Stats
| Name/s: | 2-XL |
| Brand: | Tiger Electronics (UK versions were re-branded as Tomy) |
| Origin: | USA |
| First sighting: | 1992 |
| Class: | Talking Robots |
| Height: | 27cm approx. |
| Weight: | 936g |
| Materials: | Plastic |
| Power: | Battery powered (4 D-cell batteries) |
Primary Functions
- Multi-Track Cassette Tape Player
- Talking
- Light Up Flashing Eyes
- Flashing Mouth Synchronised with the Sound
Other Features
- Play, stop and rewind buttons
- Volume dial
- External power and headphone jack/ports
- 4 buttons to answer questions and initiate the track change mechanism
- Rear back pocket to hold 2 extra cassettes
History
The name 2-XL does not mean “Extra-Large times two”, but instead is a pun of the phrase “To excel”. The original 2-XL toy was invented and patented by Michael J. Freeman. It was licensed to the MEGO Toy Corporation (USA) and was marketed by them from 1978 to 1981. It played 8-track tapes instead of regular cassette tapes. In 1992 the 2-XL was revamped and re-introduced by Tiger Electronics. The toy proved so popular it was sold in different countries outside the US. The tapes were translated and re-packaged for different markets. The UK version of the 2-XL was branded by Tomy, like the one I own.
How 2-XL works
Tomy 2-XL is a really ingenious cassette tape player with multi-track changer mechanism. The cassette tapes (programs) have multiple tracks available to play, so that 2-XL can respond to your answers and play different tracks depending on your input choices. Using a cassette tapes inherent left and right audio channels as well as its two sides, 2-XL can play one of four different audio tracks. What’s interesting is that the reverse side of the tape is recorded backwards so 2-XL plays it in reverse to sound correct. Cool! You make your choices using one of the four lower buttons marked: 1, 2, 3 and 4 as well as ‘yes’, ‘no’, ‘true’ and ‘false’. I believe the robot also has an onboard memory that allows it record and recall your button choices. The robot has a really funny personality with strict rules that you MUST follow! You can’t help but smile when listening to him!
