What's this? This is an unbiased just-the-facts news timeline ('newsline') about Nintendo, created by Newslines contributors. Become a contributor

Nintendo

Nintendo49 posts

Nintendo is a video game company headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. It is originally founded in 1889 as a trading card company by Fusajiro Yamauchi as Nintendo Playing Card Co. Ltd, but in 1963 his grandson realizes the trading card industry is not profitable and changes it to Nintendo Co., Ltd, a toy business. In 1983, they release the Nintendo Entertainment System (also called the Famicom), which goes on to be the best-selling console of its time. After the NES, they release numerous consoles such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo 64, Gamecube, Wii, and Wii U. They also create handheld consoles like the Gameboy, Gameboy Advance, Gameboy DS, and Nintendo 3DS. Many best-selling game series have been created by Nintendo such as the Mario series, Animal Crossing, and The Legend of Zelda.

Latest News view > Click for Biography view
28 Jan, 2016

Bravely Second Jobs trailer

0 Comments

Nintendo releases a trailer for Bravely Second with new job classes designs and their functions on the battlefield. The game will be released in Europe on February 23 and in America on April 15.

3 Mar, 2015

Nintendo Character Guide

0 Comments

mario colorPages are released from Nintendo’s Character Guide, showing various aspects of well-known characters, as well as color guides and official descriptons. For example, the Guide reveals that Yoshi’s full name is “T. Yoshisaur Munchakoopas”, and that Mario’s overalls must be Pantone 293 while his cap is Pantone 485.

At first glance, the man we have come to know as “Mario” might appear to be a fairly easily defined character. Call him a madcap plumber who was born and raised in Brooklyn and seems to be forever in search of the oft-kidnapped Princess and you’d be right But you would also be leaving out a lot of the whole story. Let’s take a closer look at Mario.

5 Nov, 2014

Reassures fans

IllnessMakes Statement0 Comments

 

Iwata's reassures publicIwata addresses public concerns about his gaunt appearance post-surgery via Twitter.

I saw many worried comments over how thin I’ve become. The truth is that after a major operation, I lost weight, but during these past two and a half months, thankfully my weight has stabilized, and I’m progressing well. I would truly like to thank my doctors, the hospital staff, and everyone who has assisted me.

New 3DS models announced

0 Comments

Nintendo announce a new version of its 3DS handheld. The new pair of 3DS models appear to be literally called “New 3DS” and “New 3DS LL (XL),” but more on that head-scratching name later. Each features an upgraded CPU, a new small analog nub above the SNES-recolored buttons, and additional shoulder buttons next to the current ZL and ZR buttons. It supports sliding custom covers and will have better 3D than previous models as well.

15 Aug, 2014

Pokémon for iPad announced

0 Comments

YouTuber TheJWittz posts a tweet saying that the Pokémon Trading Card Game is coming to iPad. A Pokémon representative confirms it is true to Polygon but says they do not have a set release date.

2 Aug, 2014

No online co-op in new game

0 Comments

Nintendo announces via Japanese Hyrule Warriors Twitter account that the upcoming Zelda will not feature online multi-player capabilities.

6 Jul, 2014

Evo sponsors announced

0 Comments

D’Ron Maingrette, a Super Smash Bros announcer, tweets a list of the sponsors for the 2014 Evo fighting game tournament.  The list includes previous sponsors like IGN and Xbox, but this is the first time Nintendo sponsors the event. It marks a change in attitude from 2013’s Evo tournament when they attempt to block Super Smash Bros from being streamed from the event.

4 Jul, 2014

3D on 2D screen patent

0 Comments

nintendoparallaxjpg-b6917b

Nintendo files a patent for a device that enables 3D viewing on 2D displays. Other features of this device are sense of smell and virtual wind. Using a tracking system, the hypothetical device determines the position of the player or where the player is looking, and determines the player’s viewpoint. This would produce a parallax effect, where images in the foreground move faster and further than images in the background, creating a sense of depth.

27 Jun, 2014

Iwata re-elected president

0 Comments

Shareholders vote for Satoru Iwata to remain Nintendo’s president at the 74th Annual Shareholder’s Meeting. He is not able to attend due to a recent surgery:

I understand that I have to prioritise my medical treatment and to recover as soon as possible so that I will again be able to do my best to help the company to grow. I hope that you understand.

24 Jun, 2014

Statement on illness

IllnessMakes Statement0 Comments

Nintendo issues Iwata’s statement on his absence on E3:

Thank you very much for your continued extraordinary support of us. I am Satoru Iwata, President of the company. Today, there is one thing that I would like to share with you…Recently, as the result of one of my routine physical examinations, an issue was detected. Following a more detailed examination, a growth was found in my bile duct.In general, it is said that a bile duct growth can be difficult-to-treat, partly because of the difficulty of detecting it early. In my case, luckily, it was detected very early and I had no symptoms. I was counseled that removal at an early stage would be the desirable medical option. Therefore I had surgery last week, and I came through it well, as predicted. I have already resumed my business by email and by other means, but it is anticipated that a little more time is needed for me to return to my regular work schedule. As a result, I have no choice but to miss the company’s very important activity, the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, to be held this month. As the president of the company, I regret that I cannot attend the meeting. However, I understand that I have to prioritize my medical treatment and to recover as soon as possible so that I will again be able to do my best to help the company to grow. I hope that you understand. Best Regards, Satoru Iwata

