Author: rhavens01

Top Ten – Star Wars Expanded Universe Figures

TOP TEN STAR WARS EXPANDED UNIVERSE FIGURES

The Toy Collectors Guide continues our new monthly feature that highlights various toy lines with a emphasis on a top ten, because honestly, who doesn’t love a good top ten list!

This month, we put the spotlight on the old Star Wars Expanded Universe (now called “Legends”) with the TOP TEN STAR WARS EXPANDED UNIVERSE FIGURES. This list celebrates the iconic characters from the now defunct world of the EU, that have been made into action figures by Hasbro. This includes only characters who appeared in the novels, comics, video games and other media outside the main movies and TV shows.

Top Ten lists are usually subjective by the author, and that is absolutely the case here as well. These lists are meant to inspire conversation and debate, so please feel free to leave a comment with who would make your list. Without further ado, here is September’s Top Ten list. We hope you enjoy and have some fun with it.

Top Ten Star Wars Expanded Universe Figures

Number 1

Mara Jade (Skywalker)

Mara Jade (Skywalker)
(Expanded Universe Series – Released 1996)
(Black Series 3.75″ – Released 2013)
(Comic Pack Series – Released 2007)

Mara Jade is a significant character in the Star Wars Expanded Universe, and is a complex character with a compelling story that spans several novels and media. Mara Jade was the Emperor’s Hand, until his death in “Return of the Jedi.” Mara Jade’s life takes a dramatic turn when she meets Luke Skywalker in The Heir To The Empire novel (Released in 1991). Mara Jade’s character appears in numerous novels, comics, and other media set in the Expanded Universe.

Number 2

Darth Revan

Darth Revan
(Thirtieth Anniversary Collection Series – Released 2007)
(Black Series 6″ – Released 2017)
(Black Series 6″ – Jedi Knight Released 2020)

Darth Revan is a memorable character in the Star Wars Expanded Universe, specifically in the “Knights of the Old Republic” video game series. He is a complex figure known for his pivotal role in the events of the Old Republic era. Darth Revan first appeared in the video game “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic” (2003), but his story continued in the sequel, “Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II – The Sith Lords,” as well as in novels, comics, and other Expanded Universe media.

Number 3

Kyle Katarn

Kyle Katarn
(Expanded Universe Series – Released 1996)
(Comic Pack Series – Released 2009)

Kyle Katarn is a former Imperial stormtrooper, mercenary, Rebel agent, and ultimately a Jedi Knight. He is known for his strong sense of justice, his piloting and combat skills, and his journey from a non-Force-sensitive individual to a skilled Jedi. Kyle Katarn’s character appears in several “Jedi Knight” video games, including “Star Wars Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith” and “Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast.”

Number 4

Jaina Solo

Jaina Solo
(The Legacy Collection – Released 2010)
(Black Series 6″ – Released 2017)

Jaina Solo is the daughter of Han Solo and Leia Organa Solo, making her part of the iconic Solo family. She has a twin brother named Jacen Solo (who later becomes Darth Caedus) and a younger brother named Anakin Solo. Jaina undergoes significant development as she becomes a prominent Jedi Knight and central figure in the events of the Expanded Universe.

Number 5

Kir Kanos

Kir Kanos
(Comic Pack Series – Released 2007)
(Black Series 6″ – Released 2021)

Kir Kanos was a member of the elite Imperial Royal Guard, the crimson-clad soldiers who served as personal bodyguards to Emperor Palpatine. He holds a deep loyalty to the Empire and its ideals, and becomes determined to avenge the Emperor’s death. Kir Kanos’s story is primarily told in the “Crimson Empire” comic series.

Number 6

Darth Talon

Darth Talon
(The Legacy Collection Comic Pack – Released 2008)

Darth Talon is a Sith and a primary antagonist from the “Star Wars: Legacy” comic book series, which is set far after the events of the Original Star Wars Trilogy. Darth Talon is a Twi’lek Sith, who serves under Darth Krayt in the “Star Wars: Legacy” series. Darth Talon is assigned to hunt down and eliminate Cade Skywalker, a descendant of Luke Skywalker, who has turned his back on the Jedi way.

