how to find points of discontinuity

Discontinued Products We All Want Back

Photo Courtesy: Lars Frantzen/Wikimedia

Companies discontinue products all the time. Sometimes, it's because they weren't selling enough. Other times, it's because they've become outdated. And a lot of the time, it's just because they've just decided to pursue something newer and "better."

But just because the corporate bigwigs think a product is no longer valuable doesn't mean everyone agrees. Consumers have repeatedly asked for the 30 items on this list to come back. What would you like to see back on the supermarket shelf?

Nintendo Game Boy

First introduced in 1989, the Nintendo Game Boy was an immediate hit. Children and adults alike both loved the video game console you could hold in your hand. Features included an adjustable contrast dial, five control buttons, adjustable volume, and usually an included game cartridge, like Tetris or Super Mario World.

Photo Courtesy: Alexander Antropov/Pixabay

Of course, the 8-bit console quickly became outdated, and Nintendo moved on to newer and better things. By 2003, the first iteration of the Game Boy had been discontinued. The Nintendo DS was introduced in 2004, but it's just not the same!

The Body Shop Perfume Oil

There were a few fashion essentials a 90s girl couldn't live without. Scrunchies, combat boots, slip dresses, chokers and overalls (with one strap left undone) all come to mind. And of course, no 90s ensemble was complete without some strawberry body oil.

Photo Courtesy: Numark 2002/Wikimedia

Released sometime in the 1990s and discontinued shortly thereafter, The Body Shop's Perfume Oils were the fragrance of the decade. It didn't matter if you preferred vanilla, dewberry, or white musk: There was something for everyone. Today, you can still find it on eBay and other resale sights — but it'll cost ya!

Chevy Nova

Muscle cars are uniquely American: fast, powerful and cool. The popular and affordable Chevy Nova was among the best of the best of these vehicles. Produced between 1968 and 1979, it offered an economical but still fun alternative to more expensive models.

Photo Courtesy: crudmucosa/Flickr

It's fair to say the public was disappointed when the Nova — originally called the Chevy II — went out of production. In response, Chevy briefly reintroduced the car from 1983 to 1985, but the company ultimately decided to move on to newer models. Today, a '68 Nova can go for well over $45,000.

Skip-It

Skip-It was a children's toy introduced in the 1980s. It affixed to the ankle via a plastic hoop and spun around in a 360-degree rotation while the user continuously skipped over the tether. Sound complicated? That's because it was! Many a little kid fell on his or her face while playing with Skip-It.

Photo Courtesy: Saskatoon Public Library/Wikimedia

Oddly, it was also super popular. Danger aside, children loved the fun skipping toy — and at least they got some exercise!. Tiger Electronics kept it on the market in various iterations until 2009. Today, you can find dozens of knock-offs online.

McDonald's Fried Apple Pie

If you're 30 or older, you probably remember McDonald's fried apple pies. These pastries were flaky, crispy and just the right amount of sweet — in short, amazing. Then in 1992, the chain did the unthinkable: They discontinued everyone's favorite dessert! Or at least, they stopped frying it.

Photo Courtesy: Betsy Weber/Flickr

While McDonald's still carries apple pies, they're baked, not fried. The chain claims that the change was in response to customers asking for healthier options. Many customers disagree. Luckily, you can easily find copycat recipes online and make your own fried apple pies at home!

Jell-O-1-2-3

Jell-O-1-2-3 was around for an astonishing 27 years. First launched in 1969, the fun dessert was essentially a Jell-O sundae in a box: When cooled, it turned into a layer of gelatin with two different toppings: one sort of like custard, the other a slightly foamy substance.

Photo Courtesy: Lynn Greyling/Pixabay

It sounds weird, but people loved it. Still, by 1996, it had run its course. Once slightly-futuristic, the dessert was pretty old hat (and kind of hokey) by that point in time. If you're one of the millions that still misses it, however, you can find copycat recipes online.

Eggo Waf-Fulls

Eggos have seen about a million different iterations, like chocolate chip cookie dough, Froot Loops, cinnamon toast and banana bread, just to name a few. But the one discontinued variety that still gets mentioned again and again more than 10 years later is Eggo Waf-Fulls.

Photo Courtesy: Andrew Burton/Getty Images New Collection/Getty Images

Waf-Fulls were introduced in 2000 and discontinued eight years later in 2008. Each Waf-Full was filled with either maple syrup or fruit-flavored jelly: For kids, this was super fun. For busy moms, not having to worry about toppings was a game-changer. We still miss them today.

