Nintendo Consoles: Complete Release Date Timeline
Author: Leo
Apr 09,2025
Nintendo stands as a titan in the video game industry, renowned for its pioneering spirit and a legacy of beloved intellectual properties that continue to captivate audiences decades after their debut. As excitement builds around the recently announced Nintendo Switch 2, it's the perfect time to reflect on the storied history of Nintendo's consoles, which have consistently driven innovation and shaped the gaming landscape.
Below, we've compiled a comprehensive list of every Nintendo console released to date. Take a journey through time and see how Nintendo has continuously pushed the boundaries of gaming technology and entertainment.
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 been released throughout Nintendo's history. The upcoming Switch 2 will mark the 33rd entry. Our list includes both home and handheld consoles, as well as various revision models such as XL and Mini versions.
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 initial venture into gaming hardware, the Color TV-Game series, was a groundbreaking collaboration with Mitsubishi Electronics. These consoles were a hit and set the stage for Nintendo's future in gaming, influencing the industry almost 50 years later.
Game & Watch - April 28, 1980
With the Game & Watch series, Nintendo entered the handheld market, selling over 40 million units globally. These devices introduced innovations like the D-Pad and have seen a revival with special editions released in 2020 and 2021 to celebrate Mario and Zelda anniversaries.
Nintendo Entertainment System - October 18, 1985
Known as the Famicom in Japan, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) revolutionized home gaming with its cartridge system, launching iconic series like Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid. It's a cornerstone of video game history, setting the stage for future generations.
Game Boy - July 31, 1989
Game Boy marked Nintendo's first dedicated handheld console, allowing gamers to play multiple games via cartridges. Its success was largely driven by the bundled game Tetris, making it a household name.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System - August 23, 1991
Introducing 16-bit graphics, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) showcased major advancements in Nintendo's flagship series, including Super Mario World and Donkey Kong Country, making it the best-selling console of its time.
Virtual Boy - August 14, 1995
Perhaps Nintendo's most unique console, the Virtual Boy offered 3D visuals without glasses, though it saw limited success with only 22 games released and a short market life.
Game Boy Pocket - September 3, 1996
A sleeker version of the original Game Boy, the Game Boy Pocket featured a clearer black-and-white screen and improved response times, though it had a shorter battery life.
Nintendo 64 - September 29, 1996
With the Nintendo 64, 3D gaming came to Nintendo's home consoles, highlighted by groundbreaking titles like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Its innovative controller introduced the analog stick, becoming a standard in gaming.
Game Boy Light - April 14, 1998
Exclusively released in Japan, the Game Boy Light featured a backlight for low-light play, extending battery life to around 20 hours.
Game Boy Color - November 18, 1998
Bringing color to handheld gaming, the Game Boy Color was backward compatible with existing Game Boy titles and supported hundreds of new games designed specifically for it.
Game Boy Advance - June 11, 2001
Game Boy Advance introduced a horizontal design and 16-bit graphics to the handheld line, supporting thousands of games through its backward compatibility.
Pokémon mini - November 16, 2001
Nintendo GameCube - November 18, 2001
Building on the success of the Nintendo 64, the GameCube introduced sequels to beloved series and shifted to disc-based media, while its controller added rumble and improved design.
Panasonic Q - December 14, 2001
A collaboration with Panasonic, the Q combined a GameCube with a DVD player, though its high price limited its market success.
Game Boy Advance SP - March 23, 2003
With a new hinge design and rechargeable battery, the Game Boy Advance SP enhanced the gaming experience, though it omitted a headphone jack.
Nintendo DS - November 21, 2004
Launching the best-selling DS line, the Nintendo DS introduced Wi-Fi connectivity and a dual-screen design, with the bottom screen being a touchscreen, revolutionizing handheld gaming.
Game Boy Micro - September 19, 2005
Known for its small size, the Game Boy Micro supported all Game Boy Advance titles and offered adjustable screen brightness, though it had a limited production run.
Nintendo DS Lite - June 11, 2006
An improved version of the DS, the DS Lite was slimmer, lighter, and featured brighter screens and longer battery life.
Nintendo Wii - November 19, 2006
Revolutionizing home gaming with motion controls, the Wii's innovative Wii Remote and backward compatibility with GameCube titles contributed to its massive success.
Nintendo DSi - November 1, 2008
Adding cameras and an SD card slot, the DSi expanded on the DS's capabilities, though it removed the Game Boy Advance slot.
Nintendo DSi XL - November 21, 2009
With larger screens and improved audio, the DSi XL enhanced the gaming experience, catering to those who preferred bigger displays.
Nintendo 3DS - March 27, 2011
Featuring stereoscopic 3D visuals, the 3DS offered a significant upgrade from the DS, with standout titles like The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Super Mario 3D Land.
Nintendo 3DS XL - August 19, 2012
With a 90% larger screen than the original 3DS, the 3DS XL provided a more immersive gaming experience.
Nintendo Wii U - November 18, 2012
Introducing the GamePad with a built-in screen, the Wii U supported HD graphics and offered a robust library, though it struggled with sales due to marketing and confusion.
Nintendo Wii Mini - December 7, 2012
A smaller, stripped-down version of the Wii, the Wii Mini launched at the end of the Wii's lifecycle, omitting several features of its predecessor.
Nintendo 2DS - October 12, 2013
Removing the 3D feature and adopting a flat design, the 2DS offered a cost-effective alternative to the 3DS, though it compromised on sound quality.
New Nintendo 3DS - October 11, 2014
Enhancing the 3DS with new controls and amiibo support, the New Nintendo 3DS provided a more versatile gaming experience.
New Nintendo 3DS XL - February 13, 2015
With larger screens than the New 3DS, the XL version offered an even more immersive experience, though it lacked customizable face plates.
Nintendo Switch - March 3, 2017
Combining home and portable gaming, the Nintendo Switch revitalized the industry with its versatile design and an exceptional first-party game library.
New Nintendo 2DS XL - July 28, 2017
An upgraded version of the 2DS, the XL model added an analog stick, amiibo support, and returned to the clamshell design, supporting New 3DS titles.
Nintendo Switch Lite - September 20, 2019
Designed exclusively for handheld play, the Switch Lite offered a more affordable option, though it couldn't be docked to a TV.
Nintendo Switch OLED model - October 8, 2021
Featuring a larger OLED screen and improved audio, the Switch OLED model enhanced the visual and auditory experience of the original Switch.
Upcoming Nintendo Consoles
After a long period of anticipation, Nintendo has finally unveiled the Switch 2. The reveal trailer highlights 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 opens new gameplay mechanics, and the trailer suggests a new Mario Kart with 24-player races. The console promises "mostly" backward compatibility and continued support for both physical and digital games.Analysts predict the Switch 2 will be priced around $400. Based on the trailer, we've gathered all the known details, but more information, including a release date, is expected at the upcoming Nintendo Direct on April 2.
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