Nintendo’s Origin Story
Nintendo’s story begins in 1889, when the company was founded in Japan. Initially, the company was focused on producing hanafuda cards, which were popular at the time due to the government’s recent outlawing of most forms of gambling. The name Nintendo can be translated to either “Leave luck to Heaven,” a reference to gambling, or “The Temple of Free Hanafuda,” emphasizing the fact that Nintendo’s hanafuda were allowed and not outlawed.
The Creation of Mario
It wasn’t until the 1950s that Nintendo began to make a name for itself. The company’s president, while visiting one of the company’s hanafuda factories, spotted an extending arm-like toy that had been made by one of the maintenance engineers, Gunpei Yokoi, just for fun. The president was so impressed that he decided to have Nintendo move away from playing cards and into the world of toys. This move eventually led to the creation of Mario, Nintendo’s iconic mascot. Mario first appeared on the manuals for a lot of early games in Japan, and after seeing the public’s reaction to him, he was quickly adopted as the company’s mascot.
Nintendo’s Expansion
Nintendo’s success with Mario led to the company’s expansion into other areas, such as video games. In 1977, Nintendo released its first home video game console, the Color TV-Game. This was followed by the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1983 and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1990. Nintendo has since released several other consoles, including the Nintendo 64, GameCube, Wii, and Switch.
Nintendo’s Easter Eggs
Nintendo has also made a habit of hiding Easter eggs in its games and other products. For example, Mario has appeared in a number of places as an Easter egg, including the surprisingly awesome Mario Bros movie. Nintendo has also released a number of limited-edition products, such as the gold-colored Nintendo 64 and the “Famicom Mini” NES console.
Nintendo’s Impact
Since its inception, Nintendo has become one of the most recognizable names in the gaming industry. The company has released some of the most iconic video games of all time, such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Pokemon. Nintendo has also been credited with popularizing the use of motion controls in video games, with the Wii being the first console to feature motion controls. Nintendo’s influence on the gaming industry is undeniable, and the company continues to be a major player in the industry today.
The Origin of Nintendo
Nintendo’s humble beginnings can be traced back to 1889, when it was founded as a playing card company. However, it wasn’t until the late 1970s that the company began to pivot into the toy industry. This was largely due to the efforts of Gunpei Yokoi, a maintenance worker who was tasked with developing a toy in time for the Christmas rush. Yokoi’s invention, the Ultra, was a success and catapulted Nintendo into the toy market.
The Game & Watch
Yokoi’s success with the Ultra led to him being appointed as Nintendo’s Chief Inventor. His first major project was the Game & Watch, the world’s first handheld gaming device. Yokoi’s design philosophy was to use existing technology in innovative ways, a concept he called “lateral thinking with withered technology”. This philosophy has been a cornerstone of Nintendo’s design process ever since.
The Game Boy
Yokoi’s next major invention was the Game Boy, which was released in 1989. The Game Boy was a huge success and is widely credited with popularizing handheld gaming. It was also the first gaming device to use interchangeable cartridges, allowing players to switch between games with ease.
The Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is the latest in a long line of successful gaming devices from Nintendo. Despite being released in 2017, the Switch uses a chipset that was two years old at the time of its launch. This is a testament to Yokoi’s philosophy of using existing technology in creative ways.
The Legacy of Gunpei Yokoi
Gunpei Yokoi’s influence on Nintendo is undeniable. His design philosophy has been a cornerstone of the company’s success and can be seen in every one of their products. From the Game & Watch to the Nintendo Switch, Yokoi’s vision has been a driving force in the gaming industry.
Nintendo’s Early Years
Nintendo’s success can be attributed to the contributions of Gunpei Yokoi, who developed the concept of the wheel which changed the entire paradigm of what was possible. This led to the creation of the NNB Building Blocks, which were advertised directly in comparison to Lego. However, Lego sued Nintendo for this, and Nintendo won the lawsuit. It wasn’t until 1977 that Nintendo’s trajectory was set when they released the Color TV Game, their first ever video game console.
Nintendo’s Durability
Nintendo’s durability is remarkable, with the Nintendo DS being the only console to have survived a trip to the top of Mount Everest. This is despite the moisture, icy cold temperatures, wind, and spilled Curry.
Nintendo’s Innovations
Nintendo has continued to innovate over the years, with the Switch being their most played current console by far. They have also released a video game titled Grill off with Ultra Hand and Ultra Hat to honor Yokoi’s contributions.
Nintendo’s Future
Nintendo’s future looks bright, with the company continuing to develop new and innovative products. They have also been successful in the legal arena, winning a lawsuit against Lego. With their history of success and durability, Nintendo looks set to remain a major player in the video game industry for years to come.
Thats right. Mario was originally called Jumpman and the original Donkey Kong was actually meant to be a Popeye game.
