Duncan Toys Imperial Yo-Yo

Curated from 64 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: March 29, 2025

Duncan Toys Imperial Yo-Yo

Brand: Duncan
Price: $5
Snoop Score:
5.2
Sentiment
6.3
Popularity
9.5
Technical
3.6

Snoop's Take

The Duncan Toys Imperial Yo-Yo is a classic toy designed for beginner yo-yo enthusiasts. With its durable plastic body and steel axle, it provides an excellent introduction to the world of yo-yoing, focusing on basic tricks and looping techniques. Consumer feedback highlights its nostalgic value and effectiveness for learning foundational skills. Many users recall fond memories associated with Duncan yo-yos, such as, "Who remembers Duncan Yo-yo’s?" Additionally, it has been noted that the Imperial is good for mastering basics like the sleeper and forward toss, with comments like, "Good to learn the basic throw on." However, some users mention frustration with advanced tricks and the yo-yo's return capability, expressing that they needed to make adjustments for optimal performance. Overall, the Duncan Toys Imperial Yo-Yo is highly recommended for its category as an entry-level yo-yo. It effectively serves its purpose of teaching beginners essential skills while also evoking nostalgia among long-time fans of the brand.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Yo Yos

Who remember Duncan Yo-yo’s? They came to my middle school and sold them to us for $5 each back in 1998.

Positive Feedback

I think it got sold off at one of my mother's garage sales.

Negative Feedback
Product
5.2
Duncan Toys Imperial Yo-Yo
Learning the Basics
1 / 10
Skill Development
3 / 10
Advanced Tricks and Competitions
3 / 10
Outdoor Play and Recreation
7 / 10
See how this compares to all Yo Yos

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Nostalgic value and historical significance of Duncan Yo-yos
Who remember Duncan Yo-yo’s? They came to my middle school and sold them to us for $5 each back in 1998.
I had the Imperial. While I didn't get great, I got above average.
Good for learning basic tricks
Well.. it's fine to get the VERY basics down like sleeper, forward toss and so on.
Ideal for beginners
Good to learn the basic throw on, once you get that really solid pick up either a yotricks sage, a recess first base.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Limited functionality for beginners
I think it got sold off at one of my mother's garage sales.
Yo-yo doesn't come back after throwing
You might need a new string, also you could take the string off and rub some chapstick on the loop
Frustrating for advanced tricks
Sure wish I had internet and knew of the community back then.

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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Discussion about changing strings for better performance
Good chance that its just gotten too worn.
You just need a fresh string.
Discussion about cash-strapped schools allowing yo-yo sales
There must have been a sweet reward for cash-strapped schools to let in this stupid yo-yo company.
Discussion about responsive vs unresponsive yo-yos
Most beginner yoyos will come with both bearings.

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Discussion about modding yo-yos for better performance
I know HOW to fix it, it's just that no matter how hard I pull, I can't get the yoyo to budge.
Glued in a wooden dowel that fit perfectly, **so** fun to play fixie with
Even after modding it it will barely sleep.

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Interest in beginner-friendly yo-yos
My nephew brought a yoyo home, and I ended up playing with it all day lol.
A Duncan Butterfly XT is a good, cheap and readily available yoyo.
K2 crystal plus or v3 by magic yo-yo are pretty good Amazon option both are pretty good starter and come with both styles of bearings if you decide you ever want to learn more.
the Butterfly XT is an awesome little yoyo that I think would do perfectly for what you're looking for! It uses a ball bearings, but don't let that intimidate you with this yoyo!
Discussion about entry-level responsive yo-yos
15 seconds is pretty good for a responsive yoyo - there’s likely not much you’ll be able to do to increase the spin times on this aside from maybe throwing harder.
15 seconds is already a decent time for that yoyo.
Discussion about various Duncan yo-yos available
YES YOYO'S ARE BACK AT TOYS R' US BABYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Also saw a few duncans in toys r us in Trinoma ph
Nice. That's the yo-yo that got me back into throwing around 2002
Discussion about comparing Duncan with other brands
You can get a nice cheap one for the price of a Duncan reflex.
So... the magic yoyo is better that the Duncan?
I like the dove it's only 30 bucks
Which duncan tho? I'm playing with a professional Duncan today.
Interest in learning tricks with beginner yo-yos
Imperial Duncan yoyo won't come back.
Interest in upgrading to better quality yo-yos
thank you! in time i wanna get a better quality yoyo, just curious what I could do with this.
Interest in understanding yo-yo mechanics
It isn't meant to be taken apart, but you can still take it apart. Note that this will result in destruction of the original yo-yo, but result in a better playing one (not quite as good as a Butterfly XT).
Mine doesn't screw apart.
Twist and pull, forcefully. It does not screw apart; you’re forcing it apart. See the statements above, though- there’s no turning back once you commit to this.
its not meant to be taken apart.
Community and resources available for yo-yoing
Welcome to yoyo-ing! It'll be great, a yoyo is a yoyo (heresy! ;-p)
Interest in starter bundles for beginners
Thanks so much for taking the time to respond and sharing your knowledge.

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Discussion about the difficulties of fixing knots in yo-yos
I hope somebody can help me, aside from telling me to “get a new yo-yo” haha
It could only take being pulled apart just a couple of times before the plastic was worn and would no longer friction fit.
Curiosity about yo-yo design evolution
Are these just more for tricks or have yo-yos evolved into that shape.

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