It would be difficult to come up with a list of all the toys that have been released in the history of toy-making because there are virtually countless of them. Much like fashion, most toys are seasonal and go out of trend as quickly as they became popular.
There are still many more toys that prove to have staying power, and most of them end up becoming vintage collectibles. That means that you shouldn’t toss out your kids’ fuzzy teddies or your own hidden stash of beloved action figures because some might just earn you a small fortune a few years later.
Tamagotchi, Retailed For $18 - Today Sells For $200
The Tamagotchi was a digital pocket digital pet that you could take with you on the go. The tiny digital pet came out in 1996 and was a collaborative Japanese invention by Aki Maita and Akihiro Yokoi. Aki Maita of Bandai, a Japanese toy making company, even earned a Nobel Peace Prize for his contribution in economics soon after the Tamagotchi hit the market.
The toy’s name borrows from the Japanese words “egg” and “watch”, which makes sense in relation to its aesthetics. One of the vintage Tamagotchis will set you back about $200 now, but the virtual reality pet has new generation versions out through the Bandai website and online shopping sites.
Molly McIntire, Retailed for $100 - Today Sells for $1K
The three original characters of the American Girls dolls collection were introduced to the world in the late '80s. That was the time when the Molly McIntire dolls were first released alongside the ones of Kristen Larson and Samantha Parkington. A complete set of a Molly McIntire doll was about $100 dollars back then. But today, with some extra parts of her outfit, they can go up to $1K or even more! Even though they were retired in 2013, these toys actually got released again five years later through Costco. This means that anyone could now buy a new one.
Furby, Retailed For $35 - Today Sells For $400
When Furby hit the shelves, even Americans wondered what it was exactly. But when everyone found out it was a robotic toy, they went crazy for it. Tiger Electronics is the toy company behind the furry owl—or is it a hamster or perhaps a hybrid of the two? No one really cared, and it topped the list of must-have Christmas toys back in 1998.
In 1998 alone, there were 1.8 million Furbies sold. And by 1999, the number of units sold had gone up to 14 million. Hasbro unveiled an updated Furby between 2005 and 2007, and they updated it once again in 2012 to include LCD eyes and compatibility with the latest smartphone technology.
View-Master, Retailed For $12.50 - Today Sells For $430
As hard as it is to believe, the View-Master, which is a product of 1939, introduced us to the world of 3D in its rudimentary form. Back then, they were sold for $12.50, which was a lot of money at that time. To get your hands on an original vintage version today, you would have to spend an amount upwards of $430.
Kids used them to view 3D images of dinosaurs as well as assortments of exciting places. The special format stereoscopes were once used on Disneyland rides. View-Master, the company behind the 3D mobile devices, now have a virtual-reality version as well as advanced models similar to the original one.
Power Rangers Toys, Retailed For $13 - Today Sell For $140
The Power Rangers franchise is still alive with the third film released by Lionsgate in 2017. The '90s kids series Mighty Morphin Power Rangers played a key role in popularizing the live-action superhero characters. A line of action figures produced by Bandai also shot into popularity alongside the show.
By 2001, the sales of Power Rangers toys had generated more than $6 billion in revenue. In April 2019, Hasbro replaced Bandai as the partner of Saban Brands, who owns the Power Rangers brand. One of the figurines was sold for $13 back in the '90s. But now, you might have to dig into your savings account to spend $140 for them.
Troll Dolls, Retailed For $5 - Today Sell For $40
Troll Dolls, which were also called Dam Dolls, became a hit in the ‘60s and are still great sellers in some toy stores. They are considered good luck charms, and that’s why they are called Luck Trolls or Gonk Trolls in the UK. Thomas Dam, a Danish woodcutter, is the brains behind the dolls.
Shows and video games based on the dolls rolled out in the '90s, and several brands started producing similar dolls under different names. However, the Dam company reclaimed copyrights in the United States, which brought the unlicensed productions to an end. Special editions of the unique toys now go for as much as $40 each.
Sky Dancers, Retailed For $9.99 - Today Sell For $80
Galoob released the Sky Dancers line of propeller toys for the 1994 Christmas season. The collection of unique dolls, which have foam wings and a pull-string base, had different names as well as a story behind them. The dolls had foam wings, which provided some safety but the dolls became the cause of more than 100 injuries leading to a recall in 2000.
The dolls got a new breath of life in 2005 when Play Along Toys re-released them, while Galoob released a version for boys. A mint condition original Sky Dancer will set your bank account behind by about $80.
American Girl Dolls, Retailed For $82 - Today Sell For $1.5K
American Girl dolls already had a hefty price tag going for $82 each back then, and that didn’t include the collection of accessories for each doll. Parents spent thousands on these toys. And, well, if you have one in mint condition lying around, it could earn you as much as $1.5K!
