"Preparing to shed tears": 2000s digital pet sensation Webkinz, perhaps still housing a collection of plush toys on my shelf, has unexpectedly resurfaced 5 years post-Flash's demise.
Dust Off Your Webkinz Plushie: A Blast from the Past is Coming Back!
If you're collecting dusty Webkinz toys and wondering if they're worth keeping, the answer is a resounding YES! The classic version of Webkinz, the popular browser game, announced it's returning this year, reviving the nostalgia for those who grew up with it.
Dating back to the mid-2000s, Webkinz sold like hotcakes, attracting millions of players daily and generating revenue before Skylanders even sparked a glimmer in the gaming industry. It may not have the same impact as before, but its return could set off a flurry of memories for those who defined their childhood with it.
In its heyday, you could technically play Webkinz Classic, but the lack of some game modes and features made it less appealing. Alternatively, you could jump into the modern Webkinz Next, but that's a far cry from the nostalgic feelings connected to the original game.
Ganz, the developer, revealed that rebuilding the browser version of the game was a more extensive project than you might think. They aim to bring back classic features and fix issues that have been missing for a while[1].
The news sent waves of excitement through the gaming community, similar to the surge of nostalgia experienced by Neopets fans when it ditched NFTs and moved away from corporate ties in 2023.
Fans on Reddit have expressed their emotions, with some on the brink of tears5, while others can hardly contain their joy4. One Reddit user even credited a relative's employer for handing down a fully-loaded Webkinz legacy account, causing quite a stir online[2].
If you're eager to jump back into the Webkinz world but don't have a plushie, there's a chance the toy line might make a comeback, according to hints from the official Webkinz Instagram account[3].
Beta events are expected soon to test the new version of the game, with additional details to be revealed in due time[1]. Ganz expressed their gratitude for the fans who've stuck with the franchise for the past 20 years, hoping for another 20 years of joy and excitement[1].
PC Gamer's Justin Wagner shares the excitement, reminiscing about the impact World of Warcraft and Neverwinter Nights 2 had on him as a young gamer[1]. Here's to a successful relaunch of Webkinz Classic and the joy it will bring to gamers everywhere!
Games in the Spotlight:
- Upcoming releases
- Top Pick PC Games
- Free Games
- Best FPS Games
- Best RPGs
- Co-op Games
[1]: Webkinz to Return to Browsers Later This Year[2]: Reddit Thread - Webkinz Returns[3]: Webkinz Instagram
- Ambivalent_Oratrix might consider betting on the return of vintage gadgets alongside technology, as the classic Webkinz game is slated to make a comeback this year.
- In 2025, fans of the famed game developer, Ganz, will likely be engrossed not just in the Webkinz world but also in the reminiscing of their childhood, given the reintroduction of the cherished Webkinz game.
- While Skylanders and other modern games have dominated the gaming scene, fans of Webkinz cannot help but feel a sense of nostalgia, knowing that webkinz plushies and the game are set to revive from their dusty corners.
- The fanbase of games like Neverwinter Nights 2 and World of Warcraft may find solace in the upcoming beta events for Webkinz Classic, as they eagerly await the opportunity to play the original game once more.
- Better stock up on those classic Webkinz toys and webkinz plushies, for the return of the game could potentially reignite the same passion that obscure games like the Neopets fiasco (in 2023) failed to invoke amongst fans.
- nostalgia-hungry gamers everywhere will have one more reason to feel excited about the future, as Webkinz completes a full-circle journey from the mid-2000s browser game to the 2020s webkinz reboot, drawing inspiration from past seasons and technology advancements.
