Nintendo Switch Online Adds Rare Dataship 1200 Icon as Part of Retro Console Series

Nintendo Switch Online Adds Rare Dataship 1200 Icon as Part of Retro Console Series Nintendo continues to celebrate its rich history with its Switch Online Missions & Rewards program, a service introduced in April 2022 that gives subscribers the opportunity to collect exclusive digital icons.

As anticipation builds for the rumored Switch 2 launch later this year, Nintendo is honoring its past by releasing a special series of icons based on its iconic home consoles.

This latest rollout spotlights both the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and its Japanese counterpart, the Famicom, as well as the much-loved Nintendo 64.

The new NES-themed icon set goes beyond the classics, offering deep cuts from Nintendo's hardware archives.

One icon in particular stands out to aficionados of Nintendo history: the Dataship 1200.

This obscure and often overlooked console, featured in the top right of the icon lineup, is easily missed by all but the most dedicated collectors.

Recognized by its distinct black design and an unusual controller equipped with a numeric keypad, the Dataship 1200 remains a unique chapter in Nintendo's extensive hardware journey. Launched exclusively in Japan around 1989 or 1990, the Dataship 1200 was both a Famicom-compatible device and a banking terminal.

Rather than using traditional game cartridges, this rare system featured a data card reader and a built-in network function, allowing users to carry out real-world banking tasks—an exceptionally forward-thinking concept for its time.

Due to a limited production run, Dataship 1200 consoles are extremely scarce, with only a handful of documented sightings among collectors today. For enthusiasts eager to take a closer look at this historic device, the Mario Museum website, curated by noted collector Steve, offers an impressive array of photographs and information on the Dataship 1200 and other Nintendo rarities.

Nintendo has previously referenced the Dataship 1200 in their icon sets—having included it once in September 2022—but many users may have missed this lesser-known system during its initial appearance. Now, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers have a second chance to add the Dataship 1200 to their personal collection of account icons.

This retro-themed icon is available to all NSO members through the Missions & Rewards program until May 27, 2025, after which the spotlight will shift to Nintendo’s handheld era with Game Boy and Game Boy Advance icons.

Members can use their earned Platinum Points to redeem the icon via the Nintendo Switch eShop. By showcasing the Dataship 1200 alongside mainstream classics, Nintendo not only celebrates its celebrated console history but also offers a nod to the fascinating and sometimes eccentric innovations that have helped define the company's legacy.

To learn more or to view images of the Dataship 1200, fans are encouraged to visit the Mario Museum online. Stay tuned to Nintendo Switch Online for more unique and historically significant icon releases as the platform continues to pay tribute to Nintendo’s distinguished past.

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