As Doug Larson said, “Nostalgia is a file that removes the rough edges from the good old days.” Where such nostalgia can be best seen is in the realm of toys from the 1980s. For individuals who find themselves with children of their own today because they’re now in their 30s, 40s, or 50s, those brightly colored toys that once filled bedrooms and family rooms were likely moved up into attics and basements in boxes. But now they’re going for prices that leave one’s jaw dropped.
The 1980s represented a golden age of innovation when it came to toys, thanks to advancements in product manufacturing, marketing of said products through a popular form of media, and a desire to use imagination. What was once a simple birthday present or a desirable find during the holiday season was now a serious financial investment. From a simple action figure to a game console, some of the more vintage products of this time period now find their way into collectors and retail for a price equivalent to a used car.
Here are a look at ten great toys from that decade that are now valuable beyond measure and provide a trip down memory lane as well as a potential financial reward to those who are fortunate enough to own them.
1. Rubik’s Cube Original
Even though it was invented in the 1970s, it did not become a phenomenon in popular culture until 1980. The versions that are from 1980 or before, preferably packaged in a plastic tube and featuring a stand or in yellow packaging, can be worth up to $195. It is essential for collectors of this item to be looking for the logo found on one of the center squares.
2. Care Bears and Their Rare Cousins
The soft-and-pretentious rainbow-bellied bear line of the mid-80s is still popular, but it’s the rarer variants which are priced higher. The Noble Heart Horse, which is a U.K. specialty in which a silver star lies within a rainbow heart, may retail for as much as $375. Some original Care Bears from 1983 have sold for over $450, according to auction information, which shows how the cuteness of nostalgia may be a profitable thing.
3. Teddy Ruxpin Storytelling
“This bear with a tape cassette player was state-of-the-art in 1985. The working version with the original packaging can sell for as much as $500. Later versions sell for much less. With over seven million units sold, the Teddy Ruxpin is a beloved icon; only the vintage ones have any appeal when it comes to collectors.”
4. Dungeons & Dragons Fortress of Fangs
Being the only D&D playset to be produced in the 1980s, Fortress of Fangs represents a holy grail for collectors of both tabletop and toys. Sets with packaging have been sold for well over $1,200, and prototypes have gone for significantly higher sums if pieces are missing or if the playset is well-worn.
5. Star Wars Kenner Action Figures
Kenner 3.75-inch Star Wars action figures from the end of the ’70s and the ’80s are also an iconic part of the collectible market today. Although some common figures that are in bad conditions are priced low, some collectibles like the Jawa with the vinyl cape may sell for as high as $30,000, while the high-quality Lucas Sky Walker can go up to several thousand dollars.
6. G.I. Joe USS Flagg Aircraft Carrier
The USS Flagg, produced in 1985, is the biggest playset in the G.I. Joe universe to date. It costs $1,000 to $2,000 on the aftermarket; however, in the year 2024, the best-graded USS Flagg in the world was auctioned off for a record-smashing $41,430. The USS Flagg playset is truly a masterpiece and the holy grail of any serious G.I. Joe.
7. She-Ra Crystal Castle Playset
She-Ra’s Crystal Castle, part of the “Masters of the Universe” series of toys that date back to 1984, is an icon of femininity as well as a collectible. A complete version in its box can retail for almost $2,000, but individual pieces without packaging cost only a fraction of that cost. Rare action figure toys are also highly prized.
8. Nintendo Entertainment System Action Set
The NES brought a gaming revolution to the home console market, and to this day, the Action Pack, which comes with two controllers, a Light Gun, and cables, is a much-coveted collector’s item. The cost, depending on the condition, can go from $500 to over $4,000. Mint, graded consoles have sold for five figures.
9. He-Man & Rare Variants
Masters of the Universe action figures are still popular today. It should not come as a shock that carded versions of He-Man are worth more than $1,000. However, limited versions, like the variant of Wun-Dar, were worth as much as $10,000. Even sets like the “Flying Fists He-Man & Terror Claws Skeletor 2-pack,” which are in excellent condition, can cost sellers an impressive $12,000.
10. Super Mario Bros. NES Version
A copy in its original form from this famous game’s original NES release may cost much more than the console itself. A copy in a standard box may cost between $800 to $10,200 when it is in a new condition. A few copies from test sales that are in their sealed condition may cost over $100,000 due to popularity and demand. For those who lived during the 1980s, such toys are more than just mere plastics and textiles they are indeed connections to their formative years.
Because of the rise in collectors, it won’t be surprising that a find from the attic could turn into a goldmine, provided it’s genuine and kept in decent condition. It seems that what was once just reminders of childhood are now imbued with historical significance and unexpected wealth.
