User:Nelsonic/nintendo.com

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nintendo.com is the URL of the official website hosted by Nintendo of America. Many regional variants of the website exist, corresponding to various regions of the world. nintendo.com has been used for a large amount of promotions, events, and other occasions. Many of these events feature or are directly related to the Super Mario franchise. Since its inception in 1996, the website has been modified a multitude of times, with the content featured on the website usually changing somewhat in addition.

1996

Nintendo registered the "nintendo.com" domain in late 1996, with the name "Nintendo Power Source" being used in a large amount of material featured on the site. This would continue to be featured throughout the rest of the decade, and would only be removed after Nintendo modified their website for a third time to accompany the launch of the Nintendo GameCube system. This iteration of the website does not appear to have featured as much Adobe Flash and Adobe Shockwave content as future iterations, instead mainly utilizing HTML-based activities and articles.

Product Lab

File:Product line.jpeg
The "Product Lab" banner

The Product Lab was one of the sections of the 1996 iteration of the website, serving as a way for users to view multiple Nintendo systems, in addition to what appears to be a way to view information pertaining to the Nintendo Power magazine. The systems available are, in order from left to right, the Nintendo 64, the Game Boy, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (referred to as the Super NES on the page), and the Virtual Boy. In addition, Mario Kart 64 is one of the two games available to view screenshots of on the main page of the section.

Mario Kart 64 (referred to as Super Mario Kart 64) description

Nintendo promised a library of A+ titles for the N64. Is it possible to get an A++? Check out these screen shots from the upcoming Super Mario Kart 64 game. Another straight A report card.

Mario Kart 64 minisite

The product listing also links to various sections containing information on Mario Kart 64. The "Road Maps" segment contains descriptions of each track in the game, the "Speed Zone" section contains information on how to submit records to Nintendo Power Source, and the "Pro Shop" section contains details on difficult shortcuts and other more difficult aspects of the game.

Speed Zone description
Speed Zone is where you'll find the Nintendo Power Source official Mario Kart 64 record times! The Speed Zone will only recognize record claims that are accompanied by a legible photo of the record, including a clear time and course name. The photo must include your television screen with the record time along with your Nintendo 64 to show that you are not using any game enhancement devices. Submit your photos to:
Power Player's Arena
PO Box 957
Redmond, WA 98052
Pro Shop description
Here's where we collect all the best tips on the game including movies of the toughest shortcuts in the game.
Game Boy description
Game Boy Pocket:
Sleek, slimmer, and silver. In stores now! $59.95 Manufacturer's Suggested Price.

Overall size is smaller by 30%, but the Game Boy Pocket has the same size screen as its older sibling (about 2.6 inches square). Screen resolution is also the same, at 160x144 lines, but advances in LCD technology give the Game Boy Pocket screen better contrast which allows for sharper, clearer images.

Game Boy Pocket is compatible with the entire library of more than 430 Game Boy games. And with recent hits like Tetris Attack, Donkey Kong Land 2 and Kirby's Block Ball already available players will have more options for on-the-go gaming fun than ever before.

Get N Gear
Main article: getngear.com

This segment of the website also featured the ability to view images of products available to purchase from getngear.com, also called Store 64. A phone number is also provided to the user by clicking the "Order" button, in addition to the pricing of each of the items provided in a table format.

Description

The world's greatest entertainment system is here, and now you can get the most out of it. Store 64 is packed with great stuff worthy of the N64 name. Game organizers. Sweatshirts. Exclusive music CDs. More. More More.

Kind of like the N64 itself.

Newsroom

File:Newsroom.png
the Newsroom webpage

The Newsroom segment of the website provided articles, interviews, and links to fan-maintained websites, websites for other game companies, and the personal webpages for multiple employees of Nintendo of America. The articles available via the "News" button were provided in the form of press releases, while other articles were explicitly written for the website. Many of the articles provided relate to the Super Mario franchise.

Press releases

File:NOA 1996 Press Releases webpage.png
the press releases webpage

Each press release ended with the following text:

Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan is the leader in the worldwide $15 billion retail video game industry. Nintendo and its international subsidiaries have sold more than one billion video games worldwide. As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Washington, serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere, where more than 40 percent of American homes own a Nintendo System.

5-16 - Nintendo Introduces Players Choice Games

ONLY THE BEST GAMES CAN BE CALLED "PLAYERS CHOICE"

Classic Games Brought to New Generation of Game Players

LOS ANGELES, May 16, 1996 -- Nintendo today announced the launch of the Player's Choice Series of games for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Super NES). Beginning with the May 20, 1996 release of Super Mario Kart, these perennial favorites are being re-released to a new generation of Super NES players with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $34.95.

"Each of the games included in the Player's Choice Series was chosen because of the Top 10 status it grew to when originally released," says Peter Main, Nintendo of America's executive vice president, sales and marketing.

All games in the series will be identical to the original favorites. Additional games scheduled for re-release include: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Tetris & Dr. Mario, Mario All-Stars and Sim City. Packaging of all games has been redesigned to include special gold seals identifying the title as a Player's Choice.

5-16 - Super Mario RPG
SUPER MARIO RPG STIMULATES IMAGINATION BY COMBINING CLASSIC MARIO ACTION AND TRADITIONAL RPG STRATEGY'
Mario Sports New Computer-Rendered Image; Provides More Involving, Long Lasting Game Play

LOS ANGELES, May 16, 1996 -- Nintendo of America this month broadens the appeal of role-playing games (RPG) to a vast new consumer audience with the release of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. In his first appearance in an RPG, Mario is brought to life as a completely rendered character for the first time using Nintendo's Advanced Computer Modeling (ACM) technology. He serves as the game player's alter ego in this intellectually involving adventure that will take more than 100 hours to fully explore.

"For the past few years we've seen American video game players' interest in role-playing games increase," says Peter Main, Nintendo of America's executive vice president, sales and marketing. "More and more players are continually discovering the unique, intrinsic entertainment values that RPGs provide. Super Mario RPG, featuring America's most celebrated video game character in familiar surroundings, combines these benefits with the playability of action/adventure games to bring RPGs to a wider audience in this country."

