Just when you thought you’d seen every wild piece of Nintendo merchandise—from action figures and stationery to breakfast cereal and shampoo—prepare to be surprised. The answer to "what else could there possibly be?" is... a ceiling fan.
Around 1988, a product called the "Nintendo Super Mario Ceiling Fan & Light Kit" quietly hit the North American market. This was an officially licensed, fully functional ceiling fan manufactured by the U.S.-based A-America company. Not only did it provide air circulation and lighting, but it also featured classic Super Mario Bros. characters on its blades, recreating the world of the game on your ceiling every time it spun.
An Officially Licensed Nintendo Fan? No, This Isn't a Joke
The fan, model number CFN-1, was made by A-America Inc. of Seattle and officially licensed by Nintendo of America. During the golden age of the NES, when Mario was a household name, Nintendo went all-in on its merchandise licensing program. This ceiling fan was a prime example of its "license anything and everything" strategy.
Marketed primarily for kids' rooms, the 42-inch fan came with four blades, each decorated with a different character: Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser. The central light fixture was emblazoned with the "Super Mario" logo, and the fan and light could be operated independently via pull chains.
At the time, the fan was only sold through North American retailers like Kmart and Sears. It was a niche product that never became a bestseller, largely due to its high price and lack of mainstream advertising. Years later, however, it found a second life as a hot commodity on auction sites.
According to listings on eBay , a used fan in good condition with its original box can sell for over $500. A new, unopened unit can even command prices upwards of a thousand dollars. Its value stems from its rarity—after all, not many families were willing to install a cartoon-themed ceiling fan back in the day, and even fewer have survived in good condition.
Mario Shampoo, Nintendo Cereal: The Licensing Blitz Was in Full Swing
The ceiling fan wasn't even the most outlandish example of Nintendo's licensing strategy. In the early '90s, Nintendo partnered with Revlon to release Mario-themed kids' shampoo and bubble bath, and there was even a Super Mario Bros.-shaped telephone. But perhaps most legendary of all was the "Nintendo Cereal System," a dual-flavored breakfast cereal launched by Ralston in 1988.
▼ The "Nintendo Cereal System" dual-flavored cereal
▼Super Mario Shampoo and Bubble Bath, released in 1990
All of this merchandise revealed Nintendo's core marketing strategy: to make its characters a part of everyday life. They weren't just brand tie-ins; they were cultural symbols that shaped the life experiences of an entire generation of players.
When Nostalgia Is King, Even a Ceiling Fan Becomes a Classic
With the recent surge in retro trends, more and more fans are diving into collecting vintage Nintendo memorabilia, from old NES cartridges and character stationery to, yes, even ceiling fans that could serve as the perfect centerpiece for a themed café.
The existence of this fan is a reminder that Nintendo is more than just a video game company. It's a master of creating memories, allowing its characters to live not just on screen, but in every corner of our lives. Even something as mundane as a ceiling fan can carry the weight of childhood summers, the companionship of beloved characters, and the simple joy of time spent in front of the TV.
via： Oddee The Retroist