System Crash

[deckardcanine]

While console games today are quite the thriving industry,
Few people would predict it back in 1983,
At least within the USA, where games were thought a fad
And lack of quality control meant most were really bad.
A notable example was E.T.’s game for Atari,
Who put it out untested; the reception left them sorry.
Too many manufacturers were working much too fast.
Computer games meant further competition to be passed.
Most video game companies back then would not survive.
Home consoles discontinued here by 1985.
Nintendo, though, got clever: They redubbed the Famicom
“Nintendo Entertainment System” so it wouldn’t bomb.
They shaped it like a VCR and even added R.O.B.
(Robotic Operating Buddy). That would do the job
Of getting kids to want it not for gaming but the toy.
Ironically, the robot would provide them much less joy.
Nintendo also emphasized a light gun called the Zapper.
That too did not fare well but saved the system from the crapper.
Small wonder that the NES would win that console war:
It catered to its customers like nobody before.