History's Best Selling Toys of 1997

Revisiting 1997 presents a grand parade of toys history, marked by radical 90s attitude and millennium anticipation and enduring fan favorites. Unrivaled hits including Giga Pet, Teenie Beanies, and essential classics took top honors in living rooms and storefronts alike. Master craftsmen from industry leaders like Tiger Electronics and Ty Inc. led the vanguard, engineering high-caliber releases that flew off store shelves and cemented lifelong fandoms. Dive into the full historical rankings below to see which standout creations won the day.

1. Giga Pet

   Released in 1997 by Tiger Electronics

   Giga Pet burst onto the scene in 1997, riding the coattails of the wildly popular virtual pet craze ignited by Bandai's Tamagotchi. Released by Tiger Electronics, a subsidiary of Hasbro, it quickly became a must-have gadget for children worldwide, offering a portable digital companion that demanded constant attention. Its affordability, diverse range of virtual creatures (from dogs and cats to aliens and dinosaurs), and direct competition with Tamagotchi made it an instant commercial success and a significant cultural phenomenon, defining a particular era of electronic play and personal responsibility for millions of kids.

2. Teenie Beanies

   Released in 1997 by Ty Inc., Ty Warner

   The introduction of Teenie Beanies in 1997 marked an unprecedented moment in toy marketing and fast-food promotions. Launched as a Happy Meal exclusive by McDonald's, these miniature versions of Ty Inc.'s wildly popular Beanie Babies ignited a collecting frenzy unlike anything seen before. What began as a simple tie-in rapidly escalated into a cultural phenomenon, with consumers lining up in droves, sometimes for hours, just to get their hands on the latest character. The sheer demand often outstripped supply, leading to rapid sell-outs, a burgeoning secondary market, and a significant boost to McDonald's sales, proving the immense power of a well-executed, collectible toy promotion.