Step right up, Millennials and curious Gen Zers! Forget your Y2K fears; we’re diving back into the greatest decade that ever graced our CRT television sets—the 1990s. When it comes to ’90s nostalgia, Nickelodeon is basically the Nickelodeon of that feeling. Yeah, I said it. So grab your orange VHS tapes, and let’s rank the 67 most defining episodes from ’90s Nick.

1. “Rugrats” – The Santa Experience (1992)

Because our understanding of Santa Claus was never the same.

2. “Hey Arnold!” – Arnold’s Christmas (1996)

A touching tale of kindness and the holiday spirit.

3. “Doug” – Doug’s Cool Shoes (1991)

Two words: Sky Davis AirJets.

4. “Rocko’s Modern Life” – Wacky Delly (1995)

Pure, unfiltered chaos in the form of a deli.

5. “The Ren & Stimpy Show” – Stimpy’s Invention (1992)

The Happy Helmet, folks. Need I say more?

6. “All That” – First Episode (1994)

The episode that launched a thousand skits.

7. “Clarissa Explains It All” – Clarissa’s Revenge (1991)

A masterclass in sibling rivalry.

8. “Kenan & Kel” – The Tainting of the Screw (1997)

Who loves orange soda?

9. “Legends of the Hidden Temple” – The Helmet of Genghis Khan (1993)

Blue Barracudas for the win!

10. “Aaahh!!! Real Monsters” – The Switching Hour (1994)

Switching bodies before it was a cliché.

11. “Guts” – The Perfect Game (1993)

Everyone dreamed of winning that radical piece of the Aggro Crag.

12. “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” – The Tale of the Lonely Ghost (1992)

Mirror writing that still haunts you.

13. “Rocket Power” – Otto 3000 (1999)

Because we all wanted to skateboard like Otto.

14. “The Wild Thornberrys” – Flood Warning (1998)

A pivotal moment for Eliza and Darwin’s friendship.

15. “CatDog” – All You Can’t Eat (1998)

A never-ending quest for food. Relatable.

16. “Angry Beavers” – Up All Night (1997)

Who among us hasn’t tried to break an all-nighter record?

17. “Salute Your Shorts” – Zeke the Plumber (1991)

This episode scarred us, and we thank Nickelodeon for it.

18. “The Secret World of Alex Mack” – First Episode (1994)

The spill that started it all.

19. “Blue’s Clues” – Snack Time (1996)

Blue and Steve were the original food bloggers.

20. “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” – Nightcrawlers (1993)

Kids vs. Adults in an epic showdown.

21. “Kablam!” – Your Real Best Friend (1996)

It was quirky, and we were here for it.

22. “Rugrats” – Reptar on Ice (1992)

Reptar was basically our Godzilla.

23. “Hey Arnold!” – Helga on the Couch (1996)

A deep dive into the complexity of Helga Pataki.

24. “Doug” – Doug Tips the Scale (1992)

Doug learns a life lesson about self-acceptance.

25. “Figure It Out” – First Episode (1997)

Where we learned that people can have bizarre talents.

26. “SpongeBob SquarePants” – Help Wanted (1999)

The start of an era that barely made it into the ’90s but counts.

27. “Hey Dude” – Ted’s Saddle (1989)

It sneaks into the ’90s by virtue of reruns, so we’re counting it.

28. “Wild & Crazy Kids” – The Human Velcro Wall (1990)

Who didn’t want to throw themselves against that wall?

29. “Cousin Skeeter” – The First Episode (1998)

Puppets being sassy was peak ’90s.

30. “Nick Arcade” – Video Zone Finale (1992)

The epic game showdown we all wanted to be a part of.

31. “Angry Beavers” – Fancy Prance (1997)

Yes, beavers can be elegant too.

32. “Rugrats” – Chuckie vs. The Potty (1992)

A rite of passage we all had to face, animated.

33. “The Amanda Show” – Judge Trudy (1999)

Courtroom drama for kids; the dancing lobsters stole the show.

