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Nintendo Company, Limited
任天堂, ニンテンドー
Company typePublic (TYO: 7974; Nasdaq: NTDOY)
IndustryCard games
Video games
FoundedSeptember 23, 1889
FounderFusajiro Yamauchi Edit this on Wikidata
HeadquartersJapan: HQ: Kyoto

United States: HQ: Redmond, Washington

Canada: HQ: Richmond, British Columbia

Europe: HQ: Großostheim, Germany

Australia: HQ: Scoresby, Victoria

China: HQ: Suzhou (as iQue, Ltd.)

Korea: HQ: Seoul
Key people
Satoru Iwata, President and CEO
Reggie Fils-Aime: President and COO for American Division
Shigeru Miyamoto: Game designer
Gunpei Yokoi: Created the GameBoy, Game & Watch, and Metroid
Hiroshi Yamauchi: Former president and chairman
Minoru Arakawa and Howard Lincoln: Former heads of NOA
ProductsGame Boy line, Nintendo DS, GameCube, Wii, and various video game titles.
RevenueIncrease USD$4.5 billion (2006)
Forbes 2000 ranking: 620
Number of employees
3,013 (2006)
Websitewww.nintendo.co.jp (Japan)
www.nintendo.com
(North America)
www.nintendo-europe.com (Europe)

Nintendo Company, Limited (Japanese: 任天堂, ニンテンドー Nintendō; Nasdaq: NTDOY, TYO: 7974) is a multinational corporation founded on September 23 1889[1] in Kyoto, Japan by Fusajiro Yamauchi to produce handmade hanafuda cards.[2] In the mid-twentieth century, the company tried several small niche businesses, such as a love hotel and a taxi company.[3] Over the years, it became a video game company, growing into one of the most powerful in the industry. Aside from video games, Nintendo is also the majority owner of the Seattle Mariners, a Major League Baseball team in Seattle, Washington. Nintendo also purchased a sizable portion of Gyration Inc, a company specializing in gyros and motion sensors, in 2001.

Nintendo has the distinction of historically being both the oldest intact company in the video game console market and one of the most influential and well-known console manufacturers, as well as being the most dominant entity in the handheld console market.

History

Main article: History of Nintendo

Early life

Nintendo started as a small Japanese business by Fusajiro Yamauchi near the end of 1889 as Nintendo Koppai. Based in Kyoto, Japan, the business produced and marketed a playing card game called Hanafuda. The cards, which were all handmade, soon began to gain popularity and Yamauchi had to hire assistants to mass produce cards to keep up with demand.

Middle life

In 1956, Hiroshi Yamauchi paid a visit to the US, to engage in talks with the United States Playing Card Company, the dominant playing card manufacturer in the US. Yamauchi was shocked to find that the world's biggest company in his business was relegated to using a small office. This was a turning point where Yamauchi realized the limitations of the playing card business. He then gained access to Disney's characters and put them on the playing cards, in order to drive sales.

In 1963 Nintendo Playing Card Company Limited was renamed to Nintendo Company, Limited by Hiroshi. Nintendo now began to experiment in other areas of business using the newly injected capital. During the period of time between 1963 and 1968, Nintendo set up a taxi company, a "love hotel" chain, a TV network, a food company (trying to sell instant rice, similar to instant noodles), and several other things (including a toy remote controlled vacuum cleaner called Chiritory [1]- which was later seen as a two-player game in WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ in 2003). All these ventures failed, except toymaking, where they had some earlier experience from selling playing cards. Then, later on after the Tokyo Olympics, playing card sales dropped, leaving Nintendo with a measly 60 yen in stocks.

Riddled with debt, Nintendo struggled to survive in the Japanese toy industry; it was still small at this point, and dominated by already well established companies such as Bandai and Tomy. Because of the generally short product life cycle of toys, the company always had to come up with new product. This was the beginning of a major new era for Nintendo.

In 1970, Hiroshi Yamauchi was observing a hanafuda factory. He noticed an extending arm, which was made by one of their maintenance engineers, Gunpei Yokoi, for his own amusement. Yamauchi ordered Yokoi to develop it as a proper product for the Christmas rush.

The 1970s also saw the hiring of Shigeru Miyamoto, the man who (along with Yokoi) would become a living legend in the world of gaming and the secret to Nintendo's longevity; his creative vision was instrumental in determining the path Nintendo's future (and indeed, the industry's as a whole) would follow. Yokoi began to mentor Miyamoto during this period of time in R&D, teaching him all that he knew.

Electronic era

Nintendo at this time saw how successful video games were and began to dabble in them. Its first step in that field was to secure the rights to distribute the Magnavox Odyssey in Japan, which it did in 1975. At the time, home video game consoles were extremely rare — even the seminal Atari PONG console had yet to be produced.

