Nintendo 64

The Nintendo 64, released in 1996, marked a significant leap in video gaming history as Nintendo’s first home console to feature 3D graphics. Renowned for its innovative controller design and groundbreaking games like Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the N64 set new standards for immersive gameplay and multiplayer experiences. Its cartridge-based format offered fast load times, though it faced competition from disc-based systems. The console helped shift the industry towards 3D environments, influencing game development for years to come and cementing Nintendo’s legacy in the transition from 2D to 3D gaming.