23 Jun, 2014

Miyamoto: Hybrid games possible

Interview0 Comments

Shigeru Miyamoto, game developer and manager of Entertainment Analysis & Development at Nintendo, tells Kotaku that in the future, Nintendo may release games that work both on a console like the Wii U and a handheld like the 3DS:

I would say that, five years ago, I would never have thought that a game that I could play on my DS should also run on my Wii. Or that a game that ran on my PSP should also play on my PS2. But, more and more these days, I feel that the game that I play on my 3DS should also play on my TV or that the game that I play on my TV should go with me.

20 Jun, 2014

Loses Wii controller patent suit

0 Comments

Phillips wins a lawsuit against Nintendo for infringing on motion technology patents. Although a Dutch company, Phillips is suing in the U.S., Germany and France. Nine Nintendo products violate Phillips’ first patent, which include the Wii, Wii Remote and Wii Remote Plus controllers, Nunchuk, Balance Board, Wii U console, Wii U GamePad, Wii Mini and Wii MotionPlus technology. Two products violate a second patent, which include the Wii U and GamePad console.

Nintendo plans to appeal the decision and says the two patents for recognizing hand gestures and motion are invalid. A third patent violation pertaining to modeling a user in a virtual environment was in question, however Judge Colin Birss rules for Nintendo.

Wii U/3DS Minecraft release possible

Interview0 Comments

Shigeru Miyamoto and Shinya Takahashi, managers of Nintendo’s Analysis & Development and Software Planning & Development departments respectively, tell Kotaku that they are interested in bringing Minecraft to Wii U or 3DS:

We’ve always thought internally that using the [Wii U] GamePad would probably make for a Minecraft that’s very easy to play. And, of course, if we were to do something with Minecraft on the 3DS, similarly we would probably do it where it would be easier to play and could probably reach a lot of kids.

However, they do not give any details regarding negotiations with Mojang or a timeline for release:

Maybe we’re meeting with them [Mojang]! Who knows?

19 Jun, 2014

Fils-Aime: Wii U ‘long life ahead’

Interview0 Comments

Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo of America, says in an interview with Kotaku that, though the Wii U sales are lower than expected, he believes the console can still recover:

We believe the Wii U has a very long life ahead of it. It’s got great content coming that will help define the platform. For us, we think the 3DS is a very illustrative example. It wasn’t just the price cut. It was having great content that started with Kart 7 and 3D Land and then progressed and created a larger and larger footprint.

16 Jun, 2014

South Korea Mario Happy Meals

0 Comments

Following the release of Mario Kart 8 for Wii U, Nintendo and McDonalds partner to distribute Mario toys in Happy Meals. The Happy Meals are set to include one of the eight different toys. The toys run out in less than a day: Locations have lines stretching outside or in upstairs areas, and sell out quilckly. Signs offer to buy customers burgers if they purchase the Happy Meals only for the Nintendo toys. Some individuals, however, are buying the toys to re-sell them online. To discourage this behavior, various Korean websites will place members on a 30-day ban if they attempt to resell the toys.

13 Jun, 2014

Mario Maker announced

Announcement0 Comments

Nintendo announces a 2015 release for Mario Maker for Wii U. Mario Maker will allow users to create then play their own levels using their stylus. Users will be able to create using the graphics of the original 8-bit Super Mario Brothers game or an updated style.

Wins Triton Tech suit

0 Comments

Judge Richard A. Jones rules that Triton’s patent does not describe a complete invention and dismisses the case. Triton alleged that the Wii’s motion control technology infringes on their own technology patents. The lawsuit has been in process for four years.

We are very pleased with this result. Nintendo has a long tradition of developing unique and innovative products, while respecting the intellectual property rights of others.

12 Jun, 2014

Reviews ‘Super Smash Bros.’

0 Comments

O’Brien tackles the highly-anticipated video game by Nintendo, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U in his website’s online segment, Clueless Gamer. Along with associate Aaron Bleyaert, the TV talk show host plays the game while making humorous comments about its characters, design, and gameplay. He decides to try out the game’s multi-player mode and calls on staff members Matthew Kramer and Sonia Movsesian to join in. On his review of the game:

I think that this is a fantastically imaginative game. I myself wish it were simpler. I wish it involved a guy taking a walk and trying to find a cookie. I wish it had one button, there was “Go forward” and another button that was “Eat cookie”.

Clueless Gamer: Conan Reviews "Super Smash Bros." | CONAN on TBS

14 May, 2014

Wii controller lawsuit

0 Comments

Philips files a lawsuit against Nintendo for infringement on the patents “Virtual Body Control Device” and “User Interface System Based on Pointing Device.” The company alleges Nintendo was aware of the patents in 2011, and that various Ninendo products that use motion control and remote control devices are in violation. The company requests an amount for damages and a ban on the Wii U system.