Nintendo stands as a towering figure in the world of video games, renowned for its trailblazing creativity and innovation in the console market. From its earliest days, Nintendo has crafted a legacy of beloved intellectual properties that continue to enchant players decades later. With an exciting lineup of upcoming titles and the recent announcement of the Switch 2, there's no indication that Nintendo plans to slow down. As we look forward to the future, it's the perfect time to reflect on Nintendo's storied history in the console arena.

Below, we've compiled a comprehensive list of every console Nintendo has ever released. Embark on a journey through time and see how Nintendo has 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 inaugural venture into gaming hardware was the Color TV-Game series, a partnership with Mitsubishi Electronics. This collaboration was pivotal as Nintendo lacked experience in hardware development at the time. The Color TV-Game was a massive hit and paved the way for Nintendo's focus on gaming hardware. Its impact is still felt nearly 50 years later, as Nintendo continues to innovate in the gaming industry.

Game & Watch - April 28, 1980

Nintendo ventured into the handheld market with the Game & Watch series, each unit featuring a unique game. Selling over 40 million units worldwide, these devices introduced groundbreaking features still used today, such as the D-Pad in the Donkey Kong Game & Watch. The series made a nostalgic return with limited edition models in 2020 and 2021 to celebrate the anniversaries of Mario and Zelda.

Nintendo Entertainment System - October 18, 1985

Known as the Famicom in Japan, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was Nintendo's first home console released in North America. It revolutionized gaming with its cartridge system, allowing players to enjoy a vast library of games. Many iconic Nintendo franchises, including Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid, originated on the NES, making it a cornerstone in video game history.

Game Boy - July 31, 1989

Launched in North America in the summer of 1989, the Game Boy was Nintendo's first true handheld console. It advanced beyond the Game & Watch by using cartridges, enabling a wide array of games. Tetris, bundled with the console in most regions except Japan, became synonymous with the Game Boy experience.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System - August 23, 1991

With the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Nintendo introduced 16-bit graphics to its platform. This console was home to significant evolutions in major series, such as Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country. Despite launching later in its generation, the SNES became the best-selling console of its time due to its exceptional games and broad appeal.

Virtual Boy - August 14, 1995

Nintendo's most unconventional console, the Virtual Boy, was the first to display true 3D visuals. Only 22 games were released for it, with popular titles including Mario's Tennis and Virtual Boy Wario Land. The Virtual Boy was short-lived, lasting just a year on the market with sales under 800,000 units.

Game Boy Pocket - September 3, 1996

Smaller and with a crisper black-and-white screen than the original Game Boy, the Game Boy Pocket boasted improved response times. However, its smaller size resulted in a shorter battery life compared to its predecessor.

Nintendo 64 - September 29, 1996

Revolutionizing home console gaming with 3D graphics, the Nintendo 64 brought us iconic titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Its innovative controller featured the first analog stick, and Nintendo released several special editions, including translucent variants.

Game Boy Light - April 14, 1998

Exclusive to Japan, the Game Boy Light was larger than the Game Boy Pocket but included a backlight for playing in low-light conditions. This enhancement resulted in a longer battery life of about 20 hours.

Game Boy Color - November 18, 1998

Bringing color to handheld gaming, the Game Boy Color was backwards-compatible with all previous Game Boy games. Some titles, like Tetris, were enhanced with vibrant colors, and new games were developed specifically for this system.

Game Boy Advance - June 11, 2001

With the Game Boy Advance (GBA), Nintendo made a significant leap in handheld technology. It adopted a horizontal design and supported 16-bit graphics, while remaining backwards-compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. The GBA expanded the gaming library into the thousands.

Pokémon mini - November 16, 2001

Image Credit: GamesRadarFocused exclusively on Pokémon games, the Pokémon mini was incredibly compact. Only 10 games were released for it, with four in North America. It featured a built-in clock, infrared communication, and rumble functionality.

Nintendo GameCube - November 18, 2001

Building on the success of the Nintendo 64, the GameCube offered sequels to beloved titles like Super Mario Sunshine and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. It transitioned from cartridges to discs and introduced a controller with built-in rumble and analog/digital triggers. The GameCube's legacy lives on with popular franchises like Animal Crossing.

