Ever wondered where your epic cutie Pokémon came from? You’re about to find out! One of the most conversed gaming production platforms, Nintendo’s story has had epic journeys in gaming history, and it didn’t start with consoles or characters. Believe it or not, Nintendo began way back in 1889 in Japan as a humble playing card company! For decades, they produced handmade hanafuda cards—a Japanese card game—until the 1960s, when they dived into toys, and eventually, electronic entertainment.
Fast-forward to the 1980s, when Nintendo released the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), which changed gaming forever. With legendary titles like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid, Nintendo built worlds that made gaming fun and inspired millions and other gaming platforms to come forward and create their own epic moves. This wasn’t just about playing—it was more adventure, creativity, and immersion!
In the 1990s, Nintendo shook up the handheld market with the Game Boy, a portable console that became a global phenomenon, thanks to Tetris and Pokémon. Over the years, Nintendo continued to innovate with consoles like the Nintendo 64 and GameCube, introducing groundbreaking multiplayer games and 3D graphics that pushed gaming boundaries and became fan favorites for so many young people.
And they didn’t stop innovating. Nintendo kept bringing new twists, from the pocket-sized Game Boy that let people game anywhere, to the Wii with motion controls that got the whole family involved. Today, the Switch combines both console and portable gaming in one, showing Nintendo’s commitment to making gaming more accessible and social.
Nintendo isn’t just a company; it’s a pop culture phenomenon. From Mario to Animal Crossing, their games continue to capture the young generation’s imagination, proving that whether it’s pixelated or 3D, Nintendo’s magic has no expiration date.