The resurgence of retro toys has reached a new peak with the highly anticipated return of the Furby, marking a Furb-nomenon that has captured the attention of toy enthusiasts. Coinciding with the worldwide launch of the new Tamagotchi on July 15, the revival of the Furby showcases the nostalgic charm of the 1990s.

In a year that has witnessed a surge in music cassette tape sales, speculations about a Blockbuster comeback, and notable success for booksellers like Barnes & Noble and entertainment group HMV, the 1990s era is undeniably making a comeback with the reappearance of the Furby.

Hasbro, the renowned toy company, recently announced the release of the revamped Furby, describing it as the "next era of the cute, cool, and weird Furby interactive toy." The toy will be initially available in two new colors, Purple and Coral, on Amazon, followed by its availability in major retailers starting this weekend.

The anticipation surrounding the return of the Furby had been building for months before the official announcement. In March, a leaked prototype appeared on eBay, igniting a frenzy among eager fans and collectors.

This excitement is well-founded, considering Furby's enormous success during the late 1990s. In the midst of significant digital disruptions, Furby emerged as one of the toy world's most remarkable launches, with over 40 million units sold worldwide within the first three years. Since then, the cumulative sales of Furby have surpassed an impressive 58 million units globally.

Kristin McKay, the Vice President and General Manager of Hasbro Fashion & Preschool, acknowledged the cultural impact of Furby, stating, "Following its craze-inducing launch in 1998, Furby has taken the world by storm, impacting every corner of the culture zeitgeist, from music to television and film." In commemorating the toy's 25th anniversary, McKay expressed the desire to evoke the same level of excitement among the new generation, combining Furby's nostalgic appeal with the desires of Generation Alpha.

Interestingly, the retro nature of Furby has resulted in an unexpected benefit for vintage Furby owners. In the United Kingdom, the online marketplace eBay reported a notable increase in searches for "vintage Furby." In June, the searches experienced a 25% month-on-month surge, as consumers actively sought out original versions of the cult toy. The search term "Hasbro Furby" also saw an 82% rise compared to the previous month, following the news of Furby's return in 2023. Special edition Furbys experienced the highest surge in June, with Royal Furby seeing a 191% increase and President Furby witnessing a 76% year-on-year rise.

While the Furby revival is generating significant enthusiasm, it is not without its critics. Back in 1998, some individuals harbored suspicions that Furbys could record and repeat conversations. The toy was even banned by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) due to concerns that Furbys might interfere with aircraft instruments during takeoff.

In its anniversary edition, the new Furby will feature five voice-activated modes and over 600 responses, including lights, sounds, and 10 songs. Kristin McKay emphasized the extensive research conducted to align the new Furby with children's desires, stating, "Kids told us that it was important for Furby to be their ultimate best friend - a furry companion to do all the things a BFF would do, like dance to music, share fortunes, meditate, mimic each other in silly voices, and even put on a light show, and that's exactly what we created."

So, dust off your Walkman, queue up No Jacket Required, and prepare for the highly anticipated Furby 2023 release, all while ensuring your Tamagotchi remains in good health.

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Sources: https://www.forbes.com/sites/markfaithfull/2023/07/12/furby-return-sends-fans-into-frenzy-as-nostaligia-dominates-toy-sales/