Before there was Xbox, before there was Playstation, or Turbo Grafx 16, or even before there was Sega Genesis, there was a little system known as the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Released in 1985, the NES saved and revolutionized a flailing video game industry all at once. Packaged together, users found a little gray box, two controllers (a non-existent feature among today's systems), a Zapper gun (how did that thing work?), a "power pad," and three games on one cartridge, (including the legendary Super Mario Bros., Duck Hunt, and World Class Track Meet) that allowed for use of all the given peripherals.

The system ran with a processing speed of less than two megahertz, could only display 24 colors simultaneously, and its games could not be larger than an eighth of a megabyte. And while almost 20 years later the "bit" rate of video games may have risen from eight to 128, there is something inexplicable that still draws gamers back to that little gray box of yesteryear.

"Too many game systems these days are too complicated," said Mike Putz (sophomore-geography). "Too many buttons, too many strategies, too much work. Nintendo was very simplified so you didn't have to engage your mind as much. You could just have fun."

Others agree that simplicity has a lot to do with the attraction.

"Old Nintendo games are easier to play than Playstation games," said Catherine Wharry (junior-biochemistry). "There are only two buttons on the controllers. It's not as easy to get confused."

Besides simplicity, gamers find other beneficial aspects to the ageless system.

"I like the replay value in the games," said Wes Guerrera (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies). "You can just throw in the game, pick up a controller and play for hours." Replay value is a must to attain the records Guerrera has under his belt among his friends, including beating the original Super Mario Bros. in eight minutes.

Some gamers even find features in old Nintendo games that have been lost over the years.

"Old school Nintendo games are cool because they are easy to learn, but a lot harder to master than newer games," said Chris Walker (sophomore-advertising). "You can sit down with some friends, pick up your square controller, and compete for points because back then every game kept score."

Part of Nintendo's allure is the huge library of games available, many of which can be picked up for only a few dollars at pawn shops or retailers such as FuncoLand.

"You don't have to invest $60 . . . to play a Nintendo game, which is the case with some newer games," said Walker.

Classic characters such as Mega Man, Simon Belmont, Zelda and Samus Aran (he's a she!) helped build a nostalgic foundation that has lasted through the years like few fads have.

"Every time you put in a game, you kind of look at it and think 'hey, I remember playing this when I was eight years old' and it takes you back," said Cynthia Dicastelnuovo (sophomore-division of undergraduate studies).

Certain games also stand out to make the simplistic gameplay of the NES as exciting as today's more complex video games.

"I care for Super Mario Bros. 3 a great deal," said Guerrera. "It's pretty tough and has a ton of levels. It also has amazing graphics and sound for the time."

Selling 62 million units worldwide during its lifetime, Nintendo marks the highest selling home console of all time. The company released its final game for the system, Wario's Woods in December of 1994. However, the legacy of Nintendo lives on.

Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64 and the Gamecube (and let's not forget Game Boy and yes, even Virtual Boy) have all proven to be worthy successors to the perpetually present gray box. Gamers have watched Mario grow up into the magical world of 3-D and yet players still hearken back to the days when up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, select, start still meant something.

For all those gamers out there who have yet to rediscover the classic Nintendo all over again, Putz has this to say: "People need to try out some of the older stuff. Don't waste your money on the new crap out there. Just check out what's in your closet."