This one was a request from a co-worker.
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Showing posts with label Donkey Kong. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Donkey Kong. Show all posts
Game Watch (Nelsonic)
Game Watch
1981 - 1999
Nelsonic
Nelsonic began producing wrist watch games as early as 1981, and during its existence dominated the market with pop-culture themed wrist watches marketed towards children and young adults. Though their first watches only incorporated features such as LCD screens, calculators and alarms, the company quickly saw the value of video games. This led to the idea of incorporating simply games into their wrist watches. The combination proved lucrative, and Nelsonic became the first company in the United States to produce video game based watches.
With success in their pockets, and a product with high demand, Nelsonic was able to get the attention of video game developers as well as big name toy franchises. This led to the licensing and development of game watches based on Pac-Man (1982), Frogger (1983), Q*Bert (1983), G.I. Joe (1990) , Barbie and more - Some of which were not based on any brand, but more so just generic themes such as baseball, black jack and racecar.Kids of all ages loved the idea of not only having a wrist watch, but one that also played video games on it. We can only imagine many watches made their way to school, and in a lot of cases quickly got confiscated by teachers for causing a disruption to class.
Knowing that boys and girls of all ages were big into gaming, Nelsonic had the forsite to market these all new game watches to everyone via multiple colors. Each plastic game watch was available in black, white, pink or red. This ensured there was a watch for just about anyone.
In 1990 Nelsonic was purchased by watch-making giant M.Z. Berger. Under their tutelage, Nelsonic continued to produce game watches based on Nintendo products - Their most popular being the versions of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Tetris. Much like the prior watches, these too were produced in multiple colors.
The company followed up by producing watches based on properties such as Donkey Kong and Star Fox - Which were both major successes for the Super Nintendo console. This time however, Nelsonic did away with the multi color theme, and simply produced black plastic watches.
Handheld gaming became more and more popular with gamers as industry giants such as Nintendo and Sega introduced their own handheld "consoles". This led to a rapid advancement in technology for the devices. Unfortunately for Nelsonics, they were not able to compete with their simplistic designs. The end result was a wain in popularity for the "primitive" game watch. This ultimately led to the company being closed in 1999.
Per the nature of all things pop-culture, when children of the 80's grew up they longed for the things of the past. This brought about the resurgence of popularity in Nelsonics game watches - Not that the company started producing new ones, but rather that these children now adults started seeking out the older ones. This in turn spiked a major price boom on secondary markets. Some of the watches can set collectors back as much as $500.00 for a loose one in working condition. Needless-to-say, if you're looking for any of these you're going to need to come to the party with a bag of cash.
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Donkey Kong (Coleco)
Donkey Kong
Coleco
1982
Coleco's 1982 Donkey Kong line is one of those great series that if anyone asked us we would tell them not to collect them. Why? Because they're so frustrating to track down - Specifically in mint in the package condition. Furthermore, they're so expensive for what you're getting.
Disclaimers aside, the line is fantastic to be sure.
Each mini figure stands about two inches high, and much like the style of the vintage Smurfs line from this same era, have zero articulation. However, what they do have is perfect detail and paint, and a massive aura of nostalgia.
As many fans already know, Donkey Kong was a game developed by Nintendo, and released in the arcade (1981), and eventually on home consoles such as the ColecoVision (1982), and of course the Nintendo Entertainment System (1986). The game is notable not only for its fun and addictive game play, but also for being the first video game to feature the (future) mascot for Nintendo - Mario.
Mario
Donkey Kong
Pauline
With the toys selling somewhat successfully, Coleco later incorporated Donkey Kong Junior into what became the one and only figure for a second series. The package was altered slightly to a blue and greens striped motif, and the DK Jr. arcade machine replaced the photo of the original DK game.
Coleco continued publishing games for their ColecoVision game console until 1985, but must have not seen the value in continuing to produce action figures as the line halted just as quickly in 1982 as it started.
These days collector's clamber to nab these figures up on secondary markets, and at a pretty steady price of $20.00 to $30.00 each. The line has no trouble selling as fans are constantly on the lookout for them.
Join us next time when we take a look at Rocky!
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Video Game Super Stars - Mario Kart 64 (Toy Biz)
Video Game Super Stars - Mario Kart 64
Toy Biz
2000
Video Game Super Star figures are hard to come by. Whether you're chasing down Diddy Kong, X-Men Vs. Street Fighter, or the other various series under the VGSS banner you're in for quite the hunt - An expensive one at that.
The figures produced for Mario Kart 64 are no exception to this rule. Fans love action figures based on video games, and it seems they're more so ravenous for the ones which ended up in clearance bins. It's rather ironic how stores couldn't get rid of stock at a buck a piece, yet these days people will pay close to a hundred or more for them.
Toy Biz produced seven character / vehicle packs, and each one has its own unique style and accessories to correspond with the popular game franchise - Well, with the exception of Mario who received two variations. Those are only unique in the accessories category as the vehicles and figures are the same.
Bowser*Donkey Kong*Luigi
Mario (with Ghost)*Mario (with Shell)*Wario*Yoshi
Fans of Mario Kart need look no further than this fantastic line!
Join us next time when we take a look at Wild Wild West!
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