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YumeTwins Kawaii Culture BlogNintendo History: Through the Ages

Nintendo History: Through the Ages

By Thalia Harris
March 04, 2023
A Nintendo Switch depicting the starting screen for Super Mario Party. This game has lasted NIntendo throughout the

Nintendo history, throughout the ages, has had an amazing influence on video games and pop culture! From consoles to popular franchises, it’s one of the best innovators in family-friendly entertainment, so let’s take a closer look at its history!

Consoles

Video game consoles have come a long way since the 80s, and Nintendo is one of the biggest names in the industry. Nintendo has introduced iconic consoles like the NES, N64, Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and Wii.

The Nintendo Switch with yellow, blue, light blue and red controllers. The first video game console by Nintendo to really change the game in the late 2010s.
The Nintendo Switch is one of the company’s more recent innovations! Image via Shutterstock

The NES, released in 1985, introduced some of the most beloved characters in gaming history, including Mario and Zelda. The N64, which debuted in 1996, revolutionized multiplayer gaming with its four controller ports. The Game Boy, released in 1989, made gaming portable and allowed people to take their favorite games on the go.

A Nintendo Game Boy controller surrounded by cartridges.
The Game Boy was one of the first portable devices. Image via Shutterstock

The Nintendo DS, released in 2004, featured dual screens and touch controls, which added a new level of interactivity to gaming. Finally, the Wii, released in 2006, introduced motion controls and Wii Sports, which made gaming accessible to a broader audience and brought families together for fun game nights.

Nintendo has left an indelible mark on the gaming industry, and its consoles have brought joy and entertainment to millions worldwide!

Unknown Nintendo History Trivia

Did you know Mario, one of the most iconic video game characters, was initially called “Jumpman”? It’s true! The character was created for the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong, and he received the name Mario in the release of the game’s sequel, Donkey Kong Jr!

Speaking of Donkey Kong, another interesting piece of trivia is that the titular character was initially designed to be the game’s villain. Mario, or Jumpman at the time, was the game’s hero, trying to save his girlfriend Pauline from the rampaging ape!

A Mario figurine among other Nintendo figurines inlcuding Bowser, Goomba and Piranha Plants. Fun fact about video games: Nintendo is very popular.
Mario underwent several changes before becoming the plumber we know and love today! Image via Shutterstock

Moving on to Kirby, the cute and fluffy character from Nintendo’s Kirby series, did you know that his name came from an American lawyer named John Kirby? Kirby helped Nintendo win a lawsuit against Universal Studios over the rights to the name “Donkey Kong.”

Another interesting piece of Nintendo history trivia concerns Link, the protagonist of the Legend of Zelda series. Despite being one of the most recognizable characters in gaming, many fans still need clarification about his name. In fact, “Link” is not his actual name but a title given to the hero in each game. The character’s real name has never been officially revealed!

A Donkey Kong figurine next to a Donkey Kong Country cartridge.
Donkey Kong was originally the bad guy! Image via Shutterstock

Finally, Samus Aran, the protagonist of the Metroid series, is often cited as one of the first female protagonists in video game history. In the original Metroid game, players didn’t know her gender until she removed her helmet! The reveal was a groundbreaking moment in Nintendo’s history and gaming! It helped pave the way for more diverse representation in the medium!

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Best Nintendo Characters!

Nintendo created some of gaming’s most recognizable characters! They range from squid toddlers to intergalactic monarchy to cute town representatives.

Cute Nintendo character Isabelle (yellow dog in a suit) from Animal Crossing is sipping a drink from a cup. Her popularity will last with Nintendo through the ages.
Isabelle is one of the most recently popular Nintendo characters!

Nintendo’s history and ingenuity shine in Splatoon‘s Inklings. Squid kids aren’t conventional video game characters. They are excellent fighters in a post-apocalyptic world where ink-based weapons settle territory battles. Fans also love Queen Rosalina and Luma from the Mario franchise. Luma is Queen Rosalina’s adorable sidekick. Their chemistry is endearing.

The Pokemon series’ tiny electric mouse, Pichu, may not be the strongest, but it’s the cutest. Pichu is rugged and ready to fight despite its small stature. Then there’s Isabelle, the kind and industrious Animal Crossing assistant, who is a fan favorite. Her helpfulness and positivity have made her an Animal Crossing staple!

