nintendo It was founded in 1889, long before video games were invented. They thrived as card manufacturers, then transitioned into toys and then finally into video games. Today the company is rarely remembered for its cards or toys. That's because the NES completely dominated cards and toys, or as it was known in Japan, the Famicom. Nintendo is one of the oldest video game companies, and they're doing very well this year with the launch of their new system, the Nintendo Switch 2.
To celebrate this achievement, let's take a look back at what Nintendo has accomplished over the decades in the video game market. What was their game like a long time ago, and how old are they? And is it still fun these days? These dates are all based on the Japanese release and will primarily focus on the actual video game, while also lightly touching on the systems and electronics that brought the game to market.
games and watches
portable origins
Games and Clock: Ball
- released
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April 28, 1980
- developer
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nintendo
- publisher
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nintendo
- The first gaming and viewing system: ball
- Japanese release date: April 28, 1980
that games and watches Although it was Nintendo's first portable video game system, it was not its first console. That honor belongs to Color TV – Game 6, a 1977 license-based product. table tennis. The Game & Watch system was sold with one game included, unlike future Famicom consoles that required players to purchase cartridges.
The first several Game & Watch systems were silver, and the first devices came with a game named Juggling Game. ball 1980. Includes other notable games signalman, fire, pest, judgeAnd much more. It is notable in the run-up to the NES in terms of video games developed by Nintendo rather than games, as it is an interactive piece of electronic hardware.
arcade scene
From Donkey Kong to Punch Out
- The first Nintendo-produced arcade game: computer othello
- Japanese release date: June 1978
Technically Nintendo's first arcade games was laser clay shooting system In 1973, this was a mixed digital and mechanical experience. Their first pure video game computer othello It was a digital version of the 1978 board game. Othello. Block craze, space craze, color space craze, More games quickly followed, many unrecognizable to today's Nintendo fans.
While it keeps them floating, donkey kong The game that put Nintendo on the world map in 1981 and spawned other arcade hits including: Donkey Kong Jr., Mario Bros., Punch Out!!And there were many others just before the Famicom launched on July 15, 1983.
donkey kong
One of the first games on the Famicom
- Japanese release date: July 15, 1983
donkey kong It was a huge hit in arcades, so what better way to release the system than with a console port? It was pretty much the same game on the Famicom. Jumpman, an early version of Mario, had to navigate obstacles set up by Donkey Kong to save a princess (in this case, Pauline).
The goal was to save Pauline at every level. donkey kong Even as the game progresses, you'll still hit that nostalgia button. This is thanks to the solid gameplay that Nintendo introduced in 1981. Although it was in a smaller form on the Famicom.
donkey kong junior
Two apes for the price of one
- Japanese release date: July 15, 1983
donkey kong junior was also released for the Famicom in 1982, a release date a year after its arcade debut. donkey kong The game was there at launch and things changed dramatically. Now Mario/Jumpman has become the villain who has captured Dokyeom, and Donkey Kong Jr. has become the hero who must rescue his uncle.
Instead of using platforms, players had to swing vines, pillars, etc. to achieve goals. It was different, more challenging, and ultimately not as addictive as the original, but it was still a good arcade diversion.
Komoku Narabe Renju
game of divination
- developer: Nintendo
- publisher: Nintendo
- platform: Famicom
- Japanese release date: August 27, 1983
Komoku Narabe Renju It's based on a popular Japanese game and visually looks very similar to a board game. go. The goal is simple. All players have to do is get five of their pieces on the board, connect them, and win.
It's not the most interactive video game Nintendo has ever made, but that's how it was back in 1983. It's not bad, since it's based on a standard Japanese game; Komoku Narabe Renju It's not that special.
mahjong
An update on Chinese classics
- developer: Nintendo R&D2
- publisher: Nintendo
- platform: Famicom
- Japanese release date: August 27, 1983
mahjong It was released on the same day. Komoku Narabe RenjuIt is also based on the popular game Mahjong. Players place domino-shaped pieces on a board and most competitions involve betting, so you might think of it as poker, but with tiles instead of cards and more strategy required.
The game originated in China and is most popular in Asia, but is recognized worldwide. The video game version is simple. Komoku Narabe RenjuTherefore, these days it is best for players to enjoy the home version of Mahjong experience.
baseball
It's not a home run
baseball
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December 7, 1983
- developer
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nintendo
- publisher
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nintendo
- Japanese release date: December 7, 1983
Technically the next Famicom game will be mario Brothers, Released on September 9, 1983. However, unlike the arcade version, the home port is the first game developed by Nintendo's subsidiary Intelligent Systems, so let's move on. baseball Instead.
As the name suggests, this is a baseball game, and not particularly noteworthy by today's standards. Since it is not an official license, teams are basic and players just need to hit the base and run. In the future, if Mario plays baseball, it will be a golden age for Nintendo to play baseball.
Donkey Kong Junior Math
Back to Educational Use
Donkey Kong Junior Math
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December 12, 1983
- developer
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nintendo
- publisher
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nintendo
- Japanese release date: December 12, 1983
It seems as if the Famicom's release year wasn't enough. donkey kong games they introduced Donkey Kong Junior Math The game is considered one of the first console edutainment games primarily aimed at teaching lessons such as geography or math to younger players.
This is a remake version of donkey kong juniorIt reuses levels from console games and adds math problems to the gameplay. It's fine as an educational game, but no Nintendo fan would call it the best of its generation.
tennis
Are you going to play a game?
- developer: Nintendo R&D1, intelligent system
- publisher: Nintendo
- platform: Famicom
- Japanese release date: January 14, 1984
attache Donkey Kong Junior MathSeveral Famicom games have been co-developed with other companies within Nintendo. tennisFor example, Nintendo led the way, but Intelligent Systems certainly helped too. mario bros On Famicom.
good night baseball, tennis Because it is not an officially licensed product, there are no famous athletes dominating the court. It's a simpler game than you think baseball, However, it does make the game of tennis a bit more enjoyable by today's gaming standards.
pinball
Arcade classics for home gaming
- developer: Nintendo R&D1, HAL Lab
- publisher: Nintendo
- platform: Famicom
- Japanese release date: February 2, 1984
good night tennis, pinball It was a joint development project led by Nintendo and supported by Hal Laboratory. Of course, Hal Laboratory is best known today for developing technologies such as: Kirby A game for Nintendo.
pinball It features traditional gameplay with a secondary Brick Breaker mode to keep things interesting. There are better pinball games made and published by Nintendo, such as: mario pinball land and pokemon pinballBut this Famicom version gets the job done.
