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)
Print Gocco
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 beads
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.
Tetris Mini
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.
Transformer
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 doll
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.
Monchhichi
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!
Game & Watch
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.
