Buzz
If you take a stroll down the breakfast cereal aisle in the U.S., you'll find an overwhelming variety of options, with countless flavors and types available in every brand.
Unfortunately, some of the cereals that were beloved during childhood have disappeared. Whether it’s due to shifting consumer preferences, the end of licensing agreements, or other factors, some brands have simply faded away.
These ten cereals were once iconic, but for various reasons, they are no longer on the shelves today.
10. Mr. T
In the 1980s, Laurence Tureaud, better known as Mr. T, was a cultural icon, making frequent appearances in pop culture, particularly through his roles in The A-Team and Rocky III. To capitalize on his fame, Quaker Oats introduced a cereal named after him: Mr. T.
The Mr. T cereal was made with sweetened corn and oats, shaped into the letter “T.” Its flavor was similar to Cap’n Crunch, another Quaker Oats product. Launched in 1984, it quickly became a pop culture phenomenon.
Mr. T cereal even made its way into Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, where Pee-Wee Herman famously declared, 'I pity the poor fool that don’t eat my cereal.' The cereal also had a popular slogan: 'Team up with Mr. T (cereal); it’s cool.'
Although it appeared in multiple TV shows and films during the 1980s, Mr. T cereal was discontinued in 1993. Quaker Oats never officially explained the decision, but the decline of Mr. T’s popularity in mainstream culture was likely a factor.
9. Hidden Treasures
In 1993, General Mills launched Hidden Treasures alongside another cereal, Springle Spangles, which also met its demise. Hidden Treasures consisted of sweetened corn squares, all uniform in appearance, but with a twist: each square was filled with cherry, grape, or orange icing, creating an unexpected surprise inside.
Although the squares themselves were identical, some contained the hidden icing. Children eagerly kept eating, hoping to find one of these 'hidden treasures,' and once they did, the excitement kept them coming back for more. The cereal was advertised with the slogan, 'The taste that’s full of surprises!'
Though it was short-lived, Hidden Treasures won the hearts of many children while it was on the shelves. General Mills discontinued the cereal in 1995, only two years after its introduction, leaving a sense of loss among those who didn’t get to try it and a lingering fondness in the memories of those who did.
Due to its brief run, only two commercials were ever made for Hidden Treasures. These featured a temporary mascot, H.T., a robot designed to identify which squares contained the coveted 'hidden treasure' filling.
8. C-3PO’s
Just a year after *Return of the Jedi* hit theaters, Kellogg’s introduced C-3PO’s cereal to the public. Made with honey-sweetened oats, wheat, and corn, shaped like the number eight, it closely resembled Alpha-Bits but with twice the crunch.
C-3PO’s became a hit among Star Wars fans, who were well aware that no new content from the franchise would be arriving anytime soon. Thankfully, a commercial in 1984 brought good news: fans could enjoy a new cereal featuring their favorite Protocol Droid.
The cereal was accompanied by extensive marketing, including standees of C-3PO and other familiar designs. The boxes came with trading cards, cut-out masks, and even a plastic Rebel Rocket. There was also a mail-in offer for a Kenner Star Wars action figure.
Sadly, Kellogg’s discontinued the cereal in 1986, just two years after its debut. Today, the boxes are considered collectibles, as are the small, single-serving packs that were released alongside the full-size boxes. Even a flattened box—without cereal—can fetch $75 or more on eBay.
7. Fruit-Shaped Trix & Mini Trix
Before 1991, Trix cereal came as small, fruit-flavored puffs. However, in that year, General Mills made a significant change. Instead of the classic puffs, Trix was transformed into various fruit shapes, each corresponding to the flavor of the piece.
These fruit shapes remained in the cereal for years, but in 2006, General Mills decided to revert to the original puff shape. This change wasn't well received by fans, who inundated the company with thousands of requests to bring back the fruit shapes. Luckily, General Mills responded, and in 2018, they announced the return of the fruit-shaped Trix.
While the fruit-shaped Trix is back, another variation has disappeared for good. Mini Trix, introduced in 2015, was exactly what the name suggests—a smaller version of the classic puff-shaped Trix cereal.
Mini Trix were a limited edition release. Like any variation of the popular cereal, fans enjoyed them. However, since they were a limited edition, once the boxes sold out, Mini Trix were discontinued and have not made a comeback since.
6. Fruity Marshmallow Krispies
Rice Krispies have been a staple since 1928, and by 1939, people were introduced to the beloved marshmallow Rice Krispies treats. These treats are now a classic, with the recipe printed right on the box. Over the years, they have become a go-to snack for many, with Kellogg's even launching a cereal version in 1982.
Marshmallow Krispies revolutionized the experience by delivering Rice Krispies Treats straight into your bowl. This product contained the familiar cereal along with marshmallow bits, offering a taste similar to the classic treat when milk was added.
In 1987, Kellogg’s introduced Fruity Marshmallow Krispies, which featured fruity marshmallow pieces in orange, lemon, grape, and raspberry flavors. The cereal enjoyed popularity into the early 1990s, though it eventually lost its appeal.
By the late 1990s, Kellogg's ceased production of the Fruity Marshmallow Krispies, discontinuing the product. However, you can still find the Marshmallow Krispies cereal today, albeit under the new name of Rice Krispies Treats Cereal.
