The Forgotten Portable NES

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  • Опубліковано 9 бер 2023
  • In 1990, the hot new trend in the video game industry was handheld systems. The Nintendo Game Boy and Atari Lynx battled for the market, while NEC and Sega had consoles on the way. But there was another handheld coming you may not have heard of: The Express. It was from a small company called BDL Enterprises, and the idea was impressive: A portable version of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)! Why did this console never see the light of day?
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,5 тис.

  • @GamingHistorian
    @GamingHistorian  Рік тому +2063

    I'm working on 2 bigger projects at the moment. But in the meantime, I hope you enjoy learning about The Express! See you on the next video.

    • @SteveDC101
      @SteveDC101 Рік тому +14

      Ooooooo nice I'm excited.

    • @bizboy6036
      @bizboy6036 Рік тому +22

      Preemptive congratulations on 1m subs

    • @Luckypants2113
      @Luckypants2113 Рік тому +7

      Sooooo close to 1m!

    • @adventureoflinkmk2
      @adventureoflinkmk2 Рік тому +5

      Oh yes Norm, great short vid in the interim ;)

    • @Caprock64Draws
      @Caprock64Draws Рік тому +10

      Been watching you since (I think) about 500k subs, can't wait for you to get to 1M! Great videos! Keep up the good work!
      EDIT: YOU HIT 1MIL!!!

  • @Gannooch
    @Gannooch 9 місяців тому +102

    At 5:23 “The game boy is being overshadowed by the Lynx.” That quote in hindsight is utterly hilarious.

    • @mtgamateurnight
      @mtgamateurnight 6 місяців тому +12

      I mean it was true at the time. The reason gameboy won out was because it was so much cheaper and had a great library within the first few years. They also appealed to people who were not gamers with titles like alleyway and tetris. Not to mention the first few racing games and sports games.
      Nintendo got dogged for a few years in the magazines. However as the library expanded with hit after hit it was clear which company would win out. The knockout punch was pokemon red and blue. I still play gen 1 pokemon to this day.

    • @ToolTalkChannel
      @ToolTalkChannel 6 місяців тому +4

      I have worked in the games industry, but have just been in software (games are software.. just usually a fun kind) for a decade!.. so, not claiming to be an expert, but I can assure you; games hype, at least through the 360 section of the timeline, was just par for the course… every 4 hour Xbox game was supposed to be a revelation… and it was all hyperbolic… so, I’m assuming that’s what they were doing then (the hype train I mean) and kinda assume they are still trying that stuff today?

    • @ruekurei88
      @ruekurei88 5 місяців тому +7

      @@mtgamateurnightIt also had a dog shit battery life. But you listed the appeals of the Gameboy. It’s not like Nintendo itself couldn’t make a colour screen portable with much better specs, it was the fact that it was a constant balancing act of price, specs, performance, battery etc in what you can ultimately deliver to the consumer.
      Game magazines would of course go nuts for any new device that offered what the Lynx or Turbografx had, and ignoring issues of price and battery life for the most part.
      Fast forward to now and nothings changed really.

    • @THENAMEISQUICKMAN
      @THENAMEISQUICKMAN 5 місяців тому +5

      Reminds me of the quote from someone from Sega: "WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE ATARI JAGUAR."

    • @manuelpatino7863
      @manuelpatino7863 5 місяців тому +1

      ​@@mtgamateurnight Yeah. That's why they said "in hindsight"😂

  • @mattd1466
    @mattd1466 Рік тому +481

    For whoever did the 3d animation of The Express showcase they did a nice job 👌

    • @CheatingSoi
      @CheatingSoi Рік тому +16

      Came here to say the same thing.

    • @JamesDziezynski
      @JamesDziezynski Рік тому +10

      +1 to this!

    • @codywansedel
      @codywansedel Рік тому +8

      Yoshi Vu

    • @frankmarano1118
      @frankmarano1118 Рік тому +5

      I didn't even catch how nice looking that was the first time around because it just seemed so natural!

    • @alysdexia
      @alysdexia Рік тому +2

      not whoever, not they, not nice < niais < nescius := not-skilled but you are

  • @tetsujin_144
    @tetsujin_144 Рік тому +28

    4:07 - "Hey Nintendo, could you please grant me a license so I can create a direct competitor to your top-selling handheld game console?"

    • @dacypher22
      @dacypher22 3 місяці тому +2

      Yeah it seems like an awful idea for them. As things stood gamers were buying games on both NES and Gameboy. And this would have made them throw out their Gameboys and only buy for the NES. It would have destroyed their handheld business.

    • @JeremySharpSMSG
      @JeremySharpSMSG 3 місяці тому +1

      You think Nintendo wouldn't take some massive percentage from the sales?

