A visual history of Nintendo's video game consoles

From the original Nintendo Entertainment System, to the wildly popular Switch, Nintendo has released over a dozen video game consoles and handhelds.Each of Nintendo's systems has been focused on innovative technology and family fun, though some have been much more successful than others.At their best, Nintendo's consoles have made a cultural impact that has changed the way people around the world view entertainment.Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.Nintendo has been the number-one household name in video games since releasing the Famicom in Japan back in 1983. The console's interchangeable floppy disks and inspiring games helped the company push back against the arcades that dominated the video game industry at the time.As the Famicom became more popular, Nintendo was eventually able to debut the console overseas with a new design, calling it the Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES. With games like “Super Mario Bros.” and “The Legend of Zelda,” the console slowly but surely found an audience and eventually millions of homes around the world had an NES parked in the living room.Even as other companies worked to match Nintendo's success, the company remained focused on innovation and family fun, and that dedication has inspired each of their follow-ups. While some of the company's consoles have certainly been more successful than others, Nintendo's constant push towards new ways to play games has proven beneficial for companies across the video game industry.Exploring the legacy of Nintendo's hardware offers an interesting look at how video games have grown from the earliest days of 8-bit pixels to the high-definition marvel that is the Nintendo Switch.Here's a visual history of Nintendo's video game consoles: