2026 stinks, which is why I'm going back to the 1980s with these 12 retro-tastic deals

Deals
By published

It's cheaper than a time machine

A 1980s-inspired kids bedroom setting scattered with 80s toys and gadgets
(Image credit: Future / Edited with Gemini)

Let's not beat around the bush — we're less than four months into 2026 and it's already been a dumpster-fire of a year, which is why I'm using Amazon's Big Smile Sale as an opportunity to go back to a simpler time, when my biggest concerns involved a flat tyre on my BMX and dusty cartridges not working on my Atari 2600.

That's right, I was a kid of the 1980s (and a teenager of the 1990s) and everything was more fun back then. Forget monthly subscriptions — we had a Walkman with cassettes filled with songs taped from the radio, and we appreciated that music!

Stephen Lambrechts
Stephen Lambrechts

Stephen Lambrechts is the Managing Editor of Tom's Guide AU and has written professionally across the categories of tech, film, television and gaming for the last 15 years. Before Tom's Guide, he spent several years as a Senior Journalist at TechRadar, had a brief stint as Editor in Chief at Official Xbox Magazine Australia, and has written for such publications as APC, TechLife Australia, T3, FilmInk, AskMen, Daily Telegraph and IGN. He's an expert when it comes to smartphones, TVs, gaming and streaming. In his spare time, he enjoys watching obscure horror movies on physical media, keeping an eye on the latest retro sneaker releases and listening to vinyl. Occasionally, he also indulges in other non-hipster stuff, like hiking.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.