We’ve all had those moments when we rip open the wrapping paper and discover that Santa didn’t quite deliver the electronic wizardry we’d been nagging our parents for.
Whether we grew up in the 70s, 80s, 90s or noughties there have been wonderful, gadgety toys advertised for months that just eluded us. It might have been because it was sold out before your mum or dad got to the store. Or it might just have been too expensive.
Whatever the reason, you looked on jealously as the popular kid at school boasted loudly about getting what you wanted. We know, we feel your pain too.
So in a virtual group session of shared painful memories, here’s a whole bunch of classic tech from the last 40 to 50 years.
The best news is that, as adults, you can track them down, buy them second-hand or even new in some cases and covet them afresh as is the case with revived gadgets like thePlayStation ClassicorNintendo SNES Classic Mini.
Nintendo Game and Watch
Long before the Game Boy was a twinkle in Mr Nintendo’s eye, the Japanese gaming giant tested the handheld water with its Game & Watch series.
Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros (Nintendo)
Long before the Game Boy was a twinkle in Mr Nintendo’s eye, the Japanese gaming giant tested the handheld water with itsGame & Watchseries.
Each device featured just one game with rudimentary controls and LCD graphics but they proved very popular indeed. A clamshell, two-screen version followed, featuring characters like Donkey Kong, which could even be seen as the forerunner to the DS.
Stylophone
The Stylophone pocket organ was hugely popular in the 70s and 80s for almost no reason as it make a sound like an electronic cat being strangled.
Stylophone Retro Pocket Synth
It consisted of a metal keyboard and stylus. When you ran the stylus over the keys, the contact between them barked out an annoying, almost offensive noise.
And the least said about Rolf Harris' endorsement of the product the better.
Sphero BB-8
A recent entry this considering it was a massive hit during a recent Christmas, the Star Wars BB-8 version of the app-controlled Sphero was incredibly popular.
A recent entry but still a valid one. This was a massive hit during a recent Christmas a few years back. The Star Wars BB-8 version of the app-controlled Sphero was incredibly popular.
New features were even added to it at a later date, with some excellent augmented reality modes and the launch of a Force Band that can control the tiny robot,
NES Classic Mini
The recreated Nintendo Entertainment System was reasonably priced, with 30 pre-installed games for your £50, so sold out quickly.
When 2016’sNES Classic Minicame out it was a huge success - so much so that it was almost impossible for those who didn’t pre-order one to get it.
Hypnotic and challenging, Simon was a simple electronic game but everyone seemed to have one. Except us.
Hasbro Gaming Simon Handheld Electronic Memory Game With Lights and Sounds for Kids Ages 8 and Up
You had to tap the colours in the sequence as they lit up, with the pattern increasing in number after each successful go. There was also a smaller travel version that you could sling in a bag and we genuinely think a rerelease would do as well today as it did back in the 80s.
Total Control Racing (TCR)
Total Control Racing (TCR) was the cooler rival to Scalextric that ultimately fell by the wayside. That’s mainly because, unlike its peer, the magnetic track that allowed cars to switch lanes also meant that it was hard to actually spin-off so races were nowhere near as perilous.
That also meant it wasn’t as much fun. Still, it was always a playground topic on who had Scalextric or TCR and the latter kids usually commanded the most respect.
Galaxy Invader 1000
Like the Game & Watch, handheld machines were one-game affairs back in the 80s and one of the very best was Galaxy Invader 1000.
It offered a limited but fiendish Space Invaders-style game with aliens coming down one of three lanes on screen and you had to wobble around a small stick to control your fighter craft to stop them.
It guzzled batteries but was well worth it.
Tomy Omnibot
Tomy’s Omnibot, which lasted a few generations before being discontinued, was much like the Bigtrak in the 80s. It could be programmed to go where you wanted and essentially encouraged coding practices.
However, Omnibot also had a few extras up its metal sleeves. For a start, there was a cassette player in its chest so you could breakdance along to its own slow movements.
Wii Balance Board
Considering how badlythe Wii Usold it’s easy to forget that the previous console, the Wii, was a huge hit - especially with families.
That’s why Wii Fit and the Wii Balance Board sold in bucketloads, promising to make mums, dads and the sprogs more healthy through gaming. It was wireless and sensed contact, so different games used it for different activities. Like most fad toys though it ended up in the back of cupboards everywhere, alongside the Guitar Hero guitars and dance mats.
Teksta (Tekno)
Teksta (or Tekno as it is known in the States) is popular in its current form but first came to life in 2000 with a more robotic look and fewer features.
Still, it was advanced for its time and 40 million of them were sold in the first four years after release. It was so hard to get on its first Christmas that plenty of knockoff versions were also popular. And it was reported at the time that parents were fighting each other in stores to nab rare stock.
Anki Drive
Anki Overdriveis the more recent version of this app-controlled AI racing game, but Drive is where it all started. It was also a massive success a few Christmases ago, much to even Anki’s surprise and delight.
The cars have brains of their own, so can stick to the vinyl track well, but it’s the phone application that makes a game of the proceedings that is the clever part. The only drawback is that it’s a pricey present for a teenager.
Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter Drone
A recent entry into our list purely because we think it’s awesome, the Star Wars drone series tick all the boxes for a must-have Christmas present.
Manufacturer Propel crafted something very desirable indeed, especially the X-Wing Starfighter model. It even looks good when placed on its plinth and not actually flying.
Bigtrak (or Big Trak in the US) was a programmable vehicle that essentially taught kids to code many many years before it became popular. Released originally in 1979 but most popular in the early 80s, it had a keypad on the rear where you assigned different actions: go forward, turn left, that sort of thing.
A cargo trailer accessory was also released that clipped onto the back and delivered things, like a cup of tea to your dad. Mind you, considering how long it took to work out a complete programme of movements, no tea would ever get to its destination hot.
A remade model came out a few years ago.
Electronic Battleship
We did get an Electronic Battle for Christmas in the 80s but our nylon carpet created enough static to blow it up by Boxing Day. When our parents took it back it was all sold out and we had to have a skateboard instead. Disappointed isn’t the word.
The game, which basically added bleeps and bloops to the traditional pen and paper or plastic and pegs version, was most notable for its cheesy TV advert: “You sank my battleship”. And literally blew it up.
Nintendo Game Boy
We eventually got a Nintendo Game Boy but not for Christmas. It was the bee’s knees and changed the gaming market forever.
Prior to the Game Boy, handhelds were effectively one-game affairs, but the swappable cartridges were quite literally a game changer.
Choosing Tetris to come free with the machine was a masterstroke by Nintendo. We still have the music embedded in our brains.