Nintendo's first video arcade game was 1978's Computer Othello; a large handful of others followed in the next several years, Radar Scope and Donkey Kong being among the most famous of these. The early 1980s saw Nintendo's video game division (led by Yokoi) creating some of its most famous arcade titles. The massively popular Donkey Kong was created in 1981 with Miyamoto as its mastermind, and released in the arcades and on the Atari 2600, Intellivision, and ColecoVision video game systems (although Nintendo itself generally had no involvement with these early console ports). This release method would be used on several later Nintendo arcade games of this same period, including the original Mario Bros. (not to be confused with the later Super Mario Bros.). In addition to this arcade and dedicated console game activity, Nintendo was testing the consumer handheld video game waters with the Game & Watch. Then, in 1985, Nintendo struck gold with its Nintendo Entertainment System and continued with the handheld gaming market with their highly successful GameBoy. Nintendo continued producing updates of these two concepts, leading it to become one of the world's most recognized video-game manufacturers.

Now Nintendo's main line-up of video-game systems are the Nintendo DS, the Game Boy Advance SP / GameBoy Micro, the Nintendo GameCube, and the Wii.

Gaming systems

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

The Nintendo Entertainment System
Main article: Nintendo Entertainment System

Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES, is an 8-bit video game console released by Nintendo in North America, Brazil, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Its Japanese equivalent is known as the Famicom (Family Computer). The most successful gaming console of its time in Asia and North America (Nintendo claims to have sold over 60 million NES units worldwide[4]), it helped revitalize the video game industry following the video game crash of 1983, and set the standard for subsequent consoles in everything from game design (the first modern platform game, Super Mario Bros., was the system’s first "killer game") to business practices. The NES was the first console for which the manufacturer openly courted third-party developers.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)

Main article: Super Nintendo Entertainment System

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System, also known as Super Nintendo, Super NES or SNES, is a 16-bit video game console released by Nintendo in North America, Brazil, Europe, and Australia. In Japan it is known as the Super Famicom (Super Family Computer). In South Korea, it is known as the Super Comboy and was distributed by Hyundai Electronics.

The SNES was Nintendo's 2nd home console, following the Nintendo Entertainment System. Whereas the earlier system had struggled in the PAL region and large parts of Asia, the SNES proved to be a global success, albeit one that could not match its predecessor's popularity in Northeast Asia and North America—due in part to increased competition from Sega's Mega Drive console (released in North America as the Genesis). Despite its relatively late start, the SNES became the best selling console of the 16-bit era.

Nintendo 64 (N64)

Main article: Nintendo 64

The Nintendo 64 commonly called the N64, is Nintendo's third home video game console for the international market. The N64 was released on June 23, 1996 in Japan; September 29, 1996 in North America; March 1, 1997 in Europe/Australia and September 1, 1997 in France (the system also saw a release in Latin America, albeit an unofficial one). It was released with three launch games in Japan (Super Mario 64, Pilotwings 64 and Saikyou Haniu Shogi), and only two in North America and PAL region (Super Mario 64 and Pilotwings 64). The Nintendo 64 cost $199 at launch in the United States. It was Nintendo's first attempt at a 3D gaming platform.

Nintendo GameCube (GCN)

Main article: Nintendo GameCube

The Nintendo GameCube is Nintendo's fourth home video game console, belonging to the sixth generation era—the same generation as Sega's Dreamcast, Sony's PlayStation 2, and Microsoft's Xbox. The GameCube itself is the most compact and least expensive of the sixth generation era consoles. The GameCube was released on September 14, 2001 in Japan; November 18, 2001 in North America at USD $199.95[5]; May 3, 2002 in Europe; and May 17, 2002 in Australia.

Wii

Wii (pronounced as the word "we", IPA: /wiː/) is Nintendo's seventh-generation video game console. Its official project code name was Revolution.

A Wii Remote with attached Nunchuk

The major feature of the Wii is the console's wireless controller, the Wii Remote, that may be used as a handheld pointing device and can detect motion and rotation in three dimensions. The controller comes with a "nunchuk" accessory which gives more control to the player. The controller also contains a speaker and a rumble device to provide sensory feedback, and can be used to turn the Wii on and off. The console also features a stand-by mode entitled WiiConnect24, enabling it to receive messages and updates over the Internet while consuming very little electrical power. The package comes with the Wii console, a Wii remote with Nunchuk, a remote sensor, a sensor stand, a console stand, and a free game (Wii sports). Wii will be released on November 19, 2006 for a price of $249. (8th December, 2006 for £179.99 in the UK)

