Here at Antstream Arcade, we’re big fans of the Nintendo Famicom, or the Nintendo Entertainment System, as it’s known to Western audiences. Today marks the 41st anniversary of this iconic console’s debut, so join us as we delve into the history behind the Famicom and look at some of its marvellous games available to play instantly on Antstream Arcade.
On the 15th of July 1983, gaming changed forever. Until this point, Nintendo was known chiefly as an arcade game company, despite dabbling with home consoles in the late Seventies with its Color TV Pong machines. The original Color TV console, The Color TV-Game 6, was a significant success for the Japanese company; but by the early Eighties, the limited nature of this type of console was beginning to dilute consumer enthusiasm. Undeterred, Nintendo went all in on the console business and began development on its entry into the Second Generation of video game consoles, spurred on by the introduction of cartridge-based systems.
By 1983, the console segment of the video gaming industry was at a crossroads. In the UK, the burgeoning home computer market looked set to dominate for decades to come. In the US, Atari, struck by its hubris, self-imploded as a mass of cheap, inferior products dominated the discount shelves. Having spent years in the arcade market, Nintendo’s change of direction was to re-invigorate gaming forever.
Codenamed ‘GameCom’, Nintendo’s initial vision was for a 16-bit powerhouse home computer, such as the machines that would dominate the UK market in the late Eighties and early Nineties. However, Nintendo stuck to its gaming roots, designing a sleek, futuristic games machine, incorporating elements of its previous TV-Games, and the D-pads made popular with its Game And Watch series of handhelds.
With its clean and distinctive red and white colours and simple toy-like hardwired controllers, the Famicom (short for Family Computer) was a world away from the bulky, antiquated faux-wooden appearance of the Atari 2600 and Mattel Intellivision.
Yet the console was far from a runaway hit, at least initially. A production fault meant recalls of the unit, and consumers were understandably apprehensive of this brand new games machine from a company not then associated with home consoles – at least ones you plugged into your TV. Developers wrestled with the console’s limited memory, and the cartridge medium was expensive. But Nintendo persevered, and by the end of 1984, the Famicom was a hit, boosted by its exclusive games, ease of use and notable arcade ports such as Donkey Kong.
By 1985, Nintendo felt confident enough to take their console to the world. The groundbreaking games came thick and fast: Super Mario Bros, The Legend Of Zelda, Metroid, Dragon Quest, and Metal Gear, all major franchises that continue today. Even in Europe, where Nintendo’s approach always felt like something of an afterthought, the Famicom/NES is still adored by millions, ensuring its place in video games history as one of the most popular – and significant – game consoles of all time.
Famicom/NES Fact File
– Nintendo developed a disk system with erasable magnetic media to sit under the Famicom. Owners could acquire fresh content at special kiosks, but the Famicom Disk System never saw
release outside Japan.
– The launch games for the Famicom were Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr and Popeye.
– At one point, the Famicom claimed 85% of the Japanese games market.
– One of the Famicom’s controllers includes a microphone, enabling players to add their voices to
– Nintendo released the Famicom 3D System in 1987, bringing another dimension to the console’s games. Like the Disk System, it was not released outside of Japan.
– Nintendo’s exclusivity power over developers, while controversial, undoubtedly contributed to
the Famicom’s success.
– Nintendo engineer Masayuki Uemura was a critical person in the Famicom’s development – as
was his wife, who suggested the console’s name.
– Nintendo initially planned a deal in 1983 with Atari to distribute the Famicom in the United
States. However, the agreement hit numerous bumps and was abandoned once the Famicom became successful, giving Nintendo the confidence to go it alone.
The Nintendo Famicom/NES on Antstream Arcade
We have over 30 games for this famous Nintendo console on Antstream Arcade – here are 10 of our favourites.
Boulder Dash
The First Star underground gem-collecting series has a neat puzzle-action core that’s as beguiling today as it was back in the Eighties. Boulder Dash can be devious in places with the player’s character, Rockford, frequently trapped by rocks – but it’s terrific fun.
Jane Austen’s 8-bit Adventure
The Famicom/NES’s popularity has seen a consistent flow of homebrew games over the years, and we recently welcomed this famous author/8-bit mash-up to Antstream Arcade. Guiding an incredulous Jane Austen around the pixelated world is as charming as Fitzwilliam Darcy himself.
The Immortal
This captivating 8-bit port originated on the Apple IIGS – and we have the NES version on Antstream Arcade. The death traps are as frustrating as ever, but there are plenty of enemies to fight, treasure to collect and dungeons to explore.
Doodle World
There’s a lovely simple aesthetic to this 2021 game from Acutis Games. The task is straightforward: navigate across each delightfully and quaintly portrayed landscape, collecting pens and dodging enemies. In reality, it’s not quite that easy!
We love Star Wars video games, and while this NES game is sometimes maddening, there’s no better 8-bit way of reliving the classic movie. The follow-up, The Empire Strikes Back, is also on Antstream Arcade.
Eliminator Boat Duel
This 1991 game is a well-designed and wacky powerboat racing simulation. Over 24 water-based courses, the player competes against a range of crazy characters, upgrading their boat with the winnings. Fast, furious and varied.
Flea is another homebrew NES game on Antstream Arcade, boasting some great challenges and addictive gameplay.
We must like games set underground! In Spelunker, which originated on the Atari 8-bit in 1983, the player is a brave potholer, searching hazardous caves for treasure. A challenging but rewarding game.
Witch ‘n’ Wiz
Puzzle games remain popular on the NES, and this pleasantly old-fashioned homebrew game delivers some sweet music, graphics and gameplay.
Chew Chew Mimic
Finally, it’s another 8-bit puzzle game on Antstream Arcade. In a novel twist, the player is one of those horrible mimics from Dungeons & Dragons, a hungry creature hidden inside a treasure chest! Each chin-stroking level involves guiding poor, unsuspecting knights to their doom.
Thank you for reading the latest Antstream Arcade Retro Gaming History feature!
Do you love the Nintendo Famicom and NES? What are your favourite games to play on these fantastic retro consoles? Let us know on the Antstream Arcade social channels: @AntstreamArcade on Twitter/X, our Facebook group and Discord server. Finally, to learn more about Antstream Arcade and our mission to bring retro gaming to all, head over to our website.
