Nintendo is probably the most recognizable identify in historical past with regards to video video games. From the start, Nintendo has been on the forefront of creativity and innovation within the house console house. Nintendo is understood for its huge library of treasured IPs, with many providing the identical allure dozens of years later. With so many upcoming titles, the corporate is displaying no indicators of slowing down. Now that Nintendo has formally introduced the Swap 2, you could be wanting to have a look again on the gaming large’s historical past within the console house.
Beneath, we have rounded up each single console Nintendo has ever launched. Journey by means of the ages and uncover how Nintendo has continued to push the gaming medium ahead!
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How Many Nintendo Consoles Have There Been?
In complete, 32 Nintendo consoles have been launched all through Nintendo’s historical past. The Swap 2 would be the thirty third. We have included revision fashions for each house and handheld consoles, which embrace brandings like XL and Mini.
Each Nintendo Console in Order of Launch
Shade TV-Sport – June 1, 1977
The Shade TV-Sport line of techniques was Nintendo’s first foray into gaming {hardware} and one that you just won’t essentially pay attention to. These gadgets had been a three way partnership by Nintendo and Mitsubishi Electronics, with the latter concerned as Nintendo was inexperienced at creating {hardware}. These techniques had been a serious success on the time and in the end led Nintendo to divert its focus to creating extra gaming {hardware}. Virtually 50 years later, the Shade TV-Sport’s legacy remains to be felt, with Nintendo invested greater than ever in gaming.
Sport & Watch – April 28, 1980
Nintendo’s first foray into the hand-held market was with its Sport & Watch gadgets, every loaded with a special sport. When you won’t suppose a lot of it, the Sport & Watch sequence bought greater than 40 million items worldwide. These gadgets introduced many gaming revelations which might be nonetheless utilized at this time, such because the D-Pad within the Donkey Kong Sport & Watch. These consoles made a comeback considerably not too long ago when Nintendo launched restricted version fashions in 2020 and 2021 to have fun the anniversaries of Mario and Zelda.
Nintendo Leisure System – October 18, 1985
The Nintendo Leisure System (NES) is the primary Nintendo house console to be launched in North America. Often called the Household Pc (Famicom) in Japan, this console applied cartridges to permit customers to buy and play as many video games as they’d like on the system. Virtually all the main Nintendo franchises we all know and love obtained their begins right here, with sequence like Tremendous Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid. General, the NES is among the most vital consoles in online game historical past, because it established a pipeline for generations to return.
Sport Boy – July 31, 1989
The primary true Nintendo handheld online game console is the Sport Boy, which launched in North America throughout the Summer season of 1989. Sport Boy took a serious step ahead from the Sport & Watch, providing cartridges so you could possibly play as many video games as you would like on the system. For a lot of, the Sport Boy’s most well-known sport is Tetris, which was bundled in with the system in each area excluding Japan.
Tremendous Nintendo Leisure System – August 23, 1991
The Tremendous Nintendo Leisure System (SNES) introduced 16-bit graphics to a Nintendo platform for the primary time. This console was when Nintendo started crafting main evolutions for his or her largest sequence, with video games like Tremendous Mario World, Donkey Kong Nation, and extra. Regardless of launching towards the latter a part of this console era, the SNES nonetheless managed to be the best-selling console of this time interval with its profound software program lineup and generational attraction.
Digital Boy – August 14, 1995
The Digital Boy is sort of presumably Nintendo’s weirdest console. This moveable gadget was the first-ever online game console that would correctly show 3D visuals. Merely 22 video games had been ever launched for the system, with Mario’s Tennis, 3D Tetris, and Digital Boy Wario Land among the many hottest. Digital Boy solely lasted available on the market for one yr, with slightly below 800,000 items bought in its lifetime.
Sport Boy Pocket – September 3, 1996
The Sport Boy Pocket is a smaller model of the Sport Boy, that includes a definitive black-and-white display as a substitute of the Sport Boy’s green-tinted show. One of many largest enhancements of this launch was the brand new {hardware} inside that improved the response time of the show on display. Nevertheless, with the smaller design, the Sport Boy Pocket had a shorter battery life than the Sport Boy.
Nintendo 64 – September 29, 1996
Nintendo 64 introduced 3D graphics to a Nintendo house console for the very first time. This revolutionary gadget introduced two of probably the most influential titles ever: Tremendous Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The N64 utterly refreshed what the NES and SNES provided with a daring new controller that featured an analog stick for the primary time. N64 is among the few consoles the place Nintendo bought many iconic particular editions, with a number of translucent variants obtainable.
