Scarce original NES Test Station, a Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) testing machine made by the company in 1988 with the ability to test and diagnose the functionality of games, accessories, and hook-ups. The device, which approximately measures 15″ x 16.75″ x 4.5″, only appeared at retail stores that featured in-house Nintendo World Class Service Repair Centers, and it’s speculated that between 100 and 500 of these machines were produced. These test stations were exclusively used by employees to test NES hardware, software, and accessories, like controllers, Zappers, R.O.B.s, Power Pads, RF adapters, A/V cables, AC adapters, video outputs, audio outputs, and cartridges. To use the NES Test Station, a small television would be placed on top and then plugged and connected to the left side panel, which identifies the machine as “Model No: NTF2.” When the system is turned on, the user would turn the central black dial to select and test either the AC Adapter, Game Pak, Accessories, Control Deck, Audio/Video Cables, or the RF Switch. The testing displays the selected output's results as either ‘Pass’ or ‘Fail.’ A small sticker to the base reads “NTF2 S/N 1669.” In fine, untested condition, with some light wear and a small crack to the very front panel. An appreciably rare piece of early Nintendo history that was never sold to the public and that only ever appeared at select participating video game stores.
