Mattel Power Glove (1989-1990)

Mattel Power Glove 

The Mattel Power Glove, released in October 1989, was a revolutionary but ultimately flawed accessory for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Although it bore the Nintendo logo as an officially licensed product, it was actually developed by Abrams/Gentile Entertainment (AGE) and manufactured by Mattel. The device was a consumer-grade adaptation of the DataGlove, a high-end virtual reality tool used by NASA that cost nearly $10,000. By replacing expensive fiber-optic sensors with lower-cost carbon-based flex sensors, Mattel was able to sell the Power Glove for approximately $75 to $100. It was famously promoted in the 1989 film The Wizard, where the line "I love the Power Glove. It's so bad!" cemented its place in pop culture history.

Technically, the glove operated using ultrasonic triangulation; it emitted high-frequency beeps that were picked up by three microphones mounted on an L-bracket around the user's television. While the marketing promised a futuristic way to play games through hand gestures, the reality was often a "gaming disaster" due to imprecise controls and a difficult calibration process. Only two games were specifically designed to utilize its unique capabilities—Super Glove Ball and Bad Street Brawler—while for all other NES titles, it functioned merely as a cumbersome alternative controller. Despite selling nearly one million units, the glove was discontinued in 1990 after just one year on the market. Today, it is a highly sought-after collectible, frequently repurposed by hackers and hobbyists for modern VR projects and electronic music performances.

Sourced from: eBay