NES question

[Desslok]

On the bottom of the original NES what is that "expansion port" that is under the plastic cap? Was there a use for it??

 

[TitanDiddly]

Yes, I am curious to know this as well.

 

[Nohr]

ClassicGaming.com - Many people wonder what the expansion port on the bottom of the original NES is for: it was originally intended for some sort of multiplayer linkup system, but things didn't work out."

NES modem - You heard right, there was actually a modem for your NES. The trouble is that it was never released to the public, and was almost forgotten.. until now. Sometime around September 1991, Minnesota State Lottery director George Andersen released to the press that the lottery was going to test using an NES, complete with a modem and cartridge, for lottery players to play online. However, this idea was met with opposition from Minnesota's elected officials, and in October, the lottery announced they had scrapped the experiment.

 

[Desslok]

Originally posted by: Nohr
ClassicGaming.com - Many people wonder what the expansion port on the bottom of the original NES is for: it was originally intended for some sort of multiplayer linkup system, but things didn't work out."

NES modem - You heard right, there was actually a modem for your NES. The trouble is that it was never released to the public, and was almost forgotten.. until now. Sometime around September 1991, Minnesota State Lottery director George Andersen released to the press that the lottery was going to test using an NES, complete with a modem and cartridge, for lottery players to play online. However, this idea was met with opposition from Minnesota's elected officials, and in October, the lottery announced they had scrapped the experiment.

WOW, thanks Nohr

 

[Zim Hosein]

The NES had a modem option? :Q That was some forward thinking!

 

[JohnCU]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein
The NES had a modem option? :Q That was some forward thinking!

wow, i don't remember the expansion port. i do remember the night i got NES. i stayed up way past bed time and was amazed... i was like 6 or 7?

 

[0roo0roo]

heh well modems back then...horrible stuff though. i didn't get into modems until 14.4baud and that was years later..and even then it was a nightmare. too much lag for gaming anyways heh
plus, the fighting over single line houses woulda caused hell.