Dendy: Russia's Fake Nintendo Console 

And they passed on the chance to call it Lenintendo!

I remember being at friends' home watching neighbor playing Tanks. You could pick up the signal, because these consoles were plugged in as antenna and, amplified by the TV itself, emitted some of the signal to the area around- so you just tune in and watch. So yeah- Eastern Block invented Twitch .

The word Dendy is still popular. If I’m playing PlayStation my parents say I’m playing Dendy

6:49 "Vodka is bad, Super Nintendo is good" Sounds like capitalist propaganda but ok

I really love these documentries

I live in Iran and this was the first console my father bought for me when I was 5 years old. I remember my whole family playing with it. My brother and my sister and my father. Many times the adapter burned out and my father had to buy a new one. I remember that for this reason I put the adapter in the refrigerator every few hours so that it does not get hot. :D

Nintendo: Super Mario Dendy: *SUPER MARKOV*

Nintendo: Am I a joke to you Dendy: Da

Stalin as Mario. Now that’s a sight I thought I’d never see.

As a Taiwanese, it’s kinda interesting to know that “our” product had been rebranded and sold in a country that we are generally not familiar with.

The Mario bootleg was actually a re-skin of a game called “Squirrel King”, which in turn was a ripoff of Chip & Dale: Rescue Rangers on the NES.

Released for the patriotic comrade with games such as: - Super Markov Comrades 1, 2 and 3 - Marxist Man 1-7 - Kirbev's Adventure - Bunkervania - Contra-revolution - Tetris (with original soundtrack from Red Army Choire Korobeiniki

“Mario can shoot fireballs, since when can he do that?” Literally the first game my dude

I'm loving these video essay style videos from you, great stuff.

I'm from Brazil, and I owned a Russian Famiclone called "Mega Power" back when I was a kid. I eventually moved on to an original SNES, but that console is what started my long lasting love for video games that persists to this day. I played tons of those bootlegged "100 in 1" cartridges in it. While most of the stuff on those cartridges was crap, I did own one with Super Mario Bros and Contra, so it wasn't all that bad. Oh, there was also one with Hogan's Alley and Duck Hunt. Both contained Battle City, if I recall correctly. All in all, I had a lot of fun playing tons of bootlegs as a kid, and I have some weird nostalgia for those days nowadays. The idea of getting a cartridge without really knowing what you're getting into, and playing a console that's literally just a bootleg Famicom clone. I dunno, I kinda miss it. Oh, and we also refer to copying machines as "xerox" here in Brazil.

I've also watched Kinamania's series on Dendy called "Curse of the Grey Elephant". I find it hilarious that on TV shows like Novaya Realnost Dendy, the host would say things like, "Joe and Mac is just a rip off of Super Mario 15", since there had already been released earlier in Russia a pirated version of Joe and Mac, with Mario and Luigi sprites swapped in. When the ACTUAL game Joe and Mac was finally released in Russia, the original version was accused of being the pirate copy! Comedy gold!

US: 1 Console = 300$, 1 Game = 50$ Russia: 1 Console + 25 Games = 30 $ 🤔

We had the "Pegasus" model here and let me tell you, it was the HOTTEST SHIT in my city. Nobody else even heard about it, so when I told my friends to come by and play some games together, they were so blown away by the console we literally had kids from my school coming to play something every single day. One might say, my parents were angry with that... but they were super cool with it, since both of them were playing Battle City (Tanks) or Contra, OG Mario Bros, Donkey Kong and other games together. It was even decided who will clean the dishes or takes out trash by who will loose in 1v1 in some of those games (ofc who had the higher score) Man I love these memories, when we finally had a PC, my parents were playing all kinds of games (esp. RPGs) and the most popular game here was Might & Magic 6. My mom drew a map of every location and even drew a map of all the locations connected together. My dad then wrote all the potions effects, all the trainers and skills, all the quests and to this day we have that huge book of maps, potion recipies and quest guides in my parents living room stored right next to the VHS when me and my sister were born and our family photos. All thanks to my uncle who went to Poland BY MYSTAKE and needed an excuse for the travel so he bought Micro Genius IQ-502 (Pegasus) as a gift for us (because it was not possible to get your hands on it in my country at the time) God Bless

Was just thinking a couple hours ago, when's my Russian homie gonna post something new. Well here we are lol.

