Shoppers Rush for Nintendo 64s and Pokémon Games on Black Friday

On November 26, 1999, stores across the United States experienced a surge in holiday shoppers eagerly searching for video game consoles and titles. The launch of the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Color, and Pokémon games fueled a bustling shopping atmosphere reminiscent of the traditional Black Friday rush. Families filled aisles, carts overflowed, and the excitement reached a peak as parents and children alike sought the season’s most coveted gifts.

In Fargo, North Dakota, parents and children navigated the crowded aisles at Best Buy, where a nine-screen display showcased popular games like Mario Party. Six-year-old Damien Keith enthusiastically engaged with the game, exclaiming, “How do you choke them? How do you choke them?” A nearby shopper playfully responded, “Press the A button.” The chaos of the shopping day seemed to fade away for the young gamer as he focused on achieving a new high score.

Mark Pieterick of Moorhead, North Dakota, was joined by his sons, Jason, Justin, and Joey, as they sifted through a selection of Nintendo titles. “Hey, look here, Space Invaders,” Mark exclaimed, while Joey explored the covers of various games, including Wrestlemania 2000 and others. Mark noted that he often tries to introduce his children to classic games, mentioning, “I’m always trying to get them interested in the old ones – Space Invaders, Breakout, the original Mario.” The family reported that the boys play an average of two hours of video games each day, a fact Mark humorously acknowledged.

At Toys R Us in Fargo, Jeff Hanna was spotted guiding his daughter Patricia, aged three, and son R.J., aged nine, through the electronics section. The family was in town visiting relatives and searching for a birthday present for their absent son, Tyler, who turned six. “We’re looking for a birthday present, but we’re also getting some Christmas ideas while we’re here,” Jeff shared, noting that Pokémon-themed items topped their wish list.

Sales associates at Toys R Us confirmed that Pokémon merchandise was flying off the shelves. Joe Gorman, an employee, stated, “We’re selling a lot of the original Game Boys and the Game Boy Color, but most of the sales have involved Pokémon. Pokémon is hot.” The most sought-after items included the blue, red, and yellow versions of Pokémon, along with Pokémon Pinball and other games for the Nintendo 64. Although Gorman did not have specific sales figures, he remarked that it was “definitely a ton” of Pokémon games sold that day.

At the Kay-Bee Toy and Hobby Shop in West Acres Mall, the popularity of Sony PlayStation games was equally impressive. A sales associate mentioned that titles like James Bond: Tomorrow Never Dies, NFL Game Day 2000, and the recently released X-Files game were among the top sellers. These games appealed to both children and adults, reflecting the broad appeal of video gaming during the holiday season.

As children expressed their aspirations for new gaming experiences, Damien and his friend David Franklin revealed their wish for a new Sega Dreamcast this Christmas. “Yup, I was good,” Damien assured, confidently asserting their eligibility for gifts from Santa Claus. The excitement in stores on that Black Friday highlighted the evolving landscape of the gaming industry and the growing influence of video games on holiday shopping trends.