Ghostbusters – 1990

The Real Ghostbusters – 1990

Kenner went back to just two waves in 1990. Wave 8 included new version of the Ghostbusters characters called the “Power Pack Heroes”, which included fan-favorite character, Louis Tully. Also released was a new Gobblin’ Goblins series, and two new vehicles, ECTO-500 and Ghost Sweeper. Wave 9 saw another figure series called the “Slimed Heroes”, which allowed the figures to appear “slimed” when you spray them with ice water. Also released were three new roleplay accessories, and the ECTO-1A vehicle.

For more information about Kenner’s Real Ghostbusters line from 1990, see bottom of the page for a complete summary.

WAVE 8

The Real Ghostbusters (1990 – Wave 8): Figures

The 8th wave for the Real Ghostbusters line contained a brand new line called the Power Pack Heroes. The Power Pack Heroes were a new version of all five Ghostbusters characters that contained various unique accessories and ghosts. The most exciting thing about this series was the addition of Louis Tully, as he finally gets his first action figure since the Real Ghostbusters line began.

Egon Spengler
(Power Pack Heroes)

Market Value:
Carded $80 – $110
Loose $20 – $35

Egon Spengler (Power Pack Heroes)
Accessories: Crazy Copter, Twister Ghost
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: This is the newest version of Egon Spengler, as part of the Power Pack Heroes line. This time he comes with a Crazy Copter accessory, along with the Twister Ghost.

Janine Melnitz
(Power Pack Heroes)

Market Value:
Carded $80 – $110
Loose $20 – $35

Janine Melnitz (Power Pack Heroes)
Accessories: Racin’ Wringer, Stretch Ghost
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: This is the newest version of Janine Melnitz, as part of the Power Pack Heroes line. This time she comes with a Racin’ Wringer accessory, along with the Stretch Ghost.

Louis Tully
(Power Pack Heroes)

Market Value:
Carded $80 – $110
Loose $20 – $35

Louis Tully (Power Pack Heroes)
Accessories: Power Pincher, Vapor Ghost
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: We finally get our first Louis Tully figure, as part of the Power Pack Heroes line. He comes with a Power Pincher accessory, along with the Vapor Ghost.

Peter Venkman
(Power Pack Heroes)

Market Value:
Carded $80 – $110
Loose $20 – $35

Peter Venkman (Power Pack Heroes)
Accessories: Bouncin Bazooka, Lightning Ghost
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: This is the newest version of Peter Venkman, as part of the Power Pack Heroes line. This time he comes with a Bouncin Bazooka accessory, along with the Lightning Ghost.

Ray Stantz
(Power Pack Heroes)

Market Value:
Carded $80 – $110
Loose $20 – $35

Ray Stantz (Power Pack Heroes)
Accessories: Grabbin Grappler, Snatcher Ghost
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: This is the newest version of Ray Stantz, as part of the Power Pack Heroes line. This time he comes with a Grabbin Grappler accessory, along with the Snatcher Ghost.

Winston Zeddmore
(Power Pack Heroes)

Market Value:
Carded $80 – $110
Loose $20 – $35

Winston Zeddmore (Power Pack Heroes)
Accessories: Cyclin Slicer, Splitting Ghost
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: This is the newest version of Winston Zeddmore, as part of the Power Pack Heroes line. This time he comes with a Cyclin Slicer accessory, along with the Splitting Ghost.

The Real Ghostbusters (1990 – Wave 8): Accessories

Kenner released a brand new accessory set of ghosts for wave 8 in 1990, called the Gobblin’ Goblins that contained Nasty Neck, Terrible Teeth and Terror Tongue.

Nasty Neck (Gobblin’ Goblins)

Market Value:
Boxed $100 – $150
Loose $45 – $65

Nasty Neck (Gobblin’ Goblins)
Accessories: None
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: Nasty Neck is part of the Gobblin’ Goblins series. Pull his head and watch his neck extend to capture Ghostbusters in his jaws.

Terrible Teeth (Gobblin’ Goblins)

Market Value:
Boxed $100 – $150
Loose $45 – $65

Terrible Teeth (Gobblin’ Goblins)
Accessories: None
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: Terrible Teeth is part of the Gobblin’ Goblins series. Push on his tail and watch his mouth open to gobble up Ghostbusters.