Sport Boy Gentle – April 14, 1998
Sport Boy Gentle is a console you won’t be too conversant in, and a big a part of that’s probably because of it being unique to Japan. This Sport Boy revision was greater than the Sport Boy Pocket, however added a brand new backlight so gamers might play in low-light areas. Finally, this alteration allowed for the Sport Boy Gentle to function longer battery life than the Sport Boy Pocket, round 20 hours in complete.
Sport Boy Shade – November 18, 1998
Sport Boy Shade lastly introduced coloration to a Nintendo handheld. The gadget was backwards-compatible with all Sport Boy video games, so it was a simple improve for a lot of. Some Sport Boy video games had assist for coloration already, so titles like Tetris may very well be skilled anew with vibrant and beatuiful colours. With the brand new {hardware} inside, lots of of latest video games had been additionally launched solely for the system.
Sport Boy Advance – June 11, 2001
Sport Boy Advance (GBA) was the primary large technological leap ahead within the Sport Boy model for Nintendo. In a serious shakeup to the earlier Sport Boy fashions, GBA flipped the gadget orientation to a horizontal, rectangular form versus the portrait-designed Sport Boy. 16-bit graphics had been now obtainable portably — a serious improve from the Sport Boy’s 8-bit graphics assist. After all, Sport Boy and Sport Boy Shade video games had been additionally supported by way of backwards compatibility. This opened the variety of video games obtainable on GBA into the 1000’s.
Pokémon mini – November 16, 2001
Pokémon mini launched in 2001 with a serious concentrate on Pokémon video games (because the identify implies). This gadget is so extremely small you can match a number of in your pocket. Solely 10 video games had been ever launched for Pokémon mini, with simply 4 in North America. Pokémon mini featured a built-in clock perform, an infrared port for communication, and built-in rumble.
Nintendo GameCube – November 18, 2001
Nintendo GameCube constructed upon the success of the Nintendo 64 and adopted up with sequels to lots of the beloved titles discovered on the system. Tremendous Mario Sunshine, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, and Tremendous Smash Bros. Final are all three titles that shined on the system. GameCube made a serious departure from Nintendo’s prior house consoles, because it utilized discs as a substitute of cartridges. Moreover, the controller made main enhancements from N64, with built-in rumble, analog/digital triggers, and a staggered design for the sticks. The legacy of the GameCube nonetheless lives on at this time, with lots of the franchises that debuted on the title extra well-liked than ever. ( you, Animal Crossing.)
Panasonic Q – December 14, 2001
Panasonic Q is a collaborative console between Panasonic and Nintendo. This gadget mixed a conventional GameCube with a DVD participant, permitting for customers to play GameCube titles, watch DVDs, and hearken to CDs. Its design is putting, with a stainless-steel exterior and a entrance LCD panel. Because of the steep worth and low gross sales, the console solely lasted two years available on the market.
Sport Boy Advance SP – March 23, 2003
Sport Boy Advance SP (GBA SP) was the primary revision of the Sport Boy Advance. A serious change from the earlier mannequin was the hinge design, which positioned the display on the highest panel and the controls on the underside panel. Moreover, the GBA SP featured a rechargeable battery and a backlit display (unique to later fashions), which had been each main enhancements from its predecessor. Nintendo opted to omit a headphone jack on this mannequin however provided an adapter for gamers to hearken to audio by means of headphones.
Nintendo DS – November 21, 2004
Nintendo DS was the primary unit within the DS line, which marked the beginning of Nintendo’s best-selling console. The DS featured Wi-Fi assist for the primary time, with a standout clamshell design that expanded upon the Sport Boy SP. With two screens, video games on Nintendo DS had been fairly distinctive, with many builders creating experiences not like something available on the market beforehand. The underside display was a touchscreen that gamers might use with the included stylus pen.
Sport Boy Micro – September 19, 2005
Sport Boy Micro was famously revealed by Reggie Fils-Aimé throughout E3 2005, with many shocked on the small measurement of the system. The oblong design featured a D-pad and two buttons on the entrance, with Begin and Choose buttons on the underside facet of the unit. Like earlier GBA fashions, Sport Boy Micro was backwards appropriate with Sport Boy and Sport Boy Shade video games, along with enjoying Sport Boy Advance titles. Sport Boy Micro featured a backlit display that allowed for adjustable brightness and even lighting throughout the display. The system solely bought 2.42 million items throughout 18 months till its manufacturing ended.