The 32-megabit, one-player game is available only for the 16-bit Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Super NES) and will have a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $74.95.
THE WORLD OF RPGs BECOMES THE NEW WORLD OF MARIO

Featuring an involving story line from Nintendo's legendary designer Shigeru Miyamoto, Super Mario RPG boasts the first use of stunning Donkey Kong Country-style, ACM graphics in both a Mario game and an RPG. As with most Nintendo games and as an added effort to broaden to appeal of the RPG genre, Super Mario RPG is user-friendly. For instance, in the style of the Super Mario World series, there is a walk-through during the beginning of the adventure to introduce players into the game play mechanics. Such features will greatly aid new RPG players in learning the new style of game play.

After several years of cult status due to the inherent elements involved in traditional RPGs, the RPG genre is beginning to grow into the mainstream U.S. gaming arena. Super Mario RPG breaks new ground by combining all of the fun and familiar elements of the Super Mario World action game series with the classic elements of the RPG genre, such as non-linear character movement, progressive character development, multiple characters joining the quest, menu-based battles and strategy-based game play.

Like other Mario games and RPGs, Super Mario RPG includes several fun and challenging bonus games and mazes -- for example, there is a stunning behind-the-head perspective mine cart ride. And, along with all of the usual Super Mario World characters, new characters have been added: new heroes Mallow and Geno; new enemy Smithy; and a wise frog named Frogfucius.

The game also takes the traditional RPG menu-based battle system one step further by incorporating an easy-to-use command selector and a move-within-a-move "Action Command" feature. With the new battle command selector, a player simply presses the corresponding button selection listed on the screen next to the character to enable the action. With the "Action Command" feature, a player can select to attack an enemy, then increase the power of the attack by pressing a button with the right timing.

Super Mario RPG also contains rotating Mode 7 effects, hidden Nintendo characters and a good dosage of humor. There is a battery-backed memory to save up to four different games.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is rated Kids to Adults, 6+ by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board.
Soon after the release of Super Mario RPG
Legend of the Seven Stars, the editors of Nintendo Power Magazine will release a comprehensive player's guide for the game with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $11.00.
5-16 - Dixie Kong to Star in Donkey Kong Country 3
DIXIE KONG TO STAR IN DONKEY KONG COUNTRY 3''
Third Installment in the Mega-Hit Donkey Kong Country Series Introduces New Member to the Kong Family

LOS ANGELES, May 16, 1996 -- Today at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) Nintendo previewed Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie's Double Trouble. The 32-megabit, one- or two-player game will be available in November 1996, only for the 16-bit Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Super NES), at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $69.95.

In November 1994, Nintendo of America Inc. and U.K.-based Rare, Ltd. introduced Donkey Kong Country, featuring a revolutionary video game technology called Advanced Computer Modeling (ACM). It became the fastest selling video game in history, selling at a rate of one game per second at its peak, for a worldwide total of more than 7.5 million pieces. Donkey Kong Country is still listed in several game enthusiast magazines' top ten lists. In December 1995, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest was released. Also a current top 10 game, the sequel continued the adventures of the young monkey, Diddy Kong, and introduced a new female video game heroine, Dixie Kong.

"For more than a year and a half, the platinum sales category of the Donkey Kong Country series of games has been at the forefront of the video game industry," says Peter Main, Nintendo of America's executive vice president, sales and marketing. "With the release of the third title in this incredible series, we're demonstrating to the 18 million Super NES users in America that we will continue to support the still strong 16-bit industry."

Introduced in the new title is Dixie Kong's sidekick Kiddy Kong, a portly infant chimp with his own special abilities, like opening cracks in the floor with his enormous weight. Dixie's and Kiddy's powers complement each other in the same way that Diddy's and Dixie's did in the previous adventure. For instance, when Dixie throws Kiddy against a wall, Kiddy will bounce off and begin to roll so Dixie can hop on top of him and roll him like a barrel.

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie's Double Trouble features an advanced version of the ACM technology used in the previous two versions, bringing more detail to the characters and environments. The quest to rescue the captured Diddy Kong and Donkey Kong also introduces new friends and foes, including a new Kremling leader -- KAOS. Additionally, there are completely new areas of Donkey Kong Island to explore in the more than 100 hours of play the extended game length offers.

All of the appealing game play features which made the previous Donkey Kong Country games popular have been included in this new adventure, including: hidden areas, a percentage meter to track a player's progress, special items, coins, special attacking abilities and new ways to travel.

5-16 - Nintendo Unviels[sic] Super Mario 64
NINTENDO UNVEILS[sic] MARIO'S BRAVE NEW WORLD AT LOS ANGELES ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINM ENT[sic] EXPO

Nintendo 64 Debuts; Super Mario 64 Benchmark for All Future Games

LOS ANGELES, May 16, 1996 -- Nintendo of America Inc. today debuted the future of gaming for the American video game industry and game players worldwide with Super Mario 64 for Nintendo 64 -- the world's first true 64-bit home video game system. No other video game has ever produced more freedom, more power, more adventure or more fun. No other hardware system has this kind of power -- equal to the power of ten Pentium chips bundled together.

Developed in partnership with Silicon Graphics Inc. (NYSE:SGI), the revolutionary Nintendo 64 system will be launched in the U.S. on September 30, for a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $249.95. Super Mario 64 will be released on the same day, with an MSRP of $69.95.

Created by the world's most revered video game designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo 64's flagship game, Super Mario 64, combines the legendary game play of the Super Mario Bros. series with the sheer graphic power of the world's most powerful video game system to produce three-dimensional environments unlike anything ever seen or experienced.

"With just one look at Super Mario 64, you see the future," says Peter Main, Nintendo of America's executive vice president, sales and marketing. "If there's a way to describe it, it's magical and irresistible!"