Game Boy

Main article: Game Boy line

The Game Boy (ゲームボーイ, Gēmu Bōi) line is a line of battery-powered handheld game consoles sold by Nintendo. It is one of the world's best-selling game system lines, with more than 188 million hardware units sold worldwide.[2] The original Game Boy has sold 70 million units, while the Game Boy Color sold 50 million units. The Game Boy Advance has managed to sell over 75 million units as of June 30, 2006.[3]

Nintendo DS / DS Lite

The Nintendo DS Lite
Main articles: Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite

The Nintendo DS (sometimes abbreviated NDS or DS, also as iQue DS in China) is a handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo, released in 2004. It is visibly distinguishable by its horizontal clamshell design, which is almost a throwback to the Game & Watch, and the presence of two displays, the lower of which acts as a touch screen. The system also has a built-in microphone and supports wireless IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) standards,[6] allowing players to interact with each other within short range (30–100 feet, depending on conditions) or over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.

The letters "DS" in the name are meant to stand for both Dual Screen and Developers' System (It is also suspected to mean Dual Slot by many people), the latter of which refers to the features of the handheld designed to encourage innovative gameplay ideas among developers.[7] The system was known as Project Nitro during development.

On March 2, 2006, Nintendo released the Nintendo DS Lite, a redesigned model of the Nintendo DS, in Japan. It was later released in North America and Europe the following June. Gamers typically use the term "Phat DS" or "Tank DS" on forums to emphasize that they are referring to the older model.

Other hardware

  • Broadcast Satellaview - Only released in Japan, an add-on for the Super Famicom (Japanese SNES) that allowed anyone to download games by a satellite.
  • Game & Watch – A series of handheld games made by Nintendo from 1980 through 1991.
  • Game Boy Player – An adapter for playing Game Boy games on the GameCube.
  • Game Boy Printer
  • iQue Player – A version of the Nintendo 64, with double the clock speed and downloadable games, released only in the Chinese market.
  • iQue DS - A version of the Nintendo DS, release only in China.
  • Nintendo 64DD – Only released in Japan, this add-on system's games are on re-writable magnetic disks. Games released include a paint and 3D construction package, F-Zero X Expansion Kit, for creating new F-Zero X tracks, a sequel to the SNES version of SimCity, SimCity 64 and a few others. A complete commercial failure, many speculated that Nintendo released it only to save face after promoting it preemptively for years.
  • Pokémon Mini – Unveiled in London at Christmas 2000, the Pokémon Mini was Nintendo's cheapest console ever produced; with games costing £10 ($15) each, and the system costing £30 ($45). This remains the smallest cartridge-based games console ever made. Sales of this system were rather poor, but, unlike the Virtual Boy, Nintendo made a profit on every game and system sold.
  • Mobile System GB - Released in Japan, December 14, 2000. The Mobile System is an adapter to play Game Boy Color games on the cell phone. The game Pokémon Crystal was the first game to take advantage of the Mobile System. Someone can hook an adapter to their Game Boy and connect it to a mobile phone which people can receive news, trade, and battle with other players across Japan.
  • Super Game Boy – Adapter for playing Game Boy games on the Super NES, which would be displayed in color.
  • Triforce – An arcade system based on Nintendo GameCube hardware, developed in partnership with Sega and Namco.
  • Virtual Boy – The Virtual Boy used two red monochrome displays to create a virtual reality-like system. Fewer than two dozen games were released for it in the United States. It is the only Nintendo game system to be a commercial failure (see here for more information).
  • Yakuman – A handheld Mah-jong game released in 1983.

People / Divisions

People

Shigeru Miyamoto at E3 2006

Divisions

Main article: Divisions of Nintendo

Nintendo has an extensive list of major developers that work on its systems. Some of the most popular being HAL Laboratory, Game Freak, and Camelot Software Planning.