Pizzarias Pizza Chips

Back in the day, Pizzaria Pizza Chips offered a viable alternative to Doritos. Bite-sized, pizza-flavored and perfectly crispy, they were near perfection. Still, Keebler inexplicably pulled them off supermarket shelves after just a few short years. Fans were livid.

Photo Courtesy: PublicDomainPictures/Pixabay

Though the dates aren't clear, the consumer-favorite chips were introduced sometime in the 1980s and quickly discontinued by the mid-90s. Over the years, the brand was purchased by several different companies and re-issued, but the chips were never the same. Today, entire Facebook groups exist for the sole purpose of bringing them back.

Nabisco Swiss Cheese Crackers

Fact: Everyone loves crackers and cheese. It is like the perfect snack: A little bit crunchy, a little bit creamy. A whole lot delicious. But you know what's even better? Crackers and cheese all in one! And for a while, that existed.

Photo Courtesy: Rachel/Pexels

Popular in the 1980s, Nabisco's Swiss Cheese Crackers looked exactly like a tiny piece of Swiss cheese, complete with holes. They were salty, crunchy and coated with just the right amount of cheese powder. When they were discontinued, fans were horrified. Luckily, Christie Swiss Cheese Crackers offer a viable alternative.

Poo-Chis

There was a time when electronic pets were all the rage: Tamagotchis, Digimon and Giga Pets all held a brief moment of fame. But the real star of the virtual pet world was Poo-Chis. Unlike the others, Poo-Chi wasn't a two-bit graphic on a tiny screen. Poo-Chi was a real robot dog.

Photo Courtesy: YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP Collection/Getty Images

Introduced in 2000, Poo-Chi soon became a worldwide sensation. If you lived in a house where real fur babies weren't allowed, this was a fun alternative. Unfortunately, the craze only lasted until cuddlier, fuzzier FurReal Friends were introduced just two years later in 2002.

Oral-B Brush-Ups

Sometimes you gotta brush your teeth on the go: That's just a fact. And nothing is more embarrassing or awkward than whipping out your actual toothbrush and toothpaste in public. No one wants to see you spit into the restroom sink!

Photo Courtesy: Oral-B/Wikimedia

For a while, Oral-B Brush-Ups offered a way to clean your teeth on the run without the embarrassment. The small, textured wipes made it easy to swipe away any gross residue while on the run. They've been missed since they were discontinued in 2007, but it doesn't seem that there are any plans to bring them back.

Ford Thunderbird

There are some cars that become a classic as soon as they're introduced. The Ford Thunderbird was one of those vehicles. First launched in 1955, the Thunderbird — a sporty two-seat convertible — was instantly iconic. Stars like Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe snatched them up.

Photo Courtesy: Ermell/Wikimedia

Over the years, the Thunderbird went through several different iterations, but nothing was ever as good as the classics from the 50s or 60s. In fact, many people argue that the early 2000s revamp was downright laughable. Today, an early model can go for well over 20 grand.

P.B. Crisps

If you were a child of the 90s, you probably remember Planter's P.B. Crisps quite fondly. Peanut-shaped cookies filled with peanut butter, they were an immediate hit. Words can't hit the mark here, as it's impossible to describe how incredibly perfect they actually were.

Photo Courtesy: InOttowa.ca/Wikimedia

Oddly, by 1995, Planters decided to do away with the Crisps after only a few years on market. Rabid fans are still calling for their return, with several online groups dedicated solely to this purpose. Hopefully, Planters will choose to go the way of the Cheese Ball and bring these back as well.

Squeezit

Squeezit was a fruit-flavored beverage produced by General Mills from the mid-1980s until 2001. Notice how we said fruit-flavored: That's because it contained no actual juice, and all of the varieties actually tasted pretty terrible. It's astounding that people still want them back.

Photo Courtesy: Bloomberg/Bloomberg Collection/Getty Images

So, what's the appeal? We're guessing pure novelty. Kids loved the fact that you could just rip off the top of the bottle and then squeeze the drink into your mouth. Squeezit was even popular enough to have a brief comeback in 2006, but it was already off the shelves again by '07.

Frank N' Stuff Wieners

What's even better than a hot dog topped with chili? A hot dog stuffed with chili! And from 1986 through the mid-1990s, Hormel offered just that. Their popular Frank n' Stuff weiners came stuff with either chili or cheese, and people loved them.