The American Girl brand is now under Mattel, and they opened up stores specifically for the dolls in various states as well as in Canada. Since December 2014, the dolls cost $115 upfront. After adding accessories like clothes as well as special lunches in the brand’s New York store, the cost per doll easily goes up to $600.
Nintendo 64, Retailed For $199 - Today Sells For $370
Before you could download pretty much any game you wanted on your phone, the Nintendo 64 (N64) took the world by storm. It was a markedly advanced console by the standards of the '90s, and every kid wanted to get their hands on one. It hit the Japanese market in 1996 followed by its American debut in 1997.
Its launch came with three addictive games including Pilotwings 64 and Super Mario 64. Despite its hefty retail price of around $199.99, it incredibly sold 32.93 million units worldwide. Eventually, 388 games were released to accompany the console before its discontinuation in 2002 after GameCube replaced it.
Easy Bake Oven, Retailed For $50 - Today Sells For $300
The Easy-Bake Oven makes it on our list because, since its introduction in 1963, it still tops the list as one of the favorite toys for little girls. Hasbro released the light-bulb-powered play oven, which has currently received an upgrade and uses an actual heating element.
Around 500K units were sold in the first year. By 1997, they already achieved over 16 million sales of the 11 models of the Easy-Bake Oven. It comes with small round pans and a cake mix packet, while additional mixes are available separately. One of the original Easy-Bake Ovens costs at least $300 these days.
Pokémon Trading Card Game, Retailed For $3 - Today Sells For $100K
Pokémon Trading Cards (PTCG) are collectible card games published in 1996 by Media Factory. Based on the collections of Nintendo games of that time, The Pokémon Company took ownership of the brand in 2003. No one could have imagined that they would blow up as much as they did, sparking the slogan "you’ve gotta catch em all".
They were worth $3 back then, and most can’t fetch back that initial cost today. However, the truly special super rare cards are worth as much as $100K today. The Trophy Pikachu Trainer card is considered the most priceless, with the Pikachu Illustrator following at a $90K price tag.
Beanie Babies, Retailed For $5 - Today Sell For $800
Beanie Babies are yet other toys released in the '90s that caused a frenzy with every kid wanting to get their hands on one of them. These toys are stuffed with plastic pellets that make up the “beans” inside, giving the plushies a flexible feel.
There were over 100 varieties of Beanie Babies produced. And soon, people started buying them as an investment for their high resale value. However, not all of them are valuable like specific ones such as Princess the bear, which was dedicated to the late Princess Diana, and the Peace Bear. Today, one of them could cost as much as $800.
Bop It, Retailed For $15 - Today Sells For $35
The Bop-It audio game also dominated the '90s featuring multiple inputs, pull handles, spinnable wheels, and flickable switches. The fast-paced game licensed to Hasbro was the product of the collective effort of several designers. It’s identified as one of the most popular children’s games that’s currently on the market.
Hasbro has continued production of the toy, releasing several models over the years. The newer models feature new music and different shapes, taking the fun factor to greater heights. The vintage versions aren’t worth that much when it comes to making money from them, but you could still get seven times more than the original price.
Lite-Brite, Retailed For $150 - Today Sells For $150
Lite-Brite is originally a 1967 product. And as the name suggests, it’s made up of a lightbox accompanied with colored plastic pegs. The pegs fit into a panel on the lightbox, creating an illuminated picture. Templates are included to create images like Scooby-Doo and Mickey Mouse, or you can also allow your imagination to run wild.
Hasbro was kind enough to provide replacements for damaged or lost pegs as well as refills for peg colors. It’s one of those toys that have stood the test of time, but vintage ones can get you up to $150 if you chose to invest money on them back then.
Pogs, Retailed For $1 - Today Sell For $250
Pog is yet another game that even those of us who grew up in the '90s find a bit difficult to explain. Some say that the game originated in Hawaii back in the '20s and '30s, while others think that it's similar to the Japanese card game called Menko.
The rules of the game vary amongst players, but it involves building stacks and tossing a slammer onto it hoping to cause the stack to spring up. Those who made collecting popular toys as part of their investing strategy can now earn as much as $250 for the original Pog cards.
Pretty Pretty Princess, Retailed For $10 - Today Sells For $100
Board games are still amongst the leading choices when it comes to spending some quality time with family, and Pretty Pretty Princess was a favorite for kids going into the '90s. Elizabeth Pacza came up with the game in 1989 and Hasbro made it part of their properties in 1994.
The game aims at having players dress up like royalty with the help of the jewelry included. It was a hit amongst girls across America, and an original one today can fetch as much as ten times its original value. Hasbro has since released multiple special editions including Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Disney variants.
