Dec 18, 2022
N&B Block – Nintendo’s attempt at a LEGO alternative
N&B Block was a toy line created by Nintendo in the late 60s. They were designed by Nintendo’s game department, headed by Gunpei Yokoi (you know, that dude who designed the Game Boy, Virtual Boy, and WonderSwan). The N&B Block used a stud-locking system similar to LEGO bricks, although there was a variation to the design as not to copy LEGO’s patented tube-locking system. That didn’t stop LEGO from suing Nintendo, and while Nintendo won, they eventually discontinued the toy in the early 1970s.