Back in 1983, Tomy released the Tomytronic 3D game Sky Attack. I was 12 years old when a schoolmate got one, and I was given a single go at it. I didn’t see another one for a couple of decades, but that brief experience left a lasting impression on me.
The game—and the series it launched—featured incredibly crisp, bright, and colorful graphics, all in glorious 3D! A very early precursor to virtual reality, the effect was achieved using an LCD screen module with two almost identical images printed on it. The handheld game itself resembled a pair of binoculars. Sunlight backlit the screen, while a system of mirrors and lenses transported the two images to your eyes, creating a stereoscopic 3D illusion—similar to a View-Master or early Victorian stereograms.
The Tomytronic 3D Game Lineup
Five games were released in this amazing form factor:
- Sky Attack – A Space Invaders-style game where you pilot a tank and shoot down aircraft that look suspiciously like Tron Recognizers.
Sky Attack - Thundering Turbo – A NASCAR-inspired racing game.
Thundering Turbo - Shark Attack – You play as a psychotic scuba diver armed with a harpoon, determined to turn sharks into exploding chunks of chum.
Shark Attack - Planet Zeon – A high-speed Star Wars-like Death Star trench run, dodging and shooting enemy ships while collecting fuel.
Planet Zeon - Jungle Fighter – A multi-level game requiring precise timing as you swing on ropes, avoid hippos, and stab crocodiles in the face (yes, more retro animal cruelty, are you guys at Tomytronic ok?). This one is fiendishly difficult.
Jungle Fighter
Two other games, Sky Fighter and Sherman Attack, were also released, but they had a slightly different form factor and included stereo sound (which was still terrible).
The Big Flaw… and My Solution
The Tomytronic 3D was an absolutely superb series of handheld games, but did you spot its one huge flaw?
👉 It requires a strong light source—preferably direct sunlight—to play.
I live in Scotland. It’s February. That means this thing is playable for about three hours a day at best!
Enter my latest invention: The TomyLight.
Introducing the TomyLight
The TomyLight sits on top of the Tomytronic 3D, held in place with elastic bands. It’s compatible with all five original releases and features an array of LEDs that shine into the skylight of the game, illuminating the screen brightly and evenly.
- ✅ Brightness control knob for adjustable lighting
- ✅ Rechargeable battery (via micro-USB) for many hours of play
- ✅ Includes an instruction leaflet & presentation box
With the TomyLight, you can finally enjoy hours of uninterrupted gameplay, even in the gloomiest conditions. No more struggling to find the perfect angle under the living room light or precariously balancing a torch under the covers at bedtime.
Available Now!
I’ve built about 120 of these, and they’re available in my shop for £45 each.
Happy gaming!