The hottest toy in the Argos catalogue! Tabletop arcade games are back

These tiny 1980s home arcade machines are returning to a table near you - updated, upgraded and packed with classic video games

In the early 1980s, before the arrival of affordable home computers and major consoles, handheld electronic games were the most desirable hi-tech toys out there. From Mattel's Soccer and Auto Race, to the legendary Nintendo Game & Watch series, these pocket-sized gadgets were the kings of the Argos winter catalogue.

Among the many emergent designs, however, the tabletop games were my favourites. Astro Wars, Caveman, Tron ... these beautiful devices were designed to resemble miniature arcade machines, complete with teeny joysticks, buttons and detailed artwork. Most featured built-in vacuum fluorescent displays (VFDs) which were capable of emitting light and colour, unlike the dour monochrome screens found on LCD-based electronic games such as Game & Watch. They ate up batteries but that didn't matter: they were designed to be played at home so most could be plugged in.