Back in 1980s Japan, Nintendo's Famicom was doing the business, but the company wanted to get more gamers to experience what it could offer. The answer was the FamicomBox, a machine used by retailers to allow customers to try out a selection of Famicom games, with some models even featuring a coin slot to allow gamers to pay and play. Never released outside of Japan, a FamicomBox has just surfaced on eBay, starting at a sweet $699.
Before you get your wallets out, bear in mind this is a relisting of an item that received a best offer of nearly $2,000 and went unsold, so it's going to take some major pocket change to bring this one home, particularly with shipping from Japan starting at a cool $125.
Whether you intend to buy or not, it's another fascinating piece of Nintendo history that you can learn more about at Famicom World.
[source cgi.ebay.co.uk]
Comments 12
I want it but I don't have the moneyz.
This was a good idea making a console with an assortment of games, especially years before the great invention called the demo disk. It's a bit pricey, though. I've seen PS3s cheaper than the price of the FamicomBox!
Wow and ow in regards to the price. For the starting price + shipping, you could buy 165 NES games on VC!
On a semi-unrelated note, before there was X-box, there was F-box.
@Klapaucius - It usually shipped with ten cartridges, though there's room for 15, but regular Famicom carts won't work on it. This one doesn't even have the key to let you access the carts around the back, though I'm sure if someone's willing to spend $2,000 on it they'll find a way to get the machine open
Cool. It looks like some sort of military gear from WW2.
that thing is a beast propally ate VCRs back in its day.
we had an allders department store that had a freeplay version of the famicom box.
i never did figure out how it could play several games on one console. and now i know.
would love to own one too. if i had the money.
Me wants, but I'm not able to afford it
unlike everyone else, I can afford it, just don't want it
Was Nintendo the one to create the first "demo kiosk" as well?
I've always loved the idea of a multi changer video game console.
Although, this would be quite steep, and I'd have to get Japanese versions of all my NES games. :/
I'd love to get this, too bad I can't afford it.
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