Nintendo DS Lite – June 11, 2006
Nintendo DS Lite was the primary revision of the Nintendo DS. This mannequin launched slightly below a yr and a half after the preliminary launch of the Nintendo DS, and it introduced a number of adjustments to the fold. First, the DS Lite is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor. The screens are additionally each noticeably brighter than the usual DS, which made video games simpler to see no matter lighting situations. Lastly, the battery life was a lot improved on Nintendo DS Lite to permit for extra playtime with out the necessity for a cost.
Nintendo Wii – November 19, 2006
Nintendo Wii marked an enormous resurgence for Nintendo’s house console enterprise, with a singular concentrate on movement controls that bought many on the system. The distinctive Wii Distant relied closely on movement to manage the system, using each infrared and digital expertise to enter movement from all instructions. Nintendo launched all types of equipment for the system, from the Nunchuk to the Wii MotionPlus. Wii was backwards appropriate with each GameCube titles and controllers, because the Wii utilized optical discs as soon as once more. One of many defining software program choices of Wii was Digital Console, which allowed gamers to buy NES, SNES, and N64 titles for digital obtain.
Nintendo DSi – November 1, 2008
Nintendo DSi made a number of adjustments to the Nintendo DS, appearing because the second main revision of the mannequin. It added two cameras, one on the hinge inside and one on the surface panel, which had been utilized in video games and in sure software program. An SD card slot was additionally added to offer extra storage for downloaded video games. Sadly, the Nintendo DSi additionally eliminated the Sport Boy Advance slot that was current on the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite.
Nintendo DSi XL – November 21, 2009
Nintendo DSi XL was a bigger mannequin of the DSi that launched a yr after the principle mannequin. This gadget featured bigger, wide-view screens that each sat at 4.2 inches. Two audio system had been added to the highest panel to offer higher, clearer sound for gamers, and an even bigger battery for longer playtime. With the bigger screens, Nintendo DS video games had been brighter and simpler to expertise than ever.
Nintendo 3DS – March 27, 2011
Nintendo 3DS was the successor to the Nintendo DS line, providing all kinds of latest options, video games, and {hardware} capabilities. The important thing function of 3DS was the 3D capabilities, which had been powered by stereoscopy so no eyewear was required. Apparently sufficient, this is identical expertise that was used to energy the Digital Boy, which solely lasted available on the market for one yr in 1995. 3DS was an enormous improve from Nintendo DS, with many spectacular titles like The Legend of Zelda: A Hyperlink Between Worlds, Fireplace Emblem: Awakening, and Tremendous Mario 3D Land.
Nintendo 3DS XL – August 19, 2012
Nintendo 3DS XL (often known as Nintendo 3DS LL in Japan) featured a display that was 90% bigger than the unique 3DS. This console retained each function of the Nintendo 3DS and easily provided a bigger display. Many video games had been a lot simpler to view with this mannequin, particularly with the underside display.
Nintendo Wii U – November 18, 2012
The Nintendo Wii U was the successor to Nintendo Wii, that includes an all-new GamePad controller. This controller featured a display and may very well be used to play titles off of the TV. All earlier Nintendo Wii video games, equipment, and controllers had been appropriate with the system. Wii U was Nintendo’s first-ever console to assist HD, which was a serious step up from the 480p capabilities of the Wii. There have been some unimaginable titles launched for the system, together with Xenoblade Chronicles X, Tremendous Mario 3D World, Splatoon, and Bayonetta 2 to call a number of. Finally, a mix of poor advertising and confusion led to poor gross sales of the Wii U, which left Nintendo in an important state previous to the launch of Nintendo Swap.
Nintendo Wii Mini – December 7, 2012
Wii Mini was a smaller, lighter Wii unit that was launched on the very tail finish of the Wii’s life cycle. Wii Mini featured a top-facing disc drive, which was an enormous departure from the usual Wii. Moreover, it eliminated assist for GameCube, Wi-Fi connectivity, 480p decision, and SD playing cards. This console launched in Canada throughout December 2012, with releases in Europe and the US in 2013.
