Interesting. ^^ My best friend and I made up many kinds of pretend games, but I'd say a favorite of ours, which we played in different ways with different props, was "Time Machine." It was basically a spin-off of the H. G. Wells story. We'd pretend we were brothers (this actually happened a lot... in many ways we
were) and building a time machine in our garage. We'd go through the whole test and development phase, usually nearly creating a black hole but dodging that at the last minute. ^^;; Then we'd start using it. Typically, though it varied, the "time machine" consisted of a Zube tube to make funky noises as we took off, and a calculator to simulate a computer reading off the date. Among a few other things. It varied, and if we were playing indoors on a sleep-over we'd include lights as well. And we'd just take it from there. ^^;; It was different every time, but a lot of fun.
When we played outdoors, we typically did so using this small collection of boulders and bushes... there were several such in the condo complex we grew up in. But this one was a little more interesting because it seemed fully enclosed... however, there was a hidden boulder underneath a pricker-bush and if you knew where it was, you could take a giant step right into the pricker bush and find footing on a flat surface only a few inches down. And that was the only easy way in to the center of the whole arrangement. ^^;; So we'd set up the "time machine" there.
Also, to be fair, even as a MTF... I tend to find dolls kind of creepy. I never played with GI Joe... though an acquaintance once tried to get me into that... and I don't think I'd ever have played with a Barbie either.
I was, and am, a little unusual. As far as cartoons though... my very favorite for a LONG time growing up was Rainbow Brite. Go figure, huh?