Y2K tech products are experiencing a resurgence, capturing the attention of both nostalgic adults and a new generation of teenagers. These once-popular gadgets, which lost their popularity with the advent of smartphones, are now appealing to those seeking a taste of simpler times. At the intersection of nostalgia, smart-tech overload, and a younger generation reclaiming the past for their own enjoyment, Y2K tech products offer a charming portal back in time.
DeliverItX editors have collected the Y2K tech gadgets they loved at the turn of the millennium and have recently rediscovered. Though some of the exact models may no longer be available, many of the featured items are refreshed or rebranded for 2023. These unique and slightly offbeat gadgets make fun and thoughtful gifts, especially for those craving a simpler lifestyle.
Here are a few of our top picks:
1. Handheld Retro Game Console
The Anbernic handheld device allows users to play classic games from old consoles like NES, SNES, PS1, and Game Boy. It's slightly larger than the Game Boy Color, making it perfect for adult hands. This console is a great gift for gamers who appreciate the classics.
Buy: Handheld Retro Game Console
2. Tamagotchi
The Tamagotchi digital pet is a fun and interactive way to learn about responsibility. Our editors loved these gadgets in their youth and still find them enjoyable.
Buy: Tamagotchi
3. 8-GB MP3 Player
In the early 2000s, it was rare to leave the house without an MP3 player in your pocket. This Sony Walkman, with its tactile button controls and small color screen, reminds our editors of their go-to gadgets from that era.
Buy: 8-GB MP3 Player
4. E100 Electric Scooter for Kids
The Razor Scooter was a must-have in the early aughts. Today, Razor has rebranded as a fleet of relatively affordable e-scooters, including this kid-friendly model with twist-grip acceleration and hand brakes. It can reach up to 10 miles per hour, making it a safe and fun gift for kids.
Buy: E100 Electric Scooter for Kids
5. FunSaver 35mm Single-Use Camera
A unique and affordable way to capture extra photos from special events is through disposable cameras like the FunSaver 35mm Single-Use Camera. Recently, at a friend's wedding reception, they placed these cameras on tables throughout the venue, which inspired me to gift one to my mom before her trip with siblings.
Buy: FunSaver 35mm Single-Use Camera
6. Razr Phone (2nd Gen)
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The Motorola Razr phone was a cultural phenomenon in the past, selling millions of units worldwide. The brand has recently brought back the iconic phone with the Razr Phone (2nd Gen) that maintains the slim design while incorporating modern smartphone features like a 48MP camera, an interactive display, music-playing capability, and Google Assistant, with impressive 5G speed.
Buy: Razr Phone (2nd Gen)
7. Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1+2
For those who spent their teenage years skating in parking lots and watching Jackass, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2 remastered for modern consoles is a great way to relive those glory days. The classic skateboarding game offers a nostalgic trip back in time to the 2000s.
8. HDMI DVD Player for TV
Although streaming services are the norm nowadays, owning an HDMI DVD Player for TV is a great way to kick it old-school and watch movies you already own on DVD. With sub-$30 pricing, this DVD player is a cost-effective way to watch those films that are not available on streaming services.
9. Portable DVD Player
After my local library reopened following the lockdown, I purchased a bright purple portable DVD player so that I could once again browse its impressive movie collection. Despite its slightly ridiculous appearance, it's equipped with a remote and boasts a large, clear display for a cinematic viewing experience. I appreciate that it's not tethered to my laptop and all its distractions.
Buy: Portable DVD Player
10. Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera
Receiving a translucent purple Polaroid i-Zone camera was one of my all-time favorite birthday gifts. The power of an instant camera cannot be denied! While I miss the sticker angle of that rectangular-film camera, I now document my pals with the Fujifilm Instax Mini.
Buy: Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera
11. Portable Bluetooth Boombox
Getting ready to go out with my friends in the 2000s involved listening to Z100 on the radio, but finding a boombox with a radio is difficult nowadays. Luckily, this portable Bluetooth boombox is both fun and loud, and it can be easily connected to your phone.
Buy: Portable Bluetooth Boombox
12. Portable Cassette Player and Recorder
In the '90s, the TalkBoy gained popularity after its appearance in Home Alone 2, but I was just as fascinated with the TalkGirl gadget in the early 2000s. It was essentially a tape recorder that could replay audio in slo-mo, and hours of hilarity would ensue. While this pink recorder doesn't have that particular function, it doubles as a radio. I'm not sure if 11-year-olds today would find it as mesmerizing as I did its predecessor.
Buy: Portable Cassette Player and Recorder
