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Since 1983, Nintendo has developed numerous game consoles that would revolutionize the video game industry. The following are a list of home consoles developed by the company.

List of home consoles[]

Color TV-Games[]

Main article: Color TV-Game
Ctg

Color TV-Game

Nintendo developed several consoles without interchangeable cartridges before creating the Famicom similarly to how they created the Game & Watch games prior to the Game Boy. These games are all part of a series called Color TV-Games, and include:

Nintendo Entertainment System[]

Nes

North American and PAL NES.

The Nintendo Entertainment System was the first system by Nintendo which featured interchangeable cartridges, allowing the console to play more than one game. The console allowed players to experience 8-bit games normally seen at the arcades at the time, with 2-player support.

First released in 1983 in Japan as the Famicom, it initially underperformed due to releasing during the Video Game Crash of 1983. In 1985, it was released in North America as the Nintendo Entertainment System, using completely different designs. Super Mario Bros. would become a major success, selling over 40 million copies in its lifetime as the best-selling game of all time for more than two decades; the video game industry would be revived.

Different models of the NES were released, including:

  • Famicom, the Japanese version of the system and the original model.
  • Nintendo Entertainment System, the North American/PAL version.
  • Famicom Disk System, a Famicom attachment that uses floppy disks.
  • Nintendo Entertainment System (Model NES-101), a remodel of the NES released in 1993.
  • AV Famicom, a remodel of the Famicom released in 1993.

Major franchises introduced:

Super Nintendo Entertainment System[]

Snes

North American and PAL SNES.

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (Super Famicom in Japan) was the successor to the NES released in 1990. Using 16-bit graphics, it featured a new processing power, allowing expanded colors and improved audio in games. Additional buttons, such as the "X", "Y", "L" & "R" inputs have been implemented. It included 2-player support. Different models of the SNES were released, including:

  • Super Famicom, the Japanese version of the SNES.
  • Super Nintendo Entertainment System (North America), the North American version of the system.
  • Super Nintendo Entertainment System (PAL), the PAL version of the system with a similar design to the Japanese version.
  • SF-1 Super Nintendo Entertainment System TV, a TV with an SNES built into it. Was released exclusively in Japan.
  • Satellaview, a Super Famicom attachment that allowed users to play games on the internet through their system.
  • Super Nintendo Entertainment System 2, a redesign of the SNES released in 1997.
  • Super Famicom Jr., a redesign of the Super Famicom released in 1998.
  • A Super Nintendo Entertainment System CD was planned, but was ultimately canceled.

Major franchises introduced:

Virtual Boy[]

Main article: Virtual Boy
Virtualboya

The Virtual Boy.

The Virtual Boy was the first console with a focus on stereoscopic 3D. It consist of a virtual-reality headset, displaying images in red-and-black, using 32-bit graphics, and has an adjustable stand.

Released in 1995, the system was a major commercial failure due to controversies surrounding its health concerns, lackluster library, and poor design. As a result, the Virtual Boy discontinued less than a year later.

Major franchise introduced:

Nintendo 64[]

Main article: Nintendo 64
Nintendo64

The Nintendo 64.

The Nintendo 64 was Nintendo's first 3D console, and the last one to use cartridges until the Nintendo Switch (see below). Competing with Sony's PlayStation and Sega's Sega Saturn, it was the last system released in the fifth generation of games. It is the first home console to have 4-player multiplayer. The Nintendo 64 controller introduced the joystick, and has a slot allowing for use of accessories (known as "Paks". It has 64-bit 3D graphics.

Unlike past systems, the Nintendo 64 wasn't released in regional variants, except China, where the IQue Player variant would release in 2003, with several built-in N64 games.

Major franchises introduced:

Nintendo GameCube[]

Main article: Nintendo GameCube
Gamecube

The Nintendo GameCube.

The Nintendo GameCube was the successor to the Nintendo 64, released in 2001. Nintendo's first system to use discs (until Wii U), it uses a new processing power to allow greater graphics and audio. It also included four controller ports and two memory card slots. It had limited online support, only used in a few games.

The system was moderately successful, selling less than all home systems at the time. It competed with Sony's PlayStation 2, Sega's Dreamcast, and Microsoft's debut Xbox.

