Introduced in 1985, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was an instant hit. Over the course of the next two years, it almost single-handedly revitalized the video game industry. Selling over 60 million units, people brought games like Mario and Zelda into their homes for the first time on the NES. Game Boy, which came out in 1989, was closely associated with the classic game Tetris when it debuted. Game Boy is the most successful video game system ever released. Since its introduction in 1989, Game Boy has sold well over 150 million systems worldwide. Originally bundled with the game, Tetris, this little handheld, became an instant phenomenon. The Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) was released in 1991 and featured 16-bit technology. More processing power meant more entertaining games, which helped the SNES sell more than 49 million systems worldwide. The Nintendo 64 (N64) set new standards in realistic 3D gaming when it came out in 1996. Super Mario 64 was the system’s showcase game and thrilled millions with its amazing graphics and gameplay. The same year the N64 came out, the Game Boy Pocket found its way into gamers’ school backpacks worldwide. It was smaller than the original Game Boy and came in a variety of colors. Featuring a larger screen and better graphics than previous versions of the Game Boy, the GBA would go on to sell tens of millions of units worldwide after its North American debut in 2001. 2001 also saw the release of the Nintendo GameCube, which one-upped the graphics and gameplay of the N64. It was the first Nintendo system to use optical discs instead of cartridges for its games. Released in 2003, the Game Boy Advance SP had the same size screen as the Game Boy Advance, but the GBA SP was dramatically smaller, lighter, and folded in a clamshell design to become truly pocket portable. It also featured a rechargeable battery and backlit screen. Featuring two screens, including a touch screen, a microphone, built-in Wi-Fi capability, and backward compatibility, the Nintendo DS (DS) is an incredibly successful portable gaming device beating its rivals in the marketplace by a wide margin. The Nintendo DS is smaller, lighter, and has brighter screens than the previous model and has been embraced by fans. Tens of millions of DS Lites have been sold worldwide since its release in early 2006. In 2006, Nintendo introduced the Wii and, with it, several advanced, revolutionary features. Wireless motion-sensitive remote controllers, built-in Wi-Fi capability, and a host of other features have made the Wii the best-selling latest generation console system in the world. In April, Nintendo DSi introduced a revised portable system with two cameras and wireless access to downloadable games via the Nintendo DSi Shop. Wii Sports Resort built on the Wii Sports phenomenon and included the new Wii MotionPlus accessory, making motion controls even more precise. Wii Fit Plus brought new options and activities to the fitness software, and New Super Mario Bros. Wii brought the hand-held game to the home console. The Nintendo DS family of systems set a new all-time calendar-year U.S. sales record for any console or hand-held system. Nintendo DSi XL debuted with screens that were 93 percent larger than those on Nintendo DS Lite. Nintendo and Netflix announced a partnership that would allow most Netflix subscribers to stream movies and TV shows directly through their Wii consoles. The American Heart Association and Nintendo of America formed a multifaceted strategic relationship to help people create healthy lifestyles through physically active play. The iconic American Heart Association brand appeared on boxes for the Wii Fit Plus and Wii Sports Resort software and the Wii system itself. Super Mario Galaxy 2 was just as well-received and well-reviewed as the original, Metroid: Other M took the franchise in a new direction. Donkey Kong Country Returns revisited a classic franchise. The Wii Games: Summer 2010 competition brought thousands of people of all ages together in fun competitions. On March 27, 2011, in the United States, Nintendo launched the Nintendo 3DS system, which allows users to view 3D content without special glasses. Redeemable: National. On-Line; Redemption Instructions Nintendo eShop Cards are redeemable only through the Nintendo eShop on the Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems. Card balances can be shared across Wii U and Nintendo 3DS family of systems, but may only be used on a single Nintendo eShop account. Detailed instructions for redeeming by device: Wii U 1. If you haven’t already, set up an Internet connection to your system and make sure your device has the latest system update. 2. From the HOME Menu, select the Nintendo eShop icon. 3. Select “Balance” from the menu on the left side of the screen. 4. Tap the button that says, “Nintendo eShop Card.” 5. Tap the box that says, “Enter the code.” 6. Use the touch screen to enter the Digital Card’s activation code and tap “OK.” 7. Select “Add.” Nintendo 2DS/3DS/3DS XL 1. If you haven’t already, set
