Did you know?

The DS is not Nintendo’s first dual-screened device. Nintendo’s first portable games systems were called “Game & Watch”. The first model appeared in 1980, long before Game Boy. Nintendo eventually released 59 different models, including 15 multi-screen models like Donkey Kong, Greenhouse and Oil Panic. The electronic toys had LCD screens and collectors often pay hundreds of dollars for rare units, and even thousands for the rarest models.

The very first computer game was called SpaceWar. It was made in 1962, ran on a $120,000 university computer as big as a room and was just two rockets dogfighting in space.

Nintendo’s moustached plumber Mario has entertained gamers for over 20 years and appeared in over 100 games. Over 200 million Mario games have sold worldwide, making the series the best selling game franchise ever. With over $15 billion in sales, he has earned more than Harrison Ford. Mario first appeared in the arcade game Donkey Kong and was originally called Jumpman. He was later named after the landlord of a Nintendo building, Mario Segali.