A fantastic video game company overlooked because of the waining intellect of the average American gamer, although it's still very popular in it's native Japan. Without them, the modern day video company would be in a dead end due to the arcade crash of the 1980's.

Console History:

Nintendo reinvigorated the market with the very successful Nintendo Entertainment System released in 1985; it's Japanese counterpart, the Famicom, was also very successful. Nintendo continued this success with the release of the Super Famicom in Japan and the Super NES in America and Europe. Although it faced stiff competition from the rival Sega's Genesis console, it was largely more successful with original games such as the Legend of Zelda: a Link to the Past, Star Fox, Donkey Kong Country, and the ever famous Mario series. The Nintendo 64, originally called project reality or Ultra 64, was released in 1996, A year later than Sony's Playstation. The N64 sported alot of popular and high-grossing games, from original titles licensed by Nintendo like Super Mario 64 and the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, to third party hits such as Banjo-Kazooie and Goldeneye 64. Alot of games on the N64 were considered to be top notch and have gain recognition from critics and fans alike. The most noticeable games on the N64 were Super Mario 64 due to it's revolutionary breakthrough into a fully rendered 3D environment and the use of an innovative camera system, the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time due to its remarkable targeting system and fantastic horseback riding system, and Goldeneye 64 due to its stupendous first person controls that lead the way for all first person shooters in the years to come. After the release of the Playstation 2 a year earlier and the downfall of Sega's Dreamcast in the new millenium, the Nintendo Gamecube was released; shortly after Microsoft's attempt at video game consoles, the XBox, came in to view. Although the PS2 and the XBox were more successful financial wise to Gamecube, Nintendo stil managed to survive with some hit titles such as Metroid Prime, Resident Evil 4, Viewtiful Joe, and the Mario series. The most anticipated game in the Gamecube's lifetime is without a doubt the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, which is being praised for its vivid graphics that look as if they were on a next generation console and the ability to fight enemies on horseback. Twilight Princess is also being called Nintendo's Halo, which is a game that people went crazt over even though it looks like an average First Person Shooter, nowhere near Metroid Prime, and has the qualities to match. Nintendo is in tip-top shape with the upcoming release of the Revolution, which has access to 20+ years of downloadable Nintendo games and a mysterious controller, recently called the big gun in a interview with Miyamoto (creator of the Mario, Zelda, and F-Zero series), which is rumored to have everything from gizmos that can change the controllers temperature, a gyroscope, and a touch screen. Sony and Microsoft are also unleashing their next generation comsoles in the next couple of months, the Playstation 3 and the XBox 360. The most unpopular of the next gen consoles is the XBox 360 for its lack of innovation.

Handheld:

COmbining the success of the NES and the Game & Watch handheld system, Nitendo product designer Gunpei Yokoi developed the Game Boy, which is one of the most successful handhelds ever. It has spawned countless incarnations including the Color and Advance versions. Along side its one-screened advanced counterpart, the Nintendo DS is currently dominating the Japanese market with it's library of original titles, unlike its rival the PSP which has mostly ported titles. The Nintendo DS is doing fairly in the North American market with its loyal fanbase and casual gamers, 12 Nintendo DS systems were recently brought along on a expedition to the summit of Mount Everest because of the systems communication features. All of the consoles were reported to be working fine even in record low temperatures, that leaves the question of how the PSP would fair in cold weather, it's console counterpart the PS2 isn't that sturdy of a console so that question is most likely leaning to NO.
Everyone would be screwed without Nintendo, and quite frankly, are screwing themselves with blind purchases of poor quality Microsoft and/or Sony games.
by Sensible Thinker August 13, 2005
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Roughly translated, "Leave it to heaven."
A large gaming corporation, that is over 100 years old. In the past highly respected by all gamers, now sometimes ridiculed.
Falsly excused of making "kiddie games" or "kid only games," when the only child like games Nintendo produces are Pokemon and possibly Kirby.
The "kiddie game" rumor started in the early 90s when Sega advertised a commerical stating their version of Mortal Kombat featured blood as opposed to the SNES version. Sega stated, "that we may make games that Ninendo won't." When actually, Acclaim (I believe) didn't decide to add blood until they remade Mortal Kombat for the Sega Genesis.
Sony expanded on this rumor in 1996 to trick a large majority of the public. For someone reason the public believes everything that they hear on tv, instead of doing their own research.
"That's so 8-Bit"
"Know your roots"
"Enough with the bling, bling! I perfer old skool."
All of the above refer to the original Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
by NmainiacX September 4, 2005
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What a jerkface would call "homosexual" or for "kiddies", is really a real company with many fun and rather educational games. Get over the fact that it doesn't make games to satisfy your bloodthirstiness or need to play a game you can masturbate to. Nintendo is the father of video gaming, why don't you just LIVE WITH IT.
Nintendo is fun, educational, and a great thing to do when you have spare time.
by mrhappyface April 24, 2010
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Cares about games, and the people who play them. Not about how 1337 the graphics card is, or how many celebrities they can pay to stand around and act like they enjoy they're products.

