Name: Magic Date Ball

Release Date: ???

Brand: Tyco (?)

Stock Number: 37096 (?)

Was this Magic Date Ball with Blue Text actually create dby Tyco?  Honestly, I have no proof of that fact.  However, I have come across anecdotal evidence.

• Several sources reference the fact that Tyco released a Magic Date Ball while they owned the Magic 8 Ball trademarks
• I have seen at least two different Mattel boxes for their Magic Date Ball and both of the balls had Yellow Text
• Tyco was much more straightforward in its designs than Mattel has been, so the straight line text is more of the “Tyco style”.
• This “blue writing” Magic 8  Date Ball is far more rare than the yellow one, thus indicating it is significantly older.

The strongest argument against this Magic 8 Ball being a Tyco product is the glitter both on the top of the ball and within the answer window as well as the actual little hearts on the answers themselves.  In the list below [heart] indicates an actual image of a heart on the icosahedron answer die-

• [Heart] Absolutely
• Forget About It!
• How Should I Know!
• I Don’t Know!
• I’ll Tell You Later
• I’m Cool With That! [Heart]
• [Heart] It’s Lookin’ Good!
• [Heart] Maybe [Heart][Heart]
• [Heart] Never!
• [Heart] No Question!
• No Way!
• Not A Chance!
• [Heart] Of Course!
• Sounds Good To Me!
• [Heart] Sure!
• Why Not? [Heart]
• Yeah Right!
• [Heart]Yes![Heart][Heart]
• You Can Count On It!
• You Know It! [Heart]

I am desperately seeking a sample of the box this Magic Date Ball came in.  Even photos of that box would be much appreciated.  if you have any further information, please leave a comment below.

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• Pink Glam Magic 8 Ball (2008) Score: 25
• Network Associates Magic Total Service Desk Magic 8 Ball Score: 18
• Lemony Snicket’s A Series Of Unfortunate Events Magic 8 Ball Score: 16
• Three New Magic 8 Balls Coming Soon! Score: 13
• High School Musical Magic 8 Ball – Mattel 2006 Score: 13

I purchased this USi Magic 8 Ball on eBay having never heard of USi, though the tagline under their logo (Making Software Simple) made it fairly clear this was a technology company.  Unfortunately, the seller had previously purchased it elsewhere themselves, so had no further details.  A press release from 2000 describes the company thusly-

USinternetworking Inc. (Nasdaq:USIX) is a leading Application Service Provider delivering e-commerce and enterprise software as a service. The Company’s iMAP portfolio of service offerings delivers the rich functionality of leading software from Ariba, BroadVision, Lawson, Microsoft, Niku, Oracle, PeopleSoft, and Siebel as a continuously supported, flat rate monthly service via an advanced, secure global data center network. For more information, visit www.usi.net.

I also learned that USi was founded in 1998, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2002, and was purchased by AT&T in the Fall of 2006.  None of this gives me any idea when or why this Magic 8 Ball was created, though. The generic Orb answers don’t give any clues either.

I like the way they kind of stuck to the original Magic 8 Ball configuration of the window being on the bottom, with the ’8′ being on the side rather than the top.  this allowed them to place their logo on the back, opposite the ’8′.  Very cool.

Unfortunately, they cheaped out on the answers, going with the generic Orb answers thst so many custom and promotional Magic 8 Balls share-

• Absolutely
• Answer Unclear Ask Later
• Can’t Say Now
• Chances Aren’t Good
• Cannot Foretell Now
• Consult Me Later
• Don’t Bet On It
• Focus And Ask Again
• Indications Say Yes
• Looks Like Yes
• No
• No Doubt About It
• Positively
• Prospect Good
• So It Shall Be
• The Stars Say No
• Unlikely
• Very Unlikely
• Yes
• You Can Count On It

If you’ve got any more details on the whys and whens of this ball (perhaps you worked for USi?), please leave a comment below to share with the rest of us!

• NetApp – Microsoft Gold Certified – Magic Eight Ball Score: 21
• eBay Magic 8 Ball Score: 21
• Network Associates Magic Total Service Desk Magic 8 Ball Score: 19
• The Mystical Orb (aka Purple Orb Magic Eight Ball) Score: 16
• Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Magic 8 Ball Score: 16

Name: High School Musical Magic 8 Ball

Release Date: 2006

Brand: Mattel

Stock Number: L4310

Disney Channel’s High School Musical swept the tween world by storm in 2006 and managed to survive for nearly three years (and two sequels) before suffering the fate of most Disney original programming – indifference.  Luckily for Mattel, they cranked out the High School Musical Magic 8 Ball early in 2006.  Of course, the fact that it can still be found in retail stores today kind of proves my point that the HSM franchise wasn’t really much more than Disney hype to begin with.