    • @dacypher22
      @dacypher22 3 місяці тому +3

      @@JeremySharpSMSG They definitely would have. Or more likely, if they had been interested, they would have bought it from them and handled it all themselves. But it was a terrible business move for them at the time either way. It would have killed the Gameboy market, which was letting them sell similar games to players twice

    • @THENAMEISQUICKMAN
      @THENAMEISQUICKMAN 5 днів тому +1

      On the one hand, the idea of Nintendo licensing a premium handheld while having their own budget handheld isn't too terrible. On the other, remember Sega's tactic of going for the budget market with the 32X and the premium market with the Saturn. Didn't work.

    • @dacypher22
      @dacypher22 5 днів тому

      @@THENAMEISQUICKMAN Yeah it just doesn't work because as things were with the NES being a home console and the Gameboy being portable, they could sell players the same game twice. The games were always where the money was. They would have no interest in letting players play their existing NES games on the go. I'm sure even in modern times they thought long and hard before making the Switch, and determined there was not a long-term future in dedicated handheld consoles. If they didn't decide that, there never would have been a Switch

  • @matts6827
    @matts6827 Рік тому +23

    "It would have prevented customers going out and buying a colour handeld like the Atari Lynx" - NO ONE BOUGHT AN ATARI LYNX!

    • @JordanIsHipHop
      @JordanIsHipHop Місяць тому

      I’m 30 years old and have never heard ANYONE speak on the Lynx. Flop handheld as far as I’m concerned.

  • @AndersonTenecela
    @AndersonTenecela Рік тому +367

    This channel has really made me aware of things that I wasn’t aware before in videogames

    • @GamingHistorian
      @GamingHistorian  Рік тому +95

      That's the goal! Thanks for watching.

    • @theenderkirby
      @theenderkirby Рік тому +6

      @@GamingHistorian hey I am sorry for this message but you have on the comment section a username who using your profile picture and lying you give free prizes on telegram can you please block it or at the very least put restrictions for no spam or self promotion I am sorry if it sound overwhelming but those scammers can be dangerous

    • @michealpersicko9531
      @michealpersicko9531 Рік тому +1

      @@theenderkirby Zack over on JRE did a video on why theyre not going away anytime soon unless youtube makes fundamental changes to their spam filtering system

    • @theenderkirby
      @theenderkirby Рік тому +1

      @@michealpersicko9531 still while I can I try to ask the youtuber of the respective channel to put this spam and self promotion restriction by this those scammers can't put their scams at all and face it is be for the good because I am sure nobody here like to either spam and promote themself

  • @TurkTurkitron
    @TurkTurkitron Рік тому +59

    I won't lie. The gaming historian not only takes me back historically, but also brings back a lot of nostalgia. I could listen to this stuff all day. Keep on making amazing videos!

    • @RiceDaddy07
      @RiceDaddy07 6 місяців тому

      Agreed. I thought I knew so much about the NES era, but he teaches me things I never knew! And it's so refreshing.

  • @DJKi2463
    @DJKi2463 Рік тому +69

    I like this story. BDL response was actually pretty respectable They didn’t complain or try to sue Nintendo over the decision. I can’t help but a feel a huge amount of respect for BDL.

    • @bern9642
      @bern9642 Рік тому +9

      How can they sue Nintendo when the product belongs to Nintendo? It's Nintendo that could sue BDL if they went forward with manufacturing

    • @AssociationAdmirer
      @AssociationAdmirer Рік тому +11

      @@bern9642 Actually, you can sue any company you like for any reason you like, so long as you claim damages. The American judicial system makes no assumptions.

    • @bern9642
      @bern9642 Рік тому +4

      @@AssociationAdmirer I meant, it's a frivolous lawsuit and they'd lose.

    • @AssociationAdmirer
      @AssociationAdmirer Рік тому +5

      @@bern9642 True, but people do often open frivolous lawsuits, and often winning the suit isn't even their goal, such as if they're doing a publicity stunt or a SLAPP suit.

    • @bern9642
      @bern9642 Рік тому +2

      @@AssociationAdmirer lol...nope. people want to win money. It cost money to open a lawsuit. It's not cheap. If someone is suing they feel they have a good chance of getting some money.
      If you're a rich corporation like Nintendo, you can also sue people in hope of economic benefits. Nintendo do it all the time.

  • @Juice5522
    @Juice5522 Рік тому +34

    This is exactly what I wanted when I was a kid. The gameboy never quite did it for me . I wanted to play my actual nes games anywhere

    • @davidm4566
      @davidm4566 10 місяців тому +7

      Most of the NES game cartridge was just empty space, so they could have made small, portable cartridges all along.

    • @littlesongbird1
      @littlesongbird1 8 місяців тому

      Yeah while I loved my gameboy (was a Christmas gift from my grandma) I was sometimes sand about the ports of certain games.

    • @THENAMEISQUICKMAN
      @THENAMEISQUICKMAN 5 місяців тому +2

      @@davidm4566 It's still crazy to me that they made the NES cartridges that size instead of just going with the Famicom style size. Apparently it was part of their attempt to market the NES in the US less as a video game system by making it look boxier like a VCR. It's very interesting considering that nowadays the Western market absolutely LOVES the idea of shrinking down technology more and more to fit inside your pocket or a tiny device.