File:Mario2small.jpg
Mario has been Nintendo's mascot since 1981
See also: Franchises established on Nintendo systems
  • Game & Watch - Nintendo's oldest franchise, started on handheld systems.
  • Ice Climber - An old franchise featuring Popo and Nana, two parka-clad mountain climbers.
  • Kid Icarus - "Sister series" to the much more popular Metroid franchise. Stars Pit, a young, bow-wielding angel.
  • Kirby (HAL Laboratory, Inc.) - A typically pink (but sometimes multi-colored) puff who can copy enemy powers for his own use. Has starred in several games since his debut on the Game Boy.
  • Mario (Nintendo EAD) - Nintendo's flagship franchise and main influence in the platform genre. Mario has branched out to multiple spin-offs including Mario Kart, Mario Party, Paper Mario, Mario Tennis, Dr. Mario and Super Mario Strikers (has a game for almost every sport).
  • Metroid (Intelligent Systems / Retro Studios) - One of the company's most popular franchises, featuring a futuristic bounty hunter called Samus Aran.
  • Nintendo Wars - Series historically confined to Japan but has recently appeared overseas with Advance Wars and Battalion Wars.
  • Nintendogs- A dog simulator which can be considered the first of the Touch Generations branding of Nintendo games.
  • Pikmin- One of Nintendo's newest franchises, only two installments as of summer 2006 (both on the GameCube).
  • Pokémon (video games) (Game Freak) - Arguably the most influential (and most lucrative) of Nintendo's franchises. The aim is to try and capture one of every species of Pokémon (currently 493 are available in standard canon) and become the strongest Pokémon trainer in the Pokémon world.
  • Punch-Out!! - Boxing game where the player had to fight his/her way to win the heavyweight belt.
  • Star Fox (Nintendo EAD) - Has appeared on the Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube and DS. Star Fox is a futuristic flying fighter.
  • Super Smash Bros. (HAL Laboratory, Inc. / Sora Ltd.) - A fighting game that pins Nintendo's (and, more recently, other companies') franchises up against each other. Has appeared on The Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube, and will be appearing on Wii.
  • Legend of Stafy
  • The Legend of Zelda (Nintendo EAD) - One of the company's most popular franchises and widely considered to be among the best franchises ever. It has won numerous awards including several "Greatest Game of all Time" awards. Clearly The Legend of Zelda series is the most well known and famous installment to date.

Released arcade games

Offices and locations

The exterior of Nintendo's main headquarters in Kyoto, Japan.

Nintendo Company, Limited (NCL), the main branch of the company, is based in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Nintendo of America (NOA), its American division, is based in Redmond, Washington, a suburb, of Seattle. It has distribution centers in Atlanta, Georgia, and North Bend, Washington. Nintendo of Canada, Ltd. (NOCL) is a based in Richmond, British Columbia, with its own distribution centre in Toronto, Ontario. Nintendo of Australia, its Australian division, is based in Scoresby, Melbourne, Victoria, and Nintendo Europe, the European division, is based in Großostheim, Germany. iQue, Ltd., a Chinese joint venture with its founder, Doctor Wei Yen, and Nintendo, manufactures and distributes official Nintendo consoles and games for the mainland Chinese market, under the iQue brand. Nintendo also opened Nintendo of Korea (NoK) July 7, 2006.

Slogans

Here are the slogans on Nintendo (Slogans that Nintendo has used other than in English are also included):

  • Now you're playing with power. (NES, 1985)
  • Now you're playing with power. Super power. (SNES, 1991)
  • Now you're playing with portable power. (Game Boy)
  • Play it loud! (Game Boy, 1994)
  • 3-D game for a 3-D World (Virtual Boy)
  • Get into it! (Game Boy Color, 1998)
  • Vous n'en reviendrez pas (N64, France 1998)
  • Feel Everything Everywhere (Game Boy Color, Europe 1999)
  • Welcome to the future (N64, Europe 1999)
  • Change the System (N64)
  • Get N or get out. (N64)
  • Life, Advanced. (Game Boy Advance, 2001)
  • Igazi játékos vagy? (Are you a real gamer?, Game Boy Advance, Hungary 2001)
  • La vie est un jeu (GameCube, France 2002)
  • Az élet játék. (The life is a game, GameCube, Hungary 2002)
  • Gaming 24:7 (Europe 2002)
  • Touching Is Good. (Nintendo DS)
  • Touch Me!"Touchez-moi!" (DS, 2005)
  • Pick up and play (DS, Europe 2005)
  • Open up and play (DS, Europe 2005)
  • Pour changer (Wii, France 2006)
  • Playing = Believing (Wii, 2006)
  • Who are you? (United States)
  • Too much fun. (Canada)
  • Kore wa nan deshou? (What is this?, Wii, Japan 2006)

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nintendo.

References

  1. ^ "Company History" (in Japanese). Nintendo of Japan. Retrieved 2006-07-29. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month=, |curly=, |accessyear=, and |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ "Company History". Nintendo of America. Retrieved 2006-06-04. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month=, |curly=, |accessyear=, and |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ "Nintendo History Lesson: The Lucky Birth". N-sider. Retrieved 2006-06-04. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month=, |curly=, |accessyear=, and |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ "Classic Systems—Nintendo Entertainment System" (html). Nintendo. Retrieved February 11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Rick. "GameCube's Year". GameCubicle. Retrieved 2006-05-29.
  6. ^ Darkain (2005-01-21). "Nintendo DS - WI-FI vs NI-FI". Retrieved 2006-04-02. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Nintendo DS Frequently Asked Questions". Nintendo. Retrieved 2006-04-02.

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