I suggest you do a little reading on something called the Video Game Crash of 1983
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_crash_of_1983
Before Nintendo came along the market was oversaturated with hideous games on systems like Atari, and the industry imploded. Atari and other consoles promised to bring Arcade games to the home, but they were nothing of the sort. They looked nothing like they did in the Arcades, they had HIDEOUS sounds that were the most annoying thing you could ever think of all rolled into one. Some games were decent, but the majority were crap. Anyone could make a game for an Atari system, crappy shit sat on shelves everywhere, no one was buying anything, and Atari didn't do anything worthwhile or innovative to improve the situation. That's why they went down in flames and survive today, as a name brand only.
Nintendo was the first console to bring Arcade quality gameplay, sound, and graphics into the average consumer household. They single handedly built an empire of an industry that simply would NOT be here today if it were not for their often criticized corporate practices and quality control.
It pains me every time I watch kids post crap about how their Playstation or other 3D console is the greatest thing since sliced bread, and everything else sucks. Not so much because they think that way, but because they don't bother to research the roots of gaming.
Nintendo
is video gaming.