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Tomy Electronic Soccer 1980
 Also known as Electronic Striker this handheld electronic game
from Japanese toy maker Tomy first appeared around 1980, according to several
handheld games sites, and I'm not about to argue with the experts. I vaguely
remember this game being on the market but due to a lack of interest in the
game, real and handheld, it wasn't one that I ever reviewed, let alone owned.
The actual game is pretty naff; the console is designed to look
like a miniature stadium with three rows of red LEDs, beneath the pitch,
representing the ball. The player's job is to direct he ball into the opponents
goal, by tapping three direction buttons, and to prevent it reaching their own
goal with a fourth Defence button. Scores are shown on a twin 7-segment digital
display. Options are one and two player games and Pro 1 and 2 levels, which
alter the speed. The game is accompanied by typically tinkly tunes and sound
effects, which you can't switch off.
Build quality is pretty good, it was meant to take a fair amount
of abuse and I guess fun for kids of 10 and under to play. I found this one in
Brighton Station Market recently for £1.50. The case was okay but the batteries
had been left in too long and there were signs of corrosion. Fortunately it
wasn't too deep seated and I was able to remove it, and once the contacts were
cleaned up it fired up straight away.
What Happened to it?
Like all handheld games of the late 70s and early 80s they
provided a brief diversion for those who couldn't afford video games, but as
soon as the prices stated to fall, in the mid 80s, single game consoles like
this one vanished almost overnight. Of course handheld games did survive but
only thanks to better LCD screens and cartridge programmability, which meant
that you didn't have to get bored playing one game over and again.
Although the game seems tame and slow by today's standards these
little boxes of tricks are great fun to collect and I predict they will become
much sought after in the next few years. They represent a real milestone in the
history of electronic entertainment. Not many will have survived but those that
do often sell for next to nothing, but probably not for much longer...
GIZMO GUIDE
First seen: 1980
Original Price £15
Value Today?
£25
Features:
1 or 2 players, Pro 1 & 2 speed levels, twin 7-segment score
display, sound effects
Power req. 3 x AA & 1 x PP3
Weight: 0.3g
Dimensions:
220 x 150 x 40mm
Made in: Japan
Hen's Teeth (10 rarest):
6
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