My wife grew up in the Soviet Union, and they had a Sega Master System in the 80’s that was an illegal European import. Lots of people who were the Soviet equivalent of upper-middle class had access to this stuff through the gray market, even before the Denny’s started flooding in.

I had one in like ‘93-94 when living in Belarus. Dendy was sick. every cart had like 100 games on it and with classics not just garbage games.

Russia: Dendy Poland: Pegazus

When you realise that supreme stole Dendy's logo

7:23 here in Brazil, the one that looks like a Playstation is called Polystation

"Vodka is bad Super Nintendo is good" I need a GIF of that

When you are a russian, kinda weird to watch

Nowadays if Nintendo found out a foreign company was making bank selling fake versions of their consoles they’d send a hitman

In Romania we also had NES bootlegs. The most popular one was the Terminator Console

7:26 that wobbly button is a sure sign of incredibly high build quality

12:13 "and by throwing firewalls. When did Mario do that?" Well . . .

Vodka is bad Super Nintendo is good I seriously love Russia now

Dendy: Fake it ‘till they take it! Nintendo: We Good 👍🏻 Don’t support Sega 🤝

I know this is an older video, but I discovered you thanks to Bald and Bankrupt recently and I am really loving your videos! You give such a good insight to Russian life and culture and it's nice to know people on the other side of the world are just as "normal" as me, lol, regardless what the media says. I also started on youtube by watching avgn and can relate. Hopefully this message finds you well and keep up all the great content!!

*GRAND DAD 2020,* Coming Soon To The *Dendi64®*

Poland: Pegasus Japan: Famicom (Family Computer) Russia: Dendy USA: NES (Nintendo Entertainment System)

We Indians had the console called "imagination" best game library ever .

Вы чувствуете на себе чьё-то злобное внимание... Кинаман пробудился!

Nintendo Entertainment Slav

03:58 In Serbia, it was called "Terminator" since it had an image of the Terminator on the box :D

NFKRZ gaming videos???

13:52 This is a sample text. Insert your desired text here. This is a sample text. Insert your desired text here.

"Sort of approved by nintendo itself despite given them zero profit." This is the least believable thing in gaming history.

You should fully transition to Russian history content because this is fantastic.

Heh, I saw Kinaman's video on the topic years ago (Grey Elephant's Curse, for anyone interested). Nevertheless, I'm glad you touched upon this as well - and thanks for bringing back those good ol' memories, Rom. PS. A small trivia for ya: the Eastern-European bootleg of NES/Famicom, Pegasus, was made by a bogus company BobMark, founded by a guy who had preciously imported used clothes from Asia to Polish second-hand shops... however, the mid-90s amendments to Polish Copyright Law - more specifically, 1994 update to _Ustawa o prawie autorskim_ - turned out to be a "little" obstacle to his business. BobMark didn't share the fate of Steepler and go bankrupt, though, and continued to stay in business; and that's because they just ditched video games & started to produce fizzy, carbonated drinks licensed from the West. More info on the topic: /watch?v=T7VMrGr1BhE

As an Taiwanese I'm surprised our country would be mentioned,but than again that time era is probably near the end of our golden age...

“If you like Nintendo…” (Plays Sonic’s soundtrack in background.)

*V I D E O - A S S D E N D Y*

My 7 years old was born and growing up in America where I’ve lived for close to 20 years. We started talking about game consoles and for some reason I felt the need to do some research in the Denny that I grew up with. So many childhood memories with this thing. I can’t remember my exact age when parents caved in and bought one for me. We had this archaic Russian made tv and I remember my disappointment when after hooking everything up the image was black and white. Luckily parents ponied up some more right away and got us a modern by those days some Asian country made TV with a remote. It was great fun playing it with buddies. Shopping for cartridges on open air markets prevalent in those days. Maybe I’ll get one for nostalgic reasons to ruminate about the country where I was born and grew up, and has changed so much.. awesome video by the way

*The Blyatstation*

Is it just me or does stalin look like mario

8:00 "Felix the Cat" NYET NYET PUT IT BACK

My mom bought me Dendy when I was 8 years old, back in 90s... best time of my life!

