#29: Nintendo Test Station
Sadly, this is the best pic I can find of one right now...the one on the right belongs to nesguy now! These were used to test everything for the NES...games, accessories, systems, cords, ROB...anything first party! There were usually set up in Service Centers for customers to use as a quick way to see if their items were actually defective or not.
#31: VHS Test Station Manual Part 2
I'm going camping, so I thought I'd share a bit of an oddity that I'm assuming not too many people know exists. This VHS is entitled "Test Station Manual, Part 2" and coincides with the paper manual to show how the unit is used. It is right around 12 minutes long and has a date of 03-12-91 on it. The tape shows the test functions and has a two person narration (male and female) explaining everything. I haven't watched it in a few years, but I'm thinking that it mentions the controller test jig.
#32: Nintendo Rebate and Attorney General Letter
I'm kind of pressed for time so I decided to add this pic rather than go look for another Service Center item...I wrote an article about this in one of the ezines (if you didn't have a chance to read it, check it out!) Back when Nintendo thought it was the Bee's Knees of videogaming, they decided to bully retail outlets into maintaining a certain price point for their games and also used scare tactics so they wouldn't sell any games made for the NES by unlicensed companies. If any chains were found not complying with Nintendo's demands, they would cease shipping any and all Nintendo products to said company. But, when the government was made aware of this situation they filed a suit against Nintendo. This was settled by Nintendo, who proclaimed their innocence the entire time, yet agreed to send anyone who registered their Nintendo products a $5 rebate to be used on any official Nintendo cartridge or accessory if the lawsuit was dropped. This is the rebate, along with a letter sent from the Attorney General of Texas explaining everything that happened.
#33: Custom Princess Tomato Poster
I finally bought a frame for this darn thing...it is going to be hanging in my daughter's room soon! Big thanks to Uncle Tusk, I love it and I hope when she gets a bit older she will too!
I completely agree. It got the job done and got us this sweet hobby.
The Princess Tomato poster is pretty cool, I definately wouldnt mind having one of these made up for a game or two.
#34: Diddy/Dixie Kong Repair Poster
This is actually one of my favorite Service Center Posters for one reason or another. I suppose that I just really dig the fact that it has some action going on in it. It's the only one of its kind that I've ever seen (obviously more than likely there are a few floating around somewhere).
#35: Genuine Nintendo Spare Parts Sign
This sign was used as a countertop display in Service Centers. It's made out of a thick, glossy cardboard and the back folds out to create a stand. For some reason, the style reminds me of pre 80's advertising...can't really explain it.
#36: N64 Test Cart
I'm pretty tired tonight, so I don't have the energy to write up a big thing on this. This is a N64 test cart, it was used to test the systems, controllers and games.
#37: Nintendo Shelf Covers
These don't really look like it, but they did come from Service Centers (I don't know if they were exclusive to service centers, but I've seen them come out of more than one place). They are obviously SNES era and sport Mario, Bowser, Princess Peach, a Stormtrooper, some dude from Killer Instincts, Kirby, Diddy Kong, Donkey Kong and Dixie Kong. The Stormtrooper and Killer Instincts dude kind of throw me off and kerby doesn't look like he belongs at all, but they are still really interesting and definitely fit the vibe of the SNES.
#38: Official Security Bit Set
Here's some of the tools Servicers used to clean/service games, systems and accessories. On the bottom half from left to right: Phillips head, Security Bit (for 5 screw games), Security Bit x2 (For NES, SNES & N64 games), Security Bit (Mainly for systems)
