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

UK. Star Wars Weekly. 1979.

UK. Star Wars Weekly. 1979.

UK. Marvel Comics #339. 1979.

UK. Marvel Comic April 1979.

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

France. Pif Gadget. 1979.

France. Castors Juniors. 1979.

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

Germany. 1982.