We've featured this classic 1980s game in many forms but surprisingly not yet in the form of this Rubik's Cube notepad.
Unlike some of the designs we feature, this is official Rubik's Cube merchandise. That doesn't add too much, except a logo on the packaging. It's purely a block notepad, printed with the image of a completed cube. You peel the pages off as you work through the pad: much simpler to understand than the actual puzzle!
The pad costs £4.99.
Buy it from Find me a gift
Remember we featured Championship Manager 70s Legends for the iPhone a while back? Well, a new version has just landed, taking things on a decade with CM 1980s Legends.
It's much the same, with a few key changes for the era, which means an authentic database of players from the 80s, loads of genuine news stores and images to give a flavour of the era, different start dates in the decade, an 80s retro interface, the option to tie in the game with Facebook and Twitter plus all the detail you crave – formations, commentary, match day build-up etc. If you start in 1986, there's no European football either, just like the real thing.
Sadly there's no 4th division, so no option to recreate Phil Neal's mighty Bolton team of that decade, although presumably John McGovern's crocks are there from earlier in the decade. if you can live with that (and I'm sure you can), £1.79 is the price at the Apple app store.
From being the must-have puzzler game of the 1980s, the Rubik's Cube more of an iconic design, lending its shape and colours to all manner of modern-day items. The Rubik's Cube Mug and Rubik's Cube Coasters are the most recent.
Both are on pre-order now, with the mug following the 'Cube' shape as closely as possible, but throwing in a 'special curved lip' so it's actually easy to drink out of. The coasters also ape the cube, stacking on top of each other to create a cube when not in use.
If you want one of either, the mug is £8.99, while the coasters are £12.99. See a shot of the coaster over the page.
Pedlars have acquired a fantastic collection of around 50 depression-era vintage pinball and bagatelle games. Originally popular during the 1930s and used at home and in bars, these tabletop amusements were the precursor to the pinball machine.
The games are the genuine article and each is a one-off – once sold these precise designs are unlikely to be available again. They are all in good condition and working order but with their colourful and eye-catching designs they would work just as well as decorative pieces.
These slices of genuine Americana are priced at £395 each.
To view more examples and to purchase, visit the Pedlars website.
Top Trumps is a good old-fashioned game that is simple enough to be played by all the family (essential in most households at Christmas) and Type Trumps is a version of it for the design conscious.
The game consists of a set of cards printed with typefaces which have been attributed numerical values for different criteria which allow them to be pitted against each, as with the traditional version of the game. These rankings have been given based on the preferences with the designer, Rick Banks, and are sure to appeal to anyone with an interest in graphic design.
There are two sets of the type trumps available (red or blue), both costing just under £10 from Counter Objects.
Got an iPad? Want to give it a retro twist? You need the official Etch A Sketch case.
Yes, you can turn your expensive Apple touchscreen tablet into a 50-year-old toy, courtesy of Headcase, with the added bonus of the case protecting your investment thanks to the impact-resistant plastic construction.
All your slots and switches are left exposed (should you be worried) and a retractable kick stands allow you to either lay your iPad flat, or angle it for use with the iPad keyboard. Want one? You can pick it up online for $39. Sadly those knobs at the bottom don't offer up added control. Oh well.