    • @Kimarnic
      @Kimarnic 3 місяці тому +1

      ​@@THENAMEISQUICKMANblame Atari, they killed videogames in the West

  • @R3troZone
    @R3troZone Рік тому +639

    This is one of those weird times when I can see how beneficial something like the Express would have been had it made it to retail, but I can also understand why Nintendo didn't want to do it.

    • @stuporman
      @stuporman Рік тому +48

      Sega did it with the Nomad and it failed

    • @Maulbert
      @Maulbert Рік тому +87

      ​@@stupormanWhile that comparison is valid based on the nature of the Express, I feel the 32x-Saturn analogy would be more accurate. Nintendo didn't want to compete with themselves and divide the Game Boy's potential user base, which, considering what happened when Sega put too many irons in the fire, was shown to be a wise decision.

    • @cville991
      @cville991 Рік тому +34

      It failed because of bad timing. But as a portable Genesis, it’s actually cool. There’s even mods that improve the Nomad.

    • @Maulbert
      @Maulbert Рік тому +34

      @@cville991 I'd argue more than bad timing was Sega's general mismanagement post-1994. The Nomad suffered from a general lack of consumer confidence in Sega after the 32x and Saturn debacles as well as SoJ's mind-boggling decision to outright kill the Genesis instead of slowly winding down support.

    • @restautama
      @restautama Рік тому +7

      With the release of Switch and Switch Lite, it's kinda ironic for Nintendo isn't it?

  • @anthonyd4309
    @anthonyd4309 Рік тому +16

    This reminds me of the Sega Nomad, which was a portable Genesis. It isn't super top of mind in retro gaming, but I think I still have mine floating around the house in a box somewhere.

  • @little_finger
    @little_finger Рік тому +33

    the express looked so clean compared to all the other handhelds competing with nintendo at the time. Love the design!

  • @matthiasbonnici5266
    @matthiasbonnici5266 Рік тому +110

    I would love to see you do a episode on the LYNX, you're always super thorough and entertaining!

    • @GamingHistorian
      @GamingHistorian  Рік тому +64

      From researching this topic, I certainly learned more about the Lynx. I'd love to cover it in the future!

    • @MichaelWilliams85
      @MichaelWilliams85 Рік тому +10

      I got to try a Lynx once. Some graphically impressive (as I remember it) airplane shooter It was a friends way older brother, I never seen another but it definitely left an impression

    • @matthiasbonnici5266
      @matthiasbonnici5266 Рік тому +9

      @@MichaelWilliams85 I loved my LYNX, I kept joking when I was younger that when it broke, I am going to use it as a snowboard

    • @ExtremeWreck
      @ExtremeWreck Рік тому +5

      @@MichaelWilliams85 Blue Lightning it was. It was even shown in the video!

    • @ChristopherSobieniak
      @ChristopherSobieniak Рік тому

      ​@@GamingHistorian The portable console you can take to the restroom! For anyone who remembers the ad.

  • @thecunninlynguist
    @thecunninlynguist Рік тому +137

    I would've loved a portable nes at the time

    • @Colt45hatchback
      @Colt45hatchback Рік тому +17

      I "made" one, not as cool as this, but it worked. For long car trips i had gone to tandy/radioshack and gotten a 9v power supply that connected to the lighter socket in my dads car, and we had a little black and white tv that also plugged into a lighter socket, so i made up a cable that went from the regular tv rf aerial input to the headphone jack style one the portable tv, so i could sit in the back of my dads ford fairlane (it had a lighter socket in each door trim and another in the back of the centre console.. It was the 80's 😂 and play super mario 3 while we drove interstate on a fishing trip or similar. Was pretty good at the time, sat the tv on the centre console the nes on the back seat and had hours of fun. When we got a new car i was upset because it didnt have any rear lighter sockets, so i had to make do with gameboy in the car, which was difficult to see at the best of times let alone at night and made me feel sick looking down at it

    • @evilsWa
      @evilsWa Рік тому +8

      @@Colt45hatchback TLDR? The dude "made" a "portable" NES by using already invented lighter socket cables while playing it through a television… Making it not anything close to portable… Unless the original NES itself is considered portable because you can plug it in to any place that gives power and has a television set

    • @phattjohnson
      @phattjohnson Рік тому

      @@evilsWa Wow, who shit in your cereal this morning? It's a more portable NES than many of us had at the time! Why does it offend you so?

    • @Dominicn123
      @Dominicn123 Рік тому +1

      check out a system called the "GAME BOY" lol

    • @Colt45hatchback
      @Colt45hatchback Рік тому +1

      @@evilsWa well its portable in a sense that you can play it while not at home. A portable tv is just a small tv that goes in a lighter socket or batterys Same shit. No ones car has a mains power socket from factory. It worked in the sense that i could play it in the car.

  • @mphvideographer
    @mphvideographer Рік тому +35

    The 3D animation is done really well. Top notch quality!