A big figurine of Kirby in a chef's hat at a cafe.
Kirby’s name comes from an American lawyer who helped out Nintendo in a bind. Image via Shutterstock

Finally, Kirby, the cute pink puffball from the Kirby series. Kirby looks innocent and cute, but he’s not. He can inhale and copy enemies. Due to his cuteness and strength, Kirby is one of Nintendo’s most popular characters. Nintendo’s characters are legendary. We love these characters and can’t wait for Nintendo’s adventures!

Nintendo History of Splatoon

Nintendo made and sold the video game Splatoon, a third-person shooter. The game came out first for the Wii U console in 2015, then moved to the Nintendo Switch in 2017. Splatoon was different from the other games Nintendo usually makes because it was a mix of shooting and platforming!

A picture of a character from Splatoon. This game's debut made Nintendo history.
Splatoon is a family-friendly third-person shooter. Image via Twitter

Inklings, who look like people but can change into squids, live in a colorful world where the game occurs. In Splatoon, players compete against each other online to cover as much ground as possible with ink from different weapons. The game also has a single-player campaign in which players fight against the evil Octarians, who threaten the Inklings’ way of life!

A small group of people at Nintendo, led by producer Hisashi Nogami worked on making Splatoon. During development, the team used manga, urban culture, and paintball to influence the games’ art and play style. The team wanted to make a game that people of all ages and skill levels could play and had a fun and exciting multiplayer mode!

A bunch of squid-like characters shooting colorful ink at each other.
Splatoon is one of the more runaways hits this year! Image via Game Informer

Splatoon got good reviews when it came out, and many praised it for its unique gameplay and cute art style. The game went on to do well in business, selling more than 4 million copies worldwide. It also gave rise to Splatoon 2, which came out for the Nintendo Switch in 2017!

Overall, Splatoon was a bold and refreshing new IP from Nintendo that introduced a unique gameplay style. Its colorful world, memorable characters, and fun gameplay have made it a beloved franchise among Nintendo fans!

Cute Fighting Games: Nintendo History!

Fighting games are known for their intense battles and competitive gameplay, but some games take a more lighthearted approach. Cute fighting games blend adorable characters with exciting fighting mechanics, creating a fun and whimsical experience for players of all ages. Here are some of the best cute fighting games out there:

A pink-haired woman holding a sword behind her back. Many fighting games have made Nintendo history.
Fighting games can be both competitive and fun! Image via Shutterstock

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a crossover fighting game featuring a massive roster of beloved Nintendo characters and guest characters from other franchises. While some play competitively, its bright colors and cartoonish characters make it a joy to play casually with friends. From Kirby to Pikachu to Isabelle, there’s no shortage of adorable characters!

Pokken Tournament DX is a fighting game that combines the gameplay of traditional fighting games with elements of the Pokemon series. Players choose from a roster of Pokemon and battle it out in fast-paced, arena-style battles. The game’s colorful graphics and cute Pokemon designs make it fun for players of all ages!

A render of Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, featuring Mario (red hat, blue overall, mustache), Link (Blond, blue tunic sword) and Samus (orange spacesuit, red helmet). Smash Bros is a major part of Nintendo history.
Super Smash Brothers Ultimate is one of the most popular platform fighters! Image via ComicBook

Arms is a unique fighting game with characters with extendable arms, allowing for various unique fighting styles. The game’s colorful characters and vibrant world create a playful atmosphere perfect for casual play. Its simple mechanics make it easy to pick up and play, but the game also has a surprising depth!

A screenshot of Skullgirls in-battle. The style is art-deco and cartoony.
Skullgirls has been going strong for well over a decade! Image via GG

Finally, Skullgirls is a 2D fighting game that features a cast of charming and quirky characters. The game’s unique art style and animation give it a distinct personality, while its deep mechanics make it a popular game among competitive players. Its diverse cast of characters, including a jazz singer and a parasol-wielding princess, make it a standout in the genre!

Cute fighting games offer a fun and charming alternative to the more serious and competitive ones. These games provide room for cuteness and fun, even in a challenging and intense genre!

How has Nintendo history impacted your life? What games or characters do you like in particular? Let us know in the comments below!

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Thalia Harris

Writer living in Tokyo who likes stories, music and video games. <3

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