In addition to the spotless, texture-mapped graphics, the 64-meg, one-player game is a free-form 3-D adventure including favorite elements of the Mario series: power-ups, coins, stars, real-time battles, thought-provoking puzzles and mazes, hidden treasures, stunning game play, new and familiar enemies, an excellent story and, of course, Mario.

Super Mario 64 debuts a Mario of extraordinary proportions. The new Mario is a 3-D figure created from hundreds of texture-mapped polygons. At the closest camera zoom, Mario consists of 1,500 polygons. His SGI-induced make-over is topped only by his new game play abilities.

Mario climbs trees, creeps along the edges of walls, hangs from rafters, waves his arms, runs, walks, swims, slides, flies, and jumps.

"There's so much for the new Mario to do. He's so much fun to control in this new environment, that sometimes you forget you're playing a game," says Main.

The main storyline of the game takes place in a castle from which players warp to each new world. The objective is to ultimately defeat Mario's arch-nemesis, Bowser, by exploring every world and finding all the secrets along the way. There are 25 different areas to explore including: a desert, a deep undersea, snowy mountains and a haunted mansion. Each beautifully rendered world contains game play elements never before possible on any other system. For example, players in the first world discover a hidden cannon that, once inside, switches to a first-person, cannon-aiming perspective to blast Mario up a flagpole.

Throughout the game, Mario obtains the strength of eight plumbers. A new, circular power meter with eight levels of strength can be continuously filled by finding power-ups. Players can also access a map to check Mario's position and make strategic decisions.

The revolutionary Nintendo 64 controller provides the perfect tool for controlling Mario in his new 3-D world. A slight push on the joystick allows Mario to walk in 360-degrees; a full push enables him to run. Additional controller advances allow players to change camera perspectives. In Mario's new 3-D world, he can become hidden by objects. By using the "C" buttons, players can change the camera angles to find him.

The Nintendo 64 system is the product of the worldwide joint development and license agreement combining Nintendo's expertise in video game development with Silicon Graphics Inc.'s renowned visual computing technologies as used to create special effects in numerous blockbuster motion pictures.

5-16 - Nintendo Debuts 64-Bit Gaming


NINTENDO DEBUTS 64-BIT GAMING AT E3
Nintendo Introduces Revolutionary Nintendo 64;
Continues to Support its Most Successful Platforms

LOS ANGELES, May 16, 1996 -- The wait is over...Nintendo of America Inc. today unveiled for the first time in the U.S., Nintendo 64 -- the world's first true 64-bit home video game system. Visitors to E3 received the first U.S. hands-on demonstration of Super Mario 64, the revolutionary, real-time, 3-D adventure game for Nintendo 64. Other titles unveiled included WaveRace 64, PilotWings 64, Star Wars: Shadows of the EmpireTM, Cruis'n USA and Killer Instinct.

Launching in the U.S. on September 30, 1996, Nintendo 64 will be available for a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $249.95. The system will be packaged with a revolutionary new analog joystick controller.

Nintendo also announced Nintendo 64 titles available on September 30 will be Super Mario 64, PilotWings 64, WaveRace 64, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, Body Harvest, TetrisPhear and Cruis'n USA. Additional titles to be launched between October and December 1996 include Buggie Boogie, Ken Griffey Jr., Blast Corps, GoldenEye 007, Super Mario Kart R and Killer Instinct. All titles will be sold separately with a manufacturer's suggested retail price range of $49.95-$79.95.

NINTENDO UNVEILS NEW HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

In other show news, Nintendo unveiled Game Boy Pocket. Dressed in matte silver with grey buttons, Pocket Game Boy is a 30-percent smaller and sleeker version of its original, legendary Game Boy. The new, 8-bit, palm-sized gaming system features a black and white Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen providing crisper and clearer images enabling several people to view game play at the same time. As an addition to the original Game Boy and the popular Play it Loud color Game Boy series, which have sold more than 19 million U.S. units, Game Boy Pocket expands the possibilities for portable game play fun. Launching September 3, at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $59.95, Game Boy Pocket is compatible with any current game from the extensive library of popular Game Boy titles.

Along with the hardware debut of Game Boy Pocket, several new Game Boy software titles are scheduled for release in 1996. Launching in May, July and September respectively, Kirby's Block Ball, Donkey Kong Land 2: Diddy's Kong Quest and Tetris Attack will provide hours of portable "gaming on the go" enjoyment.

Continuing its commitment to the strength and popularity of the 16-bit platform, Nintendo today previewed exclusive new software titles for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Super NES). Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, launching on May 13, the same week as E3, is the first role playing game to star Mario. The first sports video game to use Advanced Computer Modeling (ACM) graphics technology, Ken Griffey Jr.'s Winning Run launches on June 10, re-creating the excitement of Major League Baseball this summer. Kirby Super Star, launching on September 3, features the popular Kirby in eight different games contained on one cartridge. Also available on September 3 is Tetris Attack, a competitive one- or two-player puzzle game. Donkey Kong Country 3, available on November 18, is the all-new adventure game in the popular series of international Donkey Kong hits.

NINTENDO UNVEILS NEW HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE

Nintendo continues to support its portable 3-D video game system, Virtual Boy, with two new second half software titles. Launching in August, Dragon Hopper is the latest 3-D action/adventure game. Also debuting in August, Bound High immerses players in multiple levels of challenging 3-D game play. In addition, Nintendo has announced new affordable price points for Virtual Boy with a manufacturer's suggested retail price for hardware at $99.95 and $29.95-$39.95 for software.

7-30 - Nintendo, Blockbuster Video, and Nickelodeon Combine Forces
NINTENDO, BLOCKBUSTER VIDEO AND NICKELODEON COMBINE FORCES TO PROMOTE NEW VIDEO GAME SYSTEM
Consumers Can Win Coveted New Technology in Instant Win Sweepstakes

REDMOND, Wash., July 30, 1996 -- Nintendo of America Inc., the worldwide leader in video games, Blockbuster Video, the world's premier home video entertainment provider and Nintendo's official rental headquarters, and NICKELODEON, the number one network for kids, are teaming up in an exclusive $20 million consumer sampling and instant win game promotion for Nintendo's hotly anticipated, revolutionary 64-bit home video game system, Nintendo 64.

