If you’re a ’90s kid, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? We sure racked up some amazing memories growing up in Malaysia.
From the era that brought us Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Oasis, Jurassic Park, and countless other great things in pop culture, the ’90s were arguably the best generation. So, let’s take a trip back to yesteryear and reminisce about some of the best memories!
1. MSN Messenger
Instant messaging appeared at a time when computers had grown in popularity with more families buying them for personal use. And let’s not forget the OG of that digital era, the one and only MSN Messenger.
The memories flood back of shooting off nudges to your friends the moment they logged in, a mixed bag of blessings and curses. That constant wobbling and popping up front and center on your screen? Not always appreciated, but it was still fun. Nevertheless, MSN Messenger had its cool moments, thanks to a unique extension that allowed your chat partners to catch a glimpse of the tracks playing on your Windows Media Player.
2. Roti Man
The Roti Man was practically our best friend. You could hear the distinct tooting of his horn around the neighborhood from a mile away. What made the Roti Man so popular was the variety of bread and snacks for you to choose from and how affordable they were.
Never forget the times when we used to chase after him. Nostalgic for these local snacks and tidbits, and the best part is that some of them are still available today.
3. The ‘F’ Language (Bahasa ‘F’)
Just a heads up for those who didn’t know: This isn’t some swear-filled language. The ‘F’ language is just a little thing we use with friends, hoping others won’t catch on and giving us a way to spill the beans on secrets. It’s wild how quickly and smoothly we pull it off. Feels like we’re talking in code, like it’s some foreign language.
Although the ‘F’ language is more common among girls, boys usually aren’t aware of it. It is typically a girls’ language through which they communicate like a secret code, ensuring that others won’t understand it at all.
4. MTV Music
One thing’s for sure, music played a big role for us ’90s kids, shaping who we are today. There’s no doubt that ’90s music memories were diverse at a time when YouTube or online streaming didn’t even exist yet.
Saturday mornings were all about MTV chart-toppers or tuning in to the radio in our parents’ car, with those tunes that stuck in our heads. We’d even go the extra mile to record the songs using our Walkman, phones, or whatever we could get our hands on.
5. PlayStation 2
Kids today will never understand the anxiety the PS2 loading screen caused us. Some even went to the extent of not looking at the screen, hoping it would magically load the disc. It’s safe to say that almost everyone who owned a PS2 went through this.
Many times, we found ourselves inserting and ejecting the disc, hoping for some miracle that it would work. And, more often than not, it actually did.
6. Computer Games
Yes, we’re reminiscing about Space Cadet Pinball, Microsoft Solitaire, and let’s not forget Microsoft Paint. While Microsoft Paint wasn’t technically a game, we certainly had our fair share of fun drawing and painting our hearts out.
Although, there were other computer games that some of us enjoyed, like Small Soldiers and Half-Life. These games might not resonate with everyone, but for those of you who get it, you guys were the real MVPs.
7. Tamagotchi
One of the more simple pleasures in life was something simple such as the Tamagotchi device. It’s crazy how such a small thing could have such a significant impact on us, ’90s kids.
Despite the creature being nothing more than a pixelated blob, the Tamagotchi’s simplicity is a stroke of genius. Taking care of it was no walk in the park, as you constantly had to make sure to feed it on time and clean up after it.
8. Toy Capsule Vending Machine
We know every one of us spent many quarters on these bad boys, and they are still literally everywhere you go. The vending machine has brought so much joy to us Malaysians, and the best part about it is that it only costs you 50 cents!
The element of surprise is what makes not knowing what’s inside the little toy ball so special. As a kid, you never really know what you want, and that’s what makes the overall experience even more enjoyable.
9. Cyber Cafe
We’re confident that many of you can recall the good old days of cyber cafes. For some, those were the days when a few of us might have even skipped school to spend hours there. Needless to say, cyber cafes were unquestionably hot spots for hanging out with friends, whether you were there to play games or just chill.
Cyber cafe days were also the days when PC games were at its peak. Playing games at the cafe provided a different kind of high compared to the comfort of home. It’s definitely an exhilarating experience for all of us.
10. Bubble Blowing Glue
Remember how addicted we were with these Bubble Blowing Glue? Remember also its distinct smell? Kids nowadays will never understand the joy that these little bubbles have given us. You’ll still see these bubble glue in certain shops today.
11. Brick Game
Raise your hand if you got stuck with a “brick game” back in the day because your folks figured it was basically a Gameboy. We’ve all been there! Tetris, aka the brick game in the old days, was the OG.
It was a rare sight not to spot a serious-faced kid gripping one of these and owning the game. Times have changed, though now we’ve got fancier games on our phones!
Feeling old yet? Nostalgia is often triggered by something reminding you of a happier time. Whether it’s an old commercial or a book from your past, those sure were some good times.
What other ways did you find to keep yourself entertained at home as a kid from the ’90s? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Also read: 7 Things to Do This December in Kuala Lumpur When Beach Plans are Foiled by Rain
