Nintendo revolutionized the gaming industry with its NES, but it almost never happened. In the early 1980s, North America faced a severe video game crash. The market was flooded with low-quality games and consoles, causing consumer trust to plummet. When Nintendo prepared to launch the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), the company knew it needed a bold strategy to succeed.
Instead of marketing the NES as a typical video game console, Nintendo’s former VP revealed that they deliberately avoided the term “video game console.” Calling the NES a video game console “would have killed it,” he claimed. Instead, Nintendo positioned the NES as an “entertainment system” and packaged it with accessories like the Zapper Light Gun and R.O.B. the robot, making it look more like an innovative toy than just another game system. This clever marketing move helped Nintendo sidestep the negative reputation surrounding video games at the time and win over retailers and consumers alike.
The NES Changed Gaming Forever
Nintendo’s unique approach paid off. The NES not only revived the North American video game industry but also set new standards for quality and fun. By focusing on entertainment and innovation, Nintendo established itself as a leader in the industry and paved the way for future generations of gaming.
Sources:
Original Article on TheGamer
