[Sigma]

Table of Content

• Introduction
  
• History
  
• Home Consoles
  
• Portable Consoles
  
• Other Hardware
  
• Franchise Game Series
  
• Conclusion
  

Introduction

There have been many great consoles made by Nintendo, some of them are huge hits and some of them are not so popular. Nintendo was the only brand of gaming that I grew up playing. My first gaming console was the "Super Nintendo." I got that console for Christmas when I was about 4 or 5 years old; I remember how excited I was. The games I had for it were Mega Man X, Super Godzilla, Donkey Kong Country, Batman Returns, Super Mario, Super Punch Out, Killer Instinct, Primal Rage and Jurassic Park. After playing all of them multiple times, I decided Mega Man was my favorite by far; which is why my username is Sigma. Sigma is the final boss fora ll of the Mega Man X series. I have been a gamer since childhood, and will always be a huge fan of Nintendo products even if I don't play them as much anymore. Many of the very popular games that started from Nintendo in the early consoles are still continuing onto the newer consoles. Some examples are Mega Man, Zelda, Batman, Mario, Godzilla, Metroid, Donkey Kong, Virtual Fighter and Final Fantasy.

I have decided to make this thread on all of Nintendo's consoles, but I will also be talking a little bit about the major games produced by Nintendo. I hope you enjoy this thread!

History

Nintendo Co. is the worlds largest video game company in revenue located in Kyoto, Japan. This company was founded on September 23, 1889, by Fusajiro Yamauchi. Nintendo did not start out in the video game industry. Fusajiro tried many small businesses and niches, but none of them seemed to work out. Nintendo then developed into a video game company with a market value of over $85 billion. As of 2013, Nintendo has sold over 655.9 million hardware units and 4.12 billion software units.

Nintendo started out as a playing card game called "Hanafuda." This game was very popular but eventually ran out of business. Nintendo still makes card games.


Home Consoles


Name: Color TV Game
Info:
Color TV Game was very similar to the original game "Pong." Players were able to control their paddles with the joystick on the machine. This machine was powered by only one C Battery. There was no place for cartridges or discs; this went straight through the TV. There were 5 different consoles and each was for playing one specific game, or a set of certain games. Only a few hundred consoles were released, this is considered to be a huge collectible item as of today. Released in 1977.


Name: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
Info:
This was the first home console that was released outside of Japan. NES is an 8-bit console that sold 61.91 million units worldwide. The Nes helped revive the video game industry and was a role model for other video game industries. The Legend of Zelda and Metroid franchise was started on NES. Released in 1983. Nintendo stopped everything for this console in 2007.


Name: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)
Info:
SNES was a 16-bit console that was also released worldwide. Other consoles struggled in the PAL region, but this console was a global success. The SNES was the console that upgraded some of the older franchises, especially Super Metroid, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Donkey Kong Country, Final Fantasy IV and VI, and Super Mario World. From this console, some new franchises were brought to the table such as Star Fox and Mega Man X. This console sold 49.10 million systems worldwide. Later in the year 2017, they released a classic system which had all of the games pre-downloaded on it already so you could play some of your favorite old time classics. Released in 1990 and priced at $200.


Name: Nintendo 64 (N64)
Info:
The Nintendo 64 was a bit of an update from the SNES. The graphics seemed a bit more tweaked and everything started to become more updated. Super Smash Bros. was a huge hit with the N64 and is still being continued to this day. This was the first system that could handle 64-bit cartridges 32.93 million systems were sold worldwide. Released in 1996.


Name: Nintendo Gamecube
Info:
When this system was released, a few other gaming industry's released the PlayStation 2, Sega Dreamcast, and Microsoft's Xbox. This was Nintendo's first system that started to use discs instead of cartridges. Discs were smaller than the regular sized CD-R CDs that are inserted into computers. Some of the games that were released were able to go online but most of the games could not. Many new franchise games came out for this system and this was a huge boost for Nintendo. 21.74 million units were sold. Released in 2001.


