La Historia del Family Game en Argentina Cap.0 Presentación

Summary

The video script delves into the history of the Family Computer, known as 'Family Game' in Argentina, which became a cultural icon after its 1983 launch. Despite facing numerous pirate clones, especially in Argentina, Nintendo's 8-bit console achieved massive success with games like Super Mario Bros and The Legend of Zelda. The script explores the console's origin, design, and impact, including its transition from cartridges to discs with the GameCube, and the nostalgia it evokes among generations who grew up with it.

Takeaways

• 🕹️ The Family Computer, originally known as 'family game' in Argentina, was a popular gaming console that faced numerous pirate clones in some countries.
• 🌐 It was first launched in Japan in 1983 and became a success in Asia, Europe, and the United States, despite the rise of pirate clones.
• 🎮 The console's popularity in Argentina led to the 'family game' becoming a generic term for similar gaming devices in the market.
• 💡 Hiroshi Yamauchi, Nintendo's president and grandson of the founder, wanted a more powerful and affordable version of the Cassette Vision, leading to the creation of the Family Computer.
• 🛠️ The development of the Family Computer utilized existing hardware and elements from products already in the market, such as the arcade Donkey Kong for image processing.
• 🎨 The name 'Family Computer' was suggested by the wife of Masayuki Uemura, inspired by personal computers or PCs, and it was designed to be user-friendly for non-tech enthusiasts.
• 📈 In Japan, the 8-bit console quickly became a commercial success, selling 2.5 million units by 1984 and supporting home versions of popular arcade games.
• 📚 Nintendo developed its own hits like Super Mario Bros, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid, which contributed to the console's success.
• 🇺🇸 In the United States, Nintendo faced a different reality with a video game industry crisis and a shift towards personal computers, leading to a cautious approach to launching the console.
• 📝 Nintendo established exclusivity and licensing agreements with game developers like Namco, Konami, and Capcom to create games for the console, ensuring a strong lineup.
• 🔒 The company also incorporated a chip in each machine to prevent the use of unofficial cartridges, protecting the quality and integrity of the gaming experience.
• 📚 The Family Computer continued to be produced and sold even after the introduction of 16-bit consoles like Sega's Mega Drive, and Nintendo continued to manufacture replacements and consoles until 1995.
• 🔙 Nintendo discontinued the Family Computer in America and Europe in 1995 and in Japan in 2003, marking the end of an era for the iconic console.

Q & A

What is the original name of the console known as 'Family Game' in Argentina?

The original name of the console is 'Family Computer'.

In which country did the Family Computer make its debut?

The Family Computer debuted in Japan.

What was the impact of the Family Computer's popularity on the market?

Its popularity led to a flood of copies, some of which became generic in certain countries.

Why did Nintendo consider using cartridges for the Family Computer instead of discs?

Nintendo chose cartridges due to cost considerations and to not alienate non-tech-savvy users.

Who was the leader of the project that developed the Family Computer?

Masayuki Uemura led the project to develop the Family Computer.

What hardware did Nintendo use to create the image processing chip for the Family Computer?

They used the arcade version of Donkey Kong to create the image processing chip.

Who suggested the name 'Family Computer' for the console?

The name was suggested by the wife of Masayuki Uemura.

How did the Family Computer perform in the Japanese market after its debut in 1983?

It quickly became a commercial success, with 2.5 million units sold in Japan by 1984.

What was Nintendo's strategy in the United States to prevent the Family Computer from being overshadowed by the personal computer boom?

Nintendo introduced the Nintendo vs. System, a redesigned version of the Family Computer, and developed a new business model with exclusivity and licensing agreements with game developers.

What was the name of the chip incorporated in each Family Computer to prevent the reading of unofficial cartridges?

The chip is referred to as the 'lock-out chip', but the specific name is not mentioned in the script.

How did the Family Game become a generic term in Argentina for similar consoles?

The Family Game was so popular that its name became generic within the segment, registered by a local company called Electrolab.

When did Nintendo discontinue the Family Computer in Japan?

Nintendo discontinued the Family Computer in Japan in 2003.