"Nintendo Consoles: Complete Release Date Timeline"

Nintendo stands as a titan in the world of video games, renowned for its trailblazing creativity and innovation within the home console arena. From its inception, Nintendo has cultivated a rich catalog of beloved intellectual properties that continue to captivate audiences decades later. With an exciting lineup of upcoming titles, it's clear that Nintendo is not slowing down anytime soon. The recent announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 has sparked a wave of nostalgia, prompting many to revisit the storied history of Nintendo's console legacy.

Below, we've curated a comprehensive list of every console Nintendo has released, inviting you on a journey through time to see how Nintendo has continuously evolved the gaming experience.

Which Nintendo console had the best games? ------------------------------------------

NESGame BoySuper NESNintendo 64Game Boy AdvanceNintendo GameCubeNintendo DSNintendo WiiNintendo 3DSNintendo Wii UNintendo Switch

AnswerSee Results*Looking to save on a new Nintendo Switch or new titles for your system? Be sure to check out the best Nintendo deals available today.*

How Many Nintendo Consoles Have There Been?

In total, 32 Nintendo consoles have been released throughout Nintendo's history. The Switch 2 will mark the 33rd entry. We've included revision models for both home and handheld consoles, which include variations like XL and Mini.

Latest Model### Nintendo Switch OLED (Neon Blue & Red)

4See it at AmazonEvery Nintendo Console in Order of Release

Color TV-Game - June 1, 1977

Nintendo's first venture into the gaming hardware market was with the Color TV-Game series, a groundbreaking collaboration with Mitsubishi Electronics. This partnership, born out of Nintendo's initial inexperience in hardware development, resulted in a series of systems that became a smashing hit, setting the stage for Nintendo's future in the gaming industry.

Game & Watch - April 28, 1980

Stepping into the handheld market, Nintendo launched the Game & Watch line, each unit featuring a unique game. Despite their simplicity, these devices sold over 40 million units worldwide, introducing innovations like the D-Pad, which remains a staple in gaming. Their legacy was celebrated with limited edition releases in 2020 and 2021, commemorating Mario and Zelda anniversaries.

Nintendo Entertainment System - October 18, 1985

Launching in North America as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), and known as the Family Computer (Famicom) in Japan, this console revolutionized gaming with its cartridge system, allowing players to enjoy a vast array of games. Iconic franchises like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid were born on this platform, making NES a cornerstone in video game history.

Game Boy - July 31, 1989

Marking Nintendo's entry into the handheld video game market with a bang, the Game Boy allowed players to carry their gaming experience with them, thanks to its cartridge-based system. Tetris, bundled with the console in most regions, became a global phenomenon.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System - August 23, 1991

Introducing 16-bit graphics to the Nintendo family, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) expanded on the success of its predecessor. Games like Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country showcased the console's capabilities, making it the best-selling console of its generation.

Virtual Boy - August 14, 1995

Nintendo's boldest experiment, the Virtual Boy, attempted to bring 3D gaming to the portable market. Despite its innovative approach, it only saw 22 game releases and lasted a mere year, selling just under 800,000 units.

Game Boy Pocket - September 3, 1996

A sleeker, more compact version of the Game Boy, the Game Boy Pocket featured a sharper black-and-white screen and improved response times. Although it had a shorter battery life, its design made it a favorite among gamers.

Nintendo 64 - September 29, 1996

Introducing 3D graphics to the home console market, the Nintendo 64 was revolutionary. With iconic games like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, it set new standards for gaming experiences, complemented by its innovative analog stick controller.

Game Boy Light - April 14, 1998

Exclusive to Japan, the Game Boy Light featured a backlight, allowing for gaming in low-light conditions. Despite its larger size compared to the Game Boy Pocket, it offered an impressive 20-hour battery life.

Game Boy Color - November 18, 1998

Bringing color to the handheld scene, the Game Boy Color was backward-compatible with all Game Boy games, offering an enhanced visual experience. With hundreds of new games designed specifically for its color capabilities, it was a significant step forward.

Game Boy Advance - June 11, 2001

With a horizontal design and 16-bit graphics, the Game Boy Advance marked a major leap in handheld gaming. Backward-compatible with previous Game Boy titles, it expanded the gaming library into the thousands.

Pokémon mini - November 16, 2001

Image Credit: GamesRadarFocused exclusively on Pokémon, the Pokémon mini was incredibly compact, featuring a built-in clock, infrared communication, and rumble. Only 10 games were released, with just four reaching North America.

Nintendo GameCube - November 18, 2001

Building on the success of the Nintendo 64, the GameCube introduced disc-based gaming to Nintendo's home console lineup. Games like Super Mario Sunshine and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker showcased its capabilities, with the controller featuring built-in rumble and analog triggers.

