A Complete Guide to Nintendo Consoles: From the NES to the Switch OLED

By Eric Manson On Aug 13, 2023

Nintendo has been creating consoles for over 44 years, and each of its systems has been focused on innovative technology and family fun, though some have been much more successful than others. In this article, we will provide a complete guide to Nintendo consoles, including their history, features, and impact on the gaming industry.

Table of Contents

The Early Years: 1980-1990

Nintendo’s first console was the Color TV Game, which was launched in Japan in 1977. This console was followed by the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1983, which was later renamed the Famicom in Japan. The NES was a huge success and is credited with reviving the video game industry after the video game crash of 1983. The NES was home to many classic games, including Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid.

The 1990s: SNES and N64

In the 1990s, Nintendo released the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and the Nintendo 64 (N64). The SNES was a 16-bit console that was home to many classic games, including Super Mario World, Donkey Kong Country, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. The N64 was a 64-bit console that was home to many groundbreaking games, including Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and GoldenEye 007.

The 2000s: GameCube and Wii

In the 2000s, Nintendo released the GameCube and the Wii. The GameCube was a 128-bit console that was home to many classic games, including Super Smash Bros. Melee, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Metroid Prime. The Wii was a revolutionary console that introduced motion controls and was home to many popular games, including Wii Sports, Super Mario Galaxy, and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

The 2010s: Wii U and Switch

In the 2010s, Nintendo released the Wii U and the Switch. The Wii U was a high-definition console that boasted dual-screen gaming and was home to many popular games, including Super Mario 3D World, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Splatoon. The Switch is a hybrid console that can be played both as a home console and as a portable console. The Switch has been a huge success and is home to many popular games, including The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Where do you rank the Switch among your favorite Nintendo consoles? pic.twitter.com/pRcjWd1gsC

— 🪴 Beyond Infinite X ❤️‍🔥 (@BeyondInfiniteX) August 6, 2023

Nintendo has a long and storied history of creating innovative and fun consoles that have had a significant impact on the gaming industry. From the NES to the Switch OLED, each of Nintendo’s consoles has been focused on providing unique and intuitive entertainment experiences for everyone. Whether you’re a fan of classic games like Super Mario Bros. or new titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, there’s a Nintendo console out there for you.

The Future: Switch OLED and Beyond

Nintendo continues to innovate and evolve its console offerings. In 2021, the company announced the release of the Switch OLED, an upgraded version of the original Switch with an enhanced display and other improvements. With this new iteration, Nintendo aims to provide an even better gaming experience for its dedicated fanbase.

In conclusion, Nintendo has a storied history of creating consoles that have left a lasting impact on the gaming industry. From the early days of Game & Watch to the latest release of the Switch OLED, Nintendo has consistently pushed boundaries, introduced innovative features, and delivered memorable gaming experiences. With each new console, Nintendo has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide and continues to shape the future of gaming.

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What was the first Nintendo console ever released?

The first Nintendo console ever released was the Color TV Game, which was only available in Japan from 1977 to 1980. However, the console that truly revolutionized the gaming industry was the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), which was released as the Famicom in Japan on July 15, 1983. The NES offered the ability to play popular arcade games such as Donkey Kong on a home television set and was extremely well received. The console’s success in Japan triggered American interest, and negotiations began to bring the NES to the United States.

After a 1985 showing at the Consumer Electronics Show and a limited release, the NES stormed America in February 1986, with titles such as Duck Hunt, Hogan’s Alley, and, most famously, Super Mario Bros. More than 60 million NES consoles were sold, released, and distributed under various names and through several companies worldwide. The NES eventually faded from the spotlight as new 16-bit consoles were created, such as the Sega Genesis and Nintendo’s own Super Nintendo Entertainment System.

What were the key features of the first Nintendo console?

Here are some of the key features of the first Nintendo console:

Innovative Design: The NES featured a sleek, modern design that was unlike anything else on the market at the time. It was designed to look like a futuristic entertainment system, with a front-loading cartridge slot and a distinctive gray and black color scheme.
Iconic Games: The NES was home to many iconic games that are still beloved today, including Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid. These games helped to establish Nintendo as a major player in the gaming industry and set the standard for future console releases.
Third-Party Support: The NES was the first console to openly court third-party developers, which helped to expand its library of games and make it more appealing to a wider audience.
Compact Controllers: The NES featured compact controllers with four buttons (including Start and Select) and the first modern, eight-way directional pad. These controllers were comfortable to hold and easy to use, making them a hit with gamers of all ages.
Save Functions: The NES was the first console to feature a battery backup system that allowed players to save their progress in games. This feature was a major innovation at the time and helped to make games more immersive and engaging.

In summary, the first Nintendo console, the NES, was a groundbreaking release that set the standard for future console releases. It featured an innovative design, iconic games, third-party support, compact controllers, and save functions. These features helped to establish Nintendo as a major player in the gaming industry and set the stage for future console releases.

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How many games were available for the first Nintendo console?

According to the list of licensed NES games on Wikipedia, there were a total of 716 licensed games released for the NES during its lifespan. Here is a breakdown of the number of licensed NES games released in different regions:

North America: 367 games
PAL countries: 35 games
Hong Kong: 1 game
Released everywhere: 313 games

It’s important to note that these numbers include both officially licensed games and unlicensed games. The final licensed NES game released was the PAL-exclusive The Lion King in 1995.

In summary, there were a total of 716 licensed games released for the NES during its lifespan. This includes 367 games released in North America, 35 games released in PAL countries, 1 game released in Hong Kong, and 313 games released everywhere. The NES had a diverse library of games that contributed to its success and impact on the gaming industry.

How long was the lifespan of the first Nintendo console?

It’s important to note that the lifespan of Nintendo consoles has varied over the years. While the NES had a lifespan of nine years, other consoles have had shorter lifespans. For example, the Wii U had a lifespan of only five years, from 2012 to 2017. The average lifespan of a modern video game console is around five years.

In summary, the first Nintendo console, the NES, had a lifespan of approximately nine years, from 1983 to 1992. However, the lifespan of Nintendo consoles has varied over the years, with some consoles having shorter lifespans than others. The average lifespan of a modern video game console is around five years.