All Nintendo Consoles and Handhelds 2025: Complete History Guide

Nintendo has revolutionized gaming for over 48 years, creating some of the most iconic consoles and handhelds in video game history.

Nintendo has released 33 different video game consoles including home consoles, handhelds, and hybrid systems from 1977 to 2025, establishing themselves as pioneers in gaming innovation and entertainment.

From their first Color TV-Game in 1977 to the revolutionary Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025, Nintendo has consistently pushed the boundaries of gaming technology while maintaining their commitment to fun, accessible entertainment.

This comprehensive guide covers every Nintendo console ever made, including technical specifications, market impact, and collector’s value for each system.

Nintendo’s Console Legacy: By the Numbers (2025)

Nintendo’s gaming empire spans eight distinct home consoles, eight dedicated handheld systems, and one revolutionary hybrid platform, totaling 17 primary console lines with hundreds of variations and special editions.

The company has sold over 800 million hardware units worldwide, with their handheld division dominating the portable gaming market for decades through innovations like the Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and Switch families.

Nintendo’s influence extends beyond sales figures – they’ve introduced groundbreaking technologies like the D-pad, analog sticks, motion controls, and hybrid gaming that have become industry standards.

Nintendo Home Consoles: Living Room Revolution

Nintendo’s home consoles have defined gaming generations, from the NES that saved the industry in the 1980s to the Switch that redefined how we play in 2025.

1. Color TV-Game (1977-1980)

Nintendo’s first video game console was the Color TV-Game, released in Japan on June 1, 1977, featuring built-in Pong-style games.

The system featured five different models with variations in game selection and controls, marking Nintendo’s entry into the electronic gaming market before they became a video game powerhouse.

2. Nintendo Entertainment System (NES/Famicom) (1983/1985)

The NES revitalized the video game industry after the 1983 crash, introducing iconic franchises like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.

Originally released as the Famicom in Japan in 1983, the NES launched in North America in 1985 and became a cultural phenomenon, selling over 61 million units worldwide.

Specification	NES Technical Details
Processor	6502 8-bit CPU at 1.79 MHz
Graphics	256×240 resolution, 25 colors
Memory	2 KB RAM, 2 KB Video RAM
Media	Cartridges (up to 7.8 MB)

3. Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES/Super Famicom) (1990/1991)

The SNES represented Nintendo’s 16-bit dominance, featuring superior graphics, sound, and the ability to produce Mode 7 graphics for pseudo-3D effects.

Launched during the fierce console wars with Sega Genesis, the SNES eventually triumphed with a library of timeless classics and sold over 49 million units globally.

4. Nintendo 64 (1996)

Nintendo’s leap into 3D gaming arrived with the N64, introducing analog sticks, four controller ports, and groundbreaking titles like Super Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time.

Despite sticking with cartridges instead of CDs, the N64 sold nearly 33 million units and established many 3D gaming conventions still used today.

5. Nintendo GameCube (2001)

The GameCube marked Nintendo’s transition to optical discs, featuring a unique design and powerful hardware that competed with PlayStation 2 and Xbox.

While its commercial success was moderate (22 million units sold), the GameCube hosted beloved exclusives and pioneered features like portable memory cards and innovative controller design.

6. Nintendo Wii (2006)

The Wii revolutionized gaming with motion controls, bringing gaming to mainstream audiences and selling over 101 million units to become Nintendo’s best-selling home console.

The system’s innovative approach focused on accessible, family-friendly entertainment rather than raw power, creating a new market segment and spawning countless imitators.

7. Nintendo Wii U (2012)

The Wii U introduced tablet-style gaming with its GamePad controller but suffered from poor marketing and consumer confusion about what it actually was.

Despite innovations like off-TV play and Miiverse social features, the Wii U sold only 13.5 million units, making it Nintendo’s least successful home console.

8. Nintendo Switch (2017-present)

The Switch pioneered hybrid gaming, functioning as both a home console and portable system with its innovative dock-and-play design.

With over 132 million units sold, the Switch has become Nintendo’s second-best-selling system and revitalized the company’s fortunes after the Wii U’s struggles.

Nintendo Handheld Consoles: Portable Gaming Pioneers

Nintendo has dominated the handheld gaming market for decades, creating revolutionary portable systems that have defined gaming on the go.

1. Game & Watch (1980-1991)

Nintendo’s first handheld systems were simple LCD games featuring single titles, created by Gunpei Yokoi and selling 43.4 million units across 60 different games.

These inexpensive, durable devices established Nintendo’s reputation for quality handheld gaming and featured innovative designs that would influence future portables.

2. Game Boy (1989)

The original Game Boy revolutionized portable gaming with its interchangeable cartridges and 8-bit power, launching with Tetris and selling over 118 million units worldwide.

