35 Discontinued Products People Desperately Want to Return

Nothing lasts forever. All good things come to an end. Yesterday is history. Unless you’re talking about one of your favorite discontinued products, in which case no words have the power to take their place. 

We may not be able to bring these much-loved items back, but we can enjoy reminiscing about how much they meant to us. Get ready for a nostalgia trip with 35 of the most missed discontinued products. 

1. Butterfinger BBs

Launched: 1992*

Discontinued: 2006

*Note: Launched dates and discontinued dates weren’t available for every product on this list. Educated guesses are noted.

Bottom Line: Butterfinger BBs

Imagine an entire Butterfinger bar shrunk down into little balls, and you have the early 1990s delight that was Butterfinger BBs. Even Bart Simpson loved them.

However, BBs were discontinued in 2006. Fans were distraught, leading to the introduction of Butterfinger Bites in 2009.

But fans were still distraught. They were completely different.

2. McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie

Launched (estimate): 1968

Discontinued: 1992

Bottom Line: McDonald’s Fried Apple Pie

McDonald’s stopped frying its super-popular apple pies — the first dessert ever served at the fast-food restaurant — in 1992.

The company claimed it was because customers wanted a healthier option (they switched from frying to baking the product), but many disagreed. 

Luckily, various recipes are available on YouTube for those still hankering after that moreish crispy crust.

3. Pound Puppies

Launched: 1984

Discontinued: 2002

Bottom Line: Pound Puppies

If you weren’t bewitched by the hangdog eyes of a Pound Puppy in the mid to late 1980s, you didn’t have a heart. Created by Mike Bowling and sold by toy truck brand Tonka, they came in a range of colors and even had their own wardrobes and feline friends, if cats with sad faces were more your thing. 

After disappearing from shelves after about a decade, Pound Puppies were revived by a 2010 animated TV show, but that was short-lived as well.

The good news is that you can pick up original Pound Puppies on eBay at inflated prices.

4. Rimmel London’s 'London Glam' Perfume

Launched: 2003

Discontinued (estimate): Mid-2000s

Bottom Line: Rimmel London’s ‘London Glam’ Perfume

It was advertised by Kate Moss, which was enough to make millions of young girls want to douse themselves in Rimmel London’s "London Glam" perfume.

They just wanted to smell like Kate, even if the result was a bit like shampoo.

Moss launched her own fragrance in 2007, a few years after "London Glam" was nothing but a fond, soapy memory. 

5. Hershey’s Kissables

Launched: 2005

Discontinued: 2009

Bottom Line: Hershey’s Kissables

Hershey’s Kissables — colorful chocolate bites covered in chocolate, like M&Ms with a funkier shape — launched in 2005.

But they failed to set the world alight and were discontinued in 2009 due to lack of sales. 

They still have some fans, though.

6. Game Boy

Launched: 1989

Discontinued: 2003

Bottom Line: Game Boy

After the first Game Boy was released in Japan in April 1989 (it was unleashed in the U.S. a few months later), the world of gaming was never the same again. You could finally play your favorite video game outside your bedroom.

The earliest iterations of the Game Boy were discontinued in the early 2000s. And although the Nintendo DS followed in 2004, those 8-bit Game Boy graphics are unbeatable in terms of retro appeal.

7. Jell-O 1-2-3

Launched: 1969

Discontinued: 1996

Bottom Line: Jell-O 1-2-3

"Gelatin with two toppings" doesn't sound the most appealing of desserts, but there was something about Jell-O 1-2-3 that people loved — not least moms and dads who wanted to look like they knew what they were doing in the kitchen.

It was a mainstay in U.S. kitchens, presumably when people realized that the steps involved in getting the Jell-O to separate into three distinct layers were actually pretty time-consuming.

8. Ralph Lauren's 'Tuxedo' Perfume

Launched: 1979

Discontinued (estimate): 1990s

Bottom Line: Ralph Lauren’s 'Tuxedo' Perfume

Introduced in 1979 (as the "evening fragrance for a true femme fatale," according to Fragrantica) and discontinued in the 1990s, demand is high for Ralph Lauren’s "Tuxedo" perfume.

It’s sometimes for sale on eBay, as are empty "collectible" bottles. 

