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 company's best years. As such, while 2020 was underwhelming for many, there is reason to be extremely hopeful about the new year. In addition to its upcoming game anniversaries, five beloved Nintendo systems are also hitting milestones in 2021.
Unlike the game anniversaries, these console milestones are unlikely to result in major announcements. Of course, Nintendo Switch Online is due to for an expansion, so it is possible that Nintendo 64 games could be added to celebrate that console's 25th birthday. On the whole though, this is simply a great opportunity to reflect on Nintendo's storied legacy.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System's 30th Anniversary
Released in 1991, the influence and importance of the Super Nintendo has yet to fade. It was the generation where studios took the lessons learned through NES development and applied them to masterful 16-bit games that still hold up today. The Super Famicom (the SNES' Japanese name) 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 filled out its library somewhat.
Considering that Super Mario World was packed into North American SNES consoles, it headlined the launch. It would have succeeded regardless though, as it's still widely considered to be one of, if not the, best 2D Mario title. F-Zero was an early technical showcase for the system as well, using Mode 7 technology to simulate 3D gameplay in a 2D space. Plus, it was a frantic arcade racer that's still worth playing through today.
Nintendo 64's 25th Anniversary
The Nintendo 64 began Nintendo's downward trajectory sales-wise, but the console proved to be incredibly important. Its focus on local multiplayer gave the machine a unique flavor, and its tentpole releases truly advanced the industry. Nintendo captured the essence of 3D gaming and understood how to make it work.
The console's lineup was incredibly small, especially when the Nintendo 64 launched in Japan and North America. However, the limited catalog was largely a non-issue considering one of the launch titles was the beloved Super Mario 64. The game replicated Super Mario World's success but on a greater scale. World was an iteration upon Super Mario Bros. 3, while Super Mario 64 was an evolution of the entire industry.
Nintendo GameCube's 20th Anniversary
While the GameCube is one of Nintendo's worst-selling systems, it also boasts one of Nintendo's most impressive software libraries. While the console's games weren't nearly as innovative as the Nintendo 64's, the games were all incredibly polished and creative. New series like Pikmin were introduced, and Animal Crossing finally made it to the West.
However, the launch of the console didn't have a game of Super Mario 64 caliber. Luigi's Mansion and Wave Race: Blue Storm were the headlining first-party titles, with Super Monkey Ball from SEGA garnering interest as well. North American players also had access to Star Wars: Rogue Squadron II at launch, which remains a beloved Star Wars title. Of course, Super Smash Bros. Melee released just days after the North American GameCube launch, and that title remains one of Nintendo's most important (and controversial) today.
Nintendo Wii's 15th Anniversary
The Wii's legacy is one of the most interesting in Nintendo's catalog. With an emphasis on causal gaming and unorthodox gameplay experiences, the Wii stands out to this day. The Wii Remote ushered in the motion gaming craze. For as flawed as the Wii was, it also pushed the industry forward while making it a more inclusive space for players of all backgrounds. This widened appeal resulted in incredible sales that began right at launch.
The Wii was incredibly hard to track down early on in its life. The system's early software lineup was compelling too, even if it featured a lot of shovelware from the get-go. Naturally, Wii Sports was the headlining title, an experience that rivals Super Mario World in terms of pack-in quality. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess also released at launch, offering the perfect counterpoint to Wii Sports' causal fun.
Nintendo 3DS' 10th Anniversary
The Nintendo 3DS' life cycle came to an end just last year, but the handheld had an excellent run. Its software library is one of the deepest of any Nintendo system and there was an overwhelming amount of great exclusive content. Even though its glasses-free 3D gimmick was phased out in later hardware iterations, it was remarkable technology that had some great implementations.
However, despite its great legacy, the handheld had a rocky start. Nothing at launch was worth buying a 3DS for, particularly at its premium price point. Pilotwings Resort, Steel Diver, 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 drop the price of 3DS and release fantastic titles like Star Fox 64 3D and Super Mario 3D Land. From there, the system gained momentum and flourished throughout its life.
Looking back on Nintendo's console anniversaries is an excellent way to see just how prolific Nintendo is, especially since there are many consoles and handhelds that still aren't represented here. It puts into perspective how creative Nintendo is. It will be interesting to see whether or not the Switch proves to be the outlier with a longer life cycle, or if its fourth anniversary generates rumblings of the next system as well.