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NintendoGeneration 31980s

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

Released 1983 · Discontinued 1995 · 61.91 million units sold

Historical significance

Revived the North American console market after the 1983 crash and established Nintendo's licensing model, the D-pad, and franchises like Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda.

Best-selling games

Super Mario Bros.Duck HuntThe Legend of Zelda

Related consoles

Gen 4
Released
1990
Units Sold
49.1 million
Show specifications ▾
CPU
Ricoh 5A22 @ 3.58 MHz
Memory
128 KB RAM
Media
ROM cartridges
Launch Price
$199

The 16-bit powerhouse of the console wars with Sega, delivering Mode 7 graphics and era-defining titles like Super Mario World and The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.

Super Mario WorldDonkey Kong CountrySuper Mario Kart

1990s · Discontinued 2003

Details →

Nintendo 64

Nintendo

Gen 5
Released
1996
Units Sold
32.93 million
Show specifications ▾
CPU
NEC VR4300 @ 93.75 MHz
Memory
4 MB RDRAM
Media
ROM cartridges
Launch Price
$199

Brought analog-stick 3D control to the mainstream and redefined the genre with Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Super Mario 64GoldenEye 007Mario Kart 64

1990s · Discontinued 2002

Details →
Gen 6
Released
2001
Units Sold
21.74 million
Show specifications ▾
CPU
IBM PowerPC Gekko @ 485 MHz
Memory
43 MB
Media
8 cm miniDVD optical discs
Launch Price
$199

Nintendo's first disc-based console, beloved for its compact design and library including Super Smash Bros. Melee and Metroid Prime.

Super Smash Bros. MeleeMario Kart: Double Dash!!Animal Crossing

2000s · Discontinued 2007

Details →