The 1980s were an unforgettable era for kids, packed with toys that fired up imaginations and sparked endless hours of play. But while some became cultural icons, others were just plain bizarre. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane to revisit some of the strangest toys that hit the shelves during this vibrant decade.
15. Infaceables: The Creepy Morphers
Released in 1984 by Gloop, the Infestables took weirdness to a new level. These toys featured warriors whose faces morphed from human to beast when exposed to a vacuum. With characters like Sphinx and Iron Lion on the good side and Tuskis and Timbo on the bad side, the concept was imaginative, but the execution left kids scratching their heads.
Despite their quirky appeal, the Infestables didn’t quite hit the mark, but they did capture the wild creativity of 80s toys. Even if they were, well, a little “sucky.”
14. Rude Ralph: The Master of Gross Sounds
If you were a kid in 1986, you might have come across Rude Ralph, a large-headed figure that could fart, burp, and gag at the pull of an eyeball. Released by Axalon, this toy was a hit among kids who loved all things gross, but it’s definitely one of the strangest creations of the decade.
Rude Ralph fit right into the mid-80s trend of gross-out humor, proving that sometimes, the weirder the toy, the bigger the appeal.
13. Food Fighters: Junk Food Battles
In 1988, Mattel decided to bring junk food to life with the Food Fighters—a group of action figures made from hamburgers, pizzas, and other fast foods. The good guys, the Kitchen Commandos, faced off against the Refrigerator Rejects in a battle of the snacks. Characters like Major Munch and Private Pizza were goofy fun, but the novelty wore off quickly, and these quirky figures disappeared almost as fast as they arrived.
The idea was undeniably playful, but Food Fighters ended up more as a passing fad than a lasting favorite.
12. Breath Blasters: The Toys That Stank
Released by Axalon, Breath Blasters took gross-out humor to the next level. These rubbery figures not only looked gross but also smelled awful. When squeezed, they’d emit a puff of air with a rank odor. With characters like George Garbage Mouth and Victor Vomit, the shock value was high, but so were the health risks—turns out, those fumes weren’t safe.
Breath Blasters were eventually banned due to their toxic nature, serving as a reminder that even joke toys need to be safe.
11. Ring Raiders: Time-Traveling Planes
Matchbox introduced Ring Raiders in 1989—tiny plastic planes mounted on rings that kids could wear. It came with an animated series about characters using time travel to control these planes. However, the toys lacked mobility, and the series didn’t take off either, leading to a short shelf life.
This one goes down as another ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful toy-media tie-in from the 80s.
10. Manglors: The Squishy Letdown
Back in 1984, the Ideal Toy Company launched Manglors, a line of squishy, stretchy action figures like Manglord, Manglosaurus, and Manglodactyl. Sounds fun, right? Well, not exactly. Despite being sticky and flexible, these figures didn’t have any joints, making them tough to pose. On top of that, they were unpainted, giving them a dull, unfinished look.
A year later, Ideal added more strange characters like Mangled Dragon and Manglizard, sold in plastic eggs, but kids were still left disappointed. The commercials promised you could tear them apart and piece them back together—a promise that fell flat. Instead, you’d end up with a torn-up figure and probably a few tears, too. Manglors may have been memorable but for all the wrong reasons.
9. Computer Warriors: Tech Gone Wrong
In 1989, Mattel introduced Computer Warriors, a toy line with an intriguing premise—a government computer sends out evil troops in a tech-filled battle. However, the lack of an animated series to support it led to the line’s downfall. A pilot episode was made but never got off the ground.
Computer Warriors is a classic case of a great idea that fell victim to poor marketing, showing just how crucial a media tie-in can be for toy success.
8. Barnyard Commandos: Superpowered Farm Animals
Imagine radioactive farm animals battling it out. That was the premise of Barnyard Commandos, released in 1989 by Playmates. You had military sheep (the Rams) going up against rebel swine (the Porks) in a supercharged farmyard war. It was definitely imaginative, but the action figures and accompanying animated series didn’t quite catch on.
While the idea of farm animals with superpowers was hilariously bizarre, it didn’t resonate with kids for long. Still, you’ve got to admire the creativity of a sheep with a rocket launcher.
7. Zany Zappers: Flashy Fun Sunglasses
In the early 1980s, we had Zany Zappers sunglasses with LED lights powered by a nine-volt battery. These flashy specs were all the rage among kids looking to stand out at dances and light fights, though practicality wasn’t exactly their strong suit.
These light-up glasses were a fun novelty, capturing the playful spirit of the decade, but their functionality left something to be desired.
6. Mattel’s Spectra Dolls: Spacey Fashionistas
In 1986, Mattel took the traditional doll concept and gave it a sci-fi twist with the Back Metal Dolls. These dolls, from the planet Shimmer, were covered in metallic-looking paint and had wild makeup and hair colors. While they certainly stood out, their unusual appearance made them more of a niche toy.
Back Metal Dolls reflected the 80s obsession with all things space, but they ultimately didn’t last long enough to compete with Barbie.
5. E.T. Finger: The Toy That Missed the Mark
Capitalizing on the success of E.T., Knickerbocker released the E.T. Finger in 1982, a toy meant to mimic the alien’s glowing finger. But, let’s just say the design didn’t quite land—it ended up resembling something a little too human, and not in a good way. The backlash led to a quick redesign, but the damage was done.
The E.T. Finger is a classic example of how toy design can go horribly wrong when trying to tap into beloved pop culture moments.
4. Black Star: Fantasy Falls Flat
Following the success of He-Man, Black Star was launched in 1983. It featured dragons, action figures, and a fantastical ice castle. Despite the fantasy appeal, these toys never reached the heights their creators hoped for.
Though they faded into obscurity, Black Star toys still remind us of the 80s love for epic fantasy, even if they didn’t make the same impact as some of their competitors.
3. God Jesus Robot: The Oddball Fortune Teller
In 1984, the God Jesus Robot was introduced. This fortune-telling toy answered yes or no questions by nodding its head. It had a spooky design, and while it wasn’t as widely known as other toys, it certainly stood out for its strange concept.
Blending spirituality and play, the God Jesus Robot is one of the more unusual entries in the toy world, a true product of the 80s’ anything-goes creativity.
2. Skateboard Smack-Ups: Controversial Missteps
Released by Playtime Products in 1986, Skateboard Smack-Ups featured figures like Sammy Stop Sign and Wally Wallbanger, showing skateboarders mid-crash. Parents weren’t happy, and the toys were banned in several places.
This controversy reflected a growing concern over the content of children’s toys, even though they were meant to be humorous.
1. Convertors: The Forgotten Transformers
Amid the Transformers craze, another line of transforming toys, Converters, hit the shelves. These toys, which could shift into birds, bats, and bugs, were featured in the 1985 J.C. Penney catalog but didn’t gain traction in the market.
Converters show just how tough it was to compete in the crowded toy space of the 1980s, especially when competing with more iconic brands.
