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08/23/2004: Vintage Nintendo Storage Chest!

Two of our friends hooked up, got engaged and are now living in sin till the wedding nearby, and during the process of ma-ma-merging, some of their shit had to go. So, thanks to Justin for passing this one along — a beat-up old Nintendo chest from the rarely mentioned “crate craze” of the 80s, where we plowed on with silent obsession for milkcrates, storage chests and just boxes in general. There was a huge line of similar chests available for virtually every childhood franchsie you can think of. I’m pretty sure they’re officially licensed…

I’m not going to tell you what caused the damage shown above; I’ve heard the story and it’s disgusting. Our new Nintendo chest will never double as a plate. Each side features a different NES scene, alternating between Mario, Zelda and BOTH AT ONCE. Looks like a lot of the art was inspired by the old instruction manuals, meaning we get to see that old hag who told Link about glowy triangles and underground ghouls all over again. Here’s the pics, click to enlarge.


Posted by Matt. E-mail me!

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Discussion Thread: 82 comments

First!

Ghosted by sillygolem @ 08/23/2004 10:00 AM EDT

Now that’s out of the way, I remember when I was younger you just weren’t cool unless you had one of these as a toy box. One of my friends had one that was either Transformers or Go-Bots.

Ghosted by sillygolem @ 08/23/2004 10:02 AM EDT

My brother still has his Ninja Turtles chest. He uses it to hold empty phantom menace popcans(somebody had to collect them). Here’s hoping I’ll come upon the one with Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior on it.

Ghosted by cheaptrick @ 08/23/2004 10:16 AM EDT

Holy crap!!! I (still) have the same exact chest!!! I have never seen another one like it before….but mine is in a lot better shape lol. Although it does have a few of the old mario stickers on it from the early 90s. For a pic email me: kingpaco015@yahoo.com

Ghosted by Greg @ 08/23/2004 10:32 AM EDT

It’s stuff like this that makes me wish I’d bought that Super Mario 64 phone at a flea market in Pennsylvania this weekend.
Curses!

Ghosted by Denise @ 08/23/2004 10:51 AM EDT

My cousin had that chest. Hell it’s probably still in her closet!

Ghosted by MecaGeek @ 08/23/2004 11:05 AM EDT

Is it me, or princess Toadstools look a little kid when hold by Mario. Also, I’m guessing orginal Lugi was basically Mario wear green instead of red/blue and L on his hat.

Ghosted by Beta-Theta @ 08/23/2004 11:05 AM EDT

Toad looks happy as Bullet Bill is heading toward Mario and Peach.

Ghosted by Beta-Theta @ 08/23/2004 11:06 AM EDT

Why does Mario look so angry in all of those pictures?

Ghosted by Ubu Rex @ 08/23/2004 11:22 AM EDT

Yups, I have a TMNT crate the exact same size as the Mario one. Its awsome, and it perfect condition. Infact its the holy of holies. I keep all my action figures in it from the days of boyhood. If anyone wants pics let me know, its a kickass box.

Ghosted by Don't Touch, Willy. @ 08/23/2004 11:49 AM EDT

Dude, that story had better be extra-special super-de-duper disgusting, or else there’s no good reason not to tell it.

Ghosted by Seth Christenfeld @ 08/23/2004 1:29 PM EDT

I’m willing to bet that the crate-damage story is all its cracked up to be. My sis-in-law works as a dorm matron at a junior college, and she has a very interesting tale to tell about why all the furniture, bedding, and books had to be repalced in one room. Hint: One student woke up one night, and thought his roomie was "fighting" with another guy, then realized both were naked. That’s all I want to say for now.

Are there belts in ITW?

Ghosted by kingklash @ 08/23/2004 1:48 PM EDT

Damn, Mario looks unnaturally evil in that pic, and Toadstool looks scared shitless. Maybe its an alternate universe where Bowser is good.

Ghosted by A-wel Cruiz @ 08/23/2004 1:55 PM EDT

w00t!
haha, As always Matt, You are the "King of Cool Shit"!

What’s with all the updates lately? Did you lose your job or something? :P
Just kidding, It’s nice to see.. Keep it up, It gives us all something interesting to look at besides the wall!

Ghosted by Cyanyde @ 08/23/2004 1:57 PM EDT

Okay, now my curiousity has been piqued. Tell the story!!!

Ghosted by 4thDown @ 08/23/2004 2:08 PM EDT

Wow, look at that. Peach almost looks like Olive Oyl.
Those crates came in all sorts of designs, but they had one common trait–they smelled inside. And the smell never goes away–it’s in there forever. From the day you open them until 15 years from now, you just can’t stick your head in because the smell is that strong. No wonder they don’t make them anymore. Or do they?

If the current Olympics is too boring for you, travel back to Atlanta with me and my Video Painter, in this super-duper video cartoon! Check my name…

Ghosted by Mars @ 08/23/2004 2:23 PM EDT

I’m glad that someone called her Princess Toadstool. I’ve been boycotting the name "Peach" for, well, forever. And I do believe I’ve never seen a scarier looking Link before. I’m not sure I can stand looking at him. No passion, no passion at ALL!

