Toys · 1985
The High-Tech Animatronic and Gross-Out Toy Boom
In 1985, toy aisles transformed with groundbreaking talking plushies, gross-out trading cards, and heroic action figures dominating Saturday morning television. Kids embraced interactive play and collectible fads like never before, establishing a golden age for iconic childhood brands.
- Worlds of Wonder | Animatronic Plush
Teddy Ruxpin
Equipped with an internal cassette deck, this groundbreaking animatronic bear captivated children by synchronizing his mouth and eye movements to audio stories.
- Topps | Trading Cards
Garbage Pail Kids
Created as a satirical parody of Cabbage Patch Kids, these gross-out sticker cards sparked immediate playground trading frenzies and school ban controversies.
- Tonka | Plush Toys
Pound Puppies
These floppily soft, sad-eyed stuffed dogs arrived in cardboard kennel packaging complete with official adoption certificates for eager young owners.
- Mattel | Action Figure Line
She-Ra: Princess of Power
Spinning off from He-Man, this revolutionary toy line blended high-fantasy warrior action with combable hair and rooted fashion accessories.
- Angel Games | Board Game
Pictionary
This fast-paced party board game challenged players to guess words and phrases from quick sketches, quickly becoming a living room staple.
- Mattel | Mini Figures
M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures
Small pink eraser-like wrestling figurines imported from Japan offered pocket-sized collectible mayhem packaged in cheap multi-packs and plastic trash cans.
- Hasbro | Action Figure Set
Transformers Devastator
Six individual green-and-purple Constructicon vehicles combined together to form a massive, fan-favorite giant robot warrior.
- Epoch | Flocked Figures
Sylvanian Families
Debuting in Japan, these charming flocked woodland animal figures and detailed dollhouse miniature sets launched an enduring global collecting phenomenon.
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