The 25 Coolest Things You Owned in the '90s

The '90s were some of the best years of your youth. Maybe of your life. Unfettered by technology, you were free to acquire a slew of simple yet effective objects that upped your cool quotient without breaking (mom and dad's) bank.

Fast forward a couple of decades, and your left with feelings of inadequacy because you're still using the ancient piece of technology that is the iPhone 4s. We're here to remind you that once upon a time you had it all. Here are The 25 Coolest Things You Owned in the 90s.

Maker: Bandai
Peak Popularity: 1997

The Tamagotchi taught us responsibility before we were old enough to even spell the word. Too bad ours died an average of three times each week. Lesson learned: not everyone is fit to be a parent.

Maker: ACI International
Peak Popularity: 1991

Before Nike destroyed the sneaker game with the Jordans, LA Gears was the must-have kicks. Check those side vents. So, so fresh (thought your ten-year-old self).

Maker: Starter
Peak Popularity: 1993

There was no better way to support your favorite team than rocking one of these jackets. If mom wouldn't cough up the cash to put one of these on your back, you were rioting in the streets.

Maker: Ty Inc.
Peak Popularity: 1995

If you had the Original 9 Beanie Babies, you were a god among third-graders.

Maker: Casio
Peak Popularity: 1995

There aren't many things that were made in the '90s and are still cool today, but Swatch pulled it off. Respect.

Maker: Nintendo
Peak Popularity: 1996

Nothing else mattered when you were playing Super Mario Kart. It was banana peels and turtle shells all day; everything else was just noise.

Maker: Crayola
Peak Popularity: 1997

Proof times have changed. You were given a blob of silly putty and you were entertained for days. DAYS. Pit that against your pea-sized attention span now.

Maker: Brøderbund
Peak Popularity: 1994

Everyone was an artist with Kid Pix. Back then, bitmaps were revolutionary, and you were ahead of the curve.

Maker: Lisa Frank
Peak Popularity: 1995

The blindingly bright colored unicorns and dolphins adorned every girl's notebook. The sight of them bespeckled on your third grade crush's arm both confused and intrigued you. That's how beauty works, gentlemen.

Maker: Sony
Peak Popularity: 1995

After struggling with a walkman that ate your prized Purple Tape for breakfast, the Discman seemed so next level. You just had to be sure not to bump into anything, or it was destination Scratch City for your favorite CD.

Maker: Tiger Electronics
Peak Popularity: 1995

Bruises around the ankle couldn't thwart the joy of playing Skip It. Neither could the occasional face plant after tripping on the thing. You would get that counter over 100, and you didn't care how many facial contusions it took to get there.

Maker: Slap Wrap
Peak Popularity: 1994

Though a little painful to put on, these bracelets were the crux of a fourth graders style.

Maker: Hasbro
Peak Popularity: 1996

The game was much cooler when it only had 3 functions. Dominating it became a very real possibility, rather than a pipe dream that consumed your gaming self-esteem.

Maker: AOL
Peak Popularity: 1997

Instant messaging was only as cool as your screen name was. Thank god yours was BigPlayer4U69.

Maker: Canada Games
Peak Popularity: 1995

We never understood the game component, but trading them was pretty cool.

Maker: Rollerblade
Peak Popularity: 1994

Minus the elbow and knee pads, inline skates were totally cool. If you went to the afterschool rollerblading sessions (with Paula Abdul on the speakers, obvi) your social life was jamming.

Maker: Tiger Electronics
Peak Popularity: 1993

After seeing Home Alone 2, everyone wanted one of these. If you actually got one, your classmates would gather around you like you were a magician as you played snippets of your sister talking shit you planned to blackmail her with. So useful.

Maker: Payless
Peak Popularity: 1994

Wearing shoes from Payless was actually the norm. It was all so simple then.

Maker: Scholastic Publishing
Peak Popularity: 1993

Reading was only cool if it was a book that had R.L. Stine's name on the cover. Also awesome, but not pictured, Christopher Pike's Fear Street series. Like Goosebumps, but with more hanky panky.

Maker: Motorola
Peak Popularity: 1994

Beepers were a declaration of your status. You were somebody if it was constantly going off with 1-4-3. You were no one if your only beeps were 9-1-1's from your mother because you blew off your curfew.

Maker: Hasbro
Peak Popularity: 1992

Summers weren't complete without one of these bad boys. Super Soakers and slip-and-slides made blazing temperatures a celebration rather than a punishment.

Maker: Nintendo
Peak Popularity: 1995

This was luxury gaming at its finest. With a three-inch green screen and Skate or Die lodged in the back, you could be held at rapt attention for hours on end.

Maker: Nike
Peak Popularity: 1996

This was likely the most expensive pairs of sneakers you owned, a statement that still holds true for many today.

Maker: Duncan
Peak Popularity: 1998

Your playground cred was ruined if you didn't know how to walk the dog.

Maker: Tiger Electronics
Peak Popularity: 1998

After Tamagotchis were played out, Furbies were the next best thing. The good news? Neglecting them didn't actually result in guilt and self-hatred. WE TRIED, Tamagotchi. WE REALLY DID.