Ah, the 1990s – a decade of grunge music, Friends on TV, and a collection of toys that might just be your ticket through the current cost of living crisis. Before you consider a clear-out, it's time to rummage through your garage, because those toys from your (or your children's) childhood could be more than just nostalgic relics; they could be valuable collectibles!

It's a common tale: what was once played with and loved eventually ends up forgotten in a box, gathering dust. But here's a twist – some of those very toys are now worth a small fortune. According to a study by TheToyZone, a group of pop culture enthusiasts and toy reviewers, certain toys from the 90s have skyrocketed in value. So, which of these childhood treasures should you be searching for?

Toys aside, vintage gaming consoles like the gold-coloured Nintendo 64 now cost a fortune and are a rare commodity online. Image Credit: Reddit/Storyshift-Chara-ewe

Barbie dolls have always been a staple in the toy industry, but did you know that some are now considered high-value collectibles? Take, for instance, the 40th Anniversary Barbie doll designed by De Beers, released in 1999. This particular Barbie wasn't even available in stores, and now it's estimated to be worth around $85,000! That's quite a return on investment for a toy that once might have had a price tag of less than $100.

But it's not just Barbie living the high life. Limited edition Pokémon cards and the beloved Nintendo 64 console are also fetching impressive sums. The nostalgia for these items has only grown, with many adults wanting to reclaim a piece of their childhoods – and they're willing to pay top dollar for it.

Let's delve deeper into the treasure trove of the 90s. Remember the thrill of racing around in Mario Kart on your Nintendo 64? Well, a cartridge of this iconic game is now estimated to be worth around $21,000. And if you've got the original Nintendo 64 console from 1996, you might be looking at around $5,651. Other high-ranking games include Super Nintendo Super Metroid at $5,280 and the Nintendo 64 Gold System at $5,250.

Action figures haven't been left behind either. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Scratch The Cat action figure could snag you a cool $10,000. But the real heavy hitters in the collectibles market are Pokémon cards. Logan Paul's Pikachu Illustrator card from 1998 sold for an astonishing $6 million, while a 1st Edition Shadowless Charizard Base Set card can command $420,000, and a Blastoise Wizards of the Coast Presentation Galaxy Star holo card might bring in $350,000.

These prices are not just child's play; they're serious business. Collectors and enthusiasts are on the hunt for these rare items, and the market for vintage toys has never been hotter. It's a reminder of how the things we love and enjoy can sometimes turn into valuable assets over time.

So, before you dismiss those old toys as junk, take a closer look. You might just have a hidden gem that could be worth a significant sum. And if you're sitting on a collection of 90s toys, it might be time to do some research and see if you're holding onto a potential goldmine.

For those who are now considering a dive into the attic or garage, remember that condition is everything. A mint-condition toy, especially with its original packaging, will always fetch a higher price than one that's seen better days. It's also worth noting that rarity and demand drive these prices, so not every toy from the 90s will have appreciated in value.

Key Takeaways

• s toys may be more valuable than you think, with some significantly increasing in value over time.
• TheToyZone conducted a study identifying high-value toys from the 90s, including Barbie dolls, limited edition Pokémon cards, and Nintendo consoles.
• The De Beers-designed 40th Anniversary Barbie doll and certain Pokémon cards are amongst the highest-valued collectibles, fetching tens of thousands to millions of dollars.
• Video games like Mario Kart and action figures such as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Scratch The Cat are also potentially worth thousands if in good condition.

Have you discovered any valuable 90s toys in your collection? Share your finds and stories with us in the comments below – we'd love to hear about your own treasures from this iconic decade!

 

[Suzanne rose]

I have an attic full of toys from the 70s, 80s, and 90s including Nintendo 64 consoles plus games . We also have Artari consoles and games

There are also large buckets of Barbies, and boxes and folders of 90s pokemon cards and both 80s and 90s rugby league cards.

We also have loads of unopened MacDonald toys including snoopy.

I told hubby we need to empty the attic and either sell the stuff or give it away

 

[Luckyus]

I have a collection of vintage pocket watches, which I should imagine are worth something and their is nobody in my family is interested in the horological plus antique hand tools, and I'm only using one of those right now?

 

[Gsr]

I’m sure we have lots of toys, as well as a lot of really old English china items, dinner sets, cake plates, tea sets, vases etc that would be worth money as collectables. Just need the time to sort them out and start listing them. Our daughter has a massive Star Wars collection bought over many years, and a lot of Star Wars items gifted to her by friends from different countries that she has started selling and she is making lots of money doing so.

 

[Littleboy8]

Did you know: LEGO is the worlds biggest tyre manufacturer, producing about 300 million tiny tyres a year.

 

[Luckyus]

I have an attic full of toys from the 70s, 80s, and 90s including Nintendo 64 consoles plus games . We also have Artari consoles and games

There are also large buckets of Barbies, and boxes and folders of 90s pokemon cards and both 80s and 90s rugby league cards.

We also have loads of unopened MacDonald toys including snoopy.

I told hubby we need to empty the attic and either sell the stuff or give it away

You would be surpursied just how you can get from selling of items?

 

[Suzanne rose]

You would be surpursied just how you can get from selling of items?

I told hubby there is no point leaving them in the attic. I told him only today he is a horder