Everyone love's lists. Actually, I'm not sure about everyone. I'm not everyone, but speaking for myself. I love lists, so let's make another list to follow up on my last one. "You're destroying gaming. NSX's bottom 5 "innovations". This list is again about Innovation, and part of my 3 part series. Which looks back in time to what I believe is everyone's top 5 crowning innovations thoughout the years. Without further delay, let's begin.

Nintendo

       Number 4: Mario

He's a well-known icon and the mascot of Nintendo. Children of the 80's, and Children of now can share something in common. Nintendo's Mascot. Mario, but dispite everything Mario has done. He is still a product of Nintendo and can only be enjoyed exclusively by owners of Nintendo's products. That is why he's number 4.

But looking back, Mario traces his beginnings as Jumpman. He squared off with another amazing Nintendo creation Donkey Kong to rescue his girlfriend, or the princess, or whatever. Paulie. Since then, the mario universe has evolved to introduce new characters and new enemies. Bowser would take up role as villian, and a new girl princess peach would take the place of paulie to be rescued. Times were tough but mario's brother luigi would always help him out.

The strength in mario is his flexibilty in his gaming, coupled with his familiar face and brand name. Mario has seen games ranging from Tennis, to Fighting, from Puzzles to Platformers. It's easy to see Mario in any of these situations and his name has become a power that allows almost any title to easily sell a million.

Mario has been on the frontline of almost every console war, butting heads with some of the most famous of icons, Sonic the Hedgehog, Master Chief, Solid Snake. But dispite overcoming odds, mario has somehow stuck with us all, even after all these years. For that, Mario is one of Nintendo's Greatest Innovations.

       Number 3: The N64 Controller.

The 5th generation was fierce, no doubt. While Sony's Playstation 1 took the top dog. It was nintendo who continued to push the known limits of gaming and game up with the N64 controller. It's design was shaped uniquely to allow for a single analog stick to be placed right in the center. While maintaining the D-pad on the left, A. B + C buttons on the right.

With the addition of the center piece, exclusively used for the analog and Z button. People found it easier to navigate in the new 3d worlds the 5th generation brought forth. This was important as genre's that were never as popular on consoles started making their presence known. Rare's GoldenEye 64 and Perfect Dark seemed perfect for the design, and those games captured the hearts of millions of fans. Becoming a cult classic that is still loved today.

Nintendo didn't stop at the Analog. The N64 controller also came equipped with a dock for seperate attachments. One of which is the rumble pack, this pack allowed games for the first time literally feel their games come alive. There's not much to say about this one, but you'll know this innovation every time your controller rumbles.

The biggest impact of the N64 controller exists today, you cannot find a 7th gen controller that does not use the analog stick that nintendo came up with all those years ago.

       Number 2: Mr. Game & Watch

While I'm certain handheld devices existed back then to digitally flash cards at you face. Mr. game & watch introduced what would later become generations of millions of gamers enjoying handheld gaming. Something the japanese culture is very fond of, and around the world is highly enjoyed. The Mr. Game & Watch games were little more than a black figure dancing around trying to catch falling objects in a bucket or something, but that's what people enjoyed. Times were simple.

It's effect? Because of the Mr. game & Watch, handheld games became vastly popular. With several companies copying the design and begining their own types of games Nintendo sparked the handheld revolution. Something we see every day now.

It's origins can be claimed as a man, watching someone press buttons on his calculator to pass the time. Eventually coming up with the idea of a watch that could also be used for games. Nintendo didn't stop there however, the game and watch would see a improvement in the later years with the coming of the Gameboy, and eventually the DS. Nintendo has been on the frontline of handheld technology and continues to improve on the design.

       Number 1: The SNES Controller

I felt a bit wierd putting both the N64 and the SNES controller on this list. But it has to be done, Nintendo has always been thinking about the way we interact with our games. Setting new standards every time they present a new idea. But almost none were as big to me as the SNES controller. It's easy to tell why too, 4 buttons on the right side. D-pad on the left side, two shoulder buttons and a moderately ergonomical design? It's almost as if it's been copied for 3 generations in a row.

That's because it has been, with the coming of the SNES controller. Gone were the days of sticky joysticks or awkard button placement. There was a new kid on the block and he was here to stay, the design of the controller was comfortable. Allowed for great control. Introduced shoulder buttons and did everything right. There is not much needed to say here, the proof is in your console's controller today.

I hope you enjoyed this list, it's a bit shorter than what I had hoped for. But it's late. So I'll let ya get back to whatever you were doin'

~NSX

I wouldn't call 2 characters innovation. And the N64 controller should be above the SNES controller.
(>'.')>

What should be on everyones list is Ralph Beyers brown box. Without it ,no Atari no Nintendo xbox playstation...nothing.

It invented not only games but also consoles at the same time.

wtf do they mean by gone were the days of sticky joysticks under SNES controller?  NES main controller didn't have a joystick nor did the Master System main controller.  Shouldn't they have included the NES controller isntead of SNES.  NES had a far greater improvement than SNES for controllers.