Nintendo Consoles: Complete Release Date Timeline

Nintendo has long been synonymous with video gaming, pioneering creativity and innovation in the home console market since its inception. The company boasts a rich catalog of beloved intellectual properties (IPs) that continue to captivate players even decades after their initial release. With an exciting lineup of upcoming titles, Nintendo shows no signs of slowing down. The recent announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 has sparked renewed interest in the company's storied history in the console space. Let's take a journey through time and explore every console Nintendo has ever released, highlighting how they've consistently pushed the boundaries of gaming.

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 initial venture into gaming hardware was the Color TV-Game series, a collaboration with Mitsubishi Electronics due to Nintendo's inexperience in hardware development. These systems were a commercial success, propelling Nintendo to focus more on gaming hardware. Nearly 50 years later, the legacy of the Color TV-Game continues to resonate within Nintendo's ongoing commitment to gaming.

Game & Watch - April 28, 1980

Nintendo entered the handheld market with the Game & Watch series, each unit featuring a unique game. Despite their simplicity, these devices sold over 40 million units worldwide, introducing innovations like the D-Pad in the Donkey Kong model. Recently, Nintendo celebrated the anniversaries of Mario and Zelda with limited edition releases in 2020 and 2021, bringing these classic devices back into the spotlight.

Nintendo Entertainment System - October 18, 1985

Known as the Family Computer (Famicom) in Japan, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) marked Nintendo's first foray into the North American market. Utilizing cartridge-based games, the NES laid the foundation for many of Nintendo's most iconic franchises, including Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid. Its impact on the gaming industry is undeniable, setting the stage for future generations.

Game Boy - July 31, 1989

Released in North America during the summer of 1989, the Game Boy revolutionized handheld gaming by introducing cartridge-based games. Its iconic game, Tetris, was bundled with the console in many regions, cementing its place in gaming history.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System - August 23, 1991

With the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Nintendo introduced 16-bit graphics to their platform. This console saw significant advancements in their flagship series with titles like Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country. Despite a late launch in the console generation, the SNES's rich software library propelled it to become the best-selling console of its time.

Virtual Boy - August 14, 1995

Perhaps Nintendo's most unusual console, the Virtual Boy was the first to offer true 3D visuals without glasses. Though only 22 games were released, including popular titles like Mario's Tennis and Virtual Boy Wario Land, it was discontinued after just one year, selling under 800,000 units.

Game Boy Pocket - September 3, 1996

A smaller, more portable version of the Game Boy, the Game Boy Pocket featured an improved black-and-white screen and enhanced response times. However, its compact design resulted in a shorter battery life compared to its predecessor.

Nintendo 64 - September 29, 1996

Introducing 3D graphics to the home console market, the Nintendo 64 brought revolutionary titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Its unique controller with an analog stick redefined gaming controls, and numerous special edition models were released.

Game Boy Light - April 14, 1998

Exclusive to Japan, the Game Boy Light featured a backlight for playing in dim environments, and despite its larger size compared to the Game Boy Pocket, it offered improved battery life, lasting around 20 hours.

Game Boy Color - November 18, 1998

Introducing color to the handheld market, the Game Boy Color was backwards-compatible with all Game Boy games, enhancing the experience of classics like Tetris with vibrant colors. Hundreds of new games were released exclusively for this system.

Game Boy Advance - June 11, 2001

With the Game Boy Advance (GBA), Nintendo made a significant leap forward, adopting a horizontal design and 16-bit graphics. Backwards compatibility with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games expanded the available library to thousands of titles.

Pokémon mini - November 16, 2001

Image Credit: GamesRadarThe Pokémon mini was a compact handheld focused on Pokémon games, featuring a built-in clock, infrared port, and rumble feature. Despite its small size, only 10 games were released, with just four making it to North America.

