Famicom
ファミコン
15 July 1983

Nintendo had set up a strict system of regimenting all software output via an in-house 'quality control' test. All third party developers had to submit their games for Nintendo to approve, before then having permission for anything to be released. Nintendo also took a hefty slice of the manufacturing costs and maximizing profits on the cartridges, thus affording to sell their hardware at a low cost. A very viable plan indeed... and who's to know if it would have worked or not, had the games not been, er, so unbelievably good.
Super Mario Bros. (1985) was the final turning point for the Famicom: Nintendo's extraordinary action game went on to sell millions of copies worldwide, establishing the console as the must-have item of the 80s. Sales of the machine went stellar all around the world (where it was marketed as the Nintendo 'NES') and the hugely increased user base attracted even further developers, all eager to publish for the format - and pay Nintendo's fees.
In Japan the machine would get one last accessory: the Disk System (above left) was designed as major a cost-cutting storage device that would not only offer cheaper games to the consumer, but also bypass retail costs: as well as selling Disk games, Nintendo went on to place dedicated 'Disk Writer' machines in hundreds of shopping centres and convenience stores all around Japan, allowing users to choose and pay for a title on the spot.
The format started off well, but suffered from minor hardware faults, and eventually rampant piracy from mainland Asia: bootleg disks became rife, and Nintendo eventually discontinued support of the format in 1991.