Sign In
  • Best Buys
  • Household Money
  • Banking & Borrowing
  • Mortgages & Home
  • Saving & Making Money
  • Rights, Scams & Politics
  • Motoring & Travel
  • Investing & Pensions
  • Savings & ISAs
  • Features
  • Compare

How Nintendo conquered the world 

How Nintendo became a power player in gaming
Nintendo was founded in 1889
Money to be made in love
But then its real success began
New consoles send the company global
The success of Super Mario Bros.
Mario existed in real life
Market rivals emerge
The Wii craze
Nintendo almost launched a phone
But then decided to stay away
But mobile gaming bit back
Nintendo stood its ground
Then it finally gave in
And then came Pokémon Go
It made over $207 million (£164m) in its first month
Another console success
Animal Crossing storms the market
Nintendo theme parks
The Super Mario Bros. movie becomes a blockbuster hit
The world's first Nintendo Museum launches
The company has some surprising shareholders
A new generation of Switch is here
Nintendo has achieved staggering sales
1 of 24
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images

How Nintendo became a power player in gaming

After a long wait, the Nintendo Switch 2 has finally been released worldwide, with eager fans queuing outside stores to snap up the highly coveted console. The launch marks the latest step in the Japanese company's path to world domination.

From its surprisingly risqué beginnings to the release of revolutionary consoles like the NES and Switch, read on to discover how Nintendo conquered the world.

All dollar amounts in US dollars.

Gallery view |
List View

Danielle McAdam

05 June 2025

Features

See more on this topic

Share the love