Submitted by Lewk S, olympic-level Funnel Ball master.

Growing up in the early/mid ’90s, I fondly remember the numerous playground games I used to play. One of my favorite pastimes, of course, was throwing a kickball, basketball—or anything, really—into the towering Funnel Ball tower with my friends. I still see these on playgrounds, and I often see kids throwing balls into the funnel. Simple, very entertaining, and fondly remembered—that, to me, is pure win!

Submitted by J Olsen, who collected milk caps before it was cool.

These circular bits of cardboard (and the thicker, heavier, plastic “slammers” also used to play the game) became all the rage in the ’90s, though similar games had been played as early as the 17th century. The gist was this: Stack your pogs up, face down, and allow your opponent to throw his slammer at the stack. If any of your pogs landed face up after the dust settled, they became his pogs (if you were playing “for keeps,” anyway). I remember these things were everywhere…for a very short amount of time. People moved on to Tamagotchis or something, leaving pogs to be remembered fondly by those of us who did most of our growing up in the ’90s.

Submitted by Kabuki K, customer service expert.

I ran across this video while watching the “Grill Skills” video of your nostalgia section. I’ve been sitting watching this thing and I have to admit it’s hilarious. Having worked in retail in the past, I also have to admit that it’s scary, since the video here is DEAD ON about how some customers act. There’s a good bit of comedy in this, which makes it a WIN, and not just a post about the old Nintendo

The customer is always right? Well, anyone who works retail can tell you that isn’t true. It’s fun to see just how wrong people can be, though. And that’s what we’re all about here at Once Upon a Win: Laughter at the expense of others. What? No, I mean…What we’re all about epic WINS from the past, of course!

Submitted by Aaron S and Carter W, ski bunnies:

Even as an adult, the yeti is still probably the most frightening thing ever.

When attempting to associate “computer games I played in my youth” with specific games, the first thing that comes to mind is Oregon Trail. The second thing that comes to mind is Ski Free. Damn, that yeti was fast!

Submitted by R P and Becki x, telephone operators.

R P says:

Hey, remember the game Dream Phone? I remember Dan the Man from the game. Loved it!

And just so you can remember, in full technicolor, all the squealing fun:

“It’s for you!”