Nintendo is a household name in the gaming world, synonymous with creativity and innovation. From its inception, Nintendo has consistently pushed the boundaries of home console gaming, boasting a rich catalog of iconic intellectual properties (IPs) that remain beloved decades later. With an exciting lineup of upcoming titles, the company continues to demonstrate its commitment to evolving the gaming experience. As Nintendo officially announces the Switch 2, it's a perfect time to reflect on the gaming giant's storied history in the console market.

Below, we've compiled a comprehensive list of every console Nintendo has released, inviting you to explore the evolution of gaming through the ages and witness how Nintendo has continuously advanced the medium.

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. We've included all revision models for both home and handheld consoles, which encompass variations 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 foray into the gaming hardware market began with the Color TV-Game series, a pioneering venture in partnership with Mitsubishi Electronics. This collaboration was crucial as Nintendo was new to hardware development at the time. The Color TV-Game systems were a huge success and set the stage for Nintendo's focus on gaming hardware, a legacy that continues to thrive nearly 50 years later.

Game & Watch - April 28, 1980

Nintendo's initial step into handheld gaming came with the Game & Watch series, each unit featuring a unique game. Despite their simple appearance, these devices sold over 40 million units worldwide, introducing innovations like the D-Pad, seen in the Donkey Kong Game & Watch. These handhelds have seen a revival with limited edition releases in 2020 and 2021 to celebrate the anniversaries of Mario and Zelda.

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 release in North America. It revolutionized gaming with its cartridge system, allowing players to expand their game library. Many of Nintendo's flagship franchises, including Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid, debuted here, making the NES a cornerstone in video game history.

Game Boy - July 31, 1989

Launching in North America in the summer of 1989, the Game Boy was Nintendo's first dedicated handheld console. It advanced beyond the Game & Watch by using cartridges, enabling players to enjoy a variety of games. Tetris, bundled with the system in most regions except Japan, became synonymous with the Game Boy's success.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System - August 23, 1991

With the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Nintendo introduced 16-bit graphics to its home consoles. This era saw significant developments in major series like Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country. Despite entering the market later in the console generation, the SNES became the best-selling console of its time, thanks to its extensive and innovative game lineup.

Virtual Boy - August 14, 1995

Perhaps one of Nintendo's most unique consoles, the Virtual Boy was the first to offer true 3D visuals without the need for special glasses. With just 22 games released, including titles like Mario's Tennis and Virtual Boy Wario Land, it had a brief market life of one year, selling nearly 800,000 units.

Game Boy Pocket - September 3, 1996

A smaller, more portable version of the original Game Boy, the Game Boy Pocket featured a clearer black-and-white screen. It also boasted improved hardware for better screen response time, though its smaller size meant shorter battery life.

Nintendo 64 - September 29, 1996

Revolutionizing home console gaming with 3D graphics, the Nintendo 64 introduced iconic titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Its innovative controller, featuring the first analog stick, set new standards for gameplay. The N64 also offered numerous special edition models, including translucent variants.

Game Boy Light - April 14, 1998

Exclusively released in Japan, the Game Boy Light was larger than the Game Boy Pocket but included a backlight for low-light gaming. This feature contributed to a longer battery life, up to 20 hours.

Game Boy Color - November 18, 1998

Bringing color to handheld gaming, the Game Boy Color was backward-compatible with all previous Game Boy games, enhancing classics like Tetris with vibrant colors. Its new hardware supported hundreds of exclusive titles, enriching the gaming experience.

Game Boy Advance - June 11, 2001

With the Game Boy Advance (GBA), Nintendo took a significant leap forward in handheld gaming technology. Its horizontal design and support for 16-bit graphics marked a departure from previous models. Backward compatibility allowed access to thousands of Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.

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 like Super Mario Sunshine and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. It transitioned from cartridges to discs and introduced a more ergonomic controller with rumble features. Franchises like Animal Crossing, which debuted on the GameCube, remain popular today.

Panasonic Q - December 14, 2001

A collaboration between Panasonic and Nintendo, the Panasonic Q combined a GameCube with a DVD player. Its sleek stainless steel design and front LCD panel were unique, though high costs and low sales limited its market life to two years.

