This catalog is from that brief era where the 16-bit war was between the Sega Genesis and TurboGrafx-16. By the next Christmas the TurboGrafx-16 was already an afterthought. The Sega Master System was still kicking around, although it received minimal space.
I enjoy the old-fashioned appearance of this catalog, it lacks the neon tackiness often found in late 80s/early 90s material. This is simple and I'd even say classy.
Front cover
Here's Santa delivering some unwrapped gifts. A couple people are having a good xmas this year.
Contents
So this must have hit stores on November 21st 1990.
New NES games
Or I'm assuming these are new releases because otherwise it's an odd combination to lead with.
NES hardware & games
Here's the better lead off... for $149.99 you get an NES with four controllers, the four player adapter, and two games. 30+ years later you're supposed to feel grateful if they include a power cable.
NES & Game Boy
This is another solid page, minimum of three A+ gift ideas.
NES games (mostly Konami)
Wait, it's all Konami here since Ultra was just an alternative brand used to get around Nintendo's publisher limitations.
NES & Game Boy games
The Laser Scope is out of place on this page, or any other page.
NES games
It's difficult to judge if a game is a fair price here. Dragon Warrior II for $54.99 seems high but it's not like there were tons of JRPGs available.
NES games
Bandit Kings of Ancient China for $59.99... kinda the same argument. If you enjoy this genre there aren't a lot of options.
NES games
I tend to overthink how they group games together in these catalogs. I'm not suggesting I can do better, I just wonder about the thought process. This has three "kid games", although the Bugs Bunny game is a general platformer I think anyone would enjoy.
NES games
The reality is there is probably very little planning for the game groupings and publishers pay a little bit for the good spots.
NES & Game Boy games
This grouping makes no sense to me.
Game Boy games
Fall of the Foot Clan is a very short but very fun little game.
Sega Genesis hardware
It's tough to think of a better game console box than the original Genesis.
Sega Genesis games
They're definitely leaning into the Genesis being an "arcade at home" system in this first page of games.
Sega Genesis games
Geez.. nice plot spoiler in the description of Phantasy Star II.
Sega Genesis games
I started Sword of Vermilion 3 or 4 times now and never get more than 10 minutes into it. I think the game peaks at the title screen.
Sega Genesis games
You know the politicians who complained about gore in video games never played a single one. If they did, Technocop would have been on their list.
Sega Genesis games
DJ Boy might have been the inspiration for Poochie.
Sega Master System
This is the last Electronics Boutique catalog I have with any Sega Master System games.
TurboGrafx-16 CD
The price tag on the TurboGrafx-16 CD player is a tough one to argue for. That plus the base unit plus a CD game gets you to over $600.
TurboGrafx-16 hardware & games
Based on the placement and number of pages, I can't help but think they are already burying the TurboGrafx-16 before the first full year of the 16-bit war ended.
TurboGrafx-16 games
Bloody Wolf was $61.99? Alright.
PC Games (page 1)
The PC games section is 15 pages. Right away you'll notice that Electronics Boutique carried C64 and Amiga versions of many games. When I worked there in 1992 there was barely a trace of either left.
PC Games (page 2)
The PC version of It Came from the Desert is something I've been putting off playing for like 30 years now.
PC Games (page 3)
Secret of the Silver Blades is also a deep backlog entry for me.
PC Games (page 4)
It's been a long time but I still remember customers being confused by the Chessmaster numbering system.
PC Games (page 5)
Stunts looks like a Hard Drivin' clone with some licensed vehicles.
PC Games (page 6)
Today The Sims makes players buy all kinds of add-ons. That isn't a new trend as evidenced here.
PC Games (page 7)
This is the Origin games page.
PC Games (page 8)
The original King's Quest V box art is so inferior to the later one most would recognize.
PC Games (page 9)
I don't think the generically named "NFL Football" is a football game - meaning you don't play the game in it. I think it's more like a coach or maybe GM simulation.
PC Games (page 10)
This is the simulations page.
PC Games (page 11)
So Spellcasting 101 is Revenge of the Nerds but with wizards?
PC Games (page 12)
We're reaching peak "weird Tetris sequel" here.
PC Games (page 13)
The description of Countdown makes it sound like an FMV game. It's really a point-and-click adventure with some digitized characters.
PC Games (page 14)
I hoped to find a niche community dedicated to Jack Nicklaus' Unlimited Golf & Course Design. I just think that would be neat.
PC Games (page 15)
Every catalog has at least one game I never heard of with a wild description. Final Orbit is the winner this time around.
Quicken
Oh wow, I really want these gift boxes now. I would unironically use them.
Home office
The company that made all the products on this page ultimately failed because they were too late to port their software to Windows.
More home office
Family Tree Maker has the advantage of your data not appearing in a bankruptcy auction one day.
Print Shop and other home office
On this page you can write a will and create a banner letting your kids know you left them out of it.
Mickey Mouse games
These will be public domain somewhere around 2085 if I understand copyright law for software.
Education/reference
Pre-internet of course. I mean, there is a Prodigy bundle further down but you get my point.
Learning Company games
The box art on these is alright.
Blaster and Carmen Sandiego series
I assume this is the most interesting page of the education section for most visitors.
Education (last page)
A $99.99 encyclopedia on floppy disk, ooof.
Budget PC
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers is a great, likely overlooked, NES platformer. I wonder how the PC version is.
Peripherals
That printer probably still works and isn't even close to running out of ink.
Sound Blaster and Prodigy
The Sound Blaster box never looks dated to me. We need to bring that style back. Also the Prodigy box too, why not.
Logitech products
I've been using Logitech trackballs a long time time, but not this first model because it looks hideously uncomfortable.
Back cover (Atari Lynx)
"The world's first portable entertainment system"? I don't even know where to start with that claim. You know what... nevermind. Happy whatever you're celebrating at the time you're reading this page.
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