Children’s toys from the ’90s still popular, but have changed looks

Whitney Chaffin

Children of the ’90s probably remember some of their favorite toys, and may have seen them still in toy stores today.

Some toys that were popular 10 or 20 years ago are still very popular among children and young adults in 2009. Brian Grant, supervisor of Toys “R” Us’ department store in Boardman, said the most popular toys sold throughout the past 20 years have been Transformers, G.I. Joe, Star Wars, My Little Pony and Strawberry Shortcake dolls.

Movie remakes throughout

the years

&bull “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”: comics, cartoons and films to the newer CGI film “TMNT”

&bull “Transformers”: cartoon to feature film

&bull “G.I. Joe”: cartoon to feature film

&bull Classic “Star Wars” films versus popular “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” animated series

&bull “Halloween” and “Nightmare on Elm Street” are among newer or upcoming classic horror remakes.

– Nick Baker

MY LITTLE PONY: In the early ’90s, My Little Pony had a variety of colors of medium sized ponies. They may have been pink with dark pink spots and turquoise with gold stripes in their hair. Between 1997 and 2003, the My Little Pony brand was globally re-launched and has changed in looks, sizes, colors and price. In 2008, My Little Pony celebrated its 25th Anniversary and continued to maintain its popularity in 2009. My Little Pony small dolls used to cost about $6.99 and now cost $10.99.

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE DOLLS: Young women probably remember the Strawberry Shortcake dolls that were pulled off the market in 1984 and re-released in 1991. Modern versions of Strawberry Shortcake were released in the ’90s and have been evolving since. The dolls, once only about 7-inches tall, now vary in sizes and accessories. Strawberry Shortcake’s face has even changed completely. Strawberry Shortcake and her friends are still hot items on the market in 2009, costing about $19.99.

TRANSFORMERS: The Transformers toy line is popular mainly because of the Transformers movies, but when they first came out, they didn’t have many of the electronic features they have today. The Transformer toys have been on and off the market since the late ’80s. After the Transformers movie came out in 2007, a new and improved Transformers toy line was created. In 2008, new molds of toys appeared in stores. The new version of the toys now feature light-up eyes and chest, electronic speech and destruction sounds. There are a variety of Transformers action figures, dolls, weapons and apparel such as masks. Prices range from about $10 to $100.

STAR WARS: In the ’90s, Star Wars toys launched its costumes, collectibles and helmets. As the years went on, Star Wars began launching more and more accessories from light sabers and robes to action figures and Legos. The Star Wars CGI movie and television series “The Clone Wars” was the reason for developing more toys and new characters. Action figures are about $7.99, and the large dolls are $79.99. Costumes and light sabers are about $35, but the real ones are about $100. Prices in some of the Star Wars toys have increased, likewise to the popularity.

G.I. JOE: The G.I. Joe toy line, the male version of Barbie, lasted from 1982 to 1994, and reappeared in 1997. It has continued to maintain its popularity throughout the U.S. and other countries because most of the toys look like the originals, but have advanced with the additions of the swivel arms and ball joints, which are features that allow the forearm and neck to rotate. G.I. Joe has remained popular since the toys have been created, and Grant said they will remain popular in the future. “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” released in 2009, allowed for a new line of figures to appear, and “G.I. Joe: The Pursuit of Cobra,” which will release in 2010, will include new figures and vehicles that have not yet been revealed. G.I. Joe basic action figure toys are about $29.99.

Contact features correspondent Whitney Chaffin at [email protected]