Released in Japan on the 15th July 1983, the Family Computer (Famicom) was Nintendo's first home videogame console. It combined Nintendo's arcade hits with all-new titles and a groundbreaking control pad, and was the first console manufacturer to actively court third party developers. The console's popularity skyrocketed with the release of the groundbreaking Super Mario Bros. in 1985, leading Nintendo to dominate the Japanese videogame market.
In 1986, Nintendo introduced the Famicom Disk System to Japan. Rather than carts, this Famicom accessory took rewritable "Disk Cards", allowing for larger games, improved music and game saves. Many of Nintendo's key titles (The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Kid Icarus) began their lives on the Disk System.
Also in 1985, the console was launched in America, where the videogame market was struggling. The console was redesigned to look less like a toy and more like a video cassette player, and renamed the Nintendo Entertainment System. The system's release was accompanied by a huge launch lineup, and aggressive licensing and marketing. The gamble was a success, and for many years following, the word "Nintendo" was synonymous with videogames.
