Jeez, you can get to a point where you have all the games you want? I mostly like software (rather than hardware and collectible tchotchkes) so once I was done with games I want, I would start hunting packaging variants, regional releases, demos, NFRs, press copies etc. Especially for modern games, minor variants can be pretty poorly documented so it can be an adventure to start documenting the unknown.
I would say signs / posters / standees, but some of those are extremely high at the moment. There's also a ton of video game merchandise out there that is much more modestly priced though. An an example for Zelda fans, there's vintage Zelda plates, towels, trash cans, etc. Lots of oddball items that can still fill the void after you grabbed all of the games.
Beat me to it. Signs. Signs. Signs.
LOL! I knew at least one of you was gonna beat me to it, but the most obvious answer (if you can afford them, cause they AREN'T cheap anymore!) is signs/kiosks/arcades/promo items! These items will bring you back to your childhood in a way that no game ever could, and will impress friends and family 10x more than the rarest cart! lol I've gotten into arcade cabinet collecting lately and find a ton of joy in it! There is something about playing a game the EXACT way it was meant to be played and owning something very few people do. Keep in mind, the sign/kiosk collecting hobby will turn you into an addict if you get started lol
I personally go for art books, magazines, figures, toys, plushies, cups...so on and so forth. There are some really weird things out there that had Nintendo's name on it or Mario on it. Stuff like bubble bath bottles, tooth brushes, shower heads...just random crap. I have a Mario kart phone for instance. I think that's the weirdest item I own.
Obscure would be something like a Super Mario back scratcher an item that is just odd.
Homework First console lock!
edit: Pictars!
5 bullet point variant. I like how they promoted it as a way to keep your saved games. Hey, if it keeps cousin Jimmy from erasing your Zelda second quest progress...
I've owned videogame stores for many years and retail items don't do much for me. They come and go everyday. What I really love is the rare and obscure. From prototypes to employee items, I would buy it all. Last ten years I've devoted that time and energy to original artwork. For me and a few others there is nothing else quite like owning the one original that all other boxes, manuals, cartridges and magazine ads were copied from.
I started collecting and reading up on pre Mario Nintendo merch. Nintendo had lots of games/toys, cards, and game and watch stuff dating way back. Nintendo even has some nudey , pin-up playing cards out there when they had ties with a liquor company.
Someone runs a blog on this stuff and has catalogued a ton. I've found this stuff fun to casually collect. The prices are like the wild west too... All over the place with one of a kind items. A lot of stuff was only released in Japan.
I've owned videogame stores for many years and retail items don't do much for me. They come and go everyday. What I really love is the rare and obscure. From prototypes to employee items, I would buy it all. Last ten years I've devoted that time and energy to original artwork. For me and a few others there is nothing else quite like owning the one original that all other boxes, manuals, cartridges and magazine ads were copied from.
pulls out the final fantasy painting! Sure, just slap your e-dong on the table why dontcha
I really enjoy my "Sorry, Nintendo game in progress" door hanger, circa 1989. I searched for one for quite some time and,out of awesomness, fellow NA member nechestriah helped me find one (thanks again buddy).
I really enjoy my "Sorry, Nintendo game in progress" door hanger, circa 1989. I searched for one for quite some time and,out of awesomness, fellow NA member nechestriah helped me find one (thanks again buddy).
The hunt begins! That is amazing, thanks for sharing.
I really enjoy my "Sorry, Nintendo game in progress" door hanger, circa 1989. I searched for one for quite some time and,out of awesomness, fellow NA member nechestriah helped me find one (thanks again buddy).
I really enjoy my "Sorry, Nintendo game in progress" door hanger, circa 1989. I searched for one for quite some time and,out of awesomness, fellow NA member nechestriah helped me find one (thanks again buddy).
Great for playing the weekly NES contests
I'm not a huge merch guy, but this I dig!
Wow, what a blast from the past. My older brother had this as well, he always had the cool Nintendo stuff growing up, being born in '81. By the time '86 generation rolled around, it seemed as though in my parts anyways, this type of merchandise just wasn't available.
I started collecting and reading up on pre Mario Nintendo merch. Nintendo had lots of games/toys, cards, and game and watch stuff dating way back. Nintendo even has some nudey , pin-up playing cards out there when they had ties with a liquor company.
Someone runs a blog on this stuff and has catalogued a ton. I've found this stuff fun to casually collect. The prices are like the wild west too... All over the place with one of a kind items. A lot of stuff was only released in Japan.
I'd say it's nice as far as novelty/trivia goes but really Nintendo for me is strictly a video game company. The other stuff might aswell have been produced elsewhere, and while i do realize that those things came way before the video games and are inherently Nintendo i just don't feel any connection to it what so ever. I'd never buy some extended arm toy just because it has this brand altough i'm sure some completionists out there do consider it relevant.
I started collecting and reading up on pre Mario Nintendo merch. Nintendo had lots of games/toys, cards, and game and watch stuff dating way back. Nintendo even has some nudey , pin-up playing cards out there when they had ties with a liquor company.
Someone runs a blog on this stuff and has catalogued a ton. I've found this stuff fun to casually collect. The prices are like the wild west too... All over the place with one of a kind items. A lot of stuff was only released in Japan.
I'd say it's nice as far as novelty/trivia goes but really Nintendo for me is strictly a video game company. The other stuff might aswell have been produced elsewhere, and while i do realize that those things came way before the video games and are inherently Nintendo i just don't feel any connection to it what so ever. I'd never buy some extended arm toy just because it has this brand altough i'm sure some completionists out there do consider it relevant.