Beginning September 30 -- the day Nintendo debuts Nintendo 64 inNorth[sic] America -- consumers, for the first time ever, will be able to rent the first true 64-bit home video game system with one game for three evenings for $16.99 at any participating Blockbuster Video location across the U.S.

In addition to sampling Nintendo 64 at Blockbuster Video, customers will have the chance to win thousands of prizes in the NICKELODEON Spot The Dot Instant Win Game which will air during the network's new primetime shows Sunday through Friday (excluding Saturdays) from 8-8:30 p.m.(Eastern/Pacific). Viewers can pick up the necessary free game pieces at participating Blockbuster Video stores starting September 30, or find them in subscription copies of the October Nintendo Power magazine.

From October 7 to October 20 (excluding October 12 and 19), NICKELODEON will run a red dot sometime during the new shows. Viewers can see if they are instant winners by holding up the game pieces to the red dot on their television screens and revealing a hidden message.

More than 35,000 prizes will be awarded. Ten Grand Prize winners will receive a walk-on role in NICKELODEON's hit show, The Secret World of Alex Mack, as well as Nintendo 64 and the critically acclaimed game Super Mario 64. First prizes include free rentals of Nintendo 64 hardware/software packages, including a Nintendo 64 game at Blockbuster Video locations. Additional prizes include free issues of Nintendo Power magazine.

This promotion is being supported by more than $5 million in media, driven by a dedicated television campaign on NICKELODEON. Additional marketing support includes Nintendo 64 interactive displays in participating Blockbuster Video locations starting in early September; major Nintendo point-of- purchase materials; radio support in major markets; and informational monitors at Blockbuster Video locations. The promotion will be heavily supported on Nintendo Power Source on America Online as well as on the Nintendo and the Blockbuster Entertainment Web sites. In addition, Blockbuster Video will provide marketing support through direct mail promotions reaching millions of consumers.

Peter Main, Nintendo's executive vice president, sales and marketing, says: "This promotion is the cornerstone of our marketing efforts behind Nintendo's largest launch and one of our most important products -- Nintendo 64. Forming strategic alliances with such marquee partners as Blockbuster Video and NICKELODEON will ensure our success in reaching the largest number of our target audience.

The Blockbuster Video rental program continues through March 1997. Through this program, Nintendo and Blockbuster Video estimate more than one million people will rent Nintendo 64, which, when launched in Japan last month, sold one half million units in just two hours.

"As a leader in providing the newest, most innovative products available in home entertainment, we look forward to offering our customers this unique opportunity to sample Nintendo 64," says Scott Barrett, president, Blockbuster Video. "Enjoying Nintendo 64 will be as easy and convenient as renting a movie at Blockbuster. I can't think of a better way to become familiar with the new platform than to rent it first in the comfort of home."

Pam van der Lee, Vice President of Ad Sales and Promotions Marketing at NICKELODEON, explains, "Over the years we have built a strong relationship with kids by giving them exciting promotions with key strategic partners that are winners with our viewers. We are thrilled to bring together three powerful kid forces for our newest interactive promotion.

The Blockbuster Video/NICKELODEON promotion is part of Nintendo's $54 million marketing campaign for launching Nintendo 64. The system will be introduced in North America on September 30 for a manufacturer's suggested retail price of under $250. Nintendo 64, developed in conjunction with Silicon Graphics, Inc. (WYSE: SGI) will be packaged with a revolutionary new analog joystick controller. Super Mario 64, and other exclusive titles, will be sold separately.

The promotion also is part of NICKELODEON's $40 million campaign to support the network's extension into primetime. The effort fills the void in television's "family hour" by offering a lineup of kid-first, family-friendly original programming from 8-8:30 p.m. The primetime line-up includes Hey Arnold! (airing Mondays and Wednesdays), The Secret World of Alex Mack (moving to Tuesdays and Thursdays from Saturdays), Kenan & Kel (Saturdays) and The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, created by Jim Henson Productions (Sundays).

Blockbuster Entertainment Group, comprised of Blockbuster Video and Blockbuster Music, is a worldwide leader in entertainment retailing with over 5,000 retail locations in 24 countries. Blockbuster Entertainment Group is a unit of Viacom Inc., one of the world's largest entertainment and publishing companies and a leading force in nearly every segment of the international media marketplace.

NICKELODEON, also a unit of Viacom Inc., is one of the largest producers of children's television programming in the world and has been the highest-rated basic cable network since first quarter 1995. NICKELODEON and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of NICKELODEON, a programming service of Viacom International Inc.

9-9 - N64 Sales Top 1 Million in Japan
N64 SALES TOP ONE MILLION IN JAPAN
U.S. Pre-Launch Demand Far Outstrips Supply

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 9, 1996 --Boosted by demand for "the greatest video game of all time," sales of Nintendo's new 64-bit video game machine have hit over the 1 million mark just 10 weeks after launch in Japan. Of the more than 1 million systems shipped to more than 20,000 Japanese retailers, more than 90% have now sold through to customers.

Scheduled for release in the United States on Sept. 29, Nintendo already anticipates demand will exceed supply. American retailers have already requested more than one million units by Christmas. However, initial U.S. shipments of Nintendo 64 are only 500,000-600,000. Roger Goddu, president of Toys 然 Us, says: "We would take their entire half million ourselves. Based on customer interest from our in-store Nintendo 64 Test Drive, we could sell 125,000 on the first day alone." Another half million units are due to replenish the U.S. market in the first three months of 1997.

"It's apparent from our conversations with our U.S. retailers that our projected shipments will be exhausted well before the holidays. We're asking our parent company to do everything possible to increase total shipments to North America," says Peter Main, Nintendo of America's executive vice president, sales and marketing. "Furthermore, it's obvious that in the so-called next generation, software quality is as important as ever. We've seen Super Mario 64 purchased with virtually every N64 system sold in Japan, which means it's reached the one million sales mark quicker than any game ever debuting with a new system."