Number 7

Bastila Shan

Bastila Shan
(The Vintage Collection – Released 2011)
(Black Series 3.75″ – Released 2014)

Bastila Shan is a character from the Star Wars universe, specifically from the “Knights of the Old Republic” series of video games. Bastila Shan is a Jedi Knight known for her exceptional skills in battle and her strong command of the Force. She is one of the key characters in the story, and her fate is closely tied to the player character’s journey.

Number 8

Exar Kun

Exar Kun
(The Legacy Collection Comic Pack – Released 2009)

Exar Kun is a fallen Jedi who becomes a powerful and malevolent Sith Lord. He is prominently featured in various comics, novels, and other Expanded Universe media, most notably in the “Tales of the Jedi” comic series. Exar Kun’s story made him a notable figure in the Star Wars Expanded Universe.

Number 9

K’Kruhk

K’Kruhk
(The Legacy Collection – Released 2010)

K’Kruhk was first introduced in the comic series “Star Wars: Republic,” where he played a prominent role during the Clone Wars. He survived Order 66, which led to the downfall of the Jedi Order and the near-extinction of the Jedi. K’Kruhk’s journey after the Clone Wars is chronicled in various Legends stories, such as the “Star Wars: Legacy” comic series.

Number 10

Dash Rendar

Dash Rendar
(Shadows of the Empire – Released 1996)

Dash Rendar is the protagonist of the “Shadows of the Empire” multimedia project (Steve Perry’s novel and video game), bridging the gap between “Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi.” He plays a significant role in helping the Rebel Alliance when Han Solo is frozen in carbonite and taken to Jabba the Hutt. Dash is known for his piloting skills with the modified Corellian YT-2400 light freighter, the Outrider.

HONORABLE MENTION

The Thirtieth Anniversary Collection’s series of The Force Unleashed Video Game figures:
Juno Eclipse, Rahm Kota, Maris Brood, Shadow Guard, Imperial Jumptrooper, Imperial EVO Trooper
and Battle Damaged Darth Vader. I loved these figures, but just ran out of room. Maybe next time!

Top Ten – Most Valuable Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Figures

Ten Most Valuable Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Figures by Playmates

The Toy Collectors Guide brings you a new monthly feature that highlights various toy lines each month with a emphasis on a top ten, because honestly, who doesn’t love a good top ten list!

For our inaugural list, we put the spotlight on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with the TOP TEN MOST VALUABLE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLE FIGURES produced by Playmates Toys from their original line of 1988 – 1997. Top Ten lists are usually subjective by the author, but in this case, we use the most current sales data on the secondary market to compile our values. So this list is truly based on our top ten most valuable TMNT figures on the Toy Collectors Guide at this moment. Remember, we use each item’s actual selling price and not listing prices, because an item is worth what it actually sells for and not neccesarily what it’s listed at.

So, without further ado, here is this month’s Top Ten list for June. We hope you enjoy the list and have some fun with it.

Top Ten Most Valuable Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Figures

Number 1

SCRATCH

Scratch (Released 1993)
Market Value:
Carded: $4,000 – $6,000
Loose: $1,200 – $2,000
Scratch is without a doubt, the most valuable TMNT figure made by Playmates. This was mostly due to a limited production at the time because of the character’s minor role. Scratch, along with his sidekick Jail Bird, come dressed in a prison outfit, so you know these are definitely not the good guys.

Number 2

UNDERCOVER TURTLES

Undercover Don

Undercover Leo

Undercover Mike

Undercover Raphael

Undercover Turtles (Released 1994)
Market Value:
Carded: $2,000 – $3,000 (each)
Loose: $600 – $900 (each)
In 1990, Playmates released a “Don, the undercover turtle” figure with a plastic molded coat. Now all four turtles are going undercover for the Undercover Turtle series from 1994. These guys are super rare, and not a lot of them were produced back in the day. They all came with cloth coats and accessories unique to each character.

