The Power Glove was created by Mattel.

Man, this shows up as a link from ntdoy stock news on Google. What?

I can't think of anything they've invented, although they probably have some coding routines that would count.

They've been more about making a certain technology relevant for use - certainly in the case of D-pads and motion controls, less in stuff like haptic feedback and analogue sticks.

Nintendo is like apple. They do not invent, but rather perfect the user experience (and interface).

Basically I agree 100% with Rol, and I'd just like to emphasize one additional point that is seldom given the credit it deserves in my opinion. It's not just about being innovative, but also knowing how to innovate *well* that separates Nintendo from other videogame companies such as old Sega.

That means not just delivering a new, surprising experience - both in hardware and software - but also knowing not deliver it prematurely, so that the end product feels complete and coherent, and also knowing how to properly integrate it with whatever still works instead of trying to reinvent the wheel.

Since these trends are contradictory it takes a lot of effort to achieve the correct balance between them, and I think most of the times Nintendo are criticized by their fans are when they are unable to reach this perfect balance. So this perfect execution balancing between old and new is what I feel most people actually mean when they call Nintendo "innovative".

It's actually similar to many big and successful companies in their time. Apple's products are like this, in the sense that most of the time they rely on refinement. Sony (old Sony, aka the electronics manufacturer) was also revered due to their refinement more than their inventiveness, as many of you know how few of their truly original ideas went on to become standards. Nintendo's balance is more skewed towards adopting unproven technologies at times, which is also usually when they suffer more (VB, 3DS, initial DS sales, eReaders and countless other peripherals).

edit: in fairness, Nintendo have also been punished when they have failed to innovate enough, eg: the Gamecube, diminishing sales for Zelda after Oot, etc.

and just because it's hilarious, here's an unrelated Skyward Sword clip:

http://www.ign.com/videos/2011/11/01/zelda-skyward-sword-link-poops?objectid=872155

They invented Donkey Kong.

I think Rol's logic is a misconception. Just because said technology is possible or was used in other non-video game devices using them for a controller or game console feature is an invention.

Essentially Ralph Bear who is credited with inventing gaming used existing technologies. Everything he used to make the console existed prior in fact he even knew that using this specific device he changed images on a TV. He then adapted that technology and upgraded it for use as a gaming console. So technically according to Rol's definition it is not an invention? Unless I am misconstruing Rol's assertion.

I mean somebody mentioned analog controls in planes or space craft to discredit analog controls in games. I am so sorry but just because an analog control device exists in another industry it does not make game console controller analog sticks not an invention.

The dictionary.com definition clearly states Inventions are "A new device, method, or process developed from study and experimentation:" I'm sorry but analog and rumble controllers are an invention by this definition. It is a new device , method and process developed from study and experimentation. John Boyd Dunlop and Scot Robert William Thomson invented the first rubber tire , but wheels have existed for thousands of years so does that mean he isn't to be credited with the invention?

Rumble was most definitly an invention, as was almost every innovation Nintendo introduced by Nintendo including motion controls. If you patent it and it is an entirely new product that hasn't existed before it is an invention. You can say analog controls have existed a very long time, but game analog controls did not and the company that started using game analog controls is the one responsable for inventing them.

The argument that Sony began work on motion controls during the PS2 era are redundant. Fact is Nintendo has clearly stated the WiiMote began its development during the NES era. Long before Sony even entered the games industry, Nintendo has been working on technologies since NES. In fact Nintendo has stated they still have technologies in development that began during the NES era.

Can you credit Sony with inventing something if they never patented it or launched it before their competitor? Are you going to credit them with the invention soully based on their word? No Sony hasn't made as many inventions in gaming as Nintendo has. End of story!

They invented breathing, eating, and sex.

You wouldn't even exist if it weren't for Nintendo.

I'd have to argue that pretty much every modern controller configuration is based on Nintendo invention/innovation.

d-pad, compact portable design, shoulder buttons, rumble, analog stick, 4-player in console, 1st party wireless, trigger buttons, motion, touch screen, 3D (handheld or not), .. hell I'd even say they invented Sony's entire gaming business.

Like your "Play Station"? Thank Nintendo... they even made the name.

... and that's just hardware. Then you have the tons of IPs that were first for their time and have resulted in multitudes of great extensions from the cores of Mario, Zelda, and Metroid... including save styles (in the days where it was complicated and expensive).

Hell, the entirety of portable gaming has been invented and reinvented by Nintendo.. over and over again.... even when a competitor has had a slightly better design, (Sega and Sony both), Nintendo still prevailed due to other innovations in battery life, games, and control design.... and now potentially again with immersion in 3D. (jury will be out on this one for at least a year)

Damn, all the other sensible members got here before me.

I was essentially going to say the same as that which RolStoppable already has...Though perhaps less eloquently.

As an addendum, I believe without Nintendo a number of things would probably not be as commonplace or as well refined as they are now.
I think they were the first to introduce the d-pad/+pad, perhaps without that innovation directional gaming would have continued with the giant joysticks. Personally I think the d-pad has now had it's time, there is no need for it anymore and it is generally used just as 4 buttons.
They were not the first to introduce an analogue control stick, though I think they were to combine both directional and tilt-based analogue (ie you could move in more than 8 directions AND at different speeds)... I don't really see how something like the control stick wouldn't have become the norm for gaming at some time though as it's a natural progression from joysticks. I think in that case Nintendo just made it work first (maybe it would have been 5-6 years later when it took over)
They also introduced rumble, something which I don't really understand the appeal of in most cases (the only game I've played where I think rumble actually added anything was Eternal Darkness) but it was that kind of thing that helped push the "immersive experience" of games (like some tech for PC games now that changes lighting and blows air on you depending on what happens in game... again though I don't see the appeal, I would find that more annoying than immersive)