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Take a trip down memory lane as we revisit the playthings that defined a generation! Join us as we count down our picks for the most iconic toys of the 1980s. Our countdown includes Transformers, Care Bears, TMNT, Cabbage Patch Kids and more! Which of these nostalgic treasures had a special place in your childhood bedroom? Let us know in the comments below!
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00:00Meet Ultra Magnus. As a car carrier, he can transport four Autobots into battle.
00:04Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the 1980s toys that defined a decade.
00:10The toy might have debuted during a previous decade, but every 80s kid will still recognize all of these.
00:17Introducing Duke, Roadblock, and Spirit.
00:19G.I. Joe, the real American hero. G.I. Joe is there.
00:26Number 10. Light Bright.
00:32It could often be a struggle of wills between parents who were seeking out educational or artistic toys for their
00:37kids, as opposed to just another action figure.
00:40This was where Light Bright came in, a happy medium where parents could feel good about spending their money, and
00:45the kids could spend hours expressing themselves with tiny illuminated pegs.
00:50The toy may have been introduced back in 1967, but 80s kids will also likely retain fond memories of experimenting
00:56with their Light Brights.
00:57Or maybe you were one of those kids who decided to make naughtier images with your Light Bright.
01:01Either way, there's no denying the enduring popularity of this all-time classic.
01:06Hi, that worked!
01:08Yes! Yes!
01:10Hi!
01:10Number 9. Rainbow Bright.
01:15Rainbow Bright.
01:16See the shining light.
01:18Yes, I'm gonna take you to Rainbow Bright.
01:21It was back during the 1980s that the true symbiosis of media franchises and collectible toy tie-ins arguably first
01:27rose to prominence.
01:28This was a decade where Saturday morning cartoons ruled, and every kids' show had to include products on store shelves
01:35for the young, and young at heart.
01:37And Rainbow Bright was no exception to this rule.
01:45A children's series that was bright, colorful, and optimistic.
01:49The dolls were equally charming and designed to be collected.
01:52The popularity of Rainbow Bright continues to this day as well, with new, retro-minded versions of these dolls able
01:59to be found on shelves of superstores such as Target.
02:01Try to see the shining light.
02:03The sun's gonna take you to Rainbow Bright.
02:09Number 8. Masters of the Universe.
02:12By the power of Greyskull!
02:18I am the power!
02:21Were you one of those 80s kids that was already on the ground floor with Masters of the Universe prior
02:26to the Filmation cartoon series hitting the tube in 83?
02:29These fan-favorite toys first dropped back in 1981, and included many comics detailing the adventures of He-Man as
02:36he battled the villainous Skeletor for the fate of Eternia.
02:38Moss Man is green, so I can't be seen!
02:42Ha ha ha!
02:43He-Man, Moss Man, Skeletor, and Triclops fingers each sold separately.
02:46It was this aforementioned animated series that helped strap a rocket to the Masters of the Universe toy line, however,
02:52creating a media franchise that lives on today with updated series and toy collabs.
02:56It's the OG Masters of the Universe line that proved unforgettable for 80s kids, however.
03:01And what do you think you're doing?
03:03But you said...
03:04Never mind what I said, just do what I said!
03:08Especially if they were lucky enough to own the Castle Grayskull playset.
03:12Number 7.
03:13Teddy Ruxpin.
03:14All of us probably had our favorite stuffed animals as children.
03:17My name is Teddy Ruxpin.
03:19Can you and I be friends?
03:21Yeah!
03:22Maybe it happened to be a teddy bear, and perhaps you had imaginary conversations with your friend as you drifted
03:27off to Dreamland.
03:28This is probably why Teddy Ruxpin was such a success back in the mid-80s, since this cute little bear's
03:33eyes and mouth actually moved.
03:35Hi there, my name is Teddy Ruxpin.
03:38Teddy would tell stories to kids via the cassette tape in his back, although later models would make the switch
03:43to digital.
03:44Who are we kidding, though?
03:45We're all about the OG Teddy Ruxpin, and have plenty of fond memories of hanging out with this toy for
03:50hours.
03:51There's nothing in the world like a good friend.
03:54You can say that again.
03:56Number 6.
03:57Strawberry Shortcake.
03:58Welcome to the world of Strawberry Shortcake.
04:01It's sort of crazy to think of a greeting card idea graduating from a little piece of paper to a
04:07full-blown media franchise, yet here we are with Strawberry Shortcake.
04:10She was one of the most beloved toy franchises of the 1980s, after first debuting for the American Greetings Company
04:17back in 1972.
04:18Over in Lilac Park.
04:20Why?
04:21Just go take a peek and see.
04:24Okay.
04:27Cartoons, toys, and an extremely popular bicycle were all produced with Strawberry Shortcake and her friends throughout this time, and
04:34all proved to be successful.
04:35There have been various stop-start attempts at relaunching the Strawberry Shortcake franchise over the years, but it's the 80s
04:41that remains the era most closely tethered to its major popularity.
04:45That's pretty good.
04:46Bring them to Sunflower Market, play regular, and we all can have a grand time.
04:52Number 5.
04:53G.I. Joe.
