I spent many evenings in 1979 going to sleep as a 9 year old playing this and electronic football while listening to my transistor radio...aah, good times
Memories man! I played this one but I never owned it. Mattel took things to another level with this game's sequel- Basketball 2. That game featured various tougher defenses to shoot over, the 3-point shot, & shooting free throws after a foul( which was a sweet option when playing a tough defense with the shot clock about to expire). My buddies competed against me like crazy on these Mattel hand held sports games- especially the Baseball game. We keep won- loss records written down as well. I've said it before but I don't think the kids coming up after my generation had/has anywhere close to the fun we had- all through a 9 volt battery to boot. Of course we also played football, etc...outside- which is another world from today where you rarely see kids outside playing in neighborhoods.
I have this in my collection too. Yours is in great condition. I found it interesting that you kept possession after you scored, so long as you still had time left. Yeah I remember as a kid playing these late 70s games at night before falling asleep. Love those red LEDs.
Oh yeah, I remember Basketball. It was actually the second handheld I owned (the first was Merlin, which I got for Christmas either in 1978 or 79). I was living up in Hamtramck MI at the time in Nov. 1980. I had lost my job a month earlier and since the area was in a recession, no one was hiring. I was moving back to my hometown of Groveport prior to going to Columbus Technical Institute (now CSCC), but I had some money from selling a bunch of books and records prior to my move. Then night before I went back, my then-brother in law was playing with Mattel Basketball and I asked him if he was willing to sell it. He sold it to me for $15. I remember having a lot of fun with, though I couldn't play real basketball worth a dime :) And that blurb on the box not needing a TV reminded me I have a TV Plug n' Play that has three of the Mattel handhelds including Basketball. So you can play the game, complete with simulated LEDs, on your TV! Utterly bizarre!
I only had Mattel Baseball which I love and still have since I bought the re-release. Checking out the review for this cause I saw some at a 2nd and Chsrles store.
My brother and I pooled our money to buy that one at a local store called "Fred Meyer". I remember it clearly. I think it was $20. I still have our original unit, but no box or instructions. Love it.
Wow...y'all were rich if that was just a stocking stuffer. It was my whole birthday gift in '78 along with some discount store dime toys. Still have it...still play it I've managed to collect them all but Soccer 2. Considering how bad I suck at Soccer I don't see it as a huge loss. Football, Basketball and baseball are still ones I play. And Football 2 but I still really prefer the first one. I bought the newer versions several years ago because you can turn the sound off. Lmao. For years I had card board electrical taped over the speakers so I could play at night. That's one fine looking specimen!!
I had this, but not caring anything about sports, I tuned it into Star Wars. The basket became the Deathstar, and you were shooting into the vent hole to destroy it.
Yep, there was definitely a way to master it. Still, it was a lot of fun! I remember trading mine for another kid's "Auto Race" and always regretted that afterward. I mean, "Auto Race" had its appeal but "Basketball" was better.
I spent many evenings in 1979 going to sleep as a 9 year old playing this and electronic football while listening to my transistor radio...aah, good times
yep, played mine before going to bed to :)
Memories man! I played this one but I never owned it. Mattel took things to another level with this game's sequel- Basketball 2. That game featured various tougher defenses to shoot over, the 3-point shot, & shooting free throws after a foul( which was a sweet option when playing a tough defense with the shot clock about to expire). My buddies competed against me like crazy on these Mattel hand held sports games- especially the Baseball game. We keep won- loss records written down as well. I've said it before but I don't think the kids coming up after my generation had/has anywhere close to the fun we had- all through a 9 volt battery to boot. Of course we also played football, etc...outside- which is another world from today where you rarely see kids outside playing in neighborhoods.
I have this in my collection too. Yours is in great condition. I found it interesting that you kept possession after you scored, so long as you still had time left.
Yeah I remember as a kid playing these late 70s games at night before falling asleep. Love those red LEDs.
Oh yeah, I remember Basketball. It was actually the second handheld I owned (the first was Merlin, which I got for Christmas either in 1978 or 79). I was living up in Hamtramck MI at the time in Nov. 1980. I had lost my job a month earlier and since the area was in a recession, no one was hiring. I was moving back to my hometown of Groveport prior to going to Columbus Technical Institute (now CSCC), but I had some money from selling a bunch of books and records prior to my move. Then night before I went back, my then-brother in law was playing with Mattel Basketball and I asked him if he was willing to sell it.
He sold it to me for $15. I remember having a lot of fun with, though I couldn't play real basketball worth a dime :) And that blurb on the box not needing a TV reminded me I have a TV Plug n' Play that has three of the Mattel handhelds including Basketball. So you can play the game, complete with simulated LEDs, on your TV! Utterly bizarre!
This is a great game.
The hockey was very good as well.
I always played this as DePaul Blue Demons 😈vs .... in the early eighties. Then I got into watching the Chicago Bulls🐂. Good times, good times.
I still have this game I got it in 78. I’m 62 now lol.
I had this and that of soccer, it had been 40 years that I hadn't seen those LEDs and that I hadn't heard that jingle. A deep dive into the past
I got one for Christmas in 1978... That thing is *addictive*!!!!
I only had Mattel Baseball which I love and still have since I bought the re-release. Checking out the review for this cause I saw some at a 2nd and Chsrles store.
My brother and I pooled our money to buy that one at a local store called "Fred Meyer". I remember it clearly. I think it was $20. I still have our original unit, but no box or instructions. Love it.
Wow...y'all were rich if that was just a stocking stuffer. It was my whole birthday gift in '78 along with some discount store dime toys. Still have it...still play it
I've managed to collect them all but Soccer 2. Considering how bad I suck at Soccer I don't see it as a huge loss. Football, Basketball and baseball are still ones I play. And Football 2 but I still really prefer the first one. I bought the newer versions several years ago because you can turn the sound off. Lmao. For years I had card board electrical taped over the speakers so I could play at night.
That's one fine looking specimen!!
Not really, my parents sacrificed alot for me.
Just been a Mattel kinda feeling lately!!!
I had this, but not caring anything about sports, I tuned it into Star Wars. The basket became the Deathstar, and you were shooting into the vent hole to destroy it.
Thats pretty cool :)
I only played the football. I just remembered a pattern and I scored every time.
Awesome!
Yep, there was definitely a way to master it. Still, it was a lot of fun! I remember trading mine for another kid's "Auto Race" and always regretted that afterward. I mean, "Auto Race" had its appeal but "Basketball" was better.
👍 I had one!!!
Bye, Kobe.
Just picked one up for $10 ! (no box)
Score!