Nintendo World Championships 1990 (1990)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

Nintendo World Championships 1990: The Holy Grail of Video Game Collecting

In the annals of video game history, few events have captured the imagination of collectors and enthusiasts alike quite like the Nintendo World Championships of 1990. This legendary competition, held as part of Nintendo’s Powerfest traveling video game festival, pitted contestants against each other in a grueling triathlon of NES titles: Super Mario Bros., Rad Racer, and Tetris. The ROMs themselves were modified to suit the competition, and the winners were determined by an overall score count from all three games.

While the top finishers took home cash prizes and other goodies, the ultimate prize for the finalists was a copy of the specially made Nintendo World Championships ROM on a standard NES cartridge. These cartridges, produced in both gray and gold variants, have become some of the most elusive and sought-after video games in history, with only 116 gray cartridges and 26 gold cartridges known to have ever been printed.

The Competition

The Nintendo World Championships 1990 was held over the course of three days, from July 14th to 16th, 1990. The competition was open to anyone who purchased a ticket to the Powerfest event, and over 10,000 people entered the competition.

The first round of the competition was a qualifying round, in which contestants played all three games in a single sitting. The top 100 scorers from the qualifying round advanced to the semi-finals, which were held on the second day of the event.

The semi-finals consisted of three rounds of gameplay, with the top 24 scorers advancing to the finals. The finals were held on the third and final day of the event, and the top three finishers were awarded cash prizes and other goodies.

The Winners

The winner of the Nintendo World Championships 1990 was Thor Aackerlund, who scored a total of 142,400 points. Aackerlund was a 19-year-old college student from Minnesota, and he had been playing video games since he was a child.

The second-place finisher was Mike Tyson, who scored a total of 112,000 points. Tyson was a 23-year-old professional boxer, and he was one of the most famous athletes in the world at the time.

The third-place finisher was Howard Phillips, who scored a total of 107,800 points. Phillips was a 20-year-old college student from California, and he was a member of the University of California, Berkeley’s video game club.

The Cartridges

The Nintendo World Championships 1990 cartridges are some of the most valuable video games in the world. The gray cartridges are currently worth around $20,000, while the gold cartridges are worth around $50,000.

The cartridges are so valuable because they are extremely rare. Only 116 gray cartridges and 26 gold cartridges were ever produced, and most of them are now in the hands of private collectors.

The cartridges are also valuable because they are a piece of video game history. The Nintendo World Championships 1990 was a major event in the history of video games, and the cartridges are a reminder of that event.

The Legacy

The Nintendo World Championships 1990 has had a lasting impact on the video game industry. The competition helped to popularize competitive gaming, and it inspired a number of other video game competitions, such as the World Cyber Games and the Electronic Sports World Cup.

The cartridges themselves have become a symbol of video game collecting. They are a reminder of a time when video games were simpler and more innocent, and they are a testament to the power of nostalgia.

Conclusion

The Nintendo World Championships 1990 was a truly unique event in the history of video games. The competition was fiercely competitive, the prizes were incredibly valuable, and the cartridges themselves have become some of the most sought-after video games in the world.

If you’re ever lucky enough to see a Nintendo World Championships 1990 cartridge in person, be sure to take a moment to appreciate its beauty and its history. These cartridges are a true piece of video game history, and they are a reminder of a time when video games were simpler and more innocent.

Review Score

10/10

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Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.

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