These forgotten 90s toys could secretly be your ticket to early retirement.
They sat in our toy boxes, rolled under beds, or got traded for half a sandwich in the school lunchroom. Now, decades later, some of those exact same plastic playthings are fetching prices that would make your teenage self drop the Game Boy in shock. What used to be a $12 birthday gift is now racking up four figures on auction sites—and no, we’re not just talking about Beanie Babies.
Collectors, millennials chasing childhood memories, and investors looking to cash in on pop culture have driven the value of certain 90s toys way beyond reason. That action figure you buried in the sandbox? It might be worth more than the down payment on a used car. The trick, of course, is knowing which ones are actually valuable and which are just cluttering your attic. If you held onto the right boxes, never broke off the accessories, or happened to snag a limited edition back when you didn’t even know what “mint condition” meant, you could be sitting on a small fortune.
1. Original Furby still sealed in its box is going for absurd amounts.
That fuzzy, wide-eyed chatterbox that creeped people out in the late 90s? It’s now creeping up the auction charts. A first-generation Furby, especially one in mint condition and still in the original packaging, can sell for several hundred dollars, according to Erin McDowell at Business Insider. If it’s a rare color or limited edition, the price tag skyrockets. There’s something bizarrely nostalgic about that robotic voice and twitchy movement, and collectors are paying good money to relive it.
Back when they first hit stores, Furbies were flying off the shelves. Parents were elbowing each other at toy stores during the holidays to snag one. Now, the same toy that sat dormant for years might fetch more than the car you learned to drive in. The key is condition—dusty and damaged Furbies won’t cut it. But a pristine one, still sealed in its original packaging? That’s like striking gold, 90s-style.
2. Pokémon cards aren’t just for kids trading at recess anymore.
If you ever tossed your Pokémon card collection into a shoebox and forgot about it, you might want to dig it out. Certain first-edition holographic cards, especially that elusive Charizard, are now selling for tens of thousands of dollars, as reported by Peter Day at the TGC Player. Some are even being graded, encased, and treated like rare coins or artwork. It’s not just nostalgia—it’s a full-blown investment category.
Cards that were once flipped carelessly during lunch breaks are now handled with gloves. What makes a card valuable isn’t just rarity—it’s also condition, print run, and edition type. First editions with minimal edge wear and perfect centering are the jackpot. It’s wild to think those cardboard rectangles we used to shove in our backpacks are now a potential goldmine. If yours are in decent shape and include any of the major heavy-hitters, you could be sitting on more than a few paychecks.
3. Tamagotchis in mint condition are surprisingly lucrative.
Those pocket-sized digital pets that beeped endlessly and demanded attention at all hours? They’re back in fashion—and they’re cashing in. A mint-condition Tamagotchi, especially one in original packaging or a rare design, can now sell for several hundred dollars, as stated by the people at ZenMarket. Some limited editions or foreign releases go for even more. The simplicity of their gameplay hides the fierce demand behind the scenes.
What was once a schoolyard craze has now become a collector’s treasure. The beeps and pixelated poop-cleaning might’ve annoyed your parents, but buyers today are loving the nostalgia. Gen Z even tried to bring them back, but it’s the original models that fetch serious money. If yours has survived the decades without dead pixels or battery acid corrosion, and you resisted the urge to rip it open, you could be holding onto a small but profitable piece of the past.
4. Ninja Turtles action figures still sealed are shelling out big bucks.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were everywhere in the 90s—lunchboxes, cartoons, video games, and yes, action figures. Some of the original figures, especially the 1988–1992 series, have become serious collectibles. Mint condition, sealed-on-card versions of key characters like Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Shredder can sell for hundreds, even thousands, depending on rarity and packaging variations.
The weirder the version, the more valuable it seems to be. Think astronaut Donatello or surfer Raphael. Playmates Toys went wild with themes, and collectors are snatching up the more obscure versions. If you somehow resisted opening yours—or better yet, if your parents bought a second set “just to keep unopened”—you could be holding a miniature plastic payday. These figures weren’t just fun—they were a 401(k) you didn’t know you had.
5. Polly Pocket sets are packing serious value in their tiny shells.
Those compact, pastel-colored Polly Pocket playsets might’ve been small, but their value now is anything but. Complete sets from the early 90s, especially the bluebird-branded originals, can go for hundreds depending on condition. If yours still has the tiny figures intact—and all the doors and hinges still work—you’ve got something collectors are after.
Polly Pockets were notorious for getting lost, broken, or handed down to younger siblings. That’s why intact sets, particularly with original packaging, fetch premium prices. Some rare sets, like the Star Bright Dinner Party or Jewel Magic Ball, can even hit the thousand-dollar mark. It’s a reminder that tiny doesn’t mean insignificant. Those miniature worlds you used to carry in your pocket might now be carrying your grocery budget for the month.
6. Beanie Babies still spark bidding wars—under the right conditions.
Yes, the Beanie Baby bubble burst, and no, your Princess Diana bear isn’t automatically worth five figures. But some Beanie Babies still have value—especially rare ones with tag errors, limited production runs, or special edition releases. Condition matters immensely. Those with authenticated tags and zero wear are the ones collectors want.
