Halloween night is one of the most cherished in America for kids everywhere. It's the feeling of dressing up and skipping from door to door for candy and getting sick to the stomach before the night is over.

Almost everything remains the same every year: the decorations, the cool Fall ambiance, the candy. Well just about everything. It's true that the one thing that is constantly in motion, especially for younger kids, is the various costumes that alter yearly and change with the growing popular trends.

I chose six of the most defining costumes of the late eighties and early ninties -- the time during the golden Nintendo age. So enjoy and try to reminisce.

4. Ghost (Real Ghosbusters)

If this isn't the dumbest thing I've ever seen in my life, I don't what is. I really don't. I present this as Exhibit A in the case of child companines that don't give a fuck about the children. I don't even know where to begin. The bag itself in all its piss yellow attractiveness says more than I ever could. My favorite part is the caption "Fits Ages 8 To Adult One Size Only." No fucking joke! It's a white trash bag! A 300 pound woman physically stuck to her couch could put this thing on!

The included paper "topper mask" looks more to me like some ghostly white fecal matter rather than the fictional ghost-logo's head. Which raises the question of do ghosts defecate? I'll let you argue that one out on your own.

3. Ghostbusters

Also from Ben Cooper, the same company that produced the sickening costume above. They actually redeemed themselves with this vinyl Egon Spengler mask and plastic costume. Although missing is the Harold Ramis Jewish nose, though still obviously based on the 'Real Ghostbusters' cartoon series, the depiction of the famous ghost doctor is pretty close to being accurate. Though he does have a nasty attitude about him. Perhaps an explanation to that could be the palm-sized Slimer that is bursting out of his rib cage.

Also around this time of the Ghostbusters peak was a circulation of reproduced trademark jump suits. This one-piece suit, coupled with the Kenner toy proton pack and foam gun, made complete the ghostbusting experience.

As a finishing touch to the already clever jump suits were the words on the back: "Back off Man I'm a Ghostbuster."

Man how I miss the 90's.

2. Link

I couldn't in my right mind compile a list of retro costumes without including some video game characters.

Here we have a '89 Link vinyl mask from the "Legend of Zelda" series. It's too bad that the kids who begged their parents to buy this for them, wishing to become the brave game adventurer, were later tormented by elderly women insisting they were dressed as Irish leprechauns.

Sing-A-Long, Link!

"When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away."

Let's all do the Chieftains next!

1. Mario

It seems logical to end with the big man himself, Mr. Mario Mario. If it wasn't for the hat, I could have swore the mask was in the likeness of an albino chimpanzee with an upside down caterpillar on his face.

In Ben Cooper's continuted dedication to realism, a punch out hole was cut through from inside the mouth. Why would they ruin the look of the vinyl mask even more? It could only be one thing.

Easy straw insertion access!

There always looking out for the kids' best interest except when it comes to making quality Halloween masks.

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That's it. Show's over. I hope this article helped to give you a few ideas on how to dress retro this Halloween year. Remember the basic ingredients and you'll be fine: (1) white trash bags, (2) plastic proton pack toys, and (3) holes in masks large enough for Hi-C Tangerine [Ecto Cooler] drink straws.

Or, you could just do what I'm doing, and buy that damn cool Ninja Turtle mask.