Christmas, the time of year for family, charity, and goodwill toward men and
women… also consumerism… lots and lots of consumerism. For years before any of us were born, every Christmas had that one item that became THE gift of the year.
Depending on factors like current popular culture, advancements in toy technology, or as simple as a product going viral, every year, there was a gift that someone would knock over an old lady in the toy aisle to get. Ranging from action figures to cutting-edge technology, here is a trip down memory lane that we at Complex have put together of the most sought-after Christmas gifts from 1990 to 2010.
Here are the most popular Christmas toys from every year from 1990-2010.
1990- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Figures
When Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hit the scene, the impact the franchise left on not just popular culture, but the world at large is something that has yet to be replicated. Therewere hit cartoons, video games, and movies, but what the kids wanted more than anything were the amazing action figures. A vast library of insane characters sure to satisfy every 90’s kid, these figures flew off the shelves during the Christmas season.
1991- Super Nintendo
After revitalizing the in-home gaming business, Nintendo’s original console needed a follow-up. Improving in every aspect, whether it be sound, graphics, or gameplay in general, the Super Nintendo was released in America right before the 1991 holiday season and became an instant classic in every household that could get one. The Super Nintendo is regarded as one of the greatest gaming consoles of all time, with a plethora of games that still hold up to this day.
1992- Talkboy
This toy was made specifically for the hit sequel, Home Alone 2. Used in the movie, which basically became a commercial for the product, every kid wanted the voice recorder that Kevin McCallister used to fool the workers at the Plaza Hotel. You could speed up or slow your voice down, leading to any a fun moment, plus the design was great with a handheld strap to keep the Talkboy always ready for your next adventure.
1993- Super Soaker
There were squirt guns before the Super Soaker was invented, but nothing with real firepower, at least compared to these pressurized water cannons. Not only did these water guns deliver more distance and pressure for water battles, but they came with amazingly 90’s neon designs. If you wanted your friends to really feel like they’ve sustained minor injuries with some of the more powerful Super Soakers, these were the toys for you.
1994- Power Rangers Action Figures
It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if we ever found out that the movie Jingle All The Way was based on the fever pitch that The Power Rangers threw parents into the Christmas of 94.The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers tv series was an instant hit, and of course, kids around the country were clamoring for Power Rangers they could bring home themselves. Bandai answered the call, but they couldn’t keep up with demand, as the toys stayed on shelves for very short periods.
1995- Beanie Babies
Using the trading card formula, Beanie Babies were collectible bean-stuffed animals, all given cute names and mini bios on their attached tags. Some were common, and others were rarer, which made collecting these bags of beans a lot of fun. Some were rare, but some were the stuff of legend, such as the Princess Diana Beanie Baby. As with most fads, Beanie Babies’ value and popularity waned, but everyone remembers their rise to prominence.
1996- Tickle Me, Elmo
Tickle Me Elmo truly became the stuff of Christmas legend back in 1996. Even though he had debuted years before, Elmo was still one of the newer, more popular Sesame Street characters, and naturally, his merchandise would be very popular with kids. What made Tickle Me Elmo so unique was that when you pressed a button on his stomach or “tickled” him, he would start laughing hysterically and vibrating at a very high speed, which made it an instant hit with kids.
1997- Tamagotchi
The stress of raising a living thing in the palm of your hand. Tamagotchi was basically the first virtual pet that lived or died depending on your parenting skills. You had to feed it, clean up after it, and make sure it got its exercise, or your animal would die and you would have to start over. This toy put a lot of pressure on young people around the world, and maybe that’s what made it a massive hit.
1998- Furby
The first toy that seemed to evolve the more you play with it. Furby was a very
advanced toy for the time; they blinked, talked, listened, and responded to your interactions. At first, the Furby spoke its own language, but as you talked to it more, the toy would integrate more English words, almost as if you were teaching the Furby how to speak. Furby was a great toy for the first few months, but heaven help you if you ever wanted to turn the thing off.
1999- Pokémon Cards
From 1999 through the early 2000’s and even enjoying a resurgence today, Pokémon cards have proven since their inception that they are here to stay and have become one of the most valued collectors’ items of all time. When they first hit the scene, there were only 151 Pokémon to collect, which made it a little less daunting, but, as with most collectibles, there were rarer items and thus more valuable cards, which drove demand to skyrocket. Whether it be the video games or the card game itself, everyone had the “catch 'em all” fever.
