Nintendo's Weird, Wild Origins: The Surprising History of a Gaming Giant

Most know Nintendo as the leaders for family-friendly fun; just take a look at some of their iconic titles, from Mario and Zelda to Pokémon. But Believe It or Not!, this iconic video game company started out in a much stranger place.

Here are a few of the weirdest and most surprising chapters from Nintendo’s long and unexpected history.

From Gambling to Game Consoles

Founded in 1889 in Kyoto, Japan, Nintendo’s first product wasn’t a game console; it was hand-painted playing cards! These cards even became popular in gambling halls, especially with Japan’s organized crime syndicates.

In the years that followed, Nintendo tried everything, from running a taxi company to producing instant rice. Family-friendly? Eh, not quite yet.

Flops, Light Guns, and LEGO Lawsuits

When Nintendo entered the video game scene in the 1970s, things didn’t go so smoothly. Their early arcade games were clunky and forgettable. Their “Light Gun Parlours” nearly bankrupted the company on opening night due to system failures—well, that is until one quick-thinking employee faked the gameplay to save face.

Nintendo even launched their own line of LEGO knockoffs. The Danish toy giant sued, of course, but not before Nintendo released some pretty incredible box art featuring characters like Kamen Rider.

Pokémon's Interesting Origins

Pokémon is one of Nintendo’s biggest success stories, but its surprising origins are anything but ordinary.

Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon, didn’t come up with the idea by chance. As a kid, he loved spending time outdoors catching and collecting insects.

That simple childhood passion inspired him to create a game where players could discover, collect, and trade creatures, an idea that eventually grew into one of the most beloved and influential pop culture franchises in the world.

How Donkey Kong Saved the Day

In 1982, Universal Studios sued Nintendo over Donkey Kong, claiming it was a rip-off of King Kong. Instead of backing down, Nintendo fought... and won! The victory saved their American operations and cleared the path for Mario’s rise to fame.

From gambling card games to courtroom battles and instant rice, Nintendo’s journey has been anything but ordinary.

Through weird risks, wild ideas, and unforgettable characters, Nintendo has carved out one of the most fascinating legacies in entertainment history—and along the way, it’s brought endless joy, adventure, and imagination to generations of kids around the world.

Want to See More?

Dive deeper into the unbelievable! Explore even more wild stories, strange facts, and mind-blowing oddities at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!