"Видео асс" possibly means Video Ace

In Bulgaria we had Terminator 2 a.k.a Super Design Ending-Man BS-500 AS

"Vodka bad, SNES good" is probably the most successeful anti-alcohol ad in Russia.

* NES and SEGA Genesis performing fusion dance * * HamY4 emerges *

My childhood was a lie i actually thought dendy was a legit thing

My Bro's Dad Called His Nintendo...a PRETENDO.

Even though I miss a little bit your gaming videos, your documentaries on Russian media are so introspective, interesting and eye opening that make me forget about those a bit. I am so happy how you grew as a RU-vidr, from a gaming channel, to a commentary channel, to memes and currently your documentaries, it's so refreshing yet at the same time retaining your NFKRZ personality. And yes, I've been looking for a Dendy video for years (or at least one I could understand) and this, this is perfect.

You know NFKRZ moving up when he can buy random iconic things JUST to show his viewers. Rock on NFKRZ

This channel is ground breaking. Noone ever speaks of social and day to day life type history of Russian

I started gaming in 1980, when I was 8, on the Atari 2600 of my elder Brother. Which is 18 Years older and already lived with his Wife together in an own Flat. So I could only play, when I visited him, every few Weeks. Later I got a Microvision Handheld, which I still own, a Vectrex-Console (sadly I don't have it anymore), a Commodore 64, a Commodore Amiga 600 and so on. But I never heard of the Dendy-Console before. So it was very interesting. Thank you! :)

That's called a "genericized trademark", when all photocopiers become known as "a xerox", video games consoles all being called 'dendy', and all cold soda drinks being known as 'coke' in the American south. Very interesting video.

There is still a shop in my native city called "Центр Денди" (Dendy's Center). But it's just a history bit. By now they selling only tv equipment and spare parts for electronics.

It's kinda interesting to hear that another country also uses the word xerox to describe any photocopying machine... I actually didn't know it was a brand until now tbh, cool story bro

"OUR CONSOLE" [plays Soviet Anthem]

Your "narrator voice" is so different that I didn't realize it was you speaking until I realized it sounded a little familiar. Great English btw

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA XD Just imagine the fact, that you're a kid on earth, watching TV, and the host, equivalent of the danish "Bubber" (That's for you, Roman), saying "Vodka is bad, Super Nintendo is good" x'D I can confirm, from Denmark, that both Vodka and Super Nintendo is SPITZEN KLASSE!

Kinamania made a great video about Dandy: Grey Elephant Curse (Проклятие серого слонёнка )

Everyone: *Playing videogames* Russians: *Paying video AsS*

I was sort've confused by the Hamy console part of the video when you were talking about the Dendy. It seemed like it had some common titles like the Dendy from what you were saying, but I felt the connection was weak as it wasn't the same thing as a Dendy. Some additional elaboration might've helped there. Also, listing some sources (maybe in the video description) would give you more credibility and let viewers research the topic some more. Otherwise, I really liked this break in style from some of your other videos. It's nice to have a little variety. I enjoyed learning from it. Good job!

5:46 Actually, this translates like "video ace", no "ass")))

I am from Romania and in the 80s where arcade machines and some big shops where selling consoles and TVs with consoles integrated.

Roman: it's pronounced "counter-fit"

It's like the console your grandma brings back from her Bali holiday.

10:48 they actually got the ROM from the official Brazilian port of Duke Nukem 3D. I'm shocked!

