If you ever needed proof that McDonald's Happy Meal toys have totally fallen off, let me tell you about my recent run-in with the Sanrio x Yu-Gi-Oh collab. The promo photos made it look like we were getting these adorable little plush marships; I wanted the Pompompurin x Exodia toy. But when I opened my Happy Meal, what I got was… a beanbag. Not a plushie. Not a toy, either. Just a tiny pillow with a picture printed on it like someone ironed it on five minutes before my arrival. It was so tragic that it actually made me nostalgic for the glory days of Happy Meal toys.
If you grew up in the 2000s like me, then you know we were spoiled. We had real toys — the kind you actually kept, traded, and showed off at recess. Mini Furbys that blinked. The Dog keychains that everyone was obsessed with. Those fancy Madame Alexander Wizard of Oz dolls your mom made you keep "nice." The 2000s lineup was unmatched.
So let's rewind to the era when Happy Meals truly slayed and revisit the toys that defined an entire childhood.