Nintendo 2DS – October 12, 2013
Nintendo 2DS provided precisely what it appears like: enjoyable, 2D content material. This gadget eliminated the 3D functionality current on 3DS fashions and as a substitute flattened out the console to a square-like form. All 3DS titles are playable on 2DS, with all options minus 3D intact. The console did lose appreciable sound high quality, because the speaker onboard was swapped for a mono speaker versus a stereo speaker. Nevertheless, with the extraordinarily low worth level, Nintendo needed to reduce prices someplace.
New Nintendo 3DS – October 11, 2014
New Nintendo 3DS made important upgrades to the usual 3DS, with new controls, options, and platform assist. Nintendo added the C-Stick, ZR and ZL buttons, and NFC assist for amiibo with this launch. Whereas the New Nintendo 3DS launched throughout Japan, Australia, and Europe in late 2014 to early 2015, North America didn’t obtain this customary model till September 25, 2015.
New Nintendo 3DS XL – February 13, 2015
Launched earlier than New Nintendo 3DS in North America, New Nintendo 3DS XL was a bigger model of the revised 3DS mannequin. Though the usual mannequin did function greater screens than the usual 3DS, the 3DS XL had even greater shows, which allowed for extra immersive video games. The New 3DS XL made a serious change from the smaller mannequin because it eliminated the flexibility to vary face plates. Many felt this restricted customization, although Nintendo did provide mutliple particular editions for gamers to buy.
Nintendo Swap – March 3, 2017
Nintendo Swap totally realized the imaginative and prescient of the Wii U and utterly propelled Nintendo to the highest of the trade as soon as once more. The Swap operates as each a house and moveable console, with the flexibility to play video games wherever you go. The identical grand experiences you had been used to on consoles can now be performed in a park, on a aircraft, or in your mattress. With arguably the perfect first-party library of any Nintendo console, Swap has seen among the best video games of all time be launched on it. There have additionally been fairly a number of particular version Nintendo Swap consoles which have been launched all through the years.
New Nintendo 2DS XL – July 28, 2017
New Nintendo 2DS XL was a serious replace to the 2DS. Additions for this mannequin included an analog stick, shoulder buttons, amiibo assist, and extra. 2DS XL additionally moved again to the signature clamshell-hinge design, which was a departure from the flat panel used for 2DS. This console was additionally capable of play New 3DS titles, which included video games like Xenoblade Chronicles 3D and Fireplace Emblem Warriors.
Nintendo Swap Lite – September 20, 2019
Nintendo Swap Lite shrunk down the physique of the Nintendo Swap, using a 5.5 inch LCD display. The key change with this mannequin was the removing of Pleasure-Cons, because the controllers turned built-in on the perimeters of the console. On account of these adjustments, the Nintendo Swap Lite is barely playable in handheld mode and can’t be docked to a TV. This allowed Nintendo to chop prices and cost $100 much less for the Lite mannequin.
Nintendo Swap OLED mannequin – October 8, 2021
Nintendo Swap OLED debuted alongside Metroid Dread in October 2021. This premium Swap elevated the scale of the display to 7 inches whereas additionally including a brand new premium OLED panel. Along with these options, the audio system and kickstand had been additionally reworked for this gadget. The OLED mannequin launched alongside a brand new dock, that includes rounded corners and a built-in LAN port.
Upcoming Nintendo Consoles
After what felt like a lifetime of leaks and rumors, Nintendo has formally introduced the Swap 2. The reveal trailer exhibits off a brand new solution to connect Pleasure-Cons (no extra sliding), an even bigger display, and a second USB-C port. It is also wanting like you should use your Pleasure-Con as a mouse, and it will be attention-grabbing to see whether or not that mechanic is integrated into any new first-party video games or the numerous video games rumored to be ported onto the console. Talking of video games, the trailer showcases what nearly definitely appears to be a brand new Mario Kart with 24 spots for gamers on the monitor. It additionally confirms the console can be “principally” backwards appropriate whereas clarifying it can proceed to assist each bodily and digital video games.
Analysts (and a few leaks) have estimated the brand new Nintendo console can be round $400. We have compiled the whole lot we all know in regards to the Swap 2 primarily based on the trailer, however extra data, together with, one can think about, an precise launch date, will arrive by means of a Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2.
Noah Hunter is a contract author and reviewer with a ardour for video games and expertise. He co-founded Ultimate Weapon, an outlet targeted on nonsense-free Japanese gaming (in 2019) and has contributed to varied publishers writing in regards to the medium.
