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GTA 6 Won’t Switch Things Up for Nintendo
GTA 6 is not coming to the Nintendo Switch 2, and I am here to tell you that this is the correct decision. Nintendo…
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Nintendo news, reviews and guides.
Total Apex Take
The Switch 2 launch confirmed Nintendo still sets the pace for the industry on its own terms, not the competition's.
Nintendo's decision to keep iterating on the hybrid handheld-console concept rather than chasing raw power specs again paid off — Switch 2's launch lineup and backward compatibility gave it a smoother transition than most console generations manage, trading on the loyalty the original Switch built over nearly a decade.
The Mario movie's success opened the door to a sequel and reinforced that Nintendo's IP, used carefully, travels well into film — a bet the company was famously cautious about for decades after the poorly received 1993 live-action Mario film.
Our take: Nintendo's aggressive stance on protecting its IP, including litigation against emulation and fan projects, remains the most consistently criticized part of the company's culture among its own fanbase, even as that same control is a big part of why its franchises stay distinctive rather than diluted by third-party content.
About Nintendo
Nintendo is the Japanese company behind some of the most recognizable characters and franchises in video game history, including Mario, The Legend of Zelda, and Pokémon (co-owned with Game Freak and Creatures Inc. through The Pokémon Company). Founded in 1889 as a playing-card maker, Nintendo moved into electronic games in the 1970s and has released consoles ever since.
Nintendo's hardware philosophy has often prioritized novel ways to play over raw technical power, from the motion controls of the Wii to the hybrid handheld-and-home-console design of the Nintendo Switch, which went on to become one of the best-selling consoles ever made.
History
1983–1990
NES era
The Nintendo Entertainment System revives the home console market in North America after the 1983 industry crash, led by Super Mario Bros.
1996–2006
N64 & GameCube era
Nintendo pushes 3D game design forward with Super Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time while competing with Sony and Microsoft's growing console businesses.
2006–2012
Wii era
The Wii's motion controls bring Nintendo a broader, more casual audience and make it the best-selling console of its generation.
2017–present
Switch era
The hybrid Nintendo Switch lets players move between TV and handheld play, becoming one of the best-selling consoles in history ahead of the Switch 2's 2025 launch.
Key People
Shuntaro Furukawa
President of Nintendo Co., Ltd.
Shigeru Miyamoto
Representative Director and creator of Mario and Zelda
Doug Bowser
President of Nintendo of America
Flagship Nintendo Franchises
| Franchise | Debut | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Super Mario | 1985 | Nintendo's flagship platforming franchise and mascot |
| The Legend of Zelda | 1986 | Long-running action-adventure series known for open exploration |
| Pokémon | 1996 | Co-owned with Game Freak; one of the highest-grossing media franchises in the world |
| Animal Crossing | 2001 | Life-simulation franchise that saw a major surge in popularity in 2020 |
| Splatoon | 2015 | Ink-based competitive shooter aimed at a younger audience |
Financials
| Founded | 1889, originally as a playing-card company in Kyoto, Japan |
|---|---|
| Original Switch lifetime sales | Surpassed 150 million units, making it Nintendo's best-selling console ever, overtaking the Nintendo DS |
| Switch 2 launch (2025) | Became the fastest-selling console in U.S. history, moving roughly 3.5 million units in its first four days |
How It Compares
| Compared To | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| PlayStation | Nintendo leans on family-friendly, first-party franchises and portable/hybrid hardware, while PlayStation competes primarily on graphical power and third-party blockbuster support. |
| Xbox | Nintendo rarely competes directly on hardware specs, instead differentiating through exclusive franchises like Mario, Zelda, and Pokémon. |
Trivia & Fan Culture
Started 136 years before its first video game
Nintendo was founded in 1889 to produce handmade hanafuda playing cards, decades before it entered the toy and video game businesses in the 20th century.
The company name's meaning
"Nintendo" is often translated roughly as 'leave luck to heaven,' reflecting the company's original card-game roots.
Switch reinvented hybrid gaming
The original Nintendo Switch, launched in 2017, popularized the idea of a single console that works as both a home system and a handheld, a format Switch 2 continued in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Nintendo make games for other consoles or phones?
Nintendo's core franchises remain largely exclusive to its own hardware, though it has released select mobile titles, such as Pokémon GO (via Niantic) and Mario Kart Tour, on iOS and Android.
Is the Switch 2 backward compatible?
Nintendo Switch 2 supports the vast majority of original Nintendo Switch game cartridges and digital titles, in addition to its own new library.
Who owns the Pokémon franchise?
Pokémon is jointly owned by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures Inc., and managed collectively through The Pokémon Company.
When was Nintendo founded?
Nintendo was founded in 1889 in Kyoto, Japan, originally as a maker of handmade playing cards.
What is Nintendo's best-selling console?
The original Nintendo Switch is Nintendo's best-selling console, with lifetime sales surpassing 150 million units.
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