Playing with Power: The Nintendo Story Season 1 Episode 2 A Trojan Horse

In season 1 episode 2 of Playing with Power: The Nintendo Story, titled "A Trojan Horse," we delve into the early 90s, a time when Nintendo's dominance in the gaming industry seemed unshakeable. However, a new rival emerged - Sega - and they were determined to take on the mighty Nintendo and win.

The episode begins by exploring the history of Sega and how they went from being a small manufacturer of arcade games to a major player in the home console market. This is achieved through interviews with former Sega executives and gaming journalists, who provide insight into the company's strategy and approach.

One of the key moments in the episode is the launch of the Sega Genesis in 1989. The console was marketed as a faster and more powerful alternative to Nintendo's NES, and it quickly gained a passionate following. To combat this threat, Nintendo needed to come up with a new approach.

Enter the Game Boy. Released in 1989, this handheld console was a radical departure from Nintendo's previous offerings. It was designed to be inexpensive, portable, and accessible to a wide audience. Essentially, it was a Trojan Horse - a way for Nintendo to sneak into Sega's territory and expand their reach beyond just the home console market.

The episode explores the history of the Game Boy, from its conception to its eventual dominance of the handheld gaming market. We hear from key figures such as Gunpei Yokoi, the creator of the Game Boy, who discuss the challenges they faced in bringing the console to market.

One of the most fascinating aspects of this episode is its exploration of the marketing strategies employed by both Nintendo and Sega during this time. We see how Sega's aggressive "Genesis Does What Nintendon't" campaign put pressure on Nintendo to respond in kind.

In response, Nintendo released a series of commercials that positioned the Game Boy as a lifestyle accessory, rather than just a gaming console. They showed people of all ages and backgrounds using the Game Boy in a variety of different settings, from the subway to the beach.

Through interviews with advertising executives and marketing experts, the episode explores the thinking behind these campaigns and how they helped to shape the gaming industry as we know it today.

As with the previous episode, there is also a strong emphasis on the human stories behind the gaming industry. We hear from key figures such as Nintendo of America's then-president Minoru Arakawa, as well as members of the development team behind the Game Boy, who share their insights and reflections on this pivotal time in gaming history.

Overall, "A Trojan Horse" is a fascinating and engaging episode that provides a deep dive into the history of the Game Boy and the broader gaming industry of the early 90s. It is sure to be of interest to both longtime gaming enthusiasts and anyone interested in the history of technology and innovation.