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] (1–10)
Kids Computer PICO
The kids’ electronic educational toy PICO, released by Sega Enterprises.
With catchphrases like “Have fun and grow your intelligence” and “Play is the first step to learning,” its strategy of targeting preschoolers through early elementary schoolers set it apart from other game consoles and led to huge success.
The promise of being able to study while playing made it easy to imagine why so many children at the time were hooked.
Although the boom came to an end with the arrival of systems like the Nintendo DS, its groundbreaking system lives on even today in hit products.
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.
Beyblade
Beyblade surged in popularity among elementary school kids when the anime Beyblade aired in 2001 and became a hit.
Inspired by traditional Japanese spinning tops called beigoma, its distinctive design lets you customize an original top by swapping out parts.
It sparked such a social phenomenon that it expanded into a mixed-media franchise spanning manga, films, and video games—many people born in the ’90s will remember it well.
Different tops play roles like Attack, Defense, and Balance, enhancing the strategic depth of battles.
It’s a product that delivers thrilling matches, blending nostalgic charm with fresh ideas.
A roundup of nostalgic toys for people born in the ’90s [Trends] (11–20)
Licca-chan doll
Licca-chan is a doll released by Takara Tomy in 1967.
It was developed as a product for children’s pretend play and is a toy that lets you enjoy various outfit changes.
It has collaborated with many different companies, and thanks to its long history as a character, it is loved by fans across a wide range of generations.
The brand has expanded into various works such as anime, music, and puppet shows, and many related characters connected to Licca-chan have also been released.
From the first generation onward, numerous dolls have been produced, and the brand has also been active as an advertising character and celebrity figure.
Yo-kaizer
Yōkaizer is an electronic game released by Bandai in 1998.
The game’s theme is completing an encyclopedia of yokai, and many different versions were released.
The device includes a pedometer, and yokai appear when you reach a certain number of steps.
If you defeat the yokai displayed on the screen, they join your team and fill in your encyclopedia.
Songs written and composed by Masashi Sada were released for it, and the product was also adapted into a manga.
Check out this nostalgic item that was popular among elementary school students at the time.
kick scooter
A kickboard developed based on a three-wheeled scooter created by the German scooter manufacturer Ciro.
It has wheels at the front and rear, and you steer it by gripping the handle located on the long, extended main frame bar.
You place your foot on the deck and propel yourself forward by kicking off the ground.
Kickboards gained popularity among young people in the late 1990s, and by the 2020s they came to be used as convenient items for getting around town.
They are enjoyed in a wide range of settings, from casual fun to attempting technical tricks.
AIBO
AIBO is a series of pet robots released by Sony in 1999.
It’s characterized by a dog-like appearance capable of four-legged walking and can engage in various forms of communication.
A key point is its ability to behave like a pet, such as distinguishing moving objects and kicking a ball with its feet.
It also has a programmed mechanism to grow in response to user interactions and stimuli.
In 2018, the successor model ERS-1000 was released, and AIBO is cherished as a toy that established the popularity of pet robots.