The only systems to have built-in multiplayer.

[SvennoJ]

Pyro as Bill said:

 

It's the first time ever that every single console will have 2 controllers. Given how important local multiplayer is to console gaming I think it's a pretty big deal. The barrier to entry for 4 player FIFA for example will be a lot cheaper.

Consoles are supposed to be the arcades at home. After Asteroids and Pacman, local multiplayer is why arcade games were so popular. Other systems at the time could only manage take-turn multiplayer for the most part.

A portable system with local multiplayer hasn't been seen before excluding multiple system setup.

No system has had 2 player as standard. Except arcade machines.

Nintendo is finally updating its original design ;)