Games of yesteryear

Step back in time as we take you on a sentimental journey to revisit the games, toys and films you couldn't wait to play on Christmas days past. Whether you're a child of the 60's, 70's or 80's, you'll find some fantastic blasts from the past!

1960s
The 1960's launched with legendary drawing toy, Etch a Sketch and Lego was discovered at the Brighton Toy Fair. The big film was Spartacus starring Kirk Douglas, which would be back to haunt us for many-a Christmas to come.

The popularity of Scalextric boomed, as did Hornby train sets. Mousetrap took the country by storm in 1962 and Doctor Who, still time-travelling today, was launched on TV in '63.

In the mid-60's Mr. Potato Head went plastic and seasonal favourite, Mary Poppins, bagged Julie Andrews a best actress Oscar. Tonka Trucks were big with boys, while the girls rocked their Tiny Tears doll. Twister gave the grown-ups an excuse to wrap their legs around each other after a few sherries.

In '67 KerPlunk was a noisy hit and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang flew onto cinema screens in '68. The decade drew to a close with the advent of Hot Wheels and Star Trek boldly went where no TV show had gone before.

1970s
The 70's was all about taste (ahem), starting with a Space Hopper in every kids' Christmas stocking. Mastermind was a surprise hit on TV and a code-cracking game of the same name (but no relation!) became a 1971 classic.

In 1975, Monopoly celebrated its 40th anniversary and we all wanted to sneak into the pictures to see Jaws. In 1976 Oliver! was the big Christmas film on TV.

1977 was dominated by Star Wars and the first World Othello Championship, which ignited interest in the game. The 1977 Morecambe and Wise Christmas Special earned the double act iconic status.

As the decade of flares and massive hair ended, the girls wanted to be Wonder Woman and the boys fancied themselves as Jedi Knights. No one could decide whether to put Simon or Trivial Pursuit on the top of their Christmas list.

1980's
Invented by a British student in the 70's, Jenga's popularity increased in the early 80's and the Rubik's Cube found its' way onto toy shop shelves just before Christmas 1980.

In 1982, the ZX Spectrum launched, complete with Pong, and DJ Mike Read's Pop Quiz was big news on TV, with a hugely popular accompanying game. TV was also dominated by Noel Edmonds' Telly Addicts and you couldn't beat a bit of Bullseye!

Dungeons and Dragons was a board-game craze mid-80's and every kid became an expert at a host of revamped classics including Operation, Frustration, Connect 4, Guess Who and Buckaroo.

In 1985, Transformers appeared on the scene, but by the end of the decade we were under the spell of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Bill and Ted.

And no journey through the 80's would be complete without a mention of the classic adventure movies we still look forward to every Christmas; ET, Back to the Future and Indiana Jones.