I've talked to Xbox and PS2 fans, and all they can talk about is how its compatible with all this other shit that no one really needs, and how the grapics are so damn cool. Well do better graphics make the game more fun? Does better graphics make GTA San Andreas or Halo less mindless and demeaning?

Show me any new xbox 360 or PS3 games that can rival Super Smash Brothers, or Super Mario 64, or Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
The short answer is none of them.

Not to mention the cost difference. I'm buying a game console, not a computer/dvd player/ipod.

Im sorry if you disagree, but good graphics and mindless violence do not a good game make.
I can play Super Mario 64 for hours without worrying about my sanity, or whether I'm going to be scarred for life by something horrible. Can't say the same for GTA SA.
by Rush8192 August 20, 2005
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Great game company that makes bright fast-paced game featuring: Mario, Luigi, Fox, Link, and Samus. They invented the game boy, and after that other gaem companies copied them (Sega, NeoGeo, other assorted japanse companies) but failed. the game boy is still being made today. Alos made pokemon games, but they made up for it.
I just got the new Mario Kart for Gamecube!!!
by only$19.99,less s+h December 27, 2003
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Nintendo is a video game company that has been around for about 107 or more years and started out as a card company with their "Hanafunda" cards in 1889. They managed to become Japan's biggest playing card company. In 1969-82, Nintendo began making toys then later on went into arcades. Druing this year range Shigeru Miyamoto joined Nintendo and made Radar Scope (Arcade) which wasn't as big a hit as his second game Donkey Kong. Donkey Kong was Nintendo's very first hit. Mario's first appearance was also in Donkey Kong only Mario was a Carpenter named Jumpman at the time. Nintendo also began making the Famicon (NES) in this time era. Then in the year range of 1983-1989 Nintendo nearly had complete control of the gaming industry with the Famicon (NES). 1990-1997, Sega enters the picture with the Genises (Mega Drive) and competition in the gaming industry begins to rise. Nintendo also released the SNES (super Famicon). Then later on in this era, Nintendo released the Nintendo 64, after Sony had the Playstation and Sega had the Saturn already released. In the 1998-2005 (And early 06') era, Nintendo went handheld with GB, then soon after GBC and GBP. Then Nintendo advanced their handhelds with GBA, and now with the Nintendo DS (Has nothing to do with GBA dispite it's playback with GBA cartridges) and Sony's competing PSP. Home console wise, Sony had the PS2, Sega had Dreamcast which didn't last for long, and Microsoft entered the picture with Xbox and Nintendo came out with the GameCube which was aimed at younger audiences to expand the gamer limit. Though the GameCube did have many Mature rated titles it was aimed mainly toward children and teens alike. Now Sony is currently in works on PS3 and Microsoft has already launched the Xbox360, while Nintendo will come in last with the Nintendo Revolution which will also be the cheapest of the Next Generation home consoles.

Other Nintendo notes: Nintendo attempted to make a Taxi and Love Hotel but failed. Nintendo also made a vaccum. Nintendo also invented most of the features we use today, such as: Shoulder buttons, rumble/vibration, wireless controller, D-pad, handheld playback, and many many more features. (Note: Do not give Nintendo credit for built in lights on the handhelds, for Sega was first to use this technology.
Fanboys must bash Nintendo out of jealousy huh?
by JSWP (A.K.A. Viper) January 3, 2006
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Also known as: The Way of Heavenly Duty

A religion native to Japan. Characterized by iconic figures such as Mario, Samus, Link, etc. The main preacher of Nintendo is Shigeru Miyamoto, a.k.a. Kami-sama. Worshipers are frequently found using odd electronic devices (religious ritual?).

Hostile Opponents: Sony, Microsoft

Number of Followers: Millions
Nintendo "games": The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Super Mario Bros., Kirby, Pokemon, etc.
by L33t N1nj4 Boris May 31, 2006
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