Number 3

SHOGUN SHOATE

Shogun Shoate (Released 1994)
Market Value:
Carded: $1,200 – $1,700
Loose: $350 – $450
Shogun Shoate is the “Metallic Mad Shogun Mauler” and loves to battle the turtles any chance he gets. He comes with Metallized Battle Armor, Dragon-headed Double Axe, Snake Slicer, & Lizard Blade.

Number 4

HOT SPOT

Hot Spot (Released 1993)
Market Value:
Carded: $1,100 – $1,600
Loose: $350 – $450
This one-time man’s best friend has now turned into a a fire fighting Dalmatian who also loves to battle bad guys, thanks to being exposed to ooze. He comes with Squirtin’ Fire Hydrant w/ Hose, Fire Axe, & Gas Mask.

Number 5

TYRANNO SHREDDER

Tyranno Shredder (Released 1997)
Market Value:
Carded: $1,000 – $1,400
Loose: $400 – $600
Shredder goes prehistoric with this new Dino Figure version. Watch Tyranno Shredder’s Carnofist Action when you activate the lever on his back. He comes with his Mesozoic Mace, Tyranno Axe, & Spine Spear.

Number 6

GIANT TURTLE TROLLS

Turtle Troll Don

Turtle Troll Leo

Turtle Troll Mike

Turtle Troll Raph

Giant Turtle Trolls (Released 1994)
Market Value:
Carded: $1,000 – $1,400
Loose: $400 – $500
Since the Troll Turtles series was so popular the year before, Playmates released them in GIANT form for the 1994 wave. This series is extremely hard to find on the secondary market. Each figure comes with their unique weapon of choice.

Number 7

WARRIOR CHROME DOME

Warrior Chrome Dome (Released 1995)
Market Value:
Carded: $1,000 – $1,300
Loose: $325 – $425
Chrome Dome gets his very own Warriors action figure with this new metallic version. He comes with Silicon Servo Sai, Gigabyte Goupilon, Ninja Sword, Shogun Sash, & Metallized Collector’s Coin.

Number 8

SHOGUN TRICERATON

Shogun Triceraton (Released 1994)
Market Value:
Carded: $900 – $1,200
Loose: $250 – $350
Shogun Triceraton is the “Dentable Destroyin’ Dino Dynamo”. He comes with a Mesozoic Mace, Katana-Cuttin’ Shogun Swords, Knobby-Knuckled Notched Knife & Metallized Battle Armor.

Number 9

SUMO TURTLES

Sumo Turtle Michaelangelo

Sumo Turtle Raphael

Sumo Turtle Raphael (Released 1995)
Market Value:
Carded: $700 – $850
Loose: $225 – $325
The Turtles go wrestling mode by using the ancient art of Sumo from Japan. Watch their hair spin when you push the button on their backs. Each figure comes with Wooden Sumo Sandals, Metallized Kowabunga Collector Coin and each character’s weapon of choice.

Number 10 (Tie)

INVISIBLE MAN MICHAELANGELO & GIANT SLAM DUNKIN’ DON

Invisible Man Michaelangelo (Released 1994)
Market Value:
Carded: $500 – $650
Loose: $175 – $250
Michelangelo poses as the legendary Invisible Man from the classic Universal Monsters series. He comes with Test Tube Nunchakus, Chemistry Kit, Bandage & Mask w/ Goggles.

Giant Slam Dunkin’ Don (Released 1992)
Market Value:
Boxed: $500 – $650
Loose: $175 – $250
The regular version of Slam Dunkin’ Don was a big hit, so why not make him GIANT size! I’m guessing that a certain legendary pro basketball player who also wore the number 23 might have a little something to do with this figure’s popularity.

Star Wars Vintage Collection/Black Series Update

The Vintage Collection first began in 2010 as a tribute to the classic Star Wars toys from Kenner. Nowadays, it’s very common for toy companies to bring back classic toy lines and utilize their vintage packaging as a way to reach nostalgic adult collectors, but Hasbro was the first to do this with the Vintage Collection. The series stopped in 2013, but returned in 2018 and is still going strong.

