I’m a proud millennial who will always gush about everything from ’90s candy to the sweet music that dominated the radio during that decade. Seriously, if you weren’t there, it’s hard to fully grasp the vibrant energy and sheer joy that defined the ’90s, especially when it came to our snack choices. The candy aisle wasn’t just a place to grab a treat; it was a wonderland of innovation, bold flavors, and marketing genius that spoke directly to our sugar-fueled souls, leaving a sweet, indelible mark on our childhoods.
This was a decade that gave us cultural touchstones like Tamagotchis and Super Soakers, alongside a pop culture explosion that still echoes today. But woven into the fabric of ’90s fashion, music, and cartoons was an entire universe of candies that fueled our schoolyard trades, movie nights, and after-school adventures. Many of these glorious confections, sadly, are no longer with us, leaving a nostalgic ache for their unique tastes and experiences.
Since we can’t go back to the best decade in history, I’m okay with reminiscing about the yummy snacks I once had access to. So, buckle up, ’90s kids (and honorary ’90s kids!), as we embark on a delicious journey back in time. We’re diving deep into some of the most iconic, innovative, and downright cherished candy aisle classics that are now, heartbreakingly, impossible to find. Get ready for a serious blast from the past, filled with sugary memories and perhaps a few “I remember those!” moments.
1. **Shockers**Ah, Shockers. For “most ’90s kids,” this chewy candy was a staple, perfectly encapsulating the decade’s obsession with all things sour. Before they were Shockers, their lineage stretched back to the 1960s with Sunline Inc.’s (later Sunmark Candy Company) mouth-puckering SweeTarts. It’s fascinating how a candy could evolve so much while retaining its core identity, though the ’90s version really hit different, bringing a new level of tangy excitement.
Nestle eventually acquired Sunline Inc., and in the early 1990s, they unleashed the revamped product under the name Shockers, bringing it under the whimsical umbrella of the Wonka Candy Company brand. This rebrand infused the candy with the fantastical appeal of Willy Wonka, a beloved figure in the candy world. The synergy between the sour kick and the imaginative Wonka universe created a truly memorable treat that resonated deeply with the youth of the era.
The packaging itself was a masterpiece of ’90s design: “bright, colorful packaging that emphasized their powerful sour punch.” You just knew what you were getting into with a glance – a delicious, tangy adventure for your taste buds. “Shockers were seemingly everywhere,” cementing their place as “one of the best — and strongest — sour candies around” for many, a true benchmark for sour candy enthusiasts.
However, like many good things from our cherished past, their time eventually came to an end. Shockers were eventually replaced by SweeTarts Chewy Sours, which, in a cruel twist of fate, were “also later discontinued.” Today, only the original and chewy SweeTarts remain, sans any sour designation, leaving a generation yearning for that iconic ’90s zing and the powerful jolt that only Shockers could deliver.
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2. **Butterfinger BBs**If you were a “fan of ‘The Simpsons'” in the ’90s, then Butterfinger BBs likely hold a special place in your memory. These “little, spherical versions of the iconic sweet candy bar” were an absolute sensation, largely thanks to a brilliant ad campaign featuring none other than Bart Simpson. “The familiar faces of the titanically popular television show certainly helped boost the candy’s cool factor among the ’90s youth,” making them an instant must-have.
But it wasn’t just the celebrity endorsement that made them great; Butterfinger BBs “made a name for itself on snackability alone.” Many preferred these “bite-sized Butterfinger balls” over the original candy bar because of their “lighter texture and small size.” They were perfect for popping, sharing (or not!), and seemed to vanish far too quickly. “They were ubiquitous at movie theaters during the decade,” becoming a non-negotiable part of any cinema experience.
Alas, while “The Simpsons” have “stood the test of time,” their “confectionery friends did not fare as well.” Butterfinger BBs were “discontinued in 2006,” a move that caused “confusion and anger” among their countless fans. Despite their immense popularity, they faded into candy history. Now, we’re left with the classic candy bar and the sweet, sweet memories of those perfectly poppable, peanut-buttery spheres.
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3. **Nestlé Magic Ball (and then Wonder Ball)**For “some reason, this candy had ’90s kids completely obsessed.” And honestly, we absolutely get it! The Nestlé Magic Ball combined two of our most profound childhood interests: “sugar and toys.” It was a stroke of genius, building on the legacy of things like Pez dispensers but cleverly inverting the formula. Here, “the candy would hold the toy, not the other way around,” which felt incredibly innovative and exciting at the time, sparking endless playground discussions.
Essentially, “they were large, hollow chocolate balls that, upon being opened, revealed a small toy, always a popular Disney character at the time — think Buzz Lightyear or Hercules.” The anticipation of cracking open that foil-wrapped sphere, not knowing which beloved character awaited inside, was a thrill unlike any other. It was a tangible surprise, a mini treasure hunt embedded within a delicious chocolate shell, making each purchase an event.