Game Boy Advance SP - March 23, 2003

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

Nintendo DS - November 21, 2004

Launching the DS line, the Nintendo DS was Nintendo's best-selling console, introducing Wi-Fi capabilities and a dual-screen design with a touchscreen. Its unique gameplay experiences set it apart in the market.

Game Boy Micro - September 19, 2005

Revealed by Reggie Fils-Aimé at E3 2005, the Game Boy Micro impressed with its compact size. It maintained backward compatibility with previous Game Boy games and offered adjustable screen brightness. Its 18-month production run saw 2.42 million units sold.

Nintendo DS Lite - June 11, 2006

An updated version of the Nintendo DS, the DS Lite was slimmer, lighter, and featured brighter screens. Its improved battery life extended playtime, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Nintendo Wii - November 19, 2006

Revitalizing Nintendo's home console market, the Wii introduced motion controls via the Wii Remote. It supported numerous accessories and was backward compatible with GameCube titles. The Virtual Console allowed players to download classic games, enhancing its appeal.

Nintendo DSi - November 1, 2008

Updating the Nintendo DS, the DSi added cameras and an SD card slot for expanded storage. However, it removed the Game Boy Advance slot, marking a shift in the console's design.

Nintendo DSi XL - November 21, 2009

A larger version of the DSi, the DSi XL offered bigger, wider-view screens and improved sound quality. Its extended battery life made it a popular choice among gamers.

Nintendo 3DS - March 27, 2011

Following the DS line, the Nintendo 3DS introduced stereoscopic 3D without glasses, a feature first attempted with the Virtual Boy. It offered a robust lineup of titles, including The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Super Mario 3D Land.

Nintendo 3DS XL - August 19, 2012

With screens 90% larger than the original 3DS, the 3DS XL enhanced gaming visibility and experience. It retained all features of the 3DS, providing a larger canvas for gameplay.

Nintendo Wii U - November 18, 2012

As the successor to the Wii, the Wii U introduced the GamePad controller with an integrated screen for off-TV play. It supported HD graphics and was backward compatible with Wii games. Despite strong titles like Xenoblade Chronicles X and Super Mario 3D World, poor marketing impacted its sales.

Nintendo Wii Mini - December 7, 2012

Released at the end of the Wii's lifecycle, the Wii Mini was a smaller, lighter version that omitted GameCube support, Wi-Fi, and SD card slots. Its top-loading disc drive was a unique feature.

Nintendo 2DS - October 12, 2013

Offering 2D gaming without the 3D capabilities of the 3DS, the 2DS adopted a flat, square design. It played all 3DS games but used a mono speaker, which was a compromise to maintain a lower price point.

New Nintendo 3DS - October 11, 2014

Upgrading the 3DS, the New Nintendo 3DS added a C-Stick, ZR and ZL buttons, and NFC support for amiibo. Its staggered release across different regions delayed its North American debut until September 2015.

New Nintendo 3DS XL - February 13, 2015

Larger than the New 3DS, the New 3DS XL offered even bigger screens for immersive gameplay. It removed the ability to change face plates, offering multiple special editions instead.

Nintendo Switch - March 3, 2017

Combining home and portable gaming, the Nintendo Switch revolutionized the industry. With a stellar first-party game library and various special editions, it brought gaming to new heights, playable anywhere from home to on-the-go.

New Nintendo 2DS XL - July 28, 2017

Updating the 2DS, the 2DS XL added an analog stick, shoulder buttons, and amiibo support. Its clamshell design allowed it to play New 3DS titles, expanding the gaming options available.

Nintendo Switch Lite - September 20, 2019

Designed for handheld play only, the Switch Lite featured a smaller body with built-in controllers. Its lower price point made it an attractive option for gamers on the move.

Nintendo Switch OLED model - October 8, 2021

Enhancing the Switch experience, the OLED model boasted a larger 7-inch OLED screen, improved speakers, and a new kickstand. It debuted alongside Metroid Dread, adding to its allure.

Upcoming Nintendo Consoles

Analysts estimate the Switch 2 will be priced around $400. Based on the trailer, we've gathered all the known details, but a Nintendo Direct scheduled for April 2 is expected to provide more information, including a release date.