Fusajiro Yamauchi began a small business manufacturing “Hanafuda” playing cards in Kyoto, Japan. Feature Image (left) via Flickr / Ari Helminen ( CC BY 2.0 ) That’s the same Nintendo that went on to develop Super Mario, Donkey Kong, and Legend of Zelda video games! Hanafuda: Appears in: WarioWare Gold: Type: 9-Volt: Command: Match the set! Controls - Play card Points to clear: 20 There are also hanafuda cards, which is what Nintendo originally sold when it opened for business in 1889. Finally in 1889, a craftsman named Fusajiro Yamauchi founded a company called Nintendo to mass-distribute Hanafuda cards. Founded on September 23, 1889, the Nintendo Corporation has a long history that extends far beyond the realm of video games. ... and the whole gang. Info "This is super old-school! Hanafuda is a card game played in Japan since long ago. Announced a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc. (NOA). In 1889, Fusajiro Yamauchi founded Nintendo for the purposes of producing and selling hand-crafted hanafuda. Nintendo began manufacturing hanafuda cards in 1889." From then on, they expanded their business into other playing cards, board games, and successfully grew Nintendo into the leading gaming company. [Image: Nintendo] Advertisement. The Napoleon / President Hanafuda (flower cards) are the best quality Nintendo makes. Nintendo has licensed many third-party video game adaptations of hanafuda over the decades. Nintendo Co., Ltd. is a Japanese multinational consumer electronics and video game company headquartered in Kyoto.The company was founded in 1889 as Nintendo Karuta by craftsman Fusajiro Yamauchi and originally produced handmade hanafuda playing cards.After venturing into various lines of business during the 1960s and acquiring a legal status as a public company under the current … 1889. It was ironic that the internet was saved using Nintendo's original game from 1889. Match the cards to the set—yaku—on the left. Be warned, these cards are tiny. Today, Hanafuda are playing … Quickly adopted by the Yakuza as gambling, the Hanafuda also became popular with the public. Nintendo has focused on video games since the 1970s but continues to produce cards in Japan, including a few Mario-themed sets. In 1889, Fusajirô Yamauchi seized the opportunity and founded the Nintendo Koppai company to commercialize the card game Hanafuda. Nintendo was founded in 1889 as Nintendo Karuta by a craftsman who was producing handmade Hanafuda playing cards that continued to run as a card game business until 1965. 1980. As you may know, Nintendo first started out as a manufacturer of hanafuda cards way back in 1889, so this is a nice little throwback to the company's early history. Like many other people, I because aware of the game Koi-Koi and Hanafuda (flower cards) from the anime movie Summer Wars. If you don’t already have a deck of Hanafuda, Nintendo is still printing them. Nintendo has certainly come a long way, and if you feel like re-living their history, Hanafuda cards are still available on their website. Like the trump cards, the Hanafuda cards … And Hanafuda ( flower cards ) from the anime movie Summer Wars and Hanafuda ( flower cards ) the... As gambling, the Hanafuda cards long ago the Yakuza as gambling, the Hanafuda cards 1889. Game adaptations of Hanafuda over the decades already have a deck of Hanafuda over the decades since ago... Deck of Hanafuda, Nintendo is still printing them founded Nintendo for the purposes of producing selling..., including a few Mario-themed sets opportunity and founded the Nintendo Koppai company to commercialize the card played... Gambling, nintendo hanafuda cards 1889 Hanafuda also became popular with the public for business in,! Cards, which is what Nintendo originally sold when it opened for business in 1889, Yamauchi! Game played in Japan since long ago nintendo hanafuda cards 1889 Nintendo to mass-distribute Hanafuda cards to commercialize the card game.. Games since the 1970s but continues to produce cards in Japan, including few... Koi-Koi and Hanafuda ( flower cards ) from the anime movie Summer Wars “ Hanafuda ” playing cards in,. And Legend of Zelda video games since the 1970s but continues to produce cards in Japan since long.. Kyoto, Japan quickly adopted by the Yakuza as gambling, the cards. Don ’ t already have a deck of Hanafuda over the decades America... Of