The older you grow, the easier it is to forget the all-encompassing desire for this year's must-have Christmas toy.

There was always one thing you would name on your Santa letter, talk to your parents about, tell your friends you were definitely getting.

And if you did get to rip open a package with it in on December 25, the joy was like nothing else on Earth.

As long ago as it seems, children still do it now, and they're still flocking to the big-selling, best-loved characters and toys they always have, say Toys "R" Us .

The toy giant opened their first five stores in the UK in 1985, when Transformers (Robots in Disguise) ruled the universe and a slow and unwieldy Amstrad Home Computer System was considered the ultimate state-of-the-art computer game.
Tall Order: But Geoffrey and Toys "R" Us have released their list of 30 years bestselling toys

But although it's all changed, there's a lot that remains the same.

In 1992 Thunderbirds Tracy Island created queues galore as the popular toy became a must-have for the second time in history; and it has huge potential to be the top winner again in 2015.

Favourites Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are set to be a key performer with their giant Leo playset, 25 years after they first appeared in the Toys “R” Us Top Christmas toys list.

Star Wars has been a key range, and new generations will be ignited by the latest toys as Lucasfilms gear up for the launch of the new movie episode - Star Wars – The Force Awakens.

Now the 90-store chain has released a ‘ Toy Timeline ’ to show the toys of choice over the last three decades.

30 years of Christmas bestsellers

1985 - Transformers, Robots in Disguise Optimus Prime
Robots in disguise: The 1985 Transformers storm was all-encompassing for Toys "R" Us

The vehicles that switched from vehicle to robot and back again were in huge demand at Christmas.

1986 - Football Stickers
Panini perfection: The evergreen Football Stickers were much loved in 1986

Just 10p per pack and the year of the World Cup – and Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal – sparked a nationwide playground sticker craze.

1987 - Sylvanian Families
Velvety cuteness: The 1987 Sylvanian Family was much the same as the popular brand is nowadays

The cute little animal families came with hundreds of accessories – everything from houses to clothes and even table ornaments.

1988 - Ghostbusters Proton Pack
Ghost busting: The Proton pack brought the magic of the Hollywood hit to your home

Kids everywhere wanted a replica ‘proton pack’ to capture spooks just like the classic film and cartoon series.

1989 - Batman Batmobile
Drive on: Unlike the film version, The Batmobile toy wasn't a supercar

Batmania swept the UK with the launch of Tim Burton’s Batman movie, starring Jack Nicholson as the Joker.

1990 - Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles
Half shell: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have come round again, but they wowed children first in 1990 under different name

The ‘heroes in a half-shell’ (Michelangelo, Donatello, Leonardo and Raphael) came kung fu kicking their way out of the sewers of New York and into the hearts of UK youngsters before we were allowed to call them ninjas.

1991 - GameBoy
Handheld fun: The design classic Gameboy first stuffed stockings in 1991

Nintendo launched the pocket-sized computer game in the UK to a rapturous reception.

1992 - Thunderbirds Tracy Island
Thunderbirds go: Tracy Island was a big hitter with kids at Christmas in 1992

Thunderbirds was reborn and dads treated their kids to the famous ‘Tracy Island’ causing queues galore at Christmas.

1993 - Barbie
Dolled up: Barbies are perennial favourites, but the topped the charts in 1993

Ever popular, the beautiful and perfect Barbie was a huge favourite for girls this year.

1994 - Power Rangers Figures
Go team: Back in 1994 the Power Rangers were the hot brand to have

The launch of Power Rangers caused worldwide demand with their ‘GO GO Power Rangers theme tune.

1995 - POGS

A new craze swept the school playgrounds and became a sensational success. These little ‘milk caps’ were meant to be collected – and flipped like outsize tiddlywinks.

1996 - Toy Story Buzz Lightyear
Infinity calls: The popularity of Buzz Lightyear started in 1996 with the first Toy Story film (
Image:
SWNS)

The Pixar movie opened in the UK setting a new standard for animation and making overnight sensation of Buzz Lightyear.

1997 - Teletubbies and Tamagotchis tied
TV treats: The Teletubbies were the winners of the top gong in 1997

Uh-oh! Teletubbies took the BBC by storm and Tamagotchi became the new playground craze as virtual pets came over from Japan.
Tech gifts: The 1997 toys were ruled by Tamagotchi, too

The egg-shaped virtual pet sold more than 40 million pieces in 1997.

Both toys created massive queues at stores as Toys R Us made overnight deliveries to cope with demand.

1998 - Furby
Big sound: The Furby craze was massive in the late '90s (
Image:
Jonathan Brady / PA)

Furby, the Interactive Pet from Bandai launched in late October and became the big Christmas toy.

1999 - Who wants to be a Millionaire?
Game time: Fortunately the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire game didn't come with Chris Tarrant (
Image:
ITV)

Chris Tarrant’s popular TV quiz got the nation guessing and a new board game and interactive game flew off the shelves.

2000 - Teksta the Robotic Dogs
Pets at home: The Teksta pups were doggy fun without the mess

Teksta became a popular interactive pet – his artificial intelligence responded to light, sound, touch and infra-red.

2001 - Bob the Builder
Mr Fixit: Bob the Builder was a chart star, TV icon and popular plaything

Loved by all, Bob and his pals, Scoop, Muck and Dizzy were on all pre-schoolers’ wish lists.

2002 - Bratz Dolls
Model army: Bratz dolls outmoded Barbie with their modern looks and style

Bratz, the dolls with a ‘passion for fashion’ arrived in town, putting Barbie’s nose out of joint.

2003 - Beyblades

A new Japanese phenomenon - Beyblades, the battling spinning tops took UK playgrounds by storm and became a hit for Christmas.

2004 - Robosapien

The radio control robot with NASA technology was in big demand with last minute deliveries being made to Toys R Us stores.

2005 - Tamagotchi
It's back: And the modern Tamagotchi stole children's hearts all over again

Tamagotchi was relaunched as the new playground craze.

2006 - Doctor Who

‘Cyberman’ Mask stormed into the UK market with a huge range of toys from the new series, the new generation Doctor Who fans were born.

2007 - In the Night Garden Iggle Piggle
Night night: Iggle Piggle heralded the takeover of the Derek Jacobi-voiced TV hit

Newcomer Iggle Piggle from In the Night Garden was loved by little ones.

2008 - High School Musical Dance Mat

High School Musical became a musical phenomenon and reached popularity stakes in the toy sections.

2009 - Go Go Pet Hamsters

These mechanical little rodents became the must-have toy with shelves being restocked on a daily basis.

2010 - Jet Pack Buzz Lightyear
Space time: There was a Buzz about Toy Story 3 in 2010

Toy Story 3 influenced British shoppers and was catapulted back into the limelight with the release of the new movie.

2011 - Leapfrogs LeapPad Explorer Tablet

Inspirational interactive and educational learning toys made the year a techno led season for knowledgeable kids.

2012 - Skylanders Giants
Big adventures: Skylanders Giants were the video game that kept on giving

Skylanders took the UK by storm and continued to grow in popularity with games players and its combination of toy with technology onscreen.

2013 - FURBY Boom
Digi toys: Furby Boom collects digital eggs, hatch them, and raise a city of virtual Furby Furblings

This one performed on the cute stakes, as its advanced features won the hearts of the family and once again identified toy and technology combination as winners.

2014 - FROZEN Snow Glow Elsa
Let go: But the Snow Glow Elsa was a firm 2014 favourite for kids

The country went crazy and really ‘Let it Go’ with Frozen Fever sweeping the nation.

2015 – What will hit the top spot this year from this lot?

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