80s/90s Toy research

In order to get a better feel for the kinda toys and figures that I will be taking influence from for my premise project, I decided to take it as an opportunity to pick up some figures and toys from the era. (Lies I had some already and would have bought them anyway cos I like toys but shhhhh, let's say its all for the project.) Regardless I thought id do this post to show some of the gimmicks, action features and details that are infamous for toys of the era. I'll be showcasing a variety of figures from the Masters of the Universe line by Mattel, The Real Ghostbusters line by Kenner, The Thunder Cats line by LJN and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line by Playmates toys.



Filmation's He-man and the Masters of the Universe was on of the most infamous cartoons of the 80s made souly to sell toys, The Masters of the Universe line was powered by gimmick based characters, normally with a cheesy pun based name. From Moss Man, a man covered in flocked moss to, Man E Faces, a man with multiple faces and Scare Glow, a skeleton with a glow in the dark finished. Each figure is also equipped with an action spring loaded punch gimmick. Another thing to note with these figures is the frequent reuse of parts and body sculpts in order make each figure easier and cheaper to produce. Pictured, thankfully unable to be smelt, below is Stinkor, a skunk like monster ( funny enough who reuses the head of other vilian Merman) has the gimmick of having a bad odour, as well as Spikor, simply a man covered in spikes.

Based on the animated series, The Real Ghostbusters an animated series was based on the 1984 classic Ghostbusters, that surprisingly never got toys when it originally released. The series had a pretty big presents in the toy aisle through the 80s, the line is one of my favourites for its use of fun gimmicks and designs, most of the characters and appearances never actually appeared in the show. Below is a mix of some of the ghost figures as well as some of my personal favourites the monster line, based on the classic Universal Monsters. Each of them has a gimmick triggered by squeezing the legs, Drac shows his teeth, the Wolfman howls etc.

My other favourites sub line in the collection is the Fright Features figures, each of the Ghostbusters have a resting face and when you squeeze the arm they pull crazy, large Marge style cartoony scared faces. Pictured bellow is Peter Venkman, Slimer and Ray Stantz.

The Thundercats line by LGN is slightly less interesting than some of the other lines of the 80s however they do contain an interesting light up gimmick, I was lucky enough to pick up a complete and working vintage Lion-O figure. It is pretty rare to find the figures with a still working light with the key to trigger it. When you place the place the battery key piece into the back of the figure the lights will light up. The figure also has a arm swatting gimmick when you push a leaver on his back.

Finally the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line, the line is filled with hundreds of wacky versions of the turtles in different crazy outfits, that I wish I own, however featured bellow are some of the Wacky Action turtles. The Raphael figure has a button that when pressed enough causes a rod to spin. on his shell if you plug the included shield piece in the hole and place him on a flat surface he will spin around like a madman. The Mikey has a wind up feature that spins his arm around holding a nunchuch. The line is pretty famous for its over the top detail and wacky expressions on them, from weird animals attached to the sculpt and rips. The figures also contain a variety of accessories cast in a single colour plastic some including animal friends.

Overall from this research id like to take a nice variety of influence and inspiration from not only the way the figures are made but the subtle details, charm and features they include. I want to create a loving tribute in the style of figures and toys from this era.