The Forgotten History of Nintendo Blocks and LEGO

The recent buzz around LEGO and Nintendo's collaboration has ignited the company , with many eagerly speculating if popular Nintendo properties like Zelda might soon get the LEGO treatment. Yet, a substantial number remain unaware of the tumultuous history shared by these giants.

Nintendo has a history stretching back over a century, with its roots in playing card production. But the late 1960s saw the company exploring new product lines, and that's when they introduced the "Nintendo Block" or "N&B Block."

Between 1968-1972, Nintendo ventured into the toy brick market, unveiling their 'Nintendo Block', more commonly referred to as the N&B Block. These blocks were directly in competition with LEGO, which was already an established name in Japan.

The design aesthetics of the two brands were notably different. While 1960s LEGO bricks were more square-edged, Nintendo's version boasted a distinctive circular design, making them stand out.

A blast from the past reveals Nintendo commercials where they pitted their circular N&B Blocks against the then square LEGO bricks, emphasizing the superior fun factor of their design. The adverts juxtaposed LEGO (to the left) with the N&B Block (on the right).

In today's context, the adult fans of LEGO (AFOL) might dismiss Nintendo's initiative as merely cloning or counterfeiting LEGO's iconic designs. This led the Danish company, LEGO, to take legal action against Nintendo due to the perceived similarities between the N&B Block and LEGO's trademark brick design. Fortunately for Nintendo, their designers had cleverly incorporated a curvy design on the block's underside, skillfully evading potential infringement of LEGO's patented tube design. This innovative move shielded Nintendo from the brunt of the lawsuit.

However, the resemblances were uncanny: N&B blocks even bore an "NB" engraving on their studs, similar to LEGO's. Furthermore, as highlighted by beforemario, the two brands' bricks were actually compatible.

By 1972, Nintendo chose to retire the N&B Block line, though the exact reasons remain shrouded in mystery. A glimpse into the past showcases some of the sets that had graced the Japanese market.

It's indeed heartening to witness LEGO and Nintendo bridging their historical divide to jointly offer enthralling toys for fans. Who would've imagined that these toy giants, now collaborators, were once courtroom adversaries?

When you think of Nintendo, the first images that probably come to mind are iconic characters like Mario, Link, or perhaps even the pioneering Game Boy console. But well before the company became synonymous with video gaming, Nintendo dipped its toes into other ventures—one of which was the building block toy industry, bearing a curious resemblance to the LEGO brand we know and love today. Let's embark on a journey to uncover the story of Nintendo Blocks.

N&B Blocks vs. LEGO

Introduced between 1968 and 1972, Nintendo's foray into the building block toy business had the company competing directly with LEGO, which was gaining popularity in Japan. But these weren't mere LEGO clones; they showcased a distinctive twist.

While LEGO's iconic bricks of the era had a predominantly square design, Nintendo opted for a rounded, circular aesthetic, incorporating unique designs not found in LEGO sets. This differentiation was critical, not just from a market competition perspective but also from a legal standpoint.

The differentiation was so pronounced that Nintendo even went as far as comparing their N&B Blocks to LEGO in commercials, emphasizing the unique and fun elements of their circular parts.

Legal Tangles and Ingenious Design

Given the similarities in the concept, it's unsurprising that tensions arose between the Danish toy behemoth and the budding Japanese competitor. LEGO did file a lawsuit against Nintendo, pointing out similarities between N&B Blocks and their patented brick design. But here's where Nintendo's ingenuity shone: they had preemptively adopted a curved design for the underside of their blocks. This clever design nuance was enough to sidestep LEGO's patent infringement allegations, allowing Nintendo to evade any legal repercussions.

One particularly striking similarity was the engraving of "NB" on the studs of the blocks, echoing LEGO's own logo placement. Moreover, the N&B Blocks were compatible with LEGO bricks, a fact that enthusiasts and collectors appreciated.

The Sunset of N&B

Despite their initial splash, Nintendo decided to discontinue the N&B Block line in 1972. The exact reasons remain a mystery, but it marked the end of one of Nintendo's many diverse ventures before the company became big in on the video gaming industry.

The Present: A Twist of Irony

Fast-forwarding to today, it's a beautiful twist of irony to see LEGO and Nintendo collaborating, especially with the recent LEGO Super Mario sets and soon to be release Animal Crossing. It's almost poetic to think of how two former "rivals" now work hand-in-hand, blending the worlds of brick-building and gaming.

Conclusion

Nintendo's venture into the building block world with N&B Blocks is a lesser-known chapter in the company's rich tapestry of history. While they might not have achieved the lasting legacy of their gaming consoles and characters, they remain a fascinating footnote, reminding us of a time when the gaming giant was still finding its way and trying its hand at different avenues.