10 Childhood Classic Toys from the 80s and 90s and Their Modern Versions
1. Classic: Original Tamagotchi 1996
The original Tamagotchi was released in 1996 by Bandai and quickly became a worldwide obsession. The struggle of trying to keep your Tamagotchi pet alive was a relatable experience shared by many around the world.
Now almost 30 years later, Bandai is still producing the cult classic toy with a few modern updates. Tamagotchi pets are now offered in the form of popular characters from all your favorite shows, movies, comics, games, and more!
Modern: The Mandalorian Grogu (The Force Ver. & Silicone Case) Tamagotchi
2. Classic: The Transformers
Hasbro introduced the G1 collection originally named “The Transformers” in 1984 in the US. Generation 1 sparked lifelong collecting habits for many fans with the concept of the more figures and characters you have the more you can recreate within the Transformer universe.
Hasbro went as far as adding the “rubsign” as a form authenticity that also revealed the characters allegiance once transformed. This feature can still be found in some modern versions we have today.
Modern: Transformers
3. Classic: Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots
For kids in the 80s and 90s Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robot Ring was a popular place to settle your disagreements. Made popular originally by the Marx Toy Company, the Rock ’Em Sock ’Em Robots featured the red and blue boxers in the ring where the objective was to knock your opponent's head up and off the shoulders by having lightning-fast fingers pressing the buttons connected to your player.
Mattel and Super Impulse are just a few of the companies that have brought this nostalgic toy back for all the adults that are still kids at heart. Keep the fighting spirit alive with this micro version for on-the-go Rock ’Em Sock ’Em justice!
Modern: World’s Smallest Rock’ Em Sock ’Em Robots Micro Figures
4. Classic: Tiger Electronics Handheld Games
Tiger Electronics and their parent company Hasbro introduced one of the original handheld games in the early 1980s. The original game devices allowed players to have access to a portable version of their favorite games at a much cheaper cost than later introduced options like the Game Boy.
Tiger Electrons and Hasbro are producing updated handheld versions of the classic and new games today including Spider-Man, Jurassic Park, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and more!
Modern: Tiger Electronics Handheld Video Game
5. Classic: He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe — Castle Grayskull
The original version of Castle Grayskull was released in 1982 and like many of its time included an open and close for storage design. When it was released, Mattel sold the He-Man and Skeletor figure that each came with half a plastic sword which combined to create a “complete” sword that was used as a key to the jawbridge to the Castle Grayskull play set.
Relive all the good vs evil battles of Eternia with this playset of the mighty fortress, Castle Grayskull, as seen in the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe animated series on Netflix. This version of the iconic fortress is designed with extensive features including dramatic lights and sounds, a fold-out “Jawbridge,” fold-down battle stations, detachable pods with missiles, and battle accessories.
Modern: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Castle Grayskull
6. Classic: Stretch Armstrong
In 1976 Kenner introduced the original Stretch Armstrong that featured a figure of rubber latex filled with a gelled substance that allowed you to stretch him in crazy ways and after a brief time he would shrink back into his original shape. Some consider it to be one of the original stress ball style toys due to the sensory experience element of this toy.
Almost 50 years later Stretch Armstrong is still a pop culture icon. Various versions have been created over the years including the recent Retro Toys Vinyl Soda Stretch Armstrong Limited Edition Figure which also includes a POG shaped collector card for the double nostalgic factor.
Modern: Retro Toys Vinyl Soda Stretch Armstrong Limited Edition Figure
7. Classic: G.I. Joe
Hasbro originally introduced G.I. Joe in 1964 with the names “Rocky” (marine/soldier) “Skip” (sailor) and “Ace” (pilot), before the final name of G.I. Joe stuck as a more universally recognized name and brand.
Almost 70 years later the G.I. Joe universe created hundreds of new characters, story lines, collections, accessories, and vehicles that still have a choke hold in pop culture.
Modern: G.I. Joe Classified Series Croc Master & Fiona
8. Classic: Nerf Blasters
Nerf started off with indoor sports balls like the Nerf Football and Nerf Baseball and then launched the Nerf Blasters line in 1989. The first Blasters featured a Blaster Ball ammo before the dart style ammo became the popular and long option.
Nerf is anothe product line that has come a long way in the last 30 years with the modern versions offering endless designs, character tie ins, reload options, and even glow in the dark or light up ammo.
Modern: Halo Infinite NERF Bulldog Blaster
9. Classic: Pokémon
Pokémon cards were released in Japan first in 1996 and debuted in the US just a few short years later in 1999. With the success of the card pack sales the Pokémon universe continues to expand to video games, movies, tv series, figures, Legos, models, and so much more!
As of 2023, there are more than 15,000 different card variations released and countless other collectibles.
Gotta catch ’em all!
Modern: Pokemon Trading Card Game: Single Strike or Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX League Battle Deck
10. Classic: Star Wars Figurines
Kenner (now a Hasbro company) introduced the original Star Wars figurines in 1977 that included Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Artoo-Detoo (R2-D2), Chewbacca, See-Threepio (C-3PO), Darth Vader, Stormtrooper,
Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi, Han Solo, Jawa, Sand People, and Death Squad Commander. Between 1977 and 1985 that list expanded to include more than 100 different figures.
The Star Wars universe has only grown since its launch in 1977, expanding to include 12 movies and 9 series to date with more on the way.
As an ode to the original release of the Kenner figures, Hasbro now has the Star Wars Retro Collection so we can relive the glory days in a galaxy not so far away.
Modern: Star Wars Retro Collection
