Fusajiro Yamauchi founded a playing card company in Kyoto, Japan on this day in 1889. Little did he know that a century later, his small venture would go on to create a video gaming system so influential that young people would not only play it incessantly, but also permanently imprint its most popular emblems into their flesh.

But that's exactly what they did.

In the gallery below are either the most passionate Nintendo fans out there or simply a bunch of folks with little regard for their own appearance. Regardless, these tattoos reminded us of a simpler time. A time when we spent hour after hour in our parents' basements attempting to defeat a clan of evil mushrooms with a crude Italian stereotype. Those were the good old days, though they were probably not good enough for us to go as far as these people did.


Nintendo Tattoos

    That being said, most would be content just to let their old NES live out eternity in the attic crawl space.

    thebbps.com

    Most folks don't remember the Nintendo power glove, but this guy will never be able to forget it.

    wiiwii.tv

    No pixelated skeet is safe when this specimen comes to town.

    Joystiq.com

    There might be a bigger Mario fan out there, but it would be difficult to prove.

    Mariomayhem.com

    If she ever gets pregnant, that Gameboy is going to grow into a Gameman real fast.

    Thebbps.com

    Don't tell this gamer he's not hardcore.

    Flickr

    She's placed the fire flower where it will be well-fertilized.

    Flickr

    Is this a commentary on the way his heart can be played, or the confession of a man who loves Nintendo too much?

    Wayodd.com

    Excitebike, in all of its 8-bit glory.

    Flickr

    Still the most annoying dog around.

    Geekstir.com