Name: Wii
Info:
The Wii was by far the biggest step that Nintendo has ever made. This came with a wireless controller (Wiimote) that was detected by a motion detector so that the movement you made were the moves the game made. There is also a second controller that you can attach to the Wiimote (Nunchucks) that act as a second hand. The Wiimote contained many features on it such as the Home button, Power button, Volume button, D-pad, and a few main buttons. The Nunchucks contained joysticks and a few main buttons. Another accessory that was added to the system was the Original Wiimote which acted as a regular controller for specific games. The Wii was bundled up with one game called, "Wii Sports." This game allowed you to play a variety of different sports using the Wiimote and Nunchucks. Sadly, the Wii could not compete with the other Consoles like the Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. Released in 2006 priced at $249.99.


Name: Wii U
Info:
Wii U actually deserves its own category because it acts as a Portable Console as well as a Home Console. It is the first console that had HD graphics. There is one primary controller which is the actual system; displayed with one big touchscreen and buttons/analogs on the sides. Users can either play games directly on this gamepad or connect to a TV and play from a distance. All Nintendo Wii games and accessories are compatible with this system, so you are able to play all old games as well as use nunchucks if needed. The Internet is also added to this so you can return to the Miiverse along with browse online. One main problem this system has is the short battery life. This caused a lot of sales to drop. Released in 2017 at a price of $299


Name: Nintendo Switch
Info:
Similar to the Wii U this system acts as a hybrid console. You can either play games through the TV or connect it to a dock with is one big touchscreen that has the controls on either side of it. The blue and red sides are connected to the main touchscreen for portable play. Games are played through a flash-based cartridge. Online is also supported on this system so you are able to do all things that include Internet privileges. The biggest hit for this system is The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This game is a continuation of the Zelda series that has been passed through multiple consoles.

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Portable Consoles


Name: Game and Watch
Info:
Game and Watch was the first handheld console to be released by Nintendo. This console popular consoles and starting bringing up new ideas for future Nintendo handhelds. You were only able to play one game on this console. There were two screens and they were both LCD. Nintendo did not like the two screens so they decided to not go with that idea for the next few consoles. The LCD screen also caused a flaw in the speed and responsiveness of the game. Released in 1980.


Name: Game Boy (GB)
Updated Versions: Game Boy Color
Info:
The Game Boy was one of Nintendo's best selling products. 200 Million units were sold worldwide with just this product. It consisted of only one screen, two main buttons, and a D-pad. When this console came out, it was in black and white. This was an 8-bit system that had to compete against many other gaming industry consoles and still was the most successful of them all. Pokemon started booming on this system; Pokemon Red, Pokemon Blue and Pokemon Yellow were the main games. Nintendo later released an updated version of this console which was called the "Game Boy Color." The only difference between the two consoles was that the Game Boy Color had color added. Certain games were made for the Gameboy Color which had color pallets added such as Pokemon Crystal and Pokemon Gold. Game Boy was released in 1989, and Game Boy Color was released in 1998.


Name: Virtual Boy (VR-32)
Info:
This console displayed great 3D graphics. Most console released are only 2D but this console was able to achieve 3D. The user looks through the eyepiece to play, and a 3D setting is displayed. Then you use the controller to play as you look through the piece. Nintendo made this to be able to use it while you sit down at a table; because of the size, you could only play it while standing. The games for this turned out to be really low quality making this console the second less sold console for Nintendo. Released in 1995.


Name: Game Boy Advance (GBA)
Updated Versions: Game Boy Advanced SP
Info:
This is a 32-bit system that was released after the Game Boy Color. This was a handheld console that was very comparable to the SNES. The games were somewhat similar and had the basic sprite theme to them. GBA games were a different shape than the regular Game Boy games; much smaller and more rectangular shape. Nintendo later released a newer version of the GBA and called it the "Game Boy Advance SP." The only differences were that the SP can flip up and down like a laptop and the screen size was a little different. Both of them were the same, but the SP could be stored easier. The SP also had a backlight added to it, so that the gamers could play in the dark. GBA was released in 2001, and SP was released in 2003 and priced at $99.99.


