Home >  News >  Nintendo Consoles: Complete Release Date Timeline

Nintendo Consoles: Complete Release Date Timeline

by Leo May 18,2025

Nintendo stands as a beacon in the annals of video game history, renowned for its pioneering spirit and innovative home consoles. With a rich catalog of beloved intellectual properties that continue to charm fans decades later, Nintendo shows no signs of slowing down. As excitement builds around the official announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2, it's the perfect time to reflect on the legacy of this gaming titan.

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

Which Nintendo console had the best games? ------------------------------------------
AnswerSee Results

*Looking to save on a new Nintendo Switch or new titles for your system? Be sure to check out the best Nintendo deals available today.*

How Many Nintendo Consoles Have There Been?

In total, 32 Nintendo consoles have graced the gaming world throughout Nintendo's storied history. The Switch 2 will mark the 33rd entry. This count includes various revisions of both home and handheld consoles, encompassing models like XL and Mini.

Latest Model

Nintendo Switch OLED (Neon Blue & Red)

4See it at Amazon

Every Nintendo Console in Order of Release

Color TV-Game - June 1, 1977

The Color TV-Game series marked Nintendo's initial venture into gaming hardware, a collaboration with Mitsubishi Electronics. These systems were a resounding success, paving the way for Nintendo's focus on game development. The legacy of the Color TV-Game continues to resonate, as Nintendo remains deeply invested in gaming.

Game & Watch - April 28, 1980

Nintendo's first handheld, the Game & Watch, introduced individual games on each device, selling over 40 million units globally. Innovations like the D-Pad in the Donkey Kong model became foundational for future gaming. Limited edition models celebrating Mario and Zelda brought this iconic series back in 2020 and 2021.

Nintendo Entertainment System - October 18, 1985

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), known as the Famicom in Japan, revolutionized home gaming with its cartridge system. This console launched legendary franchises such as Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid, cementing its place as a cornerstone of video game history.

Game Boy - July 31, 1989

The Game Boy, Nintendo's first true handheld console, introduced cartridge-based gaming, allowing for a vast library of games. Its bundled Tetris became a cultural phenomenon, enhancing its legacy as a groundbreaking portable device.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System - August 23, 1991

The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) brought 16-bit graphics to Nintendo's platforms, fostering significant evolution in major series like Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country. Despite its later release, the SNES became the best-selling console of its generation due to its exceptional software lineup.

Virtual Boy - August 14, 1995

The Virtual Boy, Nintendo's most unconventional console, was the first to offer true 3D visuals. Despite its short-lived market presence and limited game library, it remains a fascinating footnote in Nintendo's history.

Game Boy Pocket - September 3, 1996

The Game Boy Pocket offered a smaller, sleeker design with an improved black-and-white screen. While it enhanced response times, the trade-off was a shorter battery life compared to its predecessor.

Nintendo 64 - September 29, 1996

The Nintendo 64 introduced 3D graphics to home consoles, launching iconic titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Its innovative controller with an analog stick redefined gaming controls.

Game Boy Light - April 14, 1998

Exclusive to Japan, the Game Boy Light featured a backlight for improved visibility in low-light conditions. Its larger size compared to the Game Boy Pocket allowed for extended battery life, enhancing the handheld gaming experience.

Game Boy Color - November 18, 1998

The Game Boy Color brought vibrant colors to handheld gaming, maintaining backwards compatibility with earlier Game Boy titles. This allowed classics like Tetris to shine anew, while new games leveraged the color capabilities.

Game Boy Advance - June 11, 2001

The Game Boy Advance (GBA) marked a significant leap with its horizontal design and 16-bit graphics. Backwards compatibility with previous Game Boy titles expanded its extensive game library into the thousands.

Pokémon mini - November 16, 2001

Image Credit: GamesRadar

The Pokémon mini, a tiny handheld focused on Pokémon games, featured unique elements like a built-in clock and infrared communication. Despite its limited game releases, it offered a novel gaming experience.

Nintendo GameCube - November 18, 2001

The Nintendo GameCube continued the legacy of the Nintendo 64 with sequels to beloved franchises and introduced new hits like Super Mario Sunshine and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. Its shift to disc-based media and improved controller design left a lasting impact.

Panasonic Q - December 14, 2001

The Panasonic Q, a collaboration with Nintendo, combined GameCube functionality with a DVD player. Its sleek design and multi-functionality were notable, though its high price limited its market success.

