Best Retro 1980s Toys Guide: Find Out Where to Buy Them Today!

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Jodie Chiffey

If there is a more multifaceted writer and all around great person, we are yet to find them! Jodie is a talented writer, loves the outdoors, absorbs tech content like a sponge, and above all, she loves keeping up with the latest toys of the era. While obviously championing her favorite toys from her own era.

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Being an 80s baby and 90s kid, I have some wonderful memories of playing with some of the best retro 1980s toys, and I can’t wait to rediscover these fantastic toys with you!

Toys today, especially electronic ones, are so advanced it’s hard to see 1980s toys as anything special. Still, there was something truly mind-blowing and definitely iconic about those early toys and games.

The 80s was a time for exciting TV series, cool commercials, classic movies, and the birth of electronic gaming, and a hugely busy time for toy manufacturers to keep up with new high demand.

While parents rocked their bouffant hair and listened to George Michael, children were practicing their karate moves, searching the skies for aliens, or sitting down on the floor and playing with some of the greatest toys to have ever been invented – and it is those toys this article will focus on!

So, let’s get to it!

My Bottom Line Up Front

The Pound Puppies were so adorable back in the day; every child had to have one – or six!

I remember feeling so relieved when I was finally able to ‘rescue’ one of these pups in the early 90s and save it from a life I had imagined for it… they’re available now to encourage nurture, responsibility, and to care for another. It comes complete with an adoption certificate and sticker sheet!

Best Retro 1980s Toys That Haven’t Made the List

Sadly, not all 1980s toys that I consider to be completely awesome have made my guide, and there are a couple of reasons for this. The first is that I simply can’t locate them or anything similar-enough to do them justice, so to preserve them in my mind (and yours), I felt it better to skip them altogether.

Other toys from the 1980s that do have similar products available today, but I have chosen not to include in this feature are:

• Mini Hammocks: These were recalled in the mid-90s due to causing fatal accidents in the US.
• Jarts: Another dangerous 80s toy that was recalled due to thousands of child injuries and at least 4 deaths in the US. You can find them retailing in Canada today but with plastic tips!
• Monster Science Colossal Water Balls: Expanded to 400 times their size – even when ingested by a child – yikes!
• Aqua Dots: In the 80s, these were made with slightly toxic paint and plastic; today, they’re not, but I find them to still be a dangerous toy, regardless!
• Bucky Balls: Available today but as dangerous as they were in the 1980s, and surgery is often required when these are ingested by children.
• CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit: Contained dust with the worst form of asbestos; kids would just slather this all over the home!

My Product Criteria

Let me share with you the things I was looking for in 1980s toys before deciding to research them further:

Age

I wanted to try and cater to as many ages as I could, so I looked for toys that would suit all, from toddlers to pre-teens.

Activity

While the 80s was a hugely exciting time for electronic gaming, there were so many more popular activities than this, such as dolls, plushies, figures, and play sets. I hope to have included your favorite toy activity in this guide!

Theme

Star Wars, Barbie, and My Little Pony; in this post, you will definitely find some of the most popular themed toys from the 1980s!

Quality

I believe all of the toys I have included are of good-to-excellent quality (and definitely safe!).

Availability

Sadly, I came across a lot of my old favorites online that were just unavailable to buy today. Whether they’ll be relaunched or suddenly become available again, I don’t know, but I felt it pointless to recommend anything you couldn’t get hold of right now – so I didn’t!

Consumer Feedback

It’s so important to take into consideration the experiences of other consumers when it comes to buying anything online. I checked my own findings with others to ensure I was providing readers with recommendations that not only I thought were great, but others thought so too.

My Chosen 15 Best Retro 1980s Toys

#1 Pound Puppies – #1 Top Pick

Please tell me, do you remember Pound Puppies?

Pound Puppies were the toy of my childhood; how I couldn’t wait to ‘rescue’ one in the early 90s! Every child seemed to have one, and there were so many to collect! The puppies had big sad, droopy eyes and floppy ears and were super soft to cuddle. I remember there being many different colors, such as white, brown, and gray, and some even had spots!

Today, you can purchase authentic reproductions, and they’re so similar to my Pound Pup that I struggle to see any differences at all. The plushies are 17 inches and come with an adoption certificate, sticker sheet, and box (which travels well.)

