In short, the NES wasn’t just about games; it was about creating memories, bringing people together, and shaping the entertainment landscape in a way that still resonates today.
Explain It to Me Like I’m Five
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was one of the first home video game consoles that really made gaming popular. Imagine a small grey box that you plug into your TV, and suddenly, you could control characters like Mario, a plumber who jumps on enemies and saves princesses. It came out in 1985 and became super popular because it had amazing games for its time—games that were easy to understand but hard to master. Some of the most famous NES games are Super Mario Bros, where you save Princess Peach, The Legend of Zelda, which lets you explore dungeons and fight monsters, and Metroid, where you play as a space bounty hunter named Samus. The NES helped make video games mainstream and paved the way for the gaming industry we know today.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
What’s your favorite NES memory? Did you save Princess Peach, master Contra without the Konami code, or did you struggle to defeat Dr. Wily in Mega Man? Share your best NES moments with us in the comments, or find us on social media. Let’s celebrate this piece of gaming history together!
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