Nintendo’s Longstanding Legacy
Nintendo has been a major player in the gaming industry since the late 1970s, with its first console, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), released in 1983. The company has since gone on to become one of the most successful and recognizable gaming brands in the world. Nintendo has also been responsible for some of the most iconic characters in gaming history, such as Mario and Donkey Kong.
The War-Proof Game Boy
In 1990, during the Gulf War, a medic left his Game Boy in a tent that was subsequently bombed. Surprisingly, when he sent the melted Game Boy in for repair, the Nintendo repair staff found that it was still working. This incident has become a testament to the durability of Nintendo’s products.
The First Console in Space
In 1993, Russian cosmonaut Alexander Serebrov took a Game Boy and a copy of Tetris with him on a 196-day mission in the Russian space station. This made the Game Boy the first console ever to be taken to space.
Mario’s Unconventional Origins
Mario, one of Nintendo’s most iconic characters, first appeared in the original Donkey Kong arcade game. However, Nintendo originally wanted to use Popeye as the main protagonist, but could not get the licensing rights. This prompted them to create their own character, Jumpman, who was later renamed Mario.
Nintendo’s Innovative Products
Nintendo has consistently pushed the boundaries of gaming technology, developing innovative products such as the Wii, the Nintendo DS, and the Nintendo Switch. The company has also released a wide range of accessories, such as the Wii Fit and the Nintendo Labo, that have allowed gamers to experience games in new and exciting ways.
Nintendo’s Impact on the Gaming Industry
Nintendo has had a profound impact on the gaming industry, with its products and characters becoming household names. The company has also been responsible for popularizing the concept of motion-controlled gaming with the Wii and has continued to innovate with the Nintendo Switch. Nintendo has also been credited with helping to bring gaming into the mainstream, making it accessible to a wider audience.
Mario’s Origins
The iconic character Mario was originally named ‘Jumpman’ when he first appeared in the 1981 arcade game ‘Donkey Kong’. It is believed that the creative team behind the game had a day off when they decided on the name. Over the years, Jumpman was re-branded as Mario and the character has since gone on to sell over 800 million video games for Nintendo.
Donkey Kong’s Name
The name of Mario’s gorilla nemesis, Donkey Kong, is an adjective in Japanese which translates to ‘stubborn’. Nintendo wanted to make it clear to passers-by in arcades that the enemy character was a stubborn one.
Zelda’s Name
The famous video game series ‘The Legend of Zelda’ is named after the renowned novelist and playwright, Zelda Fitzgerald. It is thought that the developers simply liked her name and decided to use it for the series.
Link’s Name
The protagonist of the Zelda series, Link, is not named after the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Instead, the developers’ original intention was to feature time travel in the first game, with Link being the literal link between the past and the future. This concept was eventually used in later Zelda games.
Kirby’s Design
The box art of Kirby games in Japan and the US differ significantly. In Japan, Kirby’s face is cute, whereas in the US it is angrier. This is intentional, as Nintendo found from their market research that all demographics in Japan responded well to cuteness, but that in the US they felt like they needed Kirby to be cool more than cute. Interestingly, Kirby was almost called ‘Tinkle Popo’.
Nintendo’s Innovative Technology
Nintendo has consistently pushed the boundaries of gaming technology, introducing the world to the first directional pad, or “d-pad”, in 1982. This was engineered by Gunpei Yokoi, a Nintendo engineer who was responsible for the development of many of the company’s products. In 1996, Nintendo released the Nintendo 64, which featured an analog stick for the first time. This was a revolutionary development, as it allowed for more precise control of characters and objects in games. Nintendo also pioneered the concept of saving game progress on cartridges, rather than using floppy disks. This was made possible by the inclusion of tiny batteries in the cartridges, which allowed the game to remain in a low-power state when taken out of the console. These batteries have been known to last for decades, allowing adults to continue playing their childhood games.
Donkey Kong’s Worldwide Rights
One of Nintendo’s top lawyers, John Kirby, holds the exclusive worldwide rights to name sailboats “Donkey Kong”. This was granted to him as a thank you gift for winning a massive lawsuit against Universal, who had attempted to sue Nintendo for copyright infringement, claiming that Donkey Kong was a rip-off of King Kong. This case was a huge victory for Nintendo, and Kirby was rewarded with a $30,000 boat, which he named “Donkey Kong”.
Nintendo’s Easter Eggs
Nintendo is well-known for its Easter eggs, which are hidden secrets or references to other games or characters. These Easter eggs can be found in many of the company’s games, and often take the form of hidden levels or characters. For example, in the original Super Mario Bros., players can find a secret warp zone which allows them to skip ahead several levels. In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, players can find a secret room which contains a reference to the classic game, The Legend of Zelda. Nintendo’s Easter eggs are a great way for players to discover hidden secrets and references to other games.