People still roll their eyes at the Beanie Baby craze, but some of the hype stuck around. If you’ve got a first-generation bear or a retired character in pristine condition, it might be worth listing. Just don’t assume every plush is a gold mine. The market is selective, but it’s not dead. Certain pieces—especially ones with odd quirks or hard-to-find tags—can still spark small bidding wars, especially among nostalgic millennials ready to reclaim their childhoods with PayPal and a sense of irony.
7. Original Game Boys in working order are pure collector gold.
That clunky gray brick that ate AA batteries like candy? If it’s an original Game Boy in working condition—especially with the box, inserts, and manual—it can fetch serious cash. Even better if it’s one of the rare color variants or special editions. The handheld revolution it sparked makes it more than a toy—it’s a piece of gaming history, and collectors are all in.
Game Boys got passed down, dropped, left in backpacks, and forgotten. So working units in clean condition are surprisingly rare. If yours boots up, has a clear screen, and includes a cartridge or two, there’s real value in that nostalgia. Special editions like the Tommy Hilfiger version or Japan-only colors drive up prices even more. It’s not just about the hardware—it’s the emotional hit of hearing that iconic startup chime again.
8. Power Rangers Megazords are morphing into goldmines.
If you had the patience and dexterity to keep your Power Rangers Megazord intact, you might want to look it up online. Complete Megazords, especially the original 1993 version, are commanding hundreds—and boxed sets climb even higher. These toys had a lot of tiny parts, which means complete units are getting harder to find with every passing year.
The Power Rangers craze hit like lightning, and the toys were top-tier collectibles. Kids loved combining the pieces into one giant robot, but over time, most of those pieces disappeared under couches or snapped in half. That’s why collectors are willing to pay up for full, functional sets. Even better if you’ve still got the tiny individual Zords or box inserts. It’s a pop-culture artifact with serious nostalgia power.
9. Super Soakers, especially early models, are worth soaking up.
That massive water gun you used to dominate summer block parties? It might be soaking up more value than you think. Original Super Soakers, especially the XP and CPS models, have gained traction with collectors. Some early or rare models are now worth hundreds, especially boxed or unused. Even used ones in good condition are surprisingly in demand.
These weren’t just toys—they were cultural status symbols in neighborhood warfare. And the bigger and rarer the model, the more people want it. The CPS 2000, known for its sheer water-blasting power, is one of the most valuable models around. Today’s water guns don’t hold the same weight, so people are paying up for the originals that defined summer fun. If your attic still holds one, it might just be the coolest treasure you forgot you owned.
10. Talkboys are cashing in thanks to 90s movie fame.
Thanks to “Home Alone 2,” the Talkboy became one of the most iconic 90s toys overnight. If you’ve still got one, especially in working condition with the original box, it could be worth several hundred dollars. This wasn’t just a recorder—it was every kid’s dream gadget, even if we barely understood how to use it.
The hype came from the movie, but the real love stuck around because of how ahead of its time it felt. It gave kids the illusion of tech-savvy independence, long before smartphones existed. Now it’s riding the nostalgia wave hard, with collectors and 90s kids willing to pay up just to hold that chunky gray recorder again. Don’t be surprised if someone pays more than your last weekend getaway just to hear Kevin McCallister’s voice play through one.
11. My Little Pony sets are pulling big bucks—mane and all.
Before the reboots and rebrands, the original My Little Pony figures of the 80s and early 90s had a very different vibe. These pastel ponies with long brushable hair are now collector favorites, especially the early-generation ones with unique colors or regional exclusives. Complete sets with accessories and packaging fetch a premium, especially among adult fans who call themselves “G1 collectors.”
The fandom is large and loyal. People hunt for specific ponies to complete collections or relive childhood memories. Ponies with glittery symbols, rare eye designs, or European exclusives can be surprisingly valuable. It’s the full package that counts—the hair, tail, saddle, and those tiny ribbons most of us lost in a week. If you saved a few and they’re still looking fabulous, you might want to give them a second look.
12. Skip-Its are bouncing back in a big way.
Those ankle-smacking, shin-bruising toys known as Skip-Its are making a quiet comeback—at least among collectors. While they might not be raking in Pokémon-level money, rare models and those still in original packaging are seeing a surprising uptick in value. The original 80s and early 90s versions are the most sought-after, particularly those with built-in counters and bright retro colorways.
Skip-Its were everywhere for a while, then suddenly vanished as trends moved on. But their bright plastic, catchy commercials, and schoolyard bragging rights left a lasting impression. If you’ve got one tucked away—or, better yet, never opened—it’s worth checking out its value. They represent a weird but wonderful piece of toy history, and collectors are eager to add these whirling bits of chaos to their shelves.
13. LEGO sets you didn’t open could build you a nice profit.
LEGO has always been beloved, but some of those old sets you begged for in the 90s? They’ve now become some of the most lucrative. Retired sets, especially themed collections like Space, Castle, or early Star Wars releases, can fetch major money—especially if unopened. Even opened sets with all the pieces and the manual can bring in good returns.
The LEGO aftermarket is wild, with buyers willing to pay hundreds or thousands for the right set. Those plastic bricks became more than toys—they became investments. Limited releases, discontinued models, and pristine packaging push the prices sky-high. If your parents insisted you “keep it for later,” they might’ve accidentally handed you a future windfall. Dust off the bin, count the bricks, and prepare to be amazed at how much that castle is really worth.