Do you remember the days when handheld electronic games were all the rage? It’s hard to believe that those small, battery-powered devices could captivate an entire generation, but they did just that in the 1980’s. These games were the ultimate in portable entertainment, allowing you to take your favourite games with you wherever you went. In this article, I’ll take a trip down memory lane and explore the world of handheld electronic games from the 80s.
History of Handheld Electronic Games
Handheld electronic games have been around for over 40 years, but it was in the 1980s that they really took off. Some of the earliest handheld games were Mattel’s Auto Race and Football, which were released in 1977. These games used simple LED lights to display the action on the screen.
In the 80s, handheld games technology advanced rapidly with the introduction of LCD screens. This allowed for more complex games and better graphics. Companies such as Nintendo, Mattel, and Milton Bradley were the key players in the market, producing a variety of handheld games in different form factors.
Some of the most popular games from the era included Donkey Kong, Pac-Man, and Simon. These games took various form factors, from small keychain games to larger devices with interchangeable cartridges.
80s Gaming Fun:
Cultural Impact of Handheld Electronic Games
Handheld electronic games became a cultural phenomenon in the 80s. They were marketed to children and adults alike, with tie-ins to popular movies and TV shows. These games also played a role in the development of arcade and console gaming, with many of the popular games being adapted for larger platforms.
The lasting impact of handheld electronic games on the video game industry cannot be overstated. They paved the way for future portable gaming systems and even influenced the development of mobile phone games.
Notable Handheld Electronic Games
Here are some notable games from the 1980’s including some of my personal favourites from back in the day.
Astro Wars
Released in 1981, this handheld game was a space-themed shoot ’em up with a joystick and buttons for control. It was a huge success in the UK and Europe and is a sought after game by retro collectors to this day.
Defender
This game, released in 1982 by Entex, is a port of the hugely popular arcade game of the same name. It featured simple but addictive gameplay and was a hit with gamers. This game also famously featured in the 2018 Marvel movie Avengers Infinity War, where it was played by Groot.
Tomytronic 3D Games
These handheld games, released in 1983, were the first to use a parallax barrier to create a 3D effect without the need for glasses. You could also hang the game around your next in between games.
Seven different games were released and depending on the region different names were used.
- Jungle Fighter
- Planet Zeon/ Space Laser War / Space Attack)
- Shark Attack/Jaws 3D
- Sherman Attack
- Sky Attack/Tank Attack)
- Skyfighters/Dog Fight / Tandy Sky Duel)
- Thundering Turbo/Cosmos LeMans / Turbo Racer / Thundering Turbos
Scramble
Released in 1982 by Grandstand, this game is based on the arcade side-scrolling shooter of the same name. You fly from left to right, dropping bombs on missiles and ground targets, and firing lasers to destroy enemy missiles and aircraft.
Nintendo Game and Watch Electronic Games
These popular handheld games, released between 1980 and 1991, were the precursor to the Game Boy. They featured simple LCD graphics and were a huge success for Nintendo. Notable titles are the game and watch version of SUper Mario Bros and Donkey Kong.
Frogger
This popular arcade game was ported to handheld in 1982. It featured the same gameplay as the arcade version, with players guiding a frog across a busy road and river. The simplicity of the original gameplay works really well on this tabletop version.
Firefox F-7
Released in 1983 by Grandstand, this game was a space-themed shoot ’em up that was on many 80s kids Christmas lists. This along with Astro Wars and Scramble proved very successful for Grandstand.
Munch Man
Another Grandstand game, released in 1981, was a clone of the popular arcade game Pac-Man. It was one of the first handheld games to feature a color screen.
Galaxy Invader 1000
This game, released in 1980, was a clone of the popular arcade game Space Invaders. The game could only feature 3 lines of invaders but is still a fun game and later released versions managed to fit in 5 lines of invaders.
Simon
This game, released in the early 80s, was a memory game that challenged players to repeat a sequence of flashing lights and sounds. It was hugely popular and even spawned a few sequels. This game is fondly remembered to this day with new versions still available to buy in toy stores.
Star Force
Released in 1984 by Grandstand (again), this game was a space-themed shoot ’em up with a joystick and buttons for control. With four skill levels, six ‘lanes’ of invaders to kill, scrolling starfield and multi-coloured graphics this is often seen as a spiritual successor to Astro Wars.
Speak and Spell
This educational game, released in 1978, taught children how to spell and pronounce words. It was a hit with parents and educators and even appeared in the movie E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
Digital Watch Games
These games were built into digital watches, allowing players to take their games with them wherever they went. Some of the most popular digital watch games included Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong. These were very popular with kids in the 1980s although the games and controls were very basic.
Collecting Handheld Electronic Games
As nostalgia for the 80s grows, so does the popularity of collecting vintage handheld electronic games. These games can be found at online marketplaces and retro game stores, but their value can vary greatly depending on their rarity and condition.
Collectors should be aware of the challenges of collecting vintage handheld games, such as the difficulty of finding replacement batteries and the high cost of certain rare games. However, for those who are passionate about preserving these pieces of gaming history, the rewards can be well worth it.
Handheld and Electronic Games from the 80s
Handheld electronic games from the 80s may seem primitive compared to today’s high-tech gaming devices, but they were groundbreaking at the time. They captured the imaginations of an entire generation and helped shape the video game industry into what it is today. As we look back on these games with nostalgia, we can appreciate their simplicities and the joy they brought to so many.
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