Nintendo Entertainment System
Released: July 15th, 1983
The NES is an 8-bit video game console, and Nintendo’s first game console released outside of Japan.
Popular Releases
- Legend Of Zelda
- Super Mario Bros.
- Castlevania
- Metal Gear
Specifications
- GPU - Ricoh 2A03 8-bit processor (MOS Technology 6502 core)
- Media - ROM cartridge ("Game Pak")
- Inputs - 2 controller ports, 1 expansion port
Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Released: November 21st, 1990
The SNES is a 16-bit video game console, and was the best selling console of the 16-bit era.
Popular Releases
- Super Mario World
- Donkey Kong
- Mega Man
Specifications
- CPU - Ricoh 5A22 @ 3.58 MHz
- Media - ROM cartridge
- Resolution - 512x448 pixel
Nintendo 64
Released: June 23, 1996
The Nintendo 64 was the first one ever to feature 3D graphics. It was also the first console to have an analog stick. This was one of the only older Nintendo consoles that you can still buy today for cheaper than release price.
Popular Releases
- Pokemon Stadium
- Super Mario 64
- Super Smash Bros.
- Golden Eye 007
Specifications
- CPU - 64-bit Reality Coprocessor
- Media - Nintendo 64 Game Pak
- Memory - 4 MB Rambus RDRAM (8 MB with Expansion Pak)
GameCube
Released: November 5, 2001
The GameCube was Nintendo's first game console to use game discs rather than cartridges.
Popular Releases
- Super Smash Bros. Melee
- The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker
- Animal Crossing
- Resident Evil 4
Specifications
- CPU - 32-bit IBM PowerPC 750CXe Gekko @ 485 MHz
- Media - GameCube Game Disc
- Memory - 24MB of 1T-SRAM @ 324MHz as system RAM, 3MB of embedded 1T-SRAM as video RAM, 16MB of DRAM as I/O buffer RAM
Wii
Released: November 19, 2006
The Wii was marketed towards people of all ages, bringing a new era of interactive gaming.
Popular Releases
- Wii Sports
- Mario Kart Wii
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
- Just Dance
Specifications
- CPU - IBM PowerPC Broadway @ 729 MHz
- Media - Wii Optical Disc
- Memory - 24 MB 1T-SRAM @ 324 MHz (2.7 GB/s) + 64 MB GDDR3 SDRAM
Wii U
Released: November 18, 2012
The Wii U was Nintendo’s first that supported HD graphics. It is unique in that the controller can become dependent and be used as the screen itself.
Popular Releases
- Mario Kart 8
- Super Mario 3D World
- Splatoon
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Specifications
- CPU - 1.24 GHz Tri-Core IBM PowerPC "Espresso"
- Media - Physical and digital
- Memory - 2 GB DDR3
Nintendo Switch
Released: March 3, 2017
The Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console that can be used as a handheld gaming system, stand alone monitor, or connected to a tv.
Popular Releases
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Pokémon Sword and Shield
- Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
Specifications
- CPU - ARM 4 Cortex-A57 cores @ 1.02 GHz
- Media - Physical and Digital
- Memory - 4 GB LPDDR4 @ 1331/1600 MHz