How Nintendo Turned a Calculator into Their First Console

Nintendo was never meant to be a family friendly video game company.
Previously we covered how Nintendo sold illegal playing cards to the Yakuza, operated a taxi company and ran a love hotel.
The company has always taken risks and made bold decisions, but how far can they go this time?
This story begins with the 3rd President of Nintendo--Hiroshi; and how his employees stole inspiration from America, and pocketed millions of dollars.
This is part 2 of Nintendo's race to survival.
Watch part 1: • Nintendo almost shut d...
Sources:
[Nintendo’s History]
Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered The World, David Sheff, Vintage Press, Penguin Random House LLC.
Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo, and the Battle that Defined a Generation, Blake J. Harris, Harper Collins.
www.nintendo.co.uk/Corporate/...
www.businessinsider.com/histo...
grantland.com/features/the-ri...
• The Rise Of Nintendo
www.wired.com/2010/09/0923nin...
www.switchaboo.com/nintendo-b...
www.businessinsider.com/histo...
www.i-programmer.info/history...
www.thegamer.com/nintendo-off...
www.thesun.co.uk/archives/new...
blog.beforemario.com/2016/01/n...
www.benzinga.com/general/educ...
o-is-founded
listverse.com/2018/05/23/10-w...
www.visualcapitalist.com/20-y...
[Nintendo’s Hanafuda Playing Cards]
healthy.uwaterloo.ca/museum/V...
www.wired.com/2010/09/0923nin...
www.espn.com/esports/story/_/...
www.japan-guide.com/e/e2298.html
99percentinvisible.org/articl...
www.maxlaumeister.com/article...
nintendo.fandom.com/wiki/Hana...
www.japan-zone.com/features/0...
www.theguardian.com/games/202...
[The Yamauchi Family]
www.nsidr.com/archive/profile...
www.wsj.com/articles/SB100014...
www.wired.com/2013/09/hiroshi...
www.theguardian.com/technolog...
[Gunpei Yokoi]
www.vice.com/en/article/pkdbx...
www.giantbomb.com/ultra-hand/...
Other Sources:
[Photos]
Sekiryo Kaneda: Makalah Terbaru
Fusajiro Yamauchi: nintendo.fandom.com
Hiroshi Yamauchi: @NintendoMemo / Twitter
Gunpei Yokoi: The Dot Eaters
Takebara Kahei, rawpixel.com: flic.kr/p/2k8rJmh
/ old_nintendo_hanafuda_...
Toshiyuki IMAI / flickr: flic.kr/p/8rmGWv, flic.kr/p/8rmHar, flic.kr/p/8rmH3a
Sébastien Bertrand / flickr: flic.kr/p/7EAgMz
Japanexperterna.se / flickr: flic.kr/p/qpcv1m, flic.kr/p/qFG7x5
Forgemind ArchiMedia / flickr: flic.kr/p/hkiKu5, flic.kr/p/hkjHVP, flic.kr/p/hkiJkb
www.wopc.co.uk/portugal/dragons2
Louie Mantia via Wiki: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
/ 631681636120162304
Guilhem Vellut / flickr: flic.kr/p/pdqsy2
blog.beforemario.com/2016/01/n...
blog.beforemario.com/2016/04/n...
blog.beforemario.com/2016/04/n...
blog.beforemario.com/2011/02/n...
blog.beforemario.com/2011/02/l...
kotaku.com/the-gun-game-that-...
[Videos]
pastebin.com/me4CZrVN

[@hook]

If you haven't already, make sure to watch Part 1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nX64dH6qdsaHl7s Part 3 is now LIVE: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4athmSbjpiXgq8 Thanks for watching!

[@sakkey]

Eagerly waiting for part3

[@vidtuby]

Your documentaries are TV quality and should be broadcasted!

[@teebabythadoll]

Hello Mr Hook can you do how Taco Bell was made pretty please I wanna know and how it became and for the video can the color scheme be Purple,Yellow and Aqua in memoriam for Taco Bell thanks, sincerely Tatyana

[@X-xero_y.n_X]

Hey can you make a video about how nerds was made the candy

[@GamerBoy870]

I cant wait for part 3 this is fascinating

[@andyenglish4303]

It is insane how frequently Nintendo has been saved from disaster by the right person being listened to at the right time.

[@mrcat4508]

I guess they live up to their name

[@hpsmash77]

@@mrcat4508 leave luck to heaven...

[@bored588]

i mean, isnt that what good companies do, listen to employees when the business isnt doing well

[@tookitogo]

If you watch Japanese documentaries (like the fascinating “Begin Japanology”/“Japanology Plus” series), you’ll realize that it’s just the Japanese way to tell business stories. The way they tell them, EVERY business at some point was on the precipice and then, from an unexpected source comes the eureka solution to save the day.

