The National Toy Hall of Fame located in Rochester, New York, is getting geared up for another thrilling year of inductions. Some of your favorite toys are still in the running for this year’s legendary class. This year’s nominees include iconic games and playthings such as Trivial Pursuit, Connect Four, Catan, Battleship, Spirograph, and even snow. Public voting is now open, so be sure to cast your vote in this sure-to-be-fierce competition.
Joining their ranks last year, the unusual Hall of Fame welcomed the category-creating My Little Pony, Transformers action figures and the Phase 10 card game. This latest induction raised the total number of inducted toys to 87 since the Hall’s founding in 1998. The Hall honors toys that have become a cultural icon and transformed the way children of all ages spend their free time.
Trivial Pursuit, which first rolled out more than 40 years ago, is a unique entry in this year’s nominees. This game quizzes players with fast-paced trivia questions covering topics in geography, history, sports, and more. Honestly, it’s become the unheralded staple of the households now. Trivial Pursuit was first commercially released in 1976. Since then, it has branched into other media, from comic books to theme parks, cementing its place as a cultural icon.
Connect Four pits two players against each other, forcing them to drop colored discs into a vertical grid. Your objective is to be the first to match four connected in a line. This deceptively simple yet highly strategic game has intrigued and delighted families for thousands of years.
Another favorite of many people is Catan, originally called Settlers of Catan. This board game indeed paved the way, serving as one of the first German-style board games, or Eurogames, to achieve success outside of Europe. Since its introduction in 1995, it has sold more than 45 million copies in 40 languages. This success has spawned a multitude of spinoffs and adaptations, from electronic versions to a full-fledged cookbook. Remarkably, the game has been mathematically solved, leaving the second player at a disadvantage unless the first player blunders in their optimal play.
At the top of the list of nominees is Slime, which was recently recognized for its important contributions to messy and experimental play for children. It has since evolved into a favorite creative activity, sensory exploration and play space.
Battleship is a classic heavyweight, having sold over 100 million copies since its launch in 1967. In 1979 this made it one of the first popular board games to fully embrace computerization. This change represented a huge leap forward in the gaming experience.
Spirograph has been spinning imaginations ever since, more than six decades running, with its colorful plastic cogs and hypnotic geometric patterns. By early 2023, it had sold more than 100 million copies, reflecting its lasting popularity and impact.
In perhaps the most unusual nomination this year, snow itself nominated for its versatility. It gives kids and grown-ups the opportunity to craft the ultimate snowball and dream up elaborate sculptures. Simultaneously, it provides an ideal staging ground for winter recreation, including sledding and backcountry skiing.
Christopher Bensch, the Hall’s vice president for collections, expressed enthusiasm about this year’s nominees.
“I’m always excited to see where the judges and public come out in their votes,” – Christopher Bensch
Bensch touched on the importance of these toys, not just in an individual context, but a cultural one.
“At the end of the day, the playful debates just go to show how much personal and cultural relevance these toys have for us all.” – Christopher Bensch
With the final VOTY voting period quickly approaching, excitement around the nominees has continued to grow. Bensch noted the high energy level and quality of the competition this year.
“This year’s contenders present some playful matchups,” – Christopher Bensch
Tickle Me Elmo and Furby are perhaps the two most popular technological icons of the 90s. They are each other’s primary competition for a spot in the Hall of Fame!
“There’s also Tickle Me Elmo and Furby — two technological icons of the 90s toy world — battling it out.” – [source not specified]
The National Toy Hall of Fame honors those special toys that have changed the face of playtime. It pays homage to the cultural breakthroughs these toys have achieved over the years. As voting opens, toy lovers across the country are anxious to see which toys will be inducted into the circle of celebrated favorites.
