1889 - Nintendo’s founders begin manufacturing Japanese ‘Hanafuda’ playing cards in Kyoto.
1970s - Nintendo branches out into electronic games that become extremely popular in amusement arcades. |
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1980 - Nintendo of America Inc. is established in New York. The Game & Watch portable game system is introduced.
1981 - Nintendo’s ‘coin-op’ arcade game Donkey Kong becomes the best-selling machine in the business. |
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1986 - The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
launches in Europe, including Super Mario. Bros which became one of the
biggest-selling games of all time.
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1989 - The Game Boy is introduced, eventually becoming the most popular portable gaming system in the world.
1990 - Nintendo of Europe establishes its headquarters in Grossostheim, Germany.
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1992 - The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) arrives, bringing even more powerful gaming to homes.
1996 - The Nintendo 64 console is launched, along
with an innovative ‘Rumble Pak’ that let players feel their games like
never before.
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1999 - After taking Japan and America by storm, Pokémon is released in Europe; helping Game Boy sales pass the 100 million mark.
2001 - The Game Boy Advance, more powerful than its predecessor and even more portable, comes to Europe. |
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2002 - Nintendo’s powerful
new console Nintendo GameCube arrives in Europe, followed by a
revolutionary ‘WaveBird’ wireless controller.
2003 - Game Boy Advance SP, a new design for the hit handheld, is released, including an illuminated screen for gaming anywhere. |
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2004 - Nintendo continues to innovate with games like Donkey Konga, which uses bongo drums to control the action.
2005 - Nintendo releases the
Nintendo DS, a new handheld system with a touch-sensitive screen,
built-in microphone and wireless multiplayer features. |
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2006 - Building on the massive success of the Nintendo DS, Nintendo releases the Nintendo DS Lite; a sleeker version with the same unique features. In December, players also get their hands on the new home console system, Wii, with its unique one-handed motion-sensitive controller. |
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