Playmates Toys

[Paul755]

Entertainment Earth has the figs up for preorder for $15.99, the phaser for $29.99 and the Enterprise for $49.99.

15.99 for the figures is right in line with what I would expect. I remember back in the day the high end on the figures was 12 bucks at the mall toy stores like KB. So a 3 buck increase with less retailer options (brick and mortar wise) is pretty reasonable.

 

[fireproof78]

I dunno that I would say “shocked” or “awkward” about no Prodigy figures, ships or accessories. In fact the more I think about it the more it makes sense they would kick off the line with more recognizable (to a mass audience) characters. Especially since they will be fighting for shelf space at Target, WalMart, etc…it’s the same reason the very first wave in the 90’s was the main TNG crew plus some aliens (a Borg, Gowron and a Romulan if I’m not mistaken).

Not to mention, the animated characters are gonna be the most difficult to translate if they are able to do them at all. It’s like the discussion with the Eaglemoss ships for LD. Do they do the figures cartoony or do they try to make them look “real”.

Indeed. Regardless of Prodigy's inroads being made the visual iconography of Star Trek is Kirk and Spock, the Enterprise, and then follow up characters. Starting with something visually iconic makes perfect sense. Since I imagine this is the first wave

Price point is too high, even taking Bidenflation into account. You can get 8-inch Mego figures (including Star Trek), Star Wars: TVC, and MOTU Origins figures cheaper than you can these.

They’re close to charging premium prices for figures that are not premium-level figures. $12.99 would’ve been about what I expected. At $15.99 they may not get the same type of reaction from consumers.

What? This is industry average for figures of this type, perhaps up a couple of dollars. TVC runs 13 to 18. A 3 dollar increase for a larger figure is not surprising. Star Wars Black Series at 6 inch is 22 on average. These figures are taller than TVC and shorter than Black Series. The price makes sense.

The Mego figures were cheaper, and also not cast the same way, and designed for an extremely niche market. I would not use them as a comparison.

ETA: Ninj'ad sort of:

15.99 for the figures is right in line with what I would expect. I remember back in the day the high end on the figures was 12 bucks at the mall toy stores like KB. So a 3 buck increase with less retailer options (brick and mortar wise) is pretty reasonable.

Yup.

 

[shapeshifter]

Excellent!

 

[Kor]

Yes the pricing is just fine for this kind of figure. For comparison, the recent Marvel Retro 3.75" line is very basic; only five points of articulation, and minimal accessories, if any. And those often retail for $16.99.

Kor

 

[Sakonna]

Anyone have a wish list of figures they hope get made, other than the standard bridge crews?

I demand an Osnullus!
https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Osnullus

As well as characters from the new series, I'd love to see a few more gaps plugged from the 90s line - Commander Shelby and pretty much everyone from DS9 after season 4 (Martok, Weyoun, Damar, Ezri and a decent Nog).

With the old Playmates line, the more obscure the character was, the more I liked it. If it was a character or outfit we saw only once, I was first in line to buy it. I know it absolutely will not happen, but in my dreams how I would love for this line to get to a similar place. Give me a Selay! Female Vorgon, to complement previously released Male Vorgon! Gul Macet! Billups with Spock Helmet from Lower Decks season 1 finale! A Vaadwaur! Mirror Leeta! A Phylosian! Bjayzl! Tasha Yar in "Encounter At Farpoint" skant!

 

[Kor]

Let's have the Mick Fleetwood fish alien!

Kor

 

[C.E. Evans]

I dunno that I would say “shocked” or “awkward” about no Prodigy figures, ships or accessories. In fact the more I think about it the more it makes sense they would kick off the line with more recognizable (to a mass audience) characters. Especially since they will be fighting for shelf space at Target, WalMart, etc…it’s the same reason the very first wave in the 90’s was the main TNG crew plus some aliens (a Borg, Gowron and a Romulan if I’m not mistaken).

I think the difference between then and now was that Trek didn't have a new show targeted mainly at kids. Having something from PROD in the first wave should have been a no-brainer, especially if Trek wanted to expand beyond just adult collectors. It'd be interesting to see what they got planned for the second wave.

Not to mention, the animated characters are gonna be the most difficult to translate if they are able to do them at all.

Those could really be ironically the easier ones to do, IMO. They probably just won't make them fit with the non-animated characters.

 

[JoseNoodles]

$50 for the Enterprise does seem pricey for something that's not being marketed as a high-end collectible. I would have expected something in the range of 30-40 dollars.

 

[fireproof78]

$50 for the Enterprise does seem pricey for something that's not being marketed as a high-end collectible. I would have expected something in the range of 30-40 dollars.

50 no longer means high end collectable.

 

[C.E. Evans]

Hasbro was trying to sell their last Star Wars Sequel Trilogy X-Wing fighters (no lights, no sound) for $100 bucks. It was just a nice chunk of plastic...

 

[fireproof78]

Hasbro was trying to sell their last Star Wars Sequel Trilogy X-Wing fighters (no lights, no sound) for $100 bucks. It was just a nice chunk of plastic...

Was? They still are, and recently released a Rogue One Blue Leader X-wing as a Target Exclusive for 90. This is not going to change.

Also, it's a beautiful sculpt.

