Scanned from 2000AD Prog 711 cover date 29/12/1990

VIDEO GAME CONSOLES 1: NINTENDO

If you thought that video game consoles died back in the early 80s when Atari concreted 450,000 unsold cartridges into a hole on the US desert, think again! The world's going console crazy all over again, and now the plug-in-and-play fever's reached the UK. Tharg's review droid Big K samples the second generation hardware that's opened up an entire new era in video gaming...

NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM (NES)

Incredibly over 50 million of these babies have been sold world-wide since their introduction in 1985 — and folks continue to buy them by the truckload. Although it's only recently developed some clout in the UK, Nintendo is a household name Stateside and its game characters have achieved superstar status, appearing on everything from breakfast :ereals to Saturday morning cartoons. Consequently, it has more software houses writing for it than any other console system.
Technically, the NES seems rather bland, but don't be mislead. There are some stunning game carts out for it, with the promise of more and better ones to follow. (Expect to see a killer conversion of Gauntlet 2, with synthesised speech and a four-player option out soon!)
A quick incision with the surgical knife (don't try this one at home, kids) reveals that inside the NES lurks an 8-bit CPU with 2K on on-board RAM, giving a choice of 52 on-screen colours. However, it can address several megabytes of cartridge-stored code. (Even the simplest of games contain around 128K, split variably between graphics and program chips.)
Nintendo carts reputably have an 8Mb capacity, though in reality most use just 2Mb. Like all consoles, software for the NES is expensive, ranging from £20-£40, with the better material commanding the bigger bucks. Pick of the recent bunch is Batman (£40) which mixes addictive action with some startling graphics, effectively recreating the gritty atmosphere of the blockbusting movie.
Look out also for Mike Tyson's Punch-Out, Life Force and the marvellous Super Mario Bros 2, in the 50-plus library of titles.
The console is currently bundled with a Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles game for £79.95, making it very good value.

NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

Made by: Nintendo
CPU: 8-bit. 2K internal. 2Mb+ in ROM carts
Sound: Mono.
Supplied with: Two control pads. AC adaptor. Teenage
Mutant Hero Turtles game cart, aerial connector.
Accessories: Infra-red remote control, arcade-quality
Advantage joystick, light gun (for use with certain
games).
Software support: Over 50 titles in the UK alone and
growing monthly.
Recommended price: £79.95
Game cartridges: £20 - £40
Positives: No shortage of good software, massive
world-wide commitment to the system.
Negatives:The best software is expensive. System
considered a bit dated by some game fans.
Remarks: The world's best-selling video games
console, rapidly achieving cult status. Seemingly
endless stream of titles bound

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