The Story of the Nintendo Power Kiosk and A SNES Rarity
This is a cartridge. Not a game.
Definition of a cartridge:
"a container holding a spool of photographic film, a quantity of ink, or other item or substance, designed for insertion into a mechanism."
This is a SNES shell that houses a board designed to link into a system in order to assist the system in a specific function. It is a cartridge.
This being said, here's the article:
-----------------------
The Story of the Nintendo Power Kiosk and a SNES Rarity
I stumbled upon one of the rarest Super Nintendo cartridges ever produced entirely on accident. I was browsing eBay during some down time at work. I just plugged in a few key words, namely “Nintendo”, and there it was. At first glance it looked like a prototype cartridge. It was a typical grey cartridge with an unassuming white label. The label read “Nintendo Power Previews Program Version 5.1” along with “Warning! This is not a game cartridge! Use only in Nintendo Power Preview Displays”.
I had no idea what a Nintendo Power previews kiosk was. I had certainly heard of the multi-cartridge NES kiosks or the regular Super Nintendo Kiosks, but never anything like this. A quick Google search brought me to an article on Gamesniped. Back in October of 2009, a member of the Nintendo Age forums had acquired a cartridge similar to the one I had just seen, save for the fact that it was a version 3.0 variant. It seems that the cartridge was auctioned off on the Nintendo Age forums and brought $200. It was at this point that I decided to pull the trigger and purchase the cartridge, this was just simply too rare and unusual to pass up.
Now that I purchased this curiosity, I desperately wanted to learn more about just how rare it really was. I did, after all, have time before I received the cartridge in the mail.
Through some searching, I was able to find three reported cartridges that have surfaced. In 2007 a Nintendo Age member actually acquired a full Nintendo Power Previews Kiosk. Along with the kiosk were the Laser Discs and two Super Nintendo cartridges, one labeled version 3.0 and another 5.1. The 3.0 cartridge that he had pictured was entirely black; the 5.1 version cartridge was not pictured at all. In 2009, a different Nintendo Age member, the one I had mentioned earlier, sold her 3.0 copy. One cannot be sure that her 3.0 wasn’t the one shown off back in 2007, but it seems as though it is a second copy. As far as I can tell, multiple Laser Discs have shown up, one even having been found at an estate sale, but no other SNES cartridges have been shown off. If there are really less than four known copies of this cartridge, it would make it the rarest SNES cartridge in existence. However, just knowing the rarity wasn’t enough. I had to research this kiosk some more.
It seems that the company who had a hand in producing the Nintendo Power Previews kiosks was called Visual Database systems. Interestingly enough, their website is still up and running. It actually looks like the website has been frozen in time, a snippet of the mid-90’s. See for yourself: http://www.vdbs.com/vds/c_i/nintendo.html
This site explains:
“Visual Database Systems designed and manufactured the controllers used in the Nintendo Power Previews point-of-purchase displays. Nintendo has placed these units in stores like Toys 'R Us, Target, Kmart, Kay Bee Toys and others in hundreds of locations across the US. The unit uses a Pioneer LD-V2000 laserdisc player and has replaceable keypad graphics. The disc and keypad are changed each quarter to show the latest Nintendo products. Nintendo chose laserdisc as the best media to show full resolution NTSC moving video and demonstrate the quality of the graphics and sound produced by their Super Nintendo and other video game systems.”
The site also showcased three models of the kiosk, the M71I, the M74I, and the M72I. Here photos of each, in order:
At the bottom of the website, it says “Bugs, glitches, comments or want more info: [email redacted]” Despite this website existing untouched since 1995, I decided ‘hell, why not shoot an email’? It certainly couldn’t hurt anything.
Fast forward a couple of hours. I unlock my phone and see that I have an email; it was a response from VDB’s email address. I was shocked; I didn’t expect any response at all, let alone so quick. It turns out, I had opened up a rapport with the person behind developing part of the original Previews kiosks, John Blakney. After a simple back and forth, John sent this email:
“Thanks for reminding me of some fun history. What is your interest in these? Are you a gamer, collector or ?? What part of the world are you in?
