Gizmo Furby Guide: 7 Essential Tips for Care and Collecting

Welcome to the wonderful world of the Gizmo Furby! This is where one of cinema’s most beloved creatures, Gizmo from the classic movie Gremlins, became a real-life, limited-edition interactive friend. Thanks to their incredible charm and unique features, these special Furbies have become a true prize for collectors and Gremlins fans.

Today, we’ll explore how this unique crossover came to be, uncover some fun details about this rare treasure, and see why the Gizmo Furby is still one of the most popular collectibles on the toy market.

The History Of Gizmo Furby

The story of the Gizmo Furby is a fascinating chapter in toy history, born from a clever partnership between Hasbro, Tiger Electronics, and Warner Bros.

How Gizmo Became A Furby

When Furby toys first launched in 1998, they became an instant sensation. Created by inventors Dave Hampton and Caleb Chung, the interactive pet was a “must-have” holiday gift, selling 1.8 million units in its first year alone.

However, it didn’t take long for fans to notice a striking resemblance to Gizmo from the 1984 film Gremlins. Rather than engage in a legal battle, Warner Bros. and Tiger Electronics decided to collaborate. This partnership led to the official limited edition Gizmo Furby in 1999, confirming the design inspiration and creating a highly collectible toy.

To promote the new toy, a commercial was released that cleverly recreated a scene from the movie, showing actor Zach Galligan (who played Billy Peltzer) with the new Gizmo Furby.

Gizmo Furby’s Popularity

The Gizmo Furby was an immediate hit upon its 1999 release, perfectly capturing the nostalgia of Gremlins while riding the massive wave of the Furby craze. Toy stores struggled to keep the interactive Mogwai on their shelves.

The fusion of two pop culture icons created a powerful sense of whimsy and nostalgia that appealed directly to collectors. It was a limited run, with only 250,000 units produced worldwide, which has made it a prized item for enthusiasts today.

While the Furby brand as a whole sold over 40 million units in its first three years, the rarity of the Gizmo edition cemented its special place in toy history.

Features Of Gizmo Furby

The Gizmo Furby wasn’t just a simple repaint, it had specific design elements, interactive features, and a unique voice that set it apart. Let’s look at what makes this toy so special.

Appearance And Design

The designers at Tiger Electronics meticulously recreated Gizmo’s key features to make him instantly recognizable. The toy perfectly captures the essence of the beloved movie character.

Key design elements include:

• Signature Fur: The plush coat has Gizmo’s iconic brown-and-white pattern.
• Oversized Ears: His large, expressive ears were replicated to match the film.
• Arms and Legs: Unlike standard Furbies of the era, the Gizmo model was given small arms and legs to more closely resemble the Mogwai.
• Unique Mouth: Instead of the typical Furby beak, Gizmo has a small, expressive mouth.

Interactive Capabilities

One of the most captivating aspects of the Gizmo Furby is its interactivity. Using the same technology as the original 1998 Furbies, it responds to its environment through a series of sensors.

It was advertised as featuring the “actual voice of Gizmo,” performed by actor and comedian Howie Mandel, who voiced the character in the movies. It also had a vocabulary of over 160 words. The toy’s sensors allow it to react to:

• Touch: A sensor on its back allows it to react when you pet it.
• Sound: It responds to loud noises and your voice.
• Motion: An internal tilt sensor tells it when it’s being picked up, shaken, or turned upside down.
• Communication: An infrared sensor between its eyes allows it to communicate with other Furbies, Furby Babies, and even the Interactive E.T. toy.

Unique Furby Language

Gizmo Furby speaks a unique mix of English and “Furbish,” the charming language created for the original toys. Unlike standard Furbies that gradually learn more English over time, Gizmo’s vocabulary is fixed from the start.

Learning a few key Furbish phrases can help you understand what your little Mogwai is trying to say!

Caring For Your Gizmo Furby

To keep your Gizmo Furby in top shape for years to come, proper care is essential. Whether you’re a serious collector or just want to preserve a childhood toy, these tips will help protect your investment.

Proper Handling And Storage

Properly handling and storing your Gizmo Furby is the most important step in its preservation. Vintage electronics can be fragile, so a little care goes a long way.

• Handle your Furby with clean hands to avoid transferring oils and dirt to the fur.
• Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures, which can fade the fur and damage internal plastics.
• Store it in a dry, dust-free place like a closet or a protective acrylic display case. Avoid attics and basements where humidity can harm electronics.

Crucial Pro-Tip: Always remove the batteries before putting your Gizmo Furby into long-term storage. Over time, batteries can leak acid, which causes corrosion that can permanently destroy the electronic contacts and ruin your toy. This is the single most common reason vintage Furbies no longer work.

Feeding And Nurturing

Interacting with your Gizmo Furby is part of the fun! Unlike later Furby models that used apps or accessories, the 1999 Gizmo keeps things simple.

