This is the first of four books that details the history of Nintendo from it's founding through its famous years in video game production. Each book details a specific moment in the companies history, or release of a certain product. This book looks at the early years of the company, beginning with its founding, and card manufacturing, it then traces its growth into manufacturing other products such as toys, puzzles, board games, electronic toys, and video games. The book ends a quick look at their "Game & Watch" series of hand held games. Which is the subject of the next volume in this series. There are hundreds of photographs, black and white archival images, as well as reproduction of advertisments. The book cost 20€ in Europe, or $25 in the US. It is a paperback with clear plastic dustcover.

Books in this series:
French versions:
* L'Histoire de Nintendo: Volume 1, 1889-1980 Des Cartes à jouer aux Game & Watch {ISBN: 9782953050141, July 10, 2008 "Pix'n Love Publishing; ISBN: 9782919603404, November 23, 2017 "Omake Books"}
* L'Histoire de Nintendo: Volume 2, 1980-1991 L'etonnante Invention: Les Game & Watch {ISBN: 9782918272274, January 3, 2013 "Pix'n Love Publishing"; ISBN: January 11, 2018 "Omake Books"}
* L'Histoire de Nintendo: Volume 3, 1983-2003 Famicom/Nintendo Entertainment System {ISBN: 9782919603015, June 21, 2012 "Pix'n Love Publishing"}
* * L'Histoire de Nintendo: Volume 3, 1983-2016 Famicom/Nintendo Entertainment System {ISBN: 9782919603435 "Omake Books"}
* L’Histoire de Nintendo: Volume 4, 1989-1999 L’incroyable Histoire de la Game Boy {ISBN: 9782919603664 March 7, 2019 "Omake Books"}

English releases.
* The History of Nintendo: Volume 1, 1889-1980 From Playing Cards to Game & Watch {ISBN: 9782918272151, November 20, 2012}
* The History of Nintendo: Volume 2, 1980-1991 The Game & Watch games, An Amazing Invention {ISBN: 9782918272359, November 20, 2012}