Wednesday, October 28, 2009

ZIPPO Sega Memorial: Mega Drive Zippo Lighter

NCS Preorder Synopsis
Update: October 28, 2009

«©NCSX» A few years ago when we were still dabbling in Zippo lighters, NCS bought USA versions in bulk for under $15 each. Some were as low as $5. Imagine our bewilderment back in 1998 when we received a preorder offer from a Japanese vendor for the Beatmania 3rd Mix Zippo. Cost to us? A lofty $60. For a lighter. Sure, the Beatmania lighter was limited to only 500 pieces but it was a Zippo and we normally paid a quarter of that asking price. The Beatmania Zippo was our introduction to Japanese Zippos and over the years, we've imported even pricier models featuring Transformers, Lupin, Final Fantasy, Sakura Taisen, and many more.

NCS opens up preorders for yet another limited edition Zippo today and this one's a doozy. The price is pretty high but that's because the lighter is limited to sale only on a Banpresto website for a limited time between October 23 to November 6. Add in the yen/dollar exchange rate, shipping charges from Japan, and vendor handling costs and we have severe price inflation on our hands. We had to get them for our own collection (the Sega historical vault) however and we're offering them for general preorder as well starting today.

The Mega-Drive Zippo looks like a perfect recreation of Sega's 16-bit console complete with power button, reset button, and the cosmetic ridges on the left of the console. The only giveaway that this is a Zippo is the little hinge on the side which allows the top to be popped over so you can light up a cigarette, ignite a firecracker, or illuminate the darkness with a handheld torch. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late December 2009 and if we get it in time, the Mega Drive Zippo might be the perfect gift for that special someone in your life who still plays Mega-Drive games. In the basement. Late at night and usually accompanied by crunchy snacks.

ZIPPO Sega Memorial: Sega Saturn Zippo Lighter

NCS Preorder Synopsis
Update: October 28, 2009

«©NCSX» Back in the early 90s when we were still dabbling in Zippo lighters, NCS bought USA versions in bulk for under $15 each. Some were as low as $5. Imagine our bewilderment in 1998 when we received a preorder offer from a Japanese vendor for the Beatmania 3rd Mix Zippo. Cost to us? A lofty $60. For a lighter. Sure, the Beatmania lighter was limited to only 500 pieces but it was a Zippo and we normally paid a quarter of that asking price. The Beatmania Zippo was our introduction to Japanese Zippos and over the years, we've imported even pricier models featuring Transformers, Lupin, Final Fantasy, Sakura Taisen, and many more.

NCS opens up preorders for yet another limited edition Zippo today and this one's a doozy. The price is pretty high but that's because the lighter is limited to sale only on a Banpresto website for a limited time between October 23 to November 6. Add in the yen/dollar exchange rate, shipping charges from Japan, and vendor handling costs and we have severe price inflation on our hands. We had to get them for our own collection (the Sega historical vault) however and we're offering them for general preorder as well starting today.

The Sega Saturn Zippo looks like a perfect recreation of Sega's original Japanese 32-bit console which was colored gray. We sold the Saturns for about $600 back in the day. The Zippo's Saturn facade includes the power button, eject, and reset buttons along with the cartridge port on top and snazzy Sega Saturn lettering. The only giveaway that this is a Zippo is the little hinge on the side which allows the top to be popped over so you can light up a cigarette, stave off the cold, or set fire to kindling. Preorders are welcome to ship in mid-late December 2009 and if we get it in time, the Sega Saturn Zippo might be the perfect gift for that special someone in your life who still enjoys a classic Saturn game. In the basement. Late at night and usually accompanied by Cap'n Crunch cereal with a splash of milk.