There were about a half dozen versions of the firmware. The cartridge was only programming for the videodisc controller in the kiosk (Those were the parts we made) it was changed occasionally as the discs changed. Nothing very complicated at all and not of that much interest unless you have the controller or at least the keypad and videodisc player and disc. There were ~ one minute clips of game play and an attract loop on the disc and an interchangeable graphics for the keypad that were changed with the disc each quarter. I still have working sets of the controller and overlays and graphics but the kiosk was too big and heavy to warehouse. It had to be heavy because with a tube-type 20 tv at top, it was a climbing gym for future gamers. My contributions were the idea of using the Nintendo SNES cartridge to house the firmware so that it was easy to swap (it's just a EPROM inside on a small circuit board) and the overall program design so that it wasn't possible for a parent to look stupid using the kiosk. Do nothing, you look like you are watching the attract loop, touch a button and you get a video, you can't go wrong, unlike playing a real game. A few variations were made that housed two videodisc players for longer playback and also allowed an actual SNES to be played with interruption after a timeout to go back to the canned video.”
It was shortly after this email that I received my cartridge in the mail. I took pictures and sent them to John. Here are those pictures:
John responded:
“Thanks for sharing the photos. That [the cartridge] was made after we were "fired" from the account. They found a cheaper solution using Video CD players after the run of Laserdisc that we did with them. [They] Decided to go with the lowest bidder who reverse engineered our firmware and rewrote it for their VCD players. Going with the cheaper solution bit them in the end, the video quality was abysmal and reliability was likewise. Our product was all done on Laserdisc. Probably inside that cart, you will find out circuit board but they have reflashed the EEprom with the Technovision firmware.”
I then decided to open up the cartridge and see for myself. Sure enough, it reads “TECHNOVISION NINTCART” Here are some photos I took of the inside:
Of course, I had to research this second company involved. A quick Google search brought up Technovision’s website. The site, ironically, looks much like the VDBS website, a relic from the 90’s. It seems, however, that the company is still producing products from their office in Canada. Their website does link to their past creations, including the aforementioned Video CD monitors and players. Their “profile” page reads:
“Technovision Interactive Inc. is a manufacturer, integrator and supplier of a full range of interfaces, control devices and computer-based systems for a multitude of applications. More than 45,000 of our proprietary laserdisc, DVD controllers, merchandising solutions, music samplers and computer-based applications have been placed around the world.”
Here is a picture from their site:
The image is accompanied by some information, as well:
“The VCD Pro unit uses full motion digital video technology, the preferred standard for all forms of communication, information and training - worldwide. This specialized information tool is cost effective and simple to use, with a sturdy, one-touch remote. Users control the flow and pace of information, navigating to desired destinations within the content on the disc.
The video/graphic/text delivery platform demonstrates the use of a product or explains complex procedures with a simple-to-use format, and the user may return again and again to complicated or intriguing sections of the presentation. Multiple audio tracks permit multi-lingual applications on a single disc.
One of the most compelling and effective communication tools in existence, the innovative VCD Pro will revolutionize the way you distribute information. With the VCD Pro, your message will have greater scope and impact than you ever thought possible.”
Their site even includes a Nintendo Power Previews kiosk concept image that includes a different technology, called “V Bot”. Here is said image:
This would have been a much more compact display with three simple buttons for navigation.
It has been fascinating to find something obscure, something I hadn’t known existed, and shed some light as to its creation. I had never heard or seen these Nintendo Power Kiosks, and I am sure it is a part of Nintendo’s history that most have forgotten. I, however, find this cartridge and the companies involved to be something worth looking into, and I am glad I did.
I do believe that this cartridge, this simple cartridge that plays no games at all, is one of the rarest Super Nintendo cartridges in existence. Many stores demanded the destruction of kiosks after they had served their purpose. Most of these cartridges, likely, were destroyed. In all probability, these cartridges were produced few in number in the first place. These are interesting, but they are not games, instead only a shell and a simple board with basic command functions. These cartridges are, however, an interesting collector’s item for sure.
Written by Retro Odin
January 23rd, 2014
-----------------------------------------------
There you have it. I decided to write this like an article, and it is quite long.
I hope some of you are able to appreciate some of the information I was able to dig up on this topic. From what I saw, not many seemed to know anything about this kiosk, and there was really no information about these SNES cartridges.
Oh, and, yes, I do say rarest cartridge. This is not a game. There is quite a difference, I am aware!
Anyway, I also have done similar research behind the Turok Rage Wars grey cartridge. If this article gets a positive response, I will flesh out and share that article, as well.
And, if you are wondering, I may be willing to trade this cartridge. I am more focused on Nintendo 64 than any other system at the moment. I have never had an interest in SNES collecting, as I have no real connection to the system. I guess that can be attributed to being 22 and having the GBC and N64 as my first two systems!
Edit: Here is a video of the kiosk in action!
(Thanks, Penguin!)
Definition of a cartridge:
"a container holding a spool of photographic film, a quantity of ink, or other item or substance, designed for insertion into a mechanism."
