The History of Nintendo: From Playing Cards to Video Game Icons

1173 mots | Temps de lecture : 5 minute(s)

Nintendo is one of the historic giants of the video game industry, responsible for some of the world's most iconic franchises . But before it was able to get billions of people playing Super Mario , Pokémon , Zelda , and Animal Crossing , Nintendo started as a small playing card company in Kyoto . Here's a deep dive into the evolution of a Japanese company that became a global cultural empire .

1889–1960: Origins, from Kyoto to Hanafuda cards

Founded on September 23, 1889 , by Fusajiro Yamauchi, Nintendo Koppai manufactures Hanafuda cards , used for traditional Japanese games. Thanks to superior craftsmanship , the company thrived in a small market. In the 1950s, under the leadership of the founder's grandson, Hiroshi Yamauchi, Nintendo modernized, secured a partnership with Disney for its cards, and gradually diversified its activities.

1960–1980: From toys to the beginnings of video games

The transition to the world of toys began in the 1960s. Nintendo established itself with innovative products such as:

• Ultra Hand (1966), an extendable hand designed by Gunpei Yokoi
• Love Tester , a gadget for couples
• Light guns and arcade machines

The company entered the world of electronics with the Color TV-Game (1977) , fixed consoles that sold millions of units in Japan. This was the first step towards a revolution to come.

1980–1985: The Game & Watch era, Donkey Kong and the birth of Mario

Gunpei Yokoi created the Game & Watch range (1980) , ancestors of the Game Boy: portable games with LCD screens, each dedicated to a unique gameplay. It was a huge worldwide success .

In 1981, Nintendo released Donkey Kong , designed by a young Shigeru Miyamoto . The playable character, then named Jumpman, would later become Mario. This game laid the foundation for the modern platformer .

In 1983, the Famicom was launched in Japan. Its western version, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) , was released in 1985 and saved the industry after the 1983 crash thanks to titles like:

• Super Mario Bros.
• Duck Hunt
• Excitebike

1986–1996: World domination with the NES and Super Nintendo

With the NES, Nintendo became synonymous with video games . The console established itself as a global phenomenon , particularly in the United States and Europe. The arrival of The Legend of Zelda (1986) , Metroid and Kid Icarus reinforced the diversity of its catalog.

In 1990, the Super Nintendo (SNES) succeeded the NES with unrivaled graphic and sound power . It faced fierce competition from SEGA and its Mega Drive. Despite this rivalry, cult games were born:

• Super Mario World
• Street Fighter II
• Chrono Trigger
• Final Fantasy VI
• Donkey Kong Country (Rare)

1989–1999: The absolute reign of portable gaming with the Game Boy

The Game Boy (1989) , designed by Gunpei Yokoi, changed the world of mobile video games . With its battery life and robustness, it stood out despite its monochrome screen. Its flagship game, Tetris , became a phenomenon. But the real bombshell came in 1996 with:

• Pokémon Red and Green in Japan, then Pokémon Red and Blue internationally

The Pokémon series spawned a colossal multimedia license : games, trading cards, anime, films... The Game Boy Color (1998) would further extend this domination.

1996–2006: The entry into 3D with the Nintendo 64 and the GameCube

The Nintendo 64 (1996) marked Nintendo's entry into 3D with innovative titles:

• Super Mario 64 , a platform game revolution
• Zelda: Ocarina of Time , acclaimed as one of the best games of all time
• Smash Bros. (1999) , the first crossover in the Nintendo universe

The GameCube (2001) is powerful but poorly positioned commercially. It nevertheless hosts classics : Super Smash Bros. Melee , Metroid Prime , The Wind Waker , Resident Evil 4 , etc.

2004–2012: Nintendo changes the rules with the DS and Wii

• Nintendo DS (2004) – dual screens, touch screen, microphone
• Wii (2006) – Wiimote with motion detection

These consoles are a huge success . The Wii becomes a family phenomenon with Wii Sports . The DS attracts children as much as adults with Nintendogs , Brain Training or Mario Kart DS .

2012–2016: Crossing the desert with the Wii U

The Wii U (2012) suffered from confusing marketing , a poorly chosen name, and a limited catalog. Despite quality titles like Super Mario Maker and Bayonetta 2 , it barely sold 13 million units. It was one of Nintendo's biggest failures , but also a laboratory of ideas for its future rebirth.

2017–present: The triumph of the Nintendo Switch

Launched in March 2017 , the Nintendo Switch is a resounding critical and commercial success . A hybrid console, it appeals with its flexibility and exceptional game library:

• Breath of the Wild – revolutionizes the Zelda series
• Super Mario Odyssey – a return to free-form platforming
• Animal Crossing: New Horizons – a global phenomenon in the midst of a pandemic
• Metroid Dread, Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Splatoon 3, Tears of the Kingdom…

The Switch surpasses 139 million units sold , becoming the best-selling Nintendo home console in history .

2024 and beyond: towards a new generation?

Rumors surrounding a Switch 2 have been fueling the press since 2023. Nintendo is cautiously preparing for its transition, aware that its current success is based on a solid ecosystem (hybrid, Joy-Con, Nintendo Online, remasters, etc.).

Conclusion

From a small card factory to the world leader in video games , Nintendo has managed to survive through eras, failures and technological revolutions. Its genius lies in its ability to combine innovation, creativity and accessibility . By creating timeless characters, rich worlds and constantly renewed gaming experiences, Nintendo continues to embody a unique gaming philosophy : that of fun above all .