5. Pac-Man
Believe it or not, Pac-Man holds the title of the highest-grossing video game ever, a record that includes the countless quarters fed into arcade machines! The immense popularity of the game sparked a multimedia franchise, which included comic books, video games, cartoons, and even a breakfast cereal introduced in 1983.
By 1983, Pac-Man had been around for three years, and the iconic yellow character was everywhere. The cereal, made of sweetened crunchy corn pieces with marshmallow bits, came in shapes of Pac-Man himself, along with the game’s famous ghosts: Blinky, Pinky, Inky, and Clyde.
With the release of Ms. Pac-Man, the cereal got a makeover. A new marshmallow appeared, featuring a bold pink bow to celebrate Pac-Man's leading lady. The cereal also introduced Super Pac-Man marshmallows, which were larger than the original pieces.
Pac-Man cereal was sold until 1988, after which it was discontinued as the character's popularity began to fade. A similar fate befell Donkey Kong Crunch, which was available from 1982 to 1984. This cereal featured barrel-shaped corn pieces and enjoyed a decent run of popularity while on the shelves.
4. Nerds
In 1985, Ralston launched a cereal inspired by the popular Nerds candy, with the catchy tagline, “Which side are you gonna eat first?” True to the candy’s design, the cereal was divided into two distinct flavors: orange/cherry and strawberry/grape. The product was marketed as “tiny, tangy, crunchy sweetened cereal.”
Children especially enjoyed the cereal because many boxes contained mini packs of Nerds candy. The promotion also included a mail-in offer for a “Two-Sided Nerds Bowl” and a “Nerd Gate.” Featured in commercials, these items allowed kids to block the flow of milk between the two sides of the bowl.
The cereal pieces closely resembled the candies they were based on, but there were some drawbacks. Due to the small size, the pieces became soggy quickly, and the flavors often left the cereal tasting overly sour. Despite these issues, the cereal maintained a devoted following.
Nerds cereal enjoyed popularity for a few years before Ralston decided to discontinue it at the close of the decade. Today, boxes occasionally pop up on eBay, where they fetch far higher prices than when they were sold in stores.
3. Nintendo Cereal System
When the Nintendo Entertainment System debuted, it played a key role in revitalizing the video game industry. From the start, it seized the market, and Nintendo wasn’t content to limit itself to just games. The company expanded its reach by promoting its popular characters across a wide range of niche markets, even venturing into the cereal aisle.
In 1988, Ralston unveiled the Nintendo Cereal System, launching it alongside a jingle that still lingers in the minds of many people in their forties. Each box contained two 7.5 oz (212 g) bags, each filled with one of two distinct cereal varieties.
One side of the cereal box showcased Super Mario Bros., while the other side celebrated The Legend of Zelda. A 1989 advertisement featured the slogan: 'Nintendo is two cereals in one….Fruit-flavored Marios, Mushrooms, and Goombas. Berry-flavored Links, Hearts, and Shields….If you can’t beat ’em, eat ’em.'
Each box contained four out of a set of twelve collectible trading cards. Despite Ralston halting production of the cereal after just one year, it remains available in some places. However, expect to pay around $200 per box on eBay, as it has become a coveted collector’s item.
2. Powdered Donutz
If you ever dreamed of mixing donuts with your breakfast cereal, Powdered Donutz was the perfect solution. Released by General Mills in 1980, this cereal resembled puffed-up powdered Cheerios but was much sweeter.
It was marketed as a 'cereal that looks and tastes like real donuts!' While not the healthiest choice for kids, it was certainly a favorite among those whose parents bought it. General Mills later released a chocolate-flavored version, although it didn’t gain the same level of popularity as the original.
Powdered Donutz managed to remain on shelves for nearly ten years, but in 1989, General Mills decided to discontinue the cereal. Though the brand never returned, the company didn’t completely abandon the idea. Just six years later, they introduced Frosted Cheerios.
Frosted Cheerios, while similar to Powdered Donutz, had far less sugar. These days, you can still purchase a box of Frosted Cheerios, so if you're feeling nostalgic, a little extra sugar might help you relive the Powdered Donutz experience.
1. S’mores Grahams
In 1982, General Mills introduced S'mores Grahams to capitalize on the surge in popularity of the classic campfire treat. Similar to Golden Grahams, this cereal added a chocolate twist. It featured crunchy graham cracker pieces mixed with tiny marshmallows, the same kind you’d find in hot chocolate packets.
The cereal also brought along a new mascot, the S'morecerer, who would magically appear to help children get their bowl of cereal. Often, he would rescue them from tricky situations, like being chased by a lion. The kids loved it… at least until one would inevitably ask, 'Can I have s’more?'
S'mores Grahams succeeded in replicating the taste of real s'mores, and it was beloved by many. The cereal remained on store shelves until 1988. Though it was discontinued, a resurgence in demand led to a brief comeback in the late 1990s, but it was soon retired again.
While General Mills discontinued S'mores Grahams, other companies kept the s’mores cereal dream alive. In 2003, Kellogg’s released Smorz, a similar version, which remained available until 2013. The cereal made another return in the years following but was once again discontinued in 2019.
