Nintendo Classic Console Backpack Buddies – Paladone

Company: Paladone

Release: 2017

Size: ~7 cm

Main distribution: Europe

Barcode: 5055964708993


This is a keychain collection from ‘retro’ Nintendo controllers and handhelds. They are blind bags that exist out of a ‘backpack buddy’; a keychain with a plastic clip on, and has a plastic Nintendo controller or handheld on it. Most of the buttons can actually be pressed. There are 8 different ones to collect, and 1 chaser; a golden Gameboy, which makes for 9 total. I got 7 of them.

They come in these bulky blindbags. They are dark blue, and showcase the different keychains to collect. It has the official Nintendo stamp on it.

The back shows all 8 different keychains. The packaging has various different European languages on it, so I assume these are distributed across Europe. I bought mine in the UK.

Once opened you’ll find a plain, white cardboard box in it with the keychain inside that. This makes it impossible to feel which one you’ll get.

NES Controller

The NES controller looks exactly like a smaller, Western NES controller. The A, B and D-pad buttons can all be pressed. On the back is the CE logo, © Nintendo, and Paladone information. The keychain clip has an A and B button.

SNES Controller (USA)

The SNES controller looks exactly like a smaller, American SNES controller. The A, B, Y, X buttons are purple. The A, B, Y, X and D-pad buttons can all be pressed. On the back is the CE logo, © Nintendo, and Paladone information. The keychain clip has an A and B button.

N64 Controller

The N64 controller looks exactly like a smaller, N64 controller. The A, B, C-buttons, Start and D-pad buttons can all be pressed. The small joystick in the middle can be moved as well. The Z, L and R buttons can not be pressed. On the back is the CE logo, © Nintendo, and Paladone information. The keychain clip has an A and B button.

Gameboy (Grey)

The Gameboy looks exactly like a smaller Gameboy. The A, B and D-pad buttons can all be pressed. On the back is the CE logo, © Nintendo, and Paladone information. The keychain clip has an A and B button.

Gameboy (Red)

This Gameboy is exactly the same as the grey one, except it’s red. The A, B and D-pad buttons can all be pressed. On the back is the CE logo, © Nintendo, and Paladone information. The keychain clip has an A and B button.

Gameboy Advance

The Gameboy Advance looks exactly like a smaller Gameboy Advance. The A, B and D-pad buttons can all be pressed. On the back is the CE logo, © Nintendo, and Paladone information. The keychain clip has an A and B button.

Nintendo 3DS

The Nintendo 3DS looks exactly like a smaller Nintendo 3DS. The A, B, X and Y and D-pad buttons can all be pressed. It has a working hinge so you can open and close the 3DS. On the back is the CE logo, © Nintendo, and Paladone information. The keychain clip has an A and B button.


I expected these to be one solid piece of plastic, or a rubber strap. They were quite expensive in my opinion for a blind bag (seen them go for £5~8). And previous series were just a flat acrylic with a picture on them. So I wasn’t at all interested in these. Then I found them in Aldi UK for £2 and I thought I’ll buy one and see what they are like. And to my surprise I found them really cool with working buttons and looking just like the real thing. So I went back in and bought 9 in total and hoped for the best. I got 7 different ones in the end, and 2 doubles. Not bad!

I really like that you can press the buttons, it’s nice to fidget with. I’ve been using them as markers, hanging them on the boxes I have their respective controllers in. I just love miniatures and these are basically smaller versions of the stuff I got.

I’m a bit disappointed with the Gameboy variants though. Instead of a red and golden one, they could have made a Gameboy Pocket or Gameboy Color. But it’s easier to use the same mold and give it a different colour I guess. Feels a bit cheap in my opinion. I’m not that fussed that I don’t have the Golden Gameboy because of it.

I would still like to get a GameCube Controller however. It’s the only one I’m missing in the set besides the chaser. I’ll have to keep my eye out for one (and probably pay a bit more for it).

If you like miniatures or retro game stuff, you’ll like these. The quality is great and the buttons can actually be pressed! These are great little presents too.


Got any more details / information you think I should add? Or did I get something wrong? Do you own any of these? Which one is your fav? Do you agree or disagree with my findings? Do you have a GameCube Controller and would like to get rid of it? Let me know in the comments below!

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