Tuesday 5 February 2008

Sega History Collection Gashapon

We all know those little vending machines for chewing gums from our childhood. They were available at every second corner (at least in germany) and sometimes even featured tiny little toys inbetween the chewing gum balls. Of course it was cheap crap only like rings made out of plastic or little cars. But when the japanese do something like that, they do it right. They have a similiar concept (called Gashapon) with some important differences: The chewing gum is gone for good, the prices range from 100 to 300 yen (1 - 3 USD) and inside you'll find toys only. What makes them really great is the fact, that you'll often find videogame related stuff in them. Little Nintendogs cell phone screen wipers, Capcom Vs. SNK 2 fighter figures and even the Sega History Collection, which is particulary interesting for us since it features a Sega Saturn as well!



Well yes, it basically is still cheap plastic crap, but of much higher quality, than anything that comes out of vending machines across Europe. Take a look at the pictures of the Sega Saturn. It's incredibly detailed and well painted. It has all ports modelled out, even the video and power ones. You can attach and detach the Joypad in its port and even open the lid. It's roughly about 3 cm in size and features lovely stickers with text on it as well. It comes with a Virtua Fighter 2 CD and jewel case, too! Isn't that great? You can often buy complete Sets of them from import shops like Play-Asia or browse ebay for them.

(click the pictures for a bigger view)


8 comments:

elend said...

Yeah, I do have the complete Set, too! It's really great. Gotta buy some more, when I find some in Japan.

ArugulaZ said...

Oh man, me wanty!

FYI, there are also Gashapon in Japan that actually play video games. Granted, they're just LCD games, but it's still pretty impressive that they're putting these things in gumball machines, Happy Meals, and cereal boxes. Twenty years ago, you would have paid twenty dollars for one of these things. Twenty five years ago, it would have been closer to fifty!

Unknown said...

Awesome, does anyone have one of those or now if anyone ships them? That's really pretty awesome, i'd like to see it scaled with a coin or something to get the real feeling of the size.

elend said...

Here's a complete Set: http://tinyurl.com/2fhz6h

Here compared to a random coin (?): http://tinyurl.com/ysdomj

And here for a better comparison, compared to a Saturn Joypad! http://tinyurl.com/yq9hou

gnome said...

For a moment there I was sure this was the proper -definitely not 3" long- console. Lovely!

fatherkrishna said...

OOOHHH! Can you get me one when you go to Japan elend? Please! Please! Please!!!

elend said...

Father: No problem! I'll look out for some.

Anonymous said...

Hey,

do you know, where I can buy it? Ist so cooooool and perfect.
Thank you.
Nadine