Game Boy Advance SP - March 23, 2003

The Game Boy Advance SP (GBA SP) introduced a folding design with a rechargeable battery and later, a backlit screen. These enhancements significantly improved the handheld gaming experience despite the omission of a headphone jack.

Nintendo DS - November 21, 2004

The Nintendo DS, with its dual-screen setup and Wi-Fi capabilities, revolutionized portable gaming. Its unique design and innovative gameplay made it Nintendo's best-selling console.

Game Boy Micro - September 19, 2005

The Game Boy Micro, unveiled by Reggie Fils-Aimé, stunned audiences with its compact size. Its backlit screen and adjustable brightness were significant enhancements, though it only sold 2.42 million units before its discontinuation.

Nintendo DS Lite - June 11, 2006

The Nintendo DS Lite refined the original DS with a slimmer, lighter build and brighter screens. Its extended battery life made it a favorite among gamers.

Nintendo Wii - November 19, 2006

The Nintendo Wii revitalized the home console market with its motion control technology. The Wii Remote, along with accessories like the Nunchuk, offered innovative gameplay. Backwards compatibility with GameCube and the introduction of Virtual Console further expanded its appeal.

Nintendo DSi - November 1, 2008

The Nintendo DSi enhanced the DS with built-in cameras and an SD card slot. However, it removed the Game Boy Advance slot, marking a shift in hardware focus.

Nintendo DSi XL - November 21, 2009

The Nintendo DSi XL, with its larger screens and improved audio, offered an enhanced gaming experience. Its larger battery also allowed for longer play sessions.

Nintendo 3DS - March 27, 2011

The Nintendo 3DS introduced stereoscopic 3D gaming without the need for glasses. Its impressive game library, including titles like The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, marked a significant evolution from the DS.

Nintendo 3DS XL - August 19, 2012

The Nintendo 3DS XL offered a 90% larger screen than the original, enhancing the visual experience while retaining all the features of the standard model.

Nintendo Wii U - November 18, 2012

The Nintendo Wii U, with its innovative GamePad controller, allowed for off-TV play. Despite its HD capabilities and strong game lineup, including titles like Super Mario 3D World, it struggled with market confusion and sales.

Nintendo Wii Mini - December 7, 2012

The Wii Mini, a smaller version of the Wii, removed several features like GameCube support and Wi-Fi, focusing on core gameplay at a lower price point.

Nintendo 2DS - October 12, 2013

The Nintendo 2DS provided a budget-friendly alternative to the 3DS, omitting 3D functionality but maintaining compatibility with all 3DS games. Its flat design and mono speaker reflected cost-saving measures.

New Nintendo 3DS - October 11, 2014

The New Nintendo 3DS upgraded the original with new controls like the C-Stick and NFC support for amiibo. Its staggered release across regions marked a significant hardware refresh.

New Nintendo 3DS XL - February 13, 2015

The New Nintendo 3DS XL featured even larger screens than its predecessor, enhancing gameplay immersion. The removal of customizable face plates was offset by special edition offerings.

Nintendo Switch - March 3, 2017

The Nintendo Switch revolutionized gaming with its hybrid design, allowing seamless transitions between home and portable play. Its stellar first-party library and special editions have solidified its place in gaming history.

New Nintendo 2DS XL - July 28, 2017

The New Nintendo 2DS XL brought back the clamshell design, adding features like an analog stick and amiibo support. Its ability to play New 3DS titles expanded its appeal.

Nintendo Switch Lite - September 20, 2019

The Nintendo Switch Lite, with its smaller form factor and built-in controllers, focused on handheld gaming. Its lower price point made it an attractive option for gamers on the go.

Nintendo Switch OLED model - October 8, 2021

The Nintendo Switch OLED model enhanced the original with a larger, vibrant OLED screen and improved audio. Its new dock and LAN port added to its premium feel.

Upcoming Nintendo Consoles

Play

After years of speculation, Nintendo has finally unveiled the Nintendo Switch 2. The reveal showcased a new method for attaching Joy-Cons, a larger screen, and an additional USB-C port. The possibility of using Joy-Cons as a mouse hints at innovative gameplay mechanics. The trailer also teased what appears to be a new Mario Kart with 24-player races and confirmed mostly backward compatibility for both physical and digital games.

Analysts estimate the Switch 2 will retail around $400. We've gathered all the known details from the trailer, but more comprehensive information, including a release date, will be shared during a Nintendo Direct on April 2.

Which games do you want to see on the Nintendo Switch 2? --------------------------------------------------------

AnswerSee Results