“I’ve had a Petster in my office for about four months, and I’ve really gotten used to it,” says Atari-founder-turned-electronic-pet-entrepreneur Nolan Bushnell. “And I like it. It’s kind of soothing or reassuring or whatever to work late and have this little critter running around just like a dog or cat.” – Nolan Bushnell, Bushnell's Pet Project, Computer Entertainment Magazine, June 1985.

the robot pet of the day is: PetSter Deluxe (1985)

Men and Videogames: Off the Wall by Paula Morales

USA 1985

"Conquer evil in your own living room with Petster Godzilla™, the electonic monster you command. Clap your hands - Godzilla™ will obey you. Defend your home from invading alien creatures, attack intruders from outer space, make him roar at unwanted house guests. Turn the switch - Godzilla™ is unleashed. Let him explore your house all by himself, searching for enemy monsters. Petster Godzilla™ – he's got a mind of his own, but he's yours to command."

"Ranging in cost from about $25 (prices vary around town) for the radio-controlled Petster Puppy to $100 for the deluxe Petster cat, Petsters are the ultimate among the growing number of stuffed cats, dogs and other animals now being marketed as pet substitutes. In the last year, $20 million worth of Petsters have been sold. The inventor of the Petster line, Nolan K. Bushnell, who also invented the first video game and founded the Atari Corporation, is not surprised at the popularity of electronic and other substitute pets. ''I feel fairly confident that by the year 2000, 50 percent of all pets will be electronic,'' he says." – Elin McCoy, Toy Pets vs. the Real Thing, NY Times, Dec 1986.

Secret Quest, Atari 2600.