This is a SNES shell that houses a board designed to link into a system in order to assist the system in a specific function. It is a cartridge.
This being said, here's the article:
-----------------------
The Story of the Nintendo Power Kiosk and a SNES Rarity
I stumbled upon one of the rarest Super Nintendo cartridges ever produced entirely on accident. I was browsing eBay during some down time at work. I just plugged in a few key words, namely “Nintendo”, and there it was. At first glance it looked like a prototype cartridge. It was a typical grey cartridge with an unassuming white label. The label read “Nintendo Power Previews Program Version 5.1” along with “Warning! This is not a game cartridge! Use only in Nintendo Power Preview Displays”.
I had no idea what a Nintendo Power previews kiosk was. I had certainly heard of the multi-cartridge NES kiosks or the regular Super Nintendo Kiosks, but never anything like this. A quick Google search brought me to an article on Gamesniped. Back in October of 2009, a member of the Nintendo Age forums had acquired a cartridge similar to the one I had just seen, save for the fact that it was a version 3.0 variant. It seems that the cartridge was auctioned off on the Nintendo Age forums and brought $200. It was at this point that I decided to pull the trigger and purchase the cartridge, this was just simply too rare and unusual to pass up.
Now that I purchased this curiosity, I desperately wanted to learn more about just how rare it really was. I did, after all, have time before I received the cartridge in the mail.
Through some searching, I was able to find three reported cartridges that have surfaced. In 2007 a Nintendo Age member actually acquired a full Nintendo Power Previews Kiosk. Along with the kiosk were the Laser Discs and two Super Nintendo cartridges, one labeled version 3.0 and another 5.1. The 3.0 cartridge that he had pictured was entirely black; the 5.1 version cartridge was not pictured at all. In 2009, a different Nintendo Age member, the one I had mentioned earlier, sold her 3.0 copy. One cannot be sure that her 3.0 wasn’t the one shown off back in 2007, but it seems as though it is a second copy. As far as I can tell, multiple Laser Discs have shown up, one even having been found at an estate sale, but no other SNES cartridges have been shown off. If there are really less than four known copies of this cartridge, it would make it the rarest SNES cartridge in existence. However, just knowing the rarity wasn’t enough. I had to research this kiosk some more.
It seems that the company who had a hand in producing the Nintendo Power Previews kiosks was called Visual Database systems. Interestingly enough, their website is still up and running. It actually looks like the website has been frozen in time, a snippet of the mid-90’s. See for yourself: http://www.vdbs.com/vds/c_i/nintendo.html
This site explains:
“Visual Database Systems designed and manufactured the controllers used in the Nintendo Power Previews point-of-purchase displays. Nintendo has placed these units in stores like Toys 'R Us, Target, Kmart, Kay Bee Toys and others in hundreds of locations across the US. The unit uses a Pioneer LD-V2000 laserdisc player and has replaceable keypad graphics. The disc and keypad are changed each quarter to show the latest Nintendo products. Nintendo chose laserdisc as the best media to show full resolution NTSC moving video and demonstrate the quality of the graphics and sound produced by their Super Nintendo and other video game systems.”
The site also showcased three models of the kiosk, the M71I, the M74I, and the M72I. Here photos of each, in order:
At the bottom of the website, it says “Bugs, glitches, comments or want more info: [email redacted]” Despite this website existing untouched since 1995, I decided ‘hell, why not shoot an email’? It certainly couldn’t hurt anything.
Fast forward a couple of hours. I unlock my phone and see that I have an email; it was a response from VDB’s email address. I was shocked; I didn’t expect any response at all, let alone so quick. It turns out, I had opened up a rapport with the person behind developing part of the original Previews kiosks, John Blakney. After a simple back and forth, John sent this email:
“Thanks for reminding me of some fun history. What is your interest in these? Are you a gamer, collector or ?? What part of the world are you in?
There were about a half dozen versions of the firmware. The cartridge was only programming for the videodisc controller in the kiosk (Those were the parts we made) it was changed occasionally as the discs changed. Nothing very complicated at all and not of that much interest unless you have the controller or at least the keypad and videodisc player and disc. There were ~ one minute clips of game play and an attract loop on the disc and an interchangeable graphics for the keypad that were changed with the disc each quarter. I still have working sets of the controller and overlays and graphics but the kiosk was too big and heavy to warehouse. It had to be heavy because with a tube-type 20 tv at top, it was a climbing gym for future gamers. My contributions were the idea of using the Nintendo SNES cartridge to house the firmware so that it was easy to swap (it's just a EPROM inside on a small circuit board) and the overall program design so that it wasn't possible for a parent to look stupid using the kiosk. Do nothing, you look like you are watching the attract loop, touch a button and you get a video, you can't go wrong, unlike playing a real game. A few variations were made that housed two videodisc players for longer playback and also allowed an actual SNES to be played with interruption after a timeout to go back to the canned video.”