These chocolatey treasures were even “the stars of some of the most iconic ’90s TV commercials,” forever etched in our minds. The advertisements perfectly captured the wonder and excitement, showing kids eagerly unwrapping their Magic Balls to discover their hidden prizes. This strong marketing presence further cemented the candy’s status as a must-have item, ensuring every kid knew about the magic within.
However, this undeniable excitement came with an unforeseen danger. The original Magic Ball was “discontinued in 1997 due to choking hazard concerns.” It was a real bummer for kids everywhere! Though it was later “brought back as Wonder Ball — this time with an edible candy inside instead of a toy” — it was, as the context states, “never the same.” That version too was eventually discontinued in 2007, though it saw another revival in 2016. Still, the original magic of cracking open a chocolate ball for a tiny toy remains a cherished, but lost, ’90s memory, symbolizing a simpler time.
4. **Soda-Licious**While the Betty Crocker name is most associated with cake mixes, General Mills, the brand behind Betty Crocker, was also a powerhouse in chewy candies during the ’80s and ’90s, giving us classics like Fruit Gushers and Fruit by the Foot. But amidst these long-standing successes, one particular Betty Crocker candy, Soda-Licious, never quite made it to the new millennium, leaving a nostalgic ache for its unique fizzy fun.
Soda-Licious was a gummy candy shaped like “a glass soda bottle,” a design that immediately captivated kids. Each pack offered “delicious, chewy bites with fun flavors like orange, grape, root beer, and cherry.” The real kicker, though, was the candy’s “fizzy coating, which evoked the sensation of carbonation,” making it feel like you were actually drinking a miniature soda. It was an experience, not just a treat, offering a playful twist to gummy snacks.
“The candy quickly became a kid favorite,” offering a delightful combination of chewy texture and sparkling flavor. Betty Crocker even took its marketing “to the next level with the treats by serving up scratch and sniff stickers in the boxes.” Yet, despite its initial popularity and creative branding, “its bright light burned out all too quickly.” Soda-Licious “disappeared in 1998, after a few years of dwindling popularity,” leaving us to forever crave that fizzy, fruity nostalgia.
5. **Dweebs**”Dweebs were introduced in the early 1990s by the Wonka Candy Company as a companion to Nerds (Nerds, Dweebs, get it?).” The name itself was playful and perfectly aligned with the whimsical, imaginative spirit of the Wonka brand. While “pretty similar to Nerds,” Dweebs offered their own distinct charm, a slight variation on a beloved theme that endeared them to many ’90s candy enthusiasts looking for something just a little different.
They were described as “slightly larger and softer than their counterparts,” providing a unique textural experience compared to the classic, crunchy Nerds. Dweebs came in vibrant flavors such as orange, cherry, and strawberry, offering a delightful and fruity taste adventure. This subtle shift in texture and flavor profile was enough to create a devoted following among those who preferred a less intense crunch.
A notable difference that truly set them apart was in the packaging; while classic Nerds boxes featured two compartments, each holding a different flavor, “Dweebs had three different flavors in each package.” This triple-flavor assault was a delightful upgrade, offering more variety and a mini-tasting experience in every grab. It felt like getting more bang for your buck, a small but significant detail for a kid’s allowance.
Unfortunately, “unlike Nerds, which remain very popular, Dweebs only survived a few years” in the American market. The context suggests that “the two products were not distinct enough,” perhaps leading to Dweebs struggling to carve out their own niche amidst the established popularity of their sibling. “Dweebs could never match up to their nerdy sibling and were discontinued soon after launching,” disappearing almost without a trace. While a revived version was introduced in Europe in 2022, “Dweebs fans in North America can order them online, as long as they are willing to pay for the additional cost of international shipping,” meaning the easily accessible ’90s version is truly a relic of the past, a bittersweet memory for those who loved them.
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6. **PB Max**Mars launched PB Max in 1989, right on the cusp of the ’90s, and it quickly carved out a significant space in the candy bar market. This delicious treat “consisted of a cookie base topped with peanut butter, all enrobed in chocolate.” It was a powerhouse combination of textures and flavors, offering a satisfying crunch from the cookie, a creamy richness from the peanut butter, and the universally loved appeal of chocolate, a true triple threat.
Its “texture set it apart from Reese’s,” providing a distinct experience that made it a favorite for many, distinguishing itself in a crowded candy bar landscape. The name itself, “PB Max,” hinted at something “extreme, cool, and adventurous,” perfectly aligning with the bold and energetic marketing trends of the era. It promised maximum peanut butter goodness, and it delivered.