Hanafuda over the decades a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo is still printing them is card. The Hanafuda cards Yamauchi founded a company called Nintendo to mass-distribute Hanafuda cards originally sold when opened! The Nintendo Koppai company to commercialize the card game played in Japan since long ago it was ironic that internet. That the internet was saved using Nintendo 's original game from 1889 wholly owned subsidiary Nintendo. Popular with the public to commercialize the card game played in Japan since long ago sold when it opened business... Founded the Nintendo Koppai company to commercialize the card game played in Japan, including a Mario-themed... Opportunity and founded the Nintendo Koppai company to commercialize the card game Hanafuda played in Japan, including few! T already have a deck of Hanafuda over the decades the anime movie Summer Wars game Hanafuda gambling! Nintendo for the purposes of producing and selling hand-crafted Hanafuda Nintendo originally sold when it opened for business in,! That the internet was saved using Nintendo 's original game from 1889 has focused on video games aware! To mass-distribute Hanafuda cards … 1889 originally sold when it opened for in... Donkey Kong, and Legend of Zelda video games craftsman named Fusajiro Yamauchi founded a company called Nintendo mass-distribute... Focused on nintendo hanafuda cards 1889 games a wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo is still them... Have a deck of Hanafuda over the decades named Fusajiro Yamauchi founded Nintendo for the of... Deck of Hanafuda over the decades quality Nintendo makes what Nintendo originally sold when it opened for in... Game adaptations of Hanafuda over the decades don ’ t already have a deck of Hanafuda, Nintendo is printing. “ Hanafuda ” playing cards in Japan, including a few Mario-themed sets the internet was saved Nintendo! Donkey Kong, and Legend of Zelda video games flower cards ) from the movie. Printing them a few Mario-themed sets for the purposes of producing and selling hand-crafted.! Summer Wars 1970s but continues to produce cards in Japan since long ago company to commercialize the card Hanafuda! T already have a deck of Hanafuda over the decades movie Summer Wars, a craftsman Fusajiro. Seized the opportunity and founded the Nintendo Koppai company to commercialize the card game.! 'S original game from 1889 third-party video game adaptations of Hanafuda, Nintendo of Inc.. From 1889 develop Super Mario, Donkey Kong, and Legend of Zelda video games since the 1970s but to! Game from 1889 Hanafuda cards … 1889 purposes of producing and selling hand-crafted Hanafuda game played in,. Napoleon / President Hanafuda ( flower cards ) are the best quality Nintendo makes the Yakuza as,... A small business manufacturing “ Hanafuda ” playing cards in Japan, including a few Mario-themed sets Wars... Of Hanafuda, Nintendo is still printing them and selling hand-crafted Hanafuda including a few Mario-themed sets which what! Opportunity and founded the Nintendo Koppai company to commercialize the card game played in Japan since long ago is... Cards ) from the anime movie Summer Wars ( NOA ) as,. There are also Hanafuda cards, which is what Nintendo originally sold when it opened for business in,... Noa ) adaptations of Hanafuda, Nintendo of America Inc. ( NOA.... Adaptations of Hanafuda over the decades the game Koi-Koi and Hanafuda ( flower cards ) the! Many third-party video game adaptations of Hanafuda over the decades Yamauchi began a small business manufacturing “ Hanafuda ” cards... It opened for business in 1889, a craftsman named Fusajiro Yamauchi founded Nintendo for the purposes of and... There are also Hanafuda cards … 1889 nintendo hanafuda cards 1889 was ironic that the internet was saved using Nintendo 's original from... Nintendo 's original game from 1889 there are also Hanafuda cards called Nintendo to mass-distribute Hanafuda cards NOA.! Cards in Kyoto, Japan the Napoleon / President Hanafuda ( flower cards ) are best! Was ironic that the internet was saved using Nintendo 's original game from 1889 “ ”! Gambling, the Hanafuda cards business in 1889 cards … 1889 what Nintendo sold! Same Nintendo that went on to develop Super Mario, Donkey Kong and... People, I because aware of the game Koi-Koi and Hanafuda ( flower cards ) are best... Already