Polly Pocket, Retailed For $10 - Today Sells For $13K
Every little girl couldn’t wait to get their hands on a Polly Pocket and grow their collection of these toys. The tiny figurine called Polly came with her own personal house, which also doubled as a cute carry box.
The Polly Pocket sets came out in 1989, and Mattel acquired the brand making several changes to the design to incorporate several more fashion accessories. The toys were discontinued in the U.S in 2012. The original sets are still quite valuable. In fact, one of them, which was still in its box, was sold for an incredible $13K.
Cabbage Patch Kids, Retailed For $25 - Today Sell For $3K
There is a high likelihood that even if you didn’t grow up in the '80s you have heard about the Cabbage Patch Kids. The soft-sculpted dolls were initially registered in 1978, but it wasn’t until their mass production and renaming in 1982 that they truly became popular.
The Cabbage Patch Kids ended up becoming amongst America’s longest-running toy franchises, sparking other merchandising products like animated cartoons and board games. While toy stores aren’t short in supply of these dolls in their updated form, the original dolls are quite rare and would set you back $3K from personal collectors offering them on online shopping sites.
Tickle Me Elmo, Retailed For $29 - Today Sells For $250
Tickle Me Elmo first hit the shelves in 1996 and soon became a fad toy. It created a frenzy that involved some instances of violence as people scrambled to get their hands on the limited supply. There wasn’t social media marketing back then, but the power of newspaper and internet advertising got the word out.
The next year after it’s release, some sellers were asking for as much as $1.5K for one of the toys based on the famous Sesame Street character. In 2017, Playskool came up with an updated version of Tickle Me Elmo. The original one can still fetch upwards of $250.
Talkback Dear Diary, Retailed For $10 - Today Sells For $200
While a pen and diary were powerful tools in the hands of a girl with thoughts to write down, Talkback Dear Diary took things a notch higher. The electronic diary instantly recorded your voice and played it back. The diary protected your secrets with the help of a password, and it featured other functions like a calculator, horoscopes, and dislikes.
The Talkback Dear Diary borrowed from the Talkboy, which was a voice recorder and cassette popularized by the Home Alone movies in the '90s. While laptop computers and smartphones have now taken the place of this electronic diary, online listings have original ones going for as much as $200.
Dream Phone, Retailed For $20 - Today Sells For $100
Dream Phone introduced teen girls to the world of dating in a safe way, and of course without the heartbreak. The board game included a set of rules, a pink phone, and a selection of 24 boys. It included all the recipes that make dating thrilling including mystery, gossip, and butterflies.
Playing a specific boy’s card granted the player the opportunity to have a call that would offer a clue related to the boy’s special hangouts, clothes, or food. The goal was to hear the words that a boy likes you back. One of these sets goes for as much as $100 today.
Barbie, Retailed For $3 - Today Sells For $5K
Barbie is amongst the list of toys we bet that our kids and their kids will have a chance to own. Her story started in 1959 when businesswoman Ruth Handler created the doll, and Mattel subsequently launched the iconic toy. The original Barbie had a different look compared to the ones available today, which come in a wide range of body shapes and skin tones.
The doll was Mattel’s highest earners, with the company having sold more than a billion Barbies. However, sales declined from 2014. If you have one of the original ones in your hands, it could earn you up to $5K.
Strawberry Shortcake Dolls, Retailed for $26, - Today Sell for $550
Introduced to the market in 1979, the Strawberry Shortcake dolls were one of the classic toys that young girls raved about. They had food-themed names, and each came with a scent that matched their corresponding name. The line included different types of dolls, including villains.
It’s true what they say old is gold. If you have a vintage toy forgotten in the attic, it may be time to dust it off and put it up for sale. Buyers out there are willing to spend hundreds of dollars on vintage toys. Are you up for the task?
Super Soaker, Retailed for $10-$50 - Today Sells for $300-$600
If there is one toy kids from different generations treasure, it is the Super Soaker. A genius invention from Larami Toys, children would move mountains to own this high-powered water gun. The award-winning toy was so popular that it was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2015.
Even with new inventions introducing more powerful toys that the young ones can use to wager wet warfare, scores of sellers still browse online sites like Amazon to look for the original Super Soakers. Its manufacturer has sold millions of recreational water guns, making billions of dollars.
Spice Girls Doll Collection, Retailed for $15 - Today Sells for $225
Released by Galoob Toys in the late '90s, the Spice Girls Dolls were celebrity toys that were based on the Spice Girls, a popular pop girl group during that time. They are among the best-selling toys of all time with sales of more than 11 million.
