Creating perhaps one of the most iconic boxy layouts in Nintendo history, NES Black Box titles have evolved to become synonymous with home arcade gaming and all that is classic. . Published between 1985 and 1987, the series includes 30 games including certified classics As Duck hunting, Excitebike and Donkey Kong Jr.; however, have seen a set of Nintendo CES late ’80s from @martinlindell on Twitter, it seems that some of the console’s most popular titles are also planned to be added to the series.
Lindell’s image shows a page of the CES kit promoting five upcoming games from the NES: ‘Introducing four new sports and a princess named Zelda.’ The games the title alludes to is Volleyball, Slalom, Professional Wrestling‘Punch-Out’ (pre-Tyson) and ‘Legend of Zelda’ (pre-the), all presented in a classic NES Black Box case.
You may recognize the covers for Volleyball, Slalom, and Pro Wrestling as the covers the game received as part of their 1987 Black Box release, but the other two titles were not included as part of the series and get different covers to contest.
Mike Tyson’s Punch Out !! (or indeed, Punch Out!!, after the rebranding), you guessed it, a picture of Mike Tyson on the cover instead of a Glass Joe portrait can be seen in the original design – a meeting pretty big overhaul, we can add. Even after Tyson’s contract with Nintendo expires, the game’s cover will feature a cover similar to a center boxer (sorry, Glass Joe).
The Legend of Zelda, which also changes its title, will undergo a similar glow to the classic gold cover art we know and love today. This being said, the Black Box design certainly goes the extra mile to provide an idea of what the game is about, and the inclusion of Gibdos and Keese makes it all look very spooky. Well, we say ‘spooky’, but Link doesn’t seem too bothered – look, he’s even smiling! Perhaps the original design would make for a good poster release (suggestionsNintendo).
Interestingly, the CES set is also quick to say that The Legend of Zelda will be the first entry in a series of adventure games – which has already happened with other things plan, we wonder?? It definitely shows that you know when you’re in for something special.
What do you think of these original Black Box designs? Let us know in the comments below!
