N&B Block

N&B Block (Nintendo Block, 任天堂 ブロック in Japanese) was a line of plastic construction brick toys produced by Nintendo from 1968 to about 1972. The bricks were very similar to and compatible with LEGO bricks. In an attempt to avoid infringing on LEGO's patented stud-and-tube system, Nintendo used a series of half tubes connected together on the underside of the bricks to provide the same function as LEGO's design. They innovated by producing rounded bricks at a time when most LEGO bricks were still only available in standard rectangular shapes.

Another difference between the two brands' bricks was the material used. LEGO bricks were made of ABS plastic by the time N&B Block was introduced, but N&B Blocks were made of a more brittle, almost glassy-sounding plastic. The manufacturing tolerances were not as precise as LEGO, making some N&B Blocks adhere too tightly and some too loosely. 

Subject ID: 125535

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N&B Block (Nintendo Block, 任天堂 ブロック in Japanese) was a line of plastic construction brick toys produced by Nintendo from 1968 to about 1972. The bricks were very similar to and compatible with LEGO bricks. In an attempt to avoid infringing on LEGO's patented stud-and-tube system, Nintendo used a series of half tubes connected together on the underside of the bricks to provide the same function as LEGO's design. They innovated by producing rounded bricks at a time when most LEGO bricks were still only available in standard rectangular shapes.

Another difference between the two brands' bricks was the material used. LEGO bricks were made of ABS plastic by the time N&B Block was introduced, but N&B Blocks were made of a more brittle, almost glassy-sounding plastic. The manufacturing tolerances were not as precise as LEGO, making some N&B Blocks adhere too tightly and some too loosely. 

Two decades after the line's discontinuation N&B Block made an appearance as part of a stage in the game Super Mario Land 2 for Game Boy.

Subject ID: 125535

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