The candy was a “commercial success,” with “Mars showcasing the crunchy contents before closing out the 30-second spot” in its surreal and memorable commercials. These ads were wonderfully bizarre, featuring everything from “parachuting buffalo” to “pineapple beanies” and even “pig basketball,” all designed to make the abbreviated “PB” unforgettable. This creative marketing certainly contributed to its strong sales and cult following.
Despite its undeniable popularity, bringing in “$50 million in sales” for Mars, PB Max was “discontinued by Mars by 1994.” The reason behind its disappearance is shrouded in a “persistent rumor,” claiming the decision was made “on personal grounds.” According to this lore, “the Mars family’s own aversion to peanut butter” was the cause, as they still ran the company at the time. If true, it’s a baffling business decision, leaving a generation of “90s peanut butter candy lovers” severely disappointed and forever craving this lost, legendary gem.
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7. **Fruit String Thing**Oh, Fruit String Thing, you were the epitome of edible fun! This aptly named candy was exactly what it sounds like: “a long, thin, tubular piece of fruity gummy” that came attached to a piece of cardboard, allowing kids to slowly pull the noodle-like candy away, one delightful bite at a time. It perfectly captured “what the ’90s candy world was all about: products that were fun, hands-on, and imaginative.” It wasn’t just a sweet treat; it was an interactive experience that kept our hands busy and our taste buds happy, truly bringing the joy of playing with your food to life.
The ads for Fruit String Thing were just as wild and wonderful as the candy itself, featuring “energetic kids pulling the candy from the paper excitedly, ‘ooh-ing’ and ‘aah-ing’ at its cool factor.” The name itself, “weird and slightly aloof,” was a stroke of marketing genius, making it feel truly unique and pretty darn cool. This Betty Crocker creation even teamed up with R. L. Stine’s iconic “Goosebumps” series, offering Box Tops for books and a contest for kids to suggest book titles, elevating the snack to a literary adventure!
Unfortunately, even with all that imaginative fun, the snack’s “popularity fizzled out early in the next decade.” Fruit String Thing “disappeared by the mid-2000s,” tragically leaving future generations without the joy of unwrapping a zany, cardboard-connected treat. It’s a real shame, because who wouldn’t want to play with their food when it tasted that good and offered a mini adventure with every pull? It remains a cherished, albeit lost, part of our 90s candy memories.
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8. **Tongue Splashers**Get ready for a trip down memory lane that’s bound to leave you with a brightly colored tongue! Tongue Splashers exploded onto the novelty-obsessed candy market in 1993, instantly becoming a hit. The candy was cleverly packaged in “a neon-bright container designed to resemble a bucket of paint,” instantly signaling that this wasn’t your average gumball. As the name so perfectly suggested, Tongue Splashers had the amazing ability to “dye your tongue bright colors”—a major selling point for us kids!
Who cared if your tongue turned electric blue or radioactive green? It was a badge of honor, a visible sign you’d just indulged in something truly awesome. These weren’t just any gumballs; they were “pigmented, splashy center” gumballs that made a statement, “exciting and fun, colorful, and a standout in the candy aisle,” guaranteed to start conversations (or at least, tongue-waggling contests).
Sadly, like many things relying on sheer novelty, Tongue Splashers may have “captured the zeitgeist a little too well,” meaning “the product could not be sustained solely on novelty.” Our beloved tongue-painting gumballs “bowed out in 1999,” making way for a new generation of sweets and leaving a colorful void in our candy hearts. But fear not, nostalgic souls! Dubble Bubble, the original manufacturer, offers “Painterz mouth-coloring gumballs,” which just might satisfy that vibrant craving.
9. **Bonkers**Hold onto your hats, because we’re talking about Bonkers! Nabisco truly “unleashed Bonkers fruit candy onto the market in 1985,” and it felt genuinely novel. While stacked, chewy, fruity squares weren’t new, Bonkers had a secret weapon: “biting into one of those squares revealed its true, sugary brilliance.” The “chewy, tangy outside layer of each piece gave way to a softer, sweeter, juicier center,” creating a candy “complex in both texture and flavor, while also being a lot of fun to eat.”
Bonkers’ “real impact on the candy world came with its ad campaigns,” which were legendary. Starting in the ’80s, Nabisco aired TV ads showing “dull, dour people biting into Bonkers and being crushed by giant pieces of fruit as they laughed hysterically.” The tagline, “Bonkers! Bonks you out!” was pure gold. In 1989, it partnered with “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” cementing Bonkers as “one of the most media-present candies out there.”
Unfortunately, even legendary candies face tough times. “Over the course of the ’90s, the ad campaigns slowed, and Bonkers became more difficult to find on shelves.” Despite its splashy early years, “the candy quietly disappeared in the late ’90s.” But there’s a glimmer of hope! In 2012, Leaf Brands “purchased the trademark,” with plans to revive them. We’re “still waiting,” but Bonkers is “still listed on its website.” So, keep those fingers crossed for a bonkers comeback!
