The Eighties was a fantastic time to be a kid. We got to be the first to watch incredible animated shows. Shows that stood the test of time. One such show was the Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Like most shows, a toy line was created so we could continue the adventures after the show had finished.
Like most kids I wished I could have each action figure from the show, hell, I would have settled for the four turtles only. Unfortunately, we were as middle class as they come and so I just got Donatello and Raphael. I may have had some initial disappointment but let me tell you that I had hours of fun with them. They had loads of battles. They teamed up with Batman, Bugs Bunny and even dated Barbie.
As I got older, they had been played out, worn out. Donny was missing an arm and Raph… well if ever find him I will tell you.
Play Time is Never Over
Time may have destroyed my heroes in the half shell, but time also made them valuable. Not mine but the line. As we kids got older, we found the joy could continue in collecting these toys. We now had access to adult money and didn’t need permission. (Yeah, this was not going to end well)
However, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles kept getting bigger as a brand and older toys in good condition kept getting more expensive.
In true heroic form entered Toys R Us, who just recently brought in the re-issue of the original line as part of their new Kidult Fan Vault. I kid you not, I yelped like a little boy in a… well toy store. I could finally get all the characters I wanted.
The prices are not the same for sure, inflation has been the real villain here. However, the prices were still far better than buying the original.
One may argue that they are re-issues, honestly, I don’t care as for me this was pure nostalgia and not investment. However, with that being said I honestly do believe that these too will accrue over time. There is just something special about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. They seem to capture the imagination of every generation.
Toys R Very Much Us
Toys R Us brings in a few lines this time around. Each line is unique and addresses different eras if you will. They also have different price points, which can suit any pocket. They are scaled accordingly and again resonate with both old, young and everything in between.
I reached out to the good folks at Toys R Us for a comment on the launch of their Fan Vault and according to the Toys R Us, Marketing Manager, Catherine Jacoby, collectible toys are becoming increasingly popular, especially among young consumers aged 15 to 25 and even upwards of 30 and 55 years of age. “The so-called ‘kidults’ are fuelling the rapid increase in collectable toys, which are fast becoming big business.”
The Line
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classic is the budget friendly line. It is also the re-issue of the original line. Marked at R 349.99 it is worth every penny. Featuring all 4 turtles, a maskless Shredder and Splinter. These look so good in the packaging; you would not want to open them from their blister packs.
Then have we the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classic 15cm Elite Figure, which a bit more premium in its fancy window boxed packaging. My personal favorite is Shredder. The figure is gorgeous and very detailed. R799.90
And larger than life, we have the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Classic 30cm Giant Figure. These are rulers’ height. They are awesome and can make for fantastic display pieces. Given the price I think they are very detailed and feel far more premium than the price stag suggests. R899.90
Closing us out would be the (drum roll) Turtle Van. It’s every kids dream toy. The Turtle Van sits right there with other Eighties icon vehicles like the A Team Van, or KITT or Ecto-1. Priced at R 1499.99. That is probably more than shipping from eBay would cost.
Looking at the items in store, I felt I was in Toys R Us… just 30 years ago. Honestly, that actual moment was worth every penny spent. The items are the memories that represent them.
“We’re all kids at heart,” said Jacoby. “Toys are for everyone and we’re seeing consumers return to brands they loved in their childhood.” “With the increase in film franchise releases this year as well as limited edition releases, we can expect to see a number of new collectable toys being released and sought-after with a potential high collector value, and specialized.”
“We’re inviting ‘Kidult Fan Vault’ to come take a journey with us as we remember the life changing toys of the sixties to nineties,” she says. “Feel the power of nostalgia as we remember the brands that brought so much enjoyment to our lives.”
