10 Totally Awesome Things We Should Bring Back From the 90s!

The 90s were a special time. It felt like everything was just a little bit different, a little bit simpler, and a whole lot more fun. We had different ways of playing, different ways of listening to music, and even different ways of showing how we felt. So, grab your scrunchie, put on your favorite grunge band, and let’s dive into 10 things we totally need to bring back from the 90s!

1. The Mighty CD Player in Every Car!

Remember when you got into a car and the first thing you did was pick out your favorite CD? It was a ritual! You’d open your CD case, carefully slide out the disc, and put it into the player. The whirring sound as it started to play was music to your ears. You had to have a whole collection of CDs, from pop princesses to rock legends.

Nowadays, we just stream music, which is easy, but it’s not the same. There was something special about having your favorite album right there, in physical form. Plus, it meant you really had to commit to an album. No skipping through a million songs. You put on that CD, and you listened to it all the way through, just like the artist wanted. And let’s be honest, there’s nothing quite like belting out every word to a classic 90s song with your friends, even if the CD was a little scratched and skipped a bit. That just added to the charm! It taught us patience and appreciation for an entire body of work. It was a journey with each album.

2. The Art of the Mixtape (on a Cassette Tape!)

Before playlists, there were mixtapes. This was a true labor of love. You’d spend hours listening to the radio, waiting for your favorite song to come on so you could press record at just the right moment. If you wanted to make a mixtape for a friend, you’d carefully choose each song to create the perfect mood or tell a story. You’d even decorate the cassette tape cover with cool drawings or fancy handwriting.

Giving someone a mixtape was a big deal. It showed you really cared. It was a physical representation of your feelings and shared tastes in music. It wasn’t just a collection of songs; it was a carefully curated message. Today, we can easily share playlists, but it doesn’t have the same personal touch. There’s no anticipation, no careful timing, and no tangible object to hold onto. Bringing back mixtapes would bring back that thoughtfulness and creativity in sharing music. Imagine the excitement of unwrapping a handmade mixtape!

3. Sports Chants and Booing (The Old-Fashioned Way!)

Go to a sports game today, and you’ll hear a lot of noise, but it’s often organized or pre-recorded. In the 90s, the crowd was a force of nature! People would come up with their own creative chants to cheer on their team. “Defense! Defense!” or “Let’s Go [Team Name]!” were common, but fans would also make up funny and unique chants.

And booing? Oh, people knew how to boo in the 90s! If a referee made a bad call or the opposing team did something unfair, the whole stadium would erupt in a chorus of loud, drawn-out boos. It wasn’t mean-spirited; it was just a way for fans to show their feelings and let everyone know they weren’t happy. It was a release of energy and a way to feel connected to the game. It added to the atmosphere and made you feel like you were really part of the action. It was raw, authentic, and truly from the heart of the fans. It created an electrifying atmosphere that is sometimes missing today.

4. The Fun of Dial-Up Internet Sounds!

Okay, this might seem a little weird to want back, but hear us out! Remember the distinctive sounds of dial-up internet? That series of beeps, squawks, and whirs as your modem connected to the World Wide Web? It was the sound of anticipation! You knew that after those strange noises, you were about to enter a whole new world of information and entertainment.

It also meant you really appreciated your time online. Because it was slow, you savored every moment. You didn’t just casually browse; you had a purpose! You knew someone might need to use the phone line, so you made your time count. It made the internet feel like a special treat, not just something that’s always there. Plus, those sounds are now totally retro and cool! It was a symphony of connection, a signal that you were about to embark on a digital adventure. It made the internet feel like a privilege, not a given.

5. The Thrill of Rushing Home for Your Favorite TV Show!

In the 90s, if you wanted to watch your favorite TV show, you had to be in front of the TV at a specific time. No DVRs, no streaming services, no binging! If you missed it, you missed it (unless your VCR was programmed, which was a whole other challenge!). This meant rushing home from school, planning your evening around TV schedules, and gathering around the television with your family or friends.

There was a shared experience that came with it. Everyone at school would talk about last night’s episode of “Friends” or “Saved by the Bell.” It created a sense of community and excitement. It also taught us patience and delayed gratification. You looked forward to that one show all week long. It made each episode feel like an event. Bringing this back would mean more shared viewing experiences and less isolation in our entertainment. It was appointment television, and it fostered a collective cultural experience.

6. The Joy of Renting Movies from a Video Store!

Do you remember walking into a video store? The smell of popcorn, the rows and rows of movie covers, the excitement of picking out just the right movie for your Friday night. It was an adventure! You’d spend ages browsing, reading the back of boxes, and debating with your friends or family about what to watch. Then, you’d bring it home, pop it into the VCR, and settle in for a movie night.

And remember the “Be Kind Rewind” stickers? You had to rewind the tape before returning it, or you’d get a penalty! It added a little responsibility to the fun. Renting movies was more than just getting a film; it was an outing, a decision-making process, and a shared experience. It felt like a bigger event than just clicking a button on a streaming service. Plus, supporting local video stores was pretty cool. It was a tangible connection to the magic of movies.

7. The Excitement of Getting a Surprise Toy in Your Cereal Box!

Who remembers digging through their cereal box, hoping to find that awesome little toy? It was the best part of breakfast! Sometimes it was a cool figurine, sometimes a small puzzle, or maybe a neat little game. It was always a surprise, and it made finishing your cereal even more exciting.

Nowadays, you rarely find toys in cereal boxes, and that’s a shame! It was a simple joy that added a little bit of magic to an everyday routine. It was a tiny treasure hunt every morning. Imagine the delight of finding a tiny, colorful gadget hidden amongst your corn flakes. It was a small, unexpected gift that started your day with a smile and a sense of wonder. It made breakfast an adventure, a daily dose of delightful surprise.

8. The Fun and Challenge of “The Floor is Lava!”

This classic game didn’t need any fancy equipment, just your imagination and some furniture! One person would yell, “The floor is lava!” and everyone had to scramble to get off the floor as quickly as possible. You’d jump on couches, chairs, tables, anything to avoid touching the “hot lava.”

It was a simple game, but it was so much fun! It encouraged creativity, quick thinking, and physical activity. It was a great way to burn off energy and laugh with your friends. In a world full of screens, bringing back “The Floor is Lava!” would be a fantastic way to encourage more active and imaginative play. It taught us to use our surroundings in new ways and to think on our feet, literally! It was a game of pure, unadulterated, imaginative fun.

9. The Simplicity of Waiting for Photos to Be Developed!

Remember taking pictures with a disposable camera or a regular film camera? You couldn’t see the photos right away. You had to take the film to a store, wait a few days, and then pick up your developed prints. The anticipation was huge!

It was like opening a present every time. You never knew exactly how the photos would turn out, and sometimes there were blurry ones or funny surprises. It made each photo feel more special and precious. Today, we take hundreds of photos instantly, but we often don’t look at them as much. Waiting for developed photos made us appreciate each snapshot and the memories they held. It added a layer of mystery and excitement to photography, turning each roll of film into a hopeful treasure chest.

10. The Joy of Actually Calling Your Friends on a Landline!

Before everyone had cell phones, you actually had to call your friends on their house phone, their landline. This meant you might have to talk to their parents first, which was sometimes a little awkward but also kind of charming. You’d ask, “Is [Friend’s Name] home?” and then wait to see if they were available.

It was a different way of communicating. You had more focused conversations because you weren’t constantly distracted by other notifications. You really had to make an effort to connect. It taught us how to talk on the phone and how to navigate social interactions in a simpler way. Plus, remember those super long curly phone cords? So much fun to stretch and play with! Bringing back the landline would bring back a bit more intentional connection and focused conversation. It encouraged genuine, uninterrupted conversations, fostering a deeper sense of connection than quick texts can provide.

The 90s: A Decade of Awesomeness!

So there you have it, 10 things we think should totally make a comeback from the amazing 1990s! From the sounds of dial-up to the thrill of video store rentals, the 90s gave us so many unique and fun experiences. What do you remember most about the 90s? Share your favorite memories in the comments below! Let’s keep the 90s spirit alive!