The Atari 2600 was one of the 12 nominees up for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame yesterday, poised to earn its place in history and further the position of video games as a part of our national heritage. The Atari 2600, widely considered to be the first great game console, was capable of playing any number of simple yet fun gaming classics, from arcade ports to edutainment titles.

It just couldn't bake a three-inch cake.

Yes, the beloved game console was passed up for a chance to enter the prestigious Toy Hall of Fame in favor of Lionel train sets and the Easy-Bake Oven. The train set I can understand. Trains were pretty damn awesome back in the day, especially as a firecracker delivery system or hamster commando transport. But the Easy-Bake? It bakes cakes with a light bulb! You cannot play Adventure on an Easy-Bake Oven. Melt it, maybe, but that's not the same.

Great job, Atari 2600. Maybe next year Lite Brite can hand you your ass. Michael Fahey

National Toy Hall of Fame inducts Lionel trains, Easy-Bake Oven [HeraldToday.com]

Contact information for this author is not available.