Random: Tonight’s Direct Is Also Nintendo’s 132nd Birthday

Where were you when you first found out that Nintendo is older than dirt? And, be honest: did you think to yourself, “I’m fairly sure the Victorians didn’t have Game Boys”?

Just to make sure we’re all on the same page: Nintendo was founded in 1889 as a playing card company, manufacturing Hanafuda cards for the Japanese population. They also made some… kinda terrible, kinda weird products and business decisions in the ’60s and ’70s, including “love hotels” and instant rice.

Fast forward to the ’80s, and the Game & Watch and Nintendo Entertainment System marked a massive pivot in Nintendo’s business and their success, and — well, the rest is history.

All of that means that today, the 23rd of September, marks the 132nd year of Nintendo’s existence, even if that existence has evolved a fair bit since 1889.

While it’s unlikely that Nintendo are going to do anything big to celebrate — they forgot Link’s birthday, and they shot Mario behind the back of the barn when his birthday was over — it would be nice to see a small acknowledgement of their legacy. Maybe we’ll get new Hanafuda cards on My Nintendo? And, wait, what’s the traditional gift for 132nd anniversaries? We hope it’s Game Boy games.

Leave your birthday wishes in the comments, but remember that they won’t come true unless you blow out the candles!