GameTimeline

Nintendo US launch dates · 1985–2025

Nintendo Consoles Timeline

Fifteen major Nintendo consoles in US release order—from the NES (1985) through Switch 2 (2025), including Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and Nintendo 3DS handheld lines. Home, portable, and hybrid systems on one timeline; model variants (Lite, OLED, XL, SP) and pre-NES history are in the FAQ below.

Updated June 2026

Release order

NES (1985) → Game Boy (1989) → SNES → N64 → Game Boy Color & Advance → GameCube → Nintendo DS → Wii → Nintendo 3DS → Wii U → Nintendo Switch → Switch 2 (2025).

  • This is the full Nintendo consoles timeline in US release order—home, handheld, and hybrid systems on one list
  • We don't list prices, bundles, or where to buy—check Nintendo or your preferred retailer
  • For Sony, Microsoft, and Sega in the same era, see the industry-wide game console timeline

At a glance

NES (1985) → Game Boy (1989) → SNES → N64 → Game Boy Color & Advance → GameCube → Nintendo DS → Wii → Nintendo 3DS → Wii U → Nintendo Switch → Switch 2 (2025).

Tap a year to jump straight to that console.

Nintendo consoles in order

US launch dates for every major Nintendo home, handheld, and hybrid system on this timeline.

  1. Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
    N

    NES

    Home

    First Nintendo home console in the US—Famicom launched in Japan in 1983.

    What's new
    Relaunched the US console market after the 1983 crash—R.O.B., Zapper, and strict licensing.
    Hardware
    Custom Ricoh processor, front-loading game cartridges. US launch October 18, 1985.
    Standout games
    Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, Mega Man 2, Duck Hunt.
    Context
    Often called the first Nintendo console for American players; Japanese Famicom predates it by two years.
  2. Game Boy
    N

    Game Boy

    Handheld

    First Nintendo handheld—monochrome screen, link cable multiplayer.

    What's new
    Portable Tetris bundle (every region except Japan) and battery life beat color rivals at launch.
    Hardware
    160×144 pixel screen, runs on AA batteries. US launch July 31, 1989.
    Standout games
    Tetris (included with the console outside Japan), Pokémon Red/Blue (late generation), Kirby's Dream Land, Link's Awakening.
    Context
    Game & Watch (1980) came first as single-game portables; Game Boy defined cartridge handhelds for a decade.
  3. Super Nintendo (SNES)
    N

    SNES

    Home

    16-bit follow-up to NES—Mode 7 effects and a golden age of RPGs.

    What's new
    Mode 7 rotation and scaling effects, strong sound—competed with Sega Genesis in the US.
    Hardware
    16-bit processor, up to 32,768 on-screen colors. US launch August 23, 1991.
    Standout games
    Super Mario World, A Link to the Past, Super Metroid, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy VI.
    Context
    Super Famicom in Japan from 1990; US SNES arrived after Genesis.
  4. Virtual Boy
    N

    Virtual Boy

    Handheld

    Tabletop 3D viewer—commercial failure, short run.

    What's new
    Red-and-black 3D depth on a tripod stand—same idea later refined in Nintendo 3DS.
    Hardware
    32-bit processor, red LED eyepiece display. US launch August 14, 1995; discontinued within a year.
    Standout games
    Mario's Tennis (included), Wario Land, Teleroboxer—only 22 games released worldwide.
    Context
    Roughly 770,000 units sold; included for a complete history—not needed for a play order.
  5. Nintendo 64
    N

    N64

    Home

    Last Nintendo home console with cartridges—analog stick standard.

    What's new
    Four controller ports and 3D platformers—kept game cartridges while PlayStation used CDs.
    Hardware
    64-bit processor; optional Expansion Pak added memory for bigger games. US launch September 29, 1996.
    Standout games
    Super Mario 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, GoldenEye 007, Mario Kart 64.
    Context
    Strong Nintendo games, but many RPG studios moved to PlayStation instead.
  6. Game Boy Color
    N

    Game Boy Color

    Handheld

    Color upgrade—plays original Game Boy games too.

    What's new
    Same size as Game Boy with a color screen—infrared link on some models.
    Hardware
    Color screen, plays Game Boy and Game Boy Color games. US launch November 18, 1998.
    Standout games
    Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal, Link's Awakening DX, Tetris DX.
    Context
    Bridge between Game Boy and GBA—many players' first color Nintendo handheld.
  7. Game Boy Advance
    N

    Game Boy Advance

    Handheld

    32-bit handheld—SP and Micro redesigns covered in the FAQ below.

    What's new
    Horizontal layout and sharper graphics—plays Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.
    Hardware
    Wider 240×160 screen. US launch June 11, 2001.
    Standout games
    Metroid Fusion, Advance Wars, Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire, Mario Kart: Super Circuit.
    Context
    GBA SP (2003) and Game Boy Micro (2005) are smaller redesigns with the same game library.
  8. Nintendo GameCube
    N

    GameCube

    Home

    Mini-DVD discs and carry handle—strong Nintendo first-party era.

    What's new
    Compact cube design, WaveBird wireless controller (optional).
    Hardware
    Small game discs (1.5 GB), optional wireless WaveBird controller. US launch November 18, 2001.
    Standout games
    Super Smash Bros. Melee, Metroid Prime, The Wind Waker, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
    Context
    Third in the PS2/Xbox/GC generation but cult-favorite library.
  9. Nintendo DS
    N

    DS

    Handheld

    Dual screens and stylus—Lite and DSi variants covered in the FAQ below.

