Nintendo

Our journey

Nintendo's story begins in Kyoto in 1889 with Hanafuda playing cards and continues through more than a century of transformation across toys, electronic entertainment, video games and global entertainment IP.

1. 1889
   Nintendo begins as a Hanafuda manufacturer

   Fusajiro Yamauchi began manufacturing and selling Hanafuda playing cards in Kyoto, establishing the business that would eventually become Nintendo Co., Ltd. The company began its history in traditional Japanese playing-card manufacturing before expanding into other forms of entertainment.

   Fusajiro Yamauchi
2. 1902
   Nintendo begins manufacturing Western-style playing cards

   Nintendo expanded beyond Hanafuda by beginning production of Western-style playing cards, broadening the company's playing-card business in Japan.

3. 1947
   Marufuku Co., Ltd. is established

   Marufuku Co., Ltd. was established in November 1947, taking over the manufacturing and sale of playing cards and karuta products. This corporate entity became the predecessor of the modern Nintendo Co., Ltd.

4. 1951
   Company becomes Nintendo Playing Card Co., Ltd.

   Marufuku Co., Ltd. changed its corporate name to Nintendo Playing Card Co., Ltd., reflecting its focus on playing-card manufacturing and sales.

5. 1953
   Nintendo begins mass-producing plastic playing cards

   Nintendo became the first company in Japan to successfully mass-produce plastic playing cards, marking an important manufacturing development for the business.

6. 1959
   Nintendo introduces Disney-character playing cards

   Nintendo began selling playing cards featuring Disney characters, opening a new market for children's playing cards in Japan and demonstrating an early move toward character-based entertainment.

7. 1963
   Nintendo Co., Ltd. is established

   The company changed its name to Nintendo Co., Ltd. and expanded beyond playing cards into the manufacture and sale of games and toys.

8. 1968
   Nintendo automates playing-card production

   Nintendo introduced machinery to automate the production of Japanese playing cards by applying backing paper to cards, representing an important step in modernizing its manufacturing operations.

9. 1973
   Nintendo develops the Laser Clay Shooting System

   Nintendo developed the Laser Clay Shooting System for leisure facilities, extending the company's entertainment business into electronic and interactive experiences.

10. 1977
    Nintendo enters the home video-game market

    Nintendo launched its first home video-game machines, TV Game 15 and TV Game 6, marking the company's entry into home video-game hardware.

11. 1978
    Nintendo enters arcade video games

    Nintendo developed and began selling arcade video-game machines, expanding its electronic entertainment business into arcade gaming.

12. 1980
    GAME & WATCH launches

    Nintendo developed and began selling GAME & WATCH, introducing a portable electronic gaming product line that became an important part of the company's early handheld gaming history. In the same year, Nintendo established Nintendo of America Inc. in New York.

13. 1981
    Donkey Kong launches in arcades

    Nintendo developed and began selling the arcade game Donkey Kong, a major step in the company's development of character-driven video-game entertainment.

14. 1983
    Family Computer launches in Japan

    Nintendo launched the Family Computer, commonly known as the Famicom, in Japan. The company also established a manufacturing plant in Uji, Kyoto, which became the Uji Plant.

15. 1985
    Super Mario Bros. launches

    Nintendo began selling Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System, establishing one of the company's most important game franchises.

16. 1989
    Game Boy launches

    Nintendo launched the Game Boy handheld video-game system, expanding its dedicated gaming hardware business into a new generation of portable gaming.

17. 1990
    Super Famicom launches

    Nintendo launched the Super Famicom home video-game system in Japan, known internationally as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Nintendo also established Nintendo of Europe GmbH in Germany, now Nintendo of Europe SE.

18. 1996
    Nintendo 64 launches

    Nintendo launched the Nintendo 64 home video-game system, introducing a new generation of Nintendo hardware and software.

19. 2000
    Nintendo moves its headquarters to its current Kyoto location

    Nintendo relocated its headquarters to 11-1 Hokotate-cho, Kamitoba, Minami-ku, Kyoto, Japan, the location of the company's current headquarters.

20. 2001
    Game Boy Advance and Nintendo GameCube launch

    Nintendo launched the Game Boy Advance handheld system and Nintendo GameCube home console, continuing its development of dedicated gaming hardware across portable and home platforms.

21. 2004
    Nintendo DS launches

    Nintendo launched the Nintendo DS handheld video-game system, introducing a dual-screen hardware design and expanding Nintendo's handheld platform business.

22. 2006
    Wii launches

    Nintendo launched the Wii home video-game system, introducing motion-based interaction through the Wii Remote and expanding the company's approach to accessible gaming.

23. 2011
    Nintendo 3DS launches

    Nintendo launched the Nintendo 3DS handheld system, bringing stereoscopic 3D capabilities to Nintendo's handheld hardware line.

24. 2012
    Wii U launches

    Nintendo launched the Wii U home video-game system, introducing the Wii U GamePad and a new approach to home-console gameplay.

25. 2016
    Nintendo enters smart-device applications

    Nintendo released Miitomo, its first smart-device application, beginning a broader expansion of Nintendo's characters and entertainment into mobile applications.

26. 2017
    Nintendo Switch launches

    Nintendo launched Nintendo Switch on March 3, 2017. The system combined home-console and portable play, using detachable Joy-Con controllers and a dock for television play.

27. 2018
    Nintendo Switch Online launches

    Nintendo began the Nintendo Switch Online service, adding online features and services for Nintendo Switch users.

28. 2019
    Nintendo TOKYO opens

    Nintendo opened Nintendo TOKYO in Shibuya, Tokyo, its first official Nintendo flagship store in Japan.

29. 2021
    SUPER NINTENDO WORLD opens at Universal Studios Japan

    SUPER NINTENDO WORLD opened at Universal Studios Japan, creating Nintendo's first theme-park area and expanding the company's entertainment presence beyond games and hardware.

30. 2022
    Nintendo moves to the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange

    Following the Tokyo Stock Exchange's market restructuring, Nintendo moved from the former First Section to the Prime Market on April 4, 2022.

31. 2023
    The Super Mario Bros. Movie is released

    The Super Mario Bros. Movie was released as the first animated movie produced in partnership with Nintendo, extending one of Nintendo's major entertainment properties into feature film.

32. 2024
    Nintendo Museum opens in Uji, Kyoto

    Nintendo opened the Nintendo Museum in Uji, Kyoto, providing visitors with exhibits covering the company's history and its entertainment products, from its early Hanafuda cards through later gaming hardware and software.

33. 2025
    Nintendo Switch 2 launches

    Nintendo launched Nintendo Switch 2 as the successor to Nintendo Switch. The system introduced a larger display, magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers, increased processing and graphics performance, and new features including GameChat.