History Daily Nintendo’s First Multi-Game Console
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Jul 15, 2025 Dive into Nintendo's groundbreaking journey with the Famicom, which revolutionized home gaming as a multi-game console. Discover the struggles of lead designer Masayuki Uemura battling technical issues and a critical motherboard flaw before launch. Explore how word-of-mouth and Mario Bros. played pivotal roles in overcoming initial sales challenges. Finally, reflect on the lasting legacy of the NES and its cultural impact, alongside personal stories highlighting the era’s societal pressures.
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Hiroshi's Late-Night Phone
- Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi called Masayuki Uemura in late 1981 to lead a new home console project.
- The console would use interchangeable cartridges, unlike Nintendo's previous single-game devices.
Dual Chip Challenge
- Nintendo’s new console required two microchips due to diverse game demands, increasing cost and sales targets.
- Features were trimmed to reduce price and appeal to technophobe parents.
Red and White Color Demand
- Hiroshi Yamauchi insisted the console be red and white inspired by a TV antenna billboard.
- Masayuki conveyed this branding order to the engineers despite hardware challenges.