Which of These Vintage 80s Toys Did You Have (and Why Did We Ever Throw Them Out?)

We didn't have Wi-Fi. We didn't have TikTok. But if you were a kid in the '80s, you did have toys—and I mean a lot of toys. My bedroom back then looked like a tornado hit the boys' aisle at Toys "R" Us. Action figures were scattered across the floor in various states of battle. The shelves were stacked high with board games, card games, and those incredibly loud handheld electronics that beeped like your life depended on it.

And don't even get me started on my Game & Watch collection. I had it all. And then, in a moment of teenage delusion, I decided I was "too old for toys" and either sold, donated, or straight-up threw everything away. I didn't know I was tossing out a small fortune in vintage collectibles. Honestly, it hurts to think about.

This list features 28 iconic toys from the 1980s. Some you'll instantly recognize. Others will unlock a core memory you didn't even know was still rattling around in there. So scroll through and see how many you owned—and maybe shed a tear for the ones that got away.

01
Dagobah playset and X-Wing toy from the Empire Strikes Back (1981-82)

via u/Tony_Tanna78
Advertisement
02
Hunk, paladin of the Yellow Lion form Voltron

via u/fxxt_candy
03
I could watch them for hours (it was very boring in the 80s)

via u/DGsociety
04
Water Weenie!

via u/supersleeper454
Advertisement
05
The A-Team Uzi Sub-Machine Pistol Set (1983)

via u/Tony_Tanna78
06
There’s probably a couple of rockets still sitting on my roof

via u/DGsociety
07
Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back figure cases

via u/deepfriedgreensea
Advertisement
08
From the inside

via u/deepfriedgreensea
09
Super Pickle

via u/deepfriedgreensea
10
Super Banana

via u/deepfriedgreensea
Advertisement
11
G.I. Joe Cobra Rattler plane set with Wild Weasel action figure (1980s)

via u/Tony_Tanna78
12
The Fall Guy Stunt Action Toy (1982)

via u/Tony_Tanna78
13
The Game of Life (1980s Edition)

via u/Wild_Panda873
Advertisement
14
Bed Bugs by Milton Bradley (1985)

via u/Tony_Tanna78
15
Godaikin robots (1982)

via u/breedknight
16
Highway Patrol!

via u/StanleyRuxy
Advertisement
17
Garfield "Born to Party" plush (1981)

via u/Tony_Tanna78
18
Get the sponge and water

via u/International-Mix425
19
Hot Wheels Crack Ups cars (1980s)

via u/Tony_Tanna78
Advertisement
20
GI. Joe Tomahawk helicopter with Lift Ticket action figure (1986)

via u/Tony_Tanna78
21
John Shelby - MLB Starting Lineup action figure and collector card (Kenner, 1989)

via u/Tony_Tanna78
22
Knight Rider Bike (1982)

via u/Tony_Tanna78
Advertisement
23
Matchbox Star Car Collection KITT from Knight Rider (1982)

via u/Tony_Tanna78
24
LEGO Expert Builder Dune Buggy (1982)

via u/Tony_Tanna78
25
Zap-It Zinger water gun

via u/Hotinthakitchen1
Advertisement
26
Magnum P.I. Poseable Action Figure (1980s)

via u/Tony_Tanna78
27
Phase 10 (1982)

via u/ASGfan
28
Etch A Sketch Animator 2000 (1988)

via u/bil-sabab