Pocketeers mechanical games were produced by the Palitoy company in the UK from 1975. Based on the original Japanese Tomy Pocket Games, each Pocketeer was a themed puzzle or challenge contained within a sturdy plastic shell. Looking back, these pocket-size fun games were rather like mechanical precursors to electronic handheld games like the Gameboy. At our school, Pocketeers were popular because of the “3 Ts” – portability, collectability and swappability.

Palitoy Pocketeers

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In France the games were known collectively as Mini-jeux and were distributed by the famous Meccano company.

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This 1982 German ad shows the Tomy license. The ad below also shows Tomy’s ‘Funny Bowling’ game.