![\"Nintendo](\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/PXL_20260303_133637628-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n- \n
- Manufacturer<\/strong>: Nintendo (Nintendo Co., Ltd., Japan)<\/li>\n
- Type<\/strong>: Video game console<\/li>\n
- Release Date<\/strong>: 1983\/1985<\/li>\n
- Cost at release<\/strong>: ~$350 (adjusted for inflation)<\/li>\n
- MIPS<\/strong>: ~1.79<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Hardware Specifications<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
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- CPU<\/strong>: Ricoh 2A03 (MOS 6502\u2013based, NTSC, 8-bit), clock speed: ~1.79 MHz<\/li>\n
- Graphics processor<\/strong>: Ricoh 2C02 Picture Processing Unit (PPU)<\/li>\n
- Video resolution<\/strong>: 256 \u00d7 240 pixels<\/li>\n
- Color palette<\/strong>: 54 colors (25 on screen simultaneously)<\/li>\n
- Sprites<\/strong>: Up to 64 sprites total; 8 per scanline<\/li>\n
- Memory<\/strong>: 2 KB internal RAM<\/li>\n
- Video RAM<\/strong>: 2 KB internal VRAM<\/li>\n
- Audio<\/strong>: 5-channel sound (2 pulse, 1 triangle, 1 noise, 1 DPCM)<\/li>\n
- Storage medium<\/strong>: ROM cartridges (with mapper chips for memory expansion)<\/li>\n
- Controller interface<\/strong>: Two wired controller ports (7-pin)<\/li>\n
- Standard controller<\/strong>: Digital D-pad, A\/B buttons, Start, Select<\/li>\n
- Expansion port<\/strong>: Bottom expansion connector (largely unused outside Japan)<\/li>\n
- Output<\/strong>: RF video (composite via later accessories)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Operating System & Programming Languages
![\"Super_Mario_Bros\"](\"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/scs\/wp-content\/uploads\/Super_Mario_Bros.png\")
<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n- \n
- Operating System<\/strong>: The NES hardware itself handled tasks like graphics, sound, and input, so there was no general-purpose OS managing resources.<\/li>\n
- Supported Languages:<\/strong>\n
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- NES games were primarily written in 6502 assembly language (for the Ricoh 2A03 CPU).<\/li>\n
- A few early development kits allowed C or C-like high-level languages, but these were rare and much less efficient than assembly due to the very limited CPU speed (1.79\u202fMHz) and 2 KB of RAM.<\/li>\n
- Developers also used custom game engines and graphics\/sound routines built specifically for the NES hardware.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Notables<\/h3>\n
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- Revived the North American video game market after the 1983 crash.<\/li>\n
- Sometimes called the \u201cFamicom\u201d in Japan (short for Family Computer).<\/li>\n
- Introduced the D-pad controller, now standard in gaming.<\/li>\n
- First widespread use of a hardware lockout chip (10NES) to enforce software licensing.<\/li>\n
- Popularized cartridge-based expandable games, with memory mappers allowing larger, more complex titles.<\/li>\n
- Launched iconic franchises like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid.<\/li>\n
- Front-loading \u201cVCR-style\u201d design to make it look like consumer electronics rather than a toy.<\/li>\n
- Bundled R.O.B. the Robot with early deluxe sets to make it appeal to parents and avoid \u201cvideo game stigma.\u201d<\/li>\n
- Popularity: ~61.9\u202fmillion units sold worldwide, defining 1980s home entertainment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Donated By<\/strong>: Andrew Miles<\/p>\n
- Supported Languages:<\/strong>\n
- Graphics processor<\/strong>: Ricoh 2C02 Picture Processing Unit (PPU)<\/li>\n
- Type<\/strong>: Video game console<\/li>\n