Tetris had been released, priced at a steep 3,480 yen.
According to the earlier exchange rate, that was 19.9 US dollars.
Before Kobayashi Tetsu was even mentally prepared, the factory had already printed ten thousand copies and distributed them to shops all over Tokyo.
Ten thousand copies—this was no small amount for the consumer power of this era, something unimaginable to people of later generations.
Because many famous games in the future would have hundreds of thousands of preorders before they even hit the shelves.
But in this era without online platforms, selling ten thousand cartridges required massive advertising.
With a 10% revenue cut, if all ten thousand cartridges were sold, Kobayashi Tetsu could earn about three million yen.
—That was roughly equivalent to more than a full year of salary for an office worker like Nobita's father in the early 1980s.
With a mix of anticipation and nervousness, Kobayashi planned to go out and check the sales situation himself—just in case Tanaka Minoru was deceiving him.
More importantly, he was genuinely anxious.
He had faith in the game, but… would it really sell?
In Shibuya, on Central Street, wearing a baseball cap and denim jacket, Kobayashi kept glancing around like someone preparing to steal something.
If not for his handsome face that clearly didn't look like a criminal, the patrolling police officer who had been eyeing him would probably have dragged him away already.
Through the shop window, Kobayashi observed the game shop's merchandise—the console boxes, the newly released cartridges, the neatly arranged arcade machines outside, and the televisions showing demo gameplay.
The shop's business seemed decent; customers occasionally came in, chatted cautiously with the staff, and bought something before leaving.
"Donkey Kong, huh. Sure is a fun game."
Kobayashi crossed his arms, watching the demo with interest.
Donkey Kong was basically the gold standard of this era—simple graphics but impressive color use for the time. In that regard, Miyamoto Shigeru really lived up to his reputation.
The three launch titles of the Famicom—released simultaneously with the console—were Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., and Popeye.
Just hearing those names made Kobayashi think of the iconic imagery:
The giant ape throwing barrels from above, the little ape munching fruit left and right, and Popeye punching people after eating spinach.
These games weren't the Famicom's top masterpieces, but they were certainly well-known.
By comparison, Sega SG's launch titles…
Well, Kobayashi couldn't remember a single one.
Launch titles affected hardware sales; after all, people bought consoles to play games, and if the games weren't good, there was no reason to buy the console.
Kobayashi watched the window for a while, and perhaps because he'd been loitering too long, a clerk stepped outside to greet him.
"Excuse me, sir. May I help you with something?"
"Oh, I want to buy a game." Kobayashi pressed down his cap to hide his face. "I want to buy an SG—the Sega console."
Instantly, Kobayashi saw the most dramatic expression bloom on the clerk's face.
After a long pause, the clerk finally bowed.
"I'm sorry, but this is a Nintendo-only shop. If you want Sega, please go across the street."
"…Nanda to?!"
Only now did Kobayashi notice the label on the shop window.
"Nintendo ONLY!"
Meaning this shop was officially authorized and sold only Nintendo-related products—not just the Famicom, but also board games, stickers, cards, handhelds, and so on.
Kobayashi coughed twice in embarrassment, tried to play it cool, and walked across the street.
Compared to the large Nintendo store, the Sega shop across the road was barely half its size, though judging by the worn signboard, it had been around for a while.
The clerk behind him called out again:
"I'm sorry, but… would you consider Nintendo instead?"
Kobayashi waved without looking back.
Consider what!! How could a Sega insider buy Nintendo?!
Could a Huawei customer service rep use an iPhone?
…Actually, yes.
As Kobayashi stood inside the Sega-only store, a man with glasses and long hair—presumably the owner—walked over.
"Shimayose Yosuke. I'm the shop owner. Looking for a game or a console? Just to be clear, we only sell Sega products."
"No problem. That's exactly what I want."
Hands in his pockets, Kobayashi casually asked, "I've got an SG already. Anything you recommend?"
"Oh! You're here at the perfect time!" Shimayose instantly became friendly, even slinging an arm around Kobayashi's shoulder. "A new game! 'Kobaya Shii Pazuru!'"
"…What?"
Kobayashi wasn't sure what that was supposed to be.
He glanced at the arm on his shoulder, took a deep breath to suppress the urge to punch him, and repeated, "What game?"
"Kobaya Shii Pazuru! It's called 'Kobayashi Puzzle.' Very fun! Just arrived yesterday. I tried it—fantastic! Not 4,980 yen, not 3,980 yen, but only 3,480 yen! A wonderful game that'll keep you entertained for months! Sega is a world-class company—what are you hesitating for? Buy it! Buy it!"
Kobayashi inhaled sharply.
He thought it was something else—turns out it was the Tetris he plagiarized.
"Pazuru…?"
Kobayashi repeated the Japanese-English pronunciation, struggling to keep a straight face.
He nearly blurted something out but held it in.
Also…
It was clearly Kobayashi Blocks! Why did they translate it into Kobayashi Puzzle?!
He examined the cartridge several times, then put it back.
He already received samples from the factory—he was only here to check sales.
"3,480 yen seems a bit expensive."
"Not at all!" Shimayose declared. "Nintendo games are 4,980 or even 5,980 yen!"
Kobayashi feigned hesitation. "Is it fun? Are people buying it? I didn't study much, so don't lie to me."
"How could I lie to you! Of course people are buying it! I've already sold several copies today! If you don't believe me, there's a demo over there. Go try it."
Kobayashi followed his pointing finger. By the shop entrance, a TV was set up where someone was intensely focused on playing.
Kobayashi apologized softly and walked over, pretending to read the manual.
In front of the television, sitting on a small stool, was a short girl in a sailor-style school uniform—white top, black collar with neat folds, and a slender, trembling neck exposed beneath.
Kobayashi flipped through the manual and sighed.
Ah!
This manual sure was young.
No.
This game sure was pale.
No.
This TV sure was cute.
Putting the manual down, he folded his arms and watched with interest.
It was clear the player was getting used to the controls, no longer a beginner, stacking blocks intentionally and clearing lines together.
Shimayose suddenly popped up behind him.
"Koyokawa, let this customer try."
"…No." Her voice was cold, her refusal instantaneous. "Rin-ko… paid."
"Well, that's true, but you can't hog the machine all morning for 100 yen…"
Shimayose glanced at Kobayashi with an apologetic look. "Some people pay just to play here. Many don't buy games or don't even have a console at home."
Games were expensive, consoles even more so—priced in the tens of thousands of yen. Paid play wasn't unusual; it was basically like a mini-arcade.
"Sorry, I'll grab another machine. Please don't leave—this game is amazing!"
He hurried back inside.
Kobayashi nodded—he wasn't planning to leave anyway.
"Kobayakawa Rinko, huh." Kobayashi murmured.
The pronunciation was unexpectedly similar to his own name.
Kobayashi and Kobayakawa were both sound similar at the start.
Clearing his throat, he suddenly spoke:
"The game is good, but the way you're playing isn't going to work."
Instantly, he saw her wary, confused eyes—mixed with anger at being insulted.
"If you don't mind, let me try. Don't worry, I'll give it back."
Probably.
Even he wasn't entirely sure.
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