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These Vintage Toys and Games Have Appreciated in Value Over Time

Updated: Apr 24, 2024By Emma VernerBusiness
This article originally appeared on Investing.com. It has been republished here with permission.
©Dado Photos / Shutterstock.com ©Dado Photos / Shutterstock.com

These days, it’s hard to find a kid playing with anything other than their parent’s iPad. Back when we were children, though, toys were the name of the game. From dolls to action figures, board games to video games, the toy industry was booming, and parents were quick to get their kids the next big thing. Nowadays, the kids who played with Barbies and G.I. Joes are all grown up and have money of their own–which is where toy collectors come in. 

Toys make us nostalgic for our childhoods, which is why collectors from all over the world will pay a pretty penny for the contents of the dusty old toy box in your attic. Most of us might have kept hold of these childhood treasures simply because we couldn’t bear to part with the memories. Little did we know then that we were actually investing in our futures.

If the price was right, would you part with your favorite Hasbro game? Read on to see if you’re lucky enough to have clung to one of these vintage treasures. 

1. Easy-Bake Oven

Year(s): 1960s
Maker: Kenner
Original Price:
$15.95*
Worth Today: $305*

The Easy-Bake Oven is responsible for generations of bakers today, teaching children the joy and wonder of making their own food. Making waves when it came out in the 60s, the “oven” is essentially a plastic box with a lightbulb that heats up to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. The oven even came with its own pre-made mixes, such as pizza and cookies, that were created to be able to cook in the unique toy. 

Easy-Bake Oven @Sharon Cloutier Cushman / Facebook.com Easy-Bake Oven @Sharon Cloutier Cushman / Facebook.com

Still made today, generations of kids have grown up enjoying the kind-of-gross, kind-of-great treats that come from the Easy Bake Oven. If you have your hands on an original Easy Bake Oven from the 1960s, however, you could be in for a whole different kind of treat. Collectors eager to get their hands on the kiddie ovens are willing to spend around $300 on a working oven still in the box. 

It just goes to show that the greatest toys aren’t designed to be a fleeting trend, but a product that becomes part of pop culture history. Getting your very own Easy-Bake Oven is more like a rite of passage than a Christmas treat.

2. Game Boy

Year(s): 1989
Maker:
Nintendo
Original Price:
$89.99*
Worth Today:
$579.99*

The Nintendo Game Boy revolutionized the entire video game industry, and that’s putting it lightly. The handheld gaming device brought video games out into the world, instead of on the TV in the basement. Kids could bring games with them to school or on road trips, or really anywhere imaginable. 

Nintendo Game Boy @Lord_Arse / Twitter.com Nintendo Game Boy @Lord_Arse / Twitter.com

The Game Boy made way for popular games such as Super Mario and Pokemon Gold, which fans are still chasing today, hoping to get their hands on a working device so that they can relive their childhoods. If you do happen to have a Game Boy in working condition, it can fetch you hundreds of dollars, and if it’s still in the package, it could be worth $580. 

Game Boy has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts over the past few years as “retro” fashion made a comeback. The market still goes nuts for all the latest releases from brands like Sony, but let’s face it – Game Boy walked so these other companies could run.

3. Pez Dispenser – World’s Fair 1982

Year(s): 1982
Maker:
Pez
Original Price:
$1.99*
Worth Today:
$33,000*

Pez dispensers were originally invented as a way to help people stop smoking, as the little device fit comfortably in your hand and could be mindlessly pressed repeatedly to give you a sugary little mint every time you wanted to reach for a cigarette. As they took off in popularity, especially with kids, the creators went wild with designs for the dispensers.

Vintage Pez Dispensers @BooksActually / Facebook.com Vintage Pez Dispensers @BooksActually / Facebook.com

Now it’s normal to see a Pez dispenser with a cartoon character on it, but it used to be a novel idea to design every and anything and put it on one of the candy-holders. Pez dispensers were even created for special events, like the 1982 World’s Fair which was held in Knoxville, Tennessee. Pez dispensers from that event can fetch you a whopping $33,000!