Disney would never sanction a Magic 8 Ball that just had plain old answers would it?  Of course, not!  Here are the custom answers straight from Troy, Gabriella, and the rest of the HSM gang-

• As I See It Yes
• Ask Again Later
• Call Back Friday @ 3:30
• Don’t Count On It
• It Is Certain
• It Is Decidedly So
• It Is So Not
• It’s Hard To Believe
• My Sources Say No
• Not Another Word
• Outlook Good
• Reply Hazy Try Again
• Signs Point To Yes
• Signs Say Soarin’
• Sounds Like A Winner
• Start Something New
• Stick To The Status Quo
• The Part Is Yours
• You May Rely On It
• Your Head Is In The Game

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• Disney Hannah Montana Magic 8 Ball Score: 23
• Three New Magic 8 Balls Coming Soon! Score: 18
• SpongeBob SquarePants Magic 8 Ball – Mattel 2008 Score: 18
• 2008 Target Exclusive Halloween Magic 8 Ball Score: 15
• Disney Princess Magic 8 Ball – Theme Park Exclusive Score: 13

Name: SpongeBob SquarePants Magic 8 Ball

Release Date: 2008

Brand: Mattel

Stock Number: R1895

This is, at least, the third official SpongeBob SquarePants Magic 8 Ball, but the first released directly by Mattel.  Previous SpongeBob’s were released under license by Sababa Toys and as an unofficial Magic 8 Ball by Burger King.

At least Mattel got the box right!  Why Sababa originally put out a SpongeBob SquarePants in a green box is beyond me.

Luckily for us collectors and, no doubt, much to the pleasure of SpongeBob fans, Mattel came up with a whole new set of 20 custom answers this time:

• Ah, Shrimp! I Don’t Think So
• As I See It Yes
• Ask Again Later
• Aye-Aye Captain
• Clear As Kelp Juice
• Don’t Count On It!
• Gotta Burst Your Bubble
• I’m Ready Eddy To Say Yes!
• It Is Decidedly So
• It’s A Sure Thing
• My Sources Say No
• No Patty Flippin’ Way
• Oh, Buoy! Yes!
• Opposite Day! I Say No!
• Outlook Fishy
• Reply Hazy Try Again
• Signs Point To Yes
• Soak Up The Positive
• When In Doubt, Pinky Out
• You May Rely On It

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• Three New Magic 8 Balls Coming Soon! Score: 22
• Burger King’s SpongeBob AnswerPants Score: 21
• Sababa Beauty Ball Magic 8 Ball (2002) Score: 17
• Disney Hannah Montana Magic 8 Ball Score: 16
• High School Musical Magic 8 Ball – Mattel 2006 Score: 15

I started this website over my frustration at being unable to find a complete list of Magic 8 Balls anywhere on the internet. In my research I soon realized that a truly complete list of all Magic 8 Balls ever made is essentially impossible, but was still frustrated at the brevity and contradictory nature of the few lists I was able to find.

So now, I present to you the most complete list of Magic 8 Balls ever placed on the internet (as far as I know ). If you know of a Magic 8 Ball (or similar item) that is not on this list, please comment below with any details you may have so that I can add it to the list.

NOTE:This post will be updated regularly, so if you’re a Magic 8 Ball fan, you might want to bookmark it and/or follow us on Twitter to be notified not only when I add new posts to the site, but also when this list is updated.

I have divided this list into three categories:

1. Official Magic 8 Balls – These are those created (or licensed) by any of the various companies that have held the Magic 8 Ball patent/trademark over the years. Namely Alabe Crafts, Fundex, Ideal, Mattel, Sababa and Tyco.
2. Promotional Magic 8 Balls – These are created by independent firms usually to promote their own brand or event. Promotional Magic 8 Balls are typically given away for free.
3. Unofficial Magic 8 Balls – These devices, frequently not 8 balls (or even balls for that matter) that have essentially bootlegged the concept behind the Magic 8 Ball for their own purposes. Unofficial Magic 8 Balls are typically sold for a profit.