[@gp75motorsports]

@@bored588 And even when it is!

[@Master0fHyrule]

You can't do this to me... I need to know if Nintendo survives and makes cool games!

[@bilaloguz1098]

And know the story of the Appentance!

[@stupididiot9897]

We all do.

[@thebrilliantshadowfox4956]

I was like Nooooo when episode 2 finished 😱😱😭😭😭😫

[@jinraigami3349]

Lol.

[@Ignatiusmckay]

darn If only these events happened before then we would know

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

TOADSTOOL: I'm sorry, Mario but the Princess will be in the next video MARIO: Sigh, why am I not surprised?

[@angelhernandezvega6064]

@Stellvia Hoenheim 👁👄👁

[@rawrimadeinosaur7513]

@Stellvia Hoenheim that went from 0 to 100 real quick

[@VieShaphiel]

* cheerful music * *Deep Family Feud*

[@Cheesesticks-1]

I swear my brain read it all mixed up as "Deep fried family"

[@nerfedby50percent2]

@@Cheesesticks-1 mmmmmm fried family members

[@OceanWater_WAV]

@@nerfedby50percent2 crispy

[@nerfedby50percent2]

@@OceanWater_WAV tasty

[@nerfedby50percent2]

satisfaction

[@hanifsulistiyo3559]

Imagine being the guy who hated donkey kong so much he quit his job.

[@DarkAuraDeathAngel]

That be like the net/internet today lol /lowl

[@crispylad6294]

@@DarkAuraDeathAngel christ just talk normally

[@DarkAuraDeathAngel]

@@crispylad6294 what?

[@FabioRodrigues-xs8vf]

@@crispylad6294 he's not doing it on purpose. It's just his brain

[@isssandwich391]

@@crispylad6294 Ain’t so crispy after all after scolding someone on how they talk on the internet

[@wubbers662]

The guy who left: Wait no, I am sorry, it was good, PLEASE DON'T DO THIS TO ME

[@geoffreythomas1452]

Nintendo’s story is so fascinating. Such ingenuity, creativity, risk tasking, and yes boldness. They still take risks and are better for it.

[@titusdennington6249]

This is actually such a great and well made series and I cannot wait for the next one.

[@sheillasyahputri472]

0:05 So that's how Mario looks like back then

[@spartinferretmaster6459]

That haircut is legendary

[@stuffsonanimation4262]

Wut

[@spartinferretmaster6459]

What wut

[@swampdonkey1567]

Wut what wut

[@spartinferretmaster6459]

What wut wit what

[@stuffsonanimation4262]

Wet what wut what

[@HolyRomanEmpire962-1806]

I'm not dead bruh

[@ArtificialAdonin]

Yes you are, now shut up

[@NatetheNintendofan]

@@ArtificialAdonin Mario kil, him

[@S7ardustSpeedway]

“It is good day to be not dead”

[@nasrizaim8637]

Your name is fitting cause I'm hooked on this series

[@Bernandez4139]

I like how Miyamoto is immediately recognizable even while blurred out.

[@staceybarnett6120]

Not to put down Miyamoto but Gunpei was the real hero of Nintendo..

[@michaelmuise2262]

Rest in Peace Mario you will be missed

[@702.Joshua_]

?

[@l.t.p933]

@@702.Joshua_ March 31st

[@702.Joshua_]

@@l.t.p933 what about it

[@ericko777]

Hes being canceled for being a stereotype

[@yvastel8153]

If you didn't know the joke, the Mario 3d collection physical copies (i think?) and mario 35 will cease to be produced/taken off on the 31st of march. "Execution" as people like to call it.

[@GrandMasterLynx]

10:25 Actually it was JumpMan first before it changed to Mario

[@nikoniko-nicomuffler]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing too

[@530mentes9]

Instant flag...

[@darthwiizius]

Yeah he changed his name after retraining to become a plumber.

[@ValensBellator]

Miyamoto also had worked on the game Sheriff before that and it was named “Donkey Kong” as donkey came up as one of the synonyms for stubborn.

[@TheClanElessar]

No mention of Popeye anywhere 🤔

[@rodrigodefreitasproducoes1338]

Actually, when Donkey Kong launched, Mario was just Jumpman and Pauline was just Lady.

[@tonysuda9066]

Modjo?

[@rodrigodefreitasproducoes1338]

@@tonysuda9066What's Mojo?

