This article will include information on both the original NES, sometimes referred to as the “Toaster NES” and the NES 2 usually referred to as the “Top Loader”.
The toaster came out in 1985 in the US. It was test marketed around the U.S. in New York and California.
The Top loader came out in 1993. It does have several differences from the original NES:
- Only RF output
- No Power LED
- New “Dog Bone” style controllers
The Top Loader is more rare but the funny thing is the Toaster gives a better video signal due to it having composite out (instead of RF Out only like the Top Loader has). You can mod the Top Loader to have composite out like the Toaster so that’s something to think about.