If you’re a fan of video gaming, then chances are you’ve heard of Nintendo. The company has been around since 1889 and is one of the world’s most successful video game companies.
Over the years, Nintendo has released many different Nintendo consoles, each with unique games and experiences.
This blog post will look at the Nintendo consoles of all time. Each console offers something special, from the original Nintendo Entertainment System to the Switch Lite.
Let’s jump in and see what makes these consoles so great!
1. The NES
The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is first on our list as one of the Nintendo consoles of all time.
First released in 1985, it quickly became a huge hit and is credited for revitalizing the entire home console industry after the Atari crash in 1983.
It popularized many concepts that have become modern gaming staples, such as side-scrolling, power-ups, and saves.
The NES featured a library of classic games like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Mega Man, among many others.
It also boasted some of the best controller designs, with a comfortable grip, intuitive layout, and two buttons for each hand.
The NES revolutionized home gaming and paved the way for future consoles. Today, the NES remains a beloved classic, and its influence can be seen in nearly every modern console.
2. The Super NES
The Super NES (or Super Nintendo Entertainment System) was a fourth-generation console released by Nintendo in 1991.
It featured improved graphics and sound compared to the NES and was the first console to use cartridges with onboard RAM.
This allowed for larger, more complex games than what could be achieved on the NES.
The Super NES was home to some of the most beloved titles in video game history.
Games such as Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and Donkey Kong Country pushed the system’s limits, offering expansive worlds and deep, engaging stories.
It also spawned a host of popular franchises, including Street Fighter II, Final Fantasy, and Chrono Trigger.
The SNES Mouse, Super Scope, and MultiTap accessories bolstered the console’s library.
With these devices, gamers could use various experiences, such as point-and-click adventure games, rail shooters, and multiplayer party games.
It’s no wonder the Super NES is still fondly remembered today; its library of fantastic games, innovation in hardware design, and affordability made it one of the most successful Nintendo consoles ever.
3. The Nintendo 64
When the Nintendo 64 hit store shelves in 1996, it revolutionized gaming.
It was the first console to feature true 3D graphics and allowed players to experience some of the industry’s most memorable and groundbreaking games.
The Nintendo 64 library featured some of the most iconic and timeless titles in the world of gaming.
Players could battle it out with their friends in classic titles such as Super Smash Bros, Mario Kart 64, and GoldenEye 007.
They could explore strange new worlds in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time or Banjo Kazooie.
Or they could experience the immersive and intense world of first-person shooters with Perfect Dark and Quake 64.
The Nintendo 64 also created some of the most revolutionary controllers ever created.
The N64 controller was shaped like a trident and featured an analog stick, four shoulder buttons, and a D-pad for maximum control over your game.
This controller is still beloved by gamers worldwide today and is used as a basis for many modern controllers.
The Nintendo 64 was an absolute powerhouse that pushed the boundaries of gaming and created some of the most iconic games ever.
It’s one of the best consoles ever made, and it’s easy to see why it has such a special place in the hearts of gamers everywhere.
4. The Gamecube
The Gamecube is one of the Nintendo consoles of all time. Released in 2001, the Gamecube was Nintendo’s sixth-generation console and the successor to the Nintendo 64.
It was the first Nintendo console to use optical discs as its primary storage device, allowing for larger-capacity games than those available on cartridges.
The Gamecube featured an interesting, compact design, which made it the smallest of the sixth-generation consoles, and it also featured a handle, allowing it to be easily transported.
It was available in various colors, and several different controller options were available.
In terms of games, the Gamecube had a wide selection of titles from classic franchises such as Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Metroid Prime, and F-Zero, as well as new titles like Animal Crossing, Pikmin, and Super Smash Bros Melee.
The Gamecube was also home to a few exclusive titles like Luigi’s Mansion and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door.
The Gamecube was also compatible with Game Boy Advance titles via a link cable and could be used as a DVD player with an optional disc drive.
It also featured online play for certain titles using the Nintendo GameCube Broadband Adapter.
Overall, the Gamecube was a great console that provided a lot of fun and innovative gaming experiences.
5. Wii
The Nintendo Wii, released in 2006, was a revolutionary console for the company and the gaming industry.
It was the first system to feature motion-controlled gaming and drew players in with its innovative and intuitive controls.
The Wii featured various family-friendly games like Wii Sports, Fit Plus, and Mario Kart Wii.
It also had a great library of third-party titles, including popular games like Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Super Mario Galaxy 2, and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
The Wii was also the first console to feature the Virtual Console, a platform that allowed players to purchase classic games from past Nintendo systems.
This meant that players were able to revisit their favorite childhood games, as well as experience games they may have missed out on the first time around.
The Wii was also incredibly popular online. Its online service, called WiiConnect24, enabled players to stay connected even when the system was off.
Players could send messages, play games, and download content from the Wii Shop Channel. This platform also opened up the possibility for downloadable content for existing games and new original titles.
Overall, the Wii was an incredible system that brought innovative gameplay experiences.
It sold over 100 million units during its lifetime and hugely impacted the gaming industry.
From its innovative controls to its strong online presence, gamers worldwide will fondly remember the Wii.
6. Wii U
The Wii U was released in 2012 and is one of the most popular Nintendo consoles ever.
Featured an innovative tablet-like controller with a touch screen and motion controls, allowing for exciting new gameplay opportunities.
