Home > News > Nintendo Consoles: Complete Release Date Timeline

Nintendo Consoles: Complete Release Date Timeline

By ConnorApr 01,2025

Nintendo, a household name synonymous with video gaming, has continuously pushed the boundaries of creativity and innovation in the console gaming world. Renowned for its beloved intellectual properties (IPs), Nintendo's charm endures decades later, captivating new and old fans alike. With a lineup of upcoming titles, the company shows no signs of slowing down. The recent announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 has sparked interest in revisiting the gaming giant's storied history of console releases.

Below, we've compiled a comprehensive list of every console Nintendo has released, allowing you to journey through the ages and witness how Nintendo has evolved the gaming industry.

Which Nintendo console had the best games? ------------------------------------------
AnswerSee Results*Looking to save on a new Nintendo Switch or new titles for your system? Be sure to check out the best Nintendo deals available today.*

How Many Nintendo Consoles Have There Been?

In total, 32 Nintendo consoles have been released throughout Nintendo's history. The Switch 2 will mark the 33rd. This count includes both home and handheld consoles, encompassing revisions such as XL and Mini models.

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 pioneering venture into gaming hardware began with the Color TV-Game series, a collaboration with Mitsubishi Electronics. This initial foray was immensely successful, setting the stage for Nintendo's future focus on gaming. Today, the legacy of the Color TV-Game continues to influence Nintendo's commitment to the gaming industry.

Game & Watch - April 28, 1980

Nintendo entered the handheld market with the Game & Watch series, each unit featuring a unique game. These devices sold over 40 million units globally and introduced innovations like the D-Pad, seen in the Donkey Kong model. The series saw a revival with limited editions released in 2020 and 2021, celebrating Mario and Zelda anniversaries.

Nintendo Entertainment System - October 18, 1985

Known as the Family Computer (Famicom) in Japan, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) marked Nintendo's first home console in North America. It introduced cartridge-based gaming, launching iconic franchises such as Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid. The NES remains a cornerstone in gaming history, paving the way for future generations.

Game Boy - July 31, 1989

Game Boy revolutionized handheld gaming with its cartridge system, allowing players to enjoy a variety of games. Notably, it came bundled with Tetris in many regions, except Japan, which significantly boosted its popularity.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System - August 23, 1991

With the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Nintendo brought 16-bit graphics to its home consoles. This era saw major evolutions in popular series with titles like Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country. Despite entering the market late, the SNES became the best-selling console of its generation due to its exceptional game lineup and broad appeal.

Virtual Boy - August 14, 1995

One of Nintendo's most unusual offerings, the Virtual Boy, was the first console to provide true 3D visuals. Although it featured a limited library of 22 games, including notable titles like Mario's Tennis and Virtual Boy Wario Land, it only lasted a year on the market, selling just under 800,000 units.

Game Boy Pocket - September 3, 1996

Game Boy Pocket offered a smaller, more compact design with an improved black-and-white screen over the original Game Boy. It enhanced display response time but came with a shorter battery life.

Nintendo 64 - September 29, 1996

Introducing 3D graphics to Nintendo's home consoles, the Nintendo 64 revolutionized gaming with titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Its innovative controller featured the first analog stick, and the console offered various special edition models, including translucent variants.

Game Boy Light - April 14, 1998

Exclusive to Japan, the Game Boy Light featured a backlight for improved visibility in low-light conditions and offered longer battery life compared to the Game Boy Pocket.

Game Boy Color - November 18, 1998

Game Boy Color introduced color to Nintendo's handhelds and was backward-compatible with all Game Boy games. It enhanced gaming experiences with titles like Tetris, which could now be played in vibrant colors, and supported a new library of color-exclusive games.

Game Boy Advance - June 11, 2001

Game Boy Advance (GBA) marked a significant leap forward with its horizontal design and 16-bit graphics. It maintained backward compatibility with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games, expanding the playable library to thousands of titles.

Pokémon mini - November 16, 2001

Image Credit: GamesRadar
Pokémon mini was a compact handheld focused exclusively on Pokémon games. With only 10 games released and limited distribution, it featured unique elements like a built-in clock, infrared communication, and rumble functionality.

Nintendo GameCube - November 18, 2001

Following the success of the Nintendo 64, the GameCube continued the legacy with titles like Super Mario Sunshine and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. It shifted to optical discs and introduced a more ergonomic controller. The GameCube's influence persists, particularly with franchises like Animal Crossing thriving today.