Terror Tongue (Gobblin’ Goblins)

Market Value:
Boxed $100 – $150
Loose $45 – $65

Terror Tongue (Gobblin’ Goblins)
Accessories: None
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: Terror Tongue is part of the Gobblin’ Goblins series. Push on his tail and watch him open his mouth and eat Ghostbusters.

The Real Ghostbusters (1990 – Wave 8): Playsets

Kenner did not release any playsets as part of their 8th wave in 1990.

The Real Ghostbusters (1990 – Wave 8): Vehicles

Kenner released two brand new vehicles for their 8th wave in 1990 with ECTO-500 and the Ghost Sweeper.

ECTO-500

Market Value:
Boxed $70 – $95
Loose $20 – $30

ECTO-500
Accessories: Demon Dasher Ghost, Twin Ghost Grabbers, Antenna
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher each year
Notes: The ECTO-500 is the latest Ghostbusters vehicle for the action figure line. The antenna spins and engine shakes back and forth as the vehicle is pushed along on the ground. The two ghost grabbers can be extended out to grab ghosts, and it comes with Demon Dasher Ghost.

Ghost Sweeper

Market Value:
Boxed $70 – $95
Loose $20 – $30

Ghost Sweeper
Accessories: Street Creeper Ghost, Rotating Sweepers, Antenna
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher each year
Notes: The Ghost Sweeper is the latest Ghostbusters vehicle for the action figure line. The antenna spins as the vehicle is pushed along on the ground. The ghost sweeper is also activated when the vehicle is pushed forwards or backwards, and it comes with Street Creeper Ghost.

WAVE 9

The Real Ghostbusters (1990 – Wave 9): Figures

The 9th wave for the Real Ghostbusters line consisted of a brand new sub-set called “Slimed Heroes”. For this line, Janine Melnitz was replaced by Louis Tully.

Egon Spengler
(Slimed Heroes)

Market Value:
Carded $100 – $150
Loose $25 – $40

Egon Spengler (Slimed Heroes)
Accessories: Brain Ghost, Proton Pack w/ Stream, Mask
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: This is the newest version of Egon Spengler, as part of the Slimed Heroes line. Fill the Brain Ghost up with ice water and shoot it at Egon to watch him get “slimed”.

Louis Tully
(Slimed Heroes)

Market Value:
Carded $100 – $150
Loose $25 – $40

Louis Tully (Slimed Heroes)
Accessories: Four-Eyed Ghost, Proton Pack w/ Stream, Mask
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: This is the newest version of Louis Tully, as part of the Slimed Heroes line. Fill the Four-Eyed Ghost up with ice water and shoot it at Louis to watch him get “slimed”.

Peter Venkman
(Slimed Heroes)

Market Value:
Carded $100 – $150
Loose $25 – $40

Peter Venkman (Slimed Heroes)
Accessories: Tooth Ghost, Proton Pack w/ Stream, Mask
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: This is the newest version of Peter Venkman, as part of the Slimed Heroes line. Fill the Tooth Ghost up with ice water and shoot it at Peter to watch him get “slimed”.

Ray Stantz (Slimed Heroes)

Market Value:
Carded $100 – $150
Loose $25 – $40

  Ray Stantz (Slimed Heroes)
Accessories: Vapor Ghost, Proton Pack w/ Stream, Mask
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: This is the newest version of Ray Stantz, as part of the Slimed Heroes line. Fill the Vapor Ghost up with ice water and shoot it at Ray to watch him get “slimed”.

 Winston Zeddmore (Slimed Heroes)

Market Value:
Carded $100 – $150
Loose $25 – $40

Winston Zeddmore (Slimed Heroes)
Accessories: Sucker Ghost, Proton Pack w/ Stream, Mask
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: This is the newest version of Winston Zeddmore, as part of the Slimed Heroes line. Fill the Sucker Ghost up with ice water and shoot it at Winston to watch him get “slimed”.

The Real Ghostbusters (1990 – Wave 9): Accessories

Kenner released three new roleplay accessories for Wave 9 in 1990, with the ECTO-Blaster, ECTO-Charger and the Grab-A-Meter.