Nintendo GameCube - November 18, 2001

Following the success of the Nintendo 64, the GameCube continued with sequels to beloved titles like Super Mario Sunshine and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. It transitioned to disc-based media and introduced a more ergonomic controller with built-in rumble and analog triggers. The legacy of the GameCube lives on, with many of its franchises thriving today.

Panasonic Q - December 14, 2001

A collaboration with Panasonic, the Panasonic Q combined a GameCube with a DVD player, featuring a sleek stainless steel design and an LCD front panel. Despite its high price, it was discontinued after two years due to low sales.

Game Boy Advance SP - March 23, 2003

With a clamshell design, the Game Boy Advance SP offered a rechargeable battery and a backlit screen in later models. The omission of a headphone jack was offset by an adapter for audio output.

Nintendo DS - November 21, 2004

Launching the best-selling DS line, the Nintendo DS introduced Wi-Fi support and a dual-screen design, with the bottom screen being a touchscreen. This unique setup led to innovative gaming experiences.

Game Boy Micro - September 19, 2005

Revealed at E3 2005, the Game Boy Micro was surprisingly small, yet it retained backwards compatibility with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. Its backlit screen offered adjustable brightness, but it sold only 2.42 million units over 18 months.

Nintendo DS Lite - June 11, 2006

With a slimmer and lighter design, the Nintendo DS Lite improved screen brightness and battery life, enhancing the gaming experience.

Nintendo Wii - November 19, 2006

Revitalizing Nintendo's home console market, the Wii focused on motion controls with the innovative Wii Remote. It was backwards compatible with GameCube games and introduced 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 update to the DS line, though it removed the Game Boy Advance slot.

Nintendo DSi XL - November 21, 2009

With larger screens and improved sound, the Nintendo DSi XL enhanced the gaming experience, offering longer battery life.

Nintendo 3DS - March 27, 2011

Introducing stereoscopic 3D without glasses, the Nintendo 3DS built upon the DS legacy with titles like The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Super Mario 3D Land.

Nintendo 3DS XL - August 19, 2012

Featuring a 90% larger screen than the original 3DS, the 3DS XL offered a more immersive gaming experience while retaining all its predecessor's features.

Nintendo Wii U - November 18, 2012

As the successor to the Wii, the Wii U introduced the GamePad controller with a built-in screen. Despite supporting HD graphics and having great titles like Super Mario 3D World and Splatoon, poor marketing and confusion led to low sales.

Nintendo Wii Mini - December 7, 2012

Released at the end of the Wii's lifecycle, the Wii Mini was a smaller, lighter version that removed several features, including GameCube support and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Nintendo 2DS - October 12, 2013

Offering 2D gameplay, the 2DS was a more affordable option, removing the 3D capability and using a mono speaker but retaining all other 3DS features.

New Nintendo 3DS - October 11, 2014

With new controls like the C-Stick and ZR/ZL buttons, as well as NFC support for amiibo, the New Nintendo 3DS significantly upgraded the original model.

New Nintendo 3DS XL - February 13, 2015

Featuring larger screens than the New 3DS, the New 3DS XL removed the ability to change face plates but offered special editions for customization.

Nintendo Switch - March 3, 2017

Realizing the vision of the Wii U, the Nintendo Switch combined home and portable gaming, boasting a stellar first-party library with some of the greatest games ever released.

New Nintendo 2DS XL - July 28, 2017

With an analog stick, shoulder buttons, and amiibo support, the New Nintendo 2DS XL returned to the clamshell design and could play New 3DS titles.

Nintendo Switch Lite - September 20, 2019

Designed for handheld play only, the Nintendo Switch Lite featured built-in controllers and a smaller body, offering a more affordable option.

Nintendo Switch OLED model - October 8, 2021

With a larger 7-inch OLED screen and improved speakers and kickstand, the Nintendo Switch OLED model was released alongside Metroid Dread, offering a premium experience.

Upcoming Nintendo Consoles

Analysts estimate the new console will cost around $400. We've gathered all the information from the trailer, but more details, including a release date, will be shared during a Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2.