Having completed its seven-episode first season, «The Book of Boba Fett» has been a polarizing experience for longtime fans of the «Star Wars» universe. Some critics were underwhelmed by show and its story until a huge divergence midway through the season essentially turned it into «The Mandalorian» Season 2.5. Others have argued that the appearance of Din Djarin and other characters derailed the experience entirely. Whatever you thought of the series as a whole, the first season of «The Book of Boba Fett» certainly had moments that called back to the aesthetic of the original «Star Wars» trilogy.
Of course, George Lucas’ original space opera trilogy was released between 1977 and 1983, a time when the special effects technology wasn’t nearly as sophisticated as the incredible effects we see today. In order to create a galaxy far, far away, LucasFilm had to rely upon taking contemporary items seen in the real world and heavily modify them to make them fit seamlessly into the films’ world. For example: You know those camtonas that are used to carry valuables in «Star Wars?» Yeah, they were actually ice cream makers!
The first season finale of «The Book of Boba Fett» paid homage to the ingenuity of the original «Star Wars» trilogy by throwing in a retrofitted real-world item: an old tabletop gaming system.
In the series finale of «The Book of Boba Fett,» «In the Name of Honor,» Boba and his outnumbered crew are pinned down by the Pyke Syndicate in Mos Espa. Running out of options to deal with the Pykes’ onslaught, Boba, Din Djarin, and Fennec Shand begin plotting out their next move. All of a sudden, Mayor Mok Shaiz’s unnamed captive majordomo (played by the hilarious David Pasquesi), suggests they pen out terms of surrender to ensure their safe passage. Fett picks up a scribe-like object and writes his demands — and of course, Fett essentially tells the Pykes that they can shove it, leading to a surprise assault from his crew.
What many might not know about the bulky object on which Boba wrote his taunts is that it’s an actual real-world item. In fact, as spotted by video game developer Mike Mika on Twitter, it’s a Coleco Bowlatronic.
For those unaware, Kotaku explains that the Bowlatronic was a tabletop gaming system released in 1981 that was meant to simulate bowling. While it never became as popular as other early gaming systems in the early 80’s, the Bowlatronic certainly has a cult fanbase and can go for over $100 on eBay, especially if it is still in-box with the instructions included. Mika noted that he might not have even recognized it himself, had he not just purchased one. A very fun cameo for gamers, to say the least.