Two drawbacks: they’re so expensive now, and they’re not machine washable – but they do come with care instructions on how to bathe them!

Pros

• Super Soft and Cuddly
• Authentic Reproduction
• Helps to Encourage Nurturing Skills and Responsibility
• Lots of Choices

Cons

• Expensive
• Not Machine Washable

#2 3D View Master

So, it’s not quite a VR headset, but the 3D View Master very possibly contributed to this technology!

While this toy has been around since the 50s, the 3D View Master was one of the most popular toys of all during the 80s. It felt revolutionary! You could have your favorite movie scene, animal, or landmark brought to life before your very eyes at the simple push of a button – this was cutting-edge technology back in the day!

This classic version comes with two scrolls; vast universe and starry sky and African safari adventure, and both have 14 different images. The View Master is also interchangeable with other reels.

Pros

• Greatly Affordable
• Interchangeable Reels
• Easy to Use
• Great for Younger Children

Cons

• Possibly short-lived fun: once the image has been seen, there’s little fun in seeing it several more times.

#3 Atari 2600

When first released, the Atari 2600 was priced at $199, which in today’s money is $839.60 – this was one expensive console and considered to be the one to start it all! The Atari 2600 is as popular with retro gamers today as it was with everyone else back in the 1980s.

Bringing the arcade to the family room was a brand new concept, and hours would pass as gamers played Space Invaders, Pac-Man, or E.T.

You’ll find the Atari 2600 in its original form but refurbished today for a reasonable price. A range of games are included. However, please bear in mind this was created to be compatible with TV sets of the 80s and not our modern TVs of today, so an additional adapter is needed.

Pros

• Great Price
• Original 1980s Console
• Games Included
• Responsive Seller

Cons

• Additional Adapter Needed
• Used Condition – May Vary.

#4 Transformers

The original 80s Transformers were hugely popular around the world, and they still are today! My partner played with the original toys, and our boys adore the modern Transformers, which don’t seem to have changed all that much.

I really like this 1986 model, which transformed from a figure to a racecar in 20 steps. I agree with the manufacturer’s recommendation of age 8 years and over due to some of the steps being a little fiddly.

Pros

• Highly Articulated Figure
• Blaster Accessory Included
• Sturdy and Well Made
• Feels Durable
• Good Price

Cons

• No Fast Shipping Option (even with Amazon Prime)

#5 Star Wars Figures

Nothing says 80s toys quite like a set of Star Wars Figures! This franchise began more than 40 years ago and is still going strong today. These figures are great fun to play with and feel exceptionally well made; they also make fantastic additions to a collector’s shelf.

This purchase includes five stand-alone figures and accessories, the price is comparable, and the feedback is good.

Pros

• Very Well Made
• Perfect for Play or Display
• Accessories Included
• Positive Feedback

Cons

• While the price is comparable, I find it a little steep.

#6 Rock ‘Em Sock Em Robots

Why have a simple thumb war when you can play Rock’ Em Sock Em Robots? This iconic 80s toy has been featured in so many TV shows and movies from this decade that it’s a toy I couldn’t ignore. While I find the concept a little tedious, I’m seemingly an exception here!

This set offers good old-fashioned fun and is so straightforward to play that it’s suitable for young and old, although the manufacturer recommends it for ages 6 years to 10.

Pros

• Good Old-Fashioned Fun
• Easy to Play
• Iconic 80s Toy
• Alternate Versions Available

Cons

• Expensive for What it is.

#7 Gameboy

While the Gameboy needs no introduction, it is worth saying that this is the device that probably started the world’s love for handheld gaming devices! The Gameboy was introduced in 1989, so it was very nearly a 1990s toy!

This version is an original Gameboy that has been refurbished – it has been professionally inspected, tested, and cleaned by Amazon qualified vendors. For peace of mind, there is also a 90-day refund or replacement policy.

Additionally, there are many cheaper alternatives available (like this handheld console by Chilartalent), but whether they compare to the official Nintendo console is a different matter.

