Would videogames be what they are today without R.O.B.?

[dlmvii]

But how many people actually bought their NES from a Toy Store?

I got mine May 9th, 1987. Man, I remember it like it was yesterday too. What I don't remember is where my parents bought it, as they surprised my sister and I with it. I emailed my Pops to see if he remembers. I mostly remember seeing the consoles being sold at stores like Meijer, Sears, and Roses.

Once in a while we'd get games from Kay-Bee Toys, but would usually get our games from a game retailer.

Man, I'm aging myself here, but remember toy stores in malls?

We used to have a Kay-bee in our mall, but it is long gone. Our mall has really gone to shit since I was a kid...It is literally all clothing stores, with a lenscrafters or williams sonoma here and there, but nothing cool. About the only reason I ever go in there anymore is Software etc (and very rarely do I frequent this, though it used to be my favorite place as a kid), and the food court.

[BAD PIXEL]

R.O.B. was pretty terrible. I saved up money to buy one, because I had gotten the Control Deck package with SMB and without R.O.B. or the Zapper a year earlier. I remember buying it at Longs Drugs (which is like a Walgreen's - they sure did sell Nintendo stuff in some weird-ass places back then) and the check-out lady thought it was so cute that all my money was crumpled up bills and change.

I think the stand-alone R.O.B. came with Gyromite?

Anyhow, I anxiously got R.O.B. home. After about an hour of utter disappointment, I asked my Mom if we could take it back. The next day R.O.B. went back to the store and got I Castlevania instead.

[HellHammer]

Oh Atari, and it's quality control...

Thanks for writing this, as I've always felt alone in my appreciation for the little Robotic Operating Buddy. I've had a weird obsession with ROB since I was a kid, starting with the one I got with a NES from my cousin. I've got three now and even at 24, I still break him out to play a game or two of Gyromite with him every once in a while. It's also think it's pretty neat that Nintendo continues to include him in their games like Smash Bros, Mario Kart DS, WarioWare, ect.

The real question is:

Has anyone ever played Stack Up with their R.O.B.?

[Luke]

We used to have a Kay-bee in our mall, but it is long gone. Our mall has really gone to shit since I was a kid...It is literally all clothing stores, with a lenscrafters or williams sonoma here and there, but nothing cool. About the only reason I ever go in there anymore is Software etc (and very rarely do I frequent this, though it used to be my favorite place as a kid), and the food court.

Kay-Bee was awesome. They just dug their own grave by over-pricing their items and banking on holiday sales. It's a shame too, they always had some great board games in stock.

[tahoe2]

But how many people actually bought their NES from a Toy Store?

I got mine May 9th, 1987. Man, I remember it like it was yesterday too. What I don't remember is where my parents bought it, as they surprised my sister and I with it. I emailed my Pops to see if he remembers. I mostly remember seeing the consoles being sold at stores like Meijer, Sears, and Roses.

Once in a while we'd get games from Kay-Bee Toys, but would usually get our games from a game retailer.

Man, I'm aging myself here, but remember toy stores in malls?

We used to have a Kay-bee in our mall, but it is long gone. Our mall has really gone to shit since I was a kid...It is literally all clothing stores, with a lenscrafters or williams sonoma here and there, but nothing cool. About the only reason I ever go in there anymore is Software etc (and very rarely do I frequent this, though it used to be my favorite place as a kid), and the food court.

All the malls i've been to still have Kay-Bee toys. Even though its called KB toys now. Seriously, every one. It's always next to a zumiez, skate shop, play n trade, or gamestop. Atleast 2 malls in my area even have board game shops that sell those warhammer and lord of the ring figurine games where you paint everything and play on gigantic scenery boards you make yourself. But yeah, toys r us= gay. I stopped going there after they stopped selling the original bionicles.

[Luke]

All the malls i've been to still have Kay-Bee toys. Even though its called KB toys now. Seriously, every one.

Sweet.

Do you know if they're a chain, or are the stores independently owned?

[tahoe2]

All the malls i've been to still have Kay-Bee toys. Even though its called KB toys now. Seriously, every one.

Sweet.

Do you know if they're a chain, or are the stores independently owned?

Iounno. I'm pretty sure its a chain since it would be a crazy coincidence to have that many independently owned. And by the way, i didnt mean to say "seriously every one". re reading that now, it sounds mean. I'm not a mean guy I meant to say "seriously, every one of them is by a zumiez, pnt, etc..."

[emwearz]

There is a 3 part vid on Youtube on the history of Nintendo, they pretty much credit R.O.B with the initial success in the states.

[RCBH928]

is it ok if I asked what does the ROB do?

[Hobie-wan]

is it ok if I asked what does the ROB do?

Not a whole lot. For Gyromite, its an overcomplicated way to introduce a 'timer' of sorts and push buttons on the second controller so stuff will open in your game. Not sure how is works with Stack Up/Robot Block.