Each Christmas, one toy hits big and becomes the must-have for the year. We take a look back at some of the best selling toys from the past:
Back in 1968, Sony released the Trinitron Color television which became a must-have gift for kids and parents alike. While other color TVs had been on the market, none of them matched the picture quality and value of the classic Trinitron.
As arcade machines hit big, Atari then released a home version of its original and most popular game Pong in 1975. One of the first home gaming systems, Sears had an exclusive on distribution and sold out of its over 100,000 units quickly. Two years later, Atari would release a more versatile multi-game system which is largely considered the first modern gaming console.
Not until the Apple II was release in 1977 did home computers become commonplace. With features both for adults (with one of the first electronic spreadsheet programs Visicalc) as well as kids (color games such as Frogger), the Apple 2 became the must-have gift of the year. One of the first computers with a modern keyboard, the 2 also had one of the first affordable disk drives.
In the modern era, Christmas came to be redefined with the release of the Furby in 1998. One of the most advanced robotic toys of its time, Fuby had a personality and could sing! Although not linked to any major licensing deal, Furby gained a unique following that led it to sell out quickly. The toy remained big for several years with the release of more advanced versions.
Continue on the robotic trend, the robotic dog Teksta gained popularity with its semi-realistic movements. Ahead of its time, the dog was able to bark, walk and listen to basic commands. While it did not have smooth movements, the toy became big with pet lovers.
As the game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire became one of the most popular shows on TV, ABC showed a new episode nearly every game. Taking advantage of the popularity trend, the interactive game became one of the most popular toys of 2001. Allowing players to follow along and compete - whether in a board game or video game version - in a full game of Millionaire. And yes, they could even phone a friend when they needed to.
Following a more traditional trajectory, 2003 marked the release of one of the most original and popular board games in years. With the release of Cranium, players could combine the best of some of the most popular games from word games to charades into a single board game. Since its release, Cranium has been released in a wide range of versions and has become a mainstay alongside other classic board games.
Returning to the robotic trend, the Robospien (Robo + sapien, get it?) interactive toy became a hit by taking the technology to a new level. Kids could customize the robot with their own functions, which allowed it to have a unique personality. Subsequent improvements in the technology have been released each year, making it one of the hot Christmas toys of past and present.