The console also boasted some exclusive titles like Super Mario Maker, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, and other games that could be played with the unique controller. The Wii U also had access to the same online services as its predecessor, the Wii.
This included the Nintendo eShop, Miiverse, and streaming services like Hulu and Netflix.
Despite its innovations, the Wii U struggled to find an audience due to its expensive price tag and lack of compelling games.
Despite this, the console has a dedicated fan base that still loves and appreciates its offers.
7. The Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is the latest offering from Nintendo and is already one of the Nintendo consoles of all time.
The Switch has a unique design allows you to use it as a home console or a handheld device.
This makes it perfect for gamers on the go who want to be able to take their gaming with them wherever they go.
The console is powerful enough to handle some of the more intensive games released, including titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Splatoon 2, and Super Mario Odyssey.
It also features many exclusive titles such as Arms, 1-2 Switch, and Snipperclips.
The Switch also offers features that distinguish it from other consoles, such as connecting up to 8 devices for local multiplayer and using motion controls in some games.
In addition, its portability means you can take your gaming with you wherever you go, meaning you’ll never be without your favorite games.
The Nintendo Switch is an incredibly powerful and versatile console that offers gamers something unique.
With its unique design, a wide selection of games, and plenty of features, it will remain among the most popular consoles for years.
8. The Game Boy
The Game Boy was one of the most beloved handheld gaming systems ever, and Nintendo released it in 1989.
The Game Boy was one of the first portable gaming devices ever created, revolutionizing how people played video games.
The original Game Boy was a monochrome device with a low-resolution screen.
Still, despite its primitive design, it quickly became one of the best-selling handheld gaming systems ever.
It featured an 8-bit processor with enough processing power to play simple games such as Tetris, Super Mario Land, and Pokemon Red and Blue.
The Game Boy also had a wide selection of accessories that allowed gamers to customize their experience.
The Game Boy Pocket, released in 1996, was a smaller version of the original and featured an improved display.
It also featured support for additional accessories, including a link cable and Rumble Pack.
The success of the original Game Boy led to the release of multiple versions over the years, including the Game Boy Color in 1998, the Game Boy Advance in 2001, and the Game Boy Advance SP in 2003.
Each version offered gamers a better gaming experience with improved graphics and more powerful processors.
In recent years, Nintendo has released remakes of classic Game Boy titles for modern consoles such as the Nintendo 3DS.
This has allowed gamers to revisit some of their favorite classic titles in new and updated ways.
Overall, the Game Boy is one of the most iconic Nintendo consoles of all time, and it’s still remembered fondly by many gamers today.
It’s no wonder it continues to be one of the best-selling handheld gaming systems of all e.
9. The DS
Next on the list released in 2004, the DS (or “dual-screen”) is one of the Nintendo consoles of all time.
It was the first console to feature a dual-screen setup and popularized the idea of touchscreen gaming, which was unheard of at the time.
The DS featured an impressive library of games, including some of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises, such as Mario Kart, Pokémon, Animal Crossing, and The Legend of Zelda.
The console also had an impressive selection of third-party titles and downloadable games via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.
Despite its small size and short battery life, the DS is an incredibly popular console, selling over 153 million units worldwide.
As such, it is undoubtedly one of the Nintendo consoles of all time.
10. Super Nintendo
The Super Nintendo, released in 1990, is one of the Nintendo consoles of all time.
It was the first console to feature 16-bit graphics, with over 750 titles available at its launch.
It quickly became one of the best-selling gaming consoles of all time and was a major player in the console wars between Sega Genesis and Nintendo.
Super Nintendo featured some of the most iconic video games ever created, such as Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid, and Donkey Kong Country.
Its library of titles is still considered one of the greatest of all time. It also brought forth some of the most beloved video game franchises, such as Final Fantasy and Street Fighter II.
The Super Nintendo also introduced Mode 7 graphics, allowing certain sprites to rotate and scale. This greatly impacted 3D gaming, paving the way for future consoles.
The console also had a special port for hooking up a Super Game Boy adapter, allowing gamers to play classic Game Boy games on their television screen.
The Super Nintendo was an incredibly popular console during its time, and it is still highly sought after today.
It was an incredibly influential console, introducing new concepts that would become gaming staples for years.
Therefore, it will always remain one of the most popular Nintendo consoles of all time.
11. The 3DS
Lastly, The 3DS is also one of the Nintendo consoles of all time, and it deserves a place on this list of the top Nintendo consoles.
Released in 2011, the 3DS offered a unique gaming experience with stereoscopic 3D technology.
This allowed players to see games with a level of depth that was impossible before, giving them an immersive 3D experience.
The 3DS also boasts a library of over 1,500 titles, including some classic Nintendo franchises such as Mario, Zelda, and Animal Crossing.
The console was also equipped with impressive features like StreetPass, AR cards, and the Virtual Console.
These features enabled gamers to get more out of their 3DS and create a unique experience.
The 3DS also has an incredibly long battery life and can take long trips without worrying about running out of juice.
It’s also very durable and designed to last for years. Whether you’re playing the latest 3DS games or want a classic gaming experience, the 3DS is an excellent choice.
Conclusion
Nintendo is one of the biggest names in gaming, and they have been producing some of the popular Nintendo consoles since the 1980s.
With so many great consoles from Nintendo, it can be hard to narrow it down to the greatest.
From the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) to the most recent Nintendo Switch, these consoles have shaped the gaming industry for decades and created an incredible library of classic games.
