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DotGraphic Nintendo and Namco 8-bit Style 3D Dioramas with Sound From 2006
Almost 20 years ago, as I'm writing this article, I picked up two sets of these DotGraphic dioramas with sound. There was a set for Namco and another set for Nintendo. I grew up in the initial age of video games in the arcade and then the console age that followed. However, I was more into the Commodore 64 and Atari computers than the NES or the Super NES and Genesis systems. So I've played a lot of the arcade games, starting with Lunar Lander on the PDP-11 mini-computer, which was not really all the mini for the tech at the time! I remember going over to the pizza parlour or the tech college to play Space Invaders when it first came out and spent quite a few quarters on Galaxians! I did play some Donkey Kong in the arcade version and a bit on the Nintendo at friends' houses.
DotGraphics Dioramas on my shelf.
These DotGraphic sets are pretty simple, but they evoke a lot of nostalgia for me. Each set has a few 8-bit style figures or pieces are done up in 3D, so they stick out from the backdrop. The backdrop is a sheet of clear plastic with square peg holes and a black plastic backing. A piece of paper with an image from the videogame was inserted between the two sheets. You then positioned the 3D pieces where you liked. The base is black with the name of the game printed on the front and has a button to trigger the sound effects from the appropriate game in the bottom right corner. Each base needed 2 tiny batteries, but they lasted while in them. Triggering the sound effects is kind of fun, and I just feel the need to push a button every so often. There is only one sound effect for each diorama. I leave my figure set on the shelf where I need to dust them every few weeks :(
Video showing all of the dioramas with their sound effects.
Namco DotGraph 3D Dioramas 2006
DotGraph package front graphic.
Namco Company: Namco, founded in 1955 in Japan, began as a children's ride manufacturer. Over time, it became a leading video game developer and publisher. Notable for its innovative arcade games such as Pac-Man, Galaxians, and Galaga, Namco merged with Bandai in 2005, forming Bandai Namco Entertainment. The company has continued to create beloved games and franchises, shaping the gaming industry with their creativity and technological advancements.
Three very popular Namco games. When quarters were worth a lot more!
Galaxian (1979): An early fixed-shooter arcade game by Namco, where players control a starfighter to destroy waves of alien ships in a dramatic space battle. This was a big change from Space Invaders which was black and white and didn't have randomly moving enemies diving down at you!
Dig Dug (1982): Players dig through the ground to eliminate underground monsters by inflating them with an air pump or by dropping rocks on them.
Xevious (1982): This vertical scrolling shooter game has players pilot a spaceship called the Solvalou, attacking both air and ground targets. This was a fun game, but I was never very good at this!
The rest of the Namco Dioramas. These are lesser known videogames. Can you guess which one is the Nintendo game out of these?
New Rally-X (1981): This maze driving game is a sequel to the original Rally-X. Players collect flags while avoiding enemy cars. It includes enhancements such as a new maze layout and improved graphics.
Mappy (1983): This side-scrolling platform game follows a police mouse who retrieves stolen items from a house full of booby traps, guarded by cats called Meowkies.
The Tower of Druaga (1984): In this action role-playing maze game, players guide the knight Gilgamesh through floors of a tower, battling enemies and collecting treasures to rescue the priestess Ki. Never really played this but saw the anime!
Nintendo DotGraph 3D Dioramas 2006
Nintendo Company: Founded in 1889, Nintendo started as a playing card company in Kyoto, Japan. It ventured into toys and electronics in the 1960s and 1970s before becoming a pioneering force in the video game industry. Nintendo introduced some of the most beloved franchises and characters in gaming history, including Mario, Zelda, and Donkey Kong. Their innovative approach and high-quality games have made them a household name and a cornerstone of the gaming world.
Most of these games were for the NES system, and the rest is videogaming history!
Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): Released in 1983 (as the Famicom in Japan) and 1985 (as the NES in North America), the NES revolutionized the gaming industry. It was known for its groundbreaking games, quality graphics, and user-friendly controller design. The NES was pivotal in reviving the video game market after the crash of 1983, setting the stage for the modern gaming industry with its extensive library of classic titles and innovative gameplay.
The Legend of Zelda (1986) History & Gameplay: An action-adventure game where players control Link on a quest to rescue Princess Zelda and defeat the evil Ganon. The game involves exploring an open world, solving puzzles, and battling enemies, with innovative elements like inventory management and non-linear gameplay.
Donkey Kong (1981) History & Gameplay: Created by Nintendo, this iconic arcade game introduced the world to Mario (initially known as Jumpman) as he attempts to rescue his girlfriend, Pauline, from the giant ape, Donkey Kong. Players navigate platforms, ladders, and obstacles, avoiding barrels and other hazards thrown by Donkey Kong. A popular arcade game making both Mario and the big ape famous!
Mario Bros. (1983) History & Gameplay: An arcade platformer by Nintendo, featuring Mario and his brother Luigi. The goal is to defeat creatures emerging from the sewers by flipping them onto their backs and kicking them off the screen. The game introduced cooperative and competitive two-player gameplay.
Balloon Fight (1984) History & Gameplay: Players control a character with two balloons attached, popping enemy balloons while avoiding obstacles and staying afloat. It features both single-player and multiplayer modes, including a bonus "Balloon Trip" mode. Didn't include a picture of this one, see the embedded video for it (oops!).
Super Mario Bros. (1985) History & Gameplay: A groundbreaking platformer for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), where players guide Mario (and Luigi in two-player mode) through the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. The game features various levels with different themes, power-ups, and enemies, setting the standard for future platform games.
Ice Climber (1985): Players control Popo and Nana as they climb icy mountains, using hammers to break blocks and defeat enemies while reaching the top. Ice Climber is shown above with the Namco games - I thought it was a Namco game until I looked it up!
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