It was shortly after this email that I received my cartridge in the mail. I took pictures and sent them to John. Here are those pictures:
John responded:
“Thanks for sharing the photos. That [the cartridge] was made after we were "fired" from the account. They found a cheaper solution using Video CD players after the run of Laserdisc that we did with them. [They] Decided to go with the lowest bidder who reverse engineered our firmware and rewrote it for their VCD players. Going with the cheaper solution bit them in the end, the video quality was abysmal and reliability was likewise. Our product was all done on Laserdisc. Probably inside that cart, you will find out circuit board but they have reflashed the EEprom with the Technovision firmware.”
I then decided to open up the cartridge and see for myself. Sure enough, it reads “TECHNOVISION NINTCART” Here are some photos I took of the inside:
Of course, I had to research this second company involved. A quick Google search brought up Technovision’s website. The site, ironically, looks much like the VDBS website, a relic from the 90’s. It seems, however, that the company is still producing products from their office in Canada. Their website does link to their past creations, including the aforementioned Video CD monitors and players. Their “profile” page reads:
“Technovision Interactive Inc. is a manufacturer, integrator and supplier of a full range of interfaces, control devices and computer-based systems for a multitude of applications. More than 45,000 of our proprietary laserdisc, DVD controllers, merchandising solutions, music samplers and computer-based applications have been placed around the world.”
Here is a picture from their site:
The image is accompanied by some information, as well:
“The VCD Pro unit uses full motion digital video technology, the preferred standard for all forms of communication, information and training - worldwide. This specialized information tool is cost effective and simple to use, with a sturdy, one-touch remote. Users control the flow and pace of information, navigating to desired destinations within the content on the disc.
The video/graphic/text delivery platform demonstrates the use of a product or explains complex procedures with a simple-to-use format, and the user may return again and again to complicated or intriguing sections of the presentation. Multiple audio tracks permit multi-lingual applications on a single disc.
One of the most compelling and effective communication tools in existence, the innovative VCD Pro will revolutionize the way you distribute information. With the VCD Pro, your message will have greater scope and impact than you ever thought possible.”
Their site even includes a Nintendo Power Previews kiosk concept image that includes a different technology, called “V Bot”. Here is said image:
This would have been a much more compact display with three simple buttons for navigation.
It has been fascinating to find something obscure, something I hadn’t known existed, and shed some light as to its creation. I had never heard or seen these Nintendo Power Kiosks, and I am sure it is a part of Nintendo’s history that most have forgotten. I, however, find this cartridge and the companies involved to be something worth looking into, and I am glad I did.
I do believe that this cartridge, this simple cartridge that plays no games at all, is one of the rarest Super Nintendo cartridges in existence. Many stores demanded the destruction of kiosks after they had served their purpose. Most of these cartridges, likely, were destroyed. In all probability, these cartridges were produced few in number in the first place. These are interesting, but they are not games, instead only a shell and a simple board with basic command functions. These cartridges are, however, an interesting collector’s item for sure.
Written by Retro Odin
January 23rd, 2014
-----------------------------------------------
There you have it. I decided to write this like an article, and it is quite long.
I hope some of you are able to appreciate some of the information I was able to dig up on this topic. From what I saw, not many seemed to know anything about this kiosk, and there was really no information about these SNES cartridges.
Oh, and, yes, I do say rarest cartridge. This is not a game. There is quite a difference, I am aware!
Anyway, I also have done similar research behind the Turok Rage Wars grey cartridge. If this article gets a positive response, I will flesh out and share that article, as well.
And, if you are wondering, I may be willing to trade this cartridge. I am more focused on Nintendo 64 than any other system at the moment. I have never had an interest in SNES collecting, as I have no real connection to the system. I guess that can be attributed to being 22 and having the GBC and N64 as my first two systems!
Edit: Here is a video of the kiosk in action!
(Thanks, Penguin!)
Comments
Does it even work in a Super Nintendo?
Originally posted by: nintendopower_4_ever
I've seen these before and this one relisted on ebay a few times before you bought it.
Does it even work in a Super Nintendo?
Did you even read the article? ._.
Originally posted by: MrWunderful
Wow amazing story! Rare, one off pieces like this are what make the hobby so exciting for me. Have you put it in a snes? I know its not a game but what comes up?