ECTO-Blaster

Market Value:
Boxed $125 – $200
Loose $35 – $55

ECTO-Blaster
Accessories: Blaster, Targets x 2, Soft Pellets x 4
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: The ECTO Blaster was yet another ghost zapper type weapon that could shoot projectiles from across the room. It comes with four soft tipped pellets and two targets.

ECTO-Charger Pack

Market Value:
Boxed $200 – $300
Loose $40 – $60

ECTO-Charger Pack
Accessories: Charger Pack, Ecto Wand, Cord
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Tough to find on secondary market
Notes: The ECTO Charger Pack was basically a pack to wear on your back, connected to a “hidden” wand that lets you get rid of pesky ghosts and de-energize them.

Grab-A-Meter

Market Value:
Boxed $90 – $120
Loose $20 – $30

Grab-A-Meter
Accessories: Ghost Grabber, Stun Round
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher
Notes: Check the display panel to locate ghosts, then turn the Grab A Meter knob. Aim the launcher at your target and fire! The grabber jaws will grab the ghost and hold it until you can put it away.

The Real Ghostbusters (1990 – Wave 9): Playsets

Kenner did not release any playsets as part of their 9th wave in 1990.

The Real Ghostbusters (1990 – Wave 9): Vehicles

Kenner released only one vehicle as part of its 9th wave in 1990, and it was the classic updated ECTO-1A.

ECTO-1A

Market Value:
Boxed $175 – $250
Loose $55 – $85

ECTO-1A
Accessories: Swiveling Blasting Seat, Blaster, Ghost Claws, Doors, Hatch, Orange Ghost, Decals
Years Released: 1990
Scarcity Factor: Can still be found but getting tougher each year
Notes: The ECTO-1A was of course modeled after the iconic real life vehicle from the live action Ghostbusters II movie. It was virtually identical to the ECTO-1 vehicle from the first wave, but with new decals and paint job. It comes complete with a swiveling blasting seat, working ghost claws, opening doors and hatch, along with an orange plastic ghost to practice your grabbing.

Since the Real Ghostbusters toy line launched in 1986, Kenner saw sales and demand steadily climb with each wave released, but 1990 began to tell a different story. After the release of the newest Ghostbusters live action film by Columbia Pictures in 1989, sales saw a spike followed by a sharp decline. Many people attribute this to the poor reception of the movie by fans. With no new movies on the horizon and the Real Ghostbusters animated series starting to fade a bit, the future of the Real Ghostbusters toy line seemed to be in doubt. This was not helped by the immense global success of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line, which was dominating toy markets worldwide. Despite the speed bumps, Kenner pushed on with their planned releases for the year. Overall, it was still a good time to be a Ghostbusters fan, but the writing was beginning to show on the wall.

After getting three different waves the year before, Kenner gave us only two different waves of new products in 1990 with waves 8 and 9. Wave 8 saw the release of a new figure sub-set called the Power Pack Heroes. The Power Pack Heroes were new versions of the Ghostbusters human characters that came with fun new accessories and ghosts. The highlight of this series was the first ever figure made of fan-favorite character, Louis Tully. Also released in the wave were a new series of accessories called Gobblin’ Goblins and two new vehicles, ECTO-500 and Ghost Sweeper. Wave 9 saw another new series of the classic Ghostbusters figures called the “Slimed Heroes”. This new set allowed the figures to appear “slimed” when you spray them with ice water. Louis Tully remained in the new series, replacing Janine Melnitz. Also released were three new roleplay accessories, with the ECTO-Blaster, Grab-A-Meter and the ECTO-Charger Pack. The ECTO-1A vehicle was also released as part of the wave.

The packaging for the eighth and ninth waves of the Real Ghostbusters line was essentially the same as the previous waves with each sub-set getting its own logo (Power Pack Heroes, Slimed Heroes, etc.). It was basic but still eye catching and attractive. The iconic Ghostbusters logo sat prominently at the top left of the card, just above the figure bubble. There was a wonderful illustration of each character in action on the top right of each card. The figure bubble itself stretched out across the entire card, with the actual figure on the left side and all the other accessories, including the ghost, on the right side. Overall, the packaging for the Real Ghostbusters line was bright and easy to see, with a large bubble showcasing the figure and all accessories. It was definitely a user-friendly card and worked very well for the line.