Every generation thinks that the toys of its collective childhood were the best – that’s just how rose-tinted nostalgia works. Still, call us biased, but when it comes to the 80s and 90s, it seems the toys really were as good as it they get.
It was an exciting time for play for all ages: not only were traditional toys like teddies getting clever new updates with the likes of the Care Bears and Beanie Babies, but more elaborate plastic creations like Transformers and Polly Pocket were also emerging.
It was a big time for merchandising, too: as Star Wars toys, based on George Lucas’ blockbuster films, reached peak popularity in this period, the likes of My Little Pony and Transformers were getting their own spin-off shows and movies based on the toys alone.
The 80s and 90s were also when video games became available to the average household for the first time, with games consoles like the SNES and Sega Mega Drive fuelling brand new technological addictions.
Meanwhile, the old classics like Barbie and Lego continued to be popular, spawning new sets made just for the era.
This here list features a bucket-load of favourite toys from our childhood. Now all that’s left for you to do is scroll on down and rank them.