New Museum Chronicles the History of Video Games and Nintendo's Arrival to America 'Preserving video games has all kinds of challenges that other mediums don't have,' says the founder of the nonprofit Video Game History Foundation.

By Stephen J. Bronner Edited by Dan Bova

The Video Game History Foundation Library

Video games have come a long way. In the 1980s, the Nintendo brought its NES console to North America and the modern home gaming industry really grew up. As of 2015, the industry was worth about $23.5 billion.

But while other forms of media, such as film, are viewed as serious works and catalogued at the National Archives, no one has made a formal effort to preserve the history of video games. Frank Cifaldi wants to change that.

The former games journalist is the founder of The Video Game History Foundation, "a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to cataloging, digitizing and preserving the history of video games."

Related: Nintendo Is Leaving Its Comfort Zone, and We're All Better Off

"Preserving video games has all kinds of challenges that other mediums don't have," Cifaldi told Polygon. "If we're talking about the notion of preserving a film, then it's -- I'm simplifying, because there is expense involved in this -- but it's really just finding the best print, scanning it and restoring it, and then you have a copy of the film. With a video game, it's really not that easy."

It's fitting that the organization's first special collection -- The Nintendo USA NES Launch Collection -- focuses on Nintendo's arrival in America, as that was a pivotal moment in the history of modern gaming.

Click through the slideshow to see samples from the collection, which spotlights the Japanese company's little Robotic Operating Buddy (R.O.B.) and includes materials such as Nintendo marketing, advertisements and press coverage.

An early Nintendo device, the Advanced Basic System.

A prototype system Nintendo showed at the 1985 Consumer Electronics Show.

A Nintendo display in a unidentified mall.

A Nintendo display in New York City's FAO Schwarz.

A Nintendo display in New York City's FAO Schwarz.

Press coverage of Nintendo from 1985.

A brochure teasing Nintendo's new home system.

A 1987 Nintendo ad.

A script for Nintendo spokesman Howard Phillips.

A 1985 Nintendo ad.

A 1985 Toys "R" Us ad.

A piece of swag from the 1985 CES.

A pin from a Nintendo launch party.

Stephen J. Bronner

Entrepreneur Staff

News Director

Stephen J. Bronner writes mostly about packaged foods. His weekly column is The Digest. He is very much on top of his email.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

After a 12-Year-Old's Side Hustle Made Over $4,000 in 1 Day, He and His Dad Grew the Business to Nearly $50,000 a Month: 'It Takes Commitment'

Madden Forrest and his father, Steven, turned their passion for football into a lucrative business.

Leadership

Lead From the Top: 5 Core Responsibilities of a CEO

Knowing exactly what the chief executive's role entails is critical for steering a company to success.

Growing a Business

'Nobody's Ever Seen This Before': How These 2 NYC Sports Icons Are Infusing Swagger into Next-Gen Eyewear

NYC sports legends Stephon Marbury and José Reyes bring their signature swagger and hands-on creative input to elevate Chamelo's brand and expand its reach.

Business News

Is AI the Reason for Your Layoff? New York Becomes the First State to Require Companies to Disclose If So.

It's the first official statewide move towards understanding AI's effect on the labor market.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Social Media

Influence That Converts: How Entrepreneurs Use Social Media to Drive Real Business Growth

Join us for this free webinar and learn content strategies that lead to engagement, trust, and new business opportunities.