  • @TheTubePoweredOne
    @TheTubePoweredOne Рік тому +11

    There's honestly nothing quite like cuddling up in bed to watch a new Gaming Historian video, fully immersing myself in the gaming years of yore. Even if the specific topic in question isn't something I'm personally familiar with, it still never fails to give me a feeling of nostalgia while being remarkably informative.
    Thanks for another great video, Norm!

    • @thecat8513
      @thecat8513 Рік тому

      fake ass kissing comment

    • @Etiainen
      @Etiainen Рік тому

      I'm actually doing this exactly right now and I completely agree on the immersion/nostalgia part! :)

  • @user-em6ie2be7x
    @user-em6ie2be7x Рік тому +18

    0:58 This had to be what inspired The Super Game Boy & other Nintendo lock-on technology like The Rumble Pack.

  • @alexevaldez
    @alexevaldez Рік тому +316

    Congrats on the soon 1million subs Gaming Historian! You made history been a fan since the old days of UA-cam and Retroware. :D

    • @GamingHistorian
      @GamingHistorian  Рік тому +84

      Thanks, Alex. Almost there! And right around the 15 year anniversary of the show. Seems fitting!

    • @encycl07pedia-
      @encycl07pedia- Рік тому +2

      It only shows 999K subscribers. You're a bit early.

    • @AverageMichaelJordans
      @AverageMichaelJordans Рік тому +2

      I was just about to give you an early congrats as well, your vids are great and you deserve every single one of those subs :)

    • @Schimnesthai
      @Schimnesthai Рік тому +3

      @@GamingHistorian Congratulations on 1M m8!!

    • @keanutype0896
      @keanutype0896 Рік тому +3

      @@GamingHistorian you have now reached 1 Million subscriber! Congratulations!!! Looking forward for more high quality documentaries in the future. Thank you for your hardwork!

  • @xbsidesx
    @xbsidesx Рік тому +5

    I love these videos, the host, the format, the details, everything. Thank you for keeping up with the quality after so many years.

  • @scifyry
    @scifyry Рік тому +199

    Thank goodness for all the engineers, designers, musicians, and programmers who worked long hours in the gaming industry. Making the world infinitely less boring to live in.

    • @dereksbooks
      @dereksbooks Рік тому +8

      These guys poured their hearts and souls, time, and money into the portable, and when they were rejected by Nintendo, they just went 🤷
      Respect. They were driven by passion and not profits.

    • @ssssssstssssssss
      @ssssssstssssssss 11 місяців тому

      Thanks to the historians too

    • @thepaperkind
      @thepaperkind 10 місяців тому +1

      I'd rather all those people have to not slave away their lives so I could be slightly less bored.

    • @Agent-ie3uv
      @Agent-ie3uv 10 місяців тому

      There are other recreations you can do aside from gaming lol 🙄🤣😴

    • @endurodlapoczatkujacych4504
      @endurodlapoczatkujacych4504 9 місяців тому

      Thanks for pharmaceuticals that keep me away from the real world

  • @lelluc
    @lelluc Рік тому +46

    I'm glad the concept of turning consoles into portables is still relevant today in the gamecube/wii scenes, surprised not many people have delved into making older consoles portable aswell, where is my portable snes?!
    Great video as always, keep it up ❤️

    • @varthfalchion6402
      @varthfalchion6402 Рік тому +3

      Technically, the aforementioned RDP from Norm's video is actually a portable SNES. It was shown playing an NES game in the video, but that’s actually made possible by way of an adapter. There is also an adapter for the Sega Genesis, though this adapter is not made by the same company. I should know. I have the RDP and all of these adapters. The RDP comes with an adapter for playing NES games, but that was not always the case. Originally, you would have had to purchase it separately. However, I would personally recommend buying a much better (and much smaller) NES adapter from the same company which produces the SG adapter. They're called RETROBIT. Check it out for yourself.

    • @classiccustoms2010
      @classiccustoms2010 Рік тому +5

      There are some third party options available at least in terms of a portable SNES. The Hyperkin Supaboy comes to mind.

    • @jordanwalsh1691
      @jordanwalsh1691 Рік тому +3

      Over on the Element14 youtube channel, I think Ben Heck did a portable N64, Dreamcast, Atari 2600, and knockoff NES.

    • @charliericker274
      @charliericker274 Рік тому

      With emulation you can basically have all of those old games on any portable device, the only issue is controls. Bluetooth controllers are an option but they are not super reliable with phones and tablets and on screen touch controlls are totally wack. There exist things that have built in controller and can receive real cartridges', but it's such a niche market it will never be mass produced.

    • @SuperPickle15
      @SuperPickle15 Рік тому +1

      @@charliericker274 and now we have the steam deck, which is powerful enough for even switch emulation.

  • @smoothALOE
    @smoothALOE Рік тому +6

    This is one of the few channels where no matter what the new content is, I go to watch it as soon as I can.