Nintendo’s Cutting Edge Technology
Despite its reputation for using less cutting-edge technology in its machines, Nintendo has still managed to innovate in its own way. For example, the Nintendo Switch is the first console to feature a hybrid design, allowing it to be used as both a home console and a handheld device. The Switch also features a unique Joy-Con controller, which can be used in a variety of ways, including as two separate controllers or as a single controller. The Switch also features a touchscreen, motion controls, and HD Rumble, which provides haptic feedback. Nintendo has also developed a range of other innovative technologies, such as the Wii Remote and the Nintendo Labo.
Nintendo’s Innovative History
Nintendo has a long and innovative history of pioneering gaming technology. The company introduced the first shoulder buttons on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), allowing for more precise control of games. This was followed by the introduction of controller rumble in 1997, with the Rumble Pack for N64 controllers. This allowed players to feel the action of the game in their hands, creating a new level of immersion.
The Virtual Boy
In 1995, Nintendo released the Virtual Boy, the first mass-produced virtual reality system. Despite its ambitious concept, the Virtual Boy was a commercial failure. It could only display images in black and red, which caused headaches for some users. Furthermore, the system was too heavy to be portable, requiring a custom stand to be used on a table. Additionally, the system launched with no good games, as Nintendo was preoccupied with the upcoming N64.
Nintendo’s Continued Success
Despite the failure of the Virtual Boy, Nintendo has continued to be a leader in gaming technology. The company’s popular Wii console introduced motion controls, allowing players to interact with games using their bodies. This was followed by the Wii U, which featured a touchscreen controller, and the Switch, which combined the portability of a handheld console with the power of a home console. Nintendo has also released a range of peripherals, such as the Labo, which allow players to create and customize their own gaming experiences.
Nintendo’s Impact on Gaming
Nintendo has had a major impact on the gaming industry. The company has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible in gaming, introducing new features and technologies that have become industry standards. Nintendo’s innovations have allowed for more immersive and interactive gaming experiences, and have helped to make gaming more accessible to a wider audience.
He was the one who really pushed the company to focus on the casual gamer, which is why we got the Wii and the DS, and he was also the one who introduced the world to the Miis, which are still a big part of Nintendo today.
Gunpei Yokoi
Gunpei Yokoi was a renowned Nintendo executive, who was responsible for the invention of the Game Boy and the Game & Watch series. He was also the creator of the iconic Game Boy Advance, which was the first handheld console to feature a color display. Yokoi was a pioneer in the gaming industry and is credited with introducing the concept of “playability” to the world of video games.
Shigeru Miyamoto
Shigeru Miyamoto is a legendary figure in the gaming industry, having created some of the most beloved video games of all time. He is the creator of the Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda franchises, which have become iconic in the gaming world. Miyamoto is credited with creating the first open-world game with The Legend of Zelda, as he wanted to give players the same feeling he had as a child exploring outdoors in his hometown.
Doug Bowser
Doug Bowser is the current president of Nintendo of America. While he has yet to live up to the legendary meme-overlord status of his predecessor, Reggie Fils-Aime, he has made a name for himself in the gaming world. Bowser has made a number of appearances at gaming events, and has been involved in the development of several Nintendo products.
Reggie Fils-Aime
Reggie Fils-Aime is the former president of Nintendo of America, and is widely regarded as one of the most beloved figures in gaming. He made his debut at E3 2004, and quickly became a fan favorite with his iconic phrase “My body is ready”. He also adopted the fan-given nickname of “The Regulator”, and was known for his enthusiasm and passion for gaming.
Satoru Iwata
Satoru Iwata was the president of Nintendo from 2002 until his passing in 2015. He was responsible for pushing the company to focus on the casual gamer, which led to the development of the Wii and the DS. He also introduced the world to the Miis, which are still a popular feature of Nintendo today. Iwata was a beloved figure in the gaming industry, and is remembered for his passion and dedication to gaming.
The Legacy of Iwata
The late Satoru Iwata, former president of Nintendo, left an indelible mark on the company. He was a visionary leader, and his decisions and actions had a lasting impact on the gaming industry. One of the most notable examples of his legacy is the success of the Wii – U. When the console was failing and tanking Nintendo’s entire stock value, Iwata refused to fire any employees and instead cut his own salary in half. This act of selflessness and dedication to the company was a testament to his character and leadership.
Compression Tool
Iwata was also instrumental in the development of the second generation of Pokemon games. The development team was struggling to fit in one region, but Iwata was adamant that the fans should have more. He single-handedly developed a compression tool so powerful that it not only saved the game’s entire development but allowed them to include almost another full game. This compression tool was a remarkable achievement and a testament to Iwata’s ingenuity and technical prowess.
