Macca's Happy Meal toys expose major 2024 problem: 'Bring them back'

There are many things from the good old days that Aussies would love to see make a comeback. From Tazos to Dunkaroos and more, we can't help but get a bit misty-eyed when we think back to the things of our childhoods that brought a smile to our faces.

But why the looking back instead of focusing on what's ahead? What is it about the little trinkets from our past that have us so fondly reminiscing? Is it that it transports us back to happier, simpler times before the inconvenience of "adulting" took over, or something more?

Judging by a recent thread in a Facebook group dedicated to Aussie nostalgia, it might simply be that things were just better "back in the day."

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After a group member posted a photo of the Muppet Babies toys that used to come in Maccas Happy Meals, the post was flooded with thousands of likes and comments from people sharing their memories of the collectibles.

"These were my absolute fav as a kid!!!," one person wrote under the snap of the figurines from the 80s.

"I LOVED these so much," said another.

"These were awesome!! Many hours spent playing with them!," added a third while someone else shared: "These remain my most favourite set of Maccas toys ever."

"I cannot tell you how OBSESSED I was with collecting these!" was another remark.

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Then there were some of the most wholesome comments from people who shared that their own kids now played with the sets they had kept from more than 30 years ago.

"Still have mine & now my kids love them too. Toys when they used to be great for happy meals," said one person while another wrote, "I still have mine and my kids love to play with them!"

"Our grandkids love playing with them now," said someone else.

Hilariously, hundreds of people tagged their parents and siblings demanding to know what had happened to their most treasured possessions and also some lamenting the fact they had given theirs away.

"I ended up giving them to my nephew," someone wrote. "I kind of regret not keeping them but I know I really had no need for them!"

"I bought a set recently off eBay after too many champagnes as I loved them as a kid!" offered another person in what was perhaps the most relatable comment of the bunch.

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However, a fascinating pattern in the thousands of comments was all of the people who not only fondly recalled the Muppet babies, but observed that the Happy Meal toys these days just do not stack up.

"And now the kids get a little thin cardboard box with a character's face on it and they cost a heap more..." someone remarked.

"I was obsessed with collecting these. The Happy Meal toys these days do not compare," another user agreed.

"I had the set too! They were good quality too, not like the disposable crap you get these days," someone else chimed in while another simply stated, "They don't make them like that any more."

"These were the best. Better than the crappy plastic these days," added another.

There were many more comments in a similar vein with Macca's customers sharing their opinions that the quality of the fast food restaurant's toys and collectibles has severely diminished compared to the "solid and good" craftsmanship of the originals. One person went so far as saying that "Everything since has unfortunately been shite."

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And, naturally, there were the calls for the beloved toys to make a comeback.

"Maccas needs to bring them back. Sales would go through the roof as we all rush back for a happy meal (and to re-live our youth)!"

Amen to that.

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