Open Your Toys Cast

Do you think these toy companies are changing for the good or for the worse? They seem to be dialing into the fandom, but at the same time, pricing many of us out of our casual lines. We’ll have to see the price of these new Joe / TMNT crossovers, but they have definitely sparked collector interest. Transformers is attacking on every front, but those prices. The most exciting Star Wars news is from LEGO, but again, man, the prices. Finally, the best things from MOTU are 3rd party homages at a relatively reasonable price.

While writing a long introspective post about the new year would be par the course on most sites, blogs, what have you, I tend do that all year. So, because I have been putting off stuff since my birthday, I’ll just leave you with this…

It seems like we blinked, and our hobby is so much more expensive than it was five years ago. We have long railed against the TVC markups, but for two primary focuses of mine to be revealed and so easily join the JOMO list is inconceivable. How about a once mainline MOTU figure being made into not only an exclusive, but a deluxe, with a final cost of getting it into your hand more than double since 2020? The exact thing is happening at Hasbro with their new Combaticon Swindle; it’s not even an exclusive. Classified hasn’t been immune either. With mainline going from $20 to $28, who knows what a Deep Six with or without SHARK could cost, let alone another Zartan with Swamp Skier.

Here are some things the big companies shouldn’t be doing. Making previous exclusives non-exclusives just to sell stock. Asking about forums when they’re not delivering what people are asking for. Trying to mimic that crazy era of the ’90s color schemes on modern toys. Worst of all, creating something that most people would love, but making it so expensive that no one buys it.

Who doesn’t love the goofiness of a Python Patrol Serpentor? Maybe a spatchcocked (thanks Brink) chicken gun with an 8-track tape is more your thing? How about a guy with an engine on his back and wheels for hands and feet? No, I’m not talking about Turbo Teen. The only thing new for Star Wars is old. Talk about pricing people out. Something that went for $35 15 years ago is now $99. Or, the identical thing with a much smaller release was $10 less a year ago.

We’re having internet problems, so no big long post this time. You’re welcome.

To make things easier this week, on me at least, I’m going to pick my favorites from New York Comic-Con. Well, also because it’s what took up half of the show this time around. Transformers was easy for me, can’t beat an Ox and Cart Optimus Prime! G.I. Joe continues the movie goodness with their Cobra La Royal Guard. Star Wars continues not only their Retro line, but also does so with a third wave of A New Hope figures. Mondo carried the MOTU mantle. While their 200x line looks amazing, that price through.

There is just too much cool stuff coming out. While there was a ton of Masters news, I think everyone was most excited to see vintage Origins continue with Dragstor. Close behind, for me at least, is our first look at the next and most likely the last set of Masters of the Universe x Transformers figures. Something I don’t need, but want oh so badly and will probably justify it as a decoration, is the new LEGO Star Wars gingerbread AT-AT. Finally, Joe continues the Mole Rat coolness with Stage 2.

I feel like we’ve definitely been in a flow for the last few years, but how long can it last? Mattel is definitely in its rhythm with MOTU, especially with its new She-Ra and Swiftwind release. Hasbro, not so much with their new Shockwave Humpback Whale. However, the Classified cop looks like it might be one of their most popular non-exclusive releases yet. Star Wars shows off what the future of collecting might look like with their mixed reality playset, and I don’t like it.

I love that we are finally getting an articulated G1 Ultra Magnus after almost 40 years. In that same vein, we’re about to get a never-released character integral to the sometimes maligned, but mostly loved, G.I. Joe: The Movie. While a secondary character, Spikor was one of my favorites as a kid. I’m happy to see him receive the Sketch Series treatment. There wasn’t any big toy news for Star Wars (until the next show), so we’ll just go with that it’s actually refreshing to get movie news.

Not a lot of time for reminiscing, especially considering it’s a holiday weekend. Just want to remind everyone to do what they love, whatever that might be.

My favorite thing from this show is the super-chonky Cosmos from Earthspark. Star Wars has something we’ve never had before: a Hyperspace Pod with Probe Droid. Masters had a couple of amazing things, but Mondo’s She-Ra and Swiftwind are next level. Nothing spectacular for G.I. Joe, so I’ll toss in a favorite of mine, Spin Masters Batman Ninja figures.

Sorry for the delay. We were on vacation. I still am :)

The Classified team is not procrastinating a single minute with their HasLabs. They are coming fast and furious, with perhaps my favorite vehicle of all time up next. Lego gets two spots this time around. First is my favorite Transformer, none other than Soundwave. The second is another favorite of mine. Don’t judge, I was the perfect age for the Ewoks in Return of the Jedi, especially Wicket. For MOTU, my favorite this week is not even a master of the universe, he is a Thundercat.

The toy companies seem to be doing much better when it comes to collectors. It wasn’t that long ago that they seemed to think kids bought most of their toys. Now we get almost solely “fan-based” offerings. Who would have ever thought we would get a Jedi Temple Guard in Black Series? Remember, it was supposed to be for only the most popular characters. Transformers has explored every timeline and media, but we’re finally getting a definitive Megatron (kind of). While I keep trying to cut down my Classified purchases, they just keep pulling me back in. Even Mattel, which has always been fan-centered, has gone the extra mile with the new Fright Zone.

I needed to check something off the list.

I love that all my favorite things this time around are relatively new lines. The oldest one is Droid Factory. Some may consider it a close relative of the Vintage line, but their Disneyland 70th Anniversary Astromech is a great tribute. While Origins has been around a while, I’m happy to hear a new 200x subline is coming. Blokees is just killing it in their few short years. Their new Action-scale Soundwave looks amazing. Finally, not a toy line, but something new I’m trying to stay positive about, unlike my co-hosts, is the new AAA Snake Eyes game.

TOYS! I’m so happy to be back talking toys and less so collecting. We even had a guest host, which is always fun. The Ronin 2-Pack ended up not being hard to get. For us sportballers, the new NFL x Transformers Helmets look great, now they just need a Saints version. While it wouldn’t be my first choice for the next Sketch Series figure, at least we’re getting one I had as a kid. Nothing too exciting for Joe, in my opinion, so let’s give some more props to 3DJoes with their new Field Manuals on Kickstarter now.

It's 2025, are you still collecting? Are we?

It’s business as usual for the toy companies. They’re pushing products that they started developing over 6 months ago. However, what are these going to cost? New Joes hit today and at the largest seller of toys in America, Entertainment Earth, they are $6 more than MSRP. The Vintage Collection Star Wars figures were already too high. What’s the new Carson Teva going to run fans of Paul Sun-Hyung Lee when it hits the pegs? Master’s prices have gone up pretty regularly over the last few years. Origins started less than five years ago at $15.99. The newest wave is $21.99. Transformers have been somewhat stable, but who knows what the leaked list of 2026 figures will cost when finally in hand.