Journalist question:Favorite/least favorite Mattel handhelds

[Iceman]

Long-time reader, first-time poster. I'm a journalist who writes a handheld games series for Retrogaming Times Monthly. The museum is an incredibly useful resource (yes, I give it credit for material cited), but I'm hoping you're also willing to offer opinions or suggestions about topics you're probably far more informed about than I could every hope to be.

First question is simple. I'm writing the series more or less in chronological order and am now focusing on Mattel's early LED handhelds (not every LED game they did, just the ones that look like Football). The current article offers some history and technical information, reviews of the first two games (Auto Race and Football) and examines emulation/remake options. My next column will review the rest of the early handhelds (I believe there's 12 others, but correct me if I'm wrong).

My question is: Which are your favorite and least favorite, and why? Also, if there's anything interesting you want to point out about other titles, feel free to do so. (I tried making this a poll, but it won't accept that many options.)

The games I'm aware of are: Armor Battle, Auto Race, Baseball, Basketball, Basketball II, Football, Football II, Hockey, Hockey (Canadian version), Ski Slalom, Soccer, Soccer II, Space Alert and Sub Chase.

BTW, I haven't been able to play Basketball II or Soccer II, so if someone has any opinions about them that'd be great.

Thanks much and if I've committed any posting sins, let me know that too.

[Dan]

Like many here, I own multiples of all these titles. I must confess I haven't really logged much time at all actually playing most of them. If playing it the most means favorite, mine would be Football 2. Still prefer the Coleco Electronic Quarterback for actual game play.

Don't forget the Look Alive games, of which Football was the only one released. I think that fits your form factor requirement.

And another you missed, Missile Attack, probably has the most interesting back story, the way it morphed into Space Alert.

I think the coolest Mattel handheld is a VFD, Star Hawk. I've probably played that one more than the rest combined.

[blanka]

I think Gravity is one of the 5 prettiest handhelds ever made by any brand.
+1 for being Star Hawk one of the coolest to play. I only wonder if it is a real Mattel, or that they asked Bandai to make it (it looks very Bandai!)

[blue6demon]

Hi Iceman !

As Dan said, in the list you gave us, Football II is my top for the play value, Armor Battle and Sub Chase are for me the less interesting games in there.

Gravity is pretty interesting also, having 3 different games in one is always a plus.

The Baseball is also interesting because you have to make your player run which is unusual for most of the baseball games out there.

Pat
_________________
Keep on playing... no matter what !

[Iceman]

Appreciate the early replies. I'm pretty sure I'll include the Look Alive games in the next group of Mattel games, but I'll take another look to make sure.

Anybody have both the original handhelds and the remakes and/or emulators, and want to offer an opinion how well the latter are done? I hear a lot of complaints about the remake of Football II in particular due to "features" such as incomplete passes being counted as interceptions, but I never bought one so I can't confirm it firsthand.

[LLB9977]

my personal fave of the mattel handhelds would probably be the auto race. it's one i would still pick up for the simple mission of trying to score a 26 again. as far as the football , i echo the previous comment about the coleco electronic qb being the best released. And i actually enjoyed the rereleases. specificlly basketball which i find better than the original. Its nice to have the option of "sound off" which wouldve come in handy back in the day late at night in bed. And also it has a 3 point shot feature which the original did not.