The Nintendo Entertainment System ("NES") is not only one of the most successful video game consoles of all time, it ranks among the most successful consumer products of all time, period. With nearly 62,000,000 consoles sold and featuring a vast library of all-time-great games, the NES remains instantly recognizable to Retro Roadshow attendees of all ages nearly 40 years after its introduction. We are proud to not only feature a working original NES system, but also a deep library of games both familiar and obscure.
The Nintendo Robotic Operating Buddy (aka "R.O.B.") was a clever accessory released alongside the original Nintendo Entertainment System ("NES"). With the videogame industry reeling from the lingering effects of Atari's decline and the larger "Video Game Crash of 1983," Nintendo cleverly decided to 'imply' that the NES was more than just another Atari-style game console, but also an educational tool and quasi-computer. This desire to seem less videogame-oriented resulted in both the physical design of the NES console (it was modeled after VHS tape players rather than contemporary gaming systems) and the creation of R.O.B., which was used with a couple of simplistic games. While R.O.B. was more valuable as a marketing tool than as a toy, its distinctive looks left a lasting impression, and the Robotic Operating Buddy is now a popular character in the Super Smash Brothers fighting-game franchise
When designing the successor to the wildly-successful Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo's design team set out to design something truly "super." With vastly-improved graphics and sound capabilities (including the pseudo-3D "Mode 7" used in games like PilotWings and Mario Kart), the Super Nintendo helped elevate Nintendo and their stable of characters (Mario, Luigi, Link, Zelda, Kirby, Samus, etc.) into global household names. The Retro Roadshow is pleased to regularly provide access to original SNES hardware and a deep library of vintage game cartridges.
With the N64, Nintendo stubbornly stuck to a cartridge-based format just as the rest of the industry was pivoting to CD-ROM as the preferred storage format. Despite this limitation (N64 carts topped out at 64 megabytes of storage, while CD-ROM could hold up to 700 megs), the N64's stunning 3D capabilities (developed in partnership with Silicon Graphics Inc, as seen elsewhere in the Retro Roadshow collection), advanced audio system and innovative controllers ensured that it rapidly built a passionate fan-base around the world. The Retro Roadshow is delighted to give gamers of all ages the chance to play some of the incredible games available on this system.
While the Nintendo GameCube was never as commercially successful as its rivals (the PlayStation 2 and Xbox both outsold it), its adorable design, clever controllers and surprisingly-deep library of games ensured that it remains a popular and beloved console in Nintendo's family. Visitors to the Retro Roadshow can enjoy some time on an original GameCube, the best way to experience classic games like Super Mario Sunshine, Metroid Prime, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes, and many more.