Archive Page 122

Christmas Morning, 1978: Everything! (Part One)

Published December 19, 2012 Battlestar Galactica , Christmas , Christmas Morning , Comic Books , Remote Control , Space Toys/Playsets , Star Trek , Star Wars (Original Trilogy) 7 Comments

Mikey Christmas 1978

Are you serious? There’s an entire layer of toys that’s covered by other toys!

The Spider-Man comic on the right, underneath the Death Star, is Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #27, a Bronze Age key. It marks the first time Frank Miller drew Daredevil.

The ship on the left, above the Radio-Control Racer, is a Star Bird Avenger. Right next to it is the Star Bird Command Base, seen below via John Kenneth Muir.

Star Bird Command Base

The red box under the tree is Tin Can Alley, a shooting game from Ideal. The rifle emitted a light pulse that, if aimed correctly, would knock over the cans on the “range.”

(First image via WEBmikey/Flickr)

(Video via tvdays/YouTube)

Atari Christmas Ads (1983): We Want Software and Hardware, Not Underwear

Published December 18, 2012 Ads , Atari , Video Games Leave a Comment

Atari Ad 1983

Clever, although our parents already knew how desperately we wanted an Atari and all the games we could play. It reminds me of the scene in A Christmas Story where Ralphie puts the Red Ryder ad in the middle of his mom’s magazine.

This VCS (Video Computer System) Cartridge Adapter sounds interesting. According to the back of the box, “just insert the Adaptor into your 5200 SuperSystem console, plug in your 2600 cartridge and 2600 controllers, and you’re ready to go!” If you had 2600 carts and controllers, wouldn’t you also have the 2600 itself?

Atari Ad 1983-2

We’ve also got some game reviews from the same TV Guide. Frostbite gets a 5, but Moon Patrol “is proof that space is becoming a creative vacuum in the video-game industry.” I was terrible at Time Pilot, but it had a great concept and I loved flying around in that infinite sky.

A $30 cartridge, according to my handy inflation calculator, comes out to about $70 today.

(Images via eBay/Randy Rodman)

Christmas Morning, 1978: Micronauts

Published December 18, 2012 Christmas , Christmas Morning , Micronauts Leave a Comment

I love the smell of a newly assembled Battle Cruiser on Christmas morning. Is that a jug of moonshine by the TV stand?

(Via veronicamoonlit/Flickr)

Christmas Toy Aisle Zen (1979): Micronauts

Published December 17, 2012 Mego , Micronauts , Toy Stores/Toy Aisles/Toy Departments 4 Comments

December 23, 1979. (Steve Barnett/The Seattle Times)

The Micronauts stuff is on the left. Start on the bottom shelf. See the Rocket Tubes?

Micronauts Rocket Tubes

Go up one and you’ll see a much smaller box. That’s the Warp Racer.

Micronauts Warp Racer

Micronauts Warp Racer-2

Go up one more and you’ll see part of the Battle Cruiser box. Right next to that is the Star Searcher.

Micronauts Battle Cruiser

Micronauts Star Searcher-2

(First image source: Seattle Washington Archive)

Christmas Morning: Tinker Toys and Mr./Mrs. Potato Head

Published December 15, 2012 '70s Decor/Design/Fashion , Christmas , Christmas Morning Leave a Comment

Christmas Morning Tinker Toys

I had lots of Tinker Toys. We had that chair, that carpet. My dad wore those moccasins.

Christmas Morning Mr. Potato Head

Date unknown. Early-’60s? Mr. Potato Head was introduced by Hasbro in 1952. Mrs. Potato Head came along the following year.

Christmas Morning, 1983: G.I. Joe

Published December 14, 2012 Christmas , Christmas Morning , G.I. Joe Leave a Comment

christmas g.i. joe

I love his expression. “Huh? Can’t you see I’m really busy here?” He’s putting together the Polar Battle Bear. Waiting in the wings (top box) is the wicked Cobra H.I.S.S.

(Photo via killerlouise/Flickr)

Christmas Morning, 1983: ColecoVision

Published December 14, 2012 Christmas , Christmas Morning , G.I. Joe , Home Consoles , Video Games 2 Comments

Christmas Morning ColecoVision 1983

Score. Coleco Vision came with Donkey Kong, and I see a Donkey Kong Jr. cartridge as well. Word Yahtzee? Please. That box was “lost” before the day was over.

We’ve got a G.I. Joe box, but I can’t tell what it is. Bigfoot is a monster truck toy from Playskool. You turned it on with a key and it had forward and reverse gears.

(Photo via colorcritical/Flickr)

(Video via RetroTY/YouTube)

Wrapping Christmas Gifts, Circa 1973: Marx Battleground Play Set

Published December 14, 2012 '70s Decor/Design/Fashion , Marx Toys/Playsets Leave a Comment

The carpet, the sofa, the wood, the lamp, the clock next to the lamp, the clothes, the army men—ladies and gentleman, you’ve reached the 1970s. Please leave a message of appreciation after the beep.

(Via grickily/Flickr)

Christmas at Northglenn Mall (1968, 1977)

Published December 13, 2012 Shopping Malls 2 Comments
Santa's Rocket Ship 1968

Northglenn Mall, Colorado, November 27, 1968. (Photo: Denver Post)

During his stay at the shopping center, Santa and his crew will give free rides to children in the 65-passenger craft. Candy will be distributed to the passengers, and their conversations with Santa will be broadcast around the parking lot.

I also found this awkward but quaint video from 1977 showing the interior of the mall during the holidays.

Northglenn was demolished in 1998.

(Image source: Big Ole Photos)

(Video Source: ultimessence)

Christmas Morning, 1986: G.I. Joe

Published December 13, 2012 Christmas , Christmas Morning , G.I. Joe 5 Comments

December 25, 1986. (Photo: Ted Fitzgerald)

G.I. Joe Tactical Battle Platform

(Image sources: Boston Archive and Final Frontier Toys)

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