Tag Archives: 1985

13 September 1985

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Super Mario Bros. is released in Japan for the NES, which starts the Super Mario series of platforming games.

Super Mario Bros. is a legendary and iconic video game franchise created by Shigeru Miyamoto and developed by Nintendo. It is one of the most influential and successful video game series in the history of the medium. The franchise centers around the adventures of Mario, a plumber who must rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of the evil Bowser, also known as King Koopa, the primary antagonist.

Debut: The first Super Mario Bros. game was released in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It was a critical and commercial success and played a significant role in revitalizing the video game industry after the North American video game crash of 1983.

Gameplay: Super Mario Bros. is a side-scrolling platform game where players control Mario as he navigates various levels, avoiding obstacles, defeating enemies by jumping on them, and collecting power-ups such as Super Mushrooms and Fire Flowers. These power-ups grant Mario special abilities and extra lives.

Characters: Mario is the franchise’s titular character, known for his red cap, mustache, and blue overalls. He is often joined by his younger brother, Luigi, who is a playable character in many games. Princess Peach, Toad, and Yoshi are also recurring characters in the series.

Worlds and Themes: The games are set in the fictional Mushroom Kingdom, and each installment typically features Mario traversing different worlds or regions with unique themes such as grassy plains, underground caves, underwater levels, and fiery castles.

Evolution: Over the years, the series has evolved significantly, with numerous sequels and spin-off titles. It has been released on various Nintendo consoles and handheld systems, including the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii, Wii U, Nintendo Switch, and Game Boy, among others.

Impact: Super Mario Bros. has had a profound impact on the video game industry, setting standards for platforming gameplay, level design, and character design. It introduced many gaming conventions, including power-ups, warp zones, and the idea of saving the princess. Mario himself has become one of the most recognizable and beloved characters in gaming history.

Cultural Influence: The franchise has transcended the realm of video games, with Mario appearing in animated series, movies, merchandise, and even theme park attractions like Super Nintendo World.

Notable Titles: Some of the most notable titles in the Super Mario Bros. series include “Super Mario Bros. 3,” “Super Mario World,” “Super Mario 64,” “Super Mario Galaxy,” and “Super Mario Odyssey,” among many others.

23 April 1985

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Coca-Cola changes its formula and releases New Coke. The response is overwhelmingly negative, and the original formula is back on the market in less than three months.

New Coke was a reformulated version of Coca-Cola that was released in 1985. The launch of New Coke was met with intense backlash from consumers, leading to one of the biggest marketing failures in history. There were several factors that contributed to the failure of New Coke.

Firstly, Coca-Cola was a well-established brand with a loyal following. The company had been producing the same formula for over 100 years, and consumers had grown to love the taste of Coca-Cola. When the company announced that it was changing the formula, consumers felt betrayed and were not willing to accept the change.

Secondly, the company failed to do proper market research before launching New Coke. Coca-Cola conducted taste tests that showed that consumers preferred the taste of New Coke over the original formula. However, the company did not take into account the emotional attachment that consumers had to the original formula. When consumers were told that the original formula was being replaced, they felt like they were losing a part of their identity and rebelled against the change.

Thirdly, the company’s marketing campaign for New Coke was poorly executed. The company marketed the new formula as “better than ever” and “the best Coke ever,” which made consumers feel like they had been lied to for years about the quality of the original formula. The company also failed to communicate the reasons behind the change, leading to confusion and mistrust among consumers.

Finally, the backlash against New Coke was fueled by a grassroots movement led by fans of the original formula. The company underestimated the power of this movement and was not prepared for the level of backlash it would face.

10 July 1985

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The Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior is bombed and sunk in Auckland harbor by French DGSE agents, killing Fernando Pereira. This caused considerable tension between France and New Zealand with France initially denying any involvement. Two agents were arrested and found guilty of manslaughter in Auckland. The French government had to later admit that they were involved after the Le Monde newspaper reported that the attack had been approved by the French President.