Though Nintendo has existed as a game company since the 80’s—still one of the longest standing institutions in the game industry—it’s actually been around in various other forms since 1889. In the nearly 100 years between then and its start as a game company, dabbled with taxis, love hotels, toys, and playing cards. Now, a picture has emerged of what could possibly be the original headquarters of what would one day become a gaming giant.
A French book website unearthed the image, explaining that the building was first owned by Naoshichi Yamauchi, who ran a wood and cement company called Haikyo. Yamauchi would eventually adopt his employee, Fusajiro, who would then go on to start Nintendo and manage both companies. Interestingly enough, Haikyo is still around, and is still run by a Yamauchi family member.
What do you think? Will Nintendo still be around in 100 years? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
[source omakebooks.com]
Comments 32
They've done alright for themselves in the meantime. I don't know will Nintendo be around in 100 years time and if they are, they could be doing something completely different, just as they are now compared to back then.
That's cool.
They almost did a SEGA with the Wii U, but have switched around their fortunes
Will Nintendo still be around in 100 years? Nintendo will outlive mankind, becoming ruler of the world. They are already well underway to creating the ultimate machine that will take over the mind and soul of humans.
Now that's quite some humble beginnings. Ninty is great it has such a heritage - I think that's important in this day 'n age.
@Bunkerneath The difference between what happened to Sega and Nintendo is that Sega were near bankruptcy before the Dreamcast even launched whereas Nintendo were furthest away.
Picture taken minutes before a Yakuza stole that lone bike left out in front of the store.
@Bunkerneath Nintendo have enough money to keep flopping until around 2053. They are far away from doing a Sega.
Love hotels!? I thought Nintendo were family friendly
I think the Switch certainly made a huge difference in their market position. I wish I could predict the coming 100 years but to think of a world without Nintendo (being hardware or software) is impossible, if you ask me.
I think if Nintendo can survive 100+ years of being doomed, I think they can survive 100 more.
I'd rather know what we'll get in the next 5 to 10 years. I believe that in 5 to 10 years something like Razer project linda might be a replacement for the switch. Dock your phone in a laptop case for, well, a laptop. Dock it in to a TV dock for console mode and use a game vice/joy cons for handheld mode.
I hope in 100 years we'll be playing in the virtuall world with some nervegear.
i do love this kind of pictures, they are like time capsules.
my guess for the upcoming century, would be something like Tron or Matrix - lead by nintendo x3
@fox_mattcloud @FragRed Ah god, it was a JOKE "switched"
@Bunkerneath some people eh 🙄
@Judgedean
Well, Nintendo used to be like that.
But not anymore when they were a Game Company.
@Judgedean : They are! I'm sure Love Hotels have spawned many a family.
I wonder if the otaku in those days were as crazy about Nintendo's wares as we are now.
"Back when they were still paying loans to Tom Nook"
...it's only been, like, 128 years - there's no way they've paid off Tom Nook that quickly, surely?!
I don't think the world will be around 100 years from now... Lol
That's pretty awesome.
As long as Nintendo remembers to bring the fun, people like me will continue to spend our coins on them. I think Nintendo has a greater chance of remaining a videogame presence than Sony or Microsoft. Here's to a hundred more years of giving the people what they want!
Weird to think that Mario and Zelda games will still be produced long after we are all gone! Right now is a pretty good time for Nintendo; I'm sure there will be plenty more ups and downs for them going forward, let's enjoy the now!
In 100 years, Nintendo will be a leader in planet colonization and space mining, with Captain Olimar and his horde leading the effort and Samus Aran providing security. And maybe, just maybe... Mario finally getting hitched on the moon...
@Bunkerneath You're obviously new here at Nintendo Life.
Of course they are still a card company. Those original roots still going strong!
Another interesting question is will videogames still be Nintendo's most lucrative venture in 100 years, or will some new form of entertainment dominate for Nintendo. The world of business is a fickle thing, and one business move can spell success or failure. 2089 would put me over a century old if I live that long, so unfortunately my kids will have to answer this for me
Even planet Earth won’t be around in 100 years from now
Interestingly, the lowest kanji on the board are "Yamauchi Nintendo", although written from right to left. Also the beginning of the English name "Marufuku" is written as kanji "fuku"(=good fortune / luck) inside a circle (=maru) on both sides of the board - the same logo can be found written on the doors of the old Nintendo HQ that is still around in Kyoto. I would also add an intriguing point that they have even used Latin Alphabet to write the name in English, which I think is a bit surprising.
If we as a civilization haven't bombed ourselves back to the stone age, AND if gaming is still around as a whole, I definitely think Nintendo in some form will still be around in another hundred years. Whether it will still be an independent company, or owned by someone else is anyone's guess. But a name like Nintendo is too big to really go away at this point.
Found footage of the first Nintendo hater:
https://media.giphy.com/media/3o7aTJbh3267LREcAE/200w.gif
Nice.
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