What Hasbro Do That What Nintendon't - How Hasbro Almost became a game company during the Stephen Hassenfeld era (1980-1989)
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Hasbro Nintendon't Game Company Stephen Hassenfeld Era 1980-1989 Podcast

Eps 4: What Hasbro Do That What Nintendon't - How Hasbro Almost became a game company during the Stephen Hassenfeld era (1980-1989)

— Rumble Jumble with Lei

During the Stephen Hassenfeld era from 1980 to 1989, Hasbro nearly became a game company, according to a 10-minute podcast titled "What Hasbro Do That What Nintendon't." The podcast discusses the pivotal moments for Hasbro during this period and how they almost challenged Nintendo in the gaming industry. The podcast explains that, during this time, Hasbro had a strong position in the toy industry, largely thanks to their successful line of G.I. Joe action figures. However, Hasbro's CEO, Stephen Hassenfeld, envisioned a future where the company could expand into the gaming market as well. One of the key events mentioned in the podcast is when Hassenfeld acquired the rights to the popular gaming board game, Trivial Pursuit. This move was significant because it demonstrated Hasbro's ambition to enter the gaming world. Trivial Pursuit proved to be a massive success, becoming a household name and further solidifying Hasbro's position in the entertainment industry. Hasbro's next significant step towards becoming a game company came when they acquired the Milton Bradley Company in 1984. This acquisition brought along iconic games such as Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, and Battleship, expanding Hasbro's portfolio even further. The podcast also highlights a crucial moment when Hasbro had an opportunity to partner with computer giant IBM. The potential collaboration aimed to create an IBM-branded game console with Hasbro's games. However, the deal fell through due to disagreements over licensing fees, leading Hasbro to abandon the idea of developing a gaming console. Despite this setback, Hasbro continued their gaming expansion by entering the video gaming market. They collaborated with various video game companies, including Atari, Sega, and Nintendo. For instance, Hasbro worked with Nintendo to release video game adaptations of their board games like Monopoly and Scrabble for the NES console. Ultimately, the podcast concludes that while Hasbro came close to becoming a game company during the Stephen Hassenfeld era, they never fully transitioned into the gaming industry like Nintendo did. However, their strategic moves and successful collaborations laid the foundation for their future ventures into video gaming, setting the stage for their later successes in the gaming market.

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Sonia Duncan

Sonia Duncan

Podcast Content
In this episode of the podcast, we delve into the storied history of Hasbro and how they almost became a major player in the video game industry during the Stephen Hassenfeld era, from 1980 to 1989. Hasbro, known primarily for their toy brands such as Transformers, My Little Pony, and G.I. Joe, had the opportunity to enter the lucrative world of video games, but ultimately chose not to pursue it in the same way that their competitor, Nintendo, did.

During the 1980s, the video game industry was booming, with companies like Nintendo leading the way with their hit console, the Nintendo Entertainment System. Hasbro, under the leadership of Stephen Hassenfeld, saw the potential in this market and began to explore the possibility of entering the industry. They acquired several video game companies, including Atari, and began developing their own games.

However, despite their efforts, Hasbro ultimately decided to focus on their core toy business instead of becoming a major player in the video game industry. This decision allowed Nintendo to dominate the market and become one of the most successful video game companies of all time.

In this episode, we discuss the factors that led to Hasbro's decision to not pursue the video game industry more aggressively, including the risks involved and the competitive landscape at the time. We also explore what could have been if Hasbro had chosen to fully commit to becoming a game company, and how it may have impacted the industry as we know it today.

Join us as we delve into the fascinating history of Hasbro and their nearly missed opportunity to become a major player in the video game industry during the Stephen Hassenfeld era. Learn about the challenges they faced and the legacy they left behind, as we ask the question: What Hasbro Did That Nintendo Didn't?