Sometimes called the Astrophaser, the Sound-O-Power Astro-Gun by Marx, was a super cool Ray Gun toy by Marx. It has great lines and good hand feel, but the real exciting thing about it were the crazy sounds. Nothing like a toy that makes electronic noises. They drove parents and siblings insane, while at the same time, made you the envy of the neighborhood.
I have not seen one since I was kid and the one I played with was third hand from a cousin who was “done with it”. The sound was a bit warped, but it still was pretty magical and I always keep my eyes open for a working model at garage sales.
Garry Vander Voort
Editor/Podcaster at Retroist
The Retroist is like a BBQ on a bun without the bones. You're only human daddy. Chomp!
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That kid was about to f up that giant lizard!
Marx’s best days were behind it in 1968, but they still had several good ideas left right up until the bitter end.
Had one!! It was HUGE and molded in a obnoxious pinkish/orangish color. It took a single “D” cell battery which (get this) turned a plastic mini record of sorts which had a wire play arm that was hooked up to a plastic horn that functioned like a victrola sound horn. Completely etectro-mechanical with no electronics. I believed that little record had 4 different “blaster” sounds that were a tinny and a bit “warbly” sounding. Great memories! ?