What did Nintendo.com look like in 1996 and beyond?

I've been noticing a few articles popping up that showcase websites from years and years ago. I'm talking back when the Internet was only accessed by most of us through our school or public library. How is this achieved? Well, it seems that an archive of the Internet exists through a website called the Wayback Machine. So, being the nerd that I am the first thing I searched for was nintendo.com. The wave of nostalgia that hit me was something I wasn't ready to experience.

Nintendo.com in '96

I immediately recognize the Super Mario 64 splash page, do you? I remember surfing to this page at school and at the library to find all kinds of Nintendo awesomeness. You see, rumblings of a certain Zelda 64 were starting up around this time, and finding screenshots and information for the game was extremely easy during the early era of Nintendo on the Internet.Nintendo Power being a good choice as well, but let's face it, the Internet was much more exciting than a magazine back then.

Click to see a larger image of Nintendo in all its 1996 Glory

I forgot how primitive the Internet was back in those days, but one thing surely shone through, and that was substance. Nintendo.com had tons of info on upcoming games and technology including the latest screenshots from the latest Space World show. If you were a Nintendo fan, you were caught surfing this webpage during your limited school Internet time.

Link at Space World 1996

Nintendo.com in '97

Not much changed in early 1997, other than some new info and a nifty new navigation bar, However, Nintendo.com would see its first evolution in the latter part of '97.

It looks like it didn't take long for Nintendo to take advantage of what the Internet could do for business. We got a new trendy look and even more Nintendo information. What's most interesting to me is that even though the N64 was on the market, SNES was still held in very high regard by Nintendo. We see this with the DS and 3DS today, but not so much between the Wii and Gamecube. I guess because the Wii was a much different approach to the market than the Gamecube, whereas the N64 and SNES still catered to a similar market (much like the DS and 3DS today). Just a little theory of mine.

Nintendo.com in '01

Nintendo.com wouldn't undergo another major facelift until 2001. It seems like Nintendo.com would be updated to be more accesible with each facelift. Essentially just evolving with the times.

Nintendo.com in '04

Another updated look would come in 2004, but I honestly prefer Nintendo.com circa 2001.

Nintendo.com in '06

Nintendo.com would change again in 2006, but again, it is a far cry from my favourite Nintendo.com.

Nintendo.com Now

Nintendo.com would go through a few minor changes throughout the years until settling down with its streamline design in 2008. While like many other eras of Nintendo.com brought change, Nintendo hasn't really changed much over the past few years. If pattern is any indication then we should soon be seeing a new Nintendo.com, perhaps to coincide with the launch of the Wii U?

I thought this would be a fun ride for those of you whom have followed Nintendo during their stay on the Internet. However, the neat thing about this is that you can navigate some of these websites as if they were still operational; give or take a few 404 errors of course.