  • @jesseleesamples
    @jesseleesamples Рік тому +4

    Congrats on 1mil sir. I’ve watched you for probly over a decade and always enjoy your videos and really appreciate the amount of work and level of seriousness you put into what you do. Also I’ve talked to you a few times when you used to stream on FB and you also seem like a really nice, hardworking person and I’m so happy to see people like that doing well.

  • @Kondase
    @Kondase Рік тому +1

    I just wanted to say I love how beautifully professional and informative these videos are.

  • @Endor2001
    @Endor2001 Рік тому +38

    I never even knew this device existed. So for me, this is not forgotten, this is, freshly discovered. Can't forget about something that you never knew existed in the first place.

    • @Bendsteinberger
      @Bendsteinberger Рік тому +1

      I don’t believe it unless I see it. Paul would’ve produced it and shown it off to someone by now.

    • @Keithustus
      @Keithustus Рік тому +2

      Same. Nintendo Power subscriber starting from the Dragon Warrior 1 deal, and to my knowledge they never covered it. Gee, I wonder why.

    • @evrythingis1
      @evrythingis1 9 місяців тому

      Uhh, it never DID exist....

    • @skinlizard2251
      @skinlizard2251 5 місяців тому +1

      ​@@BendsteinbergerHe did, he showed it to Nintendo, and they rejected his idea, and a lot of the time, you legally can't show things like that to the public, especially if the company you pitched it to, who it runs on, rejected it- But that's the thing, he did show it to people outside of Nintendo, and the video even mentions it. He showed it to several gaming magazines and told his story and they even wrote pieces on it at the time.

  • @controlpadblues
    @controlpadblues Рік тому +40

    This is an excellent video, as usual! Thanks Norm!
    So, funny story about that Biederman Game Boy to NES converter - I saw it in EGM when I got the issue as a kid, but... French is my first language, and at the time, I didn't know what the word "prototype" meant. I told my parents and older sisters to be on the lookout for that converter, because I desperately wanted to play my Game Boy games on a bigger screen.
    I even got an excited call once from my sister, saying she thought she had spotted it - but no, it was actually Dr. Mario. :D
    Anyway, years later I found the article again, realized I had put people on the lookout for a dang prototype that never saw the light of day....... oh well, I got the Super Game Boy eventually.

  • @Toad64
    @Toad64 Рік тому +1

    Wow, this brought back memories! I think I still have that EGM magazine with Hudson Hawk on the cover that talks about the Express. Great video as always!

  • @williampaiva7296
    @williampaiva7296 Рік тому

    So happy I found your videos about a year ago. I love the history of video games and consoles. You do a great job making the video entertaining enough with alot of information. Also, the videos aren't too long, some are lengthy but those are all needed for the amount of info. Thanks for the videos. Can't wait for some new ones!!

  • @CptFitzgerald
    @CptFitzgerald Рік тому +32

    Dang, Norman. I always get excited to see when you uploaded a new video, and you never fail to deliver with the quality of your content. If these short form videos means that we get to see new videos from you more frequently, I am completely on board. These are the perfect length to watch with a cup of coffee before I have to go to work.

  • @kirboaccordion4545
    @kirboaccordion4545 Рік тому +17

    This is one of the best videos so far. Those 3d animations are amazing!

  • @LonkinPork
    @LonkinPork Рік тому +7

    8:43 the Retro Duo Portable is a pretty underrated little device. Playing SNES games on the go is fantastic.

  • @j0s1v
    @j0s1v Рік тому +1

    Just when I think I know everything about video game history, you have more to teach me. Did not know about this thing at all. Dude was ahead of his time.

  • @Write-Stuff
    @Write-Stuff Рік тому +29

    Man, I love your videos. Such excellent research and presentation. Thank you for all you do, and congrats on the soon-to-be one million subs. It's well-deserved.

  • @victotyorvalhalla
    @victotyorvalhalla Рік тому +6

    Love this video! Thank you for doing what you do!

  • @att2075
    @att2075 Рік тому

    Your videos are always so fascinating, well researched, and explained in a way that makes it feel like I'm having a convo with a friend rather than watching a creator. I've learned about so many consoles I'd otherwise have never known existed thanks to you, it's always good to unwind after a long day.

  • @RaditzSayian
    @RaditzSayian Рік тому +2

    Look at how far he's come! Love the video and content. Can't wait for more.

  • @ArtDocHound
    @ArtDocHound Рік тому +4

    Have you done an NES Advantage video? I'd like to see one about the NES Advantage controller.

  • @THNF89
    @THNF89 Рік тому +3

    Just when I need it most a Gaming Historian video

  • @ToshisGarden
    @ToshisGarden Рік тому +2

    Congratulations on reaching a million subs, Norm! I had visited your page just a few hours ago and saw you at over 999k, but then I just checked a little bit ago and it said 1M! Great job, man. You've earned it over all these years!!

  • @Nos7algiK
    @Nos7algiK Рік тому

    Big congratulations Norm on the 1million subscribers! You more than deserve it and just wanted to say thank you and I appreciate all the content you have given us over the years. Also, those 3D renders are incredible! Legit thought it was real until it started to move in ways it shouldn't have been moving lol.

