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A roundup of nostalgic toys for people born in the ’90s [Trends]
Weren’t birthdays and Christmas special when we were kids?
They were those rare days when you could finally get the toy you wanted.
Of course, some people looked forward to things other than toys, but I’m sure you can still relate.
You wanted the same things your classmates had, or you begged for the latest gadgets everyone was talking about.
So this time, I’ve put together a list of toys that sparked nationwide crazes—ones that people born in the ’90s will find nostalgic!
How about we take a little trip back to our childhood?
A roundup of nostalgic toys for people born in the ’90s [Trends] (1–10)
B-Daman
B-Daman, released by Takara Tomy in 1993.
It’s a toy where you assemble super-deformed (chibi) parts to make a figure and shoot marbles loaded into holes in the head or abdomen.
Its mechanical yet cute look was distinctive and it became explosively popular, especially among elementary schoolers at the time.
The line developed a deep character identity, with versions that added competitive elements to the simple act of shooting marbles and others that featured rich storytelling.
It also drew attention through media mix expansions, being adapted into anime, manga, and video games.
Mini 4WD
Mini 4WD cars are easy to assemble like plastic model kits and can run using motors and gears.
After the first big boom in the 1980s, second and third waves of popularity followed over the years, and each time they were adapted into manga as well.
It’s likely that most men have experienced at least one of these booms.
Because you can upgrade components in great detail—such as tires, wheels, bodies, and chassis—they’re appealing not just to children but to adults too.
In recent years, those who experienced the first boom have grown up, and it’s become a popular toy that you can often see parents and children enjoying together across generations.
Digimon
Digimon brought to life a groundbreaking idea: raising and evolving a character inside a handheld device.
It’s a toy that lets you enjoy exciting gameplay, including pitting the Digimon you’ve trained against each other in battles.
When the anime Digimon Adventure aired in 1999, the Digivice released around the same time became a hit.
Since its debut, numerous improved versions have been released.
It’s a toy packed with the appeal of unique stories and characters that explore the relationship between humans and Digimon.
Slinky
Developed in the United States in the 1940s, the Slinky is commonly known in Japan by names like “Color Spring” and “Rainbow Spring.” Many people of a certain generation probably bought one at festival stalls, and today you can even find them at 100-yen shops.
In recent years, performers using Slinkies have gained worldwide attention, and the spring’s unique motion continues to fascinate audiences across generations.
However, because of its shape, once it gets tangled it can be very difficult to return to normal, so be careful when playing with it.
Tamagotchi
Tamagotchi sparked a massive craze in the 1990s, becoming such a social phenomenon that simply owning one was considered a status symbol.
The system—caring for and raising a mysterious creature living inside a small, easily portable device—became an explosive hit, especially among high school girls at the time.
Its popularity led to a TV anime adaptation and appearances in drama scenes, making it a defining hit that encapsulated the zeitgeist.
Even in 2021, the release of the Tamagotchi Smart showed how the product continues to evolve with the times while winning over users’ hearts.
Hyper Yo-Yo
The Hyper Yo-Yo is a competition-oriented evolution of the yo-yo, a toy that has been part of play across various cultures since ancient times.
When it was developed in the 1990s, it became an unprecedented hit, said to be the biggest boom in yo-yo history, with countless competitions being held.
Although its popularity declined for a period, from around 2010 the spread of the internet led to many professional players sharing techniques online, which became a hot topic.
Unfortunately, the product line has now been discontinued, but it was a hit that introduced modern children to the potential and fun of yo-yos.
Furby
Furby, released in 1998 by Tiger Electronics in the United States, debuted in Japan in 1999 and became explosively popular across a wide range of age groups.
Its ability to speak its own language and sing is especially memorable.
Its fluffy fur and moving ears, eyelids, and mouth are also adorable.
Since it was a hit in the early 2000s, many people born in the ’90s will likely be familiar with it.
With features like voice recognition and more expressive behavior, Furby 2 was also released, making it a beloved product among toy fans around the world.