Who remembers the eighties? That hair! Those clothes! And the ever-amazing ‘We Are The World’. The decade of mullets gave us Ghostbusters, ThunderCats, My Little Pony and the ultimate kid’s adventure movie, The Goonies. We thought it’d be fun to jump in the Delorean and find out which eighties toys are going strong forty years on.
To make our list, we took commendations from nostalgic millennials across the internet, then searched to find which were still available (or have new versions) in 2020. By throwing any fake reviews into the pit of Sarlacc, we guarantee these 12 best ‘80s toys may have you playing with them more than the child you bought it for. Dibs! I get to be Donatello.
1. Pound Puppies (Best Budget Option)
Pound Puppies is one of the 12 best ’80s toys available in 2020 that you can get at an affordable price. It takes the classic toy and gives it an upgraded yet authentic look. They are the same scale, feature the same different color/breed options and come with an adoption certificate.
What we love:
- The fabric material is soft and smooth
- Puppy comes in the retro-styled house
We don’t like this as much:
- The stuffing could be a bit denser
2. Cabbage Patch Kids (Best Quality Option)
The much-beloved Cabbage Patch Kids remain a hit to this very day. The doll comes with an official birth certificate and adoption papers that feature their birthday and unique name. For a modern touch, the doll comes with trendy fashion that kids can take off and put back on.
What we love:
- Dolls feature the classic baby powder scent
- Easy to change the clothes
We don’t like this as much:
- Features doll-like hair rather than the traditional yarn-styled hair
3. Skip It
Skip It is an incredible toy that makes fitness fun for kids. It’s one of the best ’80s toys available in 2020 that gets children up and moving. There’s a built-in flash wheel that lights up in multiple colors every time they skip.
What we love:
- The foldable design makes it easier to store and transport
- Features padding to protect the ankle
We don’t like this as much:
- The cord could benefit from being longer
4. Teddy Ruxpin
Teddy Ruxpin is a great travel buddy for kids that sings clips from “Let’s Sail Away Today”. All a child has to do is squeeze his stomach or give him a hug to get Teddy going. This adorable bear measures out to be 10in. tall.
What we love:
- Cute, child-friendly design and colors
- Good volume on the songs
We don’t like this as much:
- May take a few attempts to find the proper spot on his stomach to press
5. My Little Pony
This My Little Pony pack comes with three ponies. It features sisters Princess Celestia and Princess Luna as well as their friend Princess Cadance. The various-colored, winged ponies all have glitter in various areas such as their hair and wings so they shine under the light.
What we love:
- The glitter holds up well to water
- Ponies are a good size and made from durable material
We don’t like this as much:
- Might have to treat the hair from time to time so it lays properly
6. Transformers
Transformers are some of the 12 best ’80s toys available in 2020 that kids of all ages may love. As a Transformer, it’s a 2-in-1 toy since this Optimus Prime action figure can turn into its signature blue and red truck in just six steps. It’s a wonderful tall size too, as it stands at 11in.
What we love:
- Easy for kids to transform back and forth
- Has plenty of cool, intricate details
We don’t like this as much:
- Might take some frequent playing with in order to loosen it up over time
7. View-Master
The View-Master is a 3D image viewer. It’s a classic, vintage viewer model L that any kid or collector will love. This is designed in order to work with other View-Master reels, so if parents already have some, they can add them to this viewer.
What we love:
- Straightforward for kids to use by themselves
- Appears to work well enough with glasses on
We don’t like this as much:
- The focus knob could turn a bit more for greater focus
8. Masters of the Universe
The Masters of the Universe comes with a collectible He-Man action figure. He-Man features his usual weapons and shields as he prepares for battle. Kids can pose him in numerous ways thanks to his 16 working joints. There is even a mini-comic book that comes with it.
What we love:
- Great articulation for better posing
- Does well at blending modern design with a retro style
We don’t like this as much:
- Comic might benefit from having some dialogue
9. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
This set of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles features all four popular characters: Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello and Michelangelo. Each of them is packed separately as they come with their individual signature weapons. There are more than 12 different articulation points for ultimate playing action.
What we love:
- The turtles all come with a good variety of weapons
- Each figure features great movable joints
We don’t like this as much:
- Weapons could be a bit sturdier
10. Roller Skates
Available in sizes 3-7 and 12-3, these JoJo Siwa-designed roller skates feature a retro look and feel. The lace-up skates come in two different color styles and they feature a durable front brake to support skaters whether beginners or experts.
What we love:
- Designed for use outside and indoor rinks
- Simple to adjust the skates to suit kids of different sizes
We don’t like this as much:
- Have to regularly tighten the wheels
11. LITE Brite
The classic LITE Brite helps develop a child’s creativity as well as hone their motor skills since it encourages hand-eye coordination. This comes with a single tablet, an art guide, eight templates and two storage cases. There are also 314 pegs that kids can use to create any image that comes to mind. With a simple press of a button, they can turn on four different light shows.
What we love:
- Well-made storage cases
- Good flexibility so kids can make multiple projects
We don’t like this as much:
- Window might benefit from being a bit bigger
12. Nintendo NES
This Nintendo NES is a miniature version of the classic 1985 version. There are 30 8-bit games included as well as multiple display modes such as the original NES look or an old TV look. It comes with a single controller and is compatible with NES virtual console games for the Wii and Wii U by connecting it to a Wii remote.
What we love:
- Comes with numerous games to play
- Easy and fast setup process
We don’t like this as much:
- Controller cord could be longer
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Best ’80s Toys Available in 2020
We created a list of classic ’80s toys that you can still find in 2020. These toys offer a blast from the past for collectors, parents, or kids of today’s modern world to find enjoyment in. Some of them have a slightly upgraded touch, but they all feature the same retro feel. Check out our list of 12 fun ’80s toys to feel a sense of nostalgia.