  • @matthewtwinklewishstarligh3128

    Congratulations on 1 million subs man keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!, Oh and also I really love your videos a lot you are amazing keep it up!.

  • @somenerd1859
    @somenerd1859 Рік тому +5

    I have watched your fun and entertaining videos for nearly 8 years now. You have made a wonderful show here on UA-cam Norm, and will cherish the moment you hit 1 Million Subscribers! Cheers 👏

  • @lonewolfRPR
    @lonewolfRPR Рік тому

    Hey man, glad to see you're back, I'm happy to see your almost at million now been a fan of your videos since 2015, learned alot about Nintendo and video game history, I'm still here for the ride can't wait what the future holds.

  • @zachatck64
    @zachatck64 Рік тому

    Congratulations on hitting 1 million subscribers Norman! I've been watching your channel for years and it's amazing how far you've come and how big you've grown! Great video and here's to another million! 🎉

  • @aiuchi860
    @aiuchi860 Рік тому +3

    I had no idea about this until today, thank you for the video!

  • @BrilliantCataclysm
    @BrilliantCataclysm Рік тому +5

    Thanks for the great videos, Historian.

  • @ClassicGameSessions
    @ClassicGameSessions Рік тому +1

    Great video about The Express. Looking forward to seeing your bigger documentary projects too when they're ready. Congrats in advance for 1 million subs - gold play button in the mail!

  • @UltraThunderSurge
    @UltraThunderSurge Рік тому

    Congratulations on hitting 1 million. Been a fan from the beginning and I'll continue to be a fan for as long as you keep making your great content.

  • @robertdanker6193
    @robertdanker6193 Рік тому +4

    Another fantastic story! Thanks for all the great content!! Keep up the good work!!

  • @shangerdanger
    @shangerdanger Рік тому +6

    you're soooo close to 1m!

  • @Lord-Yoshi
    @Lord-Yoshi Рік тому

    Amazing work as always! This is the type of content that makes the Gaming Historian unrivaled. I have been a gamer my entire life which includes the 199X years when all this happened. I've never heard of this until today.

  • @andyjones2224
    @andyjones2224 Рік тому +1

    thank you for all of your hard work norman!! and pre-congrats on 1mil you more than deserve it!

  • @dallyguin8642
    @dallyguin8642 Рік тому +4

    When a gaming historian pops up on your notifications….that’s when you know it’s going to be a good day.

  • @Glacier_Nester
    @Glacier_Nester Рік тому +5

    oh man, what a wild find this must have been! fascinating stuff, and I never knew that what finally nailed camerica was their 800 number. Fantastic stuff as usual, norm, keep up the incredible work!

    • @SableRaf
      @SableRaf Рік тому

      Yeah I tried finding more info on this but came back empty handed. I wonder what that sorry was about.

  • @perrochandoso
    @perrochandoso Рік тому

    I love your content and the hard work you put on every video is evident and appreciated. I look forward to the next one!

  • @iandittmar9547
    @iandittmar9547 Рік тому

    Happy 1 mil! Thanks for all your hard work over the years!

  • @Hektols
    @Hektols Рік тому +4

    Great video, it would have been worth mentioning that the Game Gear was a portable Master System with different cartridges and that it could play Master System games with an adapter.

    • @NeverAStraightAnswer
      @NeverAStraightAnswer Рік тому

      That answers my question above lol. I asked why he wouldn’t just take his idea to sega? But also he could’ve taken his idea to specific companies like Konami etc and they could’ve created their 8-bit library with some slight modifications to gashes to avoid licensing issues with the big N

    • @meetoo594
      @meetoo594 Рік тому

      The gamegear was a (very) slightly upgraded master system, it had more colour working ram so could render a few more shades iirc. But yeah, it was backwards compatible with a cart adapter.

  • @play_history
    @play_history Рік тому +4

    Fun little topic I'm glad I could help a little with! Good choice on the 3D models.

  • @dash.reacts
    @dash.reacts Рік тому

    I'm so glad you made it to 1 MILLION subs, it should've happened WAY sooner.
    Love every video you make. The next million subs will be quick. Another great video!
    Thanks for all the work you put in.

  • @phantomredblade
    @phantomredblade Рік тому +1

    Great job as always Norm! Can’t wait for the next video!!!

  • @jdenoe69
    @jdenoe69 Рік тому +55

    Sounds like a novel idea. Sega had the Nomad and this concept seemed like a winner, sans battery consumption of course. Too bad it didn't take off

    • @GamingHistorian
      @GamingHistorian  Рік тому +32

      The 30-40 hour battery claim is wild. I wonder if that was true!

    • @ranchdressing1037
      @ranchdressing1037 Рік тому +5

      I got a Ben Ven screen for my 2nd gen lynx.. Now, it's like how it should have been.

