Nintendo Founded in 1889, which seems to be before video games were invented. They flourished as card manufacturers, morphed into toys, and then eventually into video games. Today, the company is hardly remembered for their cards or toys, as the NES brought them to full dominance, or as it was known in Japan, the Famicom. Nintendo is one of the oldest video game companies, and this year they launched a new system, the Nintendo Switch 2, and it's doing extremely well.
In celebration of this achievement, let's take a look back at what Nintendo has been doing in the video game market for decades. What were their games like years ago, and how old are they? Also, are they still fun today? All of these dates will be based on Japanese releases, and they will focus primarily on actual video games, while lightly touching on the systems and electronics that lead them.
Play and watch
Portable Origin
Play and watch: Ball
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April 28, 1980
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Nintendo
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Nintendo
- The first game and watch system: force
- Japanese release date: April 28, 1980
The Play and watch It was Nintendo's first portable video game system, but not its first console. That honor belongs to Color TV-Game 6, a 1977 license-based product that included variations. Pong. Game and Watch systems were sold with a game included, unlike the future Famicom console, where players had to buy cartridges.
The first many game and watch systems were silver, and the very first unit was called a juggling game force In the 1980s. Other notable games include Flagman, the fire, worm, the judgeAnd much, much more. They're not so much games as they are interactive pieces of electronic hardware, but they're notable in the run-up to the NES in terms of Nintendo-developed video games.
Arcade view
From Donkey Kong to Punch Out
- The first Nintendo-made arcade game: Computer Othello
- Japanese release date: June 1978
Technically, Nintendo's first Arcade game was Laser clay shooting system In 1973, June was a mixed digital and mechanical experience. They were the first pure video game Computer Othello In 1978, there was a digital version of the June board game Othello. Block fever, space fever, color space fever, And today's Nintendo fans were quick to follow many more unfamiliar games.
As it floated them, Donkey Kong It was the game that put Nintendo on the global map in 1981, like other arcade hits Donkey Kong Jr., Mario Bros., Punch-Out!!and many others before the Famicom launched on July 15, 1983.
Donkey Kong
One of the first games of the Famicom
- Japanese release date: July 15, 1983
Donkey Kong was a huge hit in the arcade, so what better way to launch the system than a console port? It was almost the same game on the Famicom: Jumpman, an early iteration of Mario, had to get past obstacles set up by Donkey Kong to rescue a princess, in this case, Pauline.
The goal was to save Pauline at every level, and as far as Donkey Kong As games go, it still hits that old button. That's thanks to the solid gameplay Nintendo introduced in 1981, albeit in smaller form on the Famicom.
Donkey Kong Jr
Two monkeys for the price of one
- Japanese release date: July 15, 1983
Donkey Kong Jr It was also released for the Famicom on Launch Day, a year after its arcade debut in 1982. It was the lesser of the two. Donkey Kong Games at launch, and that changed things dramatically. Mario/Jumpman was now the villain who captured DK, and Donkey Kong Jr. was the hero who had to save Big Daddy.
Instead of platforming, players had to swing through vines, poles and more to reach their goal. It was different, more challenging, and ultimately not as addictive as the original, but it was still good as an arcade adaptation.
Gomoku Narbe Renju
A game of points
- developer: Nintendo
- publisher: Nintendo
- platform: Famicom
- Japanese release date: 27 August 1983
Gomoku Narbe Renju Based on a popular Japanese game, which visually resembles a board game go on. The goal is simple: all players have to get their five pieces on the board and connect them, and then they win.
It's not the most interactive video game Nintendo has ever made, but that's how things were in 1983. It's not bad, though, since it's based on a standard Japanese game Gomoku Narbe Renju That's not special.
Mahjong
An update on a Chinese classic
- developer: Nintendo R&D2
- publisher: Nintendo
- platform: Famicom
- Japanese release date: 27 August 1983
Mahjong He was released on the same day Gomoku Narbe RenjuAnd it is also based on a popular game, Mahjong. Players get domino-shaped pieces to place on the board, and most tournaments involve betting, so it can be thought of as poker but with tiles instead of cards, and more strategy involved.
It started in China, is most popular in Asian regions, but it is a game recognized worldwide. The video game version is simple, again Gomoku Narbe RenjuSo nowadays players are best left to enjoy the home version of Mahjong experience.
baseball
Not quite a home run
baseball
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December 7, 1983
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Nintendo
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Nintendo
- Japanese release date: December 7, 1983
Technically, there was another Famicom game Mario Brothers, Released on September 9, 1983. However, unlike the arcade version, the home port was developed by Nintendo's subsidiary, Intelligent Systems, which was their first game, so let's move on. baseball instead
As the name suggests, it's a baseball game, and not particularly noteworthy by today's standards. It's not officially licensed, so the teams are basic, and the players just bat and run the bases. Once they get to Mario playing baseball in the future, Nintendo's take on the game is prime time.
Donkey Kong Jr. Math
Back to education
Donkey Kong Jr. Math
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December 12, 1983
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Nintendo
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Nintendo
- Japanese release date: 12 December 1983
The launch year for the Famicom was not enough Donkey Kong Games, they introduced Donkey Kong Jr. Math At the tail end of 1983. It is considered one of the earliest console edutainment games, primarily intended to teach young players subjects such as geography or mathematics.
It's a remastered version Donkey Kong JrReusing levels from the console game and adding math problems to the gameplay. As an educational game, it's fine for what it is, but no Nintendo fan would call it the best from this era.
Tennis
Down for a game?
- The developers: Nintendo R&D1, Intelligent Systems
- publisher: Nintendo
- platform: Famicom
- Japanese release date: January 14, 1984
following Donkey Kong Jr. MathMany Famicom games were co-developed within Nintendo with other companies. TennisFor example, was led by Nintendo, but Intelligent Systems also helped, as they did. Mario Bros on the Famicom.
like baseball, Tennis Not an officially licensed product, so there are no famous athletes dominating the courts. This is a simpler game baseball, However, making it a bit more fun by today's gaming standards as a tennis game.
Pinball
An arcade classic for home gaming
- The developers: Nintendo R&D1, HAL Laboratory
- publisher: Nintendo
- platform: Famicom
- Japanese release date: 2 February 1984
like Tennis, Pinball was a co-development project led by Nintendo and supported by Hall Labs. Currently the laboratory is, of course, known for the best developments today Kirby Games for Nintendo.
Pinball Features traditional gameplay with a secondary brick-breaker mode to keep things interesting. There are good Nintendo-made and published pinball games, e.g Mario Pinball Land and Pokemon PinballBut this Famicom version works.
