The Incredible History of Nintendo: 129 Years in the Making

Without tree bark and the Yakuza, would we ever have Mario? Join us as we take a quick look back at the long, strange, and incredible history of one of the world's most beloved gaming companies.

Polygon is an entertainment website founded in 2012 in partnership with Vox Media. Our mission is to cover not only games but the artists who make them, the fans who love them, and the culture surrounding them.

[Ruby_Coast]

Man, I can't believe Nintendo started in the year 98 B.M. (Before Mario)

[theeyebright]

Totally buying an Audi because of this.

[Carzy]

Brian, all of the cardboard in this video has me very very concerned. Are you ok?

[nickc]

This video seems very pro-cardboard... Brian, are you being held against your will?

[LukeGartland]

Loved this video, is there a chance of The Incredible History of becoming a regular Brian-led series? :)

[rayminishi]

Warms my heart to see Gunpei Yokoi on the thumbnail

[sunpi]

Plesse keep doing these! Really enjoyed it !

[LeanneMustafa]

this is by far the shortest History of X video ive ever seen. and it didnt feel rushed at all. good job Polygon!

[dude]

Sponsored by Audi...?

I was shown a Ford ad when I clicked on the video...

[eringladstone]

I continue to love these educational videos! I'm always excited to see a new one pop up!!

[DJsuryong]

actually the use of the mulberry tree bark is to be boiled and beaten into a pulp, to be used for making the sheets of paper that will compose the stock of the hanafuda cards.

[TheCoryKid]

Is there data suggesting that Polygon viewers are predominately upper-middle class? Because I adore the idea that some intern at Audi somehow convinced the marketing department of this.

[Scum]

Aw man, I wish this was longer. I want to know more - there's a lot more interesting stuff in their history.

[BJthecold]

Nintendo's next business decision- a love hotel built entirely of cardboard

[kamrock]

Slick slick editing and super interesting! Nicely done BDG!

[SethMarcell]

ok, this was NOT a normal polygon video. But i really like it, more of these please.

[RussGetsIt]

The card and toy stuff I expected, but love hotels and TV Game 15? Wow.

[will_it_work]

You forgot to mention the Duck Hunt toy/game they made in 1976. Their first "video" game, if 100% electro-mechanical.

[norge]

Time to have Brian on The History of Fun podcast!

[escotanner]

129 years? I thought they've been around since the 80s.