N64 Week Day 1: Print Ads and Promo Video
So as many of you may or may not be aware, on September 29th, we'll be celebrating the ten year anniversary of Nintendo 64's release in the US. Man, I can't believe it's been that long, it seems lonely yesterday that I was heading out to the Toys R Us one early Sunday morning to pick up my pre-order of the N64 console and a copy of Super Mario 64. So, to commemorate this occasion, I will be updating my blog every weekday this week, Monday to Friday, with an article about Nintendo's 64-bit console!
The Hype Train - N64 print ad
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So today I'd like to look at two different teaser ads made to get us in the mood to spend our hard-earned money on more Nintendo gear. Here we've got Nintendo's "Dinosaurs Will Fly" print ad, which I've always liked, even though we all know that Bowser is a turtle, not a dinosaur. Unless the ad is suggesting that after I've beaten Bowser to a pulp, Yoshi's next on my hitlist. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find a great scan of this ad, so I'll just tell you what all the type underneath it says
"Because on that day, the home entertainment world starts spinning at 64 bits...
faster than any video game system or personal computer ever made. Live your dreams.
Nintendo 64 and its revolutionary 3-D controller will send you as far into the game as you dare to go.
Over the top. Out on the edge. Choose your hero: James Bond, Ken Griffey Jr., Super Mario. Or even Darth Vader.
You'll find them on games exclusive to Nintendo 64. Players will rock. Competitors will weep."
You might notice that it says "On September 30, Dinosaurs will fly". The decision to release the system on the 29th, a Sunday, was a pretty last minute one. If I recall it was no earlier than late August when I heard about the release change, and even into September the Toys R Us I'd pre-ordered at was still under the impression that it was coming out on Monday the 30th.
The Nintendo Power N64 promo video
With a few short months left of waiting for Nintendo's little black console, Nintendo sent out a new promo video to subscribers of Nintendo Power. Seeing Super Mario 64 in action made me want this game in a way that I don't think I have ever or may ever again want a possession in my life. So I guess that means their video worked. Don't think that that means it's not cheesy or anything, because oh man, it's got some weird stuff in it alright. The premise for this video is that three of the world's best gamers get a sneak peak at Nintendo's next big console. One of the three kids immediately sneaks off on his own, going through various rooms featuring R&D oddities (a guy trying to jump through a painted, Mario 64 style) to the outright creepy (two people with lightsabers and weird glowing eyes). As my frothing demand for this game increased, so did my viewing of this promo video. I think during the last month of waiting I was watching this thing on a daily basis. Yes, I'm that weird. So here's said video for your viewing pleasure.
http://www.dailymotion.com/blog/video/724921?key=8xk21xkzdmm293mxf6gvjo5jkqqgdqlgqknq7aw1
I used to love when Nintendo would send out these videotapes. Remember, this was 1996, and video previews were an extreme rarity online, and when you found one, it was a blurry RealPlayer video. I also credit this video to getting me interested enough in the new Pilotwings to eventually go out and buy it. I think it's really the photo taking stuff that won me over in the end.
Remember to check back here tomorrow, as I'll be doing a blog every weekday this week in celebration of the N64's birthday.