By Agence France-Presse
TOKYO, Japan–It could soon be game over for the Famicom, the vintage family computer that two decades ago set Japan’s Nintendo on a path to become a global video game icon.
Nintendo has decided to stop repairing the Famicom, the console that wowed the world with Super Mario Bros. and Dragon Quest, because stocks of spare parts are running out, company spokesman Ken Toyoda said.
The family computer, which was sold as the Nintendo Entertainment System in the United States and Europe, made its world debut in Japan in 1983.
Boasting far superior graphics to any other home video game console on the market at that time, it went on to sell almost 62 million units worldwide, and was followed by the Super Famicom, repairs of which will also be halted.
“Some say it’s sad Famicom is leaving and players are nostalgic, but Nintendo’s saga has not ended. We want people to enjoy the Wii now,” said the spokesman for the Kyoto-based firm, which began in 1889 making playing cards.
Nintendo can hardly keep up with demand for the Wii, which is known for its innovative motion-sensitive controller and aimed at customers who normally would not play video games.