Nintendo 64 will go on sale in North America at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $199.95*. The flagship game, Super Mario 64, and Pilot Wings 64 also will go on sale that day. In a recent listing by respected industry publication Next Generation, Super Mario 64 was named "the best video game of all time," surpassing runner-up Tetris (also released by Nintendo in 1988).

In all, 12 Nintendo 64 titles will be available by Christmas, including action/adventure, fighting, racing, puzzle and sports games.
*NOTE: Although Nintendo of America Inc. may suggest retail prices for products, the dealer is free to determine on its own the prices at which it will sell products.
9-12 - Nintendo and Kellogg Join Forces in Exclusive N64 Sweepstakes
NINTENDO AND KELLOGG JOIN FORCES IN EXCLUSIVE NINTENDO 64 SWEEPSTAKES
More than one million consumers will win

REDMOND, Wash., September 12, 1996 -- Nintendo of America Inc., the worldwide leader in video games, and Kellogg Company, the world’s leading producer of ready-to-eat cereal, will jointly sponsor a multi-million dollar instant win sweepstakes promotion to help launch Nintendo 64, the first true 64-bit home video game system. Appearing on more than 80 million boxes of Kellogg’s cereals, the One in 64 Wins!” sweepstakes will award exclusive Nintendo and Kellogg prizes to more than 1.4 million lucky winners.

Four "One in 64 Wins!" Grand Prize winners will host their own exclusive neighborhood Nintendo Block Party featuring a specially outfitted Nintendo trailer complete with multiple Nintendo 64 game play stations driven right to their neighborhood. Grand prize winners also will receive their own Nintendo 64 video game system and Super Mario 64 game to keep. More than 2,000 first prize winners will be among the first to receive personal Nintendo 64 systems and Super Mario 64 games.

A total of 6,400 second prize winners will be awarded 12-month subscriptions to Nintendo Power magazine and Super Power Club memberships including special members-only coupons and discounts. Finally, 24,000 third prize winners will receive Nintendo 64 hologram watches, and more than 1.4 million Kellogg/Nintendo 64 phone cards will be available as fourth prizes.

"The first kid in any neighborhood with a Nintendo 64 is going to be an instant celebrity," said Peter Main, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president, sales and marketing. "The association with Kellogg is a natural fit with our multi-million dollar strategy to get Nintendo 64 into the hands of kids in every neighborhood across the country."

Beginning September 1996 while supplies last, the promotion will be featured on five participating Kellogg's cereal brands -- Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats, Kellogg's Corn Pops, Kellogg's Apple Jacks, Kellogg's Frosted Flakes and Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats.

"We are pleased to be offering our consumers the opportunity to be among the first to win and own Nintendo 64 and other exclusive prizes as part of this exciting sweepstakes," said Paul D. Salyards, vice president marketing, Kellogg USA. "Kids of all ages are cereal consumers, making our partnership with Nintendo a perfect match."''

This multi-million dollar promotion is being supported by a dedicated media campaign including a 30-second television advertising spot and free-standing newspaper inserts. In-store media activities include placing Kellogg retail point-of-purchase elements in thousands of grocery stores nationwide starting in September, as well as 9,000 danglers in Nintendo retail outlets across the country during the month of October. Finally, a full-page ad featuring the sweepstakes promotion will appear in the September and October issues of Nintendo Power and hot links between Nintendo Power Source and the Kellogg's web site (http://www.kelloggs.com) will be established during the length of the promotion.

Kellogg Company, the world's leading manufacturer of ready-to-eat cereal, is headquartered in Battle Creek, Michigan. Kellogg produces cereal in 20 countries, distributing to 160 countries world-wide. Celebrating its 90th anniversary, Kellogg brings The Best To Each Morning with nutritious grain-based products like Kellogg's Cereals, Eggo Brand Waffles, Pop-Tarts Toaster Pastries and Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars.

For more information about Nintendo 64 or any other Nintendo product, log on to Nintendo Power Source on American Online (Keyword: NINTENDO) or Nintendo's World Wide Web site on the Internet (HTTP://WWW.NINTENDO.COM).

9-26 - Donkey Kong Land 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
DONKEY KONG LAND 2: DIDDY'S KONG QUEST
(Game Boy pocket/ Game Boy/Super Game Boy)
MSRP: $34.95
Available: September 23, 1996
Size & Type: 4-megabit, ACM,Action/Adventure
# of Players: One
ESRB Rating: Kids to Adults, Ages 6+

Features: The adventures of Diddy Kong and Dixie Kong continue as they journey through more than 42 stages of the treacherous Kremling Island, battling the evil King K. Rool and his Kremlings in an effort to rescue the ape-napped Donkey Kong

Created by world-renowned designers at UK-based Rare, Ltd., this sequel to the popular 1995 Game Boy game, Donkey Kong Land, uses proprietary Advanced Computer Modeling (ACM) technology to create the most realistic computer-rendered graphics available on a portable, hand-held system.

Includes the same great game play enjoyed in the Super NES version, with the addition of new level maps and puzzles:
  • Run, jump, swim, Diddy cartwheel and Dixie helicopter-whirl through each stage while collecting bananas and K-O-N-G letters for extra lives
  • Rollercoaster and hot air balloon rides, challenging mazes and puzzles
  • More than 10 different barrels to find including bonus barrels, rotatable barrels, star barrels and exclamation point barrels
  • Collect Kremkoins for passage to hidden stages; collect banana coins to purchase special options such as game saving or warps to previously explored stages
  • Hidden bonus areas within each stage
  • Receive help from Kong family members and helpful animal friends: Funky Kong, Wrinkly Kong and Klubba return to help the young primates
  • Great game play is offered through the assistance of helpful animal friends: Enguarde the swordfish, Rambi the rhino, Squitter the spider, Clapper the seal, Rattly the rattlesnake and Squawks the parrot
  • Excellent replay value with meters indicating game completion percentage and the amount of time spent playing, as players try to reach the 100% complete mark
Additional features include:
  • Super Game Boy compatibility with enhanced colors and special border graphics
  • A battery-backed memory to save progress in three separate files
  • A unique yellow cartridge
9-30 - Mario's Greatest Adventure Launches N64
MARIO'S GREATEST ADVENTURE LAUNCHES NINTENDO 64
Industry Experts Hail Super Mario 64 as "Best Video Game of All Time"

REDMOND, Wash., September 29, 1996 -- He flies, he crawls, he does back-flip somersaults, he hangs from rafters, he climbs trees...he's Mario. The world's favorite plumber returns to redefine how video games will be played in his most revolutionary adventure ever -- Super Mario 64.

