Nintendo

Nintendo Co., Ltd. is a Japanese multinational video game company founded on September 23, 1889, in Kyoto by craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi as a producer of handmade hanafuda playing cards. Headquartered in Minami-ku, Kyoto, with approximately 8,205 employees as of 2026, Nintendo transitioned into electronic toys and video games in the 1970s–1980s, revolutionizing the industry with the NES (1983) and Game Boy (1989). Today it develops, manufactures, and publishes hardware and software exclusively for its own consoles, with a philosophy centered on “creating smiles for generations” through innovative, family-friendly entertainment. It remains one of the most valuable and influential gaming companies worldwide, publicly traded (Tokyo Stock Exchange: 7974) under President Shuntaro Furukawa.

History & Evolution

Nintendo began as a playing-card maker and pivoted under Hiroshi Yamauchi (president 1949–2002) into arcade games, then home consoles. Landmark successes include the NES/Famicom, SNES, N64, GameCube, Wii, DS/3DS, and Wii U eras. The company is known for hardware innovation (motion controls with Wii, hybrid portability with Switch) and owning some of gaming’s most enduring IPs. In 2025, it launched the Nintendo Switch 2 (June 5, 2025), which drove record financial performance in FY26 (fiscal year ending March 2026), with net sales surging 99.3% year-over-year to 1,905.8 billion yen in the first three quarters, largely due to Switch 2 hardware and software. Nintendo continues supporting the original Switch as long as demand exists.

Notable Franchises & Games

Nintendo’s portfolio features timeless, family-oriented series that define the industry:

• Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, Animal Crossing, Splatoon, Kirby, Donkey Kong, Metroid, Star Fox, Pikmin, and Luigi’s Mansion.
• Recent highlights include The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Mario Kart World (Switch 2 launch title), Donkey Kong Bananza, and ongoing Pokémon releases. Nintendo also produces animated films, including The Super Mario Bros. Movie sequels and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (April 1, 2026).

Platforms (as of 2026)

Nintendo focuses exclusively on its own hardware ecosystem:

• Nintendo Switch 2 (2025): The current flagship hybrid console, a major success with strong sales and backward compatibility. It powers most new first-party titles with enhanced performance.
• Original Nintendo Switch (2017): Still actively supported with ongoing games and online services.
• No official PC versions of core Nintendo games exist (third-party ports or emulators are unofficial). Some mobile/smart-device titles and collaborations (e.g., Pokémon GO) expand reach, but consoles remain the core.

Nintendo does not develop or publish for PlayStation, Xbox, or other third-party platforms. Its business model prioritizes exclusive first-party software and hardware sales over third-party licensing.

Quick Overview

Nintendo is a 136-year-old company that has repeatedly reinvented gaming through hardware innovation and beloved characters. In 2026, with the Switch 2 driving record profits and a packed release schedule, it continues to lead with creativity and accessibility while maintaining its “Nintendo Difference” philosophy. Whether playing on Switch 2 in handheld mode or enjoying timeless classics, Nintendo delivers joyful, surprise-filled experiences for all ages. “We put smiles on the faces of everyone we touch.”