What were the best toys for Xennials to collect in the 1980s (the time when 30 minute toy commercials were brand new)?

Here’s my list (in no particular order):

1) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Playmates Toys (1988)

    FmVBVcRuN0c

2) G.I. Joe A Real American Hero by Hasbro (1982)
 
      FUJuFzrvyOE
     
3) G1 Transformers by Hasbro (1984)

4) WWF Wrestling Superstars by LJN (1984)

5) Cabbage Patch Kids by Coleco (1983)

Where is the Rubix's Cube, that was very popular during the 1980s?

Cabbage Patch Kids Pinnups and Jem and The Holograms were my favorites.

https://i.ibb.co/6chNStF/04d2dd854965656ac18cc9bacc15884f.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/CwB4xhg/Dolls-1986-Misfits.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/qyJ1WWG/716-K51-Id6-HL-AC-SY550.jpg

Where is the Rubix's Cube, that was very popular during the 1980s?


Is Rubik’s Cube on your list? Where is your list?

Is Rubik’s Cube on your list? Where is your list?
I do not have a list, but the Rubik's cube captivate all generations in the 1980s.

Cabbage Patch Kids Pinnups and Jem and The Holograms were my favorites.

https://i.ibb.co/6chNStF/04d2dd854965656ac18cc9bacc15884f.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/CwB4xhg/Dolls-1986-Misfits.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/qyJ1WWG/716-K51-Id6-HL-AC-SY550.jpg


Only two toy lines? Did you like the larger stuff like Pillow People and Pound Puppies?

Where is the Rubix's Cube, that was very popular during the 1980s?


I had a Rubik’s cube but also had the rubiks magic glass puzzles. I still have them.

I also think Legos were the best in the 80s. So so many popular sets with some technical parts but simple enough for highly universal use and creativity. By the 90s they were making so many specialized parts that it took the fun out it IMO anyway. I still have mine too, I think I estimated one time I have about 2500 pieces.

I had a Rubik’s cube but also had the rubiks magic glass puzzles. I still have them.

I also think Legos were the best in the 80s. So so many popular sets with some technical parts but simple enough for highly universal use and creativity. By the 90s they were making so many specialized parts that it took the fun out it IMO anyway. I still have mine too, I think I estimated one time I have about 2500 pieces.


LEGO toys and what else? Where is your list? Can I see it?

LEGO toys and what else? Where is your list? Can I see it?


Radio control cars and model trains, that’s about it. I rode my bike, built forts in the woods, and tore apart old appliances and stuff. I did have a box of old locks and keys I played with too. Oh I guess I had an erector set and construx set but they didn’t hold a candle to legos.

The innards to those orange push up pops made perfect Lego wheels and axles too.

Radio control cars and model trains, that’s about it. I rode my bike, built forts in the woods, and tore apart old appliances and stuff. I did have a box of old locks and keys I played with too. Oh I guess I had an erector set and construx set but they didn’t hold a candle to legos.

The innards to those orange push up pops made perfect Lego wheels and axles too.


R/C cars from TYCO or a different company? Could you be more specific?

R/C cars from TYCO or a different company? Could you be more specific?


Yes the toy ones primarily from Nikko. Real RC racing was an expensive sport.

Yes the toy ones primarily from Nikko. Real RC racing was an expensive sport.


Have you ever played Domino Rally or Crossfire from the late 80s?

Have you ever played Domino Rally or Crossfire from the late 80s?


Neither

LEGO toys and what else?
Over the years, I played and enjoyed Lego, my son played and enjoyed Lego, and now my granddaughter played and enjoys Lego. The toy does improve hand co-ordination, basics of construction (balance, etc) and imagination.

Neither

Did you collect any action figures?


Over the years, I played and enjoyed Lego, my son played and enjoyed Lego, and now my granddaughter played and enjoys Lego. The toy does improve hand co-ordination, basics of construction (balance, etc) and imagination.


So, the 80s LEGO comeback was big news for you?

https://retrothing.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2xl.jpg
The 2XL Robot by Mego

https://retrothing.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2xl.jpg
The 2XL Robot by Mego


What else is on your top 5 toy list, Howard?

What else is on your top 5 toy list, Howard?


I would have to come up with a list later.

I would have to come up with a list later.


Please do. They can be toys from the very early 80s since you became a teen in the 80s.

This was my list from a few threads ago. For me, any toy line collecting was fun. I still collect action figures today!

Star Wars was definitely the most exciting - man those ewok figures were my favourites. Then all those weird species etc. Very cool.


GI Joe
Star Wars
Thundercats
Voltron
Dungeons & Dragons
MASK
LJN Wrestlers
He-Man
Smurfs
Rambo
A-Team
Madballs
Ghostbusters
Terrahawks
Zoids
Transformers
Lego / Playmobil

This was my list from a few threads ago. For me, any toy line collecting was fun. I still collect action figures today!

Star Wars was definitely the most exciting - man those ewok figures were my favourites. Then all those weird species etc. Very cool.


GI Joe
Star Wars
Thundercats
Voltron
Dungeons & Dragons
MASK
LJN Wrestlers
He-Man
Smurfs
Rambo
A-Team
Madballs
Ghostbusters
Terrahawks
Zoids
Transformers
Lego / Playmobil


What did you think about the Tigersharks and Silverhawks?

