Nintendo Pastel Cards (パステル トランプ, late 1960s)

I am not sure if this card product was a small stroke of genius, or the result of a lack of inspiration.

Nintendo Pastel Cards (late 1960s)

After designing hundreds of card styles, maybe one day the Nintendo creative team drew a blank? If this is what happened, then they bounced back right away.

The particular set I am talking about is called Pastel Cards (パステル トランプ).

There is no indication of a release year on the packaging, but based on the logo style on the back of the box, it must from the late 1960s.

This version of the Nintendo logo was also used on the 1967 Ultra Machine

What is somewhat surprising, is that it comes with a selection of markers.

And not just any regular type of marker, but Nintendo branded ones no less.

The 'Pastel' in the name of these cards clearly refers to the art of drawing, be it with markers instead of actual pastels.

'Please make original cards with your own favorite design' the manual suggest.

And that is exactly what you have to do.

Because this pack of cards only contains blanks. When you buy this set, you get 54 virginal white cards. Not yet quite ready for a game of poker or solitaire, or whatever card game you fancy.

Using the six provided markers, you first have to create your own deck of cards.

Some examples are included to get your creative juices flowing.

The only limitation is your imagination, really.