In Japan, Nintendo released a region-exclusive variant, Panasonic Q, using an enhanced redesign and included DVD support.

Major franchises introduced:

Wii[]

Main article: Wii
Nwii

The Nintendo Wii.

The Wii is Nintendo's seventh generation home console, which introduced motion controls to the industry. It is also Nintendo's first to have a main menu upon start-up. The Wii Remote is notable for its extensive gyro controls, a unique set of button inputs, a built-in speaker, and a sensor. It also included a port for accessories, such as the Nunchuk.

In addition to built-in applications (known as "Channels"), the Wii also has a dedicated shopping app, the Wii Shop Channel (discontinued as of 2021), where players would download new apps and games, including WiiWare and Virtual Console. Additionally, it had major use of online connection, via WiiConnect24 and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (both discontinued in 2014). The system is also backwards compatible with physical GameCube games. The system only used SD component outputs.

Released in 2006, the Wii was a major commercial success, selling over 100 million units in its lifetime. Having extensive third-party support, the Wii had a vast library of successful games; Wii Sports (bundled in most regions) has sold 84 million copies, outperforming Super Mario Bros. as the best-selling game at the time.

Two revisons were made between 2011 and 2013: the Wii Family Edition and Wii Mini. Both dropped GameCube support, while the Mini dropped even more features such as internet connection, an SD card slot, and only one USB port instead of two.

  • Wii, original model released in white, black, and red colors (2006-2013)
  • Wii Family Edition, a sideways revision that dropped GameCube support (2011-2013)
  • Wii Mini, a smaller revision with more-basic features (2013-2017)

Major franchises introduced:

Wii U[]

Main article: Wii U
Wiiuuu

The Wii U.

The Wii U was a direct successor to the Wii, released in November 2012. It displayed games in HD (up to 1080p) and was backwards compatible to the original Wii games and accessories. The most notable feature is the Wii U GamePad, a second-screen controller which has a 5" touchscreen and a stylus. The GamePad allows interaction to the television screen simultaneously, playing in a similar manner to the Nintendo DS.

The Wii U was a major commercial failure, due to limited third-party support, poor marketing, and confusion as to whether the GamePad was the console itself.

The system sold only around 13.5 million units in its lifetime, making it Nintendo's second worst-selling console since the Virtual Boy (see above).

It is also the first console to use Amiibo, toys-to-life figures that unlock new in-game items and abilities.

Major franchise introduced:

Nintendo Switch[]

Nintendo Switch hardware - 06
Main article: Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch is the first major hybrid game console in the market, and the standalone successor to the Wii U. The system combines home and handheld elements, at which players can detach controllers, Joy-Cons, and switch between play styles of their choice: TV, Handheld, and Tabletop. The console is a screen that can be docked to be projected on a television screen. It has HDMI 2.0 support, and displays HD visuals; up to 1080p in docked, and 720p undocked. The system uses new processing units that allow for greater graphics and performances.

First announced on October 20, 2016, the system was released on March 3, 2017 worldwide. In contrast to the Wii U, the Nintendo Switch is a major success, reaching new milestones and records in gaming. In addition to numerous successful library of exclusive games, the Switch has major third-party support, and a variety were ported from past systems - some of which are from franchises releasing on a Nintendo platform for the first time. It was released during the eigth generation.

In 2018, Nintendo released the HAC-001(-01) model, which has a slightly improved hardware, screen, and extended battery life. The HAC-001(-01) model are packaged in solid-red background boxes.

The Switch also spawned into two revisions: the Switch Lite and OLED. The Switch Lite (released 2019) is a slimmer and lower-cost version that lacks the docking ability and rumble features. There are also no attachment features, and additional Joy-Cons can only be connected wirelessly. The Lite has several color variants. The OLED model (released 2021), as the name implies, includes an OLED screen, as well as extended battery life for portable use, a redesigned round-edged dock, and new white-colored Joy-Cons.

It has surpassed the Wii as Nintendo's best-selling home console of all time, with over 114 million units sold.

New System[]

It is confirmed that Nintendo is developing a new system.

See also[]

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