2000- PlayStation 2
What went down in history as one of the most anticipated console releases of all time, there were no lengths people wouldn’t go to secure their own PS2 for the holidays. There was a huge leap in performance between the PlayStation and PlayStation 2, and consumers were made well aware of this from a fantastic marketing campaign from Sony, forming lines as far as the eye can see at various electronic vendors.
2001- Bratz Dolls
Bratz became must-haves for little girls around the world. The designs were wild, the outfits out of the ordinary for most dolls, and multiple races were represented, making this a very inclusive collector's item. Collectors looking for a little edge to go with their dolls were the ideal customers for Bratz.
2002- Beyblades
Customizable tops that could battle each other in little arenas, these toys became the talk of the school yard. Not only was the game itself a blast, but the idea of collecting various awesomely designed tops really boosted this brand's value. Imagine if your Pokémon cards could come to life and actually fight each other, that’s what Beyblades were going for and it worked to say the least.
2003- Care Bear Lullaby Bear
Care Bears have been around for quite some time, but this particular Care Bear was the one to get during the Christmas season of 2003. Featuring a unique colorway with an adorable moon symbol on the stomach, this Bear was perfect for any little one who needed an extra level of comfort during bedtime. Throw in the fact that the bear played lullaby music and had soft nightlights built in, and you didn’t need much else for a good sleep.
2004- Robosapien
Designed by former NASA roboticists, the Robosapien was a huge hit in 2004, being the first affordable, personality-driven, programmable toy robot. As close as a super high-tech autonomous machine a child could get for the time, the Robosapien was chock full of special features such as walking, answering commands, picking up items, and of course, it could fart.
2005- Xbox 360
When Microsoft entered the gaming world with the original Xbox, many consumers were surprised at its success. Many were eager to see what Microsoft had in store for its follow-up, and when the Xbox 360 was announced, people were more than eager to get their hands on one. One of the major players in the early HD era, the 360 also had a vast library of incredible games, including Halo 3, Gears of War, and Mass Effect. One of the original pioneers in console online gaming also made this console a must-have for 2005.
2006- Nintendo Wii
One phrase changed the gaming landscape forever: “motion-controlled gaming.” Nintendo decided not to enter the graphics race that Xbox and PlayStation were in, but instead put all their focus on fun and gameplay. While the games may not have looked as good as the higher-end consoles, the library of games was very successful due to their replayability, plus the games were super accessible and encouraged multiplayer, so you and your friends or your grandparents could join in on the fun.
2007- Guitar Hero
Guitar Hero was so damn fun, you just had to be there during its initial run and amazing follow-ups. A rhythm-based game where the controller is a guitar, you could jam along and be the Rockstar you always wanted to be, featuring actual licensed music from your favorite bands. Some songs were easy to play, some really challenged your dexterity, but no matter what, it was a great time. There were some great sequels that followed, but unfortunately, the franchise has gone silent for some time now.
2008- WALL-E
WALL-E was one of Pixar's biggest smash hits, and, of course, it needed an assortment of great merchandise, and the consumer products division at Disney did not disappoint. WALL-E toys were everywhere, and kids simply couldn’t get enough, whether it was plushies, small collectibles, or electronic toys featuring WALL-E and EVE.
2009- Angry Birds Merchandise
This mobile game quickly became one of, if not the most popular games you could play on your phone at the time. The gameplay was simple but hard to master as each level increased the difficulty in knocking over enemy towers with flying birds. Due to the success of the mobile game, merchandise, of course, was soon to follow (not to mention a movie as well, but that’s another story). Action figures, stuffed animals, t-shirts, there wasn’t an item in existence that didn’t have the Angry Birds plastered all over them, and kids ate them up.
2010- iPad
The future was realized when the iPad first hit the scene in 2010. Something straight out of Star Trek, Apple’s first touchscreen computer became a must-have for any tech fan. You could play games, watch movies on the go, load all your music and books for long flights, and the possibilities were endless. The controls were easy and accessible for people of all ages, and being able to surf the web on the couch, like you could on a desktop, was revolutionary at the time. The iPad became a mainstay in the Apple arsenal, as we see new improvements to the product to this day.