Released in 1979, the Electronic Detective game from Ideal required one to four players to match wits against a “fiendish computer brain” to solve an imaginary crime.

“Why just zing ’em with water when you can zap ’em with colour?”

It’s Ring-A-Ding fun for everyone with the Slingin’ Slot from Mattel!

“Watch out for the other guy; he can blow your bridges to smithereens!”

Released in 1993 from Parker Brothers, Elefun was a skill and action game for preschoolers ages 4 and up.

“The best game since baseball.”

In 1976, Dinky Toys produced the first die-cast metal version of the USS Enterprise. This model fired plastic discs and included a plastic shuttle craft.

“Hang around for another game, Dad?”

In 1961, Mattel released Blaze, a talking horse that wasn’t named Mr. Ed!

“Boba Fett’s on my trail!”

This 1958 catalogue from FIsher-Price reveals that it had started incorporating plastic into its manufacturing process, paving the way for more vibrant design options.

A 1989 print advertisement for Call the Plumber from Tiger Games.