Name: Nintendo DS (DS or NDS)
Updated Versions: Nintendo DS Lite, Nintendo DSi
Info:
Creating the NDS was another huge step for Nintendo. This product had two screens and was able to flip open. The bottom screen was a touch screen and the top was just for display. The DS came with a touch pen so that you did not have to use your finger for the bottom screen. A microphone was also embedded so players could talk to each other, but only from certain distances. Another feature of the microphone was to let users blow into it for certain objectives in games. Instead of using cartridges, the games were something that looked like an SD card. Wi-Fi was also added so gamers could play online with one other. An updated version was designed called the "Nintendo DS Lite." There was no major difference besides a redesign which made it smaller and more sleek looking. After that update, a newer version came out called the "Nintendo DSi." There was no difference in design from the DS Lite. The differences were the two cameras added, a web browser, and the ability to download software. NDS was released in 2001, DS Lite was released in 2006 and DSi was released in 2008.


Name: Nintendo 3DS and XXL
Info:
This console has the same design as the "Nintendo DS." Releasing this handheld device was a new experience for Nintendo because it incorporated a 3-D experience for its users. You are able to go online with this device which offers a 3DS shop, social networking app and basic internet sites such as Netflix or Youtube. There are two cameras on this console; one in the front and two in the back. This has a 90% larger screen and a different matte finish than the others. Released in 2011 and priced at $249. XXL version was later released in 2012 which was the same device just larger and more data. The 3DS is said to intensify the online experience for gamers.

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Other Hardware


Name: Game Boy Camera and Printer
Info:
This device was released as an accessory for the Gameboy. This is also compatible with all of the other versions of Game Boy. The camera can take 256x224, black & white digital images using the 4-color palette of the Game Boy system. After taking the picture you were able to use the printer to print out the taken pictures. The camera comes in five different colors of red, green, blue, purple and yellow. Also, there was a limited edition gold. Released in 1998.


Name: Satellaview
Info:
This was an add-on of the SNES, "Super Famicom" which acted as a modem for that system. This console was able to receive satellite TV communications from WOWOW's subsidiary St.GIGA. St.GIGA was responsible for file server management, maintenance, and vocalization of Soundlink games. BS-Tuner was also equipped with this. Basically, it is a radio system added to the Super Nintendo so you could play new radio songs while playing games. Released in 1995 and priced between $141 - $182.


Name: Game Boy Player
Info:
This is a device made for the Gamecube which enables the player to play Game Boy Advance cartridges. Connects to the TV and has a boot disc to start up. You can either use the controller to control the gameplay or simply use the GBA itself. There was a second party controller only released in Japan for this system. Released in 2003.


Name: iQue Player
Info:
This console was used as a controller that plugged straight into the TV. All of the games for this console were stored on a 64MB flash card which is in one cartridge that is plugged into the console. A box accessory is also available that allows gamers to play online. You could only purchase games for this system at a special store called the "iQue depot." Games were only obtained by downloading them onto the cartridge. Luckily, this console game with 3 demo games already available on the cartridge: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Mario 64, and Star Fox 64 Released in 2003.


Name: Nintendo 64DD (64DD)
Info:
This console was never released outside of Japan. The device plugs into the N64 through the extension port on the Nintendo 64's underside, and allowed the N64 to use proprietary 64 MB magneto-optical disks for expanded data storage. 64DD was the first console that was able to connect to the Internet; this led to an online server where the user was able to share media, play games and buy items. The most remembered games that were released for this system was the Mario Artist Series. Released in the year 1996 after many delays. Price was not found.


