Nostalgia Was the Name of the Game at Sweet Suite 2024

Every year, The Toy Insider puts on Sweet Suite to showcase the season’s hottest toys. In 2024, the hottest new toys also happen to be the hottest old toys. A lot of classics are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year, and new licenses have given them new life. 

Sweet Suite is always a fun event – several hours of food and fun and toys. I’ve often found myself wandering the aisles at these events and wishing that the toys I grew up with were as cool as some of the toys that get released now. (Do you have any idea how many Squishmallows I would have had as a kid?) This year, though, I recognized a lot of the newer products as things I had as a child, which definitely made the evening that much more fun.

Care Bears

This is my bread and butter! If you follow me on social media, you’ll know that I am a giant fan of Care Bears and have been since I got my Birthday Bear for my second birthday. They have undergone several aesthetic shifts in the past 40+ years, but I absolutely love what Basic Fun has done with the brand.

For this year’s Sweet Suite, Basic Fun set up their booth to look like a retro bedroom (complete with inflatable couch!) in order to show off their latest products. The adorable Be Me Bear is from the Eco Plush line and made from partially recycled materials. (She is super soft!) While the Sanrio crossover line is perfect for anyone who wants a double dose of cuteness.

Rainbow Brite

Did you know that 2024 is the 40th anniversary of Rainbow Brite? In celebration, Hallmark has accepted over 13 licensing partnerships for a new line of toys, apparel, accessories and more. TLS Toys had a display table that felt like it was curated from the Toys R Us stockroom in the 1980s.

Some of the other companies with Rainbow Brite licenses who were not present at Sweet Suite include Loungefly, Super Impulse (these are available at 5 Below – I have several!), Crown Jewlz, Mad Engine, and Goodie Two Sleeves.

Strawberry Shortcake

Another ’80s icon making a resurgence is Strawberry Shortcake! She and her friends joined Rainbow Brite on the TLS Toys blast from the past. Not only that, TeeTurtle’s Plushiverse brand had some reversible plushies on display! And yes, everything is scented!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Like Rainbow Brite, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are also celebrating their 40th anniversary this year! Playmates Toys focused on some of the nostalgia-influenced TMNT toys this year. They had their box o’ pieces for their Mix N’ Match Mutations, which are based on the Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon.

But primarily on display were the figures based on the original comic – these are available at Target and come with a copy of the original sketch art – and the rerelease of the Technodrome – which is currently available for preorder.

And like many of the other characters on this list, there are also Plushiverse reversible plushies of the Turtles! (One side battle mode, one side pizza mode!)

Spongebob Squarepants

Another iconic character celebrating a milestone anniversary is Spongebob, who turns 25 this year! Spongebob has joined the line of Plushiverse reversible plushies, which are currently available for sale on their website.

Pokémon 

Last but not least, one of the most enduring IPs of all time, Pokémon could be found in multiple spots at Sweet Suite. But as someone who is a massive fan of plushies, I focused on the upcoming Squishmallow releases from Jazwares – Marill and Dragonite.

Fellow millennials, what was your favorite toy when you were a kid? What are you most excited about making a comeback?

Author: Jamie Sugah

Jamie has a BA in English with a focus in creative writing from The Ohio State University. She self-published her first novel, The Perils of Long Hair on a Windy Day, which is available through Amazon. She is currently an archivist and lives in New York City with her demon ninja vampire cat. She covers television, books, movies, anime, and conventions in the NYC area.

Twitter

Help support independent journalism. Subscribe to our Patreon.

Copyright © The Geekiary