Nintendo and innovations, two words that go hand-in-hand! There are a huge number of Nintendo innovations from the last three, four decades – with the Japanese video games giant contributing so much to the industry. From controller innovations to game mechanics, Nintendo is truly at the heart of gaming as we know it.
Nintendo Innovations
In today’s Nintendo innovations blog, let’s look at 10 of my favourites from the extensive list. It is worth noting that for some of these, Nintendo weren’t the first. However, combined with the right games and iterating on existing technology, Nintendo made all of these part of the video game vocabulary.
The Nintendo D-Pad
Where would we be without the iconic directional pad (or d-pad, for us controller lovers)? The D-Pad was of the biggest Nintendo innovations that shaped video games at home. Nintendo weren’t the first to roll out the D-Pad, though. Early systems tinkered with the tech, as early as William F. Palisek’s patent in 1979.
Nintendo innovated on these early designs with their own, developed by Ichiro Shirai for the Game and Watch handhelds. It was unique in that it was the first to use membrane switches. After a successful run and even an Emmy Award for technology, the D-Pad became a must have for subsequent controllers after.
Battery-Powered Save Files
Remember the days of having to scrawl down passwords to save your progress? No? Okay, now I feel old. Another Nintendo innovation changed the way we interact with video games: battery-powered save files. Before the days of memory cards and hard drives, it was down to preserving game progress in the cartridges themselves.
One of the first games to popularise built-in game saves was The Legend of Zelda on the NES, allowing you to save progress without passwords. Three save files, three amazing quests! Nintendo truly redefined how long games could be.
Side-scrolling Platformers
Nintendo truly defined the world of side scrolling platformers and what game designers could do in a 2D space. Like most Nintendo innovations, others did try 2D platforming first, but Nintendo iterated and built on this with the iconic Super Mario Bros. With the series turning 40 this year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on just how influential Nintendo’s platformer designs were and are.
Super Mario Bros. took great use of the D-Pad design on the NES controller, with interactive environments, smooth animation and a variety of stages to explore. It played such a crucial role in pioneering the core elements of what makes a good side-scrolling game.
4 Button Controller Layout
You know that familiar 4-button controller layout? PlayStation and Xbox consoles, as well as recent Nintendo consoles like the Nintendo Switch have had similar configurations for years. Well, apart from the location of the “X” button.
The setup originated from the SNES controller. Arranged in a diamond shape for ease of access to each, plus a comfy way of combining buttons for those juicy combos. Having four primary buttons really did open the door for developers to go beyond a simple run and jump. Inventory and item toggles were made far easier to access, as well as extra buttons for fighting games. This style of controller is one of the Nintendo innovations that has stood the test of time!
Controllers with Shoulder Buttons
As well as defining the iconic four button layout, the SNES was responsible for popularising another now-standard feature: the shoulder buttons. Earlier controllers did incorporate similar ideas, but it was the launch of the SNES that made shoulder buttons the norm.
In addition to the four core buttons, having two extra shoulder buttons truly opened up the floor to just how many moves could be programmed into a game. Shoulder buttons were particularly beneficial for games like Super Mario Kart and Street Fighter II. Since the SNES, shoulder buttons have been seen in many consoles – becoming the standard. It truly is difficult to imagine a controller without a pair of shoulder buttons!
Thumbstick in a Game Controller
Another Nintendo innovation must be popularising the thumbstick control for 3D gaming. Nintendo weren’t the first to use or invent analogue sticks, with various controllers with similar ideas previously. Demp XE-1 AP and the Atari 5200 are some examples, but these didn’t quite get the mechanics right.
However, the Nintendo controller was the first to truly popularise 3D control with an analogue stick – with the core concept of the games revolving around it, instead of an add-on or a replacement for a D-Pad.
Controller with Rumble
Another Nintendo innovation that the company made popular was the Rumble Pak, a crucial part of the Nintendo 64 controller and one that lead to another industry standard. Some early arcade games in the ’70s did have vibration feedback, as did a vest released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive.
However, the Nintendo 64 popularised the Rumble Pak, adding a fresh layer of immersion for games like Goldeneye and Star Fox 64. Shortly after, Sony took the concept further by integrating rumble into the DualShock controller, too!
Third Person Lock-on Mechanics
The advent of 3D video games and mechanics created a bit of a problem: aiming. With various enemies on the screen and 3D spaces to navigate, the challenge can be keeping enemies and obstacles in focus. Nintendo’s solution? Player controller lock-on!
One of the first games to do it well was The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Hit the Z trigger on the controller and the camera locks onto a particular object – or it simply re-positions the camera directly behind the character. The simple mechanic made traversing through Hyrule a breeze and has been a big influence on 3D games that came after.
Mainstream Motion Controls
Motion control technology has existed in the world of gaming for years, especially in arcades. Where it’s become part of game controllers, though, is really down to Nintendo. With the launch of the Wii in 2006, Nintendo took a huge gamble. The Wii hardware that was, in terms of raw numbers, underpowered and used a controller that looked like no other.
Gone was the four button iconic format Nintendo themselves had popularised with the SNES. Instead, a TV-remote that added a little motion magic. Being able to swing, aim, shake the Wii Remote made it an instant hit with millions of players, old and new.
The Wii era was arguably the golden era of motion control, but its legacy has seen motion sensing continue to be baked into controllers and VR headsets since.
Built in Console Avatar
Whilst many systems and websites had customisable avatars before the Nintendo Wii, it was the 2006 console that introduced console avatars to the masses. The Mii characters were customisable: hair, facial features, height, outfit – allowing players to see themselves in games. Paired with the massively popular Wii Sports, it was an instant hit.
Others have followed since, most with more detailed and varied customisation features, but there’s something just so iconic about the Nintendo innovation that was the Mii.
