Saying NO to Retro...

[jimsmegos]

I'm not sure if it's the economy or the realization that it's just another repackaged figure but I walked away from this one:


Over the weekend the wife and kids and I were strolling through a Target when I first saw one of these in person. I have to admit for a second I was all "WOW!" and picked up this retro carded Vader. I was going to buy it. But as the seconds turned into minutes, and as I continued to examine it I realized, "Hey, this is a $7.99 repackaged figure on a less then great retro card."

The main deal breaker for me was the back of the card. It looked just like the OTC that Hasbro released a few years back in the Star Cases. The "neatness" of the front of the card was slapped down by this reminder that No, this is not a vintage figure and that No I do not need to have this imitation figure sitting on my desk. I put Vader back on the peg and sadly walked away.

As I continued to walk around the store I noticed that there were a lot of "retro" toys on the shelves. Not just the brand names, but actual reproduction toys. The ones that really stuck out were the Fisher Price assortment. They had a ton of stuff; from the wind up TV and radio to the rotary phone. That got me to thinking, first off the phone is now plastic and what kid would even know what a rotary phone is? Then the sad realization really hit home... toy company's are after me and my generation again because today's kids are really much more into video games and electronic toys. Again I walked away saddened.

I get and appreciate the DC Retro Action Heroes but all these other lines too? Sure it's neat at the thought of having a pristine 1973 Malibu Barbie but at what cost to collectors? With each of these that come out I fear that the beauty and wonder that comes from nostalgia based collections will become homogenized because of ALL of the reproductions on the shelf's.

Again, I walk away saddened.

[HardyGirl]

I personally happen to like the fact that I old is new again. I love seeing some of the old faves in toy stores full of crap. Today's toys just aren't fun anymore, and the classics were. And maybe if more of this stuff was out, parents could remember that warm fuzzy feeling, buy it for their kids and then they would know what a rotary phone is. There are those of us who do educate kids about the classics. Isn't that why you sell the radio shows, or wanna do your horror movie thing?

I say YES to repro!

[jimsmegos]

true that HardyGirl my friend... I guess it's just the thing that gets me is that while the retro stuff is great for kids if parents play but the point I guess I didn't really elaborate on is also the price point on these new-old items... It's kind of tough to drop 20-50 bucks on a retro toy that if played with is goin to get trashed (as it should). If they want to release them that's great but go all out and produce enough to get the price point to a level that is just as affordable today as it was back when the item(s) were new.

Sadly though in regards to the radio shows and the horror host project, the steam is escaping me... on a local level there just isn't very much interest. I think I need to move.

[Mikey]

If the Vader figure itself was a copy of the original, maybe --- but putting a new figure on a repro vintage card doesn't do anything for me.

Any Museum card customizer could do the same thing

[BlackKnight]

What Vader was that before ? ... Which package was he in ?.

[jds1911a1]

If the Vader figure itself was a copy of the original, maybe --- but putting a new figure on a repro vintage card doesn't do anything for me.

Any Museum card customizer could do the same thing

this is actually what many star wars collectors have been asking for. They want modern articulation and sculpting in a retro package. The same complaints some mego and joe collectors have about direct repros came in the Star wars fans with the 95 4 pack of repros (chewie, han, luke & vader)
There has been a custom card culture for years in SW now it's just hasbro that's doing the card so the overall cost is lower. I can't even guess how much I've spent in card stock, bubbles, and ink to make cards of characters not done in the vintage line (otc and prequel)
There are some in this line I have no interest in only becuase they have done some in the recent recard lines (VOTC and VSTC) including Vader, Boba fett, bespin luke and 3po.
as someone who already buys some Star wars toys for my son and myself I am excited about the new card style but it wouldn't entice me to re purchase any that I already have

[Doc]

Whats the point of a modern articulate figure in retro packaging. Your paying for the package here. Doesnt matter about the figure. Old style. new style, new mold, reissue. Your not going to open it at that price.

[Godzilla]

My kids perfer some old toys (Micronauts & Marx small figures) to new ones. So I don't mind seeing the old back in the stores again. Some cool toys are timeless.