[@tonysuda9066]

@@rodrigodefreitasproducoes1338 lady hear me tonight

[@butamlkranch53]

Ironic isn't it. Talking about the beginning on the day if the end

[@kristin332]

what

[@harmonicposting]

@@kristin332 mario dies today

[@ronald2120]

@@harmonicposting in a specific game? Or is it like a specific day like a holiday

[@arandomhewo7966]

he’s dead mario’s dead..... :’( it’s probs just a joke, do you know what day it is after this?

[@arandomhewo7966]

@@ronald2120 no, actually no one celebrated it before this year, it’s probs a april fools joke

[@VIKDR1]

The original idea for Donkey Kong was supposed to be Popeye. When the deal with King Features Syndicate fell through, they changed the characters.

[@heyblisters]

Nintendo now: Switch... get it.. cuz you can.. switch? Nintendo back in 1977: *color TV game, take it or lose it*

[@MoonCobalt]

Kinda ironic that they released a calculator game on the switch

[@peterdavids31]

Was waiting for someone to mention this.

[@sarayosa7122]

Dang this video was uploaded the same day Mario died. 👀 March 31st..

[@sarayosa7122]

@Stella Hohenheim Its a joke beause as of March 31st all Super Mario 3D All-Stars games are no longer available

[@AquacianRazz]

I'm super invested to watch more of this, keep it up!

[@lilycreeper5246]

10:23 they actually named him jumpman

[@brute_lin2023]

well he was called that at first but they then named him Mario.

[@pronounjow]

I literally just subbed today to wait for Part 2, and here it is! 😲👍

[@therealrumblefish]

Your content is simply top notch love it man

[@dabomb7887]

So excited for pt 3

[@MikkosFree]

Why am I always on the cusp of tears? It's like learning about the hardships your best friend went through in his life for the first time.

[@jameskarg3240]

Shigeru Miyamoto. The name synonymous to the word "Savior"

[@animediaya3098]

Thank you very much for your time for this story

[@keegie_creeper146]

This needs more views

[@misaelmiranda5828]

It would be funny if Nintendo does a Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX, Lancer evolution, or VR4 special edition as a tribute to Mitsubishi partnership. Or if they make those cars into mario kart. Would be very cool.

[@scottfrenz]

This is amazingly researched and presented.

[@greeny111]

Can’t wait for the next one as this is quite interesting

[@themothman3726]

Legend has it Nintendo is still rebooting dead horse series to this day.

[@lucasn0tch]

notes: The train featured at 2:17 is the 0 series shinkansen, the first generation bullet train. In the 1970s, a trip between osaka and tokyo via bullet train/shinkansen would take about 3.5 hours. In 2019, the same journey took less than 2.5 hours (though COVID-19 has changed the timetables significantly). The footage shown at 2:34 is from a 1972 Soviet film called Solaris. The film crew went to Tokyo to film the expressway footage, as it was considered the most futuristic by Soviet standards. And for reference, the route shown is the Inner Circular Route (clockwise), between the Iikura Interchange and the Ichinohashi Junction.

[@leaf4602]

wooah the intro looks very cool!! :0

[@Shadow79XXX]

Did you forget to skip the ads?

[@leaf4602]

@@Shadow79XXX hm? i'm talking about the part where the Nintendo logo and pipes are sort of animated :o

[@Shadow79XXX]

@@leaf4602 I know, it's just a joke

[@leaf4602]

@@Shadow79XXX sorry I didn't get it :(

[@mynthon0]

How Nintendo Turned Their Latest Console into a Calculator... For $10

[@howardlam6181]

"Running cuda and CNN networks on Nintendo Switch" XD

[@AgnusCavichioliPereira]

Nintendo history so far: "So, I never made a game nor worked on the industry. Here, take this huge (inter)national success made from intuition and inspiration from non-related sources."

[@charlie43229]

Best documentary series ever lol

[@victorw.330]

Great series!!!

[@DarkAuraDeathAngel]

I like their's a little bit more detail of the story of Nintendo in the mid thor late-70's and early 80's lol

[@NeoMouseSVC]

These are really good videos

[@marthelus]

Love the videos keep it up

[@novustalks7525]

I did not know about the family feud. That’s fascinating

[@TheRealBatBoyAlive]

Now we need a Godzilla and King Kong video

[@JETS5]

Whats next, How minecraft invented the ender dragon using Jurrasic Park?

[@kristin332]

lmaoooooo

[@crisalis]

Waiting for the part 2

[@kommandantgalileo]

this story is very fascinating

[@someonestolemyname]

I am more intrigued by his pronunciation of Gunpei intrigued me than how that handheld console succeeded.

[@hithere8753]

What an awesome documentary

[@theoneandonlypinkypinky8245]

I assume there is going to be a part 3. Dont take so long to put it out next time. I had to watch part 1 again because I forgot!