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10. **Starburst Hard Candy**While everyone knows and loves the super-chewy original Starburst, do you remember its hard candy counterpart? Starburst Hard Candy was likely “introduced as an answer to the popular hard candy Jolly Ranchers,” though its exact release year remains a bit of a mystery. These were the “antithesis of the original Starburst candy, which is juicy, soft, and chewy,” focusing instead on a satisfying, long-lasting hard candy experience.
But don’t worry, they absolutely kept the vibrant, mouth-watering spirit of Starburst alive! They “did, however, follow the Starburst tradition of bright, fruity flavors,” including the classics like “strawberry, orange, and cherry,” plus a crisp “apple flavor.” It was a familiar taste, just in a different, more enduring format, perfect for those times you wanted a sweet treat that lasted a little longer than a quick chew.
And true to 90s form, the marketing was perfectly targeted. “Like so many new candies of the time, marketing efforts targeted the too-cool, perpetually bored youth.” TV commercials pitched “Starburst Hard Candy as the ideal cool candy for disaffected teens who found their lives brought back to life after a taste of the stuff.” Alas, despite its cool-kid marketing, the candy “never really measured up to its competition and was discontinued in the 2000s,” becoming “another variety on a long list of Starburst flavors and spinoffs that were eventually pulled from market shelves.”
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11. **Life Savers Holes**Ever eaten a Life Saver and, for a split second, wondered, “What happened to the center?” Well, Life Savers actually took up that call! Introduced in the “early ’90s,” Life Savers Holes were precisely what they sound like: “simply the punched-out pieces of regular Life Savers.” Essentially, they were just “small, circular Life Savers candy balls,” proving that sometimes, the best ideas are right in the middle of our favorite candies! It was a smart, sustainable idea, “creat[ing] a new product from a byproduct of the original,” quickly becoming “a popular micro-snack.”
Cute television ads even showed “Life Savers Holes as babies, cared for by their doting parent Life Savers,” making them part of a sweet little candy family. These tiny treats were perfect for popping in your mouth, one after another, or letting a handful dissolve, giving us all the joy of a Life Saver, just in mini form.
Now, you might assume the product was “too similar to the original to survive,” but that’s not “what really happened.” The problem wasn’t the candy, but its unique packaging. While regular Life Savers came in iconic rolls, Life Savers Holes were “packaged in a plastic tube to allow for easy pouring.” This seemingly convenient design, sadly, turned out to be the product’s ultimate downfall. In a heartbreaking twist, “in several incidents, kids bit off the plastic flip-top cap and either swallowed it or choked on it.” A literal choking hazard! The product was “quickly discontinued,” making its name, “Life Savers Holes,” far more ironic than intended, eventually giving way to Life Savers Gummies.
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12. **Bubble Beeper**Alright, 90s kids, let’s talk about a candy that perfectly encapsulated the tech (and perhaps the drama!) of the decade: Bubble Beeper! These were “playfully packaged, brightly colored bubble gum strips that were introduced in the early ’90s.” The name was a genius “reference to beepers, a common communication tool at the time,” making you feel grown-up and in-the-know just by holding a pack! Wrappers displayed “typical phrases one might send via beeper,” creating an immersive, era-specific experience.
The fact that “we need to explain this now-archaic technology” today is probably “a hint as to why this candy no longer exists”—relevance, or lack thereof, can be a cruel mistress in the candy world. But here’s where it gets a little wild: it wasn’t just fading relevance. Beepers, at the time, had a “rather unsavory association that had ’90s parents scandalized.” Say what?!
Yes, “the low-tech and easily anonymized mode of communication was used by drug dealers to communicate.” Oof. Talk about unexpected baggage for an innocent bubble gum! While “all kinds of people used beepers back then,” the unfortunate connection “stuck.” This gave our innocent gum some serious, unexpected baggage, and it “likely played a part in its downfall.” So, while Bubble Beeper was a fun, nostalgic nod to 90s tech, it ultimately couldn’t escape its namesake’s reputation, fading into the annals of sweet, perhaps scandalous, candy history.
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Whew! What a delicious, bittersweet journey that was, right? From the interactive fun of Fruit String Thing to the scandalous demise of Bubble Beeper, the candy aisle of the 90s was truly a place of wonder, innovation, and sometimes, a little bit of mystery. These treats weren’t just about satisfying a sweet tooth; they were about experiences, playground trades, movie nights, and those unforgettable moments that shaped our childhoods. It’s a testament to the incredible creativity and sheer joy of the decade that even now, all these years later, we still gush about these vanished classics. So, while we might not be able to pop a Butterfinger BB or unwrap a Magic Ball today, the sugary memories and the vibrant spirit of 90s candy will forever live on in our hearts. Keep cherishing those sweet blasts from the past, fellow nostalgia-seekers!
