Nintendo – Past, Present and Future (1)

A look back at one of the world’s most influential video game companies

Many people think the Nintendo Company originated around 1983, the same year the Mario Brothers made their debut and began fighting New York sewer creatures. But actually, the Japanese company started in 1889. Back then, computers and computer games were a long way off; nonetheless, the company's first product, handmade playing cards, was very popular.

Nintendo soon cornered the market in playing cards after beginning to produce plastic cards in 1953. But a 1956 trip to the U.S. convinced the CEO there wasn't much room for growth in that market, so he began experimenting with other projects, including toy-making.

Sure enough, the card market began its decline around 1962, and the company fought to stay in business.

A profitable change
A wise decision in 1965 to hire an assembly-line maintenance worker who enjoyed inventing mechanical toys helped turn things around for Nintendo. After the company produced and marketed Gunpei Yokoi's extending toy hand, Ultra Hand, they sold over one million units within the first year. Yokoi went on to create many profitable electronic toys that helped the company eliminate its debt and commence making money again.


Info Cloud
Teaching Topic: Japanese English (日文英語化)
日文有許多字是外來語,
25年前有人統計過約有二萬個字是外來語,
到了現在已經沒有人去計算了,
因為數字已經太大了,
很多西方的思想跟觀念沒有辦法用日文來表達,
所以就直接用英文表達,
另外一個原因就是比較時尚, 所以直接用英文

Grammar Gym
A wise decision in 1965 to hire an assembly-line maintenance worker who enjoyed inventing mechanical toys helped turn things around for Nintendo.
A wise decision to ... helped... 
- A wise decision to organize the workers into teams helped create a better working environment for everybody.
- A wise decision to put screens on all windows helped stop the problem with flies in the building.

Language Lab
debut n.
the first public appearance of an entertainer, sports player etc or of something new and important
- The debut for this singer was back in 1975.
make one's debut
- The band made their debut in San Francisco.

corner the market 
to gain control of the whole supply of a particular kind of goods:
- The company is trying to corner the market by launching new products each season.
- These heartless businessmen stored up food to corner the market.

decline v.
to decrease in quantity or importance:
- The sales figures started to decline last year.
- Gina's health declined rapidly after she was diagnosed with cancer.
to say no politely when someone invites you somewhere, offers you something, or wants you to do something:
- Elizabeth declined Larry's proposal night.

commence v.
to begin or to start something:
- The meeting is scheduled to commence at 3 p.m. today.
- He commenced preparing for this competition early last year.
commencement n.
the beginning of something
- July 1st marks the commencement of the financial year.


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