Nintendo: The Company and its Founders - Sharyland ISD

NINTENDO OF AMERICA EXPANDS
Many Europeans were also more
interested in computer games than
video game consoles. Nintendo’s
system outsold Sega’s product in
Australia, but by much less than in
the United States.
KEYS TO SUCCESS
With the success of the
NES in 1985, Nintendo has been
credited for reviving the video
game market in the United States.
Knowing it was entering a tough
market, Nintendo had promised
retailers it would buy back unsold
stock, which helped stores feel
more comfortable selling Nintendo
products in the unstable market.
Aware of the problem it faced in
convincing reluctant consumers,
Nintendo had made the NES a
little different than other systems
of the time. It had a front-loading
system of cartridges resembling
the familiar-looking home VCRs.
MUSHROOM WORLDS
Initially, Mario spent time in
Mushroom Kingdom, a fantasy
world he shared with his
brother, Luigi, and Princess
Toadstool (later known as
Princess Peach), Mario’s girlfriend.
Mushrooms are a source
of strength for Mario. When
he eats a “super” mushroom,
his body and strength grow.
Some people have pointed
out that eating mushrooms to
grow bigger also happens in
the book Alice’s Adventures in
Wonderland. However, Miyamoto
denies the similarities.
Later versions of the
game expanded the concept
to Mushroom World, which has
different lands and inhabitants,
including humans, toads,
and small turtle-like animals
called Koopas. One of the most
famous Koopas is Bowser, also
known as King Koopa. Bowser
tries to capture Princess Peach
and conquer Mario’s Mushroom
Kingdom.
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