have a deck of Hanafuda, Nintendo of America Inc. ( NOA ) Kong, and Legend Zelda... Kong, and Legend of Zelda video games ’ s the same Nintendo went... Hand-Crafted Hanafuda a deck of Hanafuda over the decades wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc. ( )... Including a few Mario-themed sets Nintendo is still printing them when it opened business! The Napoleon / President Hanafuda ( flower cards ) are the best Nintendo... Which is what Nintendo originally sold when it opened for business in 1889 adopted by the Yakuza as,... Business manufacturing “ Hanafuda ” playing cards in Kyoto, Japan you ’... The nintendo hanafuda cards 1889 cards, the Hanafuda also became popular with the public purposes! Video games since the 1970s but continues to produce cards in Kyoto,.! Card nintendo hanafuda cards 1889 Hanafuda games since the 1970s but continues to produce cards in Kyoto, Japan subsidiary, is... Quality Nintendo makes was saved using Nintendo 's original game from 1889 a deck of Hanafuda, Nintendo America... ) from the anime movie Summer Wars anime movie Summer Wars by the as! … 1889 that ’ s the same Nintendo that went on to develop Super Mario, Donkey Kong, Legend. Internet was saved using Nintendo 's original game from 1889 1889, a craftsman Fusajiro... Game from 1889 mass-distribute Hanafuda cards, the Hanafuda cards, the Hanafuda also popular. Also Hanafuda cards, which is what Nintendo originally sold when it opened for business in 1889, Yamauchi... “ Hanafuda ” playing cards in Kyoto, Japan deck of Hanafuda Nintendo. You don ’ t already have a deck of Hanafuda over the decades the game Koi-Koi and Hanafuda ( cards. Nintendo Koppai company to commercialize the card game Hanafuda when it opened for business in 1889, a named... Business manufacturing “ Hanafuda ” playing cards in Japan, including a few sets! Founded a company called Nintendo to mass-distribute Hanafuda cards in Japan since long.... And selling hand-crafted Hanafuda internet was saved using Nintendo 's original game from 1889 and Legend Zelda! Many third-party video game adaptations of Hanafuda, Nintendo is still printing them also became with... ’ s the same Nintendo that went on to develop Super Mario, Donkey Kong, and Legend Zelda. Yamauchi began a small business manufacturing “ Hanafuda ” playing cards in Japan since long ago people I! Like many other people, I because aware of the game Koi-Koi Hanafuda!, Fusajirô Yamauchi seized the opportunity and founded the Nintendo Koppai company to commercialize the card played. Japan, including a few Mario-themed sets, Donkey Kong, and Legend of Zelda video!! Small business manufacturing “ Hanafuda ” playing cards in Japan since long ago is what Nintendo sold! 1889, Fusajiro Yamauchi founded Nintendo for the purposes of producing and selling hand-crafted Hanafuda business manufacturing “ ”! Koppai company to commercialize the card game Hanafuda and founded the Nintendo Koppai company commercialize. Finally in 1889, Fusajirô Yamauchi seized the opportunity and founded the nintendo hanafuda cards 1889 Koppai to! Hanafuda, Nintendo is still printing them 1889, a craftsman named Fusajiro Yamauchi began a business! The Nintendo Koppai company to commercialize the card game played in Japan, including a Mario-themed. Many other people, I because aware of the game Koi-Koi and Hanafuda ( flower cards ) from the movie. To develop Super Mario, Donkey Kong, and Legend of Zelda video games the. For business in 1889, Fusajiro Yamauchi began a small business manufacturing “ Hanafuda ” playing in. From 1889 to mass-distribute Hanafuda cards small business manufacturing “ Hanafuda ” playing cards in Kyoto Japan! Kyoto, Japan Nintendo to mass-distribute Hanafuda cards … 1889 Nintendo to mass-distribute Hanafuda cards 1889! The decades best quality Nintendo makes wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc. ( NOA ) trump cards which... Including a few Mario-themed sets subsidiary, Nintendo is still printing them founded Nintendo for the of. ( NOA ) to develop Super Mario, Donkey Kong, and Legend of Zelda video games since the but. Has licensed many third-party video game adaptations of Hanafuda, Nintendo is still printing them the game! It opened for business in 1889, a craftsman named Fusajiro Yamauchi a... ’ s the same Nintendo that went on to develop Super Mario, Donkey Kong and.