Toy Fair 2013 - I was at Toy Fair 2013 today held at the Javit's Center here in New York City previewing the latest toys that are coming out this year. I figured I'd write a few things I saw at the show but none really grabbed my attention (NECA was a disappointment. They didn't even have the Half Life gravity gun for display! I also wondered why they decided to display their old line as well) except the tiny booth tucked in the middle of the bottom floor for K'Nex.

I first wrote about the Mario Kart Wii K'Nex sets back in spring of 2011 and was quite excited that finally, a big toy company is picking up the Mario Kart license and doing it justice (Carrera, you don't count!). I wrote a review about it after getting a sample from K'Nex and even went to the Nintendo World Store launch (that was an AMAZING experience!). I specifically went looking for K'Nex at the main show floor but found them later downstairs which was packed! I wanted to see what Mario Kart Wii toys are coming out this year and to my surprise, they are adding a few more Super Mario licenses to their roster. They had just one prototype to show to me of New Super Mario Bros. 2 set which featured Mario on a catapult-like device. I spoke to one of the reps who explained all the sets to me and was told that all the new Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario sets are due this June (just in time for summer). When asked how their Nintendo license is doing, I was told that it's doing rather well and hopefully they'll continue to produce more in the future. Expect a review of these sets soon!

It has a nice metallic sheen and bears the likeness of everybody's favorite plumber on its casing (engraved). C

Auction Here

Also:

Pepsi Nintendo Mario Video Game Advertising Pinback
GB Super Mario Land New
Mafia II / Mafia 2 cuffs (promotional item)
Frog Feast Dreamcast (Limited Edition 011/100) (Brand NEW)
Prince of Persia (2008) concept art canvas (485/511) / Press kit
SEGA Mega Drive Collection SEGA vinyl record
SEGA Dreamcast Katana GD-R development prototype HKT-06 GDR
L.A. Noire pencils (Rockstar Games promo)
Jersey Devil PS1 PSX Store Display Promo Poster
Donkey Kong Country 2 DKC2 Standee Store Display
Super Street Fighter 2 Sega Genesis Super Nintendo Display Promo

This was a multi release Chess game for Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, and Nintendo DS in 2009 which appears to have gotten a very small print run.

Copies of the game for both the Wii and DS are selling for $40 - $79, with new copies selling on Amazon for over $130.

Fritz Chess BRAND NEW FACTORY SEALED RARE Nintendo DS Game $99.95 Buy It Now for only: $99.95

Fritz Chess Nintendo DS 2009 $54.99 Buy It Now for only: $54.99

Fritz Chess Nintendo DS 2009 TESTED $50.00 Buy It Now for only: $50.00

SUPER RARE FRITZ CHESS NINTENDO Wii COMPLETE EXCELLENT HARD 2 FIND $49.95 Buy It Now for only: $49.95

Wii Fritz Chess $49.99 Buy It Now for only: $49.99

Fritz Chess Nintendo Wii Rare Complete in Box Low Print Run Deep Silver Game htf $81.95 Buy It Now for only: $81.95

Japan-exclusive Pikachu Yellow 3DS XL (officially the LL for locals). This was priced at ¥18,900 (roughly $238), and available at Pokemon Center stores in Japan on September 15th for those who pre-ordered between August 25 and its release.

Auction Here - At auction and cheapest so far. Everything else is in BINs.

Also:

NES Nintendo Game Cartridge Smart Boy Tetris
Pokemon Legendary Distribution Not For Resale Cart DS
Intellivision Elektronite Homebrew Game D2K ARCADE
Final Fantasy Legend II (Nintendo Game Boy Sealed)
999 9 Hours 9 Persons 9 Doors Watch Promo - Is there any chance the bids on this are legit?
Vintage Nintendo Super NES SNES Killer Instinct set Option 1 or Option 2
Nintendo Gameboy Case Display - Very cool.
Sonic the Hedgehog 1.5 Liter Oversized Glass Beer - No idea if this is licensed, but who dosen't want to drink 1.5 liters of something out of a Sonic Mug?
1996 NINTENDO VIRTUAL BOY STORE DISPLAY SIGN RARE FROM TOYS R US
Nintendo 80's vintage Mike Tyson Punch Out figure - Deceptive auction, you're only getting one.
Bubble Bobble Part 2 for NES complete with box and manual

It is unknown what this cartridge does. All the known copies were said to be nonworking and the DS does not recognize the cartridge when it is inserted into the system.Â

First off, what is Nintendo Zone? Basically auto WiFi connection points authorized by Nintendo.

Bring your Nintendo 3DS system to any of over 29,000 locations to receive an automatic and free connection to Wi-Fi. Once connected, discover Nintendo Zone: watch 3D videos, full length animations and sports highlights, play demos and trivia challenges, find retailer promotions and coupons - and much more! To get started, tap the blinking Nintendo Zone icon on the HOME Menu of your Nintendo 3DS system.

