Computer game console
Parker Brothers
Category
Toys
Date
1978
Materials
Plastic and metal
Measurements
Console - 251 mm (length); 72 mm (width), Manual (folded) - 226 mm (length); 90 mm (width)
Place of origin
United States
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 663475
Summary
Merlin - The Electronic Wizard complete with Instruction Booklet. The games console is the shape of a phone, the front of the console is red with silver buttons. There are 11 silver buttons in the middle of the console; at the bottom right corner of each button they have the numbers 0 - 10. The buttons at the bottom of the console are also silver and there are 4 of them. Written separately on the four buttons are 'NEW GAME', 'SAME GAME', 'HIT ME', and 'COMP TURN'. At the very top of the console it has 'MERLIN' embossed on the plastic in the same colour. Also at the top is a plastic grille which is where the sound of the games comes through. The right side of the console has the power switch; this is black with ridges on the end. The left side has an input for a 9 volt AC adapter whilst the base of the console has the compartment for 6 AA size batteries, allowing it to run of either power source. On top of the compartment is 'MERLIN' embossed and underneath it has brief instructions on how to play games. Also on the back of the console are two black screws holding the console together, these are situated above and below the battery compartment. The colour of the whole of the base is dark red. When the console is turned on the buttons that are being used light up with a red light. All lights can flash or stay still depending on the game being played. The buttons are light sensitive so you only need to press them lightly. The instruction manual is made out of one long piece of glossy paper folded to make 16 pages. It contains the list of games that can be played on the concolse ; Tic-Tac-Toe, Music Machine, Echo, Blackjack 13, Magic Square and Mindbender, along with how to look after the machine and the warranty information. Total number of items is 2.
Makers and roles
Parker Brothers, maker