 

[ivypool]

Those could really be ironically the easier ones to do, IMO. They probably just won't make them fit with the non-animated characters.

I don’t understand the point of making a brand-encompassing toyline meant to fit in alongside a previous toyline unless it’s all designed to match. This line is marketing itself as a sequel to the original 90’s playmates figs, imo it would make sense to keep it stylistically consistent across the board.

 

[fireproof78]

I don’t understand the point of making a brand-encompassing toyline meant to fit in alongside a previous toyline unless it’s all designed to match. This line is marketing itself as a sequel to the original 90’s playmates figs, imo it would make sense to keep it stylistically consistent across the board.

It depends on how they market it. Different figures can be sculpted for different targets and age ranges. Star Wars does this with 3.75 inch, 6 inch, 5 inch and 4.5 inch. The 5 inch are stylistically different than other lines.

Playmates would do well to branch out rather than adhere to a small niche in an already niche market.

 

[C.E. Evans]

Was? They still are, and recently released a Rogue One Blue Leader X-wing as a Target Exclusive for 90. This is not going to change.

Yeah, that's kinda the point. $100 doesn't really mean high end.

Also, it's a beautiful sculpt.

Unfortunately the laser cannons warp over time.

 

[fireproof78]

Yeah, that's kinda the point. $100 doesn't really mean high end.
Also, it's a beautiful sculpt.

Unfortunately the laser cannons warp over time.[/QUOTE]
That is the unfortunate part.

Obviously, "high end" is in the eye of the beholder. $100 is still a lot, regardless of features. But, when I look at sculpts from various X-wings I definitely see the difference. And if warped cannons is all that happens I can live with that and fix it.

 

[Paul755]

I would be very surprised if the new line got to the point that the original did where they can release some really obscure characters (Vorgon, Marta, Swarm Alien) or some out there variants like Sherlock Holmes Data or “A Piece of the Action” Kirk.

I’d be happy if we get all the different versions of the main crews and a handful of aliens. Like we get tv versions of the TOS/TNG crews, then movie versions of the same crews. S1-4 versions of the DS9 crew (with Cmdr Sisko) then S5-7 versions (with Capt. Sisko), etc…

I think the difference between then and now was that Trek didn't have a new show targeted mainly at kids. Having something from PROD in the first wave should have been a no-brainer, especially if Trek wanted to expand beyond just adult collectors. It'd be interesting to see what they got planned for the second wave.

Those could really be ironically the easier ones to do, IMO. They probably just won't make them fit with the non-animated characters.

I could see anything Prodigy related coming out when/if the show actually runs on Nick and not just P+.

 

[Tomalak]

I'm sure the ships cost around £30 back in the nineties, so $50 seems very reasonable. No doubt we'll get ripped off in the UK as usual.

 

[JN2849]

What? This is industry average for figures of this type, perhaps up a couple of dollars. TVC runs 13 to 18.

Standard TVC figures are $13.99, up from $12.99 thanks to Bidenflation. If you’re paying anything more, you’re paying scalper prices.

A 3 dollar increase for a larger figure is not surprising. Star Wars Black Series at 6 inch is 22 on average. These figures are taller than TVC and shorter than Black Series. The price makes sense.

The amount of plastic isn’t the primary determiner of price, articulation is. You can get 12-inch figures cheaper than you can get Marvel Legends and TBS (including 12-inch Marvel figures) because of the limited articulation.

These new Trek figures look to be fairly in line with TVC, and should be retailed at that price point or close to it.

The Mego figures were cheaper, and also not cast the same way, and designed for an extremely niche market. I would not use them as a comparison.

I don’t think you understand how business works. Niche products don’t retail for less than mass market products, they retail for more. That’s why Super 7’s 5POA retro 3.75in figures retail for right at $20, while Spin Masters’ 12POA 3.75in DC figures retail for $7.99, and their 12in figures go for about $10 a pop, give or take.

If these figures retail at $16 they aren’t going to move at the same rate they would at $13.

 

[fireproof78]

Standard TVC figures are $13.99, up from $12.99 thanks to Bidenflation. If you’re paying anything more, you’re paying scalper prices.

Bullshit.

The amount of plastic isn’t the primary determiner of price, articulation is. You can get 12-inch figures cheaper than you can get Marvel Legends and TBS (including 12-inch Marvel figures) because of the limited articulation.

These new Trek figures look to be fairly in line with TVC, and should be retailed at that price point or close to it.

Articulation, sculpt process, availability of materials, developing the molds, testing process, initial runs, shipping, etc. It isn't as simple as it being made out here.

I don’t think you understand how business works. Niche products don’t retail for less than mass market products, they retail for more. That’s why Super 7’s 5POA retro 3.75in figures retail for right at $20, while Spin Masters’ 12POA 3.75in DC figures retail for $7.99, and their 12in figures go for about $10 a pop, give or take.

If these figures retail at $16 they aren’t going to move at the same rate they would at $13.

I understand business just fine, thank you.

 

[JN2849]

Yes the pricing is just fine for this kind of figure. For comparison, the recent Marvel Retro 3.75" line is very basic; only five points of articulation, and minimal accessories, if any. And those often retail for $16.99.

Kor

Marvel’s 3.75in retro figures retail for $9.99. Using scalper/eBay prices as a barometer is illogical.