“You can build almost anything!”
In 1978, Hasbro began marketing TENTE in the United States and Japan. The line of plastic building blocks was manufactured by EXIN, a toy company based in Barcelona, Spain.
More than a mere LEGO knockoff, TENTE distinguished itself from its Danish counterpart with a unique block design that allowed for more flexible and versatile construction options at the time.
TENTE bricks had larger studs that contained tiny holes in their centres, providing builders with additional connection points. The underside of each TENTE brick was also designed with an interlocking system of tiny 2-mm cylinders, which offered more fitting options than a standard LEGO brick. These differences made the two competing construction toys incompatible.
Like LEGO, TENTE sets were theme-based, allowing kids to build various buildings and commercial and military transport vehicles. Most sets included a mix of curved pieces and specialized bricks, giving finished builds a more polished look.
COLLECTOR CONSIDERATIONS
TENTE has an active and devoted fanbase. When sets appear on the secondary market, they often command high prices, especially if the set is in unused or nearly new condition.
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