Activision Patch: H.E.R.O.

The patch for H.E.R.O. - Helicopter Emergency Rescue Operation - awarded by Activision to players who reached a qualifying score.

How it was earned

• Photograph the television with the score showing, post the picture to Activision, and receive the patch with membership of the game's club by return.

Why it matters

• It is the direct ancestor of achievements and trophies. What differs is that the proof was a photograph, the verification was a person reading the post, and the reward was something you could sew onto a jacket.

H.E.R.O. was published for the ColecoVision as well as the Atari 2600, and is one of the better-regarded games of its era.