Simplicity served Mattel well in this ancestor of the handheld games of today. Released in 1977, Mattel Classic Football ran on a single 9-volt nonrechargeable battery, but what it lacked in modern technological prowess, it made up for in heart. With two levels of game play, users made their way down the field, dodging dotlike opponents to avoid being digitally tackled. Though it was simple, it became a highly sought-after gadget — no doubt the beginnings of what would be a lasting relationship between kids and handheld games.