What did you think about the Tigersharks and Silverhawks?


Loved Silverhawks - not sure if I saw the figures out in toy stores though. Or maybe i wasn't specifically looking for them or had more important lines to collect. Obviously there was also my parent's budget lol. I was always a conscientious kid and never asked for any expensive mega-playsets or vehicles that were too big - though I did get treated once in a while.

Not sure I even watched TigerSharks - not a familiar show at all for me. I was starting secondary school by then, so maybe more into sitcoms at that point in 1987.

Loved Silverhawks - not sure if I saw the figures out in toy stores though. Or maybe i wasn't specifically looking for them or had more important lines to collect. Obviously there was also my parent's budget lol. I was always a conscientious kid and never asked for any expensive mega-playsets or vehicles that were too big - though I did get treated once in a while.

Not sure I even watched TigerSharks - not a familiar show at all for me. I was starting secondary school by then, so maybe more into sitcoms at that point in 1987.


Do they compare to Thundercats for you or were they lame rip-offs?

Please do. They can be toys from the very early 80s since you became a teen in the 80s.


Simon
Clown Around
Teddy Ruxpin
Atari 2600
Lite-Brite

Simon
Clown Around
Teddy Ruxpin
Atari 2600
Lite-Brite


Teddy Ruxpin? Did you make home movies with Teddy Ruxpin in the late 80s and early 90s?

Teddy Ruxpin? Did you make home movies with Teddy Ruxpin in the late 80s and early 90s?


No, My Brother won it from a contest on the radio in 1985.

No, My Brother won it from a contest on the radio in 1985.


Did you ever test out other cassettes in his Teddy Ruxpin?

Is anyone here into Robotech and Go Bots?

Do they compare to Thundercats for you or were they lame rip-offs?


I liked Silverhawks, but Thundercats is in a class of it's own for me - loved the whole Third Earth setting.

I liked Silverhawks, but Thundercats is in a class of it's own for me - loved the whole Third Earth setting.


I see. The outer space setting to Silverhawks was boring. Did you notice how they gave Silverhawks the Thundercats treatment with the Burger King kids meal toys, puffy stickers, and Ben Cooper mask and costume?
Was Captain Power and The Soldiers of the Future better than Silverhawks?

I see. The outer space setting to Silverhawks was boring.


Exactly! Kind of like how Transformers never appealed to me. I'm just a "down to earth" kinda guy.  ;D

I actually taped a few episodes of Capt Power back in the day, so yes I did like it. Never had the toys, so that was a let down. I don't remember the series lasting very long.

2) G.I. Joe A Real American Hero by Hasbro (1982)


How big was your GI Joe collection? Which were your favourites and did you have any vehicles / playsets?

Did you ever test out other cassettes in his Teddy Ruxpin?



I tried and they actually worked inside Teddy Ruxpin.

How big was your GI Joe collection? Which were your favourites and did you have any vehicles / playsets?


I had a few GI Joes and one vehicle in the old days. I had Scarlett (v1.5), Roadblock, Cobra Officer (v1.5), Snow Job, and Firefly. Firefly was my favorite out of them all because I never got Storm Shadow. The Slugger was my vehicle. I never owned any play sets and like everyone else, my taste in action figures changed throughout the 80s.



I tried and they actually worked inside Teddy Ruxpin.


Did you have some Black Sabbath cassettes to put in Teddy?  ;D

I tried and they actually worked inside Teddy Ruxpin.


They should have mentioned that in the commercials haha lol.

They should have mentioned that in the commercials haha lol.


Worlds of Wonder did not want any age child to get the wrong idea. Only the tapes that came with Teddy Ruxpin were supposed to be the ones your mother or father played for you.

I had a few GI Joes and one vehicle in the old days. I had Scarlett (v1.5), Roadblock, Cobra Officer (v1.5), Snow Job, and Firefly. Firefly was my favorite out of them all because I never got Storm Shadow. The Slugger was my vehicle. I never owned any play sets and like everyone else, my taste in action figures changed throughout the 80s.

Did you have some Black Sabbath cassettes to put in Teddy?  ;D



No I wasn't like that, any cassette I put in it worked.

They should have mentioned that in the commercials haha lol.


Why should they have mentioned it? The bear was targeted for kids who wanted it to be your friend.

No I wasn't like that, any cassette I put in it worked.


I never got see Teddy Ruxpin play any Debbie Boone or Whitney Houston tapes.  ;D

I had a few GI Joes and one vehicle in the old days.


Hasbro's YouTube channel has just uploaded a load of GI Joe episodes! Perfect for Sat mornings!

Hasbro's YouTube channel has just uploaded a load of GI Joe episodes! Perfect for Sat mornings!


I know. Thank you.

No I wasn't like that, any cassette I put in it worked.


Which cassettes did you put in Teddy Ruxpin?

I never got see Teddy Ruxpin play any Debbie Boone or Whitney Houston tapes.  ;D


Did you have any?

I know. Thank you.
Which cassettes did you put in Teddy Ruxpin?


music cassettes.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1147/9166/products/1897-2_grande.jpeg?v=1460528439

music cassettes.


Who were the artists?


https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1147/9166/products/1897-2_grande.jpeg?v=1460528439


That was more of a toy for Gen Xers, but it was still an 80s toy.