Hidden Easter Egg
At launch, the Switch had a hidden Easter egg left in there by developers in memory of Iwata. This was a ROM of NES Golf, the first game he worked on at Nintendo. It would only appear when the user performed Iwata’s signature “directly to you” gesture with both joy cons, which he would do at the start of every Nintendo Direct presentation. This was a touching tribute to Iwata and a reminder of his lasting impact on the company.
Wii Sports Golf Course
The golf course in Wii Sports, enjoyed by tens of millions, is actually the exact same course layout first created in NES Golf in 1987, but now in 3D. This was a clever way to save time and resources, and it was a testament to Iwata’s vision and foresight.
Nintendo and Dopamine
Iwata’s legacy is not just in the games and consoles he helped create, but also in the way he changed the gaming industry. He understood the power of dopamine, and how it could be used to create an immersive and engaging experience for players. He was a pioneer in this field, and his influence can be seen in the way Nintendo games are designed and marketed today.
The console’s codename during development, the GameCube also has a hidden message in its boot up jingle.
The GameCube Launch Jingle
The GameCube launch jingle is one of Nintendo’s most iconic secrets. It has two secret alternatives, with the normal one sounding like a mix of music and a squeaky dog. However, if all four controllers are plugged in and the Z button is held on all of them, the jingle transforms into a traditional Japanese drum theme. This is a homage to the GameCube’s country of origin.
Nintendo Switch Boot Up
When booting up a Nintendo Switch, users have to press the A button three times. However, if the ZR, ZL or the control sticks are clicked, the console will make unusual sounds. This is a fun Easter egg for those who are aware of it.
Nintendo DS Birthday Surprise
When booting up a DS on one’s birthday, the boot jingle will be more sparkly. Additionally, Miis will sit and applaud the user. Furthermore, Nintendo Picture Chat will display a happy birthday message when joining a room.
Nintendo DS Sound Editor
The DS’s sound editor has a particularly cool secret. If a sound is recorded and left idle for a minute, the console will remix it into the Super Mario Bros theme. This is a great way to pay homage to one of Nintendo’s most iconic franchises.
Transferring Data from Wii to Wii U
When transferring data from the Wii to the Wii U, the data is actually carried by Pikmin. This is an interesting way to make use of the iconic Nintendo characters. The animation used for this process is also surprisingly detailed.
The GameCube Microscopic Dolphin
The GameCube has a microscopic dolphin printed on one of its chips, which is a reference to the console’s codename during development. Additionally, the GameCube boot up jingle also contains a hidden message.
The Origin of the Name ‘Dolphin’
The code name for the Nintendo console during its development was ‘Dolphin’, which explains the origin of the Dolphin Emulator a software that allows users to play Nintendo games on other machines. This is a testament to the company’s commitment to providing gamers with the best possible experience.
A Physical Easter Egg
Nintendo has hidden a physical Easter egg in its Switch Pro controllers. If one tilts the controller and shines a torch at the top of it, the words “Thanks to all game fans” can be seen printed on the circuit board. This is a subtle nod to the dedicated fans of the company and its games.
The Nintendo Network
The Nintendo Network is an online service that allows players to connect with each other and play games together. It also provides access to a range of downloadable content, such as game demos, patches, and updates. The network also enables players to purchase digital versions of games and download them directly to their consoles.
The Nintendo eShop
The Nintendo eShop is an online store where players can purchase digital versions of games, as well as downloadable content. The store also offers discounts and special offers on a regular basis. The eShop also allows players to redeem codes for downloadable content, such as game demos and updates.
The Nintendo Switch Online Service
The Nintendo Switch Online Service is a subscription-based service that allows players to access a range of features, such as online multiplayer, cloud saves, and access to exclusive content. The service also provides access to a library of classic NES and SNES games.
The Nintendo Labo
The Nintendo Labo is a series of interactive cardboard kits that allow players to build their own custom controllers and accessories. The kits come with a variety of components, such as cardboard, string, and rubber bands, and can be used to create a range of unique creations.
The Nintendo Switch Lite
The Nintendo Switch Lite is a smaller, lighter version of the original Nintendo Switch console. It is designed for handheld gaming and does not support docked play. The Switch Lite also features a longer battery life and is compatible with all Nintendo Switch games.
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is a wireless controller designed for use with the Nintendo Switch console. It features motion controls, HD rumble, and a USB-C port for charging. The controller also has an NFC reader for use with amiibo figures.
The Nintendo Switch Parental Controls App
The Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app is a free mobile app that allows parents to manage their children’s gaming activities. The app allows parents to set playtime limits, restrict access to certain games, and monitor their children’s online interactions.
The Nintendo Switch Online App
The Nintendo Switch Online app is a free mobile app that allows players to access a range of features, such as voice chat, game invites, and access to exclusive content. The app also allows players to purchase digital versions of games and download them directly to their consoles.
