It was. As @Kor notes. My friends had a huge selection of TNG figures and the tricorders especially were always a mix of loop and non-loop accessories.
Thank you. Wow, that's a lot of memories.
Playmates Toys
- Thread starter captainjellico
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I genuinely do not remember the loops. Interesting, and fun walk down memory lane. I stand corrected.
I stand by my point, however, that it's a little silly. I know this is based on nostalgia, but I would've also expected an upgrade to the figures in 2022.
I stand by my point, however, that it's a little silly. I know this is based on nostalgia, but I would've also expected an upgrade to the figures in 2022.
Figures in 2022 can have loops too.
Nostalgia is a weird thing.
I find all the new toys are very reminiscent of their 90s toys, which were made more for kids than collectors. The press release for the new line specifically mentions they were going this route again (now if kids actually want them is still debatable). So everything is more toyetic, versus being made as display pieces like the relatively recent Art Asylum offerings. Presumably, Playmates felt burned by having collector-oriented stuff in the ST09 line, but that's a whole different discussion.
Which is more a positive to me. I know that it bothers collectors and my attitude is rather heretical but I believe that aiming for kids is a more positive thing to do. Now, do kids always like toys? No, not always, which is probably why it drives collectors nuts; you're giving these things to people who don't appreciate them. But, I'm of the attitude that toys are meant to be played with.
Agreed, with the exception of the Discovery and Prodigy guys, the rest can be had as relatively recent Art Asylum releases if one wants a figure directed towards adult collectors.
Oh yes, pics here: http://www.16bit.com/fotd/130822-star-trek-tng-troi.shtml
Interesting that they used the standard tricorder mold for her instead of that weird flat thing that Data had.
Kor
It's probably a bit of a shame that the Data figure seems to be the most commonly available right now, because the 1992 figure was one of the weirdest of the original line, with squat legs and monkey arms with huge hands.
It makes the new Data look huge, but I bet he would probably look fine with the original Q or Barclay. Even so, the hands are tiny! That would be easy enough to tweak in later lines. Looks like the TWOK figures have larger hands and can hold their stuff.
Looking forward to getting the TNG boys in hand so I can see for myself.
It makes the new Data look huge, but I bet he would probably look fine with the original Q or Barclay. Even so, the hands are tiny! That would be easy enough to tweak in later lines. Looks like the TWOK figures have larger hands and can hold their stuff.
Looking forward to getting the TNG boys in hand so I can see for myself.
They pretty much all had those proportions in the original line, maybe it just seemed weirder for Data since Spiner was such a slight guy.
The thing that disappoints me with these first releases is -- way too many humans! I would love to give my nephew some Star Trek action figures, but I feel like it's the aliens that would hook him. Worf, Quark, a Borg... those would all be hits, even though he doesn't get the reference already. Shatner in his monster maroon's just isn't as enticing for a kid.
Though, I guess the Prodigy toys are coming to fill that need.
Though, I guess the Prodigy toys are coming to fill that need.
That's the purpose of Prodigy.
Despite earlier professing disinterest, I somehow ended up ordering Data and Kirk anyway. Data has arrived and, I've gotta say, looks a lot better in reality than he came off in the pics online.
Lucky for me that another 90's size Trek line is not in the offing. I wouldn't be able to stop myself from buying every damn one.
Lucky for me that another 90's size Trek line is not in the offing. I wouldn't be able to stop myself from buying every damn one.
I believe the target audience for these would be nostalgic adult collectors, not children. Super 7 and Mego have had a certain amount of success with "retro" Trek figures and both are sold at Wal-Mart and Target.
90% of the original Playmates line can still be found easily and cheaply so it wouldn't make sense to do straight repacks. Conversely, I don't think there's an audience any longer for 6 or 7 inch, super articulated, highly detailed figures in the style of Diamond Select and NECA. More expensive to produce, higher price point at retail. McFarlane tried it, and the line was cancelled after two (!) figures.
Mattel and Hasbro have had success with figures that have retro aesthetics, but with modern articulation and detailing. That is the direction Playmates has chosen and I believe that's the right way to go.
I really think they need to stick to the modern shows as well as TOS, TOS movies, TNG, and perhaps the first two TNG movies. Playmates is a mainstream toy company that still seems to do the bulk of it's business at Wal-Mart and Target. They need to stick with the characters that the straights can identify with. Diamond Select and Eaglemoss were direct market/boutique/online toy store retailers, so they were vying more for the niche geek crowd.
I personally would love a box set featuring the crew of the Valiant from DS9, but I also realize that I am a total freak on the lunatic fringe of geekdom, so...
90% of the original Playmates line can still be found easily and cheaply so it wouldn't make sense to do straight repacks. Conversely, I don't think there's an audience any longer for 6 or 7 inch, super articulated, highly detailed figures in the style of Diamond Select and NECA. More expensive to produce, higher price point at retail. McFarlane tried it, and the line was cancelled after two (!) figures.
Mattel and Hasbro have had success with figures that have retro aesthetics, but with modern articulation and detailing. That is the direction Playmates has chosen and I believe that's the right way to go.
I really think they need to stick to the modern shows as well as TOS, TOS movies, TNG, and perhaps the first two TNG movies. Playmates is a mainstream toy company that still seems to do the bulk of it's business at Wal-Mart and Target. They need to stick with the characters that the straights can identify with. Diamond Select and Eaglemoss were direct market/boutique/online toy store retailers, so they were vying more for the niche geek crowd.
I personally would love a box set featuring the crew of the Valiant from DS9, but I also realize that I am a total freak on the lunatic fringe of geekdom, so...
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Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how it pans out.
I think the idea is that they appeal both to kids (especially Prodigy) and collectors, which was the case for the original line. I was a child in the 90s and loved playing with my toys.
Obviously the retro cards for the TNG and TOS figures are pitched more at collectors than children. Many of the new shows are more adult-oriented than the previous series too, so I'm not sure how large the kid-market will be.
I think the idea is that they appeal both to kids (especially Prodigy) and collectors, which was the case for the original line. I was a child in the 90s and loved playing with my toys.
Obviously the retro cards for the TNG and TOS figures are pitched more at collectors than children. Many of the new shows are more adult-oriented than the previous series too, so I'm not sure how large the kid-market will be.
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