Nintendo Game Systems

A Brief History

The 1980s

1983

The Famicon is released in Japan as Nintendo’s first home gaming system– System is described as “Almost single-handedly

revitalizing the video game industry”

1983-1984

Video Game Crash! Very few popular systems or games were released

1985

Famicon is released in America under the title Nintendo Entertainment System– 60 million copies were sold

Popularity increased and peaked in 1987

1989

The Nintendo Gameboy was released– First handheld system to be successfully

marketed– 220g– Used 8-bit processing technology– Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen used– Sold with Tetris to gain attraction

The 1990s

1991

Super Nintendo Entertainment System was released– Improved processing system– Used 16-bit technology

1996

Game Boy Pocket is released– 30% smaller + flatter than original Game Boy– 125g– LCD screen

The Nintendo 64 is released– First system with:

four player game options 64 bit processing technology

1998

Game Boy Color is released– First handheld system to use color

Total of 32,000 colors 52 could be shown simultaneously

– Used Next-Generation Liquid screen

The 21st Century

2001

The Nintendo Game Cube is released– Speed of 162 MHz– Has a Memory Bandwidth of 2.6 GB per second

2004

Nintendo DS is released– The processing power of a N64 in a handheld

device (64 bits)– Clear graphics– 2 screens, 1 touch screen– Microphone– Wi-Fi

2006

Nintendo DS Lite is released– More light weight than original DS– Screen backlight is brighter

Nintendo Wii is released– First Nintendo system with:

Wireless controllers Motion sensors

2010

Nintendo DSi is released– Cameras added to DS

Nintendo DSi XL is released– Slightly larger screen– Netflix service provided though system

2011

Nintendo 3DS is released– Incorporated 3D technology without glasses