04:54And here's Gung Ho, Airborne, Doc, and Snow Job.
04:57The original large-sized G.I. Joe dolls from the 1960s certainly have their place within the toy pantheon, but
05:04it was the 1982 relaunch that helped turn this media franchise into a legend.
05:09These smaller figures had great articulation and interesting backstories, thanks to the information presented on the backs of their stock
05:15cards.
05:15G.I. Joe's and their villainous counterparts in Cobra all had varied and unique personalities, which made G.I. Joe
05:21a perfect addition to the Saturday morning cartoon lineup.
05:24There have been multiple reboots and movies over the years, too, proving that this brand still possesses the ability to
05:30capture our imaginations so many years later.
05:33Then Doc says Duke's gonna be A-OK.
05:36G.I. Joe!
05:38Number 4.
05:40Cabbage Patch Kids.
05:41It's difficult to express, if you weren't there, the absolute madness that was Cabbage Patch Fever.
05:46Cabbage Patch Kids are each sold separately.
05:48Each doll comes with a pretend birth certificate and adoption papers from Coleco.
05:52The wide availability of online shopping has essentially circumvented the crowded toy store aisles, filled with parents elbowing each other
05:59to grab the latest hot toy.
06:01And make no mistake, Cabbage Patch Kids were beyond hot.
06:05Here comes Marcy.
06:06I want you to meet her.
06:07Introducing the new Cabbage Patch Babies, the littlest Cabbage Patch Kids of all.
06:12They were thermonuclear in popularity, and a testament to the imagination and love put into this creation from Xavier Roberts.
06:19The adoption papers were a keen selling point for these dolls as well, making it feel as if parents were
06:24introducing these Cabbage Patch Kids to the family when they showed up under the tree on Christmas morning.
06:29I belong with you, you belong with me, so let's all meet under our family tree.
06:35Number 3.
06:36Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
06:39Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
06:42Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
06:44Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
06:47Heroes in a half shell.
06:48All it took was the softening of some edges to turn the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from a cult comic
06:53collectible into a household name.
06:54These heroes in a half shell from Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird had the violence of their origins turned down
07:00for the cartoon series and accompanying toy line.
07:02Turtle Mania soon took hold, as wave after wave of figures hit the market, together with vehicles and playsets.
07:09A big screen movie in 1990 further fanned the flames of popularity, proving that this lean green fighting machine was
07:20truly unstoppable.
07:21It created a forever fandom where generations of TMNT fans shared their memories of playing with these toys with their
07:28own kids.
07:29Get out of the way!
07:31Number 2.
07:31Care Bears.
07:32Care Bears, stare!
07:41There's just something to be said about sincerity.
07:43That dyed-in-the-wool cuteness and love shared by the Care Bears and their Care Bear cousins.
07:47This almost certainly played into why these adorable little dolls proved to be so popular back in the 1980s.
08:01Their little belly designs and intrinsically likable personalities made them impossible to resist.
08:06And the variety of friends to collect basically took over the bedrooms of 80s kids around the world.
08:12It was a media franchise that was very simple in its approach of caring and love triumphing over the often
08:17mean and uncaring world.
08:19What's not to like?
08:20Whenever you're blue.
08:22And Champ Bear's always rooting for you.
08:25Every day can be a Care Bear game.
08:29Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions.
08:33Monchichi.
08:34Japanese stuffies licensed to the USA in 85.
08:37I've been cuddly with the thumb in her mouth.
08:39She's really neat and fun to wiggle his little feet.
08:43Glow Worm.
08:43Your best nighttime buddy.
08:45I love you, Glow Worm.
08:47My Little Pony.
08:48Ponies for bronies.
08:50And kids, too.
08:51And now they've got little pony friends as special as can be.
08:55Jem and the Holograms.
08:57Or were you more a fan of the Misfits?
08:59But only her friends the Holograms, Kimber, Aja, and Shayna, know that Jerrica's also Jem!
09:04Pound Puppies.
09:06Guilted into giving them our love.
09:07Rascal!
09:08Pound Puppies each sold separately.
09:10They're so huggable.
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09:27Number 1.
09:29Transformers.
09:29Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost.
09:37It's arguably one of the most popular and enduring media franchises of all time.
09:42A concept that's simple, effective, and satisfying.
09:46Transforming robots into cars and back again.
09:48Making those robots fight each other for the fate of the universe.
09:51Rinse, repeat, and have a great time.
09:53But what's there?
09:54He transforms into my powerful Autobot commander.
09:57Transformers.
10:00The Transformers are legends for a reason, after all.
10:03With characters like Optimus Prime and Bumblebee becoming pop culture icons in their own right.
10:08It's a testament to how the Transformers have managed to keep their 1980s popularity going
10:13through generation after generation.
10:15Each one finding out for themselves how these robots are more than meets the eye.
10:25Are you an 80s kid?
10:27Or do you wish you were?
10:28Let us know in the comments.
10:29Let us know in the comments.
10:30Let us know in the comments.
10:32Let us know in the comments.
10:33Let us know in the comments.
10:34Let us know in the comments.
10:34Let us know in the comments.
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10:36You
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