Photo Courtesy: Fernando Villalobos/Pixabay

Why were they discontinued? No one knows. However, Hormel introduced six new products between 1986 and 1987 alone, so it's likely that the Frank n' Stuff just wasn't performing as well. You can make your own variation at home by splitting a hot dog and stuffing it full of Hormel chili.

Hostess Choco Bliss

Hostess' Choco Bliss has been described as the ultimate chocolate snack and a chocolate lovers dream. Why? Because it contained layers of moist chocolate cake, gooey chocolate cream and rich chocolate icing. Sheer choco-heaven.

Photo Courtesy: Evan-Amos/Wikipedia

Unfortunately, the Choco Bliss went the way of the dinosaur after just a few short years. Hostess introduced several similar cakes, such as Zingers and Chocodiles, but fans say they're just not the same. Best bet? Try and make your own at home, although they won't be nearly as delicious.

Butterfinger BBs

Launched in 1992, Butterfinger BBs quickly became a pop culture sensation, in large part due to advertising on The Simpsons. Essentially, they were a smaller version of the popular Butterfinger candy bar — with its crisp, orange-colored, peanut butter filling — shrunk down into marble size.

Photo Courtesy: Dat Nguyen/Flickr

Unfortunately, BBs were discontinued in 2006. Fans were outraged, and in 2009, the product was brought back as Butterfinger Mini Bites. Many consumers claim, however, that the Mini Bites are nothing like BBs, and there is even a petition on change.org to bring back the original.

BlackBerry

Do you remember getting your first cell phone? If you're a millennial, you know that the first mobile phones weren't remotely cool. They were big, awkward and didn't do much other than make an actual call. That's why when BlackBerries were introduced in 1999, they became an instant hit.

Photo Courtesy: GoodFreePhotos

Although the phone initially started out as a businessman's go-to device, it quickly gained popularity as celebrities like Paris Hilton were seen in public texting away. By the mid-2000s the popularity had waned as smartphones gained traction, and by 2016, the product was discontinued.

Magic Burst Pop-Tarts

If anything can be said about Pop-Tarts, it's that there are constantly a lot of fun new flavors. Some of our favorites have included S'Mores, Hot Fudge Sundae and Lava Berry Explosion. But the real crème de la crème was Magic Burst Pop-Tarts.

Photo Courtesy: Evan-Amos/Wikimedia

Launched in 1999, Magic Burst Pop-Tarts started out white and gradually changed colors as they warmed up in the toaster. The insides were striped with fruit-flavored fillings. In addition to being novel and fun, they were also completely delicious, and people still miss them today.

Pound Puppies

If you were a child in the 80s and you didn't have a Pound Puppy, you were probably devastated. They were the toy to own. Marketed as lovable and huggable, the stuffed dogs came in a variety of colors and patterns — but each one had the same sad hound dog eyes.

Photo Courtesy: Daniel M. Hendricks/Flickr

As far as toys go, Pound Puppies had an incredibly long run: They weren't discontinued until 2002 and were briefly revived again in 2010. If you're feeling nostalgic, you can still get an original Puppy on eBay (nametag and adoption certificate included).

McDonald's Onion Nuggets

Let's face it: Everything is better in nugget form. Chicken. Fish. Corn. Onions. Yes, onions. You may wonder why anyone would want to eat the tear-inducing vegetable in any form, but you'd be surprised at exactly how delicious an onion nugget can be!

Photo Courtesy: Michael Rivera/Wikimedia

How do we know? Because until 1979, McDonald's sold a very popular Onion Nugget side. Many people described them as like an onion ring but easier to eat. They were eventually replaced by Chicken Nuggets, but disappointed fans would still like to see them re-introduced. Can we get a petition going for these, please?

Taco Bell's Bell Beefer

Did you know that Taco Bell has been around since 1962? Back in the mid-20th century, their menu looked a lot different. One of the best products they offered was a regular old sandwich — just meat, cheese and toppings between two buns.

Photo Courtesy: Senior Airman Joanna M. Kresge/Barksdale Air Force Base

The Taco Bell Beefer, as it was called, lasted through the early 80s, but at the turn of the decade, the chain took a decidedly more Tex-Mex direction, and the sandwich was dropped. Despite the fact that it's been gone for more than 30 years, fans still long for its return.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

When you find a makeup that you love, you want it to last forever — and nothing is worse than walking into the drug store only to find that your favorite lipstick or mascara has been discontinued. That's what happened to millions of Urban Decay fans when their favorite eyeshadow palette disappeared in 2018.

