A special feature on nostalgic toys and the trends we craved as kids—loads of the things we wanted back then are here!
Do you ever find yourself suddenly remembering those nostalgic toys you were obsessed with as a kid? The gadgets you used to compete with your friends over, or that one item you begged to have no matter what.
Trends in toys may change from era to era, but that thrilling excitement that stays deep in your heart never fades, does it? Some of them are still popular even today.
In this article, we’ll look back at the things we wanted as children and the toys that were all the rage back then, and introduce plenty of items that will make you blurt out, “I remember that!” Let’s open the door to those nostalgic memories!
- A roundup of nostalgic toys for people born in the ’90s [Trends]
- A roundup of nostalgic toys for people born in the 2000s [Trends]
- Nostalgic games that were popular when we were kids
- [Let’s Make and Play!] Handmade Toy Ideas You Can Create Yourself
- [List] A roundup of games and recreational activities kids love
- It's fun to spin! A collection of DIY toy ideas
- DIY ideas for a den-den daiko (Japanese pellet drum). Let’s make and play with this nostalgic toy!
- [Make with Kids] Handmade Outdoor Play Toy Special
- [For Kids] Today's Recommended Recreation Idea Collection
- Indoor Games for Small Groups: Exciting Recreational Activities
- [For Kids] Today’s Handmade Craft Ideas
- [DIY] A Collection of Handmade Moving Toy Craft Ideas
- [For Elementary School Kids] Handmade Toy Craft Ideas
A flood of things we wanted as kids! A special feature on nostalgic toys and trendy toys (21–30)
nerfNEW!
Nerf is a toy shaped like a gun that fires sponge darts called “darts.” The trademark was registered by the American toy manufacturer Hasbro in 1990, and sales began in 1992.
There are a variety of series that can be enjoyed by both children and adults, and many people have been hooked since childhood.
They come in many forms—handguns, rifles, shotguns, machine guns—appealing to the inner boy.
There are also collaboration products with online games, attracting a wide range of fans.
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!
Koeda-chanNEW!
Koeda-chan is a toy series aimed at girls.
Launched around 1977 by Takara Tomy, it featured a charming, fairy-tale world themed around nature, with a tree as the house, and it was hugely popular.
There were many characters, making it perfect for group doll play! This one is a Koeda-chan toy that lets you enjoy doing laundry.
The fact that it’s a twin-tub washer, with a wash tub and a spin-dry tub, really gives you a sense of the era.
But the amazing thing is that you could actually do laundry with it using detergent and water.
It was an excellent product that helped kids practice helping out and supported learning.
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.
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.
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.