Similar Posts:

• Magic “8 Ball” Fortune Teller (Alabe Crafts, Inc. 1970) Score: 20
• Magic “8 Ball”® Fortune Teller (Alabe Crafts Inc. – late 1960s) Score: 16
• Missed Opportunity to Work with Sid Korey Score: 16
• Sababa Beauty Ball Magic 8 Ball (2002) Score: 15
• Magic Date Ball – Tyco (Blue Writing) Score: 13

Name: The Aye Ball

Release Date: Summer 2006

Brand: McDonald’s

Stock Number: Number 2 in the Pirates of the Caribbean Happy Meal Set

One of the most innovative promotional Magic 8 Ball’s I’ve discovered yet, The Aye Ball was released as a McDonald’s Happy meal toy to help promote Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man’s Chest.  It’s slightly larger than the small 7 cm size Magic 8 Balls, but instead of being a ball is a fully sculpted skull wearing a pirate bandanna and eye patch.  The answer window is not on the bottom, but rather tucked away under the eyepatch.

Due to the size and construction o fthis custom Magic 8 Ball a full icosahedron could not be contained, so an eight sided die (octahedron) was used instead.  All of the answers are appropriately “piratey”-

Aye Captain
Clear Sailing Ahead!
Nay, Scallywag
No Way Arrrggh!
The Seas Look Rough
Walk The Plank!
Yes! Me Heartie!
Yo Ho, Maybe So!

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• eBay Magic 8 Ball Score: 12
• Food King – Pittsburgh Pirates Magic Baseball Score: 12
• Burger King’s SpongeBob AnswerPants Score: 9
• Tosco / Union 76 Destiny Ball Score: 9
• High School Musical Magic 8 Ball – Mattel 2006 Score: 8

Name: Disney Hannah Montana Magic 8 Ball

Release Date: 2007

Brand: Mattel

Stock Number: M0984

Miley Cyrus, aka Hannah Montana, seemed to take over the world back in 2006 with every girl between the ages of 6 and 16 seemingly obsessed overnight.  Mattel rarely misses a marketing trend yet still managed to take a full year to get the Hannah Montana Magic 8 Ball to market after the series premiere.  While I’m not privy to any actual marketing or sales data, this does seem to be one of the most widely spread official magic eight balls that has been released in the last decade or so.

Of course, the real beauty of licensed magic eight balls released by Mattel is that the custom answers.  The Hannah Montana Magic Eight Ball does not fail to satisfy in this area-

• As I See It Yes
• Ask Again Later
• Don’t Count On It
• Gimme An N Gimme An O
• It’s A Secret
• It Is Decidedly So
• I’ve Got Nerve And I Say No
• Maybe Just Maybe
• My Sources Say No
• Reply Hazy Try Again
• Rock Out The No
• Smokay Dokay
• Signs Point To Yes
• Spotlight Is On Yes
• Sweet Niblets No
• The Fans Say Yes
• Underneath It All Yes
• Ya Think?
• You Got It, Bud
• You May Rely On It

I’m really hoping to get an opportunity to have Miley Cyrus autograph this magic 8 ball. Last year my (then 12 year old) daughter and I attended Miley Cyrus’ Sweet 16 Birthday Party at Disneyland. Alas, no autograph opportunities presented themselves.

• High School Musical Magic 8 Ball – Mattel 2006 Score: 18
• SpongeBob SquarePants Magic 8 Ball – Mattel 2008 Score: 16
• Lemony Snicket’s A Series Of Unfortunate Events Magic 8 Ball Score: 16
• 2008 Target Exclusive Halloween Magic 8 Ball Score: 15
• Three New Magic 8 Balls Coming Soon! Score: 15

Name: The Mystical Orb

Release Date: Unknown

Brand: Unknown

Stock Number: 279

The Mystical Orb is, by far, the most ubiquitous unofficial Magic 8 Ball in the free world today.  Alas, it is also one of the most mysterious.  Despite my best efforts I have not only been unable to discover when it was created, but I haven’t even learned who created it.  Although the box is beautifully designed it bears neither copyright nor trademark statements.  The stock number is clearly printed, as is the legally required “made in China”, but there is nothing like a company name for either a manufacturer or distributor.

I’m not even sure I need to post photos of either the box or the ball as if you’re interested enough to have found this page, you no doubt already own this ball.  Okay, that’s not a fair statement.  But it sure seems that way some times.  The box is, oddly enough, even more common then the purple orb ball itself.  I’ve seen it used to house blank generic magic eight balls as well as other, unrelated custom magic 8 balls such as the Tomb Raider Jeep Rubicon Magic 8 Ball.