Just like the warning label reads, it is not an SNES game. If you look at the pin connector it is shaved differently. It was never meant to do anything in an SNES system. It's cool, none-the-less!
Originally posted by: TerrHeel
Awesome story! This kind of stuff makes being a part of the collector community so fun. I remember my local Toys R Us having one of those Nintendo Power kiosks. I'm pretty sure it's the largest one, on the far right. It's really amazing that you were able to get in touch with someone responsible for it so quickly. Hope you get something good for it if you do trade it!
I wish I had that memory, but I was only born four years prior to the release of the kiosks.
I was quite surprised I got in touch, it was a shot in the dark for sure.
I hope I can get something good in trade. If not, it's still one hell of a rarity I don't at all mind keeping in my collection.
Originally posted by: Jobber8742
The most amazing thing to me is that the email address was still active and directed towards an actually employee from that time period. Very cool.
Oh, man, I know, right? I was like: an email from 1995? There is NO WAY I'll get a response. What luck, haha.
Originally posted by: OdinWolf
Originally posted by: MrWunderful
Wow amazing story! Rare, one off pieces like this are what make the hobby so exciting for me. Have you put it in a snes? I know its not a game but what comes up?
Just like the warning label reads, it is not an SNES game. If you look at the pin connector it is shaved differently. It was never meant to do anything in an SNES system. It's cool, none-the-less!
I think there's some confusion here because you are hyping it up to be "The Rarest SNES Cartridge In Existence."
It's not exactly a SNES cartridge, but a custom PCB mounted in a SNES cartridge shell.
Originally posted by: beerguy
Originally posted by: OdinWolf
Originally posted by: MrWunderful
Wow amazing story! Rare, one off pieces like this are what make the hobby so exciting for me. Have you put it in a snes? I know its not a game but what comes up?
Just like the warning label reads, it is not an SNES game. If you look at the pin connector it is shaved differently. It was never meant to do anything in an SNES system. It's cool, none-the-less!
I think there's some confusion here because you are hyping it up to be "The Rarest SNES Cartridge In Existence."
It's not exactly a SNES cartridge, but a custom PCB mounted in a SNES cartridge shell.
I do say at the bottom: "Oh, and, yes, I do say rarest cartridge. This is not a game. There is quite a difference, I am aware!"
Also, it is still a cartridge. One that plays games? No. But an official Nintendo sanctioned item, yes.
Originally posted by: acromite53
Wow really cool story here. I never even knew this kiosk or cartridge existed. Thanks for sharing this story with us. by the way it looks like there are 2 front labels on the cart. Do you know whats under the first label?
I'm glad you noticed that, too. There is really no seeing under the label to know. My guess was, perhaps, an earlier version label (5.0 or below). There's no way of knowing, though.
Originally posted by: Tanooki
Damn fine piece of research you did there and the luck in finding that part as well. I guess technically it is a SNES cart, and it perhaps would be the most rare since much kiosk stuff is destroyed. I remember the kiosk very well as my local Toys R Us when I was a kid had one of them around for a long time on an end cap.
Thanks! I thought some would find it interesting.
Man, I wish I could have saved a kiosk from destruction. It would look mighty fine in my collection!
Originally posted by: beerguy
Originally posted by: OdinWolf
Originally posted by: MrWunderful
Wow amazing story! Rare, one off pieces like this are what make the hobby so exciting for me. Have you put it in a snes? I know its not a game but what comes up?
Just like the warning label reads, it is not an SNES game. If you look at the pin connector it is shaved differently. It was never meant to do anything in an SNES system. It's cool, none-the-less!
I think there's some confusion here because you are hyping it up to be "The Rarest SNES Cartridge In Existence."
It's not exactly a SNES cartridge, but a custom PCB mounted in a SNES cartridge shell.
Yeah, it is the whole "Rarest SNES cartridge in existance" hype, when it is just a shell
Good job on the research behind the kiosk though!
Really great story! It's such as shame to think alot of this stuff was destroyed.
I know, it sucks!
I even tried to save an Xbox. 360 and PS3 kiosk from my local meijer the other day and they said they had to destroy them. ((
There was an old thread where a guy in Wisconsin (not me) found a warehouse lot of this stuff back in 2011. Most of the pictures are gone from the NA thread, but the youtube videos are still up. NA Member ampplays
http://www.nintendoage.com/forum/messageview.cfm?StartRow=101&catid=10&threadid=55452
Kiosk unpacking
Kiosk plugged in.
Including a 6' tall gameboy display