I had a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach, upon hearing that Nintendo had invited the Steepler owners to fly to the US, for the sake of attending a meeting in Redmond, Washington. Nowadays, it'll be a reasonably common scenario that the US and/or its close allies will want to arrest somebody for credit card fraud, identity theft, ransomware, etc. They may even want to arrest them with extreme urgency, but if the person lives in Russia or another country without an extradition treaty with the US, it can be impossible unless that country gives them up. (Just ask Snowden!) Often the US-based company who feels they're owed money will try luring them to the US, or to a third country where law enforcement can be convinced to grab them, and extradite them to the US. Fortunately, it was just my paranoia getting the better of me once again, and it actually was a legit meeting. I was half expecting this to be the bad old, 1200 lb gorilla of a company Nintendo started becoming during their boom years in the early '90s, monopolistic and LITIGIOUS as all hell. I was thinking there's a very real chance Nintendo had convinced the FBI, or postal inspector, or some other agency to arrest Steepler execs. I guess the giveaway of it being NOT a setup, is that the Steepler guys were set to meet with Minoru Arakawa and Howard Lincoln, who together more or less ran Nintendo at the executive level. They wouldn't be willing to have the bad publicity of having effectively the CEO of the company used as a 'bait' for a sting operation like that. What do you guys think? Are there spies from Nintendo lurking outside in the bushes RIGHT NOW? Let me rephrase that- How MANY spies did Redmond send this time?

Vodka: Bleh! Super Nintendo: Good! but... Vodka AND Super Nintendo: Awesome!

I had a "Nintendo Playstation" as a kid that used cartridges. There were apparently only 200 prototypes produced?? And we just got it for free from our neighbor in a poor Finnish suburb?? It didn't have the original controllers, but it would probably still be worth a lot today. Unfortunately it stopped working in 2000 when I was 4 and we threw it in the thrash 😭

Dendy as brand is still alive. It's owned by "New Game". By workers of "Great Dragon". And now new consoles are made in Zelenograd.

"TANCHIKI" epta!

7:46 there's a random tp-link router quick-start guide in the box

Japan: we're gonna make the best console for games Russia: hold my blyat, cyka.

Wasn’t expecting a Scott the Woz reference.

Remember optronics in the 1990's and Quantum Loop Logicgates? Feels like 1995 went through backwards revisions

Remember vodka bad super Nintendo good! Why i love russia in a few words lol

How about russian/soviet cameras ( Zenit, Zorki etc.) next ?

Usa and Japan: Original Nes Brazil: Top game, Turbo game, Dynavision, etc.. China: Polystation, etc.. Russia: Dendy I am Brazillian with 10 age and im love old games.

The way you delivered the information in this video was spot on, a very informative and fact filled video brilliant 😊👍.

*shows picture of russian adapters* me: h o w t h e f u c k .?

I recently found out about these game consoles from another RU-vidr. Blew me away. I just thought everyone had access to NES . Thanks for the vid. Have watched a few of your videos and really enjoyed it. Hitting the subscribe button!

Still have my OG Dendy Junior. I was shocked(as probably all Russians), when i got myself an internet access in a late 2000s, that those Dendys were actually ripoff of japanese gaming console Famicom.

Woow good job Roman, really informative and professional video!

I know this video is old by now, but damn Roman, the new type of content you've started making after getting into uni and studying languages is something I really enjoy nowadays keep it up

В продолжение данной истории: следующая на очереди PS one прошитые и диски к ним пиратские. Или как за счёт пиратских дисков и переводов поднялись Фаргусы, 1С и другие ныне легальные студии.

Там всё же больше от Famicom'a чем от NES, нет смысла его даже в пример ставить. У нас ведь в основном именно игры на японском были, т.к. в NES какое то время защита от копирования держалась, в то время как у японцев её не было.

We had Dendy here in South Africa as well, along with the Golden China famicom bootleg console

"Mario either throw stuff or throw fireballs, since when can he do that?" Ever heard of Super Mario Brothers 2 or the fire flower?

The weird thing I did is that I played ripped - off NES titles on my ps2 with a USB stick.

The growing popularity of cheap replicas in Russia in the nineties was due to the fact that many people in Russia were very poor, there was banditry in the streets. To somehow protect their children from the reality of Russia in the nineties, parents looked for different ways to entertain their children. Yes, in the program “Dendy - is a new reality” there was a lot of advertising for the pirate Dendy, but there were also lotteries of consoles from Sega, and there was also a lot of advertising for Nintendo. But due to the fact that some parents did not have enough money to just feed their family, the choice always fell on Dendy Junior, simply because it was cheaper than other consoles on the market, and besides cartridges with games to her were cheap.