By 
Collectables were the ’80s and ’90s equivalent of spending your parents’ money on a FIFA Ultimate Team pack. Except they were things you actually touched and continued to play with. They’re time capsules in their own way, representing a bygone era that we remember so well and miss dearly.
Garbage Pail Kids Cards
1985 sticker series that parodied Cabbage Patch Kids. Known for their gross-out humor, they quickly became a hit in schools and playgrounds, sparking collecting frenzies and trading sessions.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Figures
Action figures from the late ’80s tied to the animated series and comics. Each came with weapons and accessories, letting kids recreate battles between the Turtles and their villains.
Star Wars Kenner Figures
Released 1977–1985, these figures recreated characters from the original trilogy. Each had at least one point of articulation and came with a small weapon, making them perfect for play or display.
Pokémon Base Set Cards
The first 151 Pokémon cards, released in 1999, launched the trading card phenomenon. Holographic Charizard and other rare cards remain iconic collector’s items.
Marvel Series Trading Cards
1990–1992 sets featuring heroes and villains with character stats and comic panels. They captured the early ’90s Marvel boom and fueled playground trades among fans.
Beanie Babies
Collectible plush toys launched in 1993, each with a name, birthday, and character tag. Early releases became instant collectibles, sparking a craze that dominated the decade.
Power Rangers Mighty Morphin Figures
Figures from the 1993 TV series. They came with removable helmets and weapons, faithfully recreating the show’s characters and encouraging action-packed play.
Super Mario Bros. Happy Meal Toys
Miniature figures distributed with McDonald’s Happy Meals in the ’90s. Represented Mario, Luigi, and other characters, expanding Nintendo’s merchandising reach beyond consoles.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Figures
Late ’80s figures featuring He-Man, Skeletor, and other Eternia characters. Accessories included swords, shields, and vehicles to recreate the show’s action scenes.
Pogs and Slammers
Collectible cardboard discs from the ’90s. Played by stacking pogs and using heavier slammers to flip them, they became a global schoolyard phenomenon.
WWF Wrestling Action Figures
Figures from the ’80s and ’90s reproducing wrestlers from the Hasbro era. Basic articulation and accessories, such as chairs or belts, let kids stage their own wrestling matches.
Transformers Generation 1 Toys
Robots released from 1984 to 1990 that transformed into vehicles or mechanical animals. Limited articulation didn’t stop them from being a defining toy line of the ’80s.
Disney VHS Black Diamond Tapes
Tapes from the ’80s and ’90s with a black stripe identifying original Disney releases. They preserved classics like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin for home viewing.
Nintendo Game Boy Cartridges
Original Game Boy cartridges from 1989. Included Tetris, Pokémon Red/Blue, and other titles, with limited memory and simple labels that became instantly recognizable.
The Simpsons Early Action Figures
Figures from the ’90s, based on Matt Groening’s characters, included the family and supporting cast, with accessories inspired by the show, making them fun for display or play.
The post Collectibles That Sparked ’80s and ’90s Joy appeared first on Den of Geek.
