5 Nicktoons from the ’90s That Aged Well (& 5 That Didn’t)

Who can forget those delightful Nicktoons of the ’90s? Much like POGs, roller blades, and Sega Genesis, Nickelodeon and its early Nicktoon lineup shine as icons that truly represent the era. Cartoon classics like Doug and The Ren & Stimpy Show still invoke warm and fuzzy nostalgia for kids growing up in that colorful decade.

Though the network still cranks out Nicktoons to this day, there’s something about these charming animations that still stand out and remain timeless – at least in some cases.

Many of these Nicktoon originators have stood the test of time, whether through detailed animation, appealing themes, or a prominent sense of humor. Yet, there do exist some that don’t quite hold up as well when reexamining them 2 or 3 decades later.

With that said, let’s take a trip back to the ’90s as we highlight 5 Nicktoons from this era that still shine today, as well as 5 that haven’t aged too well.

10 Aged Well: Rugrats

Rugrats turns a seemingly basic premise in a subdued, but timelessly enjoyable watch. It revolves around a group of whimsical, naive talking babies craving adventure and rife with curiosity. The show hones in on the shenanigans of these lovable toddlers, while we get glimpses into their wild imaginations. These glimpses help set the stage for some creative and amusing visuals.

These colorful characters, coupled with a charming aesthetic and silliness, all contribute to Rugrats‘ timeless nature that kids can get into and adults can reminisce on.

9 Didn’t: Doug

While this may make for an unpopular pick, it’s tough to deny that this once-delightful Nicktoon may look a tad duller when reexamined from a modern eye. Of course, like most on our list, this is a cartoon aimed at a younger demographic, so it’d be unfair to expect deep premises or super edgy humor.

Still, it’s difficult to make a case that this rather simple cartoon will stand out to a younger audience with so many more in-depth and imaginative options out there today.

The show still holds some nostalgic charm, to be sure. Yet, the high school escapades of Doug Funnie and company tend to feel a touch lacking today compared to 1992, especially given its crude style of animation.

8 Aged Well: Rocko’s Modern Life

Ironically, Rocko’s life isn’t quite so “modern,” given this show’s age of well over 2 decades. Still, Joe Murray’s unique slapstick romp stands the test of time with some delightfully colorful visuals and zany comedic flair. The show’s unique sense of humor proves just edgy enough for an older audience while also being a bit more kid-friendly than say, Ren & Stimpy.

One can’t help but make a comparison between Rocko’s Modern Life and many of the wacky cartoons aimed at teens – and even young adults – that populate Comedy Central and Adult Swim today.

One could say this uptight Aussie wallaby was truly ahead of his time.

7 Didn’t: Rocket Power

As one would expect from a show by the makers of the renowned Rugrats, this similarly whimsical animation has its strong points. Yet, Rocket Power‘s prominent focus of “extreme” sporting romps like rollerblading and skateboarding tends to tie it strictly to ’90s culture, accelerating its age in the process.

It’s ironic, as the show lasted until 2004, and actually marks one of the most recent Nicktoons on our list. Yet, the “cool kids on rollerblades” premise isn’t likely to have a particularly universal appeal, particularly to viewers of the modern era.

6 Aged Well: The Ren & Stimpy Show

When people think of classic Nicktoons, they tend to think of John Kricfalusi’s Ren & Stimpy; as least when it comes to the edgier, grosser side of the programming block. The insane high jinks of Ren and Stimpy provide tons of absurd humor and silly slapstick that still proves funny and shocking today.

Great characters don’t tend to age – and the dynamic between this short-fused Chihuahua and dimwitted cat sets the stage for amusing, entertaining content for viewers.

The aesthetic may look a bit crude today to those seeking vibrant or flashy visuals. Yet, the impressive detail of the fluid animation allows this ’91 series to hold up to this day – as is the case with its depraved sense of humor.

5 Didn’t: The Angry Beavers

Though this zany animation has its moments, the concept of a wacky duo of critters had largely been explored even dating back to its premiere in 1997. There was the smarmy, sly, and more irritable Daggett, coupled with his goofier counterpart, Norbert. Even amongst the ever-growing lineup of Nicktoons, this proved to be a formula that had perhaps worn out its welcome.

The show’s brand of slapstick was similarly familiar, while never quite standing out over many of its Nicktoon brethren.

4 Aged Well: Hey, Arnold!

Many have likened this cartoon to Doug in terms of its premise and comedic style, swapping out high schoolers for a group of inner-city kids. One can see the similarities, but where Doug falls a bit flat, Craig Bartlett’s Hey Arnold! excels. This is thanks to some appealing visuals and likable characters; each of whom comes with a distinct personality and often their own motivations throughout the series.

Helga’s dual nature and hopeless pursuit of Arnold gives a uniquely charming quality, along with a brand of silliness reminiscent of timeless Warner Brothers hits like Looney Tunes. Arnold’s kind and easygoing demeanor is offset by his zany friends and his even wackier grandparents.

Whether past or present, this is just one of those feel-good shows that’s tough not to enjoy.

3 Didn’t: KaBlam!

This show leans on a distinct anthology format which features a slew of segmented cartoons and visual styles. These range from more typical cartoon creatures to claymation cavemen. Though this experimentation with random, rapid-fire cartoons may have been interesting in 1996, it doesn’t quite hold the same degree of edginess or artistic flair today.

The hodgepodge of animated romps tends to feel disjointed, and programs like Robot Chicken have made KaBlam!‘s flagship short, Action League Now! look a bit crude and tame by comparison.

2 Aged Well: SpongeBob SquarePants

If there’s any Nicktoon that’s truly stood the test of time, it’s the renowned SpongeBob SquarePants.

This can really be viewed as Nickelodeon’s version of The Simpsons – not just because of its similar brand of zany humor – but also in terms of popularity that’s helped it achieve immortal status. It’s managed to last from 1999 all the way to the present day. It’s perhaps no surprise to the show’s many fans of all ages, given its fun underwater premise, lovable characters, and amusing plots.

The level of detail and overall vibrant aesthetic also contribute to this timelessly entertaining romp.

1 Didn’t: The Brothers Flub

Even amongst ’90s Nicktoon fans, they don’t tend to hear much conversation surrounding this”flubbed” cartoon, which only lasted 26 episodes in 1999. The cast proves uninteresting, the jokes are subdued, and the animation and overall aesthetic is quite basic – especially for a late-’90s cartoon.

The Brothers Flub attempts to blend imaginative sci-fi with wacky comedy, though it doesn’t particularly excel with either aspect. Rick and Morty, this is not.

About The Author

Stephen Lagioia
(250 Articles Published)

Stephen is an avid Nintendo, Indie, and retro gamer who dabbles in Xbox on occasion, mainly in the form of binge sessions of Overwatch. He’s a history buff, an aspiring writer of short fiction, and a devout metalhead who enjoys poorly drumming along to Black Sabbath on his cheap drum set. When his beloved Chicago Cubs or Bulls are not playing, he typically likes to watch random documentaries or campy horror films.

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