Bigtrak

If you remember fiddling with your Atari joystick and watching Crackerjack through your Six Million Dollar Man’s bionic eye, you’ll remember Bigtrak. This programmable keypad-clad vehicle captivated millions of kids with its space rover-ish antics throughout the early Eighties – and now it’s back, ready to thrill a whole new generation (and quite a few dewy-eyed nostalgics).

An exact replica of the MB original, Bigtrak Jnr is made using the same moulds as its predecessor, so the only reason it feels smaller than the one you programmed as a whippersnapper is because your hands have grown.

Simply key in your commands via Bigtrak’s integrated 23 button keypad, hit Go and cross your fingers as this sleek six-wheeler attempts to execute various moves and firing sequences. ‘Go forward five lengths… pause… turn right 30 degrees … fire photon beam.’ It’s like being an alien tank programmer on the Planet 1981. Sort of.

Bigtrak remembers up to 16 commands and there’s a repeat mode so you can loop the same sequence. Okay, so it’s not exactly cutting edge but watching the results of your pre-programming remains as thrilling as ever, even if you weren’t around 30 years ago. ‘No, left at the pouffe!’

A brilliant gift for fans of retro-modern playthings, Bigtrak is a great way to introduce kids to the wonders of basic programming. It will also look suitably stylish sitting in your Eighties shrine alongside those Mork & Mindy VHS tapes and posters of Drew Barrymore (Bigtrak featured in ET). But let’s face it, you’re not a kid and you haven’t got a shrine. You just want to find out if Bigtrak can still wind up the cat.