If you recall the days of the coin-op arcade, where games we always better than what home videogame consoles were offering at the time, check out TV Games from Jakks Pacific Inc.



These wonder-bundles not only each offer a fist full of retro, they come in the form of mini arcade machines; hand-held, theme-specific controllers with a clutch of games pre-programmed on an internal chip. All you supply is a TV with A/V inputs. And batteries, of course.



Each unit takes four AA batteries only--no AC adapter alternative--, which makes for less tangle and easy toting or stowing. The batteries do last a long time, though rechargeable NiHM or Lithium AAs are recommended.



TV Games have actually been around for a while and gone mostly unnoticed. However, they've recently come to the forefront as Jakks reworks a simply solid concept and adds "brand" appeal. By signing top entertainment brands and hot game licenses, they're now getting noticed by retailers and consumers alike.



To wit: Namco TV Games offers a some of "best of" Namco games, including Pac Man, Dig Dug, Galaxian and more while Ms. Pac Man TV Games offers Namco follow-ups like Ms. Pac Man (obviously), Galaga, and Pole Position, that landmark, first generation 3D color racer. Surprisingly, though a wheel-based game, Pole Position is supremely playable as the controller's joystick also pivots in its socket like a mini analog steering wheel. Nice touch.



There's also Classic Arcade Pinball TV Games which is a simple button-flipper controller with an analog ball-launching plunger and a few dizzingy electronic pinball machine games. Good stuff, if pinball is your thing.



Out of the arcade and into your circa 1980's home, the Atari Paddle TV Games, while sparse on technical prowess, does feature 1- or 2-player gaming and pioneering pixel presentations such as Breakout, Night Driver and the ubiquitous Pong--plus ten other underwhelming distractions.



Also, Jakks Pacific, Inc. just signed a worldwide licensing agreement with Electronic Arts Inc. (EA) to market and distribute a TV Games line featuring top EA Sports titles, including Madden NFL '95, NHL '95, FIFA Soccer and Triple Play Baseball. EA Sports TV Games will feature 2-player head-to-head options and a 'save' feature (often crucial to season-long gaming). The EA Sports TV Games unit is expected to launch this fall.



There is one problem with squishing a half dozen arcade machines into one pint-sized device, however. Inherent in their design, the controllers force you to use your thumb for button pushing as you hold them in your left hand while yanking on the joystick with your right. As any arcader knows, the fervent, agonizing joy of the arcade action games is (was?) the maniacal, rapid fire rapping of your finger on the "fire" button. Your thumb just isn't that fast (or if it is, you're a freak). Adjustments must be made in either the way you hold a TV Games unit (between your knees or duct taped to the coffee table), or your expectations (not-so-rapid fire or way-sore thumb).



Also, as modern videogame consoles and PCs have retro game compilations available for the same price--not to mention all the free old-school games and knock-offs available on the web--, TV games should not be considered a game machine alternative. Rather, they're each an entertainment supplement offering quick fix, blast-from-past games that can be played on any spare TV, be it in the basement, the office, the cottage, etc. Heck, pool-side, if you care to lug a TV out there…



Furthermore, you shouldn't think of the aforementioned TV Games as low cost digital pacifiers for your tots under the age of, say, eight. Though they're somewhat homely to look at, these games are, as always, challenging. They're difficult, often frustrating in that aforementioned agonizing joy sort of way. That's a good thing; a testament to the days when games had to be good to be successful, not just pretty.



That said, Jakks does have a line of TV Games that are, in fact, made for kids. SpongeBob SquarePants TV Games offers the goofiest looking controller of the bunch along with a handful of SpongeBob games that are fun and friendly, just like the show. There's also a small lineup of TV Games for Kids with playful, undemanding games of doodling and coloring and such. A Disney TV Games unit is also coming available.



All told, if you care to spare thirty-odd bucks, TV Games are worthy little bundles.