Playmates Toys

[IMC Headquarters]

CAPTAIN SISKO: Constable? How would you like to be a prototype toy at a fair this weekend? There have been a series of thefts in the collectibles community...
ODO: Hah! I'll give something for Quark to play with...
CAPTAIN SISKO: I'd like to give Quark the benefit of the doubt this time. Just make sure it's a profitless exercise for whoever's involved.

 

[NCC-73515]

Master Replicas Announces New STAR TREK UNIVERSE Action Figure and Toy License

Master Replicas has announced a major new STAR TREK UNIVERSE action figure and toy deal, set to bring characters, playsets, and landing party gear home to collectors

blog.trekcore.com

 

[IMC Headquarters]

I predict that Tendi will sell out fast.

 

[Tomalak]

The tooling looks suspiciously similar to Playmates. Given that MR is essentially a reseller for other manufacturers, I wouldn't be surprised if Playmates is ultimately making these.

The Lower Decks figures look great, the others look ok. Riker looks dangerously thin. Worf looks cool.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Riker looks dangerously thin.

Yeah, Riker has not been anywhere near that thin since season one of The Next Generation.

 

[Paul755]

They all look fantastic. But just like the terrible looking Hiya figures. Gotta wait to see the final product. Although that may not matter with the animated figures.

 

[IMC Headquarters]

Yeah, Riker has not been anywhere near that thin since season one of The Next Generation.

Um...it's Thomas Riker after a decade in a Cardie prison.

Is Hiya Prime Spock to be found anywhere???

 

[Sakonna]

These are exactly the figures I was wishing Playmates would have made - get the best of both worlds by giving us the modern versions of the classic characters.

Whatever happened to Nacelle's releases? Did that also fall apart? I was excited for some of those.

 

[Tomalak]

Whatever happened to Nacelle's releases? Did that also fall apart? I was excited for some of those.

They said they were replanning the first wave after feedback and would make an announcement in the new year. So I guess soon hopefully?

 

[drt]

The tooling looks suspiciously similar to Playmates. Given that MR is essentially a reseller for other manufacturers, I wouldn't be surprised if Playmates is ultimately making these.

I think you’re correct, I bet MR just bought or licensed the molds, etc. that Playmates had already made. Remember before they pulled the plug, Playmates had shown prototypes of a few of these already at a Toyfaire a few years ago.

I’m glad they’ll release Rok-Tahk so folks can finish their Prodigy crew.

 

[Daedalus]

There was supposed to be a Prodigy phaser release, so I wonder if that will re-enter this line? Affordable role play items aren't exactly commonplace these days.

 

[Tomalak]

I think you’re correct, I bet MR just bought or licensed the molds, etc. that Playmates had already made. Remember before they pulled the plug, Playmates had shown prototypes of a few of these already at a Toyfaire a few years ago.

I’m glad they’ll release Rok-Tahk so folks can finish their Prodigy crew.

Yeah I think the Playmates planned Wave 2 included TNG Geordi, Worf and Troi, SNW Pike and Spock and Seven of Nine in the VOY silver catsuit, so most of those would be off-limits to MR. But Playmates may have had more waves protoyped. I think Admiral Picard might have been in their initial concept art?

I highly suspect that Playmates are making these and MR is just distributing direct to consumers. They are charging double the Playmates retail price. Probably makes more sense and is a more sustainable business model. Star Trek is obviously dead in bricks and mortar stores.

Releasing them monthly is probably a smart move rather than dropping six or eight at once.

 

[Kai "the spy"]

Yeah, they look just like the recent Playmates figures. Which, on the one hand, cool that we're getting these figures at all. But just like with the Playmates figures, I wish they were in the style of the 90s figures. For one, the new figures just feel kind of fragile, and even more importantly, they stick out like a sore thumb in the existing collection.

But I'm curious to see, the press release speaks of playsets as well. SNW bridge playset incoming? Lower Decks bunk beds? Announcing a playset of the holodeck pub from Picard would make one hell of an April Fool's joke.

 

[Paul755]

I missed it the first time…26 bucks a pop (plus shipping) is steep.

I might pass on all that’s been announced (so far) except for Lower Decks at that price.

 

[drt]

I'm probably in for SNW Spock (and presumably Pike), plus Old Man Warrior Worf. I had been thinking of getting an Exo-6 Boimler, but these are probably a better way to snag the whole gang.

 

[NCC-73515]

Based on the leaked prototype box, they plan to also make Data, Geordi, Crusher, Troi, Seven, Jack, Ransom, Shax, Rutherford, T'ana, Badgey, and Boims comes with tricorders, a PADD, and a Paris plate

 

[Markonian]

I enjoy modifying the figures to change their departments and rank. But in modern days everyone wears such "personalized" uniforms that this might be hard to do. Really dislike how PIC ditched the standard uniforms in favor of collarless outfits with jackets, but having the character heads would be useful... Hm.

 

[NCC-73515]

I want the regular PIC S3 uniform or the S1 flashback ones! And the PRO crew in uniforms instead of torn rags

 

[C.E. Evans]

I highly suspect that Playmates are making these and MR is just distributing direct to consumers. They are charging double the Playmates retail price. Probably makes more sense and is a more sustainable business model. Star Trek is obviously dead in bricks and mortar stores.

There's just not enough interest in Star Trek toys at the retail level. MR may have come to the conclusion that Trek toys are very niche, and only appeals to a small customer base these days. The higher price point than most 4.5-inch figures at retail probably reflects that, IMO.

 

[Tomalak]

Yes, these are collectibles aimed at adults.