Recently, the BBC committed a notable blunder during a morning TV segment, which did not escape the notice of Nintendo fans across social media platforms. On air, UK Interactive Entertainment (UKIE) CEO Nick Poole, alongside BBC hosts Jon Kay and Sally Nugent, showcased a selection of classic gaming consoles, including the ZX81, Nintendo Wii, and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), while discussing the rise of retro gaming in the UK. The increasing popularity of retro systems, such as the Super Nintendo, has been attributed to nostalgic feelings and community connections these consoles foster. According to UKIE, these older systems have a growing influence on physical game sales and gaming culture events.
The segment also touched on how social media influencers and adaptations like “The Last of Us” and “Fallout” are bridging the gap between video games and mainstream media. However, the segment gained attention for the wrong reasons. The SNES displayed had an NES game cartridge for “Super Mario Bros.” wedged into its slot—an impossible feat without forcing the cartridge in, as the SNES lacks backward compatibility for NES games. This oversight led to a flurry of reactions on social media, with one user joking about a hypothetical inclusion of a GameCube controller, while others humorously “reported a crime” regarding the cartridge mix-up.
UKIE later clarified that the setup was managed by the BBC studio team, ensuring that Nick Poole was not responsible for the error. They stated, “Unfortunately, we couldn’t adjust it whilst on air.” Despite UKIE’s distancing, the incident highlighted a broader misunderstanding of gaming culture among the general public. Nintendo, a prominent Japanese video game company, is celebrated for its innovative consoles and beloved franchises like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Pokémon.