Today, it is still possible to own the lovely Girl Power Spice Girls Dolls collection. You must dig deeper into your pocket, however, as they do not come cheap nowadays. You can buy them on websites like eBay from people who are willing to let go of these incredibly cute dolls.
Hot Wheels, Retailed for $0.59 - Today Sell For $125K
The Hot Wheels racing cars are tiny die-cast toy cars produced by Mattel. The colorful toys were available in different models, all sporting a red pinstripe on the wheels. Production of the toy vehicles started back in 1968. The company then moved on to produce new models, which means the originals became rarer.
It’s shocking how a toy car once sold for less than a dollar is now a valuable collector’s item. One of the little cars that easily fits into a child’s hand was sold for a whopping $125K; more expensive than some real cars on the roads.
Monopoly: Original Edition, Retailed for $2, Today Sells for over $100K
Monopoly is one of the board games that captured the hearts of many and have become a favorite family game since 1935. The fact that it was affordable, retailing at $2, might have contributed to its status. Its popularity led to the invention of numerous versions wherein some were exclusively made for children.
If you are the proud owner of an original Monopoly board game, you may be happy to hear that people are willing to invest money to get their hands on these gems. We are talking about thousands of dollars here!
My Little Pony Dolls, Retailed for $13 - Today Sell for $900
Little girls all over the globe adored the My Little Pony Dolls in the '80s. They came with soft manes that kids could play with for hours. It was not long before the franchise took over the toy industry; getting its line of TV series, movies, and books.
Not many would have predicted that the '80s toys would one day become worth a fortune. Many find joy in collecting toys that children loved back in the day and are willing to spend quite a lot for some products that may not be in the best condition.
Barbie Golden Dream Motorhome, Retailed for $45 - Today Sells for $325
Growing up in the '90s, most children were in the business of collecting accessories for Barbie and Ken. The Barbie Golden Dream Motorhome stood out since it was something different that made playtime more interesting. The motor home was spacious and also came with a few other accessories for Barbie to enjoy.
If you or your little sibling could not let go of Barbie’s accessories, you may be in for a treat that could see you smiling to the bank. You can sell some for hundreds of dollars to willing buyers
Teddy Ruxpin, Retailed for $69.99 - Today Sells for $1K
The famous cuddly and adorable Teddy Ruxpin teddy bear made its entrance to the toy word in 1985. The fact that he could talk made children and adults fall in love with him fast. This is because it was a technology that many were not familiar with.
Although the market is filled with talking bears and toys, some collectors still search for the original versions. Some sites state that a Teddy Ruxpin doll that is in great condition can fetch up to $1K, whereas its original price was less than $100.
Transformers Action Figures, Retailed for $20 - Today Sell for Over $2K
The Transformers are one of the most successful lines of toys from Hasbro. The concept saw the introduction of the legendary animated Transformers TV series and a Marvel comic book as well. Over the years, the first generation of Transformer toys has become almost extinct, raising their value tenfold.
Action figures remain a hit thanks to the love that both children and some adults have for the toys. Transformers toys are arguably one of the most collectible toys today. Anyone interested in the figures must think of them as an investment because they cost thousands of dollars.
Lego Trains, Retailed for $159 - Today Sell for $1.5K-$3K
The number of Lego train fanatics all over the world continues to grow at a speedy rate. The buildable train sets were, however, not as sophisticated as they are today. When they were first introduced in 1966, the train sets were simple push-alongs with blue rails.
The design of modern Lego trains has gone through a significant revolution with new innovative systems and features. Due to the rarity of the first Lego train sets, their value has become quite steep in today’s markets. Buying one is like purchasing a designer item because they cost more than $1.5K.
Eternia Playset, Retailed for $30 - Today Sells for Over $3K
Part of the Masters of the Universe toys line from Mattel, the Eternia playset was one of the biggest playsets to be manufactured by the company. It has three levels with the same number of towers plus a monorail system that circles the set. It’s similar to an amusement park, with multiple child-pleasing features.
The Eternia playset is one of the rarest in the toy industry. Anyone who wishes to go down memory lane and own the set must be ready to part with serious money even when it does not come with its original box.
G.I. Joe, Retailed for $2.50 - Today Sells for $200K
If young boys had their way, they would spend all their parents’ earnings on G.I. Joe toys. Hasbro launched this line of action figures, which were inspired by branches of the United States Armed Forces. Boasting diverse playsets and moving parts, these toys have entertained kids for decades.
G.I. Joe has been one of the most coveted collectible items. The love is so strong that collectors even organize G.I conventions. G.I Joe enthusiasts also acknowledge that most first-generation items are not easily accessible when they are doing online shopping—one of the reasons why the price of the toys keeps rising.