From playing cards to love hotels, Nintendo dabbled in numerous business enterprises in Japan before they started making video games. Most of Nintendo's early business failed, and it wasn't until they became a video game developer and console manufacturer that they saw any success. Nintendo made some odd toys throughout years, including a toy called a "Power Lift" that would lift up objects via remote control and a "Love Tester" that was used in arcades and carnivals by couples to determine how compatible they were with each other. They also made a remote controlled vacuum cleaner called a "Chiritory", an RC car and a device that shot soft balls. Of course, their oddest and most controversial product (service, really) were the Nintendo love hotels.







During the 1960s, NIntendo used to run love hotels in Japan. These were hotels that featured hourly rates and were mainly used by couples and prostitutes. It is possible to stay overnight at these hotels, but most of them don't offer this service until after 10 p.m. These hotels were very discreet, and most of the time interaction with hotel staff was very limited. In fact, many of these love hotels featured a number pad that was used to rent a room and the keys (and bill) were sent through a pneumatic tube. Nintendo love hotels are no longer around, but many other companies still run them and remain popular in many parts of Asia. They aren't just used by prostitutes or lovers seeking a quick getaway, business travelers also use them due to their cheap rates.



Nintendo's foray into the love hotel business was short-lived, and afterwards they got involved running a taxi company, a TV station and made instant rice. They also invented a product called the "Ultra Hand", which was essentially a reaching device that allowed people to reach objects that they normally wouldn't be able to get. It's been said that the "Ultra Hand" is what saved Nintendo from bankruptcy, and if it if wasn't for this strange invention they would have never gotten into the video game industry. Before any of this, however, Nintendo was fairly successfully at making playing cards.







When Nintendo first became a company in 1889 they made Hanafuda (literally, "flower card") playing cards that were hand painted on tree bark. Hanafuda are cards that used to play different games, and were very popular in Japan during the late 18th century. The game was banned for a period of time, but it was revived again by Nintendo when the Yakuza became interested in the Hanafuda cards Nintendo was making. Oddly enough, Nintendo still makes Hanafuda cards and they are available to people that are members of Club Nintendo.



These new cards feature characters from Super Mario Bros. instead of flowers, and cost 800 gold coins. These gold coins used to buy Club Nintendo products are obtained by filling out surveys throughout the year and registering Nintendo products through one's Club Nintendo account. There are a few other classic Nintendo products available through Club NIntendo, including the Ultra Hand and the the classic Game & Watch: Ball handheld game.