Not surprisingly, the 20 custom answers provided by The Mystical Orb are ubiquitous as well, being, by far, the most common generic answers used in promotional Magic Eight Balls.  In fact, just click “Orb Answers” in the tag list and you’ll see just how many I’ve come across thus far.  Here are the twenty Orb Answers-

• Absolutely
• Answer Unclear Ask Later
• Can’t Say Now
• Chances Aren’t Good
• Cannot Foretell Now
• Consult Me Later
• Don’t Bet On It
• Focus And Ask Again
• Indications Say Yes
• Looks Like Yes
• No
• No Doubt About It
• Positively
• Prospect Good
• So It Shall Be
• The Stars Say No
• Unlikely
• Very Unlikely
• Yes
• You Can Count On It

Can you clear the air on any of the mysteries surrounding The Mystical Orb? if so, please leave a comment below.

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• Blank Magic 8 Balls Score: 22
• eBay Magic 8 Ball Score: 20
• Network Associates Magic Total Service Desk Magic 8 Ball Score: 17
• USinternetworking Inc. (USi) Magic 8 Ball Score: 16
• NetApp – Microsoft Gold Certified – Magic Eight Ball Score: 16

Name: Magic Answering “8 Ball”

Release Date: Early 1950s

Brand: Alabe Crafts, Inc.

Stock Number: None

Once again, no way for me to be certain about the release date on this one.  I believe, however, that it is the very first Magic 8 Ball to be sold in this black, white and red “caricature” box.  It’s clearly prior to 1962 as US Patent #3119621 had not been awarded yet, and most likely not even applied for (or there would be a “patent pending” notice) and Magic 8 Ball was not yet a registered trademark.

How and why the name went “backwards” from The Magic Eight Ball to Magic Answering “8 Ball” is unfortunately still a complete mystery.  If you can offer any insight into this (or any other) issue, please leave a comment below.

Of course, the answers are standard on this Alabe Crafts Magic Eight Ball.  The answers are still in script at this point, and printed directly onto the spirit slate as opposed to being embossed to create raised letters.

• As I see it, yes
• Ask again later
• Better not tell you now
• Cannot predict now
• Concentrate and ask again
• Don’t count on it
• It is certain
• It is decidedly so
• Most likely
• My reply is no
• My sources say no
• Outlook good
• Outlook not so good
• Reply hazy, try again
• Signs point to yes
• Very doubtful
• Without a doubt
• Yes
• Yes – definitely
• You may rely on it

• Magic “8 Ball”® Fortune Teller (Alabe Crafts Inc. – late 1960s) Score: 38
• Magic “8 Ball” Fortune Teller (Alabe Crafts, Inc. 1970) Score: 37
• Zodiac Ball Astrology Fortune Teller Score: 28
• Network Associates Magic Total Service Desk Magic 8 Ball Score: 23
• Missed Opportunity to Work with Sid Korey Score: 17

I’m neither a sports fan in general or a baseball fan in particular, but this Pirates Magic Baseball has still become one of my favorite promotional Magic 8 Balls.  I only wish I knew why.

I’ve been told that the Pittsburgh Pirates Magic 8 Ball was most likely a ballpark promotion in 2003 with one being given to every kid under the age of 10.  Seems likely given the logo on the ball, the custom answers, and the sponsorship by grocery store chain Giant Eagle.  Now that I think of it, that sponsorship may well be what makes this ball special to me.  The Giant Eagle logo is on the ball twice, yet it’s clearly not a Giant Eagle Magic 8 Ball.  They just helped pay to have it made.

As this is a Pirates Magic Baseball, and not a Pirates Magic Eight Ball, it has to have custom, baseball related, answers, right?  Well, it does-

• Caught Stealing
• Double
• Double Play
• Foul Out
• Grand Slam
• Ground Out
• Home Run
• Intentional Walk
• Line Out
• Pop Out
• Rain Delay
• Rally Time
• Sac Bunt
• Sac Fly
• Single
• Stealing
• Stolen Base
• Strikeout
• Triple
• Walk

Special thanks to eBay seller Bennawit for some of the background data on this custom Magic 8 Ball.

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• McDonald’s Pirates Of The Caribbean Aye Ball – 2006 Score: 16
• USinternetworking Inc. (USi) Magic 8 Ball Score: 9
• eBay Magic 8 Ball Score: 9
• The Mystical Orb (aka Purple Orb Magic Eight Ball) Score: 8
• In The News – September 27 – October 3, 2009 Score: 7