Nintendo N&B Block Parts sets (任天堂ブロックのパッツセット)

The Nintendo N&B Block construction series consists of many model sets, with building instructions and just the right blocks to build a particular model, like planes, boats, houses or rockets.

Some examples of Nintendo N&B Block model sets

These sets show the wide range of building possibilities and allow inexperienced builders to create quite sophisticated models.

Just as satisfying, if not more, is to let your imagination run wild and design and build your own models. The so-called Mixed sets cater for this, by providing a good selection of all sorts of blocks.

Nintendo N&B Block Mixed sets

Besides the Mixed sets, there are also special Parts sets (任天堂ブロックのパッツセット). These are affordable sets that allow you to extend your block collection with exactly the blocks you need.

Nintendo N&B Block Parts sets

There are Parts sets for most of the different block shapes.

Nintendo N&B Block Leisure House (レジャーハウス, 1968)

I just completed my collection of Nintendo N&B Block sets. The first one I got - many years ago - was a Leisure House set. Fittingly, the last one was the other Leisure House set.

Nintendo N&B Block Leisure House (1968)

Nintendo N&B Block Universe Set (任天堂 N&B ブロック 宇宙セット, 1968)

The Nintendo N&B Block sets were a successful attempt by Nintendo to step into the block-building market-segment created by LEGO. Thanks to good product design and clever marketing, Nintendo even managed to upstage the Danish company for a while in Japan in the late 1960s.

Nintendo N&B Block Universe Set(1968)

The N&B Block Universe Set is the largest, most luxurious set in the Nintendo N&B Block series.

It was released in 1968 and cost ¥2,800, which also makes it the most expensive of all N&B Block sets.

Nintendo N&B Block set 500-14 (N&B ブロック, 1968)

My collection of Nintendo N&B Block sets is nearing completion.

This nice little set, simply called NB 500-14, is a recent addition.

Nintendo N&B Block promotion (1970)

At the start of the 1970s, Nintendo ran a campaign in order to push sales of the N&B Block series. This campaign must have started sometime in 1970, judging by the end date (January 31st 1971) listed on the promotional poster. The poster also mentions television adverts supporting the campaign.

Nintendo N&B Block promotion poster (1970)

With each N& B Block set purchased (N&Bブロックで) a free pack of cards was gifted (任天堂絵本トランプをプレゼント).

At this point in time, Nintendo's N&B Block construction sets had been out in the Japanese market for two years and had been quite successful. This give-away must have been devised to bolster sales even further.

As one of the largest cards manufacturers in the country, using cards as gift item was an obvious choice for Nintendo. In fact, even today cards are offerred as one of the gifts to choose from in exchange for Club Nintendo points collected by buying Wii and DS games.

Nintendo N&B Block Gallery (1968-'72)

I really like the box art of the Nintendo N&B Block construction sets from the late 60s. They are great to look at, colourful and bright.

Presented below for your viewing enjoyment, a gallery of N&B Block box fronts. For more information on Nintendo N&B Blocks, check out this previous post, or this overview of all sets.

Nintendo Block Crater (任天堂ブロック クレーター, 1969)

In 1969, the American space program Apollo reached its climax, when mankind set foot on the moon for the first time. The whole world went space crazy, and the moon landing became the television broadcast with the largest global audience up until then. In Japan it was broadcasted by NHK, using a satellite link with the United States.

In that same year, Nintendo released a space themed toy called Nintendo Block Crater (任天堂ブロック クレーター).

Nintendo N&B Block - Introduction (任天堂 ブロック, 1968-72)

In the late 60s in Japan, Nintendo created a range of construction sets with colorful plastic blocks. It was called Nintendo Block (任天堂 ブロック), which was shortened to "N&B Block" or just "N&B".

Assortment of models built with Nintendo N&B Block (1968-72)

The Nintendo N&B Block series was copyrighted to Nintendo, without any license from LEGO, however it was clearly "inspired" by the bricks from the Danish toy manufacturer.