Ghosted by Meg @ 08/23/2004 2:49 PM EDT

Peach. Peach Peach Peach Peach Peach.

I think the reason Mario looks so scary is because he’s going through his withdrawl period during the HUGE War on Drugs renaissance of the 80’s.

I have a Mario & Zelda Pillow and bedsheet set from when I was a little kid.

Ghosted by Teirusu @ 08/23/2004 3:26 PM EDT

Ah, yes, the smell. That odd combination of wood chips and industrial glue, sometimes blended with cheap paint and more glue to hold the printed paper on the outside. The universal smell of cheap toyboxes.

Ghosted by kingklash @ 08/23/2004 3:57 PM EDT

Shit matt, for gods sake I GOTS TO KNOW what caused the damage !! Its driving me insane !!! PUH-LEASEE !!!!

Ghosted by Pablo @ 08/23/2004 4:08 PM EDT

I have absolutely no memory of those chests whatsoever. And I was big into Nintendo and toys…go figure.

Ghosted by mattbrand @ 08/23/2004 4:09 PM EDT

I might have had either Fraggle Rock or Ninja Turtles (money’s on Turtles), but then again I had too much crap as a kid.

Ghosted by JG! @ 08/23/2004 4:18 PM EDT

It appear on the box there was once two toads but the incident, that Matt does not want to talk about, destory one of the toad.

Ghosted by Beta-Theta @ 08/23/2004 5:31 PM EDT

My friend John had this crate I think. I was always jealous of him because he got Nintendo Power from issue #1, and my subscription started at #2. I was so pissed off for a long time about not getting that first issue. I still have the first year or two in my parents basement.

Ghosted by kidneyboy @ 08/23/2004 6:44 PM EDT

I can’t wait to get my Alien VS. Predator box!
What? What’d I say…?

Ghosted by AstroBoy @ 08/23/2004 6:48 PM EDT

"Nintendo" Box?! I never had one growing up. I’ve seen them but I never got one, my parents were too cheap they made my toybox out of old wood laying around the house.

Ghosted by Caylor @ 08/23/2004 8:08 PM EDT

I have that crate. They also made one with Metroid and Kid Icrius together as well (my cousin got that one, the slimy bastard). I still have every action figure known to man in that thing.

That thing was awesome.

Awesome to the max.

Ghosted by Dumass @ 08/23/2004 8:41 PM EDT

Yes! I love gross stories…that we don’t hear. C’mon! What happened with the damage?

Ghosted by Walks @ 08/23/2004 11:53 PM EDT

Scariest Link ever? No, my friend, that’s in The Wind Waker.

Yeah, Mario does look evil in this and Toadstool/Peach does look messed up. But it was the early days and the artists had to improvise, so whatcha gonna do?

Ghosted by Behonkiss @ 08/24/2004 1:05 AM EDT

Wind Waker Link is cheap, because you don’t even believe that he’s Link to begin with! They trick you. Trick trick trick! But I’ll give you that THAT Link is the scariest one ever. You’ve definitely got me there. ::throws up hands in defeat::

Ghosted by Meg @ 08/24/2004 1:43 AM EDT

Don’t deny Mario or any old school character for that matter. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR ANCESTORS!!!!! We will live upon them !!!!!

Ghosted by phunqsauce @ 08/24/2004 2:25 AM EDT

Holy…CRAP! I too have this exact same crate! Even though mine happens to be in better condition…

For those still wondering what is left off of Matt’s crate, there was a Hammer Bros (its partially obscured in this one), the rest of the castle (with the cannon that fired the Bullet Bill), and what seems to be the lovechild of Bowser & Wart from SMB2

Ghosted by Invader Norbert @ 08/24/2004 3:06 AM EDT

Link could easily beat mario in a fight He would just stab him.

STAB! STAB! STAB!

Ghosted by sdffgfg @ 08/24/2004 10:16 AM EDT

Just read a review of Haute Tension/Swtchblade Romance, set to come out next year. It looks pretty awesome, as far as French horror movies go.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/reviews.php?id=322

Ghosted by trajeal @ 08/24/2004 10:40 AM EDT

I want a box!

Ghosted by Barry J. Deeper @ 08/24/2004 10:50 AM EDT

Is there some sort of a Video Game hall of fame? I’m in KS and we have like 4 or 5 different "halls of fame" for stuff you’d never expect…

The Agricultural Hall of Fame, the Teacher’s Hall of Fame, etc. We’ve also got the world’s largest ball of Twine (eat that TEXAS!).

Anyway, my point is this: Is there a videogame hall of fame? Some place where Mario and Mike Tyson’s Punchout could join one another on a level playing field with sonic the hedgehog and Wonderboy? If so, let me know… but if not, I would reccomend a future article where the exploits of different nintendo characters (and maybe some nominations–complete with reasons) for the hall of fame could be posted.

The box only served as a catalyst for this thought!

