1. AMERICAN GIRL DOLLS
THEN: American Girls are the most typical of the 90’s and 00’s girls. We loved them and spent hundreds of dollars to have the full American Girl doll experience. Only available in Chicago and New York, these dolls were coveted treasures. Going to the American Girl Doll Store allowed children to eat lunch, have tea and attend a play with their doll. Each doll came from a different era in history and came with a book explaining her story; from escaping slavery to living through the great depression.
NOW: The American Girl Dolls are sold all around America and the heritage girls are no longer on the market (Sorry Kirsten) and have been replaced by a few chosen BeForever Dolls (Josefina, Samantha, Addy, Kaya, Kit and a few I don’t recognize) They also have the Doll of the year and My American Girl. They also sell blue hair extensions and most of the same ridiculously expensive and random accessories.
2.TAMAGOTCHI
Then: These were my favorite as a kid, they were Japanese pocket pets. Many fun times were had in my elementary classroom with these virtual pets. You had to feed them, clean up after them and could watch them grow! Since my Tama phase in the 5th grade, I have found them periodically in random drawers and shoe boxes.
NOW: Not much has changed except for new, upgraded logo, better graphics and new designs. Now Tamagotchi’s have little figurine dolls and a virtual game world called Tamagachi Friends.
3. BRATZ DOLLS
Then: Trendy Dolls with removable feet that took the attention away from barbie for a little bit. Each of the five dolls had a unique style and personality
Now: The only thing that has really changed is the crazy trends in fashion and makeup.The girls have gotten thinner and taller and no longer wear 90’s trends, now they wear ridiculous 2015 trends.
4. ZOO TYCOON
Then: The original Zoo Tycoon was released in 2001. It had a good run captivating the minds of hundreds of young millennials with on their first computer. Zoo Tycoon, although not my first computer game, was my favorite by far. They had a good run, created a few expansion packs with Dinosaurs and Marine animals and are even come out with a Zoo Tycoon 2!
Now: The Zoo Tycoon era has ended. The companies contract with Microsoft ended in 2009, although they came out with a version for X-Box. It’s apparent that the fun-filled days of trying to kill virtual people in jaguar caves or trying to cross bread a horse with a rhino in order create a unicorn is nothing but a fond memory. Maybe if you go through some dusty shoe boxes you can find it again and relive your childhood glory days.
5. Barbie
Then: Barbie has been pretty static throughout the ages, keeping the same preppy “popular girl” look no matter what decade it is. Although Barbies are not nearly as durable now as they used to be, and there are many more dolls being produced, Barbie is still one of the most Iconic dolls for young girls.
Now:Barbie has changed with the trends and her body shape has changed a bit as the years have passed; however, she is the same lovable doll that we had as children.
