We didn't have an NES, but did have a Coleco Gemini that got a ton of play time in the 80's. A neighbor kid across the street used to bring his NES over so we could play. My brother really wanted an NES, but ended up getting a 2600 Jr. for his birthday. So, that got some play time. Not long after, a NES did come and the 2600 was put away. In the late 90's, my little sister started playing the 2600, while we played SNES, N64, etc. Then, about 6 years ago, I brought the 2600 back out and started collecting for it, so it is loved once again, even with a PS5 and a Switch in the house. Intellivision, Colecovision, Odyssey 2, and the 7800 has since joined it.
But, yeah, for a time, the 2600 was played during the beginning of the NES years growing up, because that was all we had.