Bandai

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Ok, so Bandai isn't really known these days for making video game systems but if the name sounds familiar to you it is because they they've been around since 1950 and have had their name on a lot many popular toys.  (Mostly Japanese.)  Bandai does the Power Ranger, Tamagotchi and Ben 10 toys.  If that was no help to you, Bandai also manufactured some games for a lot of the big boys in the gaming world.  (Sega, Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft)  You've seen the Bandai name – it probably just didn't register.  They do have a tad bit of history involving video games but let's just say it's not their "bread and butter".

In 1982 Bandai came out with the Arcadia video game console.  Often a licensee of other companies' products, Bandai's Arcadia was a version of the Arcadia 2001 by Emerson.  What's that?  You've never heard of the Arcadia?  Don't feel bad.  Even if you had seen one you might've called it by some other name because Emerson licensed that same model to approximately 30 other companies.  Oh, and it came out right about the same time as the Atari 5200 and the ColecoVision.  That didn't help it much either but what can I say?  Emerson's – I mean Bandai's – no wait – Emerson's Arcadia still does alright on eBay.

Later, Bandai had a short dabble in manufacturing their own video game systems in the 1990's and early 2000's.  (Pippin, Playdia, WonderSwan, etc.)  None of them were hugely popular but the company itself isn't hurting because of it.  Bandai is so huge in Japan that they have an entire museum just of Bandai goodies.  (Link in the resources below.)  I told you video game systems weren't their "bread and butter".

It's worth mentioning (ehem, that means it's probably interesting to me and only me) that some of the tin toys from Bandai's early years can fetch a pretty penny as well. (TODO: Link to eBay search for Bandai in ‘vintage & antique toys')