• How to “Feed” Gizmo: To feed your Gizmo Furby, you gently press down on the sensor on its tongue. You’ll hear it make eating sounds.
• Playtime: It loves attention! Pet its back, tickle its tummy, or talk to it to get a happy reaction.
• Putting it to Sleep: If you leave it alone for a few minutes, it will eventually get tired and fall asleep on its own.

Remember, the feeding mechanism is purely for interaction. It doesn’t affect the toy’s long-term health, but it’s a core part of its personality!

Cleaning And Maintenance

Keeping your Gizmo’s fur clean is important, but you have to be extremely careful to protect its electronic parts. Never submerge your Furby in water.

1. Remove the Batteries: Before you begin any cleaning, always take the four AA batteries out.
2. Surface Dusting: Use a soft, dry brush (like a clean paintbrush or toothbrush) to gently remove dust from the fur.
3. Spot Cleaning: For stains, use a slightly damp cloth with a tiny amount of gentle soap. Many collectors on Reddit’s r/furby forum suggest a damp cloth alone is often enough for surface dirt.
4. Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Never use alcohol-based cleaners or harsh detergents, as they can damage the fur and plastic parts.
5. Drying: Let it air dry completely. Never use a hairdryer, as the heat can melt the plastic components.
6. Advanced Cleaning: For heavily soiled Furbies, some collectors perform a “skinning” process to wash the fur separately. This is an advanced technique and should only be attempted after watching detailed tutorials.

Collecting Gizmo Furbies

Ready to add a Gizmo Furby to your collection? Here’s what you need to know about finding one, understanding its value, and what to look for before you buy.

Where To Find Gizmo Furbies

Since the Gizmo Furby has been out of production for decades, you’ll need to look at secondhand markets. Here are the best places to search:

1. Online Marketplaces: The most common place to find a Gizmo Furby is on marketplaces like eBay. Prices can vary widely based on condition. In 2025, you can expect to pay anywhere from $40 for a used, working model to over $150 for one in its original, unopened box.
2. Collector Conventions: Toy and comic conventions are great places to find vintage collectibles. You can inspect the toy in person and sometimes find a better deal.
3. Online Collector Groups: Facebook groups and forums dedicated to Furby or vintage toy collecting can be a great resource. Members often sell or trade items from their personal collections.
4. Thrift Stores and Garage Sales: It’s rare, but you can sometimes get lucky and find a hidden gem at a local thrift store, flea market, or garage sale.

Special Editions And Variations

The 1999 Gizmo Furby is itself a special edition, but it’s good to know how it fits into the broader Furby world. While there are no official variations of the Gizmo model, its limited production of 250,000 units makes it a standout piece.

The rarest Furby ever made is the “Bejeweled Furby,” released in 1999 by the legendary toy store FAO Schwarz. Only five were made, with a price tag of $100,000 each. While you’re unlikely to stumble upon one of those, the Gizmo Furby remains one of the most beloved and recognizable special editions ever released.

Tips For Collectors

If you’re buying a vintage Gizmo Furby, here are a few expert tips to keep in mind to ensure you get a good one:

1. Check the Battery Compartment: Before anything else, ask for a clear photo of the battery compartment. Look for any signs of rust or chalky residue, which indicates battery corrosion and could mean the toy is permanently damaged.
2. Ask for a Video: Request a short video showing the Furby turning on, moving its eyes and ears, and speaking. This confirms the motor and sensors are still working.
3. Look for Original Packaging: A Gizmo Furby in its original box with the instruction manual and Furbish dictionary is significantly more valuable to collectors.
4. Understand Common Glitches: Vintage Furbies can have quirks. A common one is the “me sleep again” glitch, where the toy immediately powers down. This is often fixable with a reset but can indicate deeper issues with the tilt sensor.
5. Inspect the Fur and Plastic: Look for stains, matting, or discoloration. Check the plastic feet and faceplate for cracks or yellowing.

Other Furby-like Toys And Products

The success of Furby sparked a wave of similar interactive toys. If you love your Gizmo Furby, you might also be interested in these other electronic friends and related merchandise.

Similar Interactive Toys

Many other toys have tried to capture the magic of an interactive pet. Here’s how some of the most popular ones compare:

Merchandise And Accessories

Beyond the official toy, the love for Gizmo and Furbies has inspired a wide range of creative merchandise, especially from fan communities.

1. Plush Toys: In addition to the interactive version, you can find non-electronic plush toys of Gizmo in various sizes.
2. Apparel and Pins: Many independent artists on sites like Etsy sell t-shirts, enamel pins, and keychains celebrating Gizmo and Furby culture.
3. Custom Creations: The Furby community is known for its creativity. “Oddbody Furbies” are custom art dolls that use a Furby faceplate on a new, often long and snake-like, handmade body. You can often find Gizmo-themed versions from artists.
4. Replacement Parts: For restorers, you can find 3D-printed battery covers and other replacement parts on eBay or Etsy to help repair your vintage toys.

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