9. Hostess Choco-Bliss

Launched (estimate): 1980s

Discontinued (estimate): 1980s

Bottom Line: Hostess Choco-Bliss

Gone but not forgotten, Hostess Choco-Bliss was a chocolate lover’s dream.

You can try to make your own, but it probably won’t be as creamy or as messy as the original.

Some consolation is that the 1986 Choco-Bliss commercial is on YouTube. 

10. Urban Decay Naked Palette

Launched: 2010

Discontinued: 2018

Bottom Line: Urban Decay Naked Palette

Urban Decay caused a stir in 2018 when it announced it would no longer make its best-selling Naked Palette, a collection of 12 eyeshadow colors that included both warm and neutral shades in matte and shimmer finishes.

"The devastation is palpable," wrote Elle. This wasn’t an exaggeration. There was even a "funeral" in California, with a eulogy by Nicole Richie.

11. P.B. Crisps

Launched (estimate): Mid-1990s 

Discontinued (estimate): Mid-1990s

Bottom Line: P.B. Crisps

The mid-1990s snack food P.B. Crisps — bite-size snacks with a cookie coating on the outside and creamy peanut butter on the inside — were amazing with a glass of cold milk.

"Why on earth would you discontinue these?" wrote "The Fanatic," who surely deserves the accolade of the biggest P.B. Crisps fan in the world.

Or at least the most dedicated, as he has a website and several social media pages dedicated to the snack. 

12. Skip-It

Launched (estimate): 1980s

Discontinued: 2009

Bottom Line: Skip-It

One of the hottest toys of the 1990s thanks to a makeover and the backing of Nickelodeon, parents liked Skip-Its almost as much as kids — at least they got them moving.

But the winning simplicity of the original design (you put the loop over one ankle, then swung it around your feet in circles, hopping over it with your other leg) was lost in future iterations.

 

13. McDonald’s Onion Nuggets

Launched (estimate): 1970s 

Discontinued: 1979

Bottom Line: McDonald’s Onion Nuggets

Introduced in the 1970s, McDonald’s Onion Nuggets were replaced by their Chicken McNuggets, leaving lots of customers protesting that there is more than enough room on the menu for two types of nuggets.

"People have said they were like onion rings, but easier to eat, and who would be opposed to that," wrote the person who launched a petition to bring back the Onion Nuggets.

Indeed.

14. VW Type 2

Launched: 1950

Discontinued: 2013

Bottom Line: VW Type 2

Although the VW Type 2 minibus is technically still in production today, it’s quite a different vehicle than the classic hippie bus of the 1960s.

The "original" minibus was produced in Brazil until 2013, when new legislation required all vehicles to be fitted with airbags and antilock brakes.

Volkswagen was unable to implement this in the Type 2, so it was a farewell to the ultimate road trip companion.

15. The Body Shop Perfume Oil

Launched (estimate): 1990s 

Discontinued (estimate): 1990s

Bottom Line: The Body Shop Perfume Oil

If you’re lucky, you’ll find The Body Shop perfume oil on eBay, but nothing compares to the experience of going into the store and testing a million different oils on the inside of your wrist before deciding which one to spend your pocket money on.

A standard Saturday afternoon for a teenage girl in the 1990s was deliberating between Fuzzy Peach and Dewberry. 

16. Frank ’n Stuff Hot Dogs

Launched (estimate): 1986 

Discontinued (estimate): 1990s

Bottom Line: Frank ’n Stuff Hot Dogs

What makes a hot dog better? A chili or cheese filling, of course.

This was the unique selling point (USP) for Frank 'n Stuff Wieners, which weren’t on sale for long but were the highlight of a hot dog lover’s snack time.

Unless the piping hot filling gave your mouth and throat third-degree burns, that is.

17. HitClips

Launched: 1999

Discontinued: 2004

Bottom Line: HitClips

Created by Tiger Electronics, HitClips were tiny stereos that came with mini memory-card-like cartridges that played 60-second clips of your favorite songs.

Yes, it was a ridiculous way to listen to music, but in the early Noughties, it was also extremely cool to have a bunch of cartridges clipped to your keychain.

MP3 players like iPods soon took over as the ultimate audio status symbol. 

18. Carnation Breakfast Bar

Launched (estimate): 1975 

Discontinued (estimate): 1993

Bottom Line: Carnation Breakfast Bar

Marketed as "the instant breakfast you can get your teeth into," the Carnation Breakfast Bar was a morning mainstay for school kids, college students and young adults.

