Spotlight On! – THQ Strawberry Shortcake

As of now I’ve decided, apart from reviewing/commentating on new, modern and upcoming doll lines, I might as well do the same with some vintage/retro ones, as vintage toys are just as much my passion as modern ones are! I don’t know how often I’ll be able to write up these little ‘Spotlight On!’ pieces, or any much content for that matter as at the moment I am currently entering Term Three at school, Semester Two (for those outside of AUS, Term Three is one of the most work-intensive terms at school, especially for a Year 12 such as myself). In this coming week I have two tests to start off and I know the assignments are just going to keep flooding in from there until the holidays, so this could be my last post for a little while, so I’ll try to make it a good one!

Everyone remembers Strawberry Shortcake right? I mean, she’s still being sold today, and if you’re a modern human, you’re probably picturing her like this;

Source: strawberryshortcakeberrybitty.wikia.com

Or perhaps you’re like me, who grew up in the 2000s with SSC looking like this;

Source: www.picgifs.com

Or maybe you’re older and remember her like this, in her original, sweet rag-doll incarnation;

Source: www.pinterest.com

But not many people are aware that there was another incarnation bridging the gap between the original and the so-called ‘second’ incarnation, who chronologically speaking, would actually be the third. Say hello to THQ (The Toy Headquarters)’s 1991 remake of Strawberry Shortcake, also known to some as ‘90s Strawberry Shortcake‘;

Source: flickrhivemind.net

As I stated above, The Toy Headquarters gave SSC a reboot in 1991. Made using the original Kenner moulds (albeit with improved production quality – fingers and toes were now well-defined and lacked the ridge of excess plastic seen on some older dolls). SSC and her friends were updated for the new decade with larger eyes and hip 90s fashion (which, in some cases, has not aged all too well).

Source: www.flickriver.com

The actual story behind the dolls and the way they were packaged was that each one came with a ‘Strawberryland’ outfit (a recreation of their original outfit from the first incarnation) and their ‘real-world’ outfit, as the idea was that the characters had crossed over to the modern world. The removable backdrops included with the dolls also reflected this, having a scene in Strawberryland, with a real-world scene mirroring it on the flipside.

Source: mycreativepursuits.blogspot.com

The line included Strawberry herself in four different outfit sets and Lemon Meringue, Raspberry Tart, Blueberry Muffin, Lime Chiffon and Orange Blossom each in one outfit set. Each set was themed, such as Berry Best Party, Rock ‘n Berry Roll, Berry Fun Shopping, etc, and included the appropriate outfit plus the original for that character. Also included in the line were re-releases of a few playsets and the SSC Blowkiss Baby Doll (but not any of the other characters).

Source: www.toyzdollz.com

Despite the increased quality from the originals, the THQ line evidently wasn’t very popular, as it was discontinued the same year, and the dolls themselves fetch very little on the resale market, despite the fact that most of them are MIP (mint in package, that is, have never been opened) which makes me think that collectors (or store employees) ended up buying them when they went on steep discount and stashing them away…

Source: ink361.com

But, all this aside, what do I think of these dolls? To be honest, I probably like them more than the originals mainly for their facial screening and increased quality, plus how easy they are to come by, even in perfect condition. I’m actually quite fond of their cheesy 90s aesthetic in the most part and I just generally think that they’re pretty damn cute!

How can I possibly say no to their cute little faces?
Source: www.mercadolibre.com.mx

So what do you guys think? Is THQ SSC for you? Too tacky and outdated? Adorable cuties? Too similar to the originals to justify purchasing them? Comment below!