Furby (Tiger Electronics, 1998)

The Furby (1998) by Tiger Electronics was the must-have toy of the late 90s — a furry, owl-like animatronic creature that could "learn" English over time, starting with its own Furbish language. It had motorized eyes, ears, and a beak, plus infrared communication so Furbies could "talk" to each other. The toy was so popular it caused genuine shopping pandemonium during the 1998 holiday season.

Original 1998 Furbies are collectible because they were a genuine cultural phenomenon. They were banned from NSA offices (fears of recording conversations), bootlegged worldwide, and are now a recognizable symbol of late-90s consumer culture. The first generation — before the 2005 and 2012 redesigns — is the one collectors want. Rare colorways and special editions can command surprising prices.

When buying, check that the motor mechanism works — a Furby that won't move or speak is a parts unit. Put in fresh batteries and verify the eyes, ears, and beak all move. The fur condition matters: matted, stained, or moth-eaten fur kills the value. Check the battery compartment for corrosion. A Furby in its original box with the tag, instruction manual, and all packaging is worth multiples of a loose one. Some colors are harder to find than others — check which variant you're looking at.