Nintendo Consoles: Complete Release Date Timeline

Nintendo, a name synonymous with video gaming history, has long been at the forefront of creativity and innovation within the home console market. Renowned for its extensive catalog of beloved intellectual properties, Nintendo continues to captivate gamers with the charm of classics that still shine brightly decades later. With an exciting lineup of upcoming releases, the company shows no signs of slowing down. The recent official announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2 has sparked interest in revisiting the storied history of Nintendo's console offerings.

Below, we've compiled a comprehensive list of every console Nintendo has ever released, allowing you to journey through time and witness how Nintendo has consistently pushed the boundaries of gaming technology and entertainment.

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 the gaming hardware arena was the Color TV-Game series, a collaboration with Mitsubishi Electronics that marked a significant entry into the market. These systems were immensely successful and paved the way for Nintendo's focus on gaming hardware, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to influence the company's dedication to gaming.

Game & Watch - April 28, 1980

Nintendo's first handheld venture, the Game & Watch series, introduced unique single-game devices that sold over 40 million units worldwide. These devices pioneered features like the D-Pad, which are still in use today. Their impact was reaffirmed with limited edition releases celebrating Mario and Zelda's anniversaries in recent years.

Nintendo Entertainment System - October 18, 1985

Known as the Family Computer (Famicom) in Japan, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) revolutionized home gaming with its cartridge-based system. It launched iconic franchises like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid, cementing its place as a pivotal console in video game history.

Game Boy - July 31, 1989

With the Game Boy, Nintendo introduced the first true handheld console to North America, revolutionizing portable gaming with its cartridge system. The bundled Tetris became a cultural phenomenon and defined the handheld gaming experience.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System - August 23, 1991

Launching with 16-bit graphics, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) ushered in a new era of gaming with titles like Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country. Despite a late entry into its generation, it became the best-selling console of its time due to its robust software lineup.

Virtual Boy - August 14, 1995

Nintendo's Virtual Boy was an ambitious but short-lived foray into 3D gaming. With only 22 games released, including popular titles like Mario's Tennis and Virtual Boy Wario Land, it sold just under 800,000 units before being discontinued.

Game Boy Pocket - September 3, 1996

A sleeker version of the original Game Boy, the Game Boy Pocket introduced a sharper black-and-white screen and enhanced hardware for better response times. Though smaller, it had a shorter battery life compared to its predecessor.

Nintendo 64 - September 29, 1996

Marking the advent of 3D gaming on a Nintendo home console, the Nintendo 64 brought iconic titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Its innovative controller introduced the analog stick, revolutionizing gameplay mechanics.

Game Boy Light - April 14, 1998

Exclusive to Japan, the Game Boy Light featured a backlight for improved visibility in low-light conditions, offering a longer battery life compared to the Game Boy Pocket despite its larger size.

Game Boy Color - November 18, 1998

Introducing color to the handheld market, the Game Boy Color was backward-compatible with previous Game Boy games and introduced hundreds of new titles, enhancing gaming experiences with vibrant graphics.

Game Boy Advance - June 11, 2001

With its horizontal design and 16-bit graphics, the Game Boy Advance (GBA) marked a significant leap forward in handheld gaming. Its backward compatibility expanded its game library into the thousands.

Pokémon mini - November 16, 2001

Nintendo GameCube - November 18, 2001

Building on the success of the Nintendo 64, the GameCube offered sequels to beloved titles and introduced new franchises like Animal Crossing. Its shift to optical discs and improved controller design marked significant advancements.

Panasonic Q - December 14, 2001

A collaboration with Panasonic, the Q combined a GameCube with a DVD player, offering a unique multimedia experience. Its high price and limited market presence led to its discontinuation after two years.

Game Boy Advance SP - March 23, 2003

With a foldable design and rechargeable battery, the Game Boy Advance SP enhanced the GBA experience. Later models included a backlight, although it lacked a headphone jack, requiring an adapter for audio.

Nintendo DS - November 21, 2004

Introducing dual screens and Wi-Fi connectivity, the Nintendo DS became the best-selling console in its line. Its innovative touchscreen and stylus-based gameplay set it apart from contemporaries.

Game Boy Micro - September 19, 2005

Revealed by Reggie Fils-Aimé, the Game Boy Micro was a compact revision of the GBA with a backlit screen and adjustable brightness. It sold 2.42 million units before production ceased.

Nintendo DS Lite - June 11, 2006

With a slimmer design and brighter screens, the Nintendo DS Lite improved upon the original DS, offering better visibility and extended battery life.

Nintendo Wii - November 19, 2006

Revolutionizing home gaming with motion controls, the Nintendo Wii became a cultural phenomenon. Its backward compatibility with GameCube titles and the introduction of Virtual Console expanded its appeal.

Nintendo DSi - November 1, 2008

Adding cameras and an SD card slot, the Nintendo DSi refined the DS experience, though it removed the Game Boy Advance slot present in earlier models.

Nintendo DSi XL - November 21, 2009

With larger screens and improved audio, the Nintendo DSi XL enhanced the gaming experience, making it easier to enjoy DS games on a bigger display.

Nintendo 3DS - March 27, 2011

Introducing stereoscopic 3D without glasses, the Nintendo 3DS offered a new dimension to handheld gaming. It featured a rich library, including titles like The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.

Nintendo 3DS XL - August 19, 2012

With screens 90% larger than the original 3DS, the 3DS XL provided a more immersive gaming experience while retaining all the features of its predecessor.

Nintendo Wii U - November 18, 2012

Despite its innovative GamePad with an integrated screen, the Nintendo Wii U struggled with poor marketing and consumer confusion. However, it introduced HD gaming and notable titles like Super Mario 3D World.

Nintendo Wii Mini - December 7, 2012

A smaller, lighter version of the Wii, the Wii Mini removed several features, including GameCube support and Wi-Fi connectivity, targeting a budget-conscious audience.

Nintendo 2DS - October 12, 2013

Offering 2D gaming at a lower price, the Nintendo 2DS played all 3DS games without the 3D effect. Its mono speaker and flat design represented cost-saving measures.

New Nintendo 3DS - October 11, 2014

With new controls like the C-Stick and NFC support for amiibo, the New Nintendo 3DS offered enhanced gaming experiences and improved hardware capabilities.

New Nintendo 3DS XL - February 13, 2015

Larger than the standard New 3DS, the New 3DS XL featured bigger screens but removed the customizable face plates, though it offered numerous special editions.

Nintendo Switch - March 3, 2017

Combining home and portable gaming, the Nintendo Switch revitalized the industry with its versatile design and an exceptional first-party game library, including some of the best titles ever released.

New Nintendo 2DS XL - July 28, 2017

Returning to a clamshell design, the New Nintendo 2DS XL added features like an analog stick and amiibo support, playing both 3DS and New 3DS titles.

Nintendo Switch Lite - September 20, 2019

Designed exclusively for handheld play, the Nintendo Switch Lite featured built-in controllers and a smaller form factor, offering a more affordable option for gamers.

Nintendo Switch OLED model - October 8, 2021

Enhancing the Switch experience, the OLED model introduced a larger, higher-quality screen, improved speakers, and a new dock with a LAN port, launching alongside Metroid Dread.

Upcoming Nintendo Consoles

Analysts suggest that the Nintendo Switch 2 might retail around $400. Based on the trailer, we've gathered all the information available, but more details, including a release date, are expected to be shared during the upcoming Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2.