At least this particular post isn't about a GameBoy game--although I'm not sure those of you who aren't fans of Nintendo's iconic-yet-bricklike handheld will enjoy a post about the system (as well as its Japanese packaging and instruction manual) any more than you'd enjoy a post about one of its games.
It's kind of hard to hate a post that includes photos like the one above, though, right? I mean, just look at that awesome packaging.
Also, it includes text that alerts passersby to the fact that this system is a "Handy Game Machine." No wonder Nintendo sold a billion of these suckers in the 14-plus years they were on the market.
Here (above) is another shot of the Japanese GameBoy's packaging (and of the system itself). Sorry for the varying quality of the photos included in this post, by the way. They were taken on three different days, and each day offered up different lighting scenarios.
Anyway, the shot above showcases the Japanese GameBoy's oh-so-1990s instruction manual. And because it's a Japanese manual that was produced before, say, the year 2000, it features a number of completely adorable illustrations, such as the ones below.
The back of the GameBoy's Japanese instruction manual can be seen below. I like the design that runs along its edge. I also like that this GameBoy's original owner seemingly acquired it early in 1991.
The backside of the GameBoy's Japanese packaging isn't as thrilling as its front, but that's OK with me. At least it reminds viewers of the rechargeable battery pack Nintendo used to sell for its first handheld. I've always found its design to be appealing, for whatever reason.
I bought the GameBoy shown throughout this post early in the year, by the way, and only paid about $65 for it, if memory serves.
Even better: its screen is in immaculate condition, with absolutely no dead pixels (he says as he furiously knocks on wood)--something that can't be said about the last GameBoy I bought.
See also: previous 'Year of the GameBoy' posts
I always liked those cute illustrations of what not to do with your games and systems. The drawings of a disc in peril were the best thing about Race Drivin' on the Saturn. (They'd just about have to be! I was tempted to try a few of those torture methods out on the disc after I played it!)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I really miss those "warning" illustrations, Jess, especially when designers decided to put a bit of tongue-in-cheek creativity into them :) As for Race Drivin' on the Saturn, hoo, boy, I can only imagine how wonderful (not) *that* port must be!
ReplyDeleteI love that the box has an actual size drawing of the system itself.
ReplyDeleteYep, I like that, too, Terry! I can't help but wonder if the folks at NOJ were trying to make passersby aware of the system's diminutive (at the time) size, or if it's just a coincidence...
ReplyDeleteI say play it and enjoy it, despite shidoshi's warning! Haha. I always love your photos, by the way – you're blessed with some nice lighting in your house, and the shot in this post looks so cute with the Christmas wrapping paper!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm going to do, Anne! I won't mind, though, if I have to admit shidoshi was right and I was wrong. Or maybe I should say doing that won't bother me.
ReplyDeleteAlso, thanks for the nice words about this photo! We do occasionally get some good lighting here, but there also are plenty of times when I have to brighten up my photos using software. Oh, well :)
I like that box quite a bit! It reminds me of the Super Famicom box, which has that same sort of "outline drawing on a grey background" thing going: http://media.tumblr.com/43a8675ec79ac930eb37550a5cc2c5b1/tumblr_inline_n9106fKATV1rfgkmp.jpg I definitely like the GB box better, though.
ReplyDeleteAlso I have to add that when I saw the instruction manual cover, I couldn't make out what the headphones to the right were supposed to me--I thought it was some sort of spikey-haired mascot character with large round shoes and skinny legs! Can you see it? :)
Oh, good catch, Michael! I definitely see the similarities between the JP GameBoy box and the Super Famicom box. Both are wonderful, if you ask me :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I do see the supposed "spikey-haired mascot" on the GB instruction manual. How funny!