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While Nintendo 2021 is filled with series anniversaries, many of the company’s classic systems are also hitting milestones this year.
2021 is going to be a big year for Nintendo. With four major anniversaries to celebrate and rumors of a more powerful Nintendo Switch model, 2021 could be one of the best years for the company. As such, while 2020 has been disappointing for many, there is reason to be extremely optimistic about the New Year. In addition to its upcoming gaming anniversaries, five beloved Nintendo consoles are also hitting milestones in 2021.
Unlike in-game anniversaries, these console milestones are unlikely to result in any major announcements. Of course, Nintendo Switch Online is slated for an expansion, so it’s possible that Nintendo 64 games could be added to celebrate this console’s 25th anniversary. Overall though, it’s just a great opportunity to reflect on Nintendo’s historic legacy.
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30th anniversary of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Released in 1991, the influence and importance of the Super Nintendo has not yet faded. This was the generation where studios took the lessons from NES development and applied them to masterful 16-bit games that still stand today. The Super Famicom (the Japanese name for SNES) was launched with only Super mario world and F-Zero, but the North American launch was a bit richer. With titles like Simcity and Pilotwings, the SNES has filled its library a little.
Given that Super mario world was packaged in North American SNES consoles, it made headlines at the launch. It would’ve been successful regardless, as it’s still widely regarded as one of the best, if not the best 2D. Mario Title. F-Zero was also one of the first technical showcases of the system, using Mode 7 technology to simulate 3D gameplay in 2D space. Plus, he was a frenzied arcade racer still worth playing today.
Nintendo 64 25th anniversary
The Nintendo 64 started Nintendo’s downward trajectory in terms of sales, but the console turned out to be hugely important. Its emphasis on local multiplayer gave the machine a unique flavor, and its tentpole versions really took the industry up a notch. Nintendo has captured the essence of 3D gaming and figured out how to make it work.
The console lineup was incredibly small, especially when the Nintendo 64 launched in Japan and North America. However, the limited catalog was largely a non-issue given that one of the launch titles was the beloved Super Mario 64. The replicated game Super mario worldsuccess but on a larger scale. World was an iteration on Super Mario Bros. 3, while Super Mario 64 was an evolution of the entire industry.
Nintendo GameCube 20th Anniversary
While the GameCube is one of Nintendo’s least-selling systems, it also has one of Nintendo’s most impressive software libraries. While the console games weren’t as innovative as the Nintendo 64 games, the games were all incredibly polished and creative. New series like Pikmin were introduced, and Animal crossing finally managed to reach the West.
However, the console launch did not have a Super Mario 64 caliber. Luigi’s mansion and Wave Race: Blue Storm were the headlining first-act titles, with Super monkey ball of SEGA also arousing interest. North American players also had access to Star Wars: Rogue II Squadron at launch, which remains a favorite Star wars Title. Of course, Super Smash Bros. melee released just days after GameCube’s North American launch, and it remains one of Nintendo’s most important (and controversial) today.
Nintendo Wii 15th Anniversary
The legacy of the Wii is one of the most interesting in Nintendo’s catalog. With an emphasis on causal gaming and unorthodox gaming experiences, the Wii still stands out today. The Wii Remote has ushered in the craze for gaming on the go. As flawed as the Wii is, it has also advanced the industry while making it a more inclusive space for gamers from all walks of life. This expanded appeal resulted in incredible sales which started right from the launch.
The Wii was incredibly difficult to locate early in its life. The system’s first line of software was also convincing, although it featured a lot of excavators from the start. Naturally, Wii Sports was the headlining title, an experience that rivals Super mario world in terms of packaging quality. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess also released at launch, providing the perfect counterpoint to Wii Sports‘causal fun.
Nintendo 3DS 10th anniversary
The Nintendo 3DS lifecycle ended last year, but the handheld had a great run. Its software library is one of the most comprehensive of all Nintendo systems and there was an overwhelming amount of high-quality, exclusive content. Even though its bezel-less 3D gimmick was phased out in later hardware iterations, it was remarkable technology that had good implementations.
However, despite its great heritage, the handheld got off to a rough start. Nothing at launch was worth buying a 3DS, especially at its premium price. Pilotwings Resort, Steel plunger, and Super Street Fighter 4 3D were all good, but they couldn’t sell systems. But, in one of the industry’s most miraculous recoveries, the rest of 2011 saw Nintendo aggressively lower the price of the 3DS and release fantastic titles like Star Fox 64 3D and Super Mario 3D Land. From there, the system grew and flourished throughout his life.
Looking back on Nintendo’s console birthdays is a great way to see just how prolific Nintendo is, especially since there are plenty of consoles and handhelds out there that still aren’t featured here. This puts Nintendo’s creativity in perspective. It will be interesting to see if the Switch turns out to be the outlier with a longer lifecycle, or if its fourth anniversary also generates rumbles from the next system.
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