While launched in 1985, The Nintendo Entertainment System really did not hit it's stride until 1986. In North America the console market was sliding. The personal computer was rising to fame and the success of Nintendo's Famicom in Japan did nothing to convince retailers in North America that a new console would succeed. Nintendo felt that they had a hit though and in 1985 they attempted a launch in some select markets.

Nintendo needed to be different to succeed in North America and did two major things to achieve it. The first was providing the stores with product at no cost and setting up displays for them. This meant that the stores only needed to pay for what they sold. The second key to success was adding more to the console than just a controller and a game. The system had accessories like the The Zapper Light Gun and R.O.B. the Robot Operating Buddy. Did having these novel items make the units fly off the shelf in 1985? Nope. It sold approximately 50,000 units that year but it was enough of a success that Nintendo pushed on to a national launch.

All the risk and hard work paid off. In 1986 Nintendo sold 1.1 million units. They estimate they could have sold 1.4 million but inventory ran out in some markets. Nintendo was suddenly a dominant force in the market with accounting for over 70% of sales that year. Video games were back in popularity and the console market saw a new life.