Nintendo or Playstation?

Do you remember the 5th generation of video game consoles? The Nintendo64 battled it out against the original Sony Playstation and a desperate Sega Saturn.

My family eventually got a Playstation. It was sweet, for sure. Sony dominated the Nintendo in power. And it used discs that could store way more data than the N64’s cartridges.

But damn, did I still want a N64 (don’t tell my mom).

WHY?

Games.

I really wanted to play Zelda and Goldeneye. And you could only do that on a Nintendo. I liked the Playstation. A lot actually. But I had to have the Nintendo experience.

Nintendo wasn’t just selling a console or games. They were (and still are) selling a unique experience.

No one remembers that the N64 was underpowered. No one remembers the constraints the cartridges put on the size of games. They only remember the incredible experiences the console gave them.

A memorable brand does not have to be built on technical features, big numbers, fast speeds, or being the best on paper. That stuff is temporary. Someone will always catch up.

A memorable brand is built on having the best experience. By being the most meaningful to someone.

Keep it real

— Rvw