Collection update - nice finds and still wanted

It's my objective to collect and document - on this blog - every game and toy produced by Nintendo from the early 1960s, when they started as toy maker, up to the phenomenal success of the Family Computer in the mid 1980s.

My collection initially grew rapidly, amassing many of the items that are still quite easy to find, even though they are from thirty up to fifty years old. But after these early collecting sprints, I slowly drifted into more challenging territory. As a collection grows, it is almost inevitable that the gaps become increasingly difficult to fill.

In the case of vintage Nintendo items, it is not so much the cost of items that makes completing a collection difficult. Finances do play a role, as a number of these things are rather expensive; like the Computer TV Game and some of the Ultra Man themed games, for instance. But although prices seem to be picking up in recent years, due to the number of collectors increasing, those pricey items still tend to be the exceptions.

Three more vintage Nintendo items I can strike off the wanted list

For the largest part, it is the scarcity of the items that is the problem challenge. Most, if not all, that is left on my wanted list is simply extremely difficult to find. Added to that the desire to find items in good condition and in original packaging, and patience and perseverance are needed more than anything else.

I recently found three items that I had been looking for for a long time: Nintendo's Mini Game Horse Race, N&B Block Parts set P-35 and the blue boxed Ultra Hand.

New Ultra Machine, another remake by Nichiten

Some time ago I posted about the various remakes of the Nintendo Ultra Machine DX, which appeared in the last ten years or so. They seem to be officially approved by Nintendo, though no license or copyright information is included.

Ultra Machine remake by Nichiten

Up until now, I had found three variants: two by company Nichiten and one by Tenyo. These versions differ from the original in box design and branding on the toy (base and bat).

I recently discovered a fourth variant, shown here. It is another (third) version by Nichiten.

Nintendo board game Happy Prince (ディズニーのハッピープリンス, early 1960s)

The Nintendo board game Happy Prince (ディズニーのハッピープリンス) is a game based on the Disney movie Sleeping Beauty.

Nintendo Happy Prince board game (early 1960s)

Like many of the early Nintendo board games, it is a localized Japanese version of a game created by American company Whitman. The original Whitman game is called Disney's Sleeping Beauty Game.

Happy Prince is a pretty standard affair, with a spin of the dice largely determining the outcome of the game.

When we take a better look at the back of the play field, we see something interesting.

More Nintendo vintage items for sale

Yesterday I started another round of auctions of vintage Nintendo items.

For sale are Nintendo Ultra Scope (2), Custom Gun Man (2), Custom Lion, Space Ball, Custom Lever Action Riffle Scope (very rare!), Ele-conga Auto Player (very rare!), Twister, Ten Billion puzzle (6), Kamen Rider Clock and Disney Clock, Ultra Man Monster Copy and more.

Items currently for sale

The auctions will run for a week and have a low starting bid and no reserve. An excellent opportunity to start a collection or to extend it with some pieces you have been missing. I will ship internationally and will combine shipping to save cost as much as possible.

Update (May 26): the auctions are now finished. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all who showed an interest!

But... we are not done yet. More items will go on sale in a couple of weeks from now. Watch this space.