Argomenti trattati
Nintendo, a renowned Japanese consumer electronics company, has significantly shaped the gaming industry through the development of numerous home and portable video game consoles. As of September 19, 2025, Nintendo has sold over 869.95 million hardware units, underscoring its lasting impact on the sector.
The journey of Nintendo began with the Color TV-Game, a series of five dedicated home consoles launched exclusively in Japan. While these consoles sold around 3 million units, their limited reach marked the beginning of Nintendo’s exploration into the gaming market.
Key milestones in Nintendo’s console history
Following the Color TV-Game, the Game & Watch series emerged as a game-changer, gaining traction globally. However, the introduction of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) truly revitalized the gaming industry after the crash of 1983. Initially known as the Family Computer (Famicom) in Japan, the NES was released in North America in 1985, setting the stage for a new era of gaming.
The NES and its legacy
The NES sold an impressive 61.91 million units worldwide, establishing itself as a cornerstone of video gaming culture. During this period, Nintendo launched iconic franchises such as The Legend of Zelda and Metroid. The NES not only revived the market but also paved the way for third-party developers to create games, a groundbreaking practice at the time.
Advancements and challenges
In 1989, Nintendo released the Game Boy, a handheld console that achieved remarkable sales and marked a significant milestone in portable gaming. Despite facing increased competition in the early 1990s, particularly from Sega’s Genesis, Nintendo continued to innovate. The introduction of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1990 solidified Nintendo’s position in the gaming landscape.
The SNES and its impact
The SNES, known as the Super Famicom in Japan, sold 49.10 million units globally. It enhanced existing franchises and introduced new ones, such as Star Fox and Donkey Kong Country. Despite its success, the SNES could not replicate the NES’s dominance in North America and Northeast Asia, largely due to stiff competition from Sega.
As the market evolved, Nintendo faced challenges from new players, such as Sony with its PlayStation, which ultimately outperformed the Nintendo 64, released in 1996. Nonetheless, Nintendo maintained its position in the handheld market with the Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance.
Revolutionizing gaming with innovation
The mid-2000s marked a transformative period for Nintendo. With the launch of the Nintendo DS, the company introduced the first successful handheld device featuring a touch screen, followed by the Wii, which redefined gaming with motion controls. The Wii’s launch in 2006 appealed to a broader audience, including those new to gaming.
By utilizing the Wii Remote, a motion-sensing controller, Nintendo attracted casual gamers. The console sold over 101.63 million units, making it one of the best-selling systems of all time. Its bundled game, Wii Sports, played a pivotal role in its success, showcasing the console’s unique capabilities.
The legacy of the Wii U and Switch
The Wii U, launched in 2012, attempted to build upon the Wii’s success but struggled with adoption due to various factors, including unclear marketing and lack of third-party support. Despite selling only 13.56 million units, it introduced innovative features like the GamePad, which offered asymmetrical gameplay.
The journey of Nintendo began with the Color TV-Game, a series of five dedicated home consoles launched exclusively in Japan. While these consoles sold around 3 million units, their limited reach marked the beginning of Nintendo’s exploration into the gaming market.0