    • @EebstertheGreat
      @EebstertheGreat Рік тому +12

      ​@@GamingHistorian It is very hard to believe. The NES on its own consumed something like 9 W of power with no display or speakers. They would practically have to improve this by a factor of ten to get battery life like that, even with expensive batteries.

    • @DanielSavageOnGooglePlus
      @DanielSavageOnGooglePlus Рік тому +7

      @@EebstertheGreat It's hard to imagine a semiconductor fab producing something like that in 1990 at an appropriate cost.

    • @rowtow13
      @rowtow13 Рік тому +2

      @@GamingHistorian Sure, if you hooked it up to a car battery.

  • @SmashBrosOdyssey64
    @SmashBrosOdyssey64 Рік тому +13

    I know this is just a horderve for whatever project you have coming up next, but I would encourage you to keep up this kind of work. Even video game products that didn't come out are endlessly fascinating, and something I'll watch every time you put one out.

  • @Welcome2whereverUR
    @Welcome2whereverUR Рік тому +1

    Can't wait to watch this! Much respect to you, Norm.

  • @tbj84
    @tbj84 Рік тому +1

    Thanks so much Norm this made my day. Always love your videos! Keep up the amazing work buddy!

  • @sarahc3295
    @sarahc3295 Рік тому +5

    Looking forward to seeing you make a million subscribers!

  • @retrojoe85
    @retrojoe85 Рік тому +32

    You deserve ten million subs, not just one! Gaming Historian represents pure culture and history: you're the National Geographic of video games culture!

  • @juanmartinstehle5047
    @juanmartinstehle5047 Рік тому

    Congratulations for the 1 million suscribers Mr. Norman. Thumbs up and greetings from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

  • @demontamerbf18
    @demontamerbf18 Рік тому

    This channel is just great, interesting and obscure topics, excellent editing, gorgeous illustrations, enjoyable narration, every video it's really relaxing and informative.

  • @3DJapan
    @3DJapan Рік тому +4

    A downside to the Express would be that you have to carry around full size cartridges while other handheld had much smaller carts.

  • @SuperFromND
    @SuperFromND Рік тому +4

    those 3d renders of the express are so cool :o

  • @robertgijsen
    @robertgijsen Рік тому

    Thanks for another very well made research-documentary. And wow, congratulations on 1 million (!) subscribers!🎉

  • @davecolumbo
    @davecolumbo Рік тому

    Thank you! You are by far my favorite content on youtube

  • @Drew791
    @Drew791 Рік тому +7

    2:49 I like your 3D model of the system. Did you do that yourself or commission a 3D artist?

  • @thorrollosson
    @thorrollosson Рік тому +2

    As always, exceptional work here.
    The man with the killer beard during the Camerica footage is David Harding. I'm not sure what happened to him after the fall of Camerica. Same story with Terry Hickey, one of the senior folks at the company.
    Was fantastic meeting the Oliver twins and the rest of the CodeMasters folks on their first US trip (to Las Vegas, no less, haha). It was a fascinating time in gaming history. Camerica always felt like the company was a bit upside down. David and the management were extremely polite, educated people, but I think it turned out about as well as if I tried to open a fashion and musical instrument shop : badly. You see, there is a debate with technology companies in their various iterations. Whether or not they should be led by developers, designers, or engineering minds for projects. Well, Camerica, they were led by managers who did not particularly care for or really *get* what made games fun, what the trends were (especially evident in the move towards 16-Bit), and how to harness their relationship with CodeMasters.
    Your excellent work on the Aladdin project is emblematic of their attitude. It was not a terrible idea overall. But the timing was abominable. In 1987-88, and with decent support and building a library of games and potential partners for the device, it might have had a shot. By the time they were pushing it, all the $ was on the 16-Bit stuff, and NES titles languished in the big value bins of KayBee, Toys R Us, etc. Shame.

  • @germangarcia9715
    @germangarcia9715 Рік тому

    A real UA-camr, making real good shit. Man, you always rock with such a great documentaries. Congrats

  • @uwulord7458
    @uwulord7458 Рік тому

    THANK YOU! So glad you're back.

  • @TheRetroWorld
    @TheRetroWorld Рік тому +3

    I love learning about stuff I never knew existed!!

  • @FatherAxeKeeper
    @FatherAxeKeeper Рік тому +3

    Great video! I never knew anything about this Express prototype. It looks awesome, but where's the D pad, start, and select buttons?

  • @elmoreoocyte
    @elmoreoocyte Рік тому

    Always happy to see a new GH video. Thanks Norm!

  • @Smalltummywonderful
    @Smalltummywonderful Рік тому

    You said and explained this really well, and also I am really impressed with this one what stroke of genius! Congrats on the almost one million subs!

  • @steveroberts7080
    @steveroberts7080 Рік тому +10

    And I thought I knew it all about the NES era. You continually surprise with these fascinating deep cuts of mostly forgotten lore. We appreciate your hard work!

