Pour one out for a legend. It can safely be said that one of the reasons I love video games is directly related to his work. The NES was the toy that comprises most of my earliest memories. And I still continue to enjoy games on the hardware today, 30+ years later.
The fact that I still continue to find new games on the hardware that bring me joy is just a testament to how capable it was at supporting developers in creating diverse gameplay experiences.
It’s the hardware that represents a true turning point for game design on home consoles where things became far more elaborate, supporting scrolling graphics, huge open worlds, and smooth gameplay like the arcades.
FDS furthered that vision by making save files a standard feature in the console space - something that arcades really didn’t have and which was most relegated to more complex PC hardware.
Famicom was capable of so many concepts that were far FAR ahead of its time. It had networking capabilities, music making software, let people program things in Family Basic, it had the Power Pad which allowed you burn calories and control game with your feet, 3D glasses, motion controls with the Power Glove, a voice activated laser scope, and the world famous zapper.
Pour one out.
