Nintendo’s Risky Moves That Redefined Gaming (and Actually Worked)

Nintendo has never been a company afraid to take risks. While competitors often focused on power and graphics, Nintendo consistently bet on innovation, quirky ideas, and bold hardware experiments. Not all of those risks paid off (Virtual Boy, anyone?), but when they did, they reshaped the gaming industry in ways no one expected. Let’s look at some of Nintendo’s most daring moves that redefined gaming—and actually worked.

1. The Nintendo DS and Its Dual Screens (2004)

When Nintendo revealed the DS with two screens—one of them a touchscreen—many gamers were skeptical. Why would anyone need two displays on a handheld console? Critics questioned whether it was a gimmick.

But Nintendo proved everyone wrong. Games like Brain Age, Nintendogs, and The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass showed how the touchscreen could create entirely new gameplay experiences. The DS went on to sell over 150 million units, becoming one of the best-selling consoles of all time. The risk paid off in spectacular fashion.

2. The Wii’s Motion Controls (2006)

The Wii didn’t try to compete with the PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 on graphics. Instead, Nintendo took a massive gamble on motion controls with the Wii Remote. The idea of swinging a controller like a tennis racket or steering it like a wheel was revolutionary but also risky—what if gamers preferred traditional controllers?

The gamble worked. Wii Sports became a cultural phenomenon, introducing video games to millions of people who had never played before. Families, grandparents, and even nursing homes embraced the Wii. With over 100 million units sold, the Wii showed that accessibility and fun could outweigh raw power.

3. The Switch’s Hybrid Design (2017)

After the disappointing sales of the Wii U, Nintendo needed a comeback. The answer was the Switch—a hybrid console that could function as both a handheld device and a home console. It was risky to merge two markets into one, but it solved a real problem: the divide between portable and home gaming.

The Switch was a smash hit. Games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Animal Crossing: New Horizons flourished on the system. Its flexibility appealed to families, commuters, and hardcore gamers alike, cementing its place as one of Nintendo’s most successful consoles.

4. Cartridge Comebacks (2017)

In a gaming world dominated by discs and digital downloads, Nintendo stuck with cartridges for the Switch. At first, it seemed outdated—weren’t cartridges a relic of the past?

But Nintendo was ahead of the curve. Cartridges were faster, more durable, and portable, making them perfect for a hybrid system. This decision simplified gaming for families and eliminated issues like scratched discs. What seemed like a step backward became a forward-thinking choice.

5. Mario’s 3D Leap (1996)

Back in the mid-90s, moving beloved 2D franchises into 3D was risky. Could Mario’s charm survive the transition? Nintendo bet big with Super Mario 64 on the Nintendo 64, and the result was groundbreaking.

The game set the standard for 3D platforming, pioneering camera systems and open-world exploration that influenced countless games to come. Without that risk, the modern 3D gaming landscape might look very different today.

Nintendo’s willingness to take risks has always been its greatest strength. While not every gamble has been a success, the ones that worked—dual screens, motion controls, hybrid design, and bold game reinventions—reshaped the industry forever.

Nintendo reminds us that innovation often requires stepping into the unknown. By daring to be different, they didn’t just change their own fortunes—they changed the way the world plays games.