The National Museum of Play: A Treasure Trove of Toys and Games

Summary

In this article, we explore the National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, and its amazing collection of toys, games, and video games, including Atari and rare items. We delve into the importance of making collections available to the public and the design and testing process of games. We also highlight some of the rarest and most expensive items in the collection.

Atari and the Importance of Making Collections Available
The Design and Testing Process of Games
Rare and Expensive Items in the Collection

Atari and the Importance of Making Collections Available

The National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, is home to one of the world’s most amazing collections of toys, games, and video games, including Atari. The museum believes in making collections available to the public rather than hoarding them away. Visitors can play games and see firsthand the design and testing process of games. The collection includes a Gacha machine, a predecessor to Pac-Man, and a Street Fighter machine, which was Atari’s work on a deluxe edition of the game.

The Design and Testing Process of Games

Games are not created overnight; they go through a long process of design and testing. The Street Fighter machine, for example, originally had two large buttons for punching and kicking. Players had to slam them harder to make their punches stronger in the game. Capcom encouraged people to hit the buttons harder to make the punches even stronger, and some even drop-kicked the machine to see if it made the punches even stronger.

Rare and Expensive Items in the Collection

The museum has an archive of incredible items, including rare and expensive ones. Among these are the Famicom Disk System, which was never released in the US, and Mario, which was too difficult for American audiences. Nintendo of America re-skinned the game with Mario sprites, and American audiences played Doki Doki Panic instead of Super Mario Bros. The collection also includes some of the rarest and most expensive items, such as the All-Star Power League, which comes with a tiny instruction sheet that doubles its value.

Conclusion

The National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, is a treasure trove of toys, games, and video games, including Atari and rare items. The museum’s philosophy of making collections available to the public allows visitors to see firsthand the design and testing process of games. The collection includes some of the rarest and most expensive items, making it a must-visit destination for toy and game enthusiasts.