Nintendo, the Japanese video game company, has had a long and successful history in the world of baseball. The company first entered the baseball scene in 1983 with the release of their game "Baseball" for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). This game was one of the first sports games released for the NES and was a huge success, selling over 1 million copies.
Nintendo continued to release baseball games for their various gaming systems over the years, including "Baseball Stars" for the NES in 1989, "Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball" for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in 1994, and "Mario Superstar Baseball" for the Nintendo GameCube in 2005.
One of Nintendo's most successful baseball games was "Mario Baseball" for the Nintendo Wii, released in 2007. This game featured characters from the Mario universe playing baseball, and was praised for its fun gameplay and unique take on the sport.
In addition to creating their own baseball games, Nintendo has also been involved in the development of other baseball-related products. In 1999, they partnered with Major League Baseball to create the "MLBPA Baseball" game for the Nintendo 64. They also released a baseball-themed peripheral for the GameCube called the "WaveBird Wireless Controller," which was designed to look like a baseball.
Nintendo's involvement in baseball has not been limited to video games and peripherals, however. In 1992, they purchased a majority stake in the Seattle Mariners baseball team, making them the first Japanese company to own a Major League Baseball team. Nintendo's ownership of the Mariners lasted until 2016, when they sold their stake in the team to a group of investors.
Overall, Nintendo's baseball career has been a successful one, with the company creating numerous popular baseball games and even owning a Major League Baseball team for over two decades. While their involvement in baseball has decreased in recent years, their legacy in the sport will continue to be felt for years to come.
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