Decades later, some fans of the Carnation Breakfast Bar are still emotionally distraught over its disappearance from the market. Flavors included Peanut Butter and Granola, Peanut Butter Crunch and Chocolate Crunch.

Many have petitioned to bring the snack back, but the makers haven't budged. And so the people have taken matters into their own hands. Many fans now make versions of the breakfast bars at home.

19. Squeezit

Launched (estimate): Mid-1980s 

Discontinued: 2001

Relaunched: 2006

Discontinued again: 2007

Bottom Line: Squeezit

The most significant appeal of General Mills’ fruity juice Squeezit was the packaging: You just ripped off the top and squeezed.

This took away from the terrible flavors and lack of any kind of sugary kick, and ensured its survival from the mid-1980s to 2001.

They made a short-lived comeback in 2006, but disappeared from shelves again in 2007, this time for good.

20. Poo-Chis

Launched: 2000

Discontinued: 2002

Bottom Line: Poo-Chis

One of the first generations of robotic animal toys, Poo-Chis were the next best thing if your parents wouldn’t let you have a real dog.

They were released in 2000 and were a big deal for around two years, when kids realized that FurReal Friends did everything Poo-Chis did, but were softer and more huggable, just like real pets.

But many still think fondly of the OG robopet, with its pink tongue and red LED display for eyes.

21. Benefit Moon Beam Highlighter

Launched: Unable to determine

Discontinued: Unable to determine

Bottom Line: Benefit Moon Beam Highlighter

You can still get Benefit Sun Beam and High Beam highlighters at selected outlets, but that’s no consolation if Moon Beam was your go-to for subtle bronze illumination.

It wasn’t too frosty or too warm, meaning it looked great on a wide range of skin tones. 

22. Clackers

Launched (estimate): 1960s 

Discontinued: 1976

Bottom Line: Clackers

First of all, Clackers are still around, but not as kids of the 1960s and 1970s remember them. Their original design was basic (two acrylic balls attached to each end of a string, designed to be smacked together with satisfying force) but unfortunately dangerous.

Too much force, and the toy could explode, leading in one instance to the remarkably titled 1976 case, "United States v. An Article of Hazardous Substance Consisting of 50,000 Cardboard Boxes More or Less, Each Containing One Pair of Clacker Balls," which led to the ban of acrylic Clackers.

23. Erector Sets

Launched: 1913

Discontinued: 1980

Bottom Line: Erector Sets

Decades before toy stores were endless aisles of plastic, Erector Sets gave kids hours of fun. Created in 1913, they consisted of metal beams of various sizes, nuts and bolts that kids could build whatever they wanted with.

Over the years, they became more complicated, with the range expanding to include trains, power plants and even a fully functioning Ferris Wheel.

They were discontinued in the 1980s, and no modern copycats have matched the magic.

24. Chevy Nova

Launched: 1968

Discontinued: 1979

Relaunched: 1983

Discontinued again: 1985

Bottom Line: Chevy Nova

The popular, economical Chevy Nova was produced between 1968 and 1979 and then again between 1983 and 1985.

While it doesn’t have a place on today’s roads, it remains one of the most missed vintage cars.

"The Chevy Nova was just right when it came to size, speed, and affordability," writes Greg Wiesen at Auto Influence.

25. Eggo Waf-fulls

Launched (estimate): 2000

Discontinued: 2008

Bottom Line: Eggo Waf-fulls

Long before the humble Eggo became synonymous with pop culture thanks to Eleven in "Stranger Things," fans of the Kellogg’s waffles couldn’t get enough of the maple syrup or fruit-flavored jelly filling.

They were discontinued in 2008 after about eight years on the shelves — and in the bellies of many sweet-toothed Americans. 

26. Pizzarias Pizza Chips

Launched (estimate): 1980s

Discontinued (estimate): 1990s

Bottom Line: Pizzarias Pizza Chips

Pizzarias, bite-sized pizza-flavored chips, were popular in the '80s but discontinued in the '90s.

So far, attempts by consumers to bring them back have failed, but hardcore fans continue to keep the Pizzarias love alive on social media.

