Gamertell

Last year (2007), Hallmark released the Player 1 Christmas ornament (QXG2119), which was a pretty cool mini game controller with sound effects.

This year (2008), Hallmark is again releasing a game-themed ornament, reaching a little further back in time and producing a mini Pac-Man arcade machine (QXI2154) complete with sound effects. The ornament,  which stands approximately 4.5 in. tall, retails for $18.50, is battery operated (batteries included), lights up and plays classic Pac-Man sounds. Wakka-wakka!

The cabinet is all yellow with the very familiar Pac-Man art all over it and is part of the Hallmark Keepsake collection. The cabinet includes the classic buttons and a “screen shot” of the game. The mini joystick in the middle also moves, although very little.

The ornament element is that it includes a small loop for a string on the top of the cabinet. It’s already in stores and it is marked “Available in-store only” on the Hallmark web site, so you’d better head out to get one before they sell out.

Other noteworthy 2008 ornaments include a Super Baby (a tiny baby’s onesie with the “S” printed on it on a hanger), a few Star Wars and Sound Trek ornaments with sound, Batman and Spider-man.

The 2006 gamer ornament was the words “GameOn” (QXG3346) in bright green, the image of a joystick and a more modern game controller with stars and a few explosion-esque graphics behind it. Here’s a closeup of the Pac-Man ornament. (Note the rather low High Score).

Read [Armchair Arcade]Also Read [Gamertell] Product Page [Pac-Man Arcade Ornament]