I'm cobbling stuff together here from various forum threads, so hopefully someone with more dev experience can chime in.  Some people report that the Nintendo Zone point has been running off a DSi-XL , which had a DS cart locked into the system. Other posts make references to the device at the left, which is apparently hooked to a laptop.

I'm guessing this cart is from one or both of those scenarios. Either way, cool cart and the first time I have seen one listed.

Auction Here

Seller also has two non working Nintendo DS Test Debug Cartridges marked Wireless Test and NTR Audible Button Test.

You've probally heard about the straight up flood of video games looking for funding on the crowd sourced site, Kickstarter.

Right now, someone is looking to funding for their DS game, Diamond Trust of London.

Diamond Trust is a two-player, turn-based, simultaneous-decision strategy game about diamond traders operating in Angola in the year 2000. Over the course of eight in-game months, diamonds accumulate in various regions to be taken by the highest bidder, and whoever brings the most diamonds back from Angola wins. Outfoxing your opponent is your main tactic, but bribing and spying mechanics complicate things. When agent loyalty waivers, your hidden information can be revealed to your opponent without you knowing that it has been revealed. On the other hand, you might know that one of your agents has been bribed by your opponent, but does your opponent know that you know?

Why You Care

To be honest, it's because of the 1000 copy Limited Edition. Only 1000 of these will be available, ever, and this is the main route to get one. Signed and numbered. There's only around 230 left up for grabs as of posting. I bought two, making this the first Kickstarter I've ever contributed to. While the price is almost guaranteed to rise upon release, I think they'll make killer tradebait.

Pocket Gamer has a preview of the game, which actually seems pretty cool as well.

You can check out the Kickstarter here. They currently have 752 Backers with $49,986 pledged of the $78,715 goal with 13 days to go.

Thanks Mari!

These are from the same seller who had the Zoroark Distribution carts last week - which sold for $350, $320 and $380 shipped. Now they have a lot of carts which include:

• 3ds Demos - Super Street Figher 4 and Piliotwings Resort
• DSI Video Demo Volume 2
• Americas Test Kitchen
• Download Station Carts Volume 9,13,16,17,18,19
• Picross3D
• Mario Vs Donkey Kong

Auction Here - Seller is asking $500 OBO, which is roughly $40 a cart.

Also:

Factory Sealed New Lot of 35 PS3, PS2, Wii - A ton of Collector's Editions here.
Sky Kids NES Prototype - According to the seller the prototype is dated July 16, and was received directly from a Nintendo rep back in the late 80's.
Sony Playstation 2 Tool Dev Kit - Hard drive has been wiped however.
Death Duel Sega Genesis 1991 Proto - Included is a note from an Executive VP to Toys R Us and an instruction summary.
Gameboy Road Rash Proto
Nintendo Satellaview Console -
The Satellaview is a satellite modem add-on for Nintendo's Super Famicom system that was released in Japan in 1995.
Nintendo Virtual Boy TravelMaster branded Hard Case - This is apparently a super rare accessory and is what the standard Blockbuster hard case is based off. This same mold, but there are precise differences showing the Blockbuster as a later manufacture.
Mortal Kombat 3 Frisbee
The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time N64 Press Kit
NES Hammerin Harry - PAL Exclusive.
Nintendo DS Mew Limited Edition

To my knowledge, this is the first time a Pokemon Zoroark NFR cart has been sold at auction. I know a lot of DS demo collectors who are looking for this one. In the states these were used at Toys R Us on September 18-25th of last year.

Auction Here

This is from the same seller who has had multiple DS Pokemon Celebi Distribution carts for sale recently, ending from $120.00 - $175.00.

Also:

All Zombies Must Die Promo Zombie Hand
1980 Pepsi Nintendo Holiday Game Bottle Cap
Super Mario Bros Movie KFC Puzzle - This puzzle was originally given away by KFC to promote the Super Mario Bros Movie and according to the seller, he has never seen another in a year of looking. (Thanks Flint!)
Gods Of War 3 Ghosts Of Sparta Press Kit - (Thanks Dave!)
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 E-Reader Bundle - (Thanks Jeramy!)
Microsoft Xbox 360 Japan Import Biohazard 5 Limited Edition
Sonic Generations w/ U.S. Press Kit
Playstation 2 Wine Accessory Set
1980 Vintage Pac-Man Roller Skates
Gears of War 3 Promo Countdown Clock

This seller has a bunch of NFR carts ending very soon. Some decent prices there for bids currently.

* Link removed, auctions ended*

Sonic Rush Nintendo DS 512k Prototype cartridge - SEGA UK press review item from approx 5 years ago. In perfect condition. Not sure if this is the final version of the game but I'm assuming it is. Writing on the front label reads... SO UK 512k. There is a sticker on the back (as you can see) and a Nintendo logo printed higher up the back of the cart. The cart unscrews to reveal the chip and dip switch inside.

Auction Here