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12 Best ’80s Toys (Available in 2020)

Best 80s Toys
Teddy Booth
Written by
Teddy Booth
Written by
Teddy Booth
Teddy is a big kid at heart and a self-confessed geek who loves all things LEGO, Nintendo and RC (drones included). His mission is to find toys that kids will treasure, so that is why he spends A LOT of time curating the perfect list of toys and games that include options for everyone without putting kids inside boxes.
James
Edited by
James
Edited by
James
James loved anything Star Wars related as a kid! These days he uses the force to make sure TheToyZone is consistently publishing articles our readers will trust and find real value in. On his off days, you'll find him in the woods searching for Ewoks.
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TheToyZone is an independent publication with no ties with companies mentioned on the site. We don’t accept free products in exchange for glowing reviews. Instead, we report our own findings to help you make an informed decision.

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
Basic Fun Pound Puppies Classic Stuffed Animal Plush Toy - Great Gift for Girls & Boys - 17' - White with Brown Spots

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
Cabbage Patch Kids New 14' Kid Doll - Girl in Kitty Outfit, Multicolor

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
ILNCLUY Skip Ball for Kids, Foldable Ankle Skip Ball Flashing Jumping Ring Colorful Sports Swing Ball, Fitness Fat Burning Jump Rope Game for Boy and Girl (Pink)

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
Teddy Ruxpin Hug 'N Sing Plush with Sound - Adventure Style Teddy

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
My Little Pony Princess Celestia, Luna, and Cadance 3 Pack - 3' Glitter Unicorn Toys with Wings from The Movie

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
Transformers Toys Heroic Optimus Prime Action Figure - Timeless Large-Scale Figure, Changes into Toy Truck - Toys for Kids 6 and Up, 11-inch (Amazon Exclusive)

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
No products found.

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
Masters of the Universe Origins He-Man 5.5-in Action Figure, Battle Figure for Storytelling Play and Display, Gift for 6 to 10-Year-Olds and Adult Collectors

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
No products found.

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
Circle Society Classic Adjustable JoJo Siwa Children's Roller Skates, 12-3 US Girls, Rainbow

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
Lite Brite Magic Screen Light Bright Bonus Set, Multicolor (SG_B07J245JCC_US)

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
Nintendo NES Classic Mini EU Console

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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.

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