Looking back, Merlin wasn’t much different than the other electronic handheld games released around the time, including a series of sports games from Mattel and Coleco.

These handheld video games and consoles were all the rage in 1980. They were some of the first attempts to get games out of the arcade. ... This is Super Simon's friend Merlin. Say hello, Merlyn.

These handheld video games and consoles were all the rage in 1980. They were some of the first attempts to get games out of the arcade. ... This is Super Simon's friend Merlin. Say hello, Merlyn.

These handheld video games and consoles were all the rage in 1980. They were some of the first attempts to get games out of the arcade. ... This is Super Simon's friend Merlin. Say hello, Merlyn.

Even after Nintendo’s Game & Watch arrived in 1980, it continued to sell, eventually topping 5 million units. I bet you could make a sweet plastic log cabin out of them.Handheld Museum ...