Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Sega Handheld Available.. At McDonalds?

Posted by simoniker on from the you-can-watch-or-you-can-game dept.

Thanks to Shacknews for pointing to the McDonalds USA homepage, which features information about their available-from-today Happy Meal giveaway, featuring a choice of 6 simple, Sega-themed Game and Watch-ish handheld games. These include the Sonic Action Game, Tails Sky Patrol, and there's even a playable online demo for the AiAi's Banana Catch handheld, starring the lovable Super Monkey Ball simian. In the absence of any new hardware from Sega, these plastic imitations will have to suffice - they're available until July 24th in the U.S.

10 of 27 comments (clear)

  1. Plastic Imitations of Sega Handeld Console... by ihatesco · · Score: 2, Funny

    I wonder if they are worth more than the cheap plastic imitation of the Amulet of Yendor...

    --
    "I am slashbot, hear me roar!"
  2. VIdeo Games... by Cyno01 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Shit, we had boring happy meal toys when i was a kid, they didn't even light up or move under their own power or anything.

    --
    "Sic Semper Tyrannosaurus Rex."
  3. Neat stuff. by SmallFurryCreature · · Score: 4, Interesting
    I am old enough to remember that games like this, although in slighly better looking casings, where full priced.

    Kinda shows how far electronics have really come now that we have disposable games. Of course the enviromental impact will be nasty. Or do you really think people will make sure to dispose of these toys properly?

    --

    MMO Quests are like orgasms:

    You may solo them, I prefer them in a group.

    1. Re:Neat stuff. by realdpk · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Would be kinda neat if manufacturers had to pre-pay for disposal costs - especially on items like this that are most likely to end up in the landfill after a short time.

      They'd pass the costs on to the end-consumers, which I personally wouldn't mind so much. I know it takes money to properly dispose/recycle products - more money than the current "just put it all in a landfill" approach, anyways.

    2. Re:Neat stuff. by ihatesco · · Score: 4, Interesting
      They'd pass the costs on to the end-consumers, which I personally wouldn't mind so much. I know it takes money to properly dispose/recycle products - more money than the current "just put it all in a landfill" approach, anyways.

      Actually in Denmark and Germany is like that. You pay a tin-can of beer some dollars more than the norm. BUT if you get back the can, you get a large discount (even 50%) on the next beer you buy.

      Vending machine have as well a "dispose can here" slot, which give you credit to spend on your next beer :)

      --
      "I am slashbot, hear me roar!"
  4. Yeah but, by Izanagi · · Score: 2, Funny

    Can I Super Size it?

    --
    SCO (noun.)- A Slimy Corporate Ogre. Often seeks free money.
  5. already got 4 of 6 by hiroshi912681 · · Score: 5, Interesting
    I had planned long ahead of time to check these out on release date... so, yesterday I went out to as many mcdonalds as I could to get as many different ones as possible.

    I'm a big game and watch fan, and I have a good collection of LED/LCD games old and new. But, if you miss your old handheld games (anyone remember Tron?), you guys should check out the simulators scene. Do a google search for Madrigal simulators and LEDHead. I don't want to slashdot them ;)

    As far as the quality/complexity of these mcdonalds toys go... they are mostly variations of the same idea. In most games, you either collect objects of 3 fields coming at you, or avoid them.. the other games that only have one button are just reflex games, avoiding objects by hitting the button at the right moment. all of the games get progressively faster as you go. (the only one I can't vouch for is the knuckles one, I played the monkeyball demo online, though) they're pretty simple, even by game and watch standards... what really takes away from gameplay potential is the fact that you're able to "beat" each game after the speed has reached the highest level. It'd have been nice if they would've let you go on forever... but it would be pointless since it doesn't keep track of score.

    They're fun little distractions, and I personally think they're the best mcdonalds toys ever. They're well worth the $1.50 it costs to get the toy alone... if anything, the batteries are probably worth more than the toys themselves =)

    They're starting to sell these on ebay already, strangely enough... one guy who's put up an auction doesn't even have them yet, says he'll have them in 30 days. =P

  6. They do have them in Canada by MaxQuordlepleen · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The "Finding Nemo" promotion ended last week, my poor kid didn't get Dory or Gill - but Daddy just got a Sega handheld today ;)

  7. Re:Um.... by The+Evil+Couch · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I'm pretty sure mcdonald's doesn't have a game department.

    they buy all their toys from other companies. so it makes sense that they'd just get with sega and do a cross promotion, as opposed to whoever the piddly little companies that usually make their toys.

    --
    The World's Worst Webcomic!
  8. Re:Um.... by Tsuzuki · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I work for one of those "piddly little companies", mate, and it's not very tiny. The companies that make Happy Meal toys are generally involved in marketing at all levels for multiple clients.

    The marketing company is notified of the licence and organises the tie-in, designing the toy and clearing it with the licensor and the client. You'd be surprised how little money is set aside for actual production though. ;)