Nintendo 64, the most powerful home video game system ever produced, launches in the U.S. today at a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $199.95. Already named by many industry experts as "the best video game of all time," Super Mario 64 is now available for the system at a MSRP of $69.95.

Created by the world's most revered video game designer, Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto, Super Mario 64 showcases a Mario of extraordinary proportions. Combining legendary game play elements of the classic Super Mario Bros. series with spotless texture-mapped, instantly rendered graphics, the 64-megabit, game is a free-form 3-D adventure in a virtual world unlike anything ever seen or experienced in the history of the entertainment or video game industries.

"Taking advantage of the hardware-based graphics of Nintendo 64, Super Mario 64 is the perfect game to show-off the capabilities of our 64-bit hardware system," says Peter Main, Nintendo of America's executive vice president, sales and marketing. "A revolutionary system is nothing without a revolutionary game, and Mr. Miyamoto has created another masterpiece."

SUPER MARIO 64 GRAPHICS

In addition to unprecedented speed, the look and feel of Super Mario 64's graphics are simply jaw-dropping. Brilliant shapes and colors begin with the opening screen, where players manipulate a computer-rendered face of Mario, and continue to the end of the game with the final defeat of Mario's arch-nemesis Bowser. Each character is made of seamless polygons, eliminating unrealistic gaps seen in 32-bit system characters. The graphics processing speed of the Nintendo 64 creates a smooth flow of visuals unequaled in the video game industry.

Players are immersed in the beautifully rendered backgrounds of Super Mario 64 as they battle 3-D enemies in realistic underwater explorations, haunted houses, snowy mountaintops and various other levels. These advancements in video game graphics are possible due to the proprietary 64-bit graphic technology inherent in Nintendo 64.

SUPER MARIO 64 SOUND

For the first time ever, Mario has a voice. The opening title screen of Super Mario 64 greets players with "It's me, Mario!" Then, Mario grunts when he gets hit, emits different yelps of joy when he executes his multitude of moves, says "Here we go!" upon finding a star, and yawns and snores when he falls asleep.

Designed to create as realistic an environment as possible, each world has music and sound effects specifically scored for it, from the soothing New Age theme of the water worlds to the eerie and mysterious strains of the haunted mansion.

SUPER MARIO 64 GAME PLAY

The story begins as Mario is invited to the Mushroom Castle by Princess Toadstool. Upon arrival, Mario finds that his arch-nemesis, Bowser, has kidnapped the princess and scattered the 120 Power Stars which protect the castle. Mario must journey through 15 vast worlds and numerous hidden areas located in and around the castle to find the stars which will help him defeat Bowser, rescue the princess and save the Mushroom Kingdom. The revolutionary Nintendo 64 controller, featuring an analog Control Stick, allows for full 360 degree movement of Mario in his new 3-D world. With the Control Stick, players have subtle maneuvering capabilities not possible with conventional controllers. A slight push on the Control Stick and Mario tip-toes; a full push and he runs. There are more than 30 different possible actions which Mario performs, from crawling to swimming to flying. Additionally, there are six different camera perspectives available for players to use during the game.

Graphics aside, the most legendary games are judged on their unique game play. With more than 100 hours of game play, Super Mario 64 features some of the most inventive and entertaining experiences, including hanging from and swinging across ceiling rafters, riding and controlling the movement of a big, blue, swimming dinosaur, climbing up the moving parts inside of a grandfather clock, power jumping onto the roof of a haunted mansion, and of course battling Bowser -- not once but three times.

Throughout each stage, there are red, green and blue colored blocks containing power-up caps that give Mario special abilities. The red wing cap makes Mario fly, the green cap morphs him into "metallic" Mario enabling him to walk under water, and the blue vanish cap makes him invisible, enabling him to walk through walls. Additional game play elements include: 1-Up mushrooms that grant an extra life, coins, stars, falling bridges, and warp zones. There are also hidden characters and secret surprises along the way.

ABOUT NINTENDO

The Nintendo 64 system is a product of the worldwide joint development and license agreement combining Nintendo's expertise in video game development with Silicon Graphics Inc.'s (NYSE:SGI) renowned visual computing technologies as used to create special effects in numerous blockbuster motion pictures. Developed in partnership with SGI, the revolutionary Nintendo 64 system launched in Japan on June 23 where it sold more than one million units within the first ten weeks. Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan is the leader in the worldwide $15 billion retail video game industry. Nintendo and its international subsidiaries have sold more than one billion video games worldwide. As a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Washington, serves as headquarters for Nintendo's operations in the Western Hemisphere, where more than 40 percent of American homes own a Nintendo System.

For more information about Super Mario 64, Nintendo 64, or any other Nintendo product, log on to Nintendo Power Source on America On-line (Keyword: NINTENDO) or Nintendo's World Wide Web site on the Internet (HTTP://WWW.NINTENDO.COM).

9-30 - Nintendo Unleashes N64
NINTENDO UNLEASHES 64-BITS OF VIDEO GAMING POWER
Introduction of Nintendo 64, World's First 64-Bit System, Solidifies Nintendo's Leadership

REDMOND, Wash., September 29, 1996 -- Meeting overwhelming consumer demand, Nintendo of America Inc. today launched Nintendo 64, the world's first 64-bit home video game system, to the U.S. market at a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $199.95.

