How Long Has Nintendo Been Selling Video Games?

Nintendo’s **video game** history began in **1980** — **44+ years** (as of 2024).

Timeline

• 1889: Founded as **Nintendo Koppai** — hanafuda playing cards.
• 1960s–70s: Toys (Ultra Hand), light guns, arcade clones.
• 1977: **Color TV‑Game 6 / 15** — First dedicated home consoles (Pong clones, Japan only).
• 1980: **Game & Watch** — First handheld LCD games (Ball, Flagman, etc.). **First portable video games.**
• 1981: **Donkey Kong** (Arcade) — First global hit, Miyamoto debut.
• 1983: **Family Computer (Famicom)** — Japan; **NES (1985)** worldwide.

So: **135+ years as a company**, **44+ years in video games** (since Game & Watch), **41+ years in home consoles** (since Famicom/NES).