10. Rocket Power
Series Run: 1999-2004 (61 episodes)
Network: Nickelodeon
Theme Song Rating: Pantheon theme song, I still have it memorized. 5/5. We are all riders. This is the least "90s" cartoon on the list, premiering in the second half of 1999, but Rocket Power deserves a spot on any list of memorable cartoons. Re-watching Rocket Power episodes today isn't a great idea, it doesn't hold up as well as any other show on this list, but that's because Rocket Power was so distinctly of its time. Instead of watching it again we should choose to remember it in all of its glory, a story about friendship, catching rad waves, skateboarding, and roller hockey. Being extreme has never felt so right, woogity woogity woogity indeed. Centering on the Roink family (who understandably call themselves the Rockets instead) Otto and Reggie Rocket are competitive siblings who still care for each other. Along with friends Twister (the fool) and Squid (the geek), the Rockets usually form sports teams that are nearly impossible to defeat. Rocket Power may not offer the more subtle and controversial thematic issues of the other 90s cartoons listed, but more than anything this show is a
good time. It's like The Avengers of kids cartoons: each character has specific talents and foibles, they have a shared obstacle (either a Herculean task or defeating Twister's evil older brother Lars), and they have to overcome their differences and utilize their strengths in order to overcome their obstacle and achieve the goal. It's paint-by-numbers, but with really awesome paint and the coolest group of brushes. The show went a little stagnant when it tried to deal with the real issues like childhood without a mother or school bullying, but it's faults are easy to forget when there are so many good times to be had.