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A roundup of nostalgic toys for people born in the 2000s [Trends]
What toys were popular among your friends or at school when you were a kid?
Card games everyone gathered to play, cute animal character figures that were fun to display—maybe there are even some you “played like crazy but totally forgot the name of.”
In this article, we’ve rounded up toys that will feel nostalgic to those born in the 2000s—items that were all the rage back then.
It’s perfect for a trip down memory lane, or for rediscovering old favorites now that you’re an adult!
A roundup of nostalgic toys for people born in the 2000s [Trends] (1–10)
Nintendo DS
A handheld game console that sold explosively not only in Japan but also across the United States and Asia.
It’s astonishing that the series sold a total of 150 million units.
Perhaps it was the Nintendo DS that helped further boost the popularity of Pokémon and Mario.
Thanks to its communication features and the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, this system laid the groundwork for the now-common idea of games that everyone can enjoy together.
The communication features in titles like Monster Hunter and Yo-kai Watch were especially exciting!
Beyblade
Inspired by traditional spinning tops and revived for the modern era, Beyblade first appeared as Bakuten Shoot Beyblade.
Kids and girls alike could get hooked because anyone could launch a top just by pulling the shooter winder.
Above all, customizing—whether for attack, defense, or balance—was a lot of fun.
There was no pay-to-win; there was plenty of room for creativity and ingenuity.
The manga Bakuten Shoot Beyblade serialized in Monthly CoroCoro Comic, as well as its spin-off Bakuten Shoot Gaiden: Beyblade Daichi, were also popular.
In fact, more people liked the rival Kai than the main character!
Ciao, Slala!
While reading manga, many people have probably thought, “I want to draw pictures like this too.” Chao Surara is a device that supports the dreams of girls who want to try drawing those kinds of pictures.
It’s a folding board: on one side you place a reference image, and on the other side you place a blank sheet of paper.
The reference image is reflected onto the transparent dark board in the middle, and you use that as a guide to draw on the blank paper.
Some people may have learned drawing techniques over time by tracing and copying art from their favorite works.
Pretty Rhythm
When girls gathered in the arcade, it used to be a given that they’d meet in front of the so‑called “purikura” photo booths.
But after Pretty Rhythm came out, that trend shifted a bit.
From little kids to big kids—and even adults—and of course boys too, everyone would line up for this game with their Prism Stones in hand.
As the versions changed—from Aurora Dream to Rainbow Live—the feel of the game changed dramatically, and even within each version there were fun seasons like the “Idol Debut Arc” and the “Symphonia Arc.” Who was your favorite character?
Mushiking
The very first Mushi King was “Mushiking: The King of Beetles.” Before we knew it, everyone just called it “Mushiking.” The second generation was “Mushiking Battle: Gatch of Fusion!!,” and the third was “Shin Mushiking: The King of Beetles,” so the battles of Mushi Battlers will never truly end! Even people who didn’t play the card game got hyped through the anime and manga, so long before the term “media mix” was commonly used, “Mushiking” was already spreading across generations in many forms.
If you still have cards like the Giraffa or the Alkides, treasure them as lifelong keepsakes!
Duel Masters
The surge in Pokémon card prices is making headlines, but in terms of scale and history, Duel Masters is actually bigger and has been around longer.
Back then, some people played their cards to the fullest without worrying about wear and tear, while others kept them in cases to collect—there were all sorts of ways to enjoy it, and it was a blast.
Looking back, the after-school battles were the most fun of all, whether we were bragging about our strongest decks or showing off expensive cards.
I also really looked forward to the Duel Masters manga in Monthly CoroCoro Comic that spun off from the card game.
And of course, the debate over whether you were a pure Magic: The Gathering fan or firmly in the Duel Masters camp is a fond memory too.
Endless Bubble Wrap
Who was the first person to call polyethylene cushioning “puchi-puchi,” I wonder? It’s such a simple yet spot-on name! The toy version, “Infinite Puchi-Puchi,” was also explosively popular.
There was even a keychain type—my friend had one on their bag.
I remember popping it nonstop on my way to school and even during class… Looking back, was that fashionable? It seems there’s bubble wrap sold specifically for popping, and I’ve heard that among the bubble wrap made by Kawakami Sangyo, one out of every 10,000 bubbles is heart-shaped.
In any case, it’s a nostalgic item.