The company has never been shy about creating limited edition runs, either. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were immortalized in Pez form when they tied the knot in 2018. You can’t pick these collectibles up from Walmart, you’ll have to go hunting.

4. Hot Wheels – ‘67 Camaro From the Treasure Hunt Series

Year(s): 1995
Maker:
Mattel
Original Price:
$1.00*
Worth Today:
$1,197*

Hot Wheels are so well known, that the name has come to replace the words “toy car”. Even if it isn’t branded toy, people know what you’re talking about in the same way that they understand when you say “Kleenex” to mean “tissues”. While the toys have been around since 1968, only certain special edition cars can fetch you the big bucks.

Hot Wheels - ‘67 Camaro @collecto/Twitter Hot Wheels - ‘67 Camaro @collecto/Twitter

One Hot Wheels version, in particular, the ‘67 Camaro that came in the Treasure Hunt Series, is worth a startling $1,197. Not bad at all for a tiny plastic toy that originally cost a dollar! Other limited edition series can grab you a few hundred dollars as well–especially if they’re still in the box–but for some reason, it’s the ‘67 Camaro that really caught collectors’ eyes. 

Hot Wheels have such a sure footing in the toy market that it’s difficult to imagine a world without them. Even models that are being released today could become collector’s items in the future, so you may want to keep your eye on any special designs.

5. Happy Meal Teenie Beanie Babies

Year(s): 1997-2000, 2009
Maker:
Ty Inc.
Original Price:
$2 each*
Worth Today:
$10,000* 

McDonald’s offered Teenie Beanie toys in its Happy Meals for $2 per toy. The promotion went on for a few years, though it declined in popularity after 1998. 1998 was the height of popularity for Ty Inc., a major Mattel competitor. The Teenie Beanies were so popular at McDonald’s that they caused fights and illegal black-market sales.

Teenie Beanie Babies @Rachel Burrows / Pinterest.com Teenie Beanie Babies @Rachel Burrows / Pinterest.com

Teenie Beanies returned in 2009, but those aren’t the ones that will make you a lot of cash. Teenie Beanies have been known to sell for up to $10,000. Those with a first-generation tag will rake in the most money. 

Beanie Babies themselves can be popular collector’s items, even if they weren’t part of the McDonald’s run. The brand made limited edition bears for tons of different occasions, including one that marked the passing of Princess Diana in 1997.

6. Garbage Pail Kids (Cards)

Year(s): 1985
Maker:
The Topps Company
Original Price:
$3.75 for a set*
Worth Today:
$4,000*

Another round of controversial items on this list are the Garbage Pail Kids. First rolling out in 1985, the collectible cards–which are not designed to be used for any games–were met with criticism from adults everywhere. Showing near-profanity, the cards featured kids with awful traits and even worse illustrations. 

Garbage Pail Kids @ReelArt / Facebook.com Garbage Pail Kids @ReelArt / Facebook.com

After mounting notoriety, the cards were even banned from schools and confiscated by parents. This didn’t stop kids from collecting them, however, and today there’s a major resurgence of collectors line Collectors Universe eagerly hunting down the rarest and most extreme of the Garbage Pail Kids. Back when they came out, a set cost less than four dollars–today a single card could be worth four thousand.

It just goes to show that even the most obscure, reviled toys can eventually become beloved over the course of time. When the product has a backstory as interesting as this, the price tends to get even higher. After all, collectors love an interesting talking piece.

7. Ronald McDonald Happy Meal Toy

Year(s): 1960s
Maker: McDonald’s
Original Price: $0.10*
Worth Today: $175-$195* 

This vintage Happy Meal box is from the 1960s, and it features Ronald McDonald, in all his red-haired glory, eating a happy meal on it. The box is the Ronald McDonald Theatre Box, and it sells for $195 from antique collectors on eBay. Back in the 1960s, Happy Meals cost just ten cents, which is nothing these days.