Ghosted by Barry J. Deeper @ 08/24/2004 11:03 AM EDT

For this was no ordinary box, no sir. This was a box of ideas!

Ghosted by kingklash @ 08/24/2004 11:52 AM EDT

Good finally some updates. I don’t even recall seeing these boxes. And I think your trying to describe the intoxicating smell of ceader. If I’m not mistaken Mario looks a little frazzled what’s up with that and why is Mario assaulting the Princess? Mario your a very BAD Man!

Ghosted by Rowan Steele @ 08/24/2004 1:19 PM EDT

A box of ideas indeed. Well said. :)

Ghosted by Barry J. Deeper @ 08/24/2004 5:03 PM EDT

Are we expected to believe(acording to the box art) that fireflower enhanced Mario was really Luigi? It makes sense since Luigi had no on screen role in SMB but appeared prevalently in the many sequels. Just something to think about.

Ghosted by pygmalien @ 08/24/2004 6:39 PM EDT

I don;t think the smell is of cedar. I think these boxes were not quite that upscale rich type of box. The intoxicating smell would be more of particle board and wood glue. Not even plywood, cheaper!!

Cedar Nintendo boxes…heh. Only for the rich kids maybe.

Ghosted by kidneyboy @ 08/24/2004 6:43 PM EDT

Well, off topic, you probable not hearing from me on blog from Wed.25 till the holiday since the Fall semster of college ( :( ) is starting back up. But, some thing related to video-game: you guys got to check out http://www.mega64.com or buy the lastest issue of EGM. Think: video game characters (and tetris block) facing our reality ;)

Ghosted by Beta-Theta @ 08/24/2004 8:30 PM EDT

Poor Daisy. She looks kinda young and small compared to Mario. Or, if it’s a mysteriously brunette Peach(and the Japanese have always called her Peach, so nyeh nyeh), she’s DEFINITELY too small. (Thank you SSBM! Finally we see Peach in her true size.)

But I digress to you all. The scariest Link is, in actuality, the Link on the box of the old Zelda board game. He looks like an angry cherub. And angry cherub raising his sword against hoards of Zoras.

Ghosted by Freezair @ 08/24/2004 8:53 PM EDT

It’s shit like this that fucking rocks. However, I’d like 2 know the story behind the damage to the box. The reason why i want to know, is because it’s what appears to have destroyed King Bowser Koopa, and I’ve been trying to figure out how to do that since I was seven (j/k).

And no, that box is definitley not cedar. Do you seriously think that any product from a company that’s simply trying to sucker kids into spending their allowance on cool crap like this is going to be made out of something as expensive as cedar? I don’t think so.

The box is cheap, but it still rulz. I just feel sorry for Justin, who had to give up such a treasure under the force of pussy-whippings.

Ghosted by Nate @ 08/24/2004 9:53 PM EDT

Y’know, now that I look at it more closely, it looks more like whatever happened actually destroyed a hammer brother, and not Koopa. Since I already know how to defeat a hammer brother, I don’t need to know the story of what happened. However, this does NOT change the fact that i may very well WANT to know the story of what happened. A whole new way to defeat a hammer brother? Hmmmm…

Ghosted by Nate @ 08/24/2004 10:02 PM EDT

May be Freezair could has a point with girl Mario holding being Daisy, or may be she neither Princess Daisy or Princess Toadstools (Peach). May be she just a girl with Daisy’s hair and Peach’s outifit, think about it.

Ghosted by Beta-Theta @ 08/24/2004 10:03 PM EDT

Also, I want to comment on Meg talking about how she does not want Princess Toadstools to be call now Princess Peach. Sega, lately is doing the same thing calling Dr. Robotnik now Dr. Eggman (though that what he name in Japan). So, Nintendo not the only one changing character(s) names. I’m guess now I have to get ready for class.

Here agian a link to site you guys should definitly visit: http://www.mega64.com.

Ghosted by Beta-Theta @ 08/24/2004 10:11 PM EDT

A) They’re not changing names–they’re just unifying them for the markets.

B) I too like Toadstool better than Peach

C) Maybe the girl on the box is Pauline?

Ghosted by Cameron T. @ 08/24/2004 11:08 PM EDT

No. Pauline was only kidnapped by Donkey Kong, and was never a princess.

Matt, did you just see the new show Totally Obsessed on VH1? It covers people with crazy obsessions, and one of the features on tonight was a 26-year-old girl who eats, breathes and lives TMNT. She has pizza every day, owns two of the original masks from the 3rd movie, took karate lessons, made a custom Mikey suit, and- this had me laughing so hard- memorized and sang the "Follow Your Heart" song from the Comin’ Out of Our Shells tour, and shaped her life around it.

People, it’s great to love TMNT, but don’t let yourselves go that far!

Ghosted by Behonkiss @ 08/24/2004 11:20 PM EDT

Peach IS Toadstool! Her name is Peach Toadstool. Same person! I swear it’s true!

Ghosted by Brandon @ 08/25/2004 1:59 AM EDT

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