First generation of video game consoles
This was also the first involvement of Nintendo in video games. According to Martin Picard in the "International Journal of Computer Game Research": "in 1971, Nintendo had -- even before the marketing of the first home console in the United States -- an alliance with the American pioneer Magnavox to develop and produce optoelectronic guns for the Odyssey (released in 1972), since it was similar to what Nintendo was able to offer in the Japanese toy market in 1970s".
Mario (franchise)
(stylized as "D℞. Mario") is a series of arcade-style action puzzle video game originally developed by Nintendo Research & Development 1, and later developed by Arika and produced by Nintendo Software Planning & Development. The first in the series, "Dr. Mario", was launched in 1990 on the Nintendo Entertainment System and Game Boy to critical and commercial success. In the "Dr. Mario" series, the player character Mario, who assumes the role of a doctor, is tasked with eradicating deadly viruses. The player's objective is to destroy the viruses populating the on-screen playing field by using falling colored capsules that are dropped into the field, similarly to "Tetris". The player manipulates the capsules as they fall so that they are aligned with viruses of matching colors, which removes them from playing field. The player progresses through the game by eliminating all the viruses on the screen in each level.
There have been 4 "Dr. Mario" games released for home consoles and two portable games, for a total of six original titles. As the series has progressed, each new game has introduced new elements in order to keep the gameplay fresh such as new game modes. In 2001, "Dr. Mario 64" for the Nintendo 64 introduced new game modes such as a "Story" mode, "Score Attack" and "Marathon", Wario as a playable character and four-player multiplayer. After a seven-year hiatus, in 2008, "Dr. Mario Express" for the Nintendo DSi's DSiWare service re-introduced the series to the portable gaming market. Also in 2008, "Dr. Mario Online Rx" for the Wii's WiiWare service introduced online multiplayer to the series. In 2013, "Dr. Luigi" for the Wii U's Nintendo eShop introduced Luigi as the playable character as well as a "Operation L" game mode in which all capsules assume the shape of the letter "L".