On November 26, 1999, shoppers across the United States flocked to retail stores in a frenzy for popular video games, particularly seeking out Nintendo 64 consoles, Game Boy Color units, and Pokémon titles. This annual shopping event, known as Black Friday, marked the beginning of the Christmas shopping season, attracting families eager to secure the latest gaming experiences.
The scene in stores was bustling as crowds navigated aisles filled with electronics and games. At Best Buy in Fargo, North Dakota, children and parents alike participated in the excitement. Six-year-old Damien Keith eagerly engaged with a display for Mario Party, a Nintendo 64 game, demonstrating his skills in front of a massive screen. His friend, David Franklin, joined in the fun, both oblivious to the chaos surrounding them.
Mark Pieterick and his three sons, Jason, Justin, and Joey, were among those searching for games. As they browsed the selection of Game Boy Color titles, Joey, aged eight, gravitated towards classics like Space Invaders, while his father championed the appeal of retro games. “I always try to get them interested in the old ones—Space Invaders, Breakout, the original Mario,” Pieterick remarked. He candidly admitted that his children play an average of two hours of video games each day.
In another part of Fargo, Jeff Hanna from Bismarck was on a mission with his children, Patricia and R.J., to find a birthday present for a family member. The trio took advantage of their visit to also gather Christmas gift ideas. “We’re looking for a birthday present, but we’re also getting some Christmas ideas while we’re here,” Hanna shared. His children were particularly keen on Pokémon-related items, which he noted had a strong demand this season.
Sales associates confirmed the trend. Joe Gorman, a representative at Toys R Us, highlighted that Pokémon merchandise was selling rapidly. “We’re selling a lot of the original Game Boys and the Game Boy Color, but most of the sales have involved Pokémon,” Gorman stated. The most sought-after items included the blue, red, and yellow versions of Pokémon, along with Pokémon Pinball and Donkey Kong for the Nintendo 64. While Gorman could not provide specific sales figures, he assured that the quantity sold was significant.
At Kay-Bee Toy and Hobby Shop in West Acres Mall, interest in Sony PlayStation titles was also high. Popular games such as James Bond: Tomorrow Never Dies, NFL Game Day 2000, and the newly launched X-Files game were among the best sellers. Retail staff noted that these games were appealing to both children and adults, highlighting the widespread allure of gaming.
As the excitement of Black Friday continued, young gamers like Keith and Franklin expressed their aspirations to enhance their gaming skills. Both boys planned to ask Santa Claus for a new Sega Dreamcast to expand their collection. “Yup, I was good. No doubt about it,” Keith asserted, as anticipation filled the air for the upcoming holiday season.
The day marked not just a shopping event but a cultural moment, reflecting the growing impact of video gaming in family entertainment. With shelves stocked and eager shoppers lining up, it was clear that the demand for gaming experiences had become a vital part of holiday traditions in 1999.
