It all started in 1978, with the original Merlin.

{Merlin picture here} {Dr. smith picture here}

From the FAQ: Merlin (1978, Parker Brothers) #3200; 6AA; led; 2PA; D ; EC

Short on looks, but long on play, this LED unit contained 6 games:

• Game #1 - Tic-Tac-Toe. Well, I think everyone out there knows what Tic-Tac-Toe is...
• Game #2 - Music Machine. This "game" lets you put a series of "beeps" into the computer, then plays them back for you. Not really a game, but something to entertain...
• Game #3 - Echo. The object of this game is to repeat a sequence of beeps in the correct order.
• Game #4 - Blackjack 13. Acquire a hand of 13 or less in this blackjack-like game.
• Game #5 - Magic Square. Form a square of lights by turning each light around the center on. Pushing a button causes each light surrounding that button to go on/off (whatever is opposite).
• Game #6 - Mindbender. Discover Merlin's mystery number (by guessing).

In 1981 they one-upped themselves with Master Merlin.

From the FAQ: Master Merlin (1981, Parker Bros.) #??; 6AA; led; 2PA; D ; CO

Instead of 6 games, like the previous one, this one has 9 and most are selectable as to the difficulty. They are:

• Game #1 - Three Shells (Skill Level 1-9)
• Game #2 - Hi/Lo
• Game #3 - Match It (Skill Levels 1 or 2)
• Game #4 - Hit or Miss (Skill Levels 1 or 2)
• Game #5 - Pair Off
• Game #6 - Tempo
• Game #7 - Musical Ladder (Skill Level 1-9)
• Game #8 - Patterns (Skill Level 1-4)
• Game #9 - Hot Potatoe

The LED unit is much wider than the previous one has ten number buttons and a 0 button (number 10 and 0 are primarily used for 2 player games) and the same configuration of buttons at the bottom as the previous game. In addition, the unit has a speaker at the top, an on/off button on the right side and the AC jack on the left.

In 1996, Merlin made yet another comback with Merlin the 10th Quest!

From the FAQ: Merlin The 10th Quest (1996, Parker Brothers) #43200; lcd; 1P; D ; CS

This game, by far, is the best in the series. The games are fun and addictive, and their are more games of greater variance than in the previous units. Each game is sufficiently different, and each one rightfully could be it's own handheld. The games are:

• Game #1 - Swords & Shields: A Tic-Tac-Toe game
• Game #2 - Seek the Grail: A shell game of sorts, where you have to follow a certain chalice around the screen as it moves around, then pick which one is the correct one.
• Game #3 - Castle Keep: Number guessing game. Guess a 2 digit number in six guesses or fewer.
• Game #4 - Spell Bender: Matching game. Find the pattern matches behind 2 different screens of shields.
• Game #5 - Mind Caster: Number guessing game. Guess a 3, 4 and 5 digit number in 5 guesses or less.
• Game #6 - Magic Square: Make a square of keys around the center piece by turning each of the pieces around the center on.

• Game #7 - Singing Sword: Patterns of swords appear. Touch each corresponding key on the keyboard to "parry" the swords on the screen.
• Game #8 - Ghost Walk: Ghosts are walking around the maze. Make them walk into the crosshairs, then quickly press the center key to vanquish it.
• Game #9 - Dragon Dance: Dragon's appear in the 4 corners of a "+". Press the corresponding keys to get rid of them.
• Game #10 - This game is found only be finishing all 9 other games. It's a secret!

Unlike the previous models, the speaker is at the bottom of the unit, the controls are in the middle, and the LCD screen is at the top.

The sounds in this game really caught me off guard. They're GREAT! The voice that the unit puts out is second to none, and the music isn't too shabby either! The unit also allows you to turn the volume down, which is a feature that I wish all games would incorporate!