I miss the days of smaller toylines...

[melstapler]

When the 3 inch Star Wars figures from the first film were released, I initially assumed those figures would be everything planned and thankfully that wasn't the case.

If a toy line is constantly improving its figures with updated versions of each character, it creates a scenario where I question whether or not to keep the older versions. I used to have a complete set of the original Power Rangers (including the white and green rangers) and despite the fond memories of the originals, I've been replacing/substituting each character with the smaller Hasbro figures.

[nvmbrsdoom5]

What I miss are colorful and bright toys. Compare the vibrant colors of Mattel's Secret Wars to modern Marvel figures. Now all you see is Captain America with brown boots and washed out colors. The Secret Wars figures were like toy candy to the eyes. Bright cheerful and vibrant.

YES! I agree wholeheartedly. I've said for years that one of the reasons I really love Secret Wars figures is because they're so colorful and looked like they jumped off the tv screen from an early '80's cartoon.

I do enjoy collecting some modern lines that are large and ongoing, like Star Wars Black series etc., but I have found that much of my vintage collecting focus has veered towards lines that were smaller and more realistically easy to complete such as Buck Rogers, Eagle Force and Star Trek, whereas I've long since given up on G.I. Joe RAH due to the reality that I'll never be able to afford to complete that. And while some lines were just a bit too brief (Clash Of The Titans!!!), I don't really think I need to have EVERY minor character made into a figure for me to collect like in the modern Star Wars 3-3/4" lines.

[Mr.Marion]

Mattel's Batman 1966 was a small line and I got the whole set for $90
IMG_20171019_112440985.jpg

[Spyweb007]

I will admit to buying toy lines in the past just because they were small and manageable. I picked up the Pirates of Dark Water back when they were on clearance, eight figures and the pirate ship was the complete collection. Nice looking toys too.

[SKotK]

Collecting 8" Star Trek Mego is nice because it's finite. And then having EMCE extend the line a bit was a welcome surprise.

If I want to further my hunger for Star Trek Mego, I can still branch out into the movie line. And then I suppose the ERTL line after that.

--SKot

[Klosterheim]

What are toylines classified as that only make a single item?

There was an Army tank once that opened up to double as a carrying case for 3.75" action figures.

I just wonder how the odd toys get made, then marketed to be sold in stores.

It's a mystery to me how it all comes about.

I guess there are companies that produce a wide range of items, and they also try making a couple toys during the year as well.

[huedell]

So true! That's the thing that attracted me to Masters of the Universe back in the day...the colors were incredible! Super Powers too.

Although I totally gel with what you (and Werewolf) are saying about bright and colorful lines... I have to say I can't relate to wishing lines were smaller.

The truth is, I relish the "seemingly endless" modern lines (Legends, Star Wars Black Series, MOTUC, etc.) that offer characters from franchises I never thought possible... I pick and choose for these lines and, frankly, would feel foolish wishing for them to end just to avoid being a one-track-minded completist at risk of "bankruptcy" (that said, I'm pretty much a completist with MOTUC, and is indeed an economic burden... but, again, I'd never wish for the line's demise).

[Klosterheim]

Just bought the entire set of ERTL Star Trek 3 figures, all four of them. I collected 'em all!

Those were great. They really captured the Star Trek movie feel.

I loved the Star Trek III Klingon Targ, the best feature of that toy line.

The ERTL Bird of Prey and U.S.S. Enterprise were pretty awesome!

[Hedji]

^This is true, and part of why I like ReAction. Although, I don't like when they leave a line 'unfinished' like with Star Trek (at least cover the basics there).

[Mego Milk]

Funko ReActions are small sets.
Hellboy is 4 figures.
Breaking Bad and Pulp Fiction are easy to complete.

APES are coming soon.
aw yeah.

[VintageJoe70]

This is why I've gotten away from collecting the high end, expensive figures like Hot Toys, and gone back to just collecting the vintage joes....Sure they're expensive too, but there aren't that many sets or pieces left Im looking for...Collecting has just gotten crazy with prices and so much coming out...And I use to like to collect based on the "cool" factor, so I was buying figures quite frequently....And when you don't have an unlimited disposable income, it adds up after awhile...

[enyawd72]

What I miss are colorful and bright toys. Compare the vibrant colors of Mattel's Secret Wars to modern Marvel figures. Now all you see is Captain America with brown boots and washed out colors. The Secret Wars figures were like toy candy to the eyes. Bright cheerful and vibrant.

So true! That's the thing that attracted me to Masters of the Universe back in the day...the colors were incredible! Super Powers too.

[Werewolf]

What I miss are colorful and bright toys. Compare the vibrant colors of Mattel's Secret Wars to modern Marvel figures. Now all you see is Captain America with brown boots and washed out colors. The Secret Wars figures were like toy candy to the eyes. Bright cheerful and vibrant.

[Earth 2 Chris]

It was nice when a toyline would have one series every year. That way you had time to track down almost everyone in the line. Even G.I. Joe:RAH beyond super-popular figures like Snake-Eyes, etc. You'd get the catalog at the beginning of the year, and you knew what to look for!

Chris

[Hedji]

Just bought the entire set of ERTL Star Trek 3 figures, all four of them. I collected 'em all!

Oh they are fun! Aren't the heads on them taken from the Mego TMP figures? I got mine way back when from Intergalactic Trading Company.

Dwayne, I totally agree. I love finite collections. It's one of the reasons I don't do Star Wars anymore. When there's no end in sight, it feels like you have no collecting goal.