Mattel NES?

[Jorpho]

So I was reading a lengthy article at Gamespy about game rating systems throughout the world, when I came across this box shot of Probotector. (I always thought it was Protobector, but never mind.)
http://www.gamespy.com/articles/652/652162p4.html

Look at the text in the lower-right corner:

This Game Pak may not be used with the Mattel or NES versions of the Nintendo Entertainment System

What exactly does this mean? I assume the "NES version" would be the North American NTSC NES, but what's this Mattel version?

[CRV]

Mattel distributed the NES in the UK and other parts of Europe, as well as Canada. Not sure how that makes a difference, though...

[Jumpman Jr.]

as well as Canada. Not sure how that makes a difference, though...

Wha?? Really? Can anybody confirm this. Thats complete news to me.... And I'm the freaking Newshound

[CRV]

Here's a link comparing the "NES" and "Mattel" versions:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Nintendo_Entertainment_System#.22NES_Version. 22_vs._.22Mattel_Version.22

As for Mattel in Canada, I swear I remember seeing/hearing about early games being distributed by Mattel.

[undead455]

Yep the NES was distributed under Mattel's name in canada. Look under the NES it will say Mattel Canada Inc. and the US version will say Nintendo.

[pookninja]

yes,mattel distributed some of the nes games in canada.i have a complete copy of dr.mario that i bought off ebay,and it has the mattel logo on the bottom right hand corner of the box,and on the top of the box where you open it to get the game out it says:"distributed by mattel canada inc"the game box is written in english and french,but the in-game text is in english,and it plays just fine on my us top loader.

[anagrama]

Nintendo originally gave distributiopn rights for PAL-A regions (UK, Ireland, Italy, Australia) to Mattel, but swiftley rescinded them after a year or two when they saw what a balls-up Mattel were making.
Thje Mattel version consoles are quite a bit harder to find than the replacement 'NES versions'.

[marcus12024]

I believe there were more Mattel games distributed in Canada, as several of my store-bought NES games prominently display the Mattel logo on them. I probably have about ten of them, and can provide a picture later today if anyone's interested.

[Jorpho]

So did the Mattel NES actually have something missing that would have prevented Probotector from running?