Since its establishment in Japan in 1889, Nintendo has evolved from a simple playing card company to a major player in the gaming industry. The company has been responsible for revolutionizing the gaming industry, creating products that have become staples in the homes of gamers around the world. Over the years, they have produced several successful gaming consoles and franchises that have gone on to become cultural phenomena. However, every great company has to start from somewhere, and Nintendo's journey began with a few simple games that went on to lay the foundation for the company's future success.
In this article, we'll take a look at some of the first Nintendo games and how they set the groundwork for what would become one of the most successful gaming franchises in history.
First Nintendo Games
Card Games
When Nintendo was first formed in the late 1800s, it was primarily a playing card company, producing traditional Japanese playing cards known as Hanafuda. These cards were designed for a number of different games that were popular in Japan, including one called Oicho-Kabu, which was a gambling game played in households during the New Year period. This was Nintendo's first foray into the world of gaming.
Electro-Mechanical Games
In the 1970s, Nintendo began producing a series of electro-mechanical games, which were essentially large-scale pinball machines. The games were simple, consisting of a series of targets and bumpers that players could hit with a ball-bearing to score points. The games were incredibly popular and helped to fund the development of new gaming concepts.
Early Video Games
Nintendo's first video game was called "Computer Othello," released in 1978, which was a simple adaptation of the popular board game. However, it was the release of the "Color TV-Game 6" in 1977 that marked their entry into the video game market. The system was a home console that came with six different games, all of which were variants of popular arcade titles at the time. The games included racing, shooting, and simple sports simulations like tennis and ice hockey. The system was a commercial success, selling approximately 1 million units.
Donkey Kong
The true breakout game for Nintendo, however, was 1981's "Donkey Kong." This game introduced two of Nintendo's most iconic characters, Mario and Donkey Kong, who would go on to become some of the most recognized characters in gaming history. The game was a massive hit, introducing both single-screen and side-scrolling gameplay, and establishing new standards for challenge and playability in the industry.
Conclusion
The first Nintendo games were a mix of traditional and modern gaming concepts, gradually evolving from simple hanafuda cards to electro-mechanical games and finally to video games. While early Nintendo titles like "Computer Othello" were relatively simple, they set the groundwork for the company's future success. However, it was "Donkey Kong," with its inspired gameplay, memorable characters, and innovative design, that established Nintendo as a major player in the gaming industry. Over the years, Nintendo has continued to innovate and push the boundaries of gaming, creating new classics like "Mario," "The Legend of Zelda," and "Pokémon." But without the humble beginnings of those first few games, none of it would have been possible.
