14 Gadgets from the ’80s That Felt Futuristic But Flopped
These 14 gadgets from the 1980s looked advanced but failed to deliver on their promise.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
The 1980s brought a wave of new technology that felt like it was straight out of the future. Many of these devices were marketed as breakthroughs but fell short in performance, usability, or public acceptance. This list looks at some of the most talked-about tech failures from that era.
1. LaserDisc Players
Dillan Payne on Wikimedia Commons
LaserDiscs were large optical discs that offered better video and audio quality than VHS tapes. However, they had no recording capability and were expensive to buy and maintain. The players were also bulky, and the discs were prone to damage. Therefore, consumers preferred the cheaper and more practical VHS format.
2. Sinclair C5
adactio on Wikimedia Commons
The Sinclair C5 was a small, one-person electric vehicle designed for short urban commutes. It had limited speed and poor battery range, and it was not safe for road use in traffic. It also lacked protection from the weather, making it impractical for most people. Due to low sales, the vehicle was discontinued within months.
3. Virtual Boy (by Nintendo)
Christo on Wikimedia Commons
The Virtual Boy was a portable console with 3D graphics in red and black. It was uncomfortable to use for long periods and caused eye strain for many players. The game library was limited, and the design was not user-friendly. Nintendo pulled the product off the shelves less than a year after its release.
4. Sony Betamax
Bettenburg on Wikimedia Commons
Betamax had better image quality than VHS but recorded for shorter durations. Sony kept the format proprietary, while VHS was licensed to other companies, making it more accessible. Consumers preferred longer recording times and lower prices. Betamax eventually lost the format war despite its technical strengths.
5. Apple Newton
Felix Winkelnkemper on Wikimedia Commons
The Newton was an early personal digital assistant that could recognize handwriting. It often misread input, making the software unreliable enough for regular use. It was expensive and not supported by enough apps. Apple eventually stopped production and shifted focus to more successful devices later.
6. Atari Lynx
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
The Lynx was a handheld gaming console with a color screen and advanced graphics for the time. It was large, used six AA batteries quickly, and had a limited game selection. Competing consoles were cheaper and easier to carry. Atari could not keep up with Nintendo’s growing market.
7. Clio PC Companion
Bryanlockwood on Wikimedia Commons
The Clio was a portable computer with a rotating screen that could function as a tablet. It ran Windows CE, which was slow and lacked full compatibility with standard Windows applications. The hardware was underpowered, and the battery life was poor. It was too early for this kind of hybrid device to succeed.
8. DeLorean DMC-12
Alexander Migl on Wikimedia Commons
The DeLorean had a stainless steel body and unique design, but its performance did not match its looks. It had a weak engine, quality control issues, and a high price. Production problems and company mismanagement led to its downfall. Only around 9,000 units were made before the company went bankrupt.
9. IBM PCjr
Rik Myslewski on Wikimedia Commons
The PCjr was IBM’s attempt to enter the home computer market. It was not compatible with many popular PC software titles, had a poorly designed keyboard, and was too expensive for most families. The product was discontinued after disappointing sales.
10. Casio TV Watch
U1Quattro on Wikimedia Commons
This watch allowed users to watch live television through a tiny screen and an external receiver. The screen was difficult to view in bright light, and the picture quality was poor. It required carrying extra hardware, which made it inconvenient. Most people found it more of a novelty than a useful device.
11. Mattel Power Glove
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
The Power Glove was designed to bring motion control to video games. It lacked precision, and few games supported its features. Players found it difficult to use, and it did not improve gameplay. Despite strong marketing, it quickly lost support.
12. Philips CD-i
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
The CD-i was a multimedia system that played games, movies, and educational content. The controls were unresponsive, and the game selection was weak. It was priced higher than other consoles without offering better performance, and the platform failed to gain a strong user base.
13. Sharp Pocket Computer
Tamie49 on Wikimedia Commons
This small device allowed users to write code and perform basic computing tasks. The display was limited, and the keyboard was hard to use. It was marketed as a serious tool but appealed only to a niche audience. Most consumers didn’t see the value in learning to use it.
14. RCA SelectaVision CED
ArnoldReinhold on Wikimedia Commons
This system used large vinyl-like discs to play video content. The discs wore out with use and often skipped during playback. Even when released, the technology was outdated, as it competed with newer formats like VHS and LaserDisc. RCA ended production after major financial losses.