60s Ronald McDonald @Sherri Hausler-Dutton / @Ruth Hernandez / Pinterest.com 60s Ronald McDonald @Sherri Hausler-Dutton / @Ruth Hernandez / Pinterest.com

The Theatre Takeout Box is rare, especially as it is hard for the cardboard box (which is quite flimsy) to keep for so long. On Etsy, some sellers have marketed their 1960s-era Theatre Takeout Boxes for $175. The high price is because of its vintage rarity.

McDonald’s knows how to do special one-off promotions better than anyone, which is why there are so many different collectibles hailing from the company. Ronald knows how to make products that stand the test of time.

8. Strawberry Shortcake Dolls

Year(s): 1980s
Maker:  
Kenner
Original Price:
$6*
Worth Today:
$1,199.99*

Kenner, the maker of the Easy-Bake Oven, had another food-related hit when it came to the Strawberry Shortcake Doll. While nothing about the toy is edible, kids went nuts for the doll, who went on to have her own cartoon TV show on Discovery.

Strawberry Shortcake @The Strawberry Shortcake Block on Yardsellr / Facebook.com Strawberry Shortcake @The Strawberry Shortcake Block on Yardsellr / Facebook.com

As fans of 80s nostalgia are everywhere, currently a doll in her original packaging can fetch you almost $1,200, but as with most of these toys, it’s unlikely that you left it in the box to collect dust. Most Strawberry Shortcake Dolls on the market have seen their fair share of love and play over the years, which takes a toll on their collecting value.

It’s a well-known fact that even the rarest dolls can become virtually worthless if they aren’t looked after properly. Even this Discovery star benefits from original packaging, which might be knowledge worth holding onto for the future.

9. Molly the American Girl Doll

Year(s): 1986-2013
Maker:
Pleasant Company
Original Price:
$82*
Worth Today:
$1,200*

American Girl Dolls long had a reputation as being classy, expensive dolls that were not financially accessible to most American girls who wanted a toy to play with. Nevertheless, girls across different backgrounds coveted the beautiful dolls with quality parts, lifelike features, and stories that explained their connection to U.S. History. The toys were far different than Barbie dolls, which were also popular at the time.

Molly the American Girl Doll @curlycomedy / Twitter.com Molly the American Girl Doll @curlycomedy / Twitter.com

Molly was one of the first dolls in the American Girl series, coming out in 1986 along with the other first-generation toys. She was immediately a hit, even considering her $82 price tag, which was a lot for a toy in the 80s, and still is. Despite their declining popularity nowadays–the price has gone down considerably over the years–original Molly dolls still sell for well over ten times their original value. 

Dolls are still popular toys that clutter sites like Amazon, but it takes a true toy titan to remain as popular as American Girl. She was the toy that kids wished for all year, even if they were unlikely to ever get one. Even though much cheaper versions exist, doll enthusiasts are willing to pay above the asking price for Molly.

10. Atari 2600 ‘Air Raid’

Year(s): 1982
Maker:
Men-A-Vision
Original Price:
$30* (Adjusted for Inflation)
Worth Today:
$33,400*

In 1982, a company called Men-A-Vision came out with their first (and only) game, which was formulated for the Atari 2600. Called Air Raid the game was a massive hit with gamer crowds everywhere. Similar to Space Invaders, the purpose of the game is to protect buildings by shooting at aircraft that can drop bombs from above. 

Atari 2600 'Air Raid' @Diaryofanarcadeemployee / Facebook.com Atari 2600 'Air Raid' @Diaryofanarcadeemployee / Facebook.com

The game saw little distribution, which is what made it so highly coveted by collectors. In 2012 a game with its original packaging–instruction manual and everything–showed up on eBay, getting its seller a whopping $33,400. If you’re lucky enough to have a complete, unplayed version of the rare game, that could be you too. 

The market for vintage and retro games continues to flourish today, with avid collectors paying through the nose to get games that don’t exist anymore. Not only are they fun to play, but it’s like owning a piece of history. You can’t put a price on that.

