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Ninetendo 64 is red hot
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December 23, 1996: 3:24 p.m. ET
The game system's 3-D capabilities are giving Elmo a run for his money
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) -- Tickle Me Elmo doesn't have a thing on Nintendo.
The Japanese company responsible for Nintendo 64 pumped 1.2 million machines into the expectant U.S. market and with just days before Christmas, there aren't any more available.
It seems that Nintendo 64 is the hottest video game system in history, perhaps due to Mario's appeal (1.03M QuickTime movie) and the system's super-charged technology.
And Nintendo-envy seems to be cropping up everywhere. For Alex Evarts of Seattle, the game resulted in an apartment burglary.
"They threw a rock through the window, and jimmied the window open," Evarts said.
The computer, stereo, VCR and the 27-inch television set remained untouched -- the burglar just took the game.
"In a sense I was kind of relieved. They didn't ransack the place. They knew what they wanted -- they wanted the Nintendo," Evarts said. (144K WAV) or (144K AIF)
And don't think that these systems are only hard to find in small cities. Even at New York's giant J&R Electronics, the cupboard is bare when it comes to this season's sensation.
Hundreds of titles are available for other video game systems, but these simply can't match Super Nintendo's 3-D look. Although there are only eight games on the market for N64, the system is a smash hit. (1.32M QuickTime Movie)
Some of those lucky enough to own the video game systems, in search of a quick dollar, are offering to sell their $200 Nintendo 64 machines and game cartridges for $400, $650 and even $1,000.
Clearly, this is beyond the realm of many budgets.
However, hope springs eternal. A fresh supply of Nintendo 64 machines are en route, with an estimated delivery date of January 1st.
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Nintendo
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