In an industry filled with strong, yet playful, opinions, this is a list that’s bound to spark some conversation and debate.

Hamleys, the iconic UK retailer with stores located in several international markets, just unveiled its list of the top 100 toys of all time. The list, released as part of Hamleys’ 265th anniversary celebration, skews very British — as expected — and offers a glimpse into toy history through a UK lens. Check out the list of these “hero” toys and games below.

Source: Hamleys

Hamleys Top 100 Toys of All Time

(In no particular order)

  • LEGO Classic Bricks
  • Monopoly
  • Beanie Babies
  • Polly Pocket
  • My Little Pony
  • UNO
  • Rubik’s Cube
  • Tamagotchi
  • Clackers
  • Trivial Pursuit
  • Slime
  • Scooter
  • Pogo stick
  • Ludo
  • Subbuteo
  • Transformers
  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures
  • Operation
  • Hungry Hippos
  • Hatchimals
  • Bratz
  • Care Bears
  • Connect 4
  • Kaleidoscope
  • Yo-Yo
  • Weebles
  • Masters of the Universe figures
  • Matchbox Cars
  • Speak and Spell
  • LeapPad
  • Teletubbies dolls
  • Thunderbirds Tracy Island playset
  • Power Rangers action figures
  • Pie Face
  • Lite-Brite
  • NERF Blasters
  • Sylvanian Families
  • Battleship
  • Nintendo Game Boy
  • Stretch Armstrong
  • Furby
  • Hot Wheels Vehicles
  • Troll dolls
  • Play-Doh
  • Pokémon Cards
  • Slinky
  • Cabbage Patch Kids
  • Mr. Potato Head
  • Tiny Tears doll
  • Mouse Trap
  • Nintendo Wii
  • View-Master
  • Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robot
  • LOL Surprise Dolls
  • Pogs
  • Fingerlings
  • Barbie doll
  • Simon
  • LEGO Harry Potter sets
  • Etch A Sketch
  • Action Man
  • Spirograph
  • Glo Worm
  • Nintendo Switch
  • Hula Hoop
  • Super Soakers
  • Baby Alive doll
  • Tiddlywinks
  • Fisher-Price Telephone
  • Space Hopper
  • Plasticine
  • Meccano
  • Marbles
  • Tammy doll
  • Skittles
  • K’NEX
  • Walkie Talkies
  • Boggle
  • Rubik’s Snake
  • Playmobil
  • Jenga
  • Hornby Trains
  • Buckaroo
  • Zapf Creation dolls
  • Top Trumps
  • Scalextric
  • Cluedo
  • Spinning top
  • Fuzzy Felt
  • Space Invaders
  • Hamley Bear
  • Silly Putty
  • Magic Markers felt-tip pens
  • Tonka Trucks
  • Sindy doll
  • Wooden London bus
  • Rocking horse
  • Toy soldiers
  • Snakes and Ladders
  • Boglins

Back in 2018, word started swirling that Hamleys was eyeing an expansion into the U.S. market. Those plans gained steam again following its acquisition by India’s Reliance Brands, but talks went quiet after 2019. In the meantime, the U.S., despite being the world’s largest toy market, remains devoid of a truly national big-box toy retailer — at least for now.

Hamleys scored a spot as a finalist in The Toy Book’s inaugural Pulse of Play Awards for International Retailer of the Year, a category in which Smyths Toys Superstores ultimately took home the trophy.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book and Co-President of The International Toy Magazines Association (ITMA). He is also a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC), New York Comic Con, Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.

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