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What Did Nintendo Start As? A Peek into Their Fascinating Origin

What Did Nintendo Start As? A Peek into Their Fascinating Origin
Nic Weber

Last updated

Ever wondered what Nintendo originally started as before it became the video game giant we know today? Let’s dive into the fascinating origins of this legendary company.

So, what did Nintendo begin its journey as? This question might surprise many fans of Mario, Zelda, and Pokemon.

A Surprising Start: Nintendo’s Original Business

Believe it or not, Nintendo didn’t start in the video game industry. It was originally founded as a playing card company in 1889. That’s right, long before the digital age, Nintendo was crafting hand-painted playing cards used for a traditional Japanese card game called Hanafuda.

These cards were a hit, and Nintendo quickly became a household name in Japan for quality playing cards. Over the years, the company explored different business ventures, including toys and even love hotels, but it wasn’t until the late 20th century that they started to dabble in video games. This move proved to be a game-changer, marking the beginning of Nintendo’s journey to becoming the video game powerhouse we adore today.

From Cards to Consoles: Nintendo’s Evolution

After years of success in other industries, Nintendo turned its attention to video games in the 1970s. They began by creating arcade games and then launched their first home video game console. The success of franchises like Mario, Zelda, and Pokemon, along with innovative consoles like the Nintendo Switch, has solidified Nintendo’s place in gaming history.

Nintendo’s dedication to bringing families and friends together through fun and immersive games continues to drive their success. With each new console and game release, they capture the hearts of new generations and keep us all eagerly awaiting what’s next.

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