Gen X Toys Trivia | Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast

Merry Christmas Eve my friends! Even if you don’t celebrate the holiday, I hope you’re warm and cozy and enjoying the day. For our penultimate episode of 2025, I’ve got Gen X Toy Trivia. Why Gen X? Because I’m Gen X and it’s my show. But also because of the changes in how things were advertised to kids made our toys a little more intense. Fear not, future holiday episodes will reach out to other generations.

As always, it’s three rounds of ten questions each. If you’re not yet a subscriber, do it now. That way you’re always getting the latest episode.

Book of the Week

Transformers Vol. 1

Optimus Prime was supposed to have led the Autobots to victory. Instead, the fate of Cybertron is unknown, and his allies have crash-landed far from home, alongside their enemies—the Decepticons. As these titanic forces renew their war on Earth, one thing is immediately clear: the planet will never be the same. New alliances are struck. Battle lines are redrawn. And humanity’s only hope of survival is Optimus Prime.

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Episode Transcript/Quiz

Episode Intro

Merry Christmas Eve my friends! Even if you don’t celebrate the holiday, I hope you’re warm and cozy and enjoying the day. For our penultimate episode of 2025, I’ve got Gen X Toy Trivia. Why Gen X? Because I’m Gen X and it’s my show. But also because of the changes in how things were advertised to kids made our toys a little more intense. Fear not, future holiday episodes will reach out to other generations.

As always, it’s three rounds of ten questions each. If you’re not yet a subscriber, do it now. That way you’re always getting the latest episode.

This is episode 361 of the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. I’m your ageing host and guy who’s still upset he never got a USS Flagg play set, Brian Rollins. Let’s open some trivia presents.

The Dorky Round

Released in 1984, what toy line was “More than meets the eye”?
a. Transformers
What long-running doll toy got new iterations in the 80s including a Western and an Astronaut version?
a. Barbie
What toy line, launched in 1981, got new life in 2010 with Friendship is Magic?
a. My Little Pony
Originally released in 1977, what six-sided puzzle toy became the subject of speed competitions in the 80s?
a. Rubik’s Cube. The current record for solving one is 3.05 seconds.
Released by Coleco in 1982, what toy line spawned literal fights in toy stores due to high demand?
a. Cabbage Patch Kids
Kenner made a fortune licensing what franchise starting in 1977 through 1985?
a. Star Wars
What long-running building toy started adding Space and Castle sets for Gen X kids?
a. Lego
Nintendo released what gray, hand-held gaming system in 1989?
a. Game Boy
What toy, which actually let you cook food, had sold over 5 million units by the time Gen X got a hold of them?
a. Easy Bake Oven
It rolls down stairs, Alone or in pairs, It makes a clinkity sound, A thing, a thing, A wonderful thing, Everyone loves a…what?
a. Slinky

The Geeky Round

What toy line, first introduced in the 60s, was relaunched in a 3 3/4-inch form factor in 1982?
a. GI Joe
Originally characters on American Greetings cards, what dessert-themed dolls were popular in the 1980s with colorful and…let’s say, fragrant…toys?
a. Strawberry Shortcake
What 1985 toy gave the world an animated, story-telling bear that used various cassette tapes?
a. Teddy Ruxpin
Still in production, what toy was launched in the 1960s, but was still popular in the 1980s and used aluminum powder to create drawings?
a. Etch A Sketch
What 1980s toy line featured both sci-fi and fantasy set on the alien world of Eternia?
a. Masters of the Universe
Originally released in 1979 by Milton Bradley, what toy was basically a programmable tank?
a. Big Trak
What home gaming system gave us games like Combat, Breakout, Pitfall, and the infamous, ET The Extraterrestrial?
a. Atari 2600
What talking, educational computer made an appearance in Toy Story and Toy Story 2?
a. Speak & Spell
What stereoscopic toy let you view reels from tourist attractions as well as scenes from Disney movies, Star Trek, Doctor Who and more?
a. View-Master
What superheroine was created as a spin-off of (and twin sister to) He-Man?
a. She-Ra

The Nerdy Round

Starting in 1984, what doll line had characters like Red Butler, Patty O’Green, and Buddy Blue?
a. Rainbow Brite
What colorful ursine toys had movies theatrically released in 1985, 86, 87, and 2007?
a. The Care Bears
What 1980s toys were sold in a cardboard case shaped like a doghouse?
a. Pound Puppies
Kenner launched what toy line in 1985, comprised of transforming vehicles, to compete with GI Joe and Transformers?
a. MASK
What tricycle, made almost entirely of plastic, featured an oversized front wheel?
a. Big Wheel
What toy allowed kids to make art using a bulb, colored pegs, and opaque black paper?
a. Lite-Brite
What doll line, first started in 1989, featured 1-inch tall characters?
a. Polly Pocket
From 1977 to 88, what toy line had its ‘Blackwalls’ era?
a. Hot Wheels
Powered by a single AA battery, what four-wheel-drive toy trucks had foam or rubber tires for indoor and outdoor play?
a. Stompers
What small toy line had everything from cars and monster trucks to Star Wars, Star Trek, Babylon 5, and Men in Black?
a. Micro Machines. I’m still kicking myself for not getting every Star Trek toy they made.

Episode Conclusion

OK kids, clean up the wrapping paper because we are done. How did you do? Anyone heading over to eBay right now to get that toy they never got as a kid? Or one you’ve lost along the way? Are there any you’re still hanging onto after all these years? Me? I still have a bin full of my old Lego bricks. My kids added to the bin and now it’s extremely heavy.

Let me know on social media, Discord, or Spotify what your favorite toy was back in the day.

I hope you have a safe, warm, and happy holiday season. From me to you, have a great day, and a great holiday break. If you don’t have time off, well, I hope these episodes give you a little breather.

Next week, I’ll be back with one more episode for 2025. Here’s a hint:

What holiday is featured in movies like “Sleepless in Seattle”, “Four Rooms”, and “The Poseidon Adventure”?

If you know what next Wednesday is, you’ll figure this one out pretty easily. It’s been a long year; I’m not going to tax you on a teaser. See you back here next week.

This was the Dorky Geeky Nerdy Trivia Podcast. If you’d like to help support the show and get extra stuff, consider becoming a patron at Patreon.com/dorkygeekynerdy.

This podcast is written, produced, and hosted by Brian Rollins. If you love audiobooks or are looking to have a book turned into an audiobook, contact me at TheVoicesInMyHead.com.

The theme music is Punchfunk by the band, Punchfunk. Listen to all their music on Spotify.

Thanks for listening.