Many items kids once played with, wore, or used in everyday life are now worth big money. From handheld gadgets to toy figures and first-edition books, collectors are paying top dollar for items from the 1990s and early 2000s. What was once sold for a few dollars at the mall or gifted during birthdays is now considered a nostalgic investment. If you still have these items in storage or on your shelves, you might be sitting on a small fortune.
1. First Edition Pokémon Cards
Launched in 1996 in Japan and in 1999 in the United States, Pokémon trading cards quickly became a global craze. Today, first-edition holographic cards like the 1999 Charizard can sell for more than $300,000 if professionally graded as mint. Even lower-tier cards from the Base Set or Jungle expansions can sell for hundreds. Entire sealed booster boxes have gone for six figures at auctions. The nostalgia factor, combined with rarity and collector demand, has made these cards some of the most valuable trading items from the era.
2. Tamagotchi Virtual Pets
Tamagotchis were first released by Bandai in 1996 and quickly became one of the decade’s biggest digital fads. Kids everywhere clipped them to their backpacks and spent hours keeping their pixelated pets alive. Today, original versions in working condition, especially those with packaging, can sell for $100 or more. Limited edition versions, like the Angel Tamagotchi or the Japanese-only Devilgotchi, regularly go for even higher prices. As newer generations rediscover these virtual pets, demand for vintage models continues to rise.
3. Nintendo Game Boy Color and Advance Consoles
The Game Boy Color came out in 1998, followed by the Game Boy Advance in 2001. Both were incredibly popular, with iconic titles like Pokémon, Zelda, and Mario Kart driving massive sales. Now, collectors pay hundreds for boxed consoles in good condition. Special editions such as the Pikachu Yellow or the Glacier Blue versions are especially valuable. Games like Pokémon Emerald or FireRed, when complete with the box and manual, often sell for over $200 on resale sites. Nostalgia and rising interest in retro gaming fuel their value.
4. Beanie Babies with Rare Tags
Ty Beanie Babies were a defining collectible of the late 1990s, with millions of people believing they were making a smart investment. While many lost value, a handful of rare models with factory errors or limited releases remain incredibly valuable. Princess Diana Bear, Peace Bear, and Peanut the Royal Blue Elephant have sold for thousands in perfect condition with original tags. The tag itself often determines worth. A small printing error or unique stamp can turn a common plush into a high-value collector’s item.
5. Original iPods and Apple Tech
When Apple released the first iPod in 2001, it changed how people listened to music. Now, early iPod models are considered tech relics. A first-generation iPod, still sealed in its box, has sold for over $20,000 at auction. Even used iPods in good shape can fetch several hundred dollars, especially rare editions like the U2 Special Edition. As Apple enthusiasts and collectors seek to preserve the company’s legacy, demand for these early devices continues to grow every year.
6. Original Furby Toys
Released by Tiger Electronics in 1998, Furby became an instant hit during the holiday season, selling over 1.8 million units in its first year. The owl-like electronic pet could blink, talk in “Furbish,” and respond to touch and sound. Early models from 1998 and 1999, especially those still in their boxes, are now high-value collector’s items. Special editions like the Kid Cuisine or Millennium Furby often sell for $200 or more. Furby was one of the first toys to use interactive tech, which adds to its appeal today.
7. Yu-Gi-Oh! First Edition Cards
Yu-Gi-Oh! debuted in the U.S. in 2002, and first edition cards from that era have become serious collector’s items. Cards from the Legend of Blue Eyes White Dragon set, especially those in mint condition, are worth thousands. A graded Blue-Eyes White Dragon card has sold for over $10,000. As with Pokémon, sealed booster boxes and professionally graded cards command the highest prices. The game is still active today, but the early releases are considered the most prized among longtime fans.
8. VHS Disney Black Diamond Tapes
Between 1984 and 1994, Disney released a series of animated films on VHS under the “Black Diamond” label. These include classics like The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast. While not all copies are valuable, certain versions in unopened condition have sold for several hundred dollars. Collectors look for printing variations, misprints, or promotional editions. As physical media becomes rarer, sealed VHS tapes of beloved Disney films gain nostalgic and collector appeal.
9. LEGO Sets from the 90s
LEGO sets from the 1990s, especially those no longer in production, are now considered valuable by collectors. Themes like LEGO Castle, Space, Pirates, and early Star Wars sets often sell for hundreds or even thousands when complete. A sealed 1996 Fort Legoredo set, for example, has sold for over $1,000. Even used sets in good condition can command high prices. The rising interest in vintage builds and discontinued sets has driven up demand in online marketplaces.
10. Tech Deck Fingerboards
Tech Decks became a mini skateboarding phenomenon in the early 2000s. These small fingerboards, branded with real skateboard company logos, were favorites in schoolyards and after-school hangouts. Today, collectors pay over $100 for early models, especially sealed packs with original branding. Full ramp sets and rare boards from companies like Birdhouse or World Industries can fetch even more. Their link to early 2000s skate culture makes them especially desirable among nostalgic buyers.
11. Harry Potter First Edition Books
The first Harry Potter book was published in 1997 in the United Kingdom and in 1998 in the United States. First edition copies of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, especially those with specific printing numbers, are extremely valuable. A signed first edition has sold for over $100,000. Even later books in the series can be worth hundreds if they are first prints with dust jackets. Book collectors and Harry Potter fans alike drive the market for these rare volumes.
12. Razor Scooters (Original Models)
Razor scooters hit U.S. sidewalks in 2000 and became an instant hit. Kids everywhere zipped through neighborhoods on these sleek, foldable rides. Today, original models in good condition sell for hundreds, and sealed or limited edition versions are even more valuable. Models with unique colors or early production stamps are especially prized. As scooter design has changed, these early 2000s models are being preserved as nostalgic pieces of pop culture history.