[@scribbleneb7059]

pUt oUt pArT 3 aNd dOnT pUt In As mUcH eFfOrT bEcAuSe wE wAnT iT qUiCkLy

[@BBWahoo]

5:00 Yamauchi when consoling Nintendo about rare being gone

[@opportunityknocks3088]

Good stuff

[@brute_lin2023]

well Nintendo's first console was color game tv-6 but ok and great video!

[@TheRealCaptainFreedom]

“Space Fever” lol

[@Nathan-mu1pz]

You do great work! I'm enjoying your style and the flow of the presentation. Just some constructive feedback: get rid of your chapter headings. The music is jarring and it breaks the flow of your video. Also, Mario's name came later. He was knows as jumpman at first.

[@allancobaria8298]

Getting hooked again 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@waluigithegreat5523]

Hook deserves more subs

[@forgottenartist36]

Part 3 please

[@clevereagle1911]

Wow you are, really good!

[@herman1francis]

And here's where our boy enters the stage: a standing ovation for Miyamoto Shigeru

[@kingjames4886]

"I know nothing about this... so lets do it!"

[@thesolipsismdilettante6498]

I remember in primary school in the early 80's every kid in the playground had a Game 'n' Watch. Chef, Octopus were popular until the double screen Donkey Kong came out. The 1st laptop computer lol

[@BusinessEnglishSuccess]

I used to have a Game and Watch where a wolf collected eggs - must be in the attic somewhere.

[@arusu1806]

Anyone else just bawl through this whole thing?

[@salvadorlopezsalas8766]

10:24 and the legend was born

[@anindyabagchi27]

Gunpei is legendary.

[@Sg190th]

Literally a game changer

[@nintendians]

well donkey kong was shigeru miyamoto's big break and made him very successful within nintendo.

[@walker1984]

How many parts is this series going to be?

[@fatinishrakarian2267]

Gunpei is a legend

[@curllum]

Wait what... Shigeru miyamoto helped create donkey kong!?! God he’s older than I thought, he looks young (Btw young Shigeru looks exactly the same as now shigeru)

[@SuikodenGR]

Bruh, these videos are ending so quickly and didn't even notice 🤯😱

[@quanchaipurananda8951]

Spent a considerable amount of my high school lunch money on Donkey Kong and PacMan... Those were the days

[@rusty1187]

Yep! I coulda bought 3 of those machines by now!!

[@MichaellX]

I want part 3 nowwwww

[@ko9655]

2:24 little did he know

[@JadesOfGrey]

One week later they released a more powerful sequel 🤣 And parents now a days complain about consoles coming out too fast (every 7 years..)

[@sithlord503]

They take the idea and make it even better and when they make a new idea, the world change.

[@sueb4368]

I still have Parachute! So fun.

[@tonysuda9066]

@3:23 Aha the Source. The reason we so readily took to smart phones with games Discuss

[@MarkSmithhhh]

Shigero miyamoto, an apprentice? Lol, they had no idea they were looking at the goat

[@GrandMasterLynx]

It only took 1 week to go from 1 system to an updated system talk about a fast turn around nowadays it takes years 😂

[@electronresonator8882]

it's seems that Nintendo realize that their big hits mostly happen to something unusual, probably donkey kong was released based on that hunch

[@clyde.F]

Does anyone know the name of the last song that is being played? starting around 10:45

[@Creeperfan78]

this was posted on my bday

[@rusty1187]

Donkey Kong is still the most coveted machine for high score.... I still haven't reached the pie factory!

[@fightingspirit6520]

That’s how come Nintendo succeeded as they took chance and been extraordinary..

[@blenderfox]

I still have two Game + Watch consoles. And they still work.

[@ZayahDee]

9:01 What kind of Beauty and the Beast is that clip from?

[@WhiteBloggerBlackSpecs]

You played Nintendo you should know the name Hiroshi Yamaguchi

[@crewrangergaming9582]

2:25 well, there you have your proto-mobile gamer

[@darthwiizius]

Mario wasn't called Mario in Donkey Kong he was called Jumpman. He was renamed later on after re-training as a plumber.

[@neptunemacaw3354]

wait i thought mario and donkey kong only exists because they couldn't get poppy to fit into such a small sprite?

[@theoneandonlypinkypinky8245]

That took too long for part 2 to come out. Should have come out right after part one. It was a great video but I forgot so I have to watch part 1 again.

[@blaskgostdragon]

the circle is a loop

[@LandonEmma]

Donkey Kong looked so weird

[@se2007ian]

Nintendo in 2031: turning switch calculator app into a game

[@jasminejohnston6393]

Remember when AndrewG tried to speed run Super Mario Bros at a convention but got a Game Over in front of Miyamoto instead?

[@Babasnake1]

is it possible to show the music you used at 2:15