    What's new
    Touchscreen puzzles and local wireless—original DS and DS Lite accept GBA game cartridges.
    Hardware
    Two screens, foldable clamshell design. US launch November 21, 2004.
    Standout games
    Nintendogs, New Super Mario Bros., Mario Kart DS, Pokémon Diamond/Pearl.
    Context
    Best-selling Nintendo handheld family until Switch—DSi (2008) dropped the GBA slot; DS Lite (2006) slimmed the design.
  10. Nintendo Wii
    N

    Wii

    Home

    Motion controls and Wii Remote—mass-market casual gaming.

    What's new
    Motion-sensing Wii Remote and Wii Sports included—plays GameCube discs and controllers.
    Hardware
    Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers. US launch November 19, 2006.
    Standout games
    Wii Sports, Super Mario Galaxy, Mario Kart Wii, Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
    Context
    Virtual Console sold downloadable NES, SNES, and N64 classics; outsold PS3 and Xbox 360 despite weaker HD graphics.
  11. Nintendo 3DS
    N

    3DS

    Handheld

    Glasses-free 3D clamshell—2DS and New 3DS variants covered in the FAQ below.

    What's new
    Top screen shows 3D without glasses—builds on the idea Virtual Boy tried in 1995.
    Hardware
    Glasses-free 3D top screen and circle pad control. US launch March 27, 2011.
    Standout games
    Super Mario 3D Land, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Pokémon X/Y, A Link Between Worlds.
    Context
    Nintendo 2DS (2013) dropped 3D; New 3DS (2015) added extra buttons and amiibo support.
  12. Nintendo Wii U
    N

    Wii U

    Home

    GamePad second screen—stepping stone to Switch hybrid design.

    What's new
    Tablet GamePad for off-TV play—first Nintendo home console with HD (1080p) output.
    Hardware
    GamePad tablet controller, 32 GB storage on base model. US launch November 18, 2012.
    Standout games
    Super Mario 3D World, Mario Kart 8, Splatoon, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Bayonetta 2.
    Context
    Poor marketing and Wii name confusion hurt sales—many titles later ported to Switch.
  13. Nintendo 2DS
    N

    2DS

    Handheld

    Flat 3DS-compatible slate—no clamshell, no 3D effect.

    What's new
    Budget way into 3DS games—durable flat design for kids.
    Hardware
    Plays the full 3DS and DS library. US launch October 12, 2013.
    Standout games
    Same library as Nintendo 3DS—popular during the Pokémon X/Y era.
    Context
    A redesign, not a new generation—listed for a complete handheld timeline.
  14. Nintendo Switch
    N

    Switch

    Hybrid

    TV dock plus portable play—Joy-Con detach for multiplayer.

    What's new
    One console for TV and travel—uses game cartridges like older Nintendo systems.
    Hardware
    6.2-inch screen, detachable Joy-Con controllers. US launch March 3, 2017.
    Standout games
    The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey, Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
    Context
    Switch Lite (2019) and OLED model (2021) are alternate models—same games; answered in the questions below.
  15. Nintendo Switch 2
    N

    Switch 2

    Hybrid

    Switch sequel—1080p handheld, 4K on TV, plays Switch games.

    What's new
    Magnetic Joy-Con 2, mouse-style controls, C-button for voice chat—a full redesign, not a minor upgrade.
    Hardware
    7.9-inch 1080p screen, 256 GB built-in storage, MicroSD Express cards only. US launch June 5, 2025 ($449.99).
    Standout games
    Mario Kart World (bundle), upgraded Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
    Context
    Latest Nintendo console on this timeline—successor to the hybrid Switch line.

FAQ

How many systems exist, which came first, handheld vs home order, model variants, and how this page compares to the full industry timeline.

Basics

This timeline lists 15 major Nintendo consoles in US release order—one entry per generation, from NES through Switch 2. If you count every variant—Game Boy Pocket, GBA SP, DS Lite, DSi XL, New 3DS, Switch Lite, Switch OLED, Wii Mini, and similar redesigns—the total reaches about 33, similar to full hardware guides. Variants play the same games as their parent console and are listed in the FAQ below, not as separate timeline entries.

In the United States, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) on October 18, 1985 is the first Nintendo home console on this timeline. In Japan, the Family Computer (Famicom) launched July 15, 1983—the same system under a different name. The Game Boy (1989) was Nintendo's first cartridge handheld. Game & Watch (1980) came earlier as single-game portables, and Color TV-Game (1977) was Nintendo's first home TV game device. The full list in order is on this page.

US release order on this page: NES (1985) → Game Boy (1989) → SNES (1991) → Virtual Boy (1995) → Nintendo 64 (1996) → Game Boy Color (1998) → Game Boy Advance (2001) → GameCube (2001) → Nintendo DS (2004) → Wii (2006) → Nintendo 3DS (2011) → Wii U (2012) → Nintendo 2DS (2013) → Nintendo Switch (2017) → Nintendo Switch 2 (2025). That is the complete Nintendo consoles timeline for major home, handheld, and hybrid hardware.

Handhelds & hybrid

This page mixes home and handheld launches by year: Game Boy came between NES and SNES; Nintendo DS between GameCube and Wii. Handheld-only order: Game Boy → Game Boy Color → Game Boy Advance → Nintendo DS → Nintendo 3DS → Nintendo 2DS. Home-only: NES → SNES → Virtual Boy → N64 → GameCube → Wii → Wii U. Switch and Switch 2 count as both home and handheld.

History

Related pages

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.