Microsoft Pursued Nintendo Merger for Years, But Nintendo Rebuffed Advances

Phil Spencer wanted to acquire Nintendo and saw it as a major "career moment" for him at Microsoft.

Microsoft has repeatedly tried to convince Nintendo to merge or partner, even offering for Microsoft to handle hardware so Nintendo could focus on games.

Nintendo has laughed off and rejected Microsoft's merger attempts over the years.

Spencer believed Microsoft was the only American company capable of acquiring Nintendo.

Microsoft's attempts have failed as Nintendo sits on a large cash pile and has a risk-averse board of directors.