Building the N&B Block Garden House

In this post we will take a look at the building of a Nintendo N&B Block (任天堂ブロック) set.

If you don't know what N&B Block is, check out this introduction.

The set we are putting together is called "Garden House" (ガーデンハウス). This was one of the smaller N&B Block sets.

It dates from 1968 and has model number NB 980-G. This model number also identifies the list price at the time: 980 yen. This translates to around 3,500 yen in today's money.

When I found this particular set, it was so-called "new old stock"; the blocks were still shrink-wrapped.

Today these blocks will be liberated from underneath the plastic film, after almost fifty-five years of waiting.

A single folded sheet with assembly instructions (組み立て方説明書) is included. It is printed one-sided, in colour.

When unfolded, the instructions measure around 38 by 54 centimeters.

The text in the top right corner states:

Assemble in order, while looking at the completed drawing.

Various other things can be assembled with these parts. Let's assemble your own things.

There are many other sets in the Nintendo (N&B) block [range].

A table is provided that lists all included parts, with their colour (red, white, blue, yellow or green) and part count.

The total number of parts for this set is 179.

Nintendo must have had a good quality control back then (like they do now), as all listed parts are present. There are no spare parts.

Nintendo Grab the Blocks campaign (1970s)

I recently added an interesting promotional item to my collection of vintage Nintendo games and toys.

The item I am talking about, is the cardboard box shown here. It measures 32 by 32 by 42 centimeters and dates from the early 1970s.

All sides of the box are printed, with opposite sides showing the same image.

The text around the hole in the top says "GRAB THE BLOCKS" (ブロックのつかみどり) BOX.

If we peek inside the box, we spot a pile of N&B Blocks, Nintendo's LEGO inspired building block system. (For an introduction to N&B Block, see this earlier post).

The text on the red sides explains what this is all about: for each 1000 yen spent on Nintendo games and toys, a handful of blocks may be grabbed from the box for free (任天堂のゲーム・トイ1000円お買上げごとに1回!!).

N&B Block vs LEGO (任天堂 ブロック vs レゴ)

I just performed a small experiment. For some time, I had been wondering about the compatibility between Nintendo's N&B Block bricks and - its source of inspiration - the original LEGO bricks. In fact, the experiment is so simple that I don't understand why I had not tried it before.

Let's first take a closer look at the respective rectangular bricks, side by side. They have identical dimensions and are overall very similar, except for the names on the top of the studs.

N&B Block brick (left) and LEGO brick (right)

When we flip them over, we see more differences.

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 Build a Panda Animal Block set (パンダをつくろう アニマルブロック, 1972)

In 1972 the whole of Japan went panda crazy. This was caused by the arrival of two pandas, received by the Ueno zoo in Tokyo from the People's Republic of China.

Not only were these the first pandas on display in post-war Japan, but the fact that China gifted these animals was a milestone step in the restoration of the relationship between the two Asian neighbors, destroyed by the violent and dramatic events of the Second Sino-Japanese War which ended in 1945.

China, the only country in the world where pandas live in the wild, has a long history of offering these as special gift to foreign countries. This is referred to as panda diplomacy. Japan received a first pair already in the 7th century.

With the arrival of a new pair in 1972, pandas became very popular for a while and Nintendo jumped to the occasion and created some panda themed games.

Nintendo Build a Panda Animal Block set (1972)

The two pandas that arrived in October of 1972 were a couple called Lan Lan and Kang Kang. It is the female panda Lan Lan who appears on the front of the Nintendo box.

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 People House (ピープルハウス, 1968)

In the 60s and 70s of the last century, Nintendo made many toys with typical boy's themes, like racing cars (Mach Rider) and guns (Kousenjuu SP Light Gun series). The advertising of these toys also featured boys exclusively.

And although Nintendo also produced many games that were family oriented - aimed at both boys and girls alike - there is only one Nintendo toy series from this era created specifically for girls.

Nintendo People House series (1968)

This particular toy series is People House (ピープルハウス), released in Japan in 1968.

People House brochure

People House are themed play sets with small dolls, that came in plastic house-shaped carry cases.

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 - Overview (任天堂 ブロック, 1968-72)

Today we are going to take a look at all sets in the Nintendo Block (任天堂 ブロック) series, also known as Nintendo N&B Block. A separate post gives an introduction to this range of building sets.

Mixed (ミックス) set NB 1400-MX, includes a good mix (as the name suggests) of blocks and some construction examples to start your imagination.

The Mixed (ミックス) sets came in four different sizes, with different mixes of round and rectangular blocks. Pictured below are NB 800-MXB, NB 1400-MXB and NB 1800-MXA.

A special mixed set is the Universe Set (宇宙セット), with product code NB 2800-MX.

This set is the biggest of all N&B Block sets. It contains a large variety of blocks, and building plans for five space themed items.

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.