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. Its high price and low sales led to a short market life of two years.

Game Boy Advance SP - March 23, 2003

Revising the Game Boy Advance, the Game Boy Advance SP (GBA SP) introduced a foldable design with the screen on top and controls below. It added a rechargeable battery and a backlit screen in later models, though it omitted a headphone jack.

Nintendo DS - November 21, 2004

Launching the best-selling DS line, the Nintendo DS featured Wi-Fi support and a unique clamshell design with two screens, including a touchscreen. This design enabled innovative gameplay not seen before in the market.

Game Boy Micro - September 19, 2005

Revealed at E3 2005, the Game Boy Micro impressed with its tiny size and backlit screen with adjustable brightness. It was backwards-compatible with Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games, selling 2.42 million units over 18 months.

Nintendo DS Lite - June 11, 2006

With a slimmer and lighter design, the Nintendo DS Lite improved upon the original DS. Its brighter screens and enhanced battery life made for a better gaming experience.

Nintendo Wii - November 19, 2006

Reviving Nintendo's home console market, the Wii introduced motion controls with its innovative Wii Remote. It supported backwards compatibility with GameCube games and controllers, and its Virtual Console allowed digital downloads of classic games.

Nintendo DSi - November 1, 2008

Adding cameras and an SD card slot, the Nintendo DSi enhanced the DS experience but removed the Game Boy Advance slot.

Nintendo DSi XL - November 21, 2009

Larger and with improved sound and battery life, the Nintendo DSi XL offered wider screens for a more immersive experience.

Nintendo 3DS - March 27, 2011

Successor to the DS line, the Nintendo 3DS introduced 3D gaming without glasses, utilizing the same stereoscopic technology as the Virtual Boy. It featured a robust library of games including The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Super Mario 3D Land.

Nintendo 3DS XL - August 19, 2012

Offering a 90% larger screen than the original 3DS, the Nintendo 3DS XL enhanced visibility and gaming experience while retaining all the features of its predecessor.

Nintendo Wii U - November 18, 2012

Following the Wii, the Wii U introduced the GamePad controller with a built-in screen for off-TV play. It was Nintendo's first HD console and supported all Wii games and accessories. Despite its innovative titles, poor marketing affected its sales.

Nintendo Wii Mini - December 7, 2012

A smaller, lighter version of the Wii, the Wii Mini removed GameCube support, Wi-Fi, 480p resolution, and SD card slots. It launched in Canada at the end of the Wii's lifecycle.

Nintendo 2DS - October 12, 2013

Offering 2D gameplay, the Nintendo 2DS removed the 3D feature but maintained compatibility with all 3DS games. It used a mono speaker and had a lower price point.

New Nintendo 3DS - October 11, 2014

Upgrading the 3DS, the New Nintendo 3DS added new controls like the C-Stick and ZR/ZL buttons, along with NFC support for amiibo. It launched in several regions before reaching North America.

New Nintendo 3DS XL - February 13, 2015

With larger screens than the New Nintendo 3DS, the XL model enhanced the gaming experience but removed the ability to change face plates.

Nintendo Switch - March 3, 2017

Combining home and portable gaming, the Nintendo Switch realized the vision of the Wii U. Its versatility, coupled with a stellar first-party library, propelled Nintendo back to the top of the gaming industry.

New Nintendo 2DS XL - July 28, 2017

Upgrading the 2DS, the New Nintendo 2DS XL added an analog stick, shoulder buttons, and amiibo support. It returned to the clamshell design and played New 3DS titles.

Nintendo Switch Lite - September 20, 2019

Smaller and with a 5.5-inch LCD screen, the Nintendo Switch Lite was designed for handheld play only, removing the Joy-Con controllers and docking capability.

Nintendo Switch OLED model - October 8, 2021

Featuring a 7-inch OLED screen, the Nintendo Switch OLED model improved upon the original with enhanced speakers, a better kickstand, and a new dock with rounded corners and a LAN port.

Upcoming Nintendo Consoles