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?
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A roundup of nostalgic toys for people born in the ’90s [Trends] (11–20)
Print GoccoNEW!
Print Gocco, sold by Riso Kagaku Corporation from 1977 to 2008.
It was a groundbreaking home-use mini printing machine that could do both master-making and printing.
Many people probably enjoyed making New Year’s cards with their children using it.
Recognizable by its yellow color and boxy shape, it flashes brightly when you place your illustration in the designated spot to create the master.
After that, you apply ink and move on to the printing stage.
Choosing the colors is part of the fun, and it’s a toy that lets you enjoy authentic printing with a craft-like feel!
Perler beadsNEW!
With the release of “Perler Beads” in 1995, iron beads became hugely popular among children.
These are toys where you arrange small beads on a pegboard to create shapes or letters, then fuse them together with an iron.
Nowadays they’re easy to find even at 100-yen shops, and they’re popular as an easy way to enjoy making creations.
There are also types that fuse with water so that children can make them on their own, making them safer to enjoy than in the past.
GunplaNEW!
Even as adults, countless people find themselves completely hooked! Some enjoy painting them, combining different parts, or customizing them as they go.
Commonly abbreviated as “Gunpla,” these Gundam plastic model kits let you build the mobile suits that appear in the anime Mobile Suit Gundam.
First released in 1980, they gradually gained popularity and are now loved overseas as well.
With so many different types available, they really stoke your desire to collect.
Their appeal isn’t just for skilled model builders—products are also thoughtfully designed for beginners.
Tetris MiniNEW!
You all know Tetris, the original puzzle game, right? This Tetris Mini plays the same way, but it was released as a portable version you can enjoy anytime, anywhere.
Its hallmark is how easy it is to carry around as a keychain.
Many of you might have spent your childhoods clipping it to your bag, taking it off when you had a free moment, and playing…
A revival edition was released in 2020 and became a hot topic, and it remains popular today as a game everyone can enjoy, regardless of generation.
TransformerNEW!
When it comes to irresistible robot toys for boys, isn’t “Transformers” the first that comes to mind? In Japan, the anime began airing in 1985.
Later, the live-action film series that debuted in 2007 became a huge hit! Many people may have discovered Transformers through those movies.
As depicted in both the anime and the films, the greatest appeal of these toys is their ability to transform.
Just the thought of a car turning into a robot is enough to get you excited, right?
troll dollNEW!
Troll dolls became an explosive craze, especially among high school girls who grew up in the Heisei era.
They weren’t exactly the kind of cute look that girls typically adore, but it was said that stroking a troll’s hair would grant wishes, so many people carried them as lucky charms.
There are countless variations, but their hallmark features are the big, round eyes and vividly colored, straight-up hair in primary hues.
Even in the Reiwa era, they’re known as one of the iconic items of Heisei retro culture.
Pachin GumNEW!
If you reach out your hand, tempted by the kind offer of “Here, have some gum,” your fingers will get snapped with a sharp “snap!” This is a prank toy that was popular from the Showa era into the early Heisei period.
It looks like a stick of chewing gum, but you can’t eat what’s inside.
It’s an easy-to-understand prank, yet it has a certain charm that makes you want to try it over and over.
If you really want to catch someone off guard, surprising them out of the blue might work best.
MonchhichiNEW!
It was a toy that felt a bit strange even back then: a plush body with a doll-like face.
It was born in 1974, starting with Monchhichi in the form of a baby wearing a bib.
Later, Monchhichi’s friends and the twin siblings Mychhichi appeared, and the character grew into a long-loved favorite.
In 2024 it celebrates its 50th anniversary, and it’s still so popular that new merchandise is being released today.
It’s a heavyweight you can’t ignore when talking about Showa-era retro!
baseball board gameNEW!
The tabletop “Baseball Board” game you can easily enjoy indoors is something just about everyone has played at least once.
The rules are just like real baseball, so split into pitcher and batter and take turns on offense and defense.
As the batter, aim to land the ball in the “1BH,” “2BH,” “3BH,” or “HR” slots on the board.
Hitting into a fielder or an “OUT” slot won’t score any runs.
As the pitcher, vary your pitches from the available types to get the batter out.
You might want to limit the number of times a magic pitch can be used.
Super Famicom
The Super Famicom was developed as the successor to the Family Computer, which recorded explosive sales primarily among children across Japan.
Evolving from 8-bit to 16-bit made the graphics dramatically more beautiful, and many people of that generation might remember being moved as kids.
In terms of BGM as well, compared to the Family Computer’s distinctly “game-like” sound, the increased number of timbres created a greater sense of depth that better evoked each game’s world.
Though it’s now categorized as a retro game console, it was a hit product that became a crucial turning point in the evolution of video games.
