I recently stumbled upon this forum and think you may be interested to know that I have just started a blog on Nintendo's toys and games from the pre-famicom days.
http://blog.beforemario.com/
Below an overview of the items already covered: Ultra Hand, Ultra Machine, Ele-Conga, Custom Gunman and Chiritorie, to name a few.
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y649ILxahs/TY9ElbpL58I/AAAAAAAAAg4/ub8QU5alYew/s1600/beforemario_dot_com_promo.jpg)
Would love to hear what you think about it, and what other topics or items you would like to see covered.
Love what you've got so far. The fact that all the stuff comes from your personal collection is simply astounding. The pictures you've provided are great, and the information you provide for everything is nice and detailed. It's nice to read more about these, since these kinds of things are usually very hard to find information about.
Great site for info!
If kids used those toy guns today (Gunman), maybe the police/cops would think they were real and do something stupid (like shooting them).
Now, with a PS Move Gun no one's afraid:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5009480299_ecc896bb71_o.jpg)
A gun which shoots bubble gum. ;D
Over the last few weeks I have been adding a lot of content to the blog (Ultra Hand, Rabbit Coaster, Chiritorie, Custom Gunman, etc).
So if you haven't done recently, please check out http://blog.beforemario.com/
And stay tuned, as a lot more will come in the near future.
Amazing! Thanks for posting this.
nice!
I personally find the PS move gun very disturbing.
Can I ask, how much did the Mahjong games cost, I'd love to find a new one of those, I'm not sure how impossible that might be :S
Thanks all, for the friendly comments regarding the blog
>>> Can I ask, how much did the Mahjong games cost, I'd love to find a new one of those, I'm not sure how impossible that might be :S
They weren't very expensive (around US$100) when I found them - but finding them is the hard part. I have not seen many boxed in decent shape over the last few years.You do see them loose more frequently (if you look on Yahoo JP), but you have to take a good look at the screen condition, as a lot of them suffer from crystal bleed.
And I agree - that gun is sending a lot of the wrong signals...
Just posted two more updates: Ultra Machine (with video) and Ele-Conga!
http://blog.beforemario.com/2011/03/nintendo-ultra-machine-1967-1974.html
http://blog.beforemario.com/2011/03/nintendo-ele-conga-and-autoplayer-1972.html
Enjoy.
Where do you find all of these?!?
Some I have found in vintage toy shops in Japan, some on eBay, but most on Yahoo Japan Auction. http://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/
Mind you, it took me many many years of intensive searching. But searching is part of the fun!
Also, some basic understanding of Japanese comes in handy.
Nice blog. Nice photos too.
Nice when those that have something to show open up.
I have added a link on a Swedish forum, so you might get some visitors from here....
Just posted some more stuff on http://blog.beforemario.com/
The 1977 Ultra Machine DX and the definitive guide on the Nintendo TV-Game 6.
http://blog.beforemario.com/2011/04/nintendo-color-tv-game-6-6-1977.html
http://blog.beforemario.com/2011/04/nintendo-ultra-machine-dx-1977.html
@fredJ: thank you for the compliment and for passing on the link