Despite monochrome graphics and competing with color systems, the Game Boy’s excellent battery life, huge game library, and durability made it an undeniable success.

3. Game Boy Color (1998)

The Game Boy Color brought Nintendo’s handheld into the color era while maintaining full backward compatibility with original Game Boy games.

The system featured improved hardware, a color palette, and enhanced games while selling nearly 119 million units combined with the original Game Boy line.

4. Game Boy Advance (2001)

The GBA represented Nintendo’s leap to 32-bit handheld gaming, featuring a horizontal design reminiscent of SNES controllers and powerful hardware.

With its excellent library and multiple hardware revisions (SP, Micro), the GBA line sold over 81 million units and solidified Nintendo’s handheld dominance.

5. Nintendo DS (2004)

The DS revolutionized handheld gaming with dual screens, touch controls, and innovative software that attracted both traditional and casual gamers.

Becoming the best-selling handheld console of all time with 154 million units sold, the DS family included multiple revisions and expanded gaming to new audiences.

6. Nintendo 3DS (2011)

The 3DS introduced glasses-free 3D gaming while maintaining backward compatibility with DS games, though the 3D feature was divisive among users.

Despite strong competition from mobile gaming, the 3DS family sold 75 million units and hosted an excellent library of games across its various models.

7. Virtual Boy (1995)

Nintendo’s rare commercial failure, the Virtual Boy attempted to create 3D gaming experiences but was hampered by technical limitations and poor design.

Lasting only one year with 22 games released, the Virtual Boy taught Nintendo valuable lessons about innovation versus practicality in gaming hardware.

8. Pokémon Mini (2001)

A small, cartridge-based handheld focused on Pokémon-themed games, the Pokémon Mini was Nintendo’s smallest and lightest system ever produced.

Selling only 1.5 million units, it was a niche product that demonstrated Nintendo’s willingness to experiment with different form factors and concepts.

Nintendo Switch Family: Hybrid Revolution

The Nintendo Switch represents Nintendo’s most successful hardware innovation, combining home console and portable gaming in one device.

Switch Models and Variations

The Switch family has expanded to include four main models: original Switch (2017), Switch Lite (2019), Switch OLED (2021), and Switch 2 (2025).

• Original Switch: Hybrid design with detachable Joy-Cons and 6.2-inch screen
• Switch Lite: Dedicated handheld with integrated controls and 5.5-inch screen
• Switch OLED: Premium model with 7-inch OLED screen and enhanced features
• Switch 2: Latest model with magnetic Joy-Cons and enhanced processing power

Technical Innovation

The Switch’s hybrid concept has proven revolutionary, allowing players to seamlessly transition between home console and portable gaming while maintaining a unified game library.

With over 132 million units sold, the Switch has demonstrated that innovative gameplay concepts can often outperform raw technical specifications in the market.

Console Variations and Special Editions

Nintendo has released hundreds of console variations and special editions throughout their history, creating opportunities for collectors and fans to express their personality.

Regional Variations

Different regions often received unique console versions, such as Japan’s Famicom versus North America’s NES, or exclusive colors and designs for specific markets.

Limited Edition Consoles

Special editions tied to games like Pokémon, Zelda, or Mario have become highly collectible, often featuring unique designs, bundled games, or enhanced features.

Collector’s Value

Rare consoles like the Nintendo World Championships cartridge, limited edition Famicom variants, and special edition DS models can command premium prices among collectors.

Nintendo’s Market Impact and Legacy

Nintendo has shaped the video game industry through consistent innovation, focusing on gameplay experiences rather than technical specifications.

Industry Innovations

From introducing the D-pad to pioneering motion controls and hybrid gaming, Nintendo has consistently created new ways to play that competitors later adopt.

Market Position

Nintendo has maintained relevance across nearly five decades of gaming by targeting family-friendly entertainment and innovation over raw power, creating sustainable market segments.

Cultural Impact

Nintendo’s characters and franchises have become cultural icons, extending beyond gaming into movies, merchandise, and mainstream entertainment.

Final Recommendations

Nintendo’s 48-year journey through gaming hardware has produced some of the most innovative and beloved consoles in history, from the NES that saved an industry to the Switch that redefined how we play games.

For collectors, original Nintendo consoles in good condition with original packaging represent excellent investments, particularly rare variations and special editions.

For modern gamers, the Nintendo Switch family continues Nintendo’s tradition of innovation while providing access to both modern titles and classic games through Nintendo Switch Online.

Nintendo’s legacy proves that gaming innovation isn’t just about technical specifications – it’s about creating new ways to play that bring joy to millions of players worldwide.