Modern Gamers Don’t Even Know About the NES’ Coolest Feature (& Missed Out)

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The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is quite old by today’s standards, and that means it has some unique features you won’t find in modern consoles. It’s incredible how quickly technology changes and improves! When you consider how the video game industry started less than a century ago, it’s amazing to see how far it’s come. Today’s graphics are incredibly realistic, gameplay is immersive, and consoles offer features no one could have dreamed of in the past. The ability to stream movies online is just one example of how revolutionary gaming has become!

In the 1980s, video game consoles were simple – you bought a console to play the games you owned. Over time, companies like PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo started adding features like online multiplayer, streaming services, and achievements. But there was one particularly great feature, unique to Nintendo’s systems, that you can’t find on any modern console.

Nintendo Power Line Is A Unique Piece of Gaming History

Back in 1987, when the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was popular, Nintendo created a special help line called the Nintendo Power Line. If you got stuck in a game, you could call and talk to an expert who worked for Nintendo. These helpful people could give you tips and tell you exactly what to do to beat a level or get out of a tough spot. It felt like magic! Fans really looked up to the people answering the phones, seeing them as heroes. Not only did they solve gaming problems, but they also got paid to play video games all day – a dream job for any kid! They got to talk about games, help others, and play them, all while getting paid.

Nintendo hired people to help players with their games, known as gameplay counselors. While they didn’t need to be experienced gamers initially, they quickly became experts through Nintendo’s thorough training. Potential hires learned everything about specific games, including common trouble spots, and were tested to ensure they could confidently assist callers. The job was often quite manageable, as questions usually focused on a few new releases and many players asked the same things.

In the 1990s, Nintendo offered help to gamers over the phone – this photo shows a Nintendo Power Line advisor guiding a player through the game The Legend of Zelda.

— Historic Vids (@historyinmemes) December 27, 2025

You can prep all you want, but nothing really gets you ready for everything! I read about this in a Game Informer article – Nintendo actually gave their customer support counselors this huge green binder filled with level maps and notes for all the games. Seriously, everything they could possibly need was in there. And get this – they had a library of almost every Nintendo game ever, and they could play them right at their desks while helping people! Talk about a dream job.

The call center was incredibly busy, handling hundreds of calls daily, especially during the holidays. It was a launching pad for many employees’ careers in gaming – some went on to work on the GameCube, while others found positions at big companies like Xbox, EA, and Meta. It was a unique place that benefited both the gamers who called for help and the people answering the phones.

Nintendo stopped offering phone support for games in 2005, before the release of the Wii. By then, players could easily find help online or in printed guidebooks. It became easier to look up solutions than to call and have someone walk you through a game. Nowadays, even those walkthroughs are becoming less common as some players turn to AI for help. Despite all that, Nintendo’s phone support remains a memorable and interesting part of gaming history.

Remember calling the Nintendo Power Line? Share your memories and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2025-12-30 04:40