20 Gadgets from the 80s and 90s We Wish We Still Had
It could have been pure nostalgia, or these gadgets are still more convenient than the ones we have today.
- Cyra Sanchez
- 7 min read
Gadgets in the 1980s and 90s usually served a standalone purpose. Honestly, it’s a good thing to revisit these devices. With our attention spans getting shorter and shorter, gadgets that function just for one can help us focus on a single task at a time. Now, let me guide you through this list of 20 gadgets that will surely keep you on the move.
1. Walkman
Beyzaa Yurtkuran on Pexels
Your very own personal symphony at the palm of your hand. This portable music player brings you your favorite tunes whenever and wherever you are. The advancement of modern music players still misses the charm of the original Walkman, which lets you lose yourself with the simplicity of hitting play.
2. Tamagotchi
COSMOH LOVE on Pexels
This pocket-sized virtual pet requires your nurturing. At some point, it teaches us how to be responsible enough to take care of someone else. Modern mobile games already offer similar experiences, but nothing beats the unique magic of the original Tamagotchi.
3.Game Boy
Kevin Malik on Pexels
A handheld gaming paradise that housed multiple epic adventures, it turns tedious commutes into exciting quests with pixelated graphics and simple gameplay, which is rarely seen today. Modern handheld consoles also offer the same features but still prioritize complex graphics.
4. VHS Player
Kevin Malik on Pexels
A bulky cinematic time machine that sends us back to the age of countless movies and TV shows, this player is the head of every family night and movie marathon. Streaming services have replaced this player, but they still lack VHS tapes’ tangible magic.
5. Pager
Denis Apel on Wikimedia Commons
A little device with some buzzing expression, delivering short messages showing urgency and mystery. We will remember the magic of being paged through, guessing who this message could also be from. Of course, today’s smartphones don’t have that, but it does the job of instant messaging.
6. Discman
MiNe on Wikimedia Commons
It’s a portable CD player that could let us take our favorite albums with us, not missing a beat. We miss flipping through a case and inserting the disc into the player. As music has shifted to streaming services, physical media has become less relevant, though none can replace the feeling of having a physical copy of an album.
7. Digital Dictionary
Taken with Canon IXY 10S (Digital IXUS 210) on Wikimedia Commons
Electronics mini-encyclopedia that helped us ace our quizzes and build our vocabularies one word at a time. We have remembered it to date for the thrill of searching up each word and every single definition. The modern smartphone can be used as a replacement for the digital dictionary. But today, it cannot match the simplicity and focus of dedicated devices.
8. Dial-Up Modem
Jonathan Schilling on Wikimedia Commons
It is a slow but charming way to connect to the World Wide Web, complete with that iconic dial-up sound. We miss the anticipation of waiting for a webpage to load and the sense of accomplishment that came with finally connecting to the internet. Modern broadband connections are much faster, but they lack the nostalgic charm of dial-up.
9. Brick Phone
Joe Haupt on Wikimedia Commons
Not some heavy, clunky phone, an accessory one couldn’t survive without, a sign that we had arrived in the digital age, a feeling so well remembered when, for the very first time, we experienced a mobile phone now serving as a symbol of modernity and connectivity with people. Modern smartphones, now much more advanced, often lack the characteristics of simplicity and durability found in ‘original’ brick phones.
10. Floppy Disk
S J on Pexels
This flimsy disk held all our precious files and games, each a tiny miracle of technology. We miss the tangible nature of floppy disks and the satisfaction of physically storing and retrieving our data. These cloud storage solutions are convenient, to be sure, but nothing’s replaced the nostalgic charm that floppy disks brought to the table.
11. World Wide Web
Edho Pratama on Unsplash
A colossal network of information interlinked at every end opened a new world. We look back on those first days of the Internet, when everything was new and shiny, with great affection. It may be that, functionally speaking, it’s much different today. However, it is still the magic place that seduced us all.
12. Film Camera
Balázs Benjamin on Pexels
The film is a device that captures time, churning out moments as memories that can be cherished over generations. We miss the anticipation of waiting for film to develop and then seeing the result since it added so much magic to photography. Digital cameras have made photography more approachable, but they lack the specific charm film does.
13. Digital Camera
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Such a small camera that could instantly let us take photos and share them with the world. We remember fondly the thrill of reviewing our photos on the camera’s tiny LCD screen. Of course, modern smartphone cameras are far superior in quality to any dedicated digital camera, but they lack a certain nostalgic charm found in older models.
14. Nintendo 64
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The Nintendo 64 was a console that opened the way for new ways of gaming with great intensity and built lifelong memories. We miss the moments when we could share classic Nintendo 64 games with friends and family. Although modern game consoles brag about their powerful hardware and advanced graphics, nothing will ever replace the nostalgic feeling created by the N64.
15. PlayStation
Evan-Amos on Wikimedia Commons
It was an advanced version of a competitive console with a wide range of games that gave gamers a changing face and a captivating force worldwide. We fondly remember the original PlayStation’s groundbreaking titles and innovative controller design. While today’s PlayStation consoles offer a whole new dimension of advanced features and stunning graphics, none can ever replace the nostalgic appeal of the original.
16. Sega Dreamcast
Mahmoud Yahyaoui on Pexels
The Sega Dreamcast was so ahead that it boasted features such as online gaming and DVD playback. We certainly miss the Dreamcast’s bold vision and experimental spirit. While more modern gaming consoles have far eclipsed its power and feature set, the same character is gone.
17. Tamagotchi Connection
Moi on Wikimedia Commons
A digital pet that could also interact with other Tamagotchis and make new friends or enemies. You remember those days when you connected with other owners of Tamagotchi and would exchange items; it was so funny. As much as modern games boast of their mobile social features, the spell of Tamagotchi Connection remains unique.
18. Nokia 3310
Multicherry on Wikimedia Commons
A durable phone that could withstand drops, bumps, and even the occasional dunk in water. We remember the peace of mind of owning a nearly indestructible phone. Modern smartphones are more fragile and susceptible to damage, making them less durable than the Nokia 3310.
19. iPod Classic
Kevin Shek on Unsplash
A portable music player that revolutionized the way we listened to music, offering a vast library of songs in our pocket. We miss the feel of navigating through our music library and that satisfying click of the scroll wheel of the iPod. Modern streaming services have made the physical music players irrelevant, but they can’t give us the nostalgic charm of the iPod Classic.
20. Palm Pilot
Rama & Musée Bolo on Wikimedia Commons
It helped us keep our dates, addresses, and to-do lists together. We miss the texture of using a physical planner and making notes by hand. Of course, today’s calendars and note-taking apps on a smartphone are much more powerful, but they aren’t as cool as the Palm Pilot.