    • @evilsWa
      @evilsWa Рік тому +1

      Hey gaming historian we… Meaning me and Steve and everyone else on this comment section and maybe even the Internet because I'm speaking for everyone as is my right… think you're the hottest dude on the Internet… We think you could do with a lot more shots where you highlight how big your package is we also think that you should wear your hair a little sexier and greasy… Right Steve?

  • @steel5897
    @steel5897 Рік тому +3

    "The Game Boy is quickly being overshadowed by the Lynx"
    Gaming journalism has never changed lmao

  • @rogelioscar2
    @rogelioscar2 Рік тому

    Long time no see your new videos. I really love the format and narrative your material have. Im looking forward for more of your videos.

  • @aisback1990
    @aisback1990 Рік тому

    Great video as always. I love showing my nephews your videos

  • @lucky07621
    @lucky07621 Рік тому +3

    8:50. You gotta balance that thing while you play. It’s huge!!!!!

  • @Pikminer-5087
    @Pikminer-5087 Рік тому +17

    I'd love to see more handhelds on this channel, like the PSP, Lynx and Vita.

    • @protocetid
      @protocetid Рік тому +2

      the Turbo Express deserves a video for being the first (AFAIK) handheld version of a home console

  • @RobinGraves
    @RobinGraves Рік тому

    so close to 1 million subscribers! I'm rooting for you!

  • @Markeplier23
    @Markeplier23 Рік тому +1

    Congrats on 1 million subs! You deserve it!

  • @ToddJambon
    @ToddJambon Рік тому +33

    I laughed out loud at the 30-40 hour battery life. But anyway, with the GB selling 118 million units, I think they made the right call. Yes, the system was "portable." But you would have had to carry it, the controllers, and the games in a backpack. When I was a kid, I had the GB and like 12 games in a fanny pack.

    • @THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS
      @THRASHMETALFUNRIFFS Рік тому +1

      That sucks, when I was a kid we had portable HotWheels but we had to use a briefcase shaped like a racing tire to carry them to go smash or bury them in our friends back yard man!

    • @junkimyt
      @junkimyt Рік тому +2

      OK so I tried to guesstimate how much battery life you would actually get out of this thing. The closest comparison would be to the game gear since that is a portable master system that runs on 6 AA with an average battery life of three to five hrs. Assuming that the average C battery is about triple the capacity of a AA battery you're getting about double the battery life of a game gear on 4C with this thing. You could be a little bit generous and say that the master system/GG is more draining than thevNES so you're probably getting 7 to 11 hours give or take.

    • @WheelzOfFortune
      @WheelzOfFortune Рік тому +3

      It was literally mentioned in the video that the second version of the Express had buttons on it so you didn't need external controllers.

    • @maxpower10k
      @maxpower10k Рік тому

      Bruh, the fact GB advance sold so well proves there was a market for this. Also, did you even watch the video? He updated it to include a built in controller. 🤦‍♂️

  • @qubafootbag
    @qubafootbag Рік тому +8

    Let's give some respect to the person who prepared these beautiful photo realistic 3D animations of this device, this is really a lot of hard work to make such renderings

  • @joeytumbleson9723
    @joeytumbleson9723 Рік тому +1

    Just want to say your renders are amazing! Well before any of the 3D fancy stuff this channel had, the content and overall experience is wayyy better than anything I've seen elsewhere including cable television.

  • @SurferSandman
    @SurferSandman Рік тому

    Congratulations on hitting 1 million subscribers!! This makes me so happy.

  • @adriantallent8557
    @adriantallent8557 Рік тому +2

    I lucked into getting one of those "Retro Duo Portables" and the adapters that accompany them. It really does function exactly like the NES, though it becomes a bit comical when you plug a Game Genie into the cartridge and the "portable console" gains another cartridge-length of height.

  • @anton1990
    @anton1990 Рік тому +4

    Norm, my friend.
    I can’t truly describe how much I appreciate all your hard work. I’ve been a fan of yours since the very beginning. And your videos never fail to brighten up my days.
    Thank you.

  • @tommylakindasorta3068
    @tommylakindasorta3068 Рік тому

    SOOO close to 1 million subs -- you deserve it! Congrats!

  • @GlassMachine-yd8vi
    @GlassMachine-yd8vi Рік тому

    Congrats on 1 Million Subscribers. Keep up the great content.

  • @andresbravo2003
    @andresbravo2003 Рік тому +36

    Portable NES really does what we wanted to play games in anytime, anywhere. This one is quite rare.

    • @smoothALOE
      @smoothALOE Рік тому +1

      And I thought the Nomad was unique…

    • @kind2311
      @kind2311 Рік тому

      Lol what?

  • @williamsanborn9195
    @williamsanborn9195 Рік тому +3

    I wonder if you’ll come out with another “History of the Gaming Historian” episode when you reach a million subscribers.

  • @LunarWingCloud
    @LunarWingCloud Рік тому

    Good to see a new upload, Norman! Even if it's not your recent usual beefers, nice to just hear you share something really cool for a brief video

  • @masterquake7
    @masterquake7 Рік тому

    Always quality stuff. Keep it going.