As we reported yesterday, the NES is now 30 years old. Nintendo's 8-bit console is arguably one of the most important video game hardware releases of all time, as it laid down the third party software licensing framework that still exists today and resorted consumer faith in a console market which had been all but destroyed by the video game crash of 1983.
In fact, were it not for iconic grey toaster, the video game industry would be totally different today - and it's nice to see Nintendo's rivals acknowledge this. Sony - the maker of the PlayStation 4, arguably the most popular games platform of this generation in terms of sales momentum - has taken to Twitter to publicly pass on its regards to Nintendo's legendary console:
If you were feeling particularly unkind you could say that it's easy to be magnanimous when you're top of the pile, but those who recall the bitter console wars of the '90s will find such honesty refreshing.
Comments 26
I doubt Sony will say anything on the SNES's 30th, seeing how Nintendo treated them when trying to get a disc drive add-on for the system.
So predictable of Sony to try and get a sarcastic cheap shot in. Stay classy.
@Tsurii No, Nintendo made the N64 DD, which was a commercial failure, but only made plans with Sony to make a disc drive system for the SNES, and then decided to go behind Sony's back and make a new deal with Sony's rival company, Philips. This is why Sony went on to make their own system.
@allav866 "I doubt Sony will say anything on the SNES's 30th, seeing how Nintendo treated them when trying to get a disc drive add-on for the system."
After what Sony secretly put into the treaties they haven't deserved better, to be honest.
Good manners Sony!
Nothing wrong with sony, always been a good rival, and in the end we all get better games.
@allav866
There's two sides to that story, as ever.
@scamander Now this is new to me. Tell me more...
I think you have to remember that the people who run Sony's (and Nintendo's, and Microsoft's, and all the other companies in the universe) webdites and social media pages have to find something to write regularly so it doesn't become a ghost site. There may not be a new product or new hardware update to talk about, so they comment on another companies news as long as it's relevant. I don't think it's flattering or insulting- it just is. They could easily have posted about Atari, or the season opener of the walking dead, or congratulating a sports team for winning something- it's just something to write in a slow news week.
In fact I would imagine it's quite hard for Nintendolife to find things to post about Nintendo every day- especially now with the Wii U and 3DS having been so quiet on the news front for the past month....
That was rather nice of Sony. It's nice to see the big three getting along. Unlike their fanbases...
Kinda wish Nintendo would deliver the same respect as Sony is.
*restored consumer faith
@LunaticPandora I wasn't sure if I was just reading into that, but yea, it seemed like an underhanded compliment.
It's funny. When Phil Spencer says something people kiss his rearend like he's being sincere. Yet Sony says something and it's 'sarcastic' or a cheap shot. The bitterness is strong. Anything any of these companies say about the competition that can be perceived as playing nice is just for PR. So I have no problem with people sticking their nose up in the air about this, but be consistent.
@MrGawain
Great post. However, I think it'd be wise for the people running these social media outlets to stay away from commenting on the competition. I don't care if the news is relevant and it's about an important milestone, you always have these idiotic fanboys who are going to take it the wrong way, so it's best to avoid the situation completely. There's always something going on in sports or politics. Post about that if something relevant to your own company's product can't be found.
Diehard Sony fanboys are probably feeling insecure and betrayed right now. "Noooo, Nintendo did not not do everything first!!!!!" "What about dual analog sticks? What about ps eye? Uh..uh..CD-ROM?" As the argument usually goes time and time again on other forums...
If only gamers would show the respect the companies give each other.
Sick of people celebrating the Nes 30th birthday when it's 32 years old not 30. It was released in 1983 under the name Famicom it was still the same console with a different name.
Whether intentional or not, "thanks for paving the way" can definitely be perceived as a bit arrogant. You would only say that if you believed you were now in a better position.
This is nice. I remember they wrote a nice Tweet dedicated to Iwata when he passed away. Nintendo themselves didn't post anything about it the NES anniversary yesterday... They simply don't care
@thehappyjack I've seen some comments like this, and I have to ask, how could anyone percieve this as being arrogant? I'm not directing this question just at you, but at others who have posted comments where they think Sony is being disrespectful
Had the NES failed in the marketplace, its likely there would have been no Sega, Sony, or Microsoft making video game consoles. The NES paved the way for not only the revival of game consoles after they crashed in 1983, but also introduced the model of third-parties being licensed to make games for consoles, and paying fees back to console makers.
The Genesis, Playstation, Xbox all built off of the foundation that the NES built. Many long running series like Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Mega Man, and others were even born on the NES.
So, I take the phrase "Thanks for paving the way" as nothing but respect by Sony. Because everything we have in gaming today, from the way systems are sold(hardware at a loss, but games make up for it), the model of licensing third-parties, and even major franchises all began on the NES.
I think people would have less of a problem if Sega, Microsoft, or some third-party had said this. I think the issue is that Sony tweeted this, and rather then think its a nice little tweet patting Nintendo on the back, twist it into something evil because we all have to think of Sony as the evil empire that screwed Nintendo over and stole their business from them.
I'll take it for what it is, a nice tweet thanking Nintendo for leading the way with the NES.
Interesting how people can see the negative in even the most innocuous statements when they're looking for something to be offended about.
Hey the pic isn't cake this time. lol
This comment section seems to be full of fanboys, quite unsavory to be frank. Can't say I'm surprised though.
But I suppose it's no surprise Sony mentioned this on Twitter. The people who run these companies are usually on pretty good terms with each other.
Get rekt Nintendo
Someone dropped some Phil Spencer in my Sony, oh my!
However, it's nice to see Sony being so nice.
@allav866 Actruly it was more like Sony getting a Snes add on.
It's nice of Sony to acknowledge everything they owe to Nintendo and that the Playstation would not exist without them. I mean, if Nintendo were to suddenly stop making consoles, who would they steal their ideas from?
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