Expected to be the number-one selling home video game system this holiday season, and one of the nation's top 10 "most wanted" gifts on children's holiday wish lists, Nintendo projects it will sell its entire supply, more than one million Nintendo 64 units, in North America over the next six months.

The product of a worldwide joint development and license agreement, Nintendo 64 combines Nintendo's legendary video game design expertise and Silicon Graphics Inc.'s (NYSE:SGI) revolutionary computer graphics and animation technology. As the world's most powerful home entertainment system, Nintendo 64 delivers true three-dimensional interactive game play with complete 360-degree movement, adjustable camera perspectives, realistic texture mapping and real-time anti-aliasing, giving the players an immersive feeling.

Nintendo 64 software available at launch includes Super Mario 64, the flagship game developed by Nintendo's award-winning genius game creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, and already named by many industry gaming experts as the "best game of all time;" and PilotWings 64, a realistic 3-D flight simulation adventure developed by Nintendo and a nationally recognized flight simulation technology company. Both games are available for an MSRP of $69.95.

Additional 1996 titles include Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, Wave Race 64, Cruis'n USA, Killer Instinct Gold, Tetrisphere, Blast Corps, Turok: Dinosaur Hunter (Acclaim), Mortal Kombat Trilogy (Midway), NBA Hang Time (Midway) and Wayne Gretzky's 3-D Hockey(Midway), all available for the upcoming holiday season.

"Nintendo's 64-bit technology sets a new standard for game play for the entire entertainment industry," says Howard Lincoln, chairman, Nintendo of America. "The Japanese launch has been incredibly successful, and so is the current demand for product in the U.S. Nintendo 64 could well be the next 'Cabbage Patch' phenomenon this Christmas."

Released in Japan on June 23, Nintendo 64 set a mark for the fastest selling debut of any system, surpassing one million sales in 10 weeks time. Rapid success for Nintendo 64 is projected for the U.S. market, and is reflected in already large pre-sell orders. For Nintendo 64 alone, Nintendo expects to drive sales of one million systems and three million games in the final six months of the company's fiscal year (March '97). In addition to Nintendo 64, Nintendo also sells the leading 16-bit video game system, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Super NES), and the leading portable handheld system, Game Boy, and as a result is estimated to capture 42 percent of total industry revenues, as compared to 31 percent for Sega and 24 percent for Sony.

Nintendo 64 is sold with one controller and AC adapter. Additional controllers are available in assorted colors (blue, red, green, yellow, charcoal, light grey) for an MSRP of $29.95. For saving game play progress and game statistics, a Controller Pak memory accessory is sold separately for an MSRP of $19.95 (available November 4, 1996). Nintendo 64 can be connected with the Super NES A/V cable or an RF cable; both can be purchased separately.

10-1 - Nintendo 64 Sold Out
NINTENDO 64 SOLD OUT; COMPANY PUSHES FOR MORE PRODUCT
Consumers Demand to Buy Before Product Officially Launches

REDMOND, Wash., October 1, 1996 -- Pent-up demand for the world's first 64-bit , true 3D video game system exploded over the weekend as Americans bought more than 50% of the systems and software available before they even hit store shelves on the official launch day, Sunday, Sept. 29. And three days after the official launch, all of the 350,000 units initially sent to stores have been sold.

"There were widespread spot shortages within hours of stores opening on Sunday morning. It's pretty incredible," says Howard Lincoln, chairman, Nintendo of America. "Given the wide acclaim the system already has gotten from gaming experts around the world, it was almost impossible to predict how huge the demand would be. We obviously have a huge hit on our hands."

Early sales figures also show that within just one day of sales, Nintendo sold more than either of its competitors sold in 32 weeks (Sega Saturn) and 13 weeks (Sony Playstation) of their respective launches last year.

Lincoln says he's optimistic that the parent co., Nintendo Co. Ltd., in Japan, will work to send as much product as possible so that there's enough supply to last through the coming weeks and the holiday season. Because of the increased demand shown by the last few days of sales, Lincoln now predicts U.S. retailers can sell more than one and a half million units by Christmas if there is any way to receive that much inventory from Japan. The MSRP for N64 is $199.95.

"We're looking at a potential 'Cabbage Patch' doll situation for the holiday season. We know it's on most kids top ten list of 'wants' for the holiday, so we want to do everything we can to ensure there won't be kids disappointed that they didn't get what they asked their parents for."

In addition to the frantic sales of the Nintendo 64, Super Mario 64, touted by industry experts as "the best video game ever," sold at a 1:1 ratio with each system, and PilotWings 64, an expertly detailed flight simulation game, sold at a rate of one game for every four systems sold.

"In all my years of experience in the retail industry, I've never seen this type of frenzied consumer demand for a home video game system," says Jeffrey W. Griffiths, senior vice president, Electronic Boutique. "We've literally been inundated for weeks with unprecedented demand for the Nintendo 64, and after sampling Super Mario 64 on the Nintendo 64 game play stations in our store, kids who weren't familiar with it now have to have one."

10-24 - Extra Nintendo 64 Allocation to Feed Demand
NINTENDO'S HOLIDAY ELVES WORK OVERTIME TO FILL EMPTY STORE SHELVES
Extra Nintendo 64 Allocation to Feed Demand

(REDMOND, WA) Oct. 24, 1996 --Nintendo of America today announced that with consumer and retailer demand for its new 64-bit video game system continuing at a record-setting pace, combined with widespread shortages, shipments to the U.S. will be increased. Nintendo Co. Ltd., the Japan-based parent company, confirmed that with a reallocation of product, they can partially meet the U.S. demand by shipping a total of 1.2 million units through the end of the calendar year. This is up from the initial 500,000 that originally was slated to support the U.S. market.

Since its American debut on September 29, Nintendo already has sold 460,000 systems of the 550,000 shipped to date, making it by far the fastest selling of all next generation video game systems.

"The demand keeps growing. It's clear from our retailers that they think they could sell between 1.5 and 2.0 million units this calendar year," says Peter Main, Nintendo of America executive vice president, sales and marketing. "This new figure will go a long way to meet demand, but shortages may continue in some areas of the country. We expect these additional units will be shipped in consistent allotments through year end."

According to third-party industry sales data, consumers since the U.S. launch continue to buy Nintendo 64's at more than four times the initial sales rates reported for last year's launch of the Sony Playstation, and approximately 10 times that of the Sega Saturn.

"The sales and demand for the N64 has been a big boost to the health of the video game industry," says Sean McGowan, senior industry analyst with Gerard Klauer Mattison, New York, "The N64 seems to be on the 'must have' gift-giving shopping lists this year. If Nintendo can get the inventory into stores, there'll be lots of happy parents and kids this holiday."

The third game released for the world's only 64-bit video game system, Wave Race 64, will be available at retail Nov. 4, joining the current hits, Super Mario 64, and PilotWings 64. In total, eight Nintendo 64 games will be available by Christmas, including the eagerly anticipated, Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire. Nintendo 64 is available at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $199.95

11-21 - Nintendo Reasserts Market Dominance
NINTENDO REASSERTS U.S. MARKET DOMINANCE
Nintendo 64 Sales Shoot To #1 Position

TOKYO, Japan ,[sic] November 22, 1996 -- The U.S. launch of the Nintendo 64 video game system has cemented Nintendo's leadership in the North American game market, with the company shooting to a more than 62% market share in the "next generation" category of entertainment. The market share determination is based on independent sales data tracking (TRSTS) over the past eight weeks, showing Nintendo's share rose to more than 62% in the six weeks since the Nintendo 64 debuted on Sept. 29.

Speaking from "Shoshinkai," a Japanese trade show dedicated to Nintendo products, Nintendo of America Chairman Howard Lincoln announced the Nintendo 64 has dwarfed the initial U.S. sales rates of any competing next generation platform, reaching U.S. sales of more than 750,000 units just eight weeks after launch.

"The consumers have spoken. And what they're saying -- loud and clear -- is the future of home video games belongs to 64-bit technology," Lincoln says.

His comment comes on the heels of TIME magazine naming the Nintendo 64 as the "1996 Machine of the Year," outdistancing all other consumer electronics products: the Nintendo 64 "has done to video-gaming what the 707 did to air travel," the magazine says.

At the trade show, Nintendo is demonstrating nearly 40 new Nintendo 64 games for the Japanese market, including third party titles like Mission Impossible and Turok: Dinosaur Hunter. They will join first party Nintendo titles like Star Fox 64 and Mario Kart 64 -- two of at least 10 mega-hit quality games to be introduced to the U.S. market in the first half of 1997.

Nintendo also is displaying a prototype of the 64DD magnetic storage accessory for Nintendo 64, which will allow players for the first time to significantly customize their characters, environments and game play mechanics. The 64DD will increase the storage capacity of N64 cartridges by a factor of eight, and also deliver data to the processor at two to three times the speed of rival CD-equipped game machines, allowing full-speed, and truly seamless game play.

"The phenomenal response to Nintendo 64, with more than two million machines sold in Japan and North America in less than six months, demonstrates that game players care more about quality games than the medium on which they're stored," adds Lincoln. "But 64DD will open even a new realm of excitement and challenge by allowing players to, in effect, become the 'co-designers' of their games by writing information to the magnetic disks."

Also appearing at the show is Shigeru Miyamoto, the most popular and prolific video game designer in history. Miyamoto is known for such historic games and game characters as Donkey Kong, Zelda, and the Nintendo 64 flagship title, Super Mario 64.

Articles

Main articles: NOA Paul's Journals, Rare - Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie's Double Trouble

The Articles section provided three different subsections; one for interviews, and two others for the journals of two Nintendo of America employees, named Paul and Scott. Scott did not reference anything relating to the Super Mario franchise within his journal entries, though Paul made repeated references. In terms of the interviews, only one is related to the Super Mario franchise.

Description

Interviews with industry leaders. Personal journals from the professional game players at Nintendo. Inside information that you couldn't get without a Nintendo security badge. We provide access to people in the industry, opinions on games, and details on working here at Nintendo of America headquarters.

Headquarters

File:Headquarters webpage.png
the Headquarters webpage

The Headquarters section of the website featured a mention of Mario on the "Service" section.

Description

System on the blink? Mario not responding to your commands? That's a problem that can be solved. Give us a call for the closest service center to you.

1-800-255-3700
Open Monday through Saturday from 6am to 9pm Pacific time, and on Sundays' from 6am to 7pm. Help is also available in Spanish and French.

The Loud House

File:Loud House webpage.png
the "the Loud House" webpage
Main articles: Loud House Anagram Challenge, Mario Kart Logic Puzzle, Grab Bag (contest)

The Loud House section of the site functioned as a chat room, in addition to featuring contests and activities for the user to partake in. Some of the provided activities and contests were themed around the Super Mario franchise. To sign up, the user had to provide a username, a password, their email address, their date of birth, and answer a short questionnaire as to what genre of games they enjoyed playing.

Sign-up description

The online equivalent of a food fight, with no messy mustard stains to clean up afterward. It's the Loud House, a free-form free-for-all hosted every weekday by Nintendo's renowned cyberjocks. Get the hottest news on Nintendo games and systems. Swap game tips with other players. Swap smart-aleck statements. Or, if you want, just sit back and watch the action. Watch out for the flying cheeseburgers, though!

1997

The nintendo.com domain was overhauled at the end of 1997. The Loud House was renamed to Nsider, the home menu received C-button icons in the background like that of the Nintendo 64, and the Product Lab and Headquarters sections were renamed.

Nsider

Main articles: Ask Dan, Cold Crossword Challenge, New Year's Resolutions, Rewrite Auld Lang Syne, Donkey Kong Country 3 Challenge, Diddy Kong Racing Challenges, Super Mario 64 Challenges

Nsider retained the main functionality of The Loud House,