That's understandable. For me it's just s nice change of pace and I still see it as Nintendo even though it's not strictly video game merch. I'm not buying tons of this stuff, just a few little items here and there that I find cool. Looking is half the fun as you stumble across things you didn't know existed. I definitely get where you're coming from though and I think that's pretty much why that blog is called 'before Mario' - a different era for the company. Just a suggestion for op.
Comments
Obscure? Oh, I can definitely show you obscure:
That's the 1990 CES megaman hat that was on eBay right? Hope you managed to talk that guy down on price. Great item though!
My suggestion for a great addition to your collection is to buy APPAREL. Old videogame hats, jackets, and shirts are pretty rad.
Examples
The old (Vidpro)Toys R Us video game display cards are pretty cool.
I would say signs / posters / standees, but some of those are extremely high at the moment. There's also a ton of video game merchandise out there that is much more modestly priced though. An an example for Zelda fans, there's vintage Zelda plates, towels, trash cans, etc. Lots of oddball items that can still fill the void after you grabbed all of the games.
Beat me to it. Signs. Signs. Signs.
LOL! I knew at least one of you was gonna beat me to it, but the most obvious answer (if you can afford them, cause they AREN'T cheap anymore!) is signs/kiosks/arcades/promo items! These items will bring you back to your childhood in a way that no game ever could, and will impress friends and family 10x more than the rarest cart! lol I've gotten into arcade cabinet collecting lately and find a ton of joy in it! There is something about playing a game the EXACT way it was meant to be played and owning something very few people do. Keep in mind, the sign/kiosk collecting hobby will turn you into an addict if you get started lol
Obscure? Oh, I can definitely show you obscure:
Megaman hat, Metroid glasses and Mario Cheez Whiz. Best obscure game items ive seen in a while!
Obscure would be something like a Super Mario back scratcher an item that is just odd.
Homework First console lock!
edit: Pictars!
5 bullet point variant. I like how they promoted it as a way to keep your saved games. Hey, if it keeps cousin Jimmy from erasing your Zelda second quest progress...
That is awesome!! Never seen that before.
Someone runs a blog on this stuff and has catalogued a ton. I've found this stuff fun to casually collect. The prices are like the wild west too... All over the place with one of a kind items. A lot of stuff was only released in Japan.
http://blog.beforemario.com/?m=1
I've owned videogame stores for many years and retail items don't do much for me. They come and go everyday. What I really love is the rare and obscure. From prototypes to employee items, I would buy it all. Last ten years I've devoted that time and energy to original artwork. For me and a few others there is nothing else quite like owning the one original that all other boxes, manuals, cartridges and magazine ads were copied from.
pulls out the final fantasy painting! Sure, just slap your e-dong on the table why dontcha
Great for playing the weekly NES contests
Originally posted by: NESMASTER14
I really enjoy my "Sorry, Nintendo game in progress" door hanger, circa 1989. I searched for one for quite some time and,out of awesomness, fellow NA member nechestriah helped me find one (thanks again buddy).
The hunt begins! That is amazing, thanks for sharing.
Edit: Oof $50 - https://www.ebay.com/itm/332388366113
I really enjoy my "Sorry, Nintendo game in progress" door hanger, circa 1989. I searched for one for quite some time and,out of awesomness, fellow NA member nechestriah helped me find one (thanks again buddy).
Great for playing the weekly NES contests
I'm not a huge merch guy, but this I dig!
I really enjoy my "Sorry, Nintendo game in progress" door hanger, circa 1989. I searched for one for quite some time and,out of awesomness, fellow NA member nechestriah helped me find one (thanks again buddy).
Great for playing the weekly NES contests
I'm not a huge merch guy, but this I dig!
Wow, what a blast from the past. My older brother had this as well, he always had the cool Nintendo stuff growing up, being born in '81. By the time '86 generation rolled around, it seemed as though in my parts anyways, this type of merchandise just wasn't available.
I started collecting and reading up on pre Mario Nintendo merch. Nintendo had lots of games/toys, cards, and game and watch stuff dating way back. Nintendo even has some nudey , pin-up playing cards out there when they had ties with a liquor company.
Someone runs a blog on this stuff and has catalogued a ton. I've found this stuff fun to casually collect. The prices are like the wild west too... All over the place with one of a kind items. A lot of stuff was only released in Japan.
http://blog.beforemario.com/?m=1...
I'd say it's nice as far as novelty/trivia goes but really Nintendo for me is strictly a video game company. The other stuff might aswell have been produced elsewhere, and while i do realize that those things came way before the video games and are inherently Nintendo i just don't feel any connection to it what so ever. I'd never buy some extended arm toy just because it has this brand altough i'm sure some completionists out there do consider it relevant.
I started collecting and reading up on pre Mario Nintendo merch. Nintendo had lots of games/toys, cards, and game and watch stuff dating way back. Nintendo even has some nudey , pin-up playing cards out there when they had ties with a liquor company.
Someone runs a blog on this stuff and has catalogued a ton. I've found this stuff fun to casually collect. The prices are like the wild west too... All over the place with one of a kind items. A lot of stuff was only released in Japan.
http://blog.beforemario.com/?m=1
I'd say it's nice as far as novelty/trivia goes but really Nintendo for me is strictly a video game company. The other stuff might aswell have been produced elsewhere, and while i do realize that those things came way before the video games and are inherently Nintendo i just don't feel any connection to it what so ever. I'd never buy some extended arm toy just because it has this brand altough i'm sure some completionists out there do consider it relevant.
That's understandable. For me it's just s nice change of pace and I still see it as Nintendo even though it's not strictly video game merch. I'm not buying tons of this stuff, just a few little items here and there that I find cool. Looking is half the fun as you stumble across things you didn't know existed. I definitely get where you're coming from though and I think that's pretty much why that blog is called 'before Mario' - a different era for the company. Just a suggestion for op.