Open Your Toys Cast

I completely Star Warsed myself out yesterday. If you’re in the group or follow me, you probably got a lot of spam about what I was watching all day. However, as I write this, I’m watching the third Family Guy Star Wars special, It’s a Trap. Why? I have mild OCD and must finish a 3-part series after watching the first two parts. It truly is a sickness. With that being the case, I really don’t want to write a whole post because I do truly love these.

Need to wrap this up, so I’m just going to point out my favorite stuff without any attempts at wittiness, but with the inevitable verbosity. Even though he was name only, my boy, Psyche Out is finally on his way. Blokees kills it with Beasts in their cutest scale. Mondo continues to show He-Man a lot of love. What the Sith?

For such a crappy start, there were so many good things in this show. When a well-done homage to a fan favorite concept is not even in the top three, you know it had to have been fire. Then there was the new Amazon Exclusive Gaming Greats Clone and Droid Training 2-Packs. Of course, Masters is just on another level with the new movie coming in hot. My favorite? An Optimus Prime that transforms into the Autobot symbol. But there was so much more.

It’s been a long week. I’ve been going through a ton of boxes. About to list ~160 new items. I’ll catch you next time. At least I got to watch a lot of movies.

As I mentioned on the show, my absolutely favorite reveal, despite its duck-billed alt mode, was Krannix from the Transformers ’86 movie. Talk about holes being filled. For Joe, the addition of dinosaurs to the line is extremely interesting, even if it’s just a momentary distraction. Masters of the Universe, of course, went off. With two different lines similar enough to be confused, at least by me, we have a ton of options. But, that Trap Jaw with an articulated jaw, am I right? Star Wars blew their load pre-Toy Fair, but being an arctic guy, let’s just say, I want everything.

It’s been a crazy weekend, and I’ve got an “NBA All-Star” game to watch, so no long post today. Stay tuned for Toy Fair talk next Sunday.

Are you dedicated enough to sit through overly excited marketing managers on the Star Wars Fanstreams? How about watching hours-long, overly produced Mattel Revealed events that feature your favorite line for about 5-10 minutes? I think nothing says dedicated like Artist Roundtable videos. Were you able to make it through the 45-minute session of What We Got to hear our thoughts on the new Master’s teaser trailer for 20 minutes? If so, that’s dedication.

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.

Joe just continues to kill it. Have you seen the Class of ’24 pics on the socials? How much can these guys put out? I’m just glad I got a S.N.A.K.E. Armor pre-order in. I’m still in love with MMC’s Perfection Series Devastator. I have never bought an MP-scale combiner aside from upscaled 4th-party sets. Will this finally be my first? Something I should love and just don’t is the new Origins 4-pack. I love factions and troop builders, but these are just not jiving for me. For Star Wars, there’s only grumping. Why the hell are we getting a much-wanted 21-back character in the Vintage Collection on a Deluxe card?

Something I would have snatched up in a second in the olden days is the Classified SDCC Cold Slither set. It comes from my favorite media, the cartoons, and is super goofy. It’s an easy pass nowadays. With all the Transformers stuff shown, my favorite thing is an actual toy, not a collectible. I’m excited to see the Cyberworld Scorponok in person. Masters came out guns blazing. While I should love the Fright Zone, I just don’t. I’m more drawn to the New Eternia Terror Claws Skeletor. Not surprisingly, Star Wars was the least exciting. At least we’re getting new unproduced vintage figures.

I think a lot of people are addicted to Classified, and Hasbro knows it. While I really dislike the design of the new S.N.A.K.E. Armor, you know I’ll still be buying it. While I love the design of the new HasLab Liokaiser, I don’t have a connection to the character(s). Did I still back it? Of course I did. The latest wave of Cartoon Origins is pretty lackluster. Yup, pre-ordered. At least I can say I definitely won’t be ordering the new Vintage Landspeeder. Well, it might go on clearance.

What do you think being released nowadays will increase in value 600-700% in 20 years? Anything? With Transformers improving their engineering constantly, I can’t imagine any of the new Studio Series will. With Star Wars losing a ton of interest, I don’t think anything they put out in the mainline will ever increase that much again. Especially with offerings like we got in the latest Fanstream. Don’t get even me started on the new Thundercat MOTU crossovers. What about indy toy makers? Mythic Legions has some high-dollar pieces, but even with the fire Fresh Monkey Fiction is putting out, are they going to break the bank in a couple of decades?

Too busy motivating. I’ll catch you next time.

Here are some of my most anticipated toys from this show. Hopefully, I can take care of business to be able to afford them. First, Black Series Visions Ronin figures? Yes, please. As much as I really, really want Crystal Ball in Classified, it’s more because of the goofiness from a collector’s perspective. Nostalgically speaking, Law and Order is who I am really looking forward to. As one of the last “animal guys” I bought, he holds a special place in my heart. Again, a huge nostalgia-based want that is finally going to be satiated, Origins Rio Blast is coming this month. Lastly, and probably least exciting, but very happy to see the line continue, is Blokees Wave 6.

Well, it's a wonderful time of the year, everyone has lots of fun. You mean they get in fights?

Talk about over-saturating the market. Transformers are coming fast and furious, but the Missing Links can’t come fast enough for me. New Classified is coming too fast in my opinion, but Slice and Dice are welcome additions. While traditional Origins has been relegated to Mattel Creations exclusives, they have found a new niche, concept figures. What’s the easiest way to tell we’re getting too much product? Four words, Shadows of the Empire.

The most whining this time around can be attributed to MEGA’s new G.I. Joe offering. While excellent in execution, the price is about twice what it should be. We whined for a couple of years about Transformers not making the Toy Hall of Fame. Our cries have been heard and silenced. I’m sure some Star Wars collectors will find some reason to whine about the Phase 1 Clone Trooper Super Battle Droid 2-pack, but to me, it’s perfect. People always whine about exclusives, but the only MOTU news this week is just that, and the character is ideal for an exclusive.

Cons had a big presence on our little show this week, including TFCon, MCM, 1027, and more. Mastermind Creation’s new Devastator won big against Hasbro’s. The biggest baddy for Joe has finally come to fruition. Star Wars had its own new big bad added to its Black Series line. Meanwhile, the only Masters news was there would be a con four months from now.

Hasbro represented at New York Comic Con. Well, kind of. I think Joe stole the show again with the absolutely amazing Snake Eyes and Polar Bear. The only real stand-out for Star Wars was the Revenge of the Sith carded Black Series Commander Cody. Transformers was pretty light too, but Mandalorian Crossover N-1 looked alright. Mattel was a no-show, so the only booth repping Masters was Mondo. Not a lot of surprises, but their Faker v2 looks nice.

I have to admