Toys tagged with 90s - 3/4

Pokémon

A combined love of collecting bugs and playing video games led to one of the biggest toy crazes of the 90s, when Japanese gamer Satoshi Tajiri concocted a little game called Pokémon. As the editor of his own gaming magazine, Tajiri had become enamored with the Nintendo Game Boy system, especially the fact that two systems could be interconnected, and he wanted to create a special game for the system. After six long years of work, Nintendo bought the rights to his game and the Pokémon craze was officially launched.

Polly Pocket

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Mom’s purse was always filled with an assortment of strange devices - such as those little compact containers, complete with mirror and that ever-mysterious make-up. And if mom had a need to carry these things around, the first thing a young girl was likely to think was “I want one too!” But as intriguing as a dollop of colored powder might be, imagine the appeal of having the same little cases to carry around, just like mom, but have them filled with a delightful little secret world filled with tiny and adorable dolls. The temptation would be almost impossible to resist.

Power Wheels

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In the world of 70s kid-friendly transportation, there was the Big Wheel and the Green Machine, both of which relied on plenty of pedal-power to from here to there. In the decades that followed, kids expended a few less calories, thanks to the far more plush, battery-powered vehicles known as Power Wheels. The streets would never be the same.

Romper Stompers

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Few would argue that toys were far simpler back in the day. Build something colorful that made a lot of noise, and maybe had a few flickering lights, market it to a large audience, and sales were practically assured. And while Romper Stompers had no illumination to speak of, they sure made up for it by making the loudest, clompiest sound ever heard since horses started wearing metal shoes. And that was enough to etch them into the memories of millions of former kids who still fondly remember these simple toys. Let's take a look back.

Rubik’s Cube

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Few toys are as equally fascinating and frustrating as the Rubik's Cube. They lure the unsuspecting populace in with their bright colors and mysterious mechanical workings, never giving a hint of the addictive properties just waiting to be unleashed with a few simple twists and turns. Through much of the 80s, the world twisted and turned, their minds in overdrive as they tried to solve the complex computations that once again right the cube to its original form - an aligned form that some of us only saw on the first day we opened the package, then never again. Today, we take a look back at this iconic toy that the world worked so tirelessly to solve.

Scrabble

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Ah, Scrabble. Play it often enough and you start seeing those lettered tiles in your dreams, forming words that would be worth 100 points if they actually existed. The much-loved game has endured for over 50 years, providing both family enjoyment and competitive play. Out of all the board games, Scrabble is truly a Cinderella story.

See ‘n Say

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This toy talks. It talks. It’s an inanimate object and it talks. Imagine the delight and awe of the average toddler in the 1960s who received a See ‘n Say. It was like having a little minion that imitated all sorts of sounds at your command. Pretty heady stuff for a 4-year old.

Slip ‘N Slide

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Peering jealously over the fence at the neighbor’s nice big pool became a thing of the past with the Slip ‘n Slide. When the summer weather was scorching hot and the beach was an inconvenient distance away, kids found cool relief along a runway made of plastic. Hooked up to the garden hose, the runway magically transformed into the wettest, most slippery surface ever devised by man.

Super Soaker

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So many scientists insist upon wasting their time on the boring stuff – medicine, space exploration, computer circuitry. It is the select few, the ones who understand the importance of playtime, that truly make the worthwhile contributions. In the 60s, it was the tireless hours in a laboratory perfecting the Super Ball, simply so that millions of kids could have the opportunity to play with a ball that could bounce over a house. And in the 80s, one brave scientist would re-invent the whole concept of water warfare. Put away those water balloons, holster that measly water pistol – there was a new breed of aquatic artillery on the block and its name was Super Soaker. Let’s take a look at the origins of this terrific toy.

Tamagotchi

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It happens every day: another parent is sucked into taking care of a new pet. It might be the stray kitten Jenny found in the alley, the lizard Mikey picked up at school, the puppy bought by grandpa; no matter the critter and no matter how it got there, there were sure to be messes and catastrophes to follow. Worse yet, the biggest of these disasters would come once the excitement wore off and the poop-scooping, feedings, grooming and general maintenance would be foisted onto someone else: the parent. Throughout the years, a variety of tactics have been mounted against such irresponsible pet caretaking. From mice to fish, from ant farms to sea monkeys, these pets are brought onto the scene to test the mettle of the most strong-willed of children. As often as such ventures were successful, some were ill-fated, at least for the starter pets. Not to mention such efforts did little to thwart the incessant begging and puppy dog eyes. Luckily for parents and kids of the late 90s there was the Tamagotchi.