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Did You Know?
NES hardware was to look different than it ultimately came to be...
Every system goes through different incarnations of outer-shell hardware designs, and the NES was no different. Not only did this early design for the American version of the Famicom look different, it had another name, different to the one we are accustomated to in 'Nintendo Entertainment System'. If you look closely at the images (larger versions of the images are linked below), you will see that the name Nintendo was planning to choose was Nintendo Advanced Video System, or NAVS.
Along with the original console design, the system's controller was to look different as well. Among other obvious differences, the classic "+" directional-pad was instead a plain, silver square to use to direct the movement of characters on-screen. The controllers were still rectangular, but looked more sharp, wider and less comfortable (not that the final design was much comfortable either). The controllers were also supposed to be completely wireless, much like the GCN's own WaveBird. It appears the technology was too expensive for a video game console at the time. In addition to the controller, a keyboard and joystick were planned for the system to help it become a multi-functional personal computer.
Here are some more tidbits of info on the NAVS, for history's sake: despite extremely low sales and popularity of video games in North America, Nintendo showed the NAVS at the CES show in the winter of 1984, attracting much interest. Nintendo had planned for the NAVS to be released by the end of spring that same year, but come the CES show in the summer, the NAVS was still nowhere to be seen in stores. Instead, Nintendo unveiled a different-looking machine at the summer show, complete with a different design and name. Summer CES was where the first showing of the final NES design was held.
Media
NAVS Console
NAVS Wireless Controllers
The Keyboard
The Joystick
Early Light Gun Design
Above photos taken from the launch of Nintendo World, an official store in New York City solely dedicated to Nintendo products. Nintendo World launched on May 14th, 2005. These photos were taken by an unknown source. If you have information and proof providing the name of whom they came from, please let Gen-N know.
Special thanks to readers Poppy Bros. Jr. and Alastair McKenzie for identifying the early light gun design, as shown in the last picture.
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// A mysterious character within the Banjo-Kazooie series was meant to star in his own N64 spin-off...
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// Delve into the philosophical world of gaming in this Pikmin 2 special, Buried Treasures
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