It might be Wednesday to most people of the world, but to me it might as well be Friday. It's the last day I have to come into the office, as my four day vacation is coming up. So, unfortunately this will be the last post until December rolls around. Unless some really earth shaking news strikes, then I'll sacrifice some turkey time to bring it to you.
Yesterday, I wrote a good sized rant, criticizing a recent editorial on the state of Nintendo, and the 'hardcore' gamers. I won't get into the issue any further, as you can read for yourself how I feel about it. While crafting that editorial I came across a nifty site, Island.net who has a nice chronology of the history of Nintendo. So, in light of my new discovery we're going to take a look at the Top 5 years that Nintendo has seen since it made its console debut in 1985.
5. 2006 -
Major Releases In 2006:
Nintendo Wii
Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
New Super Mario Bros. (DS)
Top News In 2006:
Rodrigo Lopes sets a new time record for completing The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past video game on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System: 1 hour 36 minutes 43 seconds.
Electronic Gaming Monthly presents a list of the 200 greatest video games of their time. Number 1 is Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System.
France's Ministry of Culture honors Shigeru Miyamoto with knighthood in the Order of Arts and Letters.
Nintendo announces there will be over 30 game titles available for the Wii within the launch window.
At a press conference in Los Angeles before the Electronic Entertainment Expo, Nintendo announces the release name for its next-generation console system: Wii, shows a conventional controller for it, and demonstrates The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Galaxy for it.
In New York, Nintendo announces the Wii will be on sale in the USA on November 19. Price will be US$250 including the Nunchaku controller and Wii Sports game. The Wii will be available in Japan on December 2.
There are very few events in the history of video games that truly changed, or revolutionized the gaming world. In the year 2006, one of these massive happenings began to take its form. It all started with the release of a little console called, Nintendo Wii. Up until its release, the Nintendo Wii had gone through a roller coaster of opinions from gamers. Some were so excited to usher in a new way to play video games, while others were left skeptical.
Needless to say, we all know what the outcome would be. While some were calling for a massive launch of the PS3, it was the Nintendo Wii that became the hard to find item for Christmas. Then would repeat that some moniker when 2007 rolled around.
4. 1985 -
Major Releases In 1985:
Nintendo NES System
Super Mario Bros.
Duck Hunt
Baseball
Ice Climber
Top News In 1985:
At the Winter Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, Nintendo first shows the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US
At the Summer Consumer Electronics Show Nintendo introduces the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It uses a 6502 processor, and generates images with 256×240 resolution in 16 colors. It includes two controllers, a Zapper gun, and a Robotic Operating Buddy robot. Distributors show little interest in taking any orders.
Nintendo releases the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in the United States, in New York City. Special displays are set up in department, toy, and electronics stores. The NES comes with the Robotic Operating Buddy and the Zapper light gun. Price is US$125. Seventeen game cartridges are available with the launch of the game system.
During Nintendo's test-marketing of the Nintendo Entertainment System in New York, 90,000 units are sold.
What 1985 lacked in quantity for news and games, it easily made up for with importance and quality. 1985 gets its spot on the list much for the same reasons as 2006. While the Nintendo Wii might have started a new revolution in gaming, 1985 was the actual beginning of the revolution. For that reason alone, not to mention the release of one of the greatest games of all time (Super Mario Bros.) 1985 rightfully sits at #4 on today's list.
3. 1998:
Major Releases in 1998:
Resident Evil 2
1080 Snowboarding
Banjo-Kazooie
Mortal Kombat 4
F-Zero X
Pokémon (GB)
WCW/NWO Revenge
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
Top News In 1998:
At the Electronic Entertainment Expo, the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences holds its first annual awards ceremony. Shigeru Miyamoto is indicted into the Hall of Fame for his contributions to the video game industry.
Nintendo announces the Game Boy Color handheld video game system.
The European Computer Trade Show names Goldeneye 007 for the Nintendo 64 the Console Game of the Year.
Nintendo and LucasArts sign a five-year agreement for three new Star Wars games on the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color.
1998 represents everything that has been great about Nintendo throughout the years. We saw the induction of Miyamoto into the Hall of Fame. Not to mention arguably the greatest Nintendo game of all time, Ocarina of Time, released in 1998. Oh, Banjo Kazooie, and Star Wars: Rogue Squadron made an appearance as well. Those three games are all some of the top Nintendo 64 games of all time.
2. 1987:
Major Releases In 1987:
The Legend of Zelda
Dragon Quest II
Gradius
Pro Wrestling
Castlevania
Spy Hunter
Metroid
Punch-Out
Metal Gear
Final Fantasy
Mega Man
Top News In 1987:
Nintendo releases The Legend of Zelda video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US. This is the first NES game with a battery-powered save feature.
Nintendo begins including the Super Mario Bros. game cartridge with the Nintendo Entertainment System in the US.
Unit sales to date of Nintendo Entertainment System game systems: about 4 million. (Dec. 31)
There might not have been a whole lot of ground breaking news in 1987, but with all the games that released who needed to hear news? Seven game franchises that are still kicking it in the year 2008 saw their first releases in 1987. It's easily the year of the 'Franchises', and makes 1987 the easy pick for #2 on today's list.
1. 1996:
Major Releases In 1996:
Mega Man X3
Tetris Attack
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Nintendo 64
Super Mario 64
PilotWings 64
Wave Race 64
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble
Killer Instinct Gold
Wayne Gretkzy's 3D Hockey
Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire
Top News In 1996:
Nintendo announces a delay in introducing its 64-bit video game system in the US until September 30, due to a chip shortage.
In Los Angeles, California, Nintendo gives a preview of the Nintendo 64 game system, showing the Super Mario 64 game.
Nintendo releases the Nintendo 64 video game system in North America. Price is US$199.95.
At the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, Washington, over five days, 3000 participants rate 57 video games. Top pick is Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64.
By Thanksgiving Day in the USA, Nintendo has sold 750,000 Nintendo 64 systems in the USA, making this the fastest-selling system to date.
Unit sales of the Nintendo 64 video game system in the US during the year: 1.7 million.
Deciding between 1987, and 1996 was probably the hardest placing of #2, and #1 that I've had to do for these lists so far. 1987 might have been the year that so many franchises got their start, but 1996 represents the greatest year that Nintendo gave us.
To me the transition of SNES to Nintendo 64 is the best current-gen/next-gen transition we've ever seen in gaming. At the end of the SNES' life cycle we saw some of the best games come out and really sent the system out with a bang. Don't believe me? Go back and play Super Mario RPG. Then right after that the Nintendo 64 ushered in the era of 3D gaming, and gave us what I think is the best launch lineup of games ever seen on a home console.
Due to this transition, and the greatness of two consoles seen in a single year warrants 1996 as the best year Nintendo has given its fans.
Are there any years that specifically stand out in your mind? Did I have any errors in the history that I posted? Feel free to leave any, and all comments below.