Get this. Japan is going crazy for the Famicom (NES) all over again. Following E3, Tendo Box ran Japan Report 005 from its Gallopin Gaijin, Stephen Langhorn. As part of the column, it mentioned that Famitsu stated that in Japan, all eyes being on Nintendo for E3 created a revival of interest in the original Famicom. Furthermore, many "old school" Nintendo fans (now adults) are now tracking the classic console down. This report seemingly reflects a growing trend. Yesterday, Core Magazine reported that a recent survey of Japanese retailers indicates that it may be more than just Nintendo-mania:

“In one Kagoshima-based retailer, demand from thirty-somethings for classic software has outpaced most newer titles. Considering some rarer Famicom games can fetch prices as high as 20,000 yen ($165) each, retailers stand to gain considerably from its second wind. More intriguing, Nintendo revealed today that they've received production requests in excess of 50,000 units for new Famicom units from Japanese retail chains.”

The demand for old games is nothing new. PGC just ran a story concerning Nintendo's stance on emulation (it is absolutely illegal, no matter what). Yet despite the illicit nature of emulation, it’s easy to see why it has become popular to “download” old arcade and console games; fans are craving the same kind of classic gameplay that the “old school” provided and the “new school” has yet to forget.

Now with the latest reports from Core, (whoof - 50,000 requests) it’s clear that gamers want a return to the golden age of gaming. The quote from one of the Japanese retailers sums it up nicely:

"The generation of players who grew up on the Famicom simply aren't as captivated by complex new consoles and games."