Nintendo N&B Block leaflet

Nintendo N&B Block Coaster (N&Bブロック コースター, 1968)

The construction set Coaster (コースター) is one of the sets in the Nintendo N&B Block series. With this set, you build your own tumbling bean racing game.

N&B Block Coaster was released in 1968 and cost ¥1,200.

Nintendo N&B Block - Coaster (1968)

Nintendo N&B Block - Silver Kamen, Kamen Rider and Mirror Man (任天堂 ブロック シルバー仮面, 仮面ライダー,ミラーマン, 1971)

Today we will take a look at some of the coolest sets in the Nintendo Block N&B series: the Tokusatsu (特撮) range. Tokusatsu is the genre of superhero and monster movies and television series, which were (and still are) extremely popular in Japan.

Nintendo Block sets Silver Kamen, Mirror Man and Kamen Rider

Nintendo acquired licenses to some of the most popular characters from these television shows, and used these in various toys, including these three N&B sets, featuring the Silver Kamen, the Kamen Rider and Mirror Man. (Other nice examples are these clocks).

Nintendo Block sets Silver Kamen and Mirror Man

Although these sets do not have a clear year of release, they all feature characters from television series introduced in 1971, so it is safe to assume they were sold after this time.

Nintendo Block sets Silver Kamen and Mirror Man

All three sets contain clear building instructions to create one of the three heroes.

Building instructions are provided with the Nintendo Block sets

The first set we will take a closer look at is Nintendo Block Mirror Man (任天堂 ブロック ミラーマン).

Nintendo Block set "Mirror Man"

The model number of this set is "NB 800-MM". It cost ¥800.

Nintendo Block set "Mirror Man"

The box contains the building constructions and a picture of the finished set.

Nintendo Block set "Mirror Man"

The set contains exactly all blocks required, so better not lose one!

Nintendo Block set "Mirror Man"

This set contains two special gold colored blocks, for Mirror Man's belt and cap. In a stroke of artistic license, his two-toned gray suit is translated into white and green here.

Look at that Mirror Man go

Once assembled, you have an impressive looking 35 centimeter high superhero.

Nintendo Block set "Mirror Man" - fully assembled

Having your own Mirror Man allowed for fun replay of the episode you just watched on television (minus the explosions).

The second set presented here is the one of the immensely popular Kamen Rider (仮面ライダー).

Nintendo Block set "Kamen Rider"

Super heroes, monsters, explosions, chases on fast bikes; the Kamen Rider television show had it all.

Nintendo Block set "Kamen Rider"

The model number of Nintendo Block Kamen Rider (任天堂 ブロック 仮面ライダー) is "NB 800-K". It also cost ¥800.

Nintendo Block set "Kamen Rider" - fully assembled

As the Kamen Rider would be lost without his bike, it is included in the set. Because part of the supplied blocks had to be used for the bike, this meant less blocks could go into the Kamen Rider itself. As a result, it stands somewhat less tall (27 centimeters) than its fellow super heroes from the two other sets.

The set even includes a miniature version of the Kamen Rider signature scarf!

The third and final set is Nintendo Block Silver Kamen (任天堂 ブロック シルバー仮面).

Nintendo Block set "Silver Kamen"

This set had model number "NB 800-SK", and cost ¥800.

Nintendo Block set "Silver Kamen"

Like the others, Silver Kamen is no hero to mess with. Deadly laser eyes!

Does this Silver Kamen walk like an Egyptian?

By the way, "Kamen" (仮面) means "masked". Which is what the Silver Kamen and Kamen Rider were.

Nintendo Block set "Silver Kamen" - fully assembled

Silver Kamen is similar in size to Mirror Man: 35 centimeter tall.

To wrap up this post, here's the law-and-order-enforcing bunch together.

Nintendo Block Mirror Man, Kamen Rider and Silver Kamen

"Are you looking at me?"

A full introduction to the Nintendo N&B Block series can be found here.