The Black Series began in 2013, and introduced a brand new 6″ figure format to Star Wars collectors. This bigger size meant more attention to details, costuming and articulation. At the time, Hasbro billed the Black Series as the ultimate action figure for Star Wars collectors, and it was definitely something that fans had not seen before. The line has seen a few different packaging changes over the years, but it’s still going strong today with tons of amazing looking figures.

Both, The Vintage Collection and The Black Series remain incredibly popular. These figures are continually seeing movement, both up and down, but will always considered highly collectible. Overall, the Vintage Collection and Black Series remain very much in demand, which bodes well for the future of these Star Wars lines, with an rabid fanbase of collectors who continually seek out items from a Galaxy Far, Far, Away.

In addition to the value updates, there has also been some additions and improvements for both pages to enhance your experience. We hope you enjoy the newest vintage Collection and Black Series updates, and as always, keep the feedback coming.

The Vintage Collection through the years:

2010 – 2013

Dengar

Anakin

Bastila Shan

Luke Skywalker

Ponda Baba

Ahsoka Tano

2018 – Present

Kylo Ren

Stormtrooper

Doctor Aphra

Brock Starsher

Cara Dune

Darth Maul

Y-Wing Fighter

Jabba’s Sail Barge

Tantive IV

The Black Series through the years:

2013

Darth Maul

Princess Leia

2014 – 2015

Luke Skywalker

Yoda

2015 – 2020

Darth Revan

Doctor Aphra

2020 – Present

332nd Clone Trooper

Sabine Wren

Transformers – Fortress Maximus (Hasbro – 1987)

A look back at a Transformers Icon!

This Toy Spotlight focuses on a true legend in the Transformers world and an item that sat atop many kids wish lists from the late 1980’s. Hasbro’s Transformer line was a huge hit at the time, to say the least, and was enjoying massive success in the North American market, as well as overseas. It would’ve been easy for Hasbro to play it safe with what had already been working, but in 1987, they released the largest Transformer toy of the entire G1 toy line, which is now considered a Transformer toy classic. So without further ado, I humbly present Hasbro’s Fortress Maximus from 1987.

In 1984, Hasbro Toys had gained a real foothold in the action figure market with their newly revamped GI Joe 3.75 inch line. The Joe line became a massive global success, but Hasbro still wanted more and ended up going across the world to get it. A Japanese toy company called Takara had been making transforming robots and vehicles since 1980 under the Diaclone line. Each of the vehicles were controlled by a miniature pilot called Micro Man. In 1982, Takara combined the robots and vehicles into what we now know as Transformers. Hasbro, realizing the massive potential of this toy line, quickly jumped on the North American toy licensing rights to this line and went into production of a slightly revamped Diaclone line simply called, the Transformers. The toy line was released in 1984 and became an instant smash hit! The toy line was such a success that it spawned a hugely popular comic by Marvel Comics and one of the biggest animated series ever released on television.

Fortress Maximus made his debut in the final episode of the Transformers animated series in 1987, which was Part 3 of “The Rebirth” miniseries. He was constructed by Spike Witwicky and Cerebros from an old Nebulan city. He was a giant Autobot capable of transforming into a battle station, under their control as part of the Headmasters. Fortress Maximus travelled to Cybertron where he battled the similarly giant Scorponok and then the rest of the Decepticons, driving them off the planet. Afterwards, he returned to Nebulos. He was voiced by Stephen Keenan in the show, who spoke Fortress’ one and only line from the series, “Decepticons… prepare to face … Fortress Maximus!“

The toy itself was impressive and just plain big! At 22″ tall, it dwarfed every other G1 Transformer produced by Hasbro at the time, including his nemesis, Scorponok. It was heavy too, weighing in at a hefty 11 pounds. Fortress Maximus was billed as being able to transform from robot mode to battle station mode to city mode, and back again. While in Battle Station mode, there wasn’t a whole lot of playability or articulation. It had several weapons all around, along with Spike in the cockpit tower. In this mode, Gasket and Grommet came out of where his feet were. Side Note: Gasket and Grommet come together to form Cog. On the other side of the Battle Station, you can find Cerebros, who is the gray shape near the radar dish. He transforms into his robot form, but with no head. That’s where Spike comes in, as Spike transforms into his the head of Cerebros and attaches to the body (Hence the name, Headmasters). From there, Fortress could be switched to City Mode.