Panasonic Q - December 14, 2001

A collaboration with Panasonic, the Panasonic Q combined a GameCube with a DVD player, offering a sleek stainless steel design. Despite its innovative approach, it only lasted two years on the market due to high costs and low sales.

Game Boy Advance SP - March 23, 2003

With a foldable design, rechargeable battery, and later models featuring a backlit screen, the Game Boy Advance SP improved on its predecessor in many ways. However, it did not include a headphone jack, requiring an adapter for audio.

Nintendo DS - November 21, 2004

Launching the DS line, which became Nintendo's best-selling console, the Nintendo DS introduced Wi-Fi support and a unique dual-screen design with a touchscreen. This opened up new possibilities for game developers and players alike.

Game Boy Micro - September 19, 2005

Revealed with much fanfare, the Game Boy Micro surprised with its small size and adjustable backlit screen. Despite its short production run, it offered a premium handheld experience.

Nintendo DS Lite - June 11, 2006

A slimmer, lighter version of the original, the Nintendo DS Lite featured brighter screens and improved battery life, enhancing the gaming experience across all conditions.

Nintendo Wii - November 19, 2006

Revitalizing Nintendo's home console market, the Wii introduced motion controls through the innovative Wii Remote. With backward compatibility for GameCube titles and accessories, it also offered the Virtual Console for digital downloads of classic games.

Nintendo DSi - November 1, 2008

Adding cameras and an SD card slot, the Nintendo DSi was a significant revision of the DS. However, it removed the Game Boy Advance slot, marking a shift in Nintendo's handheld design philosophy.

Nintendo DSi XL - November 21, 2009

Featuring larger screens and improved sound, the Nintendo DSi XL offered an enhanced experience for DS games, catering to players seeking a more immersive handheld experience.

Nintendo 3DS - March 27, 2011

Introducing 3D gaming without the need for glasses, the Nintendo 3DS brought new dimensions to handheld gaming. With a robust library including titles like The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, it continued Nintendo's tradition of innovation.

Nintendo 3DS XL - August 19, 2012

Offering a 90% larger screen than the standard 3DS, the 3DS XL provided an even more immersive experience, while retaining all the features of its smaller counterpart.

Nintendo Wii U - November 18, 2012

As the successor to the Wii, the Wii U introduced the GamePad, a controller with a built-in screen for off-TV play. Despite its innovative features and strong game lineup, marketing challenges and consumer confusion hampered its sales.

Nintendo Wii Mini - December 7, 2012

A compact version of the Wii, the Wii Mini removed several features, including GameCube support and Wi-Fi connectivity, focusing on a streamlined gaming experience at a lower cost.

Nintendo 2DS - October 12, 2013

Offering 2D gaming at a more affordable price, the Nintendo 2DS maintained compatibility with all 3DS titles, though it compromised on sound quality by using a mono speaker.

New Nintendo 3DS - October 11, 2014

With added controls like the C-Stick and NFC support for amiibo, the New Nintendo 3DS enhanced the handheld gaming experience, offering more versatility and engagement.

New Nintendo 3DS XL - February 13, 2015

Featuring even larger screens than the standard New 3DS, the New 3DS XL provided a more immersive experience, though it removed the customizable face plates.

Nintendo Switch - March 3, 2017

Realizing the vision of the Wii U, the Nintendo Switch revolutionized gaming with its hybrid design, allowing seamless transitions between home and portable play. With a stellar lineup of games, it quickly became a favorite among gamers.

New Nintendo 2DS XL - July 28, 2017

An updated version of the 2DS, the New Nintendo 2DS XL reintroduced the clamshell design and added features like an analog stick and amiibo support, enhancing the handheld gaming experience.

Nintendo Switch Lite - September 20, 2019

Designed specifically for handheld play, the Nintendo Switch Lite offered a more affordable option with built-in controllers, catering to gamers on the go.

Nintendo Switch OLED model - October 8, 2021

Enhancing the Switch experience, the OLED model introduced a larger, higher-quality screen, along with improved speakers and a new dock design, offering a premium gaming experience.

Upcoming Nintendo Consoles

After years of speculation and leaks, Nintendo has finally unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2. The reveal trailer highlights new features like a unique Joy-Con attachment method, a larger screen, and an additional USB-C port. The potential to use Joy-Cons as a mouse and a teased new Mario Kart with 24-player races have fans buzzing. The console promises to be "mostly" backward compatible, supporting both physical and digital games.

Analysts estimate the new console could retail around $400. Based on the trailer, we've gathered all known details about the Switch 2, with more information, including a release date, expected during the upcoming Nintendo Direct on April 2.

Which games do you want to see on the Nintendo Switch 2? --------------------------------------------------------

Metroid Prime 4Pokémon Legends: ZAMario Kart 9New Mainline Super Mario GameA New Super Smash Bros.A New Mario PartyA New Donkey Kong GameA New Legend of Zelda Game

AnswerSee Results