The 1990s was a vibrant decade of digital innovation and pop culture icons. Toys of the time represented the cultural zeitgeist of a changing world and here at the V&A museums, we have many of these collectable creations! Nerd out now on some of the best of the 1990s toys…
Millennium Falcon
Star Wars is one of the most successful franchises of films ever to grace cinema screens. The movies have captured the imaginations of millions and the iconic spaceship, the Millennium Falcon, was one of the best-selling toys of the late 20th century. Re-released in 1996 to a new generation of fans, this model was a firm favourite of kids and adults alike! How much fun would it be to fly this through the air? You can see it for yourself at the Young V&A museum, Bethnal Green, London.
Pikachu
This vintage Pikachu soft toy was all the rage in the 90s. Every kid HAD to have one. Look at his little hands and feet! Pokémon is one of the most successful games ever invented. Devised by Satoshi Tajiri in 1995, the Nintendo Gameboy game about training, fighting and collecting monsters took off in ways nobody, even Satoshi, could probably foresee! What is your favourite Pokémon? You can say “hi” to this little Pikachu at the Young V&A museum, Bethnal Green, London.
Buzz Lightyear
To infinity, and beyond! Which is where these Buzz Lightyear toys when production couldn’t keep up with demand. With the release of Toy Story in 1995, came the merchandise, and by Christmas of 1996, there were many unhappy kids with no Buzz Lightyear to open! Disney anticipated Woody would be the most popular, but sadly, cowboys were not on the Christmas list of that year. You can see Buzz in all his glory at the Young V&A museum, Bethnal Green, London.
Jabba the Glob
This weird and wonderful toy was released in 1999 to support the new Star Wars movie, A New Hope. Jabba the Glob is based on the character Jabba the Hut, was a pretty gross toy that actually vomited “chuba” frogs. Collectors found the slime hardened over time making this soft, articulated toy a mummified mess. Would you play with this now? Go and see Glob for yourself at the Young V&A museum, Bethnal Green, London.
Tinky Winky
“Eh-oh!” The Teletubbies were a huge hit for children’s television in the 1990s. When the stuffed toys of Tinky Winky, Laa-Laa, Dipsy and Po were released in 1996, fights broke out in stores to get one for Christmas. Long drives were made up and down the UK trying to find the elusive toys. And it wasn’t just children who wanted these toys, teenagers and adults also fought for a piece of the plushy panic. Today, these Teletubbies are collectors items. You can visit Tinky Winky at the Young V&A museum, Bethnal Green, London.
Spice Girls
The super popular 90s band, The Spice Girls, with hits like Wannabe and 2 Become 1, had a line of dolls released which became the best-selling celebrity dolls of all time, shifting 11 million units! The Girl Power dolls made $200 million worldwide and are now collector items. Which is your favourite? Baby, Sporty, Ginger, Scary or Posh? You can visit the dolls in the Young V&A museum, Bethnal Green, London.
Tamagotchi
Imagine a world pre-smartphone and you’ve got to take care of a virtual pet, all day, or, it will DIE! Tamagotchi’s were banned in schools across the UK as kids were more concerned with cleaning up their pet’s poop than revising for their English exam. The egg shaped keychain became a global obsession with young minds and parents and teachers HATED them. You can see this Tamagotchi in the Young V&A museum, Bethnal Green, London.
When Furby’s hit the shelves in 1998, people weren’t quite sure what to make of them! These cute owl-hamster hybrids could be trained to speak, sing and dance. But that was the problem, they would kick off in the middle of the night, scaring kids and adults alike. The CIA even temporarily banned them, thinking they were spying devices! But Furby kept going and new generations of the toy can do much more. You can ask an adult to order to see this original Furby on the V&A website.
