Nintendo stands as a beacon in the history of video games, renowned for its relentless innovation and creativity in the home console market. From its inception, Nintendo has crafted a treasure trove of iconic IPs that continue to charm players decades later. With an exciting lineup of upcoming titles, the company shows no signs of slowing down. As the official announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 piques interest, it's the perfect time to reflect on the gaming giant's storied history in the console space.
Below, we've compiled a comprehensive list of every console Nintendo has ever released. Embark on a journey through time and see how Nintendo has continuously elevated the gaming industry!
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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 be the 33rd. We've included revision models for both home and handheld consoles, which include brandings 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 journey into gaming hardware began with the Color TV-Game series, a pioneering venture that might not be widely recognized today. Collaborating with Mitsubishi Electronics, who assisted due to Nintendo's initial inexperience with hardware, these systems became a commercial success and set the stage for Nintendo's future in gaming. Nearly 50 years on, the legacy of the Color TV-Game continues to influence Nintendo's dedication to gaming innovation.
Game & Watch - April 28, 1980
Nintendo ventured into the handheld market with the Game & Watch devices, each featuring a unique game. These units sold over 40 million worldwide and introduced groundbreaking features like the D-Pad, first seen in the Donkey Kong Game & Watch. Their impact endures, with limited edition models celebrating Mario and Zelda's anniversaries released in recent years.
Nintendo Entertainment System - October 18, 1985
Launched 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. It laid the foundation for many of Nintendo's beloved franchises, including Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid, making it a cornerstone in video game history.
Game Boy - July 31, 1989
Introducing the first true handheld console from Nintendo, the Game Boy hit North America in the summer of 1989. With its cartridge system, it allowed players to enjoy a variety of games, with Tetris becoming a standout title bundled with the system in most regions.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System - August 23, 1991
With the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Nintendo brought 16-bit graphics to its platform for the first time. This era saw significant advancements in Nintendo's flagship series, including Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country. Despite a later market entry, the SNES became the best-selling console of its generation, thanks to its robust software lineup and enduring appeal.
Virtual Boy - August 14, 1995
Perhaps Nintendo's most unconventional console, the Virtual Boy offered the first 3D gaming experience without glasses. Despite its short lifespan of only one year and a modest library of 22 games, including Mario's Tennis and Virtual Boy Wario Land, it remains a fascinating piece of Nintendo's history.
Game Boy Pocket - September 3, 1996
A compact version of the original Game Boy, the Game Boy Pocket featured an improved black-and-white screen and enhanced display response time. Its smaller size, however, resulted in a shorter battery life compared to its predecessor.
Nintendo 64 - September 29, 1996
Marking the dawn of 3D graphics in Nintendo's home console lineup, the Nintendo 64 introduced iconic titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Its innovative controller with an analog stick redefined gaming controls, and its translucent special editions became collectors' items.
Game Boy Light - April 14, 1998
Exclusive to Japan, the Game Boy Light was larger than the Game Boy Pocket but came with a backlight for gaming in dim conditions. It boasted a longer battery life of around 20 hours, making it a unique entry in the Game Boy family.
Game Boy Color - November 18, 1998
Bringing color to handheld gaming, the Game Boy Color was backward compatible with existing Game Boy games, enhancing classics like Tetris with vibrant hues. Its new hardware also supported hundreds of exclusive titles, expanding the Game Boy universe.
Game Boy Advance - June 11, 2001
With the Game Boy Advance (GBA), Nintendo took a significant leap forward, switching to a horizontal design and introducing 16-bit graphics. Backward compatibility ensured thousands of games were available, from the original Game Boy titles to new GBA exclusives.
Pokémon mini - November 16, 2001
Image Credit: GamesRadarThe Pokémon mini was a tiny handheld focused solely on Pokémon games. Only 10 games were released, with just four reaching North America. Its compact size, built-in clock, infrared communication, and rumble feature made it a unique niche product.
Nintendo GameCube - November 18, 2001
Building on the success of the Nintendo 64, the GameCube continued with beloved sequels like Super Mario Sunshine and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. Its transition to disc-based media and advanced controller design left a lasting impact, with franchises like Animal Crossing gaining widespread popularity.
Panasonic Q - December 14, 2001
A collaboration between Panasonic and Nintendo, the Panasonic Q combined GameCube functionality with a DVD player. Its sleek stainless steel design and front LCD panel were notable, but high costs and low sales limited its market presence to just two years.
Game Boy Advance SP - March 23, 2003
With the Game Boy Advance SP (GBA SP), Nintendo introduced a folding design, rechargeable battery, and a backlit screen in later models. Despite lacking a headphone jack, an adapter allowed for audio playback, making it a significant upgrade over its predecessor.