To get to City Mode, there were a long series of moves that have to be made, and trust me, they do take some effort. Once in City Mode, Fortress Maximus is still pretty darn big with a lot more moving parts and playability than in Battle Station mode. For instance, underneath the Heli-Pad is a door that opens to reveal a jail cell. On the other side is a Repair Bay that opens up to store smaller vehicles. If transformed correctly, there will be a tunnel through the middle of the City. The small vehicles can fit inside and rise to the top on an elevator, then shoot out from the front middle ramp. The two front side ramps are also launchers that can propel smaller vehicles. The last transforming mode is the classic Robot Mode.

Once again, there are several moves that have to be made to get to Robot Mode, and once again, it requires some work to get to. Basically you are placing Fortress back towards his Battle Station Mode, and then some. Once that mode is completed, Cerebros will be transformed into the head of Fortress Maximus. Spike can be pulled off Cerebros at this point, as he is no longer really needed for this function. In this Robot Mode, he reaches his full height of over 22″ with lots of moving parts and hidden weapons. In my opinion, this is the way Fortress should be displayed just due to his impressive size. Despite that massive size, Fortress still has pretty decent range of motion and articulation.

Fortress Maximus was a huge gamble by Hasbro back in 1987, but is highly coveted by collectors nowadays. Due to its nearly $100.00 price tag back then, there were not a lot of these sold back in the day, which obviously affects the secondary market value. The good news is that any Transformer collector probably has Fortress Maximus at the top of their wish lists, and boxed versions are considered “Holy Grail” items. It remains extremely poplar on the secondary market, and they quickly disappear when they do pop up. Loose versions range in value from $200 – $400, depending on condition and whether they are complete. Boxed versions are not as easily found, and can range from $1,200 to $2,000, again depending the box’s condition and whether it is complete. Obviously graded versions will sell for much higher. Hasbro really loved their giant show stoppers for their toy lines (Defiant and U.S.S Flagg for the GI Joe line) which makes them centerpieces for just about any collection. Fortress Maximus is genuinely considered an all-time classic from the Transformers line. Despite its gigantic size, it worked really well, and provided hours of entertainment for children of that era. A big thank you goes out to Hasbro for their creative ingenuity in putting this classic together and shaping an incredible era of toys, not to mention having the stones to release something this massive.

GI Joe Update

Unlike other vintage toy lines, such as Masters of the Universe and Transformers, the new Joe action figure lines are not affecting the original released toys in a negative way, in fact, it’s the complete opposite. This is mostly due to GI Joe being around for such a long time and collectors having already been through several different iterations of their favorite characters. For some toy lines, buying the newer “Retro” toys are obviously a much cheaper way to re-live your childhood, so it’s naturally going to have an affect on the values of the original toys, but the Joe toys from past generations are still consistently trending in the right direction. The 1982-1994 Joe line looks as healthy as ever, while the 1970’s Adventure Team line remains incredibly popular and in demand. The original 1960’s Joe line did not see a lot of movement, but will always considered a “blue chip stock”, as values rarely dip. Overall, the various GI Joe lines remain extremely healthy and very much in demand, with many items remaining very affordable. This bodes well for the future of GI Joe items and collectibles with an absolute rabid fanbase of collectors, who continually seek out items from their favorite American Heroes.

In addition to the value updates, there has also been some additions and enhancements to certain Joe pages to enhance the experience. We hope you enjoy the newest GI Joe update and as always, keep the feedback coming.

