From Kids' Toys to Collectors’ Specials
At a point in time when Gen-Z is busy collecting Labubus, one can’t help but think back to the 80s—the glory days of the kids’ collectibles. Here are a few things kids collected in the 80s that are much more valuable today.
Cabbage Patch Kids Dolls
First launched in 1983, Cabbage Patch Kids were a series of dolls that went viral before going viral was a thing. Originally, they retailed for around $25, but today, they can go anywhere from a few hundred dollars to up to $20,000 on the resale market, depending on condition, rarity, and whether you have the original packaging.
Transformers Toys
If you grew up in the 2000s, you knew Transformers as a famous movie franchise, but if you asked your parents, they’d tell you otherwise. Transformers were originally a series of toys released in 1984, retailing anywhere between $4 and $25. Collector’s editions from the time are sold today in the range of thousands of dollars.
Nintendo NES Games
Originally released in North America in 1985, the Nintendo NES set gaming industry standards that are being followed to this day. It was essentially the very first home gaming console and introduced the world to gaming franchises like Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Contra. Back then, the retail price for an NES game was between $10-$60. Their current resale value can vary depending on a lot of factors, but some games can go up to $10,000.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Figures
When Mattel initially launched He-Man in 1984, each action figure only retailed for about $5. If you’d bought a figure then, and kept it safe until now, you could get anywhere between $950 to a few thousand dollars on eBay, depending on its condition.
My Little Pony Figures
The first generation os My Little Pony dolls was released by Hasbro in 1982, retailing between five and ten dollars. Today, on the resale market, a G1 pony can fetch up to a few hundred dollars if it’s in mint condition.
Star Wars Figures
The fact that the prototype Boba Fett figure from this collection sold at auction for over $1.3 million should tell you everything you need to know about the value of these toys. Released in 1978, retailing for under $3, these toys are truly a resale gem.
GI Joe Action Figures
Although initially launched in the 1960s, Hasbro reformed GI Joe in 1982 and relaunched it with the “Real American Hero” campaign we all know today. At the time, their retail price was less than $5. Today, packaged, mint condition figures can go in the tens of thousands.
Teddy Ruxpin
Teddy Ruxpin was an animatronic “storytelling bear” launched in 1985. It retailed for $60 back i the day. Their resale value is slightly lower than others on this list, but a vintage, mint-condition doll can still fetch you a few hundred dollars today.
Atari 2600 Games
If Nintendo had Super Mario, Atari had Pac-Man. The Atari 2600 revolutionised the home video game industry and was one of the first consoles to ever be sold. Popular Atari games like Space Invaders and Pac-Man fetch up to $50 today, but rare games like Halloween and Air Raid have sold for thousands of dollars.
Pound Puppies
When Mike Bowling created this cutesy stuffed dog in Canada in 1984, he had no idea what a force he had unleashed. Initially retailing for about $30, a vintage pound puppy today can be found on the resale market for anywhere between $500 and $5,000.
Strawberry Shortcake Dolls
Can you believe that you could get these for under $10 in the '80s? Strawberry Shortcake Dolls were released in 1979, based on characters that appeared in greeting cards. Suffice to say, they were an almost immediate success. Today, a vintage doll can fetch you hundreds of dollars.
Care Bears
Although Care Bears were enjoyed by people across generations, they got their start in 1983 under Kenner. At the time, their retail price was between $10 and $20. Today, a vintage Care Bear can go for anywhere between $100 and $500.
Polly Pocket (original Compacts)
Christ Wiggs made the first Polly Pocket compact as a gift for his daughter in 1983. In 1989, Bluebird Toys licensed the concept from him and began selling it in mass for $3 each. Today, that $3 Polly Pocket can be bought for up to $250 on eBay.
VHS Tapes
While VHS tapes were fairly common back in the day, many horror, sci-fi, cult classic films, and Disney Black Diamond edition tapes can fetch a ridiculously high price today. Sealed copies of titles such as The Goonies, Jaws, The Terminator, A Nightmare on Elm Street, etc, have fetched over $10,000 on auction.