34. “All That” – Good Burger Skit (1997)

Welcome to Good Burger, home of the Good Burger.

35. “CatDog” – Dog Gone (1998)

The ultimate journey of self-discovery for a cat and a dog.

36. “Rocket Power” – Race Across New Zealand (1999)

The pinnacle of extreme sports, animated kid edition.

37. “Real Monsters” – Curse of Katana (1997)

Because cursed objects fascinated us even back then.

38. “The Journey of Allen Strange” – The Arrival (1997)

Aliens were friends, not foes.

39. “Doug” – Doug’s Bad Trip (1992)

A road trip episode that delivered life lessons.

40. “The Wild Thornberrys” – Call of the Wild (1998)

When animals talk, we listen.

41. “Little Bear” – Family Portrait (1995)

Cute, cuddly, and memorable.

42. “Legends of the Hidden Temple” – The Snakeskin Boots of Billy the Kid (1993)

Because historical figures and obstacle courses meshed well.

43. “Kenan & Kel” – Turkey Day (1997)

The Thanksgiving episode that still serves laughs.

44. “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” – The Tale of the Dead Man’s Float (1995)

The reason we stayed clear of pools for a while.

45. “KaBlam!” – It’s All About Respect! (1998)

Quirky animation that resonated with our inner rebels.

46. “Gullah Gullah Island” – Yes I Can (1994)

Empowering the next generation with song and dance.

47. “What Would You Do?” – Pie Pod (1991)

Slapstick comedy met game show.

48. “SpongeBob SquarePants” – Bubblestand (1999)

Who knew blowing bubbles could be so existential?

49. “Hey Arnold!” – Pigeon Man (1997)

An unexpected tale of friendship and pigeons.

50. “Rocko’s Modern Life” – I See London, I See France (1995)

An episode that left us laughing and slightly puzzled.

51. “Clarissa Explains It All” – The Understudy (1991)

The complexities of teenage life and theater.

52. “Nick News” – Kids and Guns (1991)

A serious episode that made us all stop and think.

53. “Salute Your Shorts” – Sponge Saga (1991)

Camp Anawanna, we hold you in our hearts.

54. “Rugrats” – Passover (1995)

A history lesson cleverly disguised as a cartoon.

55. “The Adventures of Pete & Pete” – Day of the Dot (1993)

Polka dots have never been this important.

56. “The Secret World of Alex Mack” – The Accident (1994)

Where it all started, with a spill that changed her life.

57. “Blue’s Clues” – Blue’s Birthday (1998)

We were all invited to this virtual birthday bash.

58. “Animorphs” – My Name is Jake (1998)

The thrill of turning into animals was too cool to pass up.

59. “Taina” – Be Careful What You Wish For (2001)

Technically not ’90s, but its spirit was all there.

60. “The Brothers Garcia” – Love Me Tender (2000)

Another honorary mention for capturing the ’90s vibe.

61. “Global GUTS” – The Perfect Show (1995)

Who didn’t want to climb that mountain?

62. “The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo” – Hot Seats (1996)

Solving crimes before it was mainstream.

63. “Cousin Skeeter” – Blast from the Past (1999)

A throwback within a throwback.

64. “The Ren & Stimpy Show” – Stimpy’s First Fart (1992)

It’s gross, but it’s classic.

65. “Aaahh!!! Real Monsters” – Krumm Gets the Dreaded Nolox (1995)

A cautionary tale for monsters and humans alike.

66. “Nickelodeon GUTS” – A Spill at the Aggro Crag (1993)

The moment that had us all gasping.

67. “Rocket Power” – New Squid on the Block (1999)

The ultimate test for every new kid on the block.

Conclusion: Nickelodeon: School for ’90s Kids

Phew! What a trip down memory lane. And if this nostalgia bomb has you craving more geek culture and ’90s trivia, check out All Ages of Geek on Patreon. Until then, stay ’90s, my friends.