When it comes to the world of video games, Nintendo stands as the most iconic name in history. From its inception, Nintendo has been a leader in innovation and creativity within the home console arena. Its extensive library of beloved games continues to captivate audiences even decades later. With the anticipated launch of the Switch 2 on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to take a nostalgic journey through the gaming giant’s storied past in the console industry.
As you delve into Nintendo’s timeline of consoles, you’ll see how they’ve repeatedly revolutionized the gaming world. Let’s explore the evolution of each console that the famed company has brought to gamers around the globe!
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Throughout its history, Nintendo has released a total of 32 consoles, with the Switch 2 becoming the 33rd. We’ve included iterations like the XL and Mini models, both for home and handheld consoles in this comprehensive guide.
The journey begins with Nintendo’s first gaming hardware venture—the Color TV-Game, released on June 1, 1977. This line was created in collaboration with Mitsubishi Electronics, as Nintendo was still learning the ropes of hardware development. These devices became wildly successful and were the launching pad that shifted Nintendo towards a focus on gaming hardware. Even half a century later, Nintendo’s commitment to gaming innovation continues strong.
Next came the Game & Watch series on April 28, 1980, which marked Nintendo’s entry into the handheld gaming market. These compact devices, each with a pre-loaded game, sold over 40 million units worldwide. They introduced features like the D-Pad, seen for the first time in the Donkey Kong Game & Watch. Nintendo celebrated the legacy of these incredible gadgets with limited edition releases in 2020 and 2021 for Mario and Zelda anniversaries.
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) launched on October 18, 1985 in North America, originally known as the Famicom in Japan. This console used cartridges, allowing gamers to build their game libraries. Iconic franchises like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid were born here, making the NES a historic milestone in gaming.
Arriving in North America on July 31, 1989, the Game Boy became Nintendo’s first genuine handheld video game console. It advanced from the Game & Watch by allowing players to swap cartridges and access a variety of games, Tetris being one of its most famous. With this breakthrough, gaming on the go was transformed forever.
Then came the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) on August 23, 1991, introducing 16-bit graphics. It was during the SNES era that Nintendo began to elevate their beloved series with titles like Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country. Despite its later arrival in the gaming generation, it emerged as the best-selling console of its time, thanks to its exceptional game library and wide appeal.
Nintendo’s boldest experiment, the Virtual Boy, was launched on August 14, 1995. This peculiar console was meant to be a step into 3D gaming, albeit with limited success. With only 22 games produced and less than 800,000 units sold, it was a short-lived endeavor.
The Game Boy took on a sleeker form with the Game Boy Pocket released on September 3, 1996, which sported an updated display and quicker response time. However, its more compact design resulted in reduced battery life compared to its predecessor.
The Nintendo 64 arrived on September 29, 1996, bringing a revolutionary 3D experience to home consoles. Titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time were groundbreaking. The N64 introduced an inventive controller with a unique analog stick, further cementing Nintendo’s influence in gaming evolution.
Exclusively released in Japan, the Game Boy Light appeared on April 14, 1998. It featured a backlit screen, allowing for better gameplay in dim environments, while also providing improved battery life over the Game Boy Pocket.
The Game Boy Color, another welcome advancement in handheld gaming, debuted on November 18, 1998. It finally brought color to Game Boy gaming and maintained compatibility with existing Game Boy titles, while offering a heap of new releases designed for the colored screen.
The Game Boy Advance (GBA) came out on June 11, 2001, marking a perfect blend of portability with significant technological upgrades. With its horizontal design and 16-bit graphics, it provided backwards compatibility with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, making a vast library available at launch.
Released on November 16, 2001, the Pokémon mini catered to fans of the Pokémon franchise with its incredibly compact design and a collection of just 10 games.
Shortly after, the Nintendo GameCube launched on November 18, 2001. It was a successor to the N64 with improved titles and graphics, stepping into the disc format from the traditional cartridges. Its controller showcased further enhancements, with features still beloved by today’s gamers.
The Panasonic Q, launched on December 14, 2001, was an intriguing hybrid, combining a GameCube and DVD player, though it saw limited success and a short market lifespan due to high costs.
The Game Boy Advance SP followed on March 23, 2003, boasting a new clamshell design, rechargeable battery, and eventually, a backlit screen—offering significant improvements over the previous GBA model.
The debut of the Nintendo DS on November 21, 2004, signaled a new era in handheld gaming. With its dual-screen clamshell design and Wi-Fi capabilities, it was a game-changer, fostering creativity in game development like never before.
The Game Boy Micro, announced in 2005, was perhaps shocking in its diminutive size, yet beautifully rendered classic Game Boy Advance adventures on its backlit screen, albeit with a brief production period.
June 11, 2006, marked the release of the Nintendo DS Lite, bringing enhancements like a sleeker design, brighter screens, and better battery life over its DS predecessor.
The Nintendo Wii launched on November 19, 2006, revitalized Nintendo’s console lineup by pioneering motion controls with the innovative Wii Remote, paving the way for an impressive series of accessories and groundbreaking games.
Jumping to portable gaming once more, the Nintendo DSi was added to the lineup on November 1, 2008, continuing the DS legacy with new cameras and SD card support, although it omitted the Game Boy Advance slot.
On November 18, 2012, the Nintendo Wii U emerged, aiming to blend handheld and home gaming. Despite innovative features and HD support, it faced challenges in market understanding, resulting in less-than-stellar sales.
The Wii Mini came later, on December 7, 2012, as a simplified version of the Wii with a reduced feature set, primarily to serve as an affordable entry point in select markets.
The Nintendo 2DS, released on October 12, 2013, offered a more accessible and affordable option for 3DS titles, sans the 3D feature, yet remained a popular choice with its appealing price point.
The New Nintendo 3DS followed on October 11, 2014, with additional controls and improved features that kept the 3DS line vibrant, ushering in an era of customization and compatibility with amiibo and special editions.
The March 3, 2017, launch of the Nintendo Switch redefined Nintendo’s dual focus on portable and home gaming. Offering a seamless transition between the two mediums, it quickly became home to some of gaming’s greatest hits, establishing a standout reputation among the latest console generation.
The Switch received tailored variants, such as the handheld-only Nintendo Switch Lite on September 20, 2019, and the premium Nintendo Switch OLED on October 8, 2021, each bringing unique features to the table.
On the horizon, the Switch 2 is slated for a grand release on June 5, 2025. It’s designed with a fresh angle—featuring magnetic Joy-Cons, an HDR-enabled 7.9-inch screen, and substantially increased storage—offering a promising leap forward for Nintendo once again.
As gaming enthusiasts look eagerly towards the future, the buzz around potential future iterations of the Switch 2 grows. Yet for now, we remain excited for what lies just ahead.
Noah Hunter, a freelancer with a deep passion for gaming and tech, co-founded Final Weapon in 2019, a platform dedicated to authentic insights on Japanese gaming. His contributions to various gaming publications reflect his commitment to this dynamic field.