GI Joe through the years:

1964 – 1969

Action Soldier

Action Sailor

Action Marine

Action Pilot

Action Soldier West Point

The Shark’s Surprise

Action Marine Demolition

1970 – 1978

Land Adventurer

Sea Adventurer

Man of Action

Air Adventurer

Official Team Vehicle

White Tiger Hunt

Team Helicopter

1982 – 1994

Snake Eyes

Stalker

Scarlett

Storm Shadow

Cobra Comm

Destro

Mobat

U.S.S Flagg

Sky Striker

Indiana Jones Update

Since the values of certain items can fluctuate greatly over time, The Toy Collectors Guide prides itself in keeping up with the most current market trends and any shifts that may affect the various secondary market prices. There are many factors that drive those trends and shifts which include, an item’s time period, scarcity, consumer demand and overall condition. The good news for Indiana Jones collectors is there is always a demand for these items, as Kenner, Hasbro, Disney and LJN created some truly memorable pieces. Indiana Jones toys have always remained popular with collectors and fans throughout the years, with consistent and steady growth. The line has seen a revival of late with the massive hype of the new upcoming Indiana Jones movie, Dial of Destiny, this June. As a result of the revived interest in Indiana Jones collectibles, Hasbro has re-released many of the original Kenner figures, Retro Style, which feature molds of the original toys in their original packaging. Hasbro is also releasing a brand new 6 inch “Adventure Series” line of figures, which we will be adding soon.

The new Retro line is obviously a much cheaper way to re-live your childhood, so it’s naturally going to have an affect on the values of the original toys from the 1980’s. That being said, it remains to be seen how much of an impact the new Retro line will have on the original Kenner figures from 1982. One thing we can say for sure is the Kenner, LJN and even the newer Hasbro line from 2008 all saw increases due to the revamped interest in the Indiana Jones franchise. Even certain items from the Star Toys and Disney park exclusive lines saw increases. Overall, the various Indiana Jones lines remain extremely healthy and very much in demand, with many items remaining very affordable. This bodes well for the future of Indiana Jones items and collectibles with a rabid fanbase of collectors continually seeking out items from their favorite “finder of rare antiquities”.

Indiana Jones items that saw increase on this update include:

Indiana Jones

Marion

Belloq

German Mechanic

German Uniform

Sallah

Arabian Horse

Indy 12″

Map Room

Streets Cairo

Well of Souls

Convoy Truck

Indy – LJN

Indy GI Joe

Mickey/Goofy Two Pack

German Soldier

Indy Disney 2020

Sallah

Chief Guard

Indy Sword

Willie Scott

Henry Jones

Grail Knight

Indy SDCC

Indy SDCC

German Moto

Indy w/ Horse

Marion/Hench

Mutt Moto

Cairo Ambush Set

Jungle Chase Set

Jungle Cutter

Jungle Cutter TRU

Many other Indiana Jones from various lines also saw increases for loose figures and accessories.

Battlestar Galactica has arrived at the Toy Collectors Guide!

SO SAY WE ALL!!!

The Story of Battlestar Galactica toys is certainly a long one that has traveled through more than five decades. Unlike other mainstream franchises, Battlestar Galactica action figures and toys were cranked out by a few different toy companies (Mattel, Trendmasters, Joyride Studios, Majestic Studios and Diamond Select) along the way, but they’ve all had their positives and negatives.

Battlestar Galactica first aired it original two hour pilot on September 17, 1978, then later as a theatrical release in the U.S and Canada. The ensuing television series would run 24 episodes from 1978 to 1979, with a brief spin-off series called Galactica 1980. Battlestar Galactica came storming back when a new re-imagined series was released by the Sci-Fi Channel in December 2003 with a mini-series, which was followed by four regular seasons. A prequel series, Caprica, was released in 2010 and lasted one season, as well as a web series called Blood and Chrome.

The Battlestar Galactica toys that are featured on our Toy Collectors Guide site cover the period between their initial launch by Mattel in 1978 until their later Diamond Select line from 2007-2010. Each individual page covered on our site is separated by the toy brand and year of each. Every page contains a full breakdown of all items released during that particular line, including photos, secondary market values and more. Like the rest of the site, these values are taken from the most current data available from all the major secondary market sites across the internet. This data is based on actual sales of the individual items and not necessarily the listed prices.

I hope you enjoy our new Battlestar Galactica section and have fun exploring the site.