27. Ford Thunderbird

Launched: 1955

Discontinued: 2005

Bottom Line: Ford Thunderbird

The Ford Thunderbird is a prime example of an iconic car whose comeback was ruined by poor product development decisions. 'Bird fans don't want the Noughties models back. They want a classic from the 1950s, 1960s or 1970s.

In late 2018, Marilyn Monroe’s black '56 Thunderbird sold for $490,000 at auction. 

28. Lotus Esprit

Launched: 1976

Discontinued: 2004

Bottom Line: Lotus Esprit

Another iconic car was the Lotus Esprit, a sleek status symbol of the 1970s and 1980s.

It also played a role in several movies and TV shows, including "Pretty Woman" and the early Bond movies.

The car went out of production in 2004 and later plans to redevelop it were shelved in 2014.

29. Taco Bell’s Bell Beefer

Launched: 1962

Discontinued (estimate): Early 1980s 

Bottom Line: Taco Bell’s Bell Beefer

Fans of Taco Bell’s original 1962 menu might have fond memories of the Bell Beefer, its version of a Sloppy Joe.

It was dropped when the fast-food chain became 100 percent Tex-Mex in the early 1980s.

But social media keeps its memory alive, like one Facebook page that refuses to quit.  

30. Nabisco Swiss Cheese Crackers

Launched: Unable to determine

Discontinued: Unable to determine

Bottom Line: Nabisco Swiss Cheese Crackers

Nabisco Swiss Cheese Crackers were heaven for those who liked their Swiss cheese in salty, cracker form.

The product was discontinued, which upset many who loved their Swiss cheese-flavored crackers. There’s even a Facebook page called "Bring Back Nabisco Swiss Cheese Crackers!" dedicated to its revival. 

The good news is that Christie Swiss Cheese Crackers have been identified as a tasty alternative — if you don’t mind getting them in Canada.

31. Magic Burst Pop-Tarts

Launched: 1999

Discontinued: Unavailable

Bottom Line: Magic Burst Pop-Tarts

There’s nothing worse than deciding on your favorite flavor of Pop-Tart only for it to be relegated to the breakfast snack history books.

That’s what happened for many Pop-Tart devotees when the "Magic Burst" flavor was discontinued. That color explosion is gone, but never forgotten. 

32. Coty 'Ghost Myst' Perfume

Launched: 1995

Discontinued: Unable to determine

Bottom Line: Coty 'Ghost Myst' Perfume

Launched in 1995, Coty’s "Ghost Myst" perfume quickly became a staple on the teen makeup table.

Aside from the "intriguing" scent, users dug the mysterious, spooky name.

It contains notes of berries, mandarin, peach, magnolia and musk, if you’re interested.

33. Oral-B Brush-Ups

Launched: Unable to determine

Discontinued: 2007

Bottom Line: Oral-B Brush-Ups

Oral-B Brush-Ups, textured teeth wipes that you could use to clean your teeth and freshen your breath on the go, fit snugly onto your fingertip and didn’t need any water or rinsing.

They’ve been missed since they were discontinued in 2007. Although other similar products are available, aficionados say they’re just not quite the same.

34. BlackBerry Phones

Launched: 1999

Discontinued: 2016

Bottom Line: BlackBerry Phones

Before you scoff from behind the touch screen of your iPhone, don’t forget that in the early 2010s, the BlackBerry was the coolest phone around.

And it’s still dearly missed by those who find it difficult to use a touchscreen — or just don’t like them. RIP, QWERTY phone.

35. Jumbo Nerds

Launched: Unable to determine

Discontinued: Unable to determine

Bottom Line: Jumbo Nerds

One of the most iconic '80s candy options, Nerds — small, irregularly shaped pieces of candy that came in two different flavors in each box — came in different varieties.

The best had to be Jumbo Nerds, which were bigger than the original and came in more flavors.

But while regular Nerds are still around, their more substantial cousins bit the dust years ago.

Let's End on a High Note With Planters Cheez Balls

Launched (estimated): 1990s 

Discontinued: 2006

Temporarily relaunched: July 2018

Relaunched permanently: August 2019

Bottom Line: Planters Cheez Balls

Here's proof that you should never give up on that discontinued product you still pine for.

Planters Cheez Balls were discontinued in 2006, temporarily brought back in July 2018, and in August 2019, the company announced — to the delight of fans of the iconic '90s cheesy snack — that it was returning as a permanent addition. 

Related: Best Discontinued Snack Foods