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] (21–30)
Cabbage Patch KidsNEW!
Released by an American toy manufacturer as dolls born from cabbage patches, the Cabbage Patch Kids came with birth certificates and names, and each one had unique features like different facial expressions and hair colors, making every doll one of a kind.
While the head is plastic, the body is made of soft cloth, offering an ideal tactile feel for children.
Since each one is different, some children may have wanted to collect many of them! Their individual personalities likely made doll play even more engaging.
Game & WatchNEW!
There are many handheld game consoles like the Switch and the DS, but it’s no exaggeration to call the Game & Watch the original.
Released by Nintendo in 1980 as its first handheld game console, it reportedly got its name from the fact that it could be used as a clock when you weren’t playing.
The line evolved over time, with larger screens and even a dual-screen clamshell design.
In 2020, a limited-time Super Mario edition of the Game & Watch was released.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sylvanian Families
Sylvanian Families are anthropomorphized animal dolls released by Epoch in 1983.
They gradually grew in popularity and were even sold in the United States and Europe in the 1990s.
Their greatest appeal is that you can buy small houses, furniture, and clothes to play with alongside the figures.
Many of the products released in recent years include mechanisms and features that didn’t exist back then, so if you pick them up again you might discover something new.
They were also adapted into a TV anime, so now’s a great time to check them out.
Flower Rock
A sound-responsive toy released by Takara in 1988.
These days it doesn’t feel particularly special as a regular toy, but back then it was a massive hit, reportedly selling a total of 8.5 million units worldwide.
If you include similar and derivative toys, I’m sure many more were played with.
The famous one was the funky sunflower planted in a pot, wearing sunglasses and holding a guitar.
It would wiggle in response to sound, making it look like it was dancing.
It was a pioneer among toys that react to light and sound.
So nostalgic!
My Little Pony
My Little Pony is the franchise that won the hearts of girls with its colorful and adorable characters.
Created by Hasbro Studios in the United States in 1981, it features ponies, unicorns, pegasi, and more.
It was adapted into an animated series in the U.S.
starting in 1982, and by 2021 the fifth generation had aired, making it a long-loved property.
In Japan, it became popular around 2013 when merchandise sales were launched in tandem with the TV anime broadcast.
