If you shop for or collect toys, you know the kind of demand that surrounds beanbag character collectibles. From Beanie Babies and Beanie Boppers to licensed characters like Bugs Bunny, the craze has continued and doesn't show any signs of slowing. Now, Seattle-based Bensussen Deutsch and Associates has created beanbag characters that Nintendo and video game fans can enjoy.

　　The first series of Nintendo beanbag characters includes four of Nintendo's beloved characters from the Mario series: Mario, Bowser, Donkey Kong, and Yoshi. Available at 7-Eleven, Toys "R" Us, Best Buy, Babbage's, and the JC Penney catalog, the beanbag characters retail for under US$6.00. The characters are Bensussen Deutsch's first entries into the retail market.

　　Already sold out at 7-Eleven stores, it's expected that these characters will be hard to find as the holiday season approaches. A second edition is already planned for release in the first quarter of next year, which includes four more Nintendo characters (also from the Mario series): Luigi, Toad, Wario, and possibly the Princess and Diddy Kong.

　　Bensussen Deutsch and Associates has created merchandise for Nintendo in the past, such as the Star Fox 64 soundtrack CD, Mario Kart trading cards, and the products in the Power Supplies Catalog packed with Nintendo Power. In fact, last week, its special GoldenEye 007 hologram watch hit Babbage's stores nationwide.