Click These Links to See The Individual Battlestar Galactica Pages

Mattel – 1978-1979

Trendmasters – 1996

Joyride Studios – 2005

Majestic Studios – 2005

Diamond Select 2007-2010

Ghostbusters Update

The new Classics line is obviously a MUCH cheaper way to re-live your childhood, so it’s naturally going to have an affect on the values of the original toys from the 1980’s. Dedicated collectors may be inspired to acquire the original toys of their childhood, but for more casual fans who don’t have the desire to drop hundreds of dollars on originals, these new Classics figures offer the perfect alternative. The Classics line has most definitely had an impact on the values of the original toys, but the line was limited and seems to be coming to an end now. All original items that were “re-issued” under the classics banner saw a downward trend of recent. This is obviously due to collectors now being able to obtain the items they’ve always wanted at more affordable prices. That being said, many other items from the original line that were not re-issued or part of the Classics line saw an increase in values. Some of these items saw a slight bump while others like the Fire House Headquarters and Proton Pack Green Ghost saw big increases. Overall, the Real Ghostbusters line remains extremely healthy with many items remaining very affordable. This means there is only one way to go, and that’s UP!

Real Ghostbusters items that saw an increase on this update include:

Green Ghost
Puppet 1986

Stay Puft
Plush 1986

Mini Goopers
1987

Fire House
Headquarters

Brain Blaster
1988

Proton Pack
Green Ghost

Monsters
Dracula

Monsters
Frankenstein

Monsters
Mummy

Monsters
Quasimodo

Monsters
Wolf Man

Monsters
Zombie

Finger Pop Friends

Slimed Heroes
Egon

Slimed Heroes
Louis

Slimed Heroes
Peter

Slimed Heroes
Ray

Slimed Heroes
Winston

Gooper Ghost
Green Ghost

Gobblin’ Goblins
Nasty Neck

Gobblin’ Goblins
Terrible Teeth

Gobblin’ Goblins
Terror Tongue

Also, ALL items from the final wave of Ghostbusters items from 1991 saw an increase, including the elusive Ecto-Glow Heroes and Ecto Headphones

Items trending downward on this update included:

Egon
1986

Peter
1986

Ray
1986

Winston
1986

Green Ghost
1986

Stay Puft
1986

Bad To The Bone Ghost

Fright Features
Egon

Fright Features
Janine

Fright Features
Peter

Fright Features
Ray

Fright Features
Winston

Ghost Popper
1987

Ecto-1
1987

Highway Haunter
1989

Proton Pack
1988

Once again, most of the downward moving items on this update are due to their re-release through the Kenner Classics line, but I have no doubt these items will begin to gradually rise with time.

Masters of the Universe Update – 2023

Since the values of certain items can fluctuate greatly over time, The Toy Collectors Guide prides itself in keeping up with the most current market trends and any shifts that may affect the various secondary market prices. There are many factors that drive those trends and shifts which include, an item’s time period, scarcity, consumer demand and overall condition. The good news for Masters of the Universe collectors is there is always a demand for items from this era, as Mattel created some truly iconic pieces. The original Masters of the Universe toys had always remained popular with collectors and fans throughout the years, with consistent value, but the line has seen a revival over the last couple of years. This was mostly due to the new animated series, Masters of the Universe: Revelation on Netflix. The show was a big hit with fans and critics alike, and toys were launched from the new series in 2021 with new versions of fan favorite characters. In addition to Revelations, Mattel also had their Masters of the Universe Classics line, and Super 7 continued with their Re-Action line of figures. That being said, the biggest new series of figures came from the commemorative Origins line, which featured molds of the original toys in their original packaging. The big question for collectors was…….how would these Origins “re-issues” affect the values of the original toys from the 1980’s? That question has now been answered.

The Origins line is obviously a MUCH cheaper way to re-live your childhood, so it’s naturally going to have different affects on different types of buyers. For dedicated collectors, this may inspire them to go back and acquire the original toys of their childhood, but for more casual fans who don’t have the desire to drop hundreds or even thousands of dollars on originals from the 1980’s, these new Origins figures offer the perfect alternative. The Origins line has most definitely had an impact on the values of the original toys, that’s for sure. While playsets, accessories and vehicles look to be holding their value fairly well, the original carded figures are mostly showing a downward trend. This is obviously due to causal collectors now being able to obtain the figures they’ve always wanted at more affordable prices. That being said, the loose versions of the original figures are still holding steady with only minimal movement. Some had ticked slightly up and some have ticked slightly down, but they’ve generally been pretty even. This supports my theory that many collectors and fans from that era still have their loose Masters of the Universe figures, but can now finally get carded versions of them without breaking the bank.

