Fusajiro Yamauchi: The Man Who Revolutionized the Worldwide Gaming Industry

When Fusajiro Yamauchi named his company Nintendo meaning "leave luck to the stars," his stars shine so brightly it seems for all eternity.

Generation x, Millennials, Generation Y, and Z (and you bet the next generation will have their opportunity to enjoy Nintendo), where have you been if you haven't heard or played a Nintendo game?

Sure, technologically speaking, we can argue till we ran hoarse that other games have better hardware capabilities, but the gaming experience? Nothing can beat Nintendo's games.?

?People love Nintendo because it just represents a good ole time. Nintendo's focus on the fun of couch multiplayer constantly entertains people who want to have a blast.

In the beginning

Born Fusajiro Fukui on November 22, 1859, in Kyoto, Japan, Fusajiro was a budding artist who worked in a cement factory and showed business propensity noticed by his employer Naoshichi Yamauchi.?

With no apparent heir to his business, Naoshichi Yamauchi adopted Fusajiro at the age of 22. Adult men adopting other adult men was a common practice in the Japanese culture to keep companies operating in the same family name.

While running his adoptive father's flourishing cement business, Haikyo, Yamauchi founded Nintendo to sell Hanafuda cards or flower cards. These cards are used in several Japanese games and gained more prominence when the Japanese government banned the number cards due to the rise of the gambling industry.

On November 6, 1889, Yamauchi founded Nintendo Koppai.?

From the bark of Mitsu-mata trees, Yamauchi made hand-painted Hanafuda cards or flower cards. His cards were a hit until demand exceeded his ability to make the cards.? He had to hire a staff to meet demand.

By 1907, Yamauchi began manufacturing western-style playing cards. He was unstoppable.?

Over the next four decades, Yamauchi's card company expanded into a significant enterprise. He manufactured original card games specifically for Nintendo, thus adding an expansive library of playing cards.?

With Yamauchi's massive success in selling Hanafuda cards, he quickly expanded his reach to other Japanese cities opening another flower card shop in Osaka.?

Nintendo became Japan's top card game company.

In 1929, Fusajiro Yamauchi retired? at the age of 70, leaving Nintendo in the hands of his son-in-law Sekiryo Kaneda (who later changed his name to Yamauchi as an adoptive son of Fusajiro.)

Legacy

Nintendo

Fusajiro Yamauchi’s artistic and business influence runs Nintendo to this day. Creativity, innovation, and giving people a warm and pleasant feeling while playing games are etched in every game created by the company.

Of course, Nintendo has so many milestones and so many firsts in the gaming industry. The following catalog is a list of some of the most (extraordinary) successful launching of new products.

In 1977, Nintendo launched its first home video game machines, TV Game 15 and TV Game 6.

In 1978, the company developed and started selling arcade video game machines.

In 1980, Nintendo developed and introduced to the market the GAME & WATCH.

1983 was the year that the Family Computer System, a home video game system, was launched.

In 1985, Nintendo the Super Mario Bros. was introduced to the gaming public.

In 1989, the handheld video game system Game Boy was launched.

In 2006, Nintendo launched the home video game system, Wii.

In 2012, Nintendo launched the home video game system, Wii U.

In 2016 the company released the smart device application, Miitomo.

In 2017, Nintendo launched Nintendo Switch, a home video game system that can also be used as a handheld.

In 2018, Nintendo started the service Nintendo Switch Online.

Since its founding in 1889, we can definitely say that Nintendo has been around for quite a long time. The company has endured and thrived for a much longer time than its competitors.

It has reaped so much success in bringing joy to people's lives and creating its unique culture. Nintendo has become more than just a company, it has its own legacy.

As of November 05, 2021, Nintendo’s net worth is $57.51B.

And if these accomplishments can make anyone bow one’s head the Japanese way to give a salute to Fusajiro Yamauchi’s enduring influence, this will make you say ‘kampai!’ (cheers!):

Haikyo, the cement factory where Fusajiro first started and honed his skills as a businessman is still alive and operational to this day, and still run by the Yamauchi family.

Wrap Up

Mr. Yamauchi was an artist and entrepreneur who made good with whatever opportunities he found himself in.?

Working hard to expand his business, he gives his patrons a happy experience when playing with his products. That is customer experience at its best.?

His entire life, Yamauchi was a known proponent for continuous improvement. He finds ways to make his cards not only fun and enjoyable but well-loved possessions.? He definitely knows how to create demand.?

As a business leader, he was known to be empathic, and his employees looked up to him. The longevity of his workers speaks well for Mr. Yamauchi's leadership qualities.

And speaking of longevity, this word really defines Nintendo's market endurance. The creativity and leadership of Fusajiro Yamauchi are still the driving forces behind the continuing success of Nintendo.