Pros

• Original Device
• 90-Day Refund/Replacement
• Excellent Feedback

Cons

• No Cartridges Included
• Expensive

#8 Fashion Plates

Every 80s girl who wanted to be a fashion designer will have had a set of Fashion Plates! This toy offered a fun and effortless way to make beautiful, fashionable designs and included it all, from prairie skirts to mini dresses.

While this set isn’t from the 80s, it does work with original 70s and 80s plates, and the entire concept is exactly the same, too. This set includes 15 plates, paper, pencils, crayons, a drawing tablet, and a convenient little carry case to keep everything together neatly.

Pros

• Perfect Present
• Loads of Design Choices
• Convenient Carry Case
• Excellent Reminder of the Simplicity of the 1980s!

Cons

• Some mentions of the crayon being difficult to erase.

#9 Rubik’s Cube

The Rubik’s Cube was the best-selling toy at the start of the 1980s, and it’s still widely popular today. There are many versions available now, but this original design Rubik’s cube is still one of the most purchased of all.

Pros

• Original 80s Design
• Includes Removable Stickers to Change the Look
• Online Best Seller

Cons

• Shipping Takes a Few Days

#10 Cabbage Patch Kids

Introduced in 1982, Cabbage Patch Kids are now amongst the longest-running doll franchises in the US.

This super cute vintage-style Cabbage Patch kid is ready for adoption today (for a little under $50) and comes with adoption papers, a birth certificate, and a unique name!

While there are different dolls to choose from, I love the original feel, look, and smell (yes, smell) of this one. She is super cuddly, very sweet, and every inch the same as the ones you’d get in the 1980s.

Pros

• Perfect Replica of the 1980s Cabbage Patch Kids Doll!
• Comes in a Strong Box – with a see-through window
• Excellent Consumer Feedback
• Great Longevity

Cons

• Doesn’t have a diaper like the original

#11 Koosh Ball

If you thought fidget toys, tangle toys, and stress balls were a new concept, then you may have completely forgotten about the Koosh Ball! This indoor ball was designed to be thrown in safety by kids who needed to burn off a little energy, and they were also great stress relievers, too.

The Koosh Ball helps to improve focus, develop hand-to-eye coordination, encourage fine motor skills, and give energetic kids a safe indoor release. I love them! While this purchase is a little pricey, it does include 3 Koosh Balls, and they’re said to be indestructible, so the cost can be easily justified.

Pros

• Fun and Educational
• Indestructible (apparently!)
• Perfect Fidget Toy
• Ideal Stress Reliever
• Long Established Toy

Cons

• Fairly High Initial Outlay

#12 My Little Pony

My Little Pony was huge in the 80s and 90s, and this set is a perfect copy of the original ponies. There are six ponies included; each is a different color with different colored hair – which is rooted for excellent longevity. It’s really hard to find vintage sets like this, so I’m happy to pay the price online, and for the durability of these little guys, too, I feel this is a steal.

Most consumers are very satisfied with this purchase, although some would have liked accessories such as brushes to be included. You can’t please them all!

Pros

• Rare Find
• Good Price
• 6 Ponies Included
• Great 80s Replicas

Cons

• No Accessories Included.

#13 Chatter Phone

The Chatter Phone was one of my favorite toys as a tot; I remember one being at my Grandma’s house and my siblings and cousins playing with it for years – even my own children would make a beeline for it when they came along! This very simple, pull-along toy was all the entertainment my family needed in their early years!

Created by Fisher Price, the design today is exactly the same. The eye movements, and noises, too. I cannot find a single drawback to this toddler toy!

Pros

• Fantastic Toddler Toy
• Fun and Educational
• Super Durable
• Amazing Price
• Same Iconic 80s Design

Cons

• Nope!

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary of The Best Retro 1980s Toys

How cool was it to look back on all of those fantastic retro 1980s toys? It’s incredibly hard to pick a favorite or to make a single recommendation to you guys! But I do love the Pound Puppies, it’s a little sad how expensive they are today, but I guess that’s inflation for you!

I have so many happy memories of the Chatter Phone, and this is a toy with absolutely no drawbacks – and I won’t be told differently! I also really enjoyed playing with Cabbage Patch Kids, My Little Pony, and Fashion Plates.

If you’re into retro gaming, the Gameboy and Atari 2600 are great choices. Or, to go way back to basics, you could consider the 3D View Master!