Gadgets We Thought Were Cool in the '90s (And How They Look Today)

The ‘90s were a magical time for technology, filled with gadgets that made us feel like we were living in a sci-fi movie. From beepers to cassette players, these devices shaped our childhoods and marked the beginning of the tech revolution. Looking back, it’s both nostalgic and amusing to see how far we’ve come and how those once-coveted gadgets have evolved or faded into obscurity.

First on the list is the iconic pager—a must-have for anyone who wanted to feel important. With its beeping notifications, having a pager meant you were in demand, whether you were a busy professional or a teen with social connections. Fast forward to today, and pagers have been completely overshadowed by smartphones that can do everything a pager could, and much more. It’s hard to believe that just a few decades ago, a simple beep could hold such significance!

Next up is the Walkman, the portable cassette player that was a game-changer for music lovers. There was nothing quite like creating a mixtape and listening to your favorite tracks on the go. But as technology advanced, the Walkman became a relic of the past, replaced by digital music players and smartphones that allow us to carry entire music libraries in our pockets. Today, we can stream any song we desire, but there’s still a charm to the nostalgic crackle of a cassette tape that makes us smile.

Let’s not forget the beloved Tamagotchi, the virtual pet that kept us on our toes. These little egg-shaped devices demanded our attention and care, teaching us responsibility in a fun, albeit pixelated way. While Tamagotchis still exist in some form, modern versions are often found as apps on our smartphones, featuring advanced graphics and gameplay. Still, the thrill of keeping your tiny pet alive back in the day is something that many of us fondly remember.

The Game Boy was another legendary gadget that defined portable gaming. With its pixelated graphics and simple controls, it transported us to imaginative worlds filled with adventure. Today, mobile gaming has taken a giant leap forward, with games that boast stunning graphics and immersive gameplay—all available on our smartphones. However, the nostalgia of sitting on the school bus, trading Pokémon with friends via link cable, is a cherished memory for many.

Finally, who could forget the VHS player? Movie nights in the ‘90s meant renting films and eagerly waiting for the tape to rewind after watching. While VHS tapes have become obsolete in the age of streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, they remain a symbol of our cinematic past. The joy of physically owning a movie has been replaced by instant access, but there’s a unique satisfaction in reminiscing about the days when we had to visit the video store to find our favorite films.