The re-release of new Masters of the Universe toys should be considered a good thing for everyone. Not only does it allow us the opportunity to buy new Masters of the Universe toys again, but it also introduces this amazing universe to a whole new generation that never would have had the opportunity to experience it otherwise. It keeps the franchise alive with brand new stories being told about our favorite childhood characters. At the end of the day, Masters of the Universe fans just want to see their beloved series continue on, so this is an amazing gift that we get to share with others who have not been able to do so in the past. Besides, isn’t it a truly beautiful site to be able to walk down a Wal-Mart or Target toy aisle, and see new Masters of the Universe toys lining the shelves again!

Among the downward movers on this update, were:

Beast Man
1982

Man-At-Arms
1982

Mer-Man
1982

Skeletor
1982/1984

Stratos
1982

Teela
1982

Evil Lyn
1983

Man-E-Faces
1983

Ram Man
1983

Battle Armor
He-Man

Battle Armor
Skeletor

Buzz-Off
1984

Jitsu
1984

Prince Adam
1984

Webstor
1984

Dragon Blaster
Skeletor

Thunder Punch
He-Man

Flying Fists
He-Man

Battle Cat
1982

Roton
1984

Land Shark
1985

Slime Pit
1986

Not all news was bad when it comes to Masters of the Universe toy values though, as many items saw an increase in value as well. Most items from the 1987 waves saw an nice increase in searches and prices, as well as many of the creatures from various waves. Included were:

Blade
1987

Scare Glow
1987

Sssqueeze
1987

Comet cat
1987

Rotar
1987

Twistoid
1987

Despite the downward trend with some Masters of the Universe items, the Princess of Power line saw the opposite effect. Collectors of this line didn’t have the option of purchasing a similarly vintage packaged figure like the Masters of the Universe Origins series. Only one Princess of Power figure was released under the Origins line and that was She-Ra, but she was on the traditional MOTU card back, not the regular Princess of Power pink/purple card. As a result, many figures from the Princess of Power line saw an increase in value since the Masters of the Universe revival began.
It should also be noted that all eight of the 1986 Fantastic Fashions sets saw a hefty increase from previously listed. This is mostly due to their scarcity on the secondary market and low production numbers.

Among the upward movers on this update, were:

Castaspella
1985

Catra
1985

Double Trouble
1985

Kowl
1985

She-Ra
1985

Entrapta
1986

Mermista
1986

Sweet Bee
1986

Starburst She-Ra
1986

Shower Power
Catra 1987

Arrow
1985

Storm
1985

Only a handful of items saw a value decrease from the Princess of Power line. Among them were:

Bubble Power She-Ra
1987

Crystal Castle
1985

Big Jim Update – 2023

Since the values of certain items can fluctuate greatly over time, The Toy Collectors Guide prides itself in keeping up with the most current market trends and any shifts that may affect the various secondary market prices. There are many factors that drive those trends and shifts, which include an item’s time period, scarcity, consumer demand and overall condition. The good news for Big Jim collectors is there is always a demand for items from this era, as Mattel created some truly iconic pieces. That being said, values on many Big Jim items have seen an uptick over the last year, since Mattel released a trio of old school re-boot figures that included Big Jim as the Wolf PACK commander. These figures were made available at SDCC in 2022, and sparked some serious interest in the old lines. The Big Jim toy market had already been very steady due to that ever present 70’s and 80’s nostalgic desire for the kids who grew up during those years (myself included), to re-acquire the toys they loved from their youth. This, coupled with the new SDCC figures, caused enough of a ripple to shift the market upwards.

Among the upward movers on this update, were:

Big Jim
Wide Box