While things are slowly opening back up here in North Carolina, life is far from…
The Year I Was Born: The Most Popular Video Game, Board Game & Toy From 1975-2000
The Internet. Sure, it’s pretty great. Infinite knowledge, entertainment and cat memes with the click of a mouse. In today’s day and age, we’re used to instant gratification, two-day free shipping and same-day delivery.
But do you remember the rush you’d get as a kid when you finally got that new game or toy to play with? Your parents had to drive you to an actual toy store, wait in line, and hope beyond hope that what you wanted was still in stock (and lots of times it wasn’t). There was something so magical about peeling the plastic off of a new toy that you had waited forever for.
We thought we’d help you relive some of that magic by researching the most popular video games, board games and toys throughout the years. Enjoy this trip down memory lane from 1975 to 2000.
The Year I Was Born
1975
Video Game: Gun Fight
Board Game: Pay Day
Toy: Pet Rock
1976
Video Game: Breakout
Board Game: Whosit?
Toy: Skateboard
1977
Video Game: Zork
Board Game: Electronic Battleship
Toy: Atari 2600
1978
Video Game: Space Invaders
Board Game: Simon
Toy: Hungry Hungry Hippos
1979
Video Game: Asteroids
Board Game: Guess Who?
Toy: Baby Alive Doll
1980
Video Game: Pac-Man
Board Game: Can’t Stop
Toy: Rubiks Cube
1981
Video Game: Donkey Kong
Board Game: Trivial Pursuit
Toy: Strawberry Shortcake Doll
1982
Video Game: Pitfall!
Board Game: Sequence
Toy: Glo Worm
1983
Video Game: Dragon’s Lair
Board Game: Topple
Toy: Cabbage Patch Kids
1984
Video Game: Tetris
Board Game: Balderdash
Toy: My Little Pony
1985
Video Game: Super Mario Bros.
Board Game: Pictionary
Toy: Pound Puppies
1986
Video Game: The Legend of Zelda
Board Game: Fireball Island
Toy: Popples
1987
Video Game: Final Fantasy
Board Game: Jenga
Toy: Teddy Ruxpin
1988
Video Game: Super Mario Bros. 3
Board Game: Mall Madness
Toy: Nintendo Entertainment System
1989
Video Game: SimCity
Board Game: Taboo
Toy: Game Boy
1990
Video Game: Super Mario World
Board Game: Crocodile Dentist
Toy: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
1991
Video Game: Sonic the Hedgehog
Board Game: Atmosfear
Toy: Sega Genesis
1992
Video Game: Mortal Kombat
Board Game: Terrace
Toy: Barney Stuffed Animal
1993
Video Game: Doom
Board Game: Dead End Drive
Toy: Talkboy Cassette Player and Recorder
1994
Video Game: Donkey Kong Country
Board Game: Pylos
Toy: Pogs
1995
Video Game: Chrono Trigger
Board Game: Catan (aka: The Settlers of Catan)
Toy: Sky Dancer
1996
Video Game: Pokémon Red and Blue
Board Game: Loaded Questions
Toy: Tickle Me Elmo
1997
Video Game: Final Fantasy VII
Board Game: Primordial Soup
Toy: Tamagotchi
1998
Video Game: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Board Game: Cranium
Toy: Beanie Babies
1999
Video Game: Super Smash Bros.
Board Game: Apples to Apples
Toy: Furby
2000
Video Game: The Sims
Board Game: Carcassonne
Toy: Razor Scooter
Did this list help stir up some nostalgia? If you enjoyed this little trip down memory lane, why not come relive some of the real thing at Boxcar Bar + Arcade! We have 3 NC locations – in Raleigh, Greensboro and Durham (coming soon!) – with more than 100 classic arcade games that are sure to spark some memories. And unlike the arcade trips from childhood, you can fuel your gaming with any of our 24 American craft drafts or carefully crafted cocktails – so both the kid *and* the adult in you will be happy.
Sources include cosmopolitan.com (toys), popularmechanics.com (video games) and popularmechanics.com (board games)