00:01Now, iconic toy shop Hamleys is celebrating its birthday, and they're talking all things toys.
00:07Joining me is Nick D. Nick, this is a story that's clearly hitting a sentimental note with a lot of people.
00:13Why do you think that is?
00:14Well, Lauren, it turns out toys are more than just playthings.
00:18They're time machines in a way for many of us.
00:20Hearing the name of a toy like Polly Pocket or Action Man instantly takes us back to a specific moment in our childhood.
00:28It's about memories, routines, birthdays and those early moments of friendship and family.
00:34Hamleys' list has sparked that reaction for a lot of people, especially with how broad the selection is from decades-old classics to more recent bestsellers.
00:44There's been a lot of debate over what made the cut.
00:48What were some of the standout names that really got people talking?
00:51You know, there's definitely been chatter around Monopoly, which has sold over 300 million copies since it launched in 1935, and still sparks family feuds today.
01:03Then you've got Barbie, which first hit the shelves in 1959 and now has sold over one billion dolls globally.
01:10People were also surprised to see modern hits like Lego Harry Potter, released in 2018, sitting alongside the likes of Space Hoppers and Tamagotchis.
01:22The variety reflects how toy trends change over time, but how some toys have real staying power.
01:29Was there anything on the list that you think might surprise people?
01:32Definitely. Things like Clackers, a toy from the 60s made of two plastic balls on a string, or the original Fisher-Price telephone still resonate with people.
01:43And vintage items like the Nintendo Game Boy from 1989, and now, would you believe it, collectible, selling for anything between £75 to £600 or even more.
01:55It's a reminder that toys can become part of pop culture and even investment pieces.
02:00So, with the nostalgia wave in full swing, is there a sense that some toys are coming back into fashion?
02:08Oh, absolutely. Parents today are often buying the same toys they love for their own children.
02:13There's a comfort in the familiar, and toy companies do know that.
02:17Brands like Lego, Barbie and Nintendo are constantly reimagining old favourites while still nodding to their roots.
02:25It's a clever blend of old and new, and it's keeping playtime timeless.
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