Nintendo started out as a playing card manufacturer.

The answer is true because Nintendo did indeed start out as a playing card manufacturer. It was founded by Fusajiro Yamauchi in 1889, and originally named "Nintendo Koppai Co., Ltd." The company initially produced handmade playing cards called "Hanafuda," which were used to play traditional Japanese card games. Nintendo gained popularity for their high-quality cards and expanded their business by branching into other areas, such as toys, cab services, and love hotels, before eventually venturing into the video game industry. Therefore, Nintendo's initial business venture was in manufacturing playing cards.