11. 1980s Transformers – Optimus Prime Gold

Year(s): 1980s
Maker:
Hasbro
Original Price:
$20.99*
Worth Today:
$3,720.00*

Before there were major Michael Bay-directed blockbusters starring Megan Fox, Transformers was the subject of a comic book series, which then became a hit toy. The combination of an already-awesome toy car, which could turn into a robot, went over like gangbusters with kids. 

Transformers - Gold Optimus Prime@Planetiacon.stfu / Facebook.com Transformers - Gold Optimus [email protected] / Facebook.com

The highly collectible toys come in a range of colors and sizes and have been manufactured for decades, but the most valuable ones are from the 1980s, and they’re painted gold. A gold Optimus Prime (the main character in the comics and subsequent movies) in its original packaging is worth a substantial $3,720 today. 

The popularity of the Hasbro movie franchise only cemented the legacy of Transformers even further. Toys are still popular with kids today, while big kids are just as keen as ever to add some vintage pieces to their collection.

12. 1960s G.I. Joe

Year(s): 1960s
Maker:
Hasbro
Original Price:
$4*
Worth Today:
$200,000*

G.I. Joe action figures are the toys that popularized action figures, making them the commonplace thing for little boys to play with today. Before G.I. Joe, boys didn’t play with dolls, little girls did. But when G.I. Joe came out, the toy was marketed as an action figure, which was seen as something totally different than a doll–it was manly–after all G.I. Joe was a skilled member of the military. 

G.I. Joe @specialmforce / Twitter.com G.I. Joe @specialmforce / Twitter.com

The original toy, which was made over and over again in different incarnations for years to come, is still by far the most valuable. Considering how mainstream the toy is, it’s no surprise that it can fetch an astounding $200k if it’s new and still in the original box. 

That’s an impressive amount that original owners would never have dreamed of back in the day. These action figures were built for seeing action though, so it goes without saying that not that many toys in perfect condition exist.

13. Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz Doll Happy Meal Toy

Year(s): 2007-2008
Maker: Madame Alexander
Original Price: $3.99*
Worth Today: $80* 

McDonald’s inked a deal with Madame Alexander (founded in 1923), a toymaker, to include Wizard of Oz dolls in its Happy Meals. Madame Alexander dolls, particularly those from the 1930s and 1940s, are actually worth quite a bit of money. However, the Wizard of Oz dolls from the early 2000s won’t be worth thousands.

Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz Doll Happy Meal Toy @BWC Cards - Toys / Youtube.com Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz Doll Happy Meal Toy @BWC Cards - Toys / Youtube.com

The full-size dolls are worth more, but the mini-dolls from McDonald’s Happy Meals have still been known to sell for $80 on eBay. The dolls from 2007-2008 appear to be worth the most. Of course, full sets will make more money than single toys.

It’s not surprising that these collectibles are worth so much when you take into consideration the lasting legacy of the original movie. While the books by L. Frank Baum are much loved, the Judy Garland feature is a classic that’s over 80 years old.

14. Polly Pockets – Carry ‘N Play Dream Home

Year(s): 1994
Maker:
Polly Pocket
Original Price:
$19.99*
Worth Today:
$550*

Polly Pockets are tiny dolls with stretchy plastic clothes and accessories that can easily be switched out. While they’re still made today, it’s the rare 1994 version of Polly’s dream home that’s worth hundreds of dollars. While it’s just over twenty years old, making it a relative youngster compared to other valuable toys on the list, its uniqueness is what makes it worth so much dough. 

Polly Pocket - Carry 'N Play Dream House @Mariah Rose / Pinterest.com Polly Pocket - Carry 'N Play Dream House @Mariah Rose / Pinterest.com

The toy is special because of the way that it’s a fully functional dollhouse but is also highly portable. Few other toys in history have had such a level of detail, while also being able to fold back together to be taken wherever, as kids are always on the move. It even has two handles attached for easy transport, while doubling as a cute little girls’ purse.

Polly Pocket was at the peak of its popularity in the ’80s and ’90s, before virtually disappearing from the market. However, thanks to strategic rebranding, the doll is now back on the market with more new variations. Who knows, they could be worth something in the future!