Smooth NES console vs. Rough NES console

[tz101]

Has anyone else noticed the earlier front loader NES consoles were molded in smooth plastic while the later ones have a rough textured feel like they grit blasted the mold or something?

 

I got my NES in 1986 as a console with two controllers and SMB (no Duck Hunt or light gun included). It was a smooth console and I still have it to this day. I also have a few I have found at yard sales and thrifts. They all have a rough surface texture.

 

I have also found a couple other smooth ones in my thrifting, but the majority I see are rough. I am guessing that the rough consoles are more common.

 

Did Nintendo change the molds at some point?

[Armonigann]

I remember reading something about this over at NA awhile back. If memory serves me right I beleive the smooth ones are earlier models.

[PAC MAN FEVER]

Yep they did change molds

[godslabrat]

IIRC, the smooth were manufCtured by Mattell, the others from somewhere else.

[rockman_x_2002]

I can confirm the smooth top ones are earlier. The original NES we got back in 1986 was a smooth-top NES. These were the ones that were released when the NES bundles included the gray NES Zapper.

 

Later when Nintendo changed to the more familiar orange Zapper, the NES consoles had a rough top. I got one of these in the late 80s so that way I would have my own NES console, and my brother would have one as well. This was in 1988.

Edited January 16, 2011 by rockman_x_2002

[tz101]

Worst part with the rough ones is that they generally look dirtier and are not as easy to clean scuff marks off.

 

The smooth ones shine up real nice.

[Armonigann]

yeah, I had a smooth one about a year ago from a guy locally and it really did shine after clean-up. I sold it but keep my rough ones. Kinda wish I woulda kept it though.

[Draikar]

Some earlier front loading NES's had no TM after "entertainment system" and a extra phone number for inside Washington state on the bottom of the system. I would guess these systems are from the New York City trial run or test market before stores placed there order.

[tz101]

^

That's interesting stuff. I will have to look at my smooth consoles for the extra Washington state phone number.

 

One more thing about the rough consoles: They tend to yellow with time where the smooth ones seem to hold their original gray color better.

[HatefulGravey]

I haven't noticed this before, but I'll be checking my NESs when I get home for these things.

 

The yellowing problem is the one things I can't stand about early Nintendo. The NES had that problem, but not near as bad as the SNES. I don't think I have seen a SNES model 1 in a long time that wasn't atleast a little yellow.

[Video]

Cool, I never saw a rough console, every one I've ever seen were smooth. And I have about 20 of them piled up in the closet too, I really need to order some Zif connectors....

[PsychoKittyNet]

I just checked mine, I never npoticed this as the one I have is the one I had as a kid, so it is the inly one I have ever closely examined. It feels smooth and has the Washington state number under it, but I am pretty sure we got it with the bundle that came with the power pad.

[ApolloBoy]

Some earlier front loading NES's had no TM after "entertainment system" and a extra phone number for inside Washington state on the bottom of the system. I would guess these systems are from the New York City trial run or test market before stores placed there order.

My brother has one like this (which used to be mine), it was manufactured in late 1986 so at least the very early consoles were like this.

[rockman_x_2002]

^

That's interesting stuff. I will have to look at my smooth consoles for the extra Washington state phone number.

 

One more thing about the rough consoles: They tend to yellow with time where the smooth ones seem to hold their original gray color better.

 

 

That's probably due to the surface itself. My rough-top NESes didn't yellow so much but it sure seemed like the rougher ones got a good bit dirtier. The smooth one shined right up though, and has retained its original color through the years (and oddly enough is the most stable of the bunch).

 

I haven't noticed this before, but I'll be checking my NESs when I get home for these things.

 

The yellowing problem is the one things I can't stand about early Nintendo. The NES had that problem, but not near as bad as the SNES. I don't think I have seen a SNES model 1 in a long time that wasn't atleast a little yellow.

 

 

My SNES has faded some what, but I've seen some that are in pretty rough shape. I wouldn't even say they yellowed. They look like they'd been rigorously been cleaned in bleach or something.