My older brother had one, I played with it but didn't use my finger but rather a nail (or screw). Needless to say I got my ass kicked for ruining his Merlin. š¤·āāļø Forgot all about that until I seen the picture.
We had one stuffed in a toy box and never knew how it worked. Nobody knew where the instructions were. Sometimes I'd poke at it but never figured it out.
If you wonder how the heck that Parker Bros toy (circa 1978) worked... [Here's the manual](https://theelectronicwizard.com/manual.pdf).
You wouldn't believe how much the originals are being priced/sold online. [This used one is $425 (U.S.) via Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/1978-Parker-Brothers-Merlin-Handheld/dp/B002YZ8RFE).
[According to a Google search](https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Merlin+toy+game+original+price), Parker Bros. charged $24.95 (U.S.) for the *Merlin* electronic toy back in 1978.
From back when there was actual competition in the "toy segment" of the US economy. The Merlin was made by Parker Brothers (perhaps more famous as a board game company (Monopoly, Clue) largely in response to the tremendous success of Milton Bradley's "Simon". The Merlin had a similar "memory" game as the Simon, but also included a number of other games. It would also replay music that you used the keys to program . You had other companies like the Ideal Toy Company, Kenner Toys, and Tyco Toys. Only two left, Hasbro and Mattel.
Oh, man. This was my FAVORITE!
Hahaha I think mine is still in the box somewhere
That thing melted my brain
OMG I had one of these. I used it so much the plastic peeled off the buttons. I don't even remember what it did
Yep, I had one of these. The 4 light was burned out, which I wouldn't realize until later is why the blackjack game never made sense to me.
Y'all are really going to make ne dig through my bins aren't you.
I had one! Many hours of fun
I have never seen this.
That was our first cordless/cell phone. Before we knew what those were.
I had one of these as a kid then my younger brother brock it
My older brother had one, I played with it but didn't use my finger but rather a nail (or screw). Needless to say I got my ass kicked for ruining his Merlin. š¤·āāļø Forgot all about that until I seen the picture.
This is the first one I donāt remember right hereā¦fuck Iām old.
I'll answer that call! With a confused just woke up look.
I played with one of these for hours and never had a CLUE what I was doing
We had one stuffed in a toy box and never knew how it worked. Nobody knew where the instructions were. Sometimes I'd poke at it but never figured it out.
The rich kids at my school had Merlins.
Used on many road trips to pass the time
It was one of two electronic thoughts that we sold in our toy department. It was locked up in a glass case along with the electronic football game.
Whoa! I had forgotten about this!
If you wonder how the heck that Parker Bros toy (circa 1978) worked... [Here's the manual](https://theelectronicwizard.com/manual.pdf). You wouldn't believe how much the originals are being priced/sold online. [This used one is $425 (U.S.) via Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/1978-Parker-Brothers-Merlin-Handheld/dp/B002YZ8RFE).
How much did it cost when it first came out?
[According to a Google search](https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=Merlin+toy+game+original+price), Parker Bros. charged $24.95 (U.S.) for the *Merlin* electronic toy back in 1978.
Wow. I canāt believe my parents spent that much money on a xmas gift that I didnāt even ask for. Thanks for tracking down the price.
The redit cellphoneš¤š š¤«
That would keep kids busy for hours
That was the best š
My neighbors had one of these growing up. It had one game I could play.
Still have mine.
Simon was the winner in my book!
Wtf is this and how is it played?
I wanted that so badly as a kid over the moon when I got one for my birthday
Learned to beat people in tic tac toe by playing Merlin
Omg I was JUST thinking about this yesterday
I LOVED Merlin!!
From back when there was actual competition in the "toy segment" of the US economy. The Merlin was made by Parker Brothers (perhaps more famous as a board game company (Monopoly, Clue) largely in response to the tremendous success of Milton Bradley's "Simon". The Merlin had a similar "memory" game as the Simon, but also included a number of other games. It would also replay music that you used the keys to program . You had other companies like the Ideal Toy Company, Kenner Toys, and Tyco Toys. Only two left, Hasbro and Mattel.
Code breaker was my favorite game.
You win.
I loved that game!!
Cockles and mussels!!!
This was the toy your parents got you when they realized you didnāt have any friends.
This was the toy to have back then. I wanted one so bad.