The ’80s was an epic era known for its outrageous hairstyles, mind-blowing fashion, and mind-boggling music and movies. You couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the mind-blowing SynthAxe solos that were a signature of the time. On top of all that awesomeness, the ’80s gifted us with the very first McDonald’s Happy Meals, turning it into a golden age for those iconic golden arches. But it wasn’t just about the sheer delight of dipping fries into a milkshake; each Happy Meal came with a surprise toy. And these were not your ordinary toys, oh no! They were the most incredible ’80s Happy Meal toys you could ever imagine. Given how ridiculously rad the ’80s were, it’s no wonder that these McDonald’s toys were totally wicked. So, let’s dive into a time warp and check out some of the most mind-blowing ’80s McDonald’s toys, even though we have to admit they may have had some small-parts excitement.
1. Changeables
Can it get any more meta than getting a plastic replica of your meal as a toy? But hey, don’t worry, these aren’t just plastic letdowns – they actually transform. Okay, maybe not into Optimus Prime or anything trademarked, but still, it’s something. A RoboMcMuffin is one of those things that you probably don’t come across very often, and some might argue it’s completely unnecessary.
2. Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels, when stepped on, can rival LEGOs in terms of painfulness. However, as a Happy Meal toy? They are simply the best. Seriously, collecting all 14 of them in 1983 must have made you feel like an absolute legend, effortlessly cruising through the rest of your childhood.
3. The McNugget Buddies
Maybe taking inspiration from the popularity of Mr. Potato Head, McDonald’s came up with their own version of a quirky character, but in the form of lumpy brown figures called the McNugget Buddies. (Seriously, who thought that up? It sounds like something a child would create out of rat carcasses in a creepy basement after being kidnapped.)
Anyway, it’s a bit strange to see these unnervingly cheerful, human-like slugs made of processed chicken meat and skin. It makes you wonder what a Toy Story movie with a McDonald’s theme would be like. Would the toys band together to ensure that Andy never gives up on a diet of Happy Meals and childhood obesity?
4. Halloween Candy Buckets
Before pumpkin-spiced everything became the reigning flavor of fall, McDonald’s made its contribution with Halloween candy pails. These pails appeared to be fantastic, until you stopped and pondered the purpose of having ventilation holes on a candy container. It seemed a bit peculiar, right?
5. Fraggle Rock
Has there ever been a more perplexing nutritional message than the concept of vegetable cars with cookie wheels? It’s hard to say. Perhaps it can be compared to that time when Congress declared pizza to be a vegetable. However, let’s not dwell on these matters, because, let’s face it, Fraggle Rock was absolutely amazing.
6. Berenstain Bears
It’s quite intriguing and thought-provoking to see The Berenstain Bears being turned into toys for Happy Meals. It’s a unique blend of perversity and inspiration. On one side, these characters originated from literature, and even though they were adapted into a cartoon, could McDonald’s have been subtly promoting literacy? But on the flip side, it’s disheartening to witness meaningful cultural symbols being appropriated by giant corporations, reducing them to mere commodities. It’s like witnessing the transformation of nostalgia into profit, and significant elements losing their essence.
7. Super Mario Bros. 3 Toys
When it comes to Super Mario Bros 3 toys, it’s hard to find anything more awesomely ’80s than that. You’ve got Luigi, Mario, Little Goomba, and Koopa Paratrooper all in one collection. It’s safe to say that the demand for these toys was off the charts. In fact, I can imagine someone going up to the counter and saying, “Hey, I’ll take all of your Happy Meals, please. Trust me, these toys are gonna be worth a buttload on eBay someday.” And who knows, maybe they were right!
8. Pullback Racers
Fact: Let’s talk about a fun fact – there’s nothing quite like losing a pullback racer under your couch. It’s one of those toys that always seems to find its way into the depths of your furniture. But here’s the best part: if you happen to have the Ronald McDonald pullback racer, you’re in for a treat. Why? Well, you can recreate the legendary internet YTMND post that had everyone LOL-ing. Just imagine, playing some Eurobeat music in the background and enjoying the nostalgia while your cool factor slowly slips away, just like Ronald himself disappearing under the couch.
9. Fry Kids
The Fry Kids were apparently quite popular back in the 80s, they were considered bombdigity. There are many stories of kids begging their parents for McDonald’s just to complete their Fry Kids collection. Surprisingly, even today, these toy sets are sold on eBay for a good amount of money. It’s pretty impressive considering they’re not even Teenie Beanie Babies.
10. Jay Leno Racers
Alright, so these aren’t really Jay Leno racers. They’re actually moons, or to be more precise, a character created by McDonald’s known as Mac Tonight. But let me tell you, pullback racers were seriously cool back in the 80s. They were everywhere, and that just goes to show how awesome they were. And the fact that they have a character who resembles Jay Leno inside? Well, that’s just the cherry on top.
11. Stuffed Ronald McDonald Nightmare Fuel
This toy could easily make it onto the Worst Happy Meal Toys list because it is truly terrifying. I mean, what is happening in this picture? Ronald McDonald looks like he’s about to lift Mayor McCheese over his head! And why is he making that [10] Guy face? It’s as if even Ronald McDonald needs to get high to enjoy his own food.
