Nintendo’s rise to power in the world of video games began in 1981 when the company released the classic arcade game Donkey Kong. This game introduced the world to Mario, the iconic plumber who would become one of the most recognizable figures in the history of gaming.
Over the next decade, Nintendo would continue to dominate the video game industry with a string of successful titles. In this article, we will explore the impact of Nintendo’s 80s video game library, from the early days of Donkey Kong to the revolutionary Donkey Kong Country.
The early days of Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong was a massive success when it was released in 1981. It was one of the first platformers ever made, and it introduced the world to Mario, who was originally called Jumpman. The game was simple yet challenging, with players tasked with navigating Mario up a series of levels to rescue his girlfriend Pauline.
Donkey Kong was a critical and commercial success and helped set the stage for Nintendo’s future dominance in the video game industry. It also spawned a series of sequels, including Donkey Kong Jr. and Donkey Kong 3.
The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros.
In 1986, Nintendo released The Legend of Zelda, a groundbreaking action-adventure game that would go on to become one of the company’s most iconic franchises. The game was massive, with players exploring a vast world full of secrets and challenges. It also introduced the concept of saving progress, which was a game-changer at the time.
The same year, Nintendo released Super Mario Bros., which was a massive leap forward from the original Donkey Kong. The game was massive, with players exploring a vast world full of secrets and challenges. It also introduced power-ups like the mushroom and the fire flower, which would become staples of the series.
Super Mario Bros. was a massive hit, selling millions of copies and becoming one of the best-selling video games of all time. The game helped cement Nintendo’s dominance in the industry and set the stage for future releases.
Mega Man and Metroid
In 1987, Capcom released Mega Man, a challenging platformer that would go on to become one of the company’s most iconic franchises. The game was known for its difficulty and introduced the concept of battling bosses to gain new powers.
The same year, Nintendo released Metroid, a groundbreaking action-adventure game that would go on to become one of the company’s most iconic franchises. The game was massive, with players exploring a vast world full of secrets and challenges. It also featured a female protagonist, which was rare in video games at the time.
Mega Man and Metroid were both critical and commercial successes and helped cement Nintendo’s dominance in the video game industry. The games also proved that there was a demand for challenging, action-packed games that would provide hours of entertainment.
The Super Nintendo era
Nintendo’s dominance continued into the 90s with the release of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990. The system was a massive success, selling millions of units and introducing gamers to some of the greatest video games ever made.
The Super Nintendo era saw the release of some of Nintendo’s most iconic games, including Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Super Metroid. These games were groundbreaking in their own right and helped push the boundaries of what was possible in video game design.
Donkey Kong Country
In 1994, Nintendo released Donkey Kong Country, a revolutionary game that would change the industry forever. The game was developed by Rare, a British development studio, and used revolutionary pre-rendered graphics to create a 3D-like effect.
Donkey Kong Country was a massive success, selling millions of copies and becoming one of the most popular games of all time. It helped cement the Super Nintendo’s status as one of the greatest consoles ever made and set the stage for future 3D games like Super Mario 64.
The lasting impact of Nintendo’s 80s video game library
The impact of Nintendo’s 80s video game library can still be felt today. Many of the games released during this era are still considered some of the greatest games ever made, and the franchises they spawned are still going strong today.
Nintendo’s early success helped cement the company’s dominance in the video game industry, and the lessons learned during this time are still being applied to new games today. The company’s focus on creating fun, challenging games with memorable characters has made it one of the most beloved video game companies of all time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Nintendo’s 80s video game library was a time of incredible innovation and creativity. The company’s early success laid the foundation for future success and helped cement Nintendo’s status as one of the greatest video game companies of all time. From Donkey Kong to Donkey Kong Country, Nintendo’s 80s video game library was a true game-changer.
