All About Japan

The Nintendo Revolution in the Good Old Days

Gaming Toys Nintendo

Along with other giants like Sega and latecomer Sony, Nintendo has transformed the gaming experience over the past 30 years. While game systems seem to change as quickly as our phones these days, maybe it's time to travel back in time and visit some popular options from back in the good old days.

4. NES (Nintendo Entertainment System)

4. NES (Nintendo Entertainment System)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Entertainment_System_(Model_NES-101)

First released in Japan as Family Computer (shortened to Famicom and FC) in 1983 and then exported as the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, this console helped Nintendo establish leadership in the gaming industry. Many iconic games of today got their start on this system, including Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.

3. Game Boy

3. Game Boy

http://www.funnyordie.com/articles/e745776ac8/nintendo-stands-with-apple-sorry-fbi-you-can-t-hack-our-game-boys

The Game Boy was first released in 1989. This revolutionary new product was small and light for its day, and allowed for mobile gaming. The Pokémon franchise started on the Game Boy, and the Nintendo Game Link Cable allowed players to connect their Pokémon games and play competitively. Remember those times when you saw groups gathering on the street competing with their Pokémon? That started here.

2. Nintendo DS (Developers' System or Dual Screen)

2. Nintendo DS (Developers' System or Dual Screen)

http://www.gamespot.com/forums/system-wars-314159282/end-of-an-era-nintendo-ds-officially-being-discont-29383549/

The Nintendo DS was released in 2004. Since then, it has become the best-selling handheld game console and second-best-selling video game console of all time. The DS pioneered having two screens that work together, including a touchscreen for more control and action. It also came with a stylus for added precision on the touchscreen. With all this new technology, our favorite franchises were developed even further. The DS even welcomed the first crossover product between two old rivals, Nintendo and Sega, with Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games.

1. Wii

1. Wii

http://www.usgamer.net/articles/next-gen-graphics-part-3-wii-playstation-3-xbox-360

While Nintendo dominated mobile gaming systems, it didn't completely abandon the home video game market, and in 2006 came back with the popular Wii. The Wii came with the Wii Remote, which was used as a handheld pointing device and detected movement in 3D. This allowed you to play with your whole arm instead of just your fingers. It also widened the range of games to appeal to different demographics. Anybody could enjoy playing on a Wii. The launch game, Wii Sports, became the second-best-selling video game of all time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH7TvLUV3ec

Today, Nintendo is synonymous with video games, having taken giant strides to improve gaming for over 30 years. Which of these systems did you have, and which of them do you still keep? It’s time to revisit the old games again and beat your old top score!