Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) Console

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is the console that saved the video game industry after the crash of 1983. Launched in 1986 in Europe, it introduced the world to Mario, Zelda, and Metroid — franchises that are still going strong four decades later. For retro gaming collectors, the NES is ground zero.

NES consoles are endlessly collectible because the system and its library are so deeply embedded in gaming culture. A working console is the gateway to one of the greatest game libraries ever made. Complete-in-box consoles, especially the original Action Set packaging, are serious collector pieces that keep appreciating.

The biggest issue with NES consoles is the 72-pin connector — the front-loading design wears out over time, causing the infamous blinking red light. Ask if the connector has been replaced or cleaned. Check that the cartridge slot isn't too loose and that the RF or AV output is clean. Yellowing of the grey plastic is cosmetic but common. A clean, working unit with original controllers and cables is exactly what you want.