Panasonic Q - December 14, 2001

A collaboration between Panasonic and Nintendo, the Panasonic Q combined a GameCube with a DVD player. Despite its sleek stainless steel design and LCD panel, its high cost and limited sales led to a short market life.

Game Boy Advance SP - March 23, 2003

Game Boy Advance SP featured a foldable design with the screen on top and controls below. It introduced a rechargeable battery and, in later models, a backlit screen, though it omitted a headphone jack, providing an adapter instead.

Nintendo DS - November 21, 2004

Nintendo DS, the first in its line, became Nintendo's best-selling console with its innovative dual-screen design, including a touchscreen. It also introduced Wi-Fi connectivity, revolutionizing multiplayer gaming.

Game Boy Micro - September 19, 2005

Revealed by Reggie Fils-Aimé at E3 2005, the Game Boy Micro stunned with its compact size and backlit screen. It supported Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games, selling 2.42 million units in 18 months.

Nintendo DS Lite - June 11, 2006

Nintendo DS Lite refined the original DS with a slimmer design, brighter screens, and improved battery life, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Nintendo Wii - November 19, 2006

Nintendo Wii revitalized the home console market with its motion control technology via the Wii Remote. Backward-compatible with GameCube, it introduced the Virtual Console, allowing digital downloads of classic games.

Nintendo DSi - November 1, 2008

Nintendo DSi added cameras and an SD card slot, enhancing multimedia capabilities, but removed the Game Boy Advance slot present in earlier models.

Nintendo DSi XL - November 21, 2009

Nintendo DSi XL offered larger screens and improved audio, making games more immersive and enjoyable.

Nintendo 3DS - March 27, 2011

Nintendo 3DS introduced 3D gaming without glasses, building on the DS legacy with titles like The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Super Mario 3D Land.

Nintendo 3DS XL - August 19, 2012

Nintendo 3DS XL featured significantly larger screens, enhancing the gaming experience while retaining all the features of the original 3DS.

Nintendo Wii U - November 18, 2012

Nintendo Wii U introduced the GamePad controller with an integrated screen, supporting off-TV play. It was Nintendo's first HD console and hosted titles like Super Mario 3D World and Splatoon, though it struggled with marketing and sales.

Nintendo Wii Mini - December 7, 2012

Wii Mini, a streamlined version of the Wii, featured a top-loading disc drive but removed several features, including GameCube support and Wi-Fi connectivity.

Nintendo 2DS - October 12, 2013

Nintendo 2DS provided a more affordable, non-3D alternative to the 3DS, maintaining compatibility with all 3DS games but with reduced sound quality due to a mono speaker.

New Nintendo 3DS - October 11, 2014

New Nintendo 3DS enhanced the original with new controls, including the C-Stick and ZR/ZL buttons, and added NFC support for amiibo.

New Nintendo 3DS XL - February 13, 2015

New Nintendo 3DS XL offered even larger screens than the standard New 3DS, but removed the ability to change face plates, though it provided various special editions.

Nintendo Switch - March 3, 2017

Nintendo Switch combined home and portable gaming, offering unparalleled flexibility and a stellar first-party game library, cementing its place at the top of the industry.

New Nintendo 2DS XL - July 28, 2017

New Nintendo 2DS XL updated the 2DS with an analog stick, shoulder buttons, and amiibo support, returning to the clamshell design and supporting New 3DS titles.

Nintendo Switch Lite - September 20, 2019

Nintendo Switch Lite focused on handheld gaming with a smaller form factor and built-in controllers, forgoing the docking capability of the original Switch.

Nintendo Switch OLED model - October 8, 2021

Nintendo Switch OLED model upgraded the screen to a 7-inch OLED panel, improved speakers, and a new dock with a LAN port, launching alongside Metroid Dread.

Upcoming Nintendo Consoles

PlayFollowing numerous leaks and rumors, Nintendo officially announced the Switch 2. The reveal trailer showcased innovative Joy-Con attachments, a larger screen, and a second USB-C port. It hinted at using Joy-Cons as a mouse and featured a new Mario Kart with 24-player support. The console promises "mostly" backward compatibility and support for both physical and digital games. Analysts estimate a $400 price point, with further details expected in an upcoming Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2.
Which games do you want to see on the Nintendo Switch 2? --------------------------------------------------------

AnswerSee Results

Previous article:Pokémon Go players find love in Madrid as proposals flood Go Fest Next article:LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castle Main Tower Built