The innovative Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) controller, a staple of the 1980s gaming landscape, boasts a fascinating origin story. Surprisingly, the circuit board that powered the original NES controller wasn’t a cutting-edge piece of technology designed specifically for gaming. Instead, it was repurposed from a technology employed in a rather unlikely source: a children’s toy.
The incredibly efficient and compact design used in the NES controller circuit board was originally developed for a handheld electronic toy called the “Donkey Kong Handheld Electronic Game.” It allowed Nintendo to leverage existing technology, streamline production, and ultimately deliver a groundbreaking gaming experience.
Prompt:
Uncover a hidden detail about a classic video game console that reveals a surprising connection to another technology, industry, or cultural trend of the time.