Exploring Nintendo’s Untold Legacy: Before Mario Book Chronicles the Company’s Evolution

Nintendo, a company now synonymous with video game innovation, boasts a rich history that stretches back more than a century.

While many are familiar with Nintendo’s beginnings as a playing card manufacturer and its later successes in the gaming world with systems like the Famicom and Nintendo Switch, the company’s transition stage—spanning the 1960s to early 1980s—often goes unexamined.

"Before Mario," a comprehensive book by Erik Voskuil, shines a spotlight on this overlooked era, providing both context and captivating visuals for longtime fans and industry insiders alike. Published by Funstock Retro, "Before Mario" documents Nintendo’s journey as it evolved from producing board games and mechanical toys into a global gaming powerhouse.

The book, based on Voskuil’s acclaimed website, meticulously covers Nintendo's creative output during a time of seismic change.

Richly illustrated with photos from Voskuil’s own extensive collection, each entry receives thoughtful commentary in both English and French, providing key insights into the development, appeal, and historical significance of each product.

Voskuil’s expertise is clear throughout, and former Nintendo developer Satoru Okada adds further perspective with his introduction. "Before Mario" organizes Nintendo’s milestones into chronological sections, beginning with early board games and simple mechanical toys.

The book then delves into the work of legendary engineer Gunpei Yokoi, whose inventions would later pave the way for innovative products such as the Game & Watch and the Famicom.

Notably, the book highlights unique products like the 1960s line of Disney board games, the company’s exclusive rights to Twister in Japan, and the introduction of N&B Blocks, which successfully competed with LEGO in the Japanese market.

The book also covers technologically significant devices like the Computer Mah-Jong Yakuman (1983), the first handheld gaming system to include an optional link cable—a feature that predated the iconic Game Boy by five years. A key figure throughout the narrative is Gunpei Yokoi, whose engineering acumen is celebrated in the book.

Yokoi’s notable creations, from the Ultra Hand (1966)—Nintendo’s first product to sell over a million units—to the quirky Light Telephone and Ten Billion puzzle, illustrate both his inventiveness and impact on Nintendo’s culture.

As president Hiroshi Yamauchi recognized the commercial potential in Yokoi’s creations, Yokoi’s influence grew, culminating in products that would define Nintendo’s technological direction for decades, including the Game Boy. The book stands as a tribute not only to Nintendo’s diverse catalog but also to the creative minds behind it.

Voskuil’s personal dedication to collecting and preserving each artifact means that every product featured in "Before Mario" is drawn from his own collection, lending the book a sense of authenticity and authority.

Through this carefully curated visual history, readers witness the evolution of interactive entertainment—from physical board games to the beginnings of home consoles with interchangeable media and dedicated controllers, a template that still underpins modern platforms such as the Nintendo Switch and beyond. For anyone interested in the storied past of Nintendo or the broader history of games and entertainment, "Before Mario" is a must-read.

The book is now available for order through Funstock Retro, offering fans the opportunity to explore the lesser-known but pivotal phases that shaped one of the industry’s most iconic brands.

Nintendo Mario Before Mario Erik Voskuil Gunpei Yokoi Hiroshi Yamauchi Famicom Game & Watch Satoru Okada Funstock Retro Telko