20 Childhood Toys We'd Play With Now

Image via Complex Original

Circa: 1994 

When morale at the office hits an unbearable low, the trigger-less cannon could liven up the atmosphere. Make target practice out of co-workers from your cubicle by cocking back the handle and unloading 15 foam balls. Or you can set up sneak attacks from up to 35 feet away. It's all good.

Circa: 1995

It bombed on the market and was overshadowed by Sega’s first handheld system, the Game Gear. But its ability to lock in over 600 Genesis/Mega Drive games and play’em on the go makes the Nomad a fresh portable console for today’s standards. Think different? Look over our 100 Best Sega Genesis Games list and see if you feel the same.

Circa: 1980 

Screw the Hess Truck. We had our eyes set on owning a Tyco remote-controlled car in the 80s and 90s. The Rock Crawler in particular. Feelings haven't changed.

Circa: 1977

Even though mobile apps have made for a more engaging cognitive experience, the true challenge comes from solving the ultimate 3D-twisty puzzle created by sculptor and architecture professor, Ernő Rubik. With over a billion combination possibilities, numerous hours (and attempts) can be spent figuring out this brain buster.

Circa: 1990 

For over three decades, Lonnie Johnson's brand of water blasters have helped cool things down during the summer time. It's also become a mainstay for wet t-shirt contests during spring break. Wetter is better.

Circa: 1991

We all remember Milton Bradley's fire-shooting board game from its ridiculously-cheesy 90s commercial (view here). Crossfire is a more extreme version of air hockey, which allows players to shoot ball bearings from attached guns in order to knock a puck into the opposition's goal. As the jingle implies: "You'll get caught up in the...Crossfire!"

Circa: 1999 

Before it was put to sleep in 2006, Sony’s digital puppy was considered one of the last great tech gadgets of the 90s. Its ability to speak, capture photos, and learn habits was ahead of its time. Set Aibo to obey your very commands and play photog when bringing chicks through the crib.

Circa: 1984 

The concept behind Hasbro’s biggest and most successful toy line is simple—plastic robots capable of transforming into vehicles, animals, and back into action figures. Awesome. Five-year-olds aren't the only ones that can geek out over Autobots and Decepticons.

Circa: 1960

Despite the Romney camp’s lame attempt to compare the former GOP candidate to the magnetic drawing machine, the Etch-A-Sketch (thank God) remains a pop culture staple among toy lovers. Creative connoisseurs have another platform to display their artistic talents and the rest of us just have a tool to doodle designs. It's a win-win for all.

Circa: 1964 

Sometimes you develop the urge to knock someone’s block off. The two-player action toy can help you with that. Blow off steam by duking it out with a friend (or foe) in the plastic prizefighter ring.

Circa: 1980 

You could have the photographic memory of Teddy Roosevelt and still feel like a dunce playing the flash memory game. Simon keeps players on their toes by forcing them to mimic the exact color patterns coordinated by the opposition. In other words, it's Horse in digital form...and far more challenging.

Circa: 1950 

Will I strike the Powerball jackpot? Is she out of my league? Can 50 Cent and French Montana let bygones be bygones? The fortune-telling novelty can either give you favorable, evasive, or negative results depending on the question.

Circa: 1990s

Micro Machines are cool, but slot car racers deliver the fast-paced action we desire. Whether you make a hobby of it or hit the competing circuit, it's pretty fun getting your hands on the controls and watching these miniature autos rip the racetrack.

Circa: 1976 

Stretch Armstrong served no purpose except testing the limits of figurine expandability. Just shows how little we needed to keep busy back in the days. We’re still curious to see If the gel-filled toy can stretch past its 15-inch length. It's either this or fondling a stress ball.

Circa: 1998 

The original Game Boy set the standard for portable game consoles. Then its successor took over: introducing a smaller form factor, color screen, and backward compatibility for black and white GB games. Considering how the 3DS doesn’t support these platforms anymore, dropping $20 on a GBC via eBay sounds like a sweet deal. How else do you expect to play the Wario Land Trilogy and The Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Ages & Seasons?

Circa: 1960s 

The masterful creations one can build with a set of plastic blocks is more than enough incentive to pick up a LEGO set at Toys ‘R” Us. Let your imagination run free by assembling original work or recreate some of your favorite gadgets like these Apple Lego creators.

Circa: 1996 

Memories of toggling switches and churning cranks at fast speeds remind us of how incredibly difficult (and frustrating) Bop-It was to play. Gluttons for punishment are welcomed to challenge their aptitude and mental reflexes by engaging in a series of physical commands. It beats playing Hot Potato with a crowd.

Circa: 1945 

A stretchable spring that bounces back and forth: boring, right? Please. The beauty of the slinky lies in its ability to perform tricks with the aid of gravity and momentum. Watching it in motion down a flight of stairs never gets old.

Circa: 1983 

Before the era of wireless sterling wheels and Gran Turismo, Tomy set the standard for driving simulation games with its virtual dashboard. Equipped with a digital viewing screen, four-speed gearshifts, speedometer, and yes, key ignition, it's pretty hard to resist jumping behind the wheel of the Turnin’ Turbo. Stock up on D-cell batteries.

Circa: 1982

The mainstream popularity of the G.I. Joe cartoons made these action figures an 80s hallmark among children of all ages. Add-ons like firearms, swords, and weapon-laced vehicles shaped up some amazing imaginary battles.