Seeing this picture instantly takes me back to the early 80s.
My grandparents (like many other kids’ grandparents) moved to Florida after they retired. When I’d go visit them with my mom and dad, they always had a few toys like this one laying around in the garage.
I’d spend hours pumpin’ that button trying to get those rings on the hooks, only to tip it or knock the whole thing over and lose all progress. No save button on these units!
Here’s a video of a guy reviewing a Tomy Waterful Ring Toss, originally produced in 1976.
IN THE MOOD FOR MULTIPLE MEMORYGASMS? WHO ISN’T?! CLICK HERE FOR MORE!
By the way, it was on one of these Florida trips that my Silverhawks-Steelheart-regret-and-shame story happened.
still can’t believe they sold these at Albertson’s
Here’ something we picked up at South of the Border while driving home one year. I swear it was more for my dad than me.
South of the Border was the best. I remember being 8 or 9 years old, browsing at toys on a table in a SotB shop, and all of a sudden I’m holding a deck of playing cards with “naked ladies” on them. I froze in fear, looked up and my dad was looking right at me. We never again acknowledged this moment.
I think I have more memories of playing at my grandmother’s house than I do at my own. I had a CHiPs ride on motorcycle there that I loved. I rode that thing until jagged plastic forced my mom to throw it away. To this day I still (jokingly) give her crap about it. I’ve never been able to find another one, or even a photo online. Thanks for the memorygasm!
The mere sight of that damn ring toss game makes me want to rip out my hair. I recall always wanting to drink the water inside, as if it had magical properties that would make the game less impossible.
That bird!! Had a yellow and red one. Felt/fuzz covered beak. Great memory!
My grandpa had a bucket of green army men, tan & black kung-fu guys, & red indians.. all plastic. I loved those things. While at my grandma’s rest home, we had the electric wheelchair & (of course) the infamous Sorry clone, Chase the Rat. Also one day rooting thru my dad’s old steamer trunk, I found 3 out of 4 suits of naked lady cards. I don’t think my dad knew we found them.
Ah THAT’s what you meant by Chase the Rat!! You mentioned it a long time ago, it never sunk in. Nice.
I had a smaller version of this, loved it. Hadn’t thought about it in years. Good post!
Love the 80s memories. I can relate to this on many levels. I had lots of family and Grandparents in Florida and spent many of my early years there. I even saw Captain EO when it came out! Still have a stuffed animal from that experience. Also definitely had an experience (or 2 or more) with nekkid lady playing cards. Those were definitely abundant in Florida shops. lol
Great stuff! All about the Memorygasms.
thanks for continuing the FLA conversation on Twitter! Publix rules.