[Fire Marshal Bill]

I just recently began collecting loose vintage SW figures, i think i'm up to about 40 or so now. They are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. I love the vintage stuff. I missed out on these as a kid. I guess by '78 i had just gotten a little too old for them. Ironic isn't it . I am excited about the 2010 Vintage Collection mainly because of the retro packaging. I guess it gives me a second chance to make up for what i missed out on as a kid. This is what these loose vintage characters i've been collecting recently would have looked like, in this packaging, had i collected them years ago. Does that make sense? I can't wait to display them side by side. Looking in as a new collector of SW figures, it is very overwhelming the sheer number of figures and different lines they have put out over the years. I am too OCD to even begin trying to collect them all, i'm not even going there. But as a compromise i've told myself, only the vintage stuff and this new 2010 line.... that's it...... really .

[Werewolf]

That Vader is a "kit bashed" figure. Brand new head sculpt using an old body mold.

Rebelscum.com: Star Wars The Vintage Collection Photo Archives

I'm personally digging the SW figures on the retro cards. First SW toys I've bought in ages. I would have liked full reissues of the Kenner figures (like with the mail in Fett) but I don't see that happening. I blame the fanboys and dealers that went into fits of insane nerd rage when the Kenner 4 pack was released in the 90s.

I personally happen to like the fact that I old is new again.

I totally agree. I love walking through the toy isle and seeing stuff like sock monkeys, chatter phones and monchichis again.

[mightyquinn]

Hey if you think that 's high, go to TRU 9.99 each! The only two I would buy was vader and boba fett. I agree, though the back of the card is pretty sad. Wanted to buy may son the new AT AT until I saw the price Think I'll get a vintage one for half the price.

[jds1911a1]

Whats the point of a modern articulate figure in retro packaging. Your paying for the package here. Doesnt matter about the figure. Old style. new style, new mold, reissue. Your not going to open it at that price.

they are actually the same price point as the clone wars figures (and most action figuer lines are averaging 8.00 US per figure anymore) The parents and collectors have been paying ever increasing prices each year. the retro packge figures from a few years ago were more than "standard" package figures becuase of the STAR CASE clamshell but still sold well.

so much like mattels retro action hero you have a modernised item in a retro package at modern toy price.

I open mine but I do prefer the kenner style packaging (as I did with the retro packaging for the mattel line and the joe 25th lines)

[jds1911a1]

That Vader is a "kit bashed" figure. Brand new head sculpt using an old body mold.

Rebelscum.com: Star Wars The Vintage Collection Photo Archives

I'm personally digging the SW figures on the retro cards. First SW toys I've bought in ages. I would have liked full reissues of the Kenner figures (like with the mail in Fett) but I don't see that happening. I blame the fanboys and dealers that went into fits of insane nerd rage when the Kenner 4 pack was released in the 90s.

the same thing happenned on this very board when the CTVT and EMCE repro lines came out. I don't look at my toys as an investment so I could care less (I spent a ton of money on 12" joes in the 80's only to see almost everything repro'd by hasbro in the last 15 years but that didn't take away my joy of building that collection and knowing it's vintage) it's not like I sell my stuff anyway

[mightyquinn]

Not sure they sold that well because I bought plenty retro packaging in the clamshell off of the discount shelves at wal mart for 2 bucks each. Hoping that's the case with these.

[jds1911a1]

The discounted figs at walmart were at the end of the run when walmart needed to reset the shelves also the 2nd run VTSC line had more reissues/recards together with a higher price so only a hardcore collector was buying Kids went for the standard package. From hasbro's perspective they got their dough on the front end (selling well enough to warrant 3 years worth or releases)
2004
Rebelscum.com: Star Wars Original Trilogy Collection Photo Archives
2006
Rebelscum.com: Star Wars The Saga Collection Photo Archives
2007
Rebelscum.com: Star Wars The 30th Anniversary Collection Photo Archives

I think that discount price for the 3rd year may have made walmart balk at a line that was a higher price point hence this years retro ones are the same price as the other star wars figs and there is not a line this year of non clone wars in the blue package like clone wars figs.

For the SW collectors who only prefer realistinc sculpting the retro card line is this years line it is seldom that the standard line gets discounted at target or wally unless a specific figure is a massive peg warmer. I'm sure there will be some price breaks in the course of the line the same as they have done in prior years (buy one get one half off etc) or at the tail end when the next package style is in the pipes (probably a year or 2 from now) since they have happened each year since 2005

this new packaging will drive sales for a while if only for the nostalgia buyer who will buy their favorite characer form their childhood in this classic package for the package alone