Photo Courtesy: Vimeo

Urban Decay's Naked Palette, a collection of 12 warm and neutral-colored eye shadows, was introduced in 2010. Though a bit pricey, it was a favorite of celebrities and civilians alike — and people were not happy when it was pulled from shelves.

Hit Clips

Before smartphones and iPods, gaining access to your favorite music was tough. Options were limited: Buy the CDs and skip through until you find the ONE song you want to listen to, or save individual songs to your computer and make your own custom compact discs.

Photo Courtesy: Luisella Planeta Leoni/Pixabay

But in 1999, HitClips introduced a fun new way to listen to your favorite tunes. These tiny stereos came with mini cartridges that played 60-second clips of your favorite songs. Sure, it was a bit silly — but it was a novel alternative to the same old thing! They were discontinued in 2004, but fans would love to see a comeback.

Hershey's Kissables

Hershey's Kisses are another one of those candies that have seen a million different iterations: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, almond, hazelnut, mint truffle, cherry cordial. The most creative variety that Hershey's has come up with, however, is Hershey's Kissables.

Photo Courtesy: Bloomberg/Bloomberg Collection/Getty Images

Introduced in 2005, Kissables were chocolate kisses covered in a colorful candy shell (much like M&Ms, but a different shape). This seems like exactly the sort of thing kids would jump all over, but Kissables failed to gain any real popularity and were discontinued after only four years on the market.

VW Type 2

Often called the "VW Bus" or the "Hippie Van", the VW Type 2 is a true classic. No other van in the world has that same v-shaped front, and fans are rabid. To this day, there are people all over the world who spend entire weekends getting together and checking out each other's buses.

Photo Courtesy: (Joenomias) Menno de Jong/Pixabay

Unfortunately, Volkswagen was forced to halt production on the original model in 2013, when new legislation required all vehicles to be fitted with airbags and antilock brakes. Since they were unable to implement these features in the Type 2, it was the end of the road.

Lotus Esprit

As far as cars go, Lotuses have achieved true pop-culture fame. They've appeared in two James Bond Movies, Pretty Woman, Basic Instinct and many other films. There's a reason movie makers and everyone else love them so much: They're easy to drive, handle well and are drop-dead gorgeous.

Photo Courtesy: Jackson lo2007/Wikimedia

The most iconic Lotus, perhaps, is the Esprit. Launched in 1976 and discontinued in 2004, it was the car to have if you were seeking status in the 70s and 80s. Fans were sad to see it go. A relaunch was planned, but it ultimately fell through.

Clackers

First developed in the 1960s, Clackers could easily be voted "toy most likely to give you a black eye." The entire design was two acrylic balls attached to opposite ends of a string. The object was to smack them together as hard as possible, making them fly in every which direction.

Photo Courtesy: marianne muegenburg cothern/Flickr

For kids, potentially watching your friend get smacked in the face with a flying object is pure joy. For parents, not so much. Clackers are still around today but in a much different form. They're still fairly fun, though, and you probably won't take out an eye.

Carnation Breakfast Bar

If you think breakfast bars or cereal bars are a relatively new creation, think again. Carnation was rocking the breakfast bar game all the way back in '75. Marketed as "the instant breakfast you can get your teeth into," Carnation Breakfast Bars were a game-changer for busy moms everywhere.

Photo Courtesy: Bloomberg/Bloomberg Collection/Getty Images

Essentially a granola bar marketed as early morning grub, flavors included Peanut Butter Crunch and Chocolate Crunch. When they were discontinued in 1993, fans were distraught, and even today, people are still begging Carnation to bring back the bars. Sadly, they haven't budged.

Erector Sets

Before Legos, creative-minded kids turned to erector sets to satisfy their building itch. Created all the way back in 1913, the original erector sets were actually a little bit dangerous. Metal beams, nuts and bolts had the tendency to form jagged edges and cut the children who played with them.

Photo Courtesy: Cindy Shebley/Flickr

Over the years, the sets became more complicated, allowing children to build everything from power plants to fully-functioning ferris wheels. They were discontinued in the 1980s and the young at heart still long for them to this day, although several viable alternatives do exist).