Nintendo Corporation Overview

Background Information

• Full Name: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
• Headquarters: Kyoto, Japan
• Industry: Video games, Electronics
• Founded: September 23, 1889
• Founder: Fusajiro Yamauchi
• Key People: Shuntaro Furukawa (President), Shigeru Miyamoto (Executive Fellow)
• Revenue (2023): ¥1.601 trillion (US$13.923 billion)
• Number of Employees: 8,109 (2024)

History

Early Years (1889-1932)

• Founded as a playing card company producing hanafuda cards.
• The name "Nintendo" is thought to mean "leave luck to heaven."

Expansion and Incorporation (1933-1968)

• Became a public company, producing plastic playing cards and partnering with Disney.
• Entered the toy industry in the 1960s.

Move to Video Games (1973-present)

• Developed electronic toys and games, including the Game & Watch series.
• Released the Color TV-Game series.
• Entered the arcade game market with games like Donkey Kong.

Key Developments in Video Games

1980s

• Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): Launched in 1985, pivotal in reviving the video game industry post-crash.
• Game Boy: Released in 1989, popularizing handheld gaming.

1990s

• Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES): Released in 1990.
• Nintendo 64: Released in 1996 with notable games like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.
• Game Boy Color: Released in 1998.

2000s

• GameCube: Released in 2001, known for miniDVD format and internet connectivity.
• Nintendo DS: Released in 2004 with dual screens and touchscreen.
• Wii: Released in 2006, recognized for motion controls.

2010s

• Nintendo 3DS: Released in 2011, supporting stereoscopic 3D.
• Wii U: Released in 2012, though it struggled in the market.
• Nintendo Switch: Released in 2017, a hybrid console.

Subsidiaries and Corporate Structure

• Nintendo of America: Manages North American operations.
• Nintendo of Europe: Manages European operations.
• Development Divisions:
  • Entertainment Planning & Development (EPD)
  • Platform Technology Development (PTD)
  • Business Development (NBD)

Cultural Impact

• Nintendo characters such as Mario, Donkey Kong, and Link have become cultural icons.
• The company has influenced the gaming industry with innovations like motion controls and portable gaming.

Recent Developments

• Nintendo Switch: Continued success with increasing game library.
• Super Nintendo World: Opened in Universal Studios Japan in 2021.
• Nintendo Pictures: Expansion into animated projects with Universal Pictures and Illumination.
• Acquisitions: Acquired Shiver Entertainment and increased ownership of Monolith Soft.

Financial and Market Information

• Nintendo is one of Japan’s wealthiest corporations with significant revenues from hardware and software sales.
• Innovations and strategic partnerships have allowed Nintendo to retain a strong market presence.