Nintendo DS - November 21, 2004
Launching the DS line, the Nintendo DS introduced Wi-Fi connectivity and a unique dual-screen clamshell design. Its innovative use of a touchscreen and stylus pen led to groundbreaking gameplay experiences, cementing its status as Nintendo's best-selling console.
Game Boy Micro - September 19, 2005
Revealed at E3 2005, the Game Boy Micro's tiny size shocked audiences. Its sleek design and adjustable backlit screen made it a favorite among enthusiasts, despite selling only 2.42 million units over its 18-month run.
Nintendo DS Lite - June 11, 2006
As the first revision of the Nintendo DS, the DS Lite offered a slimmer profile, brighter screens, and improved battery life. These enhancements made it even more popular, reinforcing the DS's position in the market.
Nintendo Wii - November 19, 2006
Revitalizing Nintendo's home console market, the Wii introduced motion controls via the Wii Remote. Its backward compatibility with GameCube games, along with the Virtual Console for classic game downloads, made it a versatile and beloved system.
Nintendo DSi - November 1, 2008
With the Nintendo DSi, enhancements included built-in cameras and an SD card slot for additional storage. However, it removed the Game Boy Advance slot, marking a shift in focus toward new capabilities.
Nintendo DSi XL - November 21, 2009
Larger screens and enhanced audio made the DSi XL a compelling choice for gamers. Its bigger battery and 4.2-inch wide-view screens offered an improved experience for Nintendo DS games.
Nintendo 3DS - March 27, 2011
Following the DS line, the 3DS introduced stereoscopic 3D gaming without glasses, echoing the Virtual Boy's technology but with greater success. Its impressive library included titles like The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Super Mario 3D Land.
Nintendo 3DS XL - August 19, 2012
Offering a screen 90% larger than the original 3DS, the 3DS XL retained all its predecessor's features, providing an even more immersive gaming experience.
Nintendo Wii U - November 18, 2012
As the successor to the Wii, the Wii U introduced the innovative GamePad with a built-in screen for off-TV play. Despite its strong game lineup, including titles like Super Mario 3D World and Splatoon, marketing challenges and market confusion led to lower sales.
Nintendo Wii Mini - December 7, 2012
Released at the end of the Wii's lifecycle, the Wii Mini was a smaller, lighter model with a top-facing disc drive. It omitted several features, including GameCube support and Wi-Fi connectivity, but offered a more affordable option.
Nintendo 2DS - October 12, 2013
Removing the 3D capabilities of its predecessors, the 2DS focused on delivering 2D content in a flat, square design. While it traded stereo sound for a mono speaker, its lower price point made it accessible to a wider audience.
New Nintendo 3DS - October 11, 2014
Upgrading the 3DS, the New Nintendo 3DS introduced new controls, including the C-Stick and NFC support for amiibo. Its staggered release across regions eventually brought enhanced gaming to North America.
New Nintendo 3DS XL - February 13, 2015
With even larger screens than the standard New 3DS, the New 3DS XL provided an immersive experience but removed the option to change face plates, offering multiple special editions instead.
Nintendo Switch - March 3, 2017
Realizing the vision of the Wii U, the Nintendo Switch combined home and portable gaming, allowing players to enjoy console-quality games on the go. Its robust first-party library and special edition consoles propelled it to industry leadership.
New Nintendo 2DS XL - July 28, 2017
An update to the 2DS, the 2DS XL reintroduced the clamshell design and added features like an analog stick and amiibo support. It also played New 3DS titles, expanding its game library.
Nintendo Switch Lite - September 20, 2019
Designed for handheld play, the Switch Lite featured a smaller body and built-in controllers, removing the ability to dock to a TV. This allowed for a more affordable price point, appealing to budget-conscious gamers.
Nintendo Switch OLED model - October 8, 2021
Debuting with Metroid Dread, the Switch OLED model upgraded the screen size to 7 inches and introduced a premium OLED panel. Enhanced speakers and a new dock with a LAN port made it a compelling upgrade for Switch owners.
Upcoming Nintendo Consoles
Following years of anticipation, Nintendo officially unveiled the Switch 2. The reveal trailer showcased a new Joy-Con attachment method, a larger screen, and a second USB-C port. It also hinted at using Joy-Cons as a mouse, which could enhance gameplay in new ways. The trailer teased a new Mario Kart with 24-player support and confirmed mostly backward compatibility, continuing to support both physical and digital games.Analysts suggest the Switch 2 might retail around $400. We've gathered all known details from the trailer, but more information, including a release date, will be revealed in an upcoming Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2.
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