Go Go Pets Hamsters Review
Go Go Pets Hamsters Review
The Go Go Pets Hamsters Review brings us back to the craze of Christmas 2009, when these tiny robotic furballs became the must-have toy in the UK. Known elsewhere as Zhu Zhu Pets, the Go Go Pets Hamsters captured the hearts of children with their squeaks, scurrying movements, and lifelike antics. Parents will remember the scramble to find them as shelves emptied in December — they were that year’s toy phenomenon, sitting proudly on the Top 10 Christmas Toys 2009 list.
The Arrival of the Go Go Pets
Character Options, the UK distributor, brought Go Go Pets Hamsters to market just as kids were becoming fascinated with interactive toys that mimicked real pets. For children who wanted a hamster but weren’t quite ready for the responsibility, these furry robots provided a magical compromise. Each hamster featured motorised wheels, touch sensors, and sound effects that gave the illusion of a living pet. When placed on the floor or in playsets, they would zoom around unpredictably, squeaking and exploring like the real thing.
The simple charm of these battery-powered toys turned them into a global sensation. In the US, they sold as Zhu Zhu Pets, but in the UK they were rebranded as Go Go Pets. Either way, their popularity spread like wildfire.
Features of Go Go Pets Hamsters
Each hamster was around the size of a real rodent, soft to the touch, and packed with interactive features. Key highlights included:
- Touch and sound sensors that triggered squeaks and reactions
- Motorised wheels allowing free movement across flat surfaces
- Unique personalities — different hamsters had different sounds and behaviours
- Compatibility with themed playsets, like hamster wheels and houses
The Mega Playsets released alongside the hamsters turned them into more than just standalone toys. Kids could build elaborate tracks and watch their hamsters scurry through tunnels, ride in cars, and explore entire hamster cities.
Why Kids Loved Them
Go Go Pets Hamsters were irresistibly cute. The combination of soft, plush exteriors with electronic movements gave them a “best of both worlds” appeal — part cuddly toy, part interactive gadget. Children loved naming them, collecting different colours and personalities, and showing them off to friends. Their unpredictable scurrying created endless laughter, as no two play sessions ever felt the same.
The hamster craze also had a strong social element. Much like Pokémon cards or Tamagotchis in earlier years, kids compared their collections, swapped favourites, and competed to build the best hamster play environments. This social buzz amplified the craze and cemented their place as a cultural highlight of 2009.
Parents’ Perspective
From a parent’s point of view, the Go Go Pets Hamsters were a relatively affordable big-ticket gift. Each hamster retailed at around £10, while playsets cost between £20 and £40. Families appreciated that they didn’t require constant feeding, cleaning, or cages, unlike the real thing. The toys encouraged imaginative play, and because they were small and portable, kids could easily bring them to friends’ houses.
The only downside for parents was the incredible demand. Many spent hours hunting them down, often resorting to online resellers charging inflated prices. In some cases, hamsters that retailed for £10 sold for £30–£40 in December, making them one of the earliest examples of modern toy “scalping.”
The Christmas 2009 Craze
As soon as the Go Go Pets Hamsters made the Top 10 Christmas Toys 2009 list, they became nearly impossible to find. News outlets reported on desperate parents searching shops, and retailers placed limits on how many hamsters one customer could buy. It was reminiscent of the Cabbage Patch Kids and Furby crazes of earlier decades — proof that every generation has its “toy panic.”
Children who unwrapped a hamster on Christmas morning felt like they’d won the ultimate prize. They weren’t just receiving a toy — they were joining the hottest playground trend of the year.
Comparisons to Other 2009 Toys
2009’s toy scene was crowded with hits like Bakugan, Bendaroos, and LEGO. Compared to these, the Go Go Pets Hamsters offered something completely different: cuteness and interactivity. While Bakugan was competitive and Bendaroos creative, the hamsters provided companionship. They appealed to kids who wanted nurturing play rather than competition or construction, broadening the year’s toy selection to every personality type.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The hamster craze was short but explosive. By 2010, demand had cooled slightly, but for that one Christmas season, they were everywhere. They paved the way for other interactive pet toys in the years that followed, including FurReal Friends and Hatchimals. In hindsight, Go Go Pets showed how a relatively simple idea — combining plush cuteness with basic robotics — could spark a worldwide phenomenon.
Today, the toys are remembered fondly by millennials who were kids in 2009. Their legacy lies in proving that “toy fads” weren’t just a thing of the 80s and 90s — they remained alive and well into the 2000s.
Resale and Collectability
Go Go Pets Hamsters still pop up on second-hand markets, though they don’t command the same premium prices they once did. Loose hamsters often sell for £5–£15, while boxed or rare variants can fetch £30 or more. Complete playsets in good condition are especially desirable to nostalgic collectors who want to recreate the hamster cities they had as children.
Final Thoughts
The Go Go Pets Hamsters Review shows exactly why these little furballs became a phenomenon in Christmas 2009. They were cute, affordable, interactive, and endlessly entertaining. For kids, they offered companionship and laughter. For parents, they offered (mostly) affordable fun without the hassle of a real pet. For the toy industry, they proved that even simple ideas could dominate a Christmas season. Whether remembered fondly or rediscovered as a quirky collectible, Go Go Pets Hamsters remain one of the most iconic toys of the 2000s.
Want more nostalgia? Explore our Character Options Christmas Toys, browse Must-Have Christmas Toys, and check out Most Popular Christmas Toys. Planning ahead? Don’t miss our Best Christmas Toys 2025 guide.
Some links on our site are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. 🎄
Available From:
Top 10 Christmas toys sell out very quickly, order now to avoid disappointment.