Name: Pokemon Mini
Info:
This was the smallest gaming console released by Nintendo. Even though the size was small, this console used interchangeable cartridges. The system had three different colors you could choose from Wooper Blue, Chikorita Green, and Smoochum Purple. Pokémon mini includes an internal real-time clock, an infrared port used to facilitate multiplayer gaming, an accelerometer, and a vibrator used to implement force feedback. Pokemon Mini was released in 2001 and was priced between $60 - $150. There were only 10 games released for this: Pokémon Party mini, Pokémon Pinball mini, Pokémon Puzzle Collection, Pokémon Zany Cards, Pokémon Tetris, Pokémon Puzzle Collection vol. 2, Pokémon Race mini, Pichu Bros. mini, Togepi's Great Adventure and Pokémon Breeder mini.


Name: Pokemon Pikachu
Updated Versions: Pokemon Pikachu 2
Info:
Pokemon Pikachu was a very small device that displayed a tiny LCD which showed the activity of your in-game Pikachu. This game was in black and white and the Pikachu does not need to be fed, watered, or cleaned up after. Pikachu was the favored Pokemon when Pokemon was released; which is why there was a console released for this Pokemon instead of a random Pokemon like Pidgy This console is similar to the modern day Tamagotchi. A pedometer feature was added to the game so that every step you take, you gain credits to get Pikachu presents. The second version of this added color to the in-game play as well as changed the case to a clear crystal build. I could not find the release year nor could I find the original price, but you can obtain one of these online for around $60.


Name: Super Game Boy
Updated Versions: Super Game Boy 2
Info:
This is a 16-bit adapter cartridge for the SNES that allowed the user to insert Game Boy games and play them on the TV. The updated version of this, had a link port so that two players could play together. Also, it came with 8 new borders replacing the default borders. How you use this system is very simple; you basically take your Game Boy game and insert it into the Super Game Boy. After you insert that into your SNES which allows you to play it on a TV. This device came out in June 1994 and listed at $59.99.


Name: Panasonic Q
Info:
This is almost the same thing as the Gamecube just with a DVD player embedded that is powered by Panasonic. The only place that you could purchase one of these sytems was in Japan. It was released back in 2001 and listed at $439.

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Franchise Game Series

These are some of the game series that started for Nintendo. (Click one to view more info)

- Mario
- Legend of Zelda
- Metroid
- Pokemon
- Yoshi
- Star Fox
- Animal Crossing
- Fire Emblem
- Pikmin
- Smash Bros
- Donkey Kong
- Earthbound
- F-Zero
- Punch-Out
- Kid Icarus
- Kirby
- Wario
- Golden Sun
- Mega Man X
- Final Fantasy

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Conclusion

I really hope everyone keeps playing all of these consoles and games that I have shown you. Also, I hope that everyone finds this thread useful, informational and enjoyable. 🤝

[device]

Awesome thread my man ! Took me right back in time, GameCube was brilliant.
And what the hell, a mobile webcam printer ??

[Верный]

Really nice post! I didn't realise the Game&Watch was dual screen. I'm glad Nintendo went back to that design though, it plays amazingly now.

[Saltpeter]

Very well done, jealous I didn't do it first.

[GloryToBe]

"Sadly, the Wii could not compete with the other Consoles like the Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3."

The Wii sold more units than the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

[Saltpeter]

"Sadly, the Wii could not compete with the other Consoles like the Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3."

The Wii sold more units than the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

I am sure he meant in graphical capability rather than sales figures.

[KOTOR]

Wikipedia is a nice resource.

[Hello.v4.0]

Just dropping in to say that Switch's best selling game is currently Super Mario Odyssey at 9m sales compared to 6.7m for BoTW. I don't even think Wii U sales combined with Switch sales beats out SMO. See: link.

Also, you have the price for the Switch under the Wii U details.

[phunted]

Still rocking my purple box to this day.

[Insteyna]

i i remember the gameboy ! it was so good ! nice article ;)

[Sigma]

The Gameboy was so much fun. They just don't make games like they used to.

[Borzoi]

You forgot the Micro!!!!!

[DataCrypt]

Wowwie, this actually includes a lot of unknown/Japanese exclusive consoles, great job.

[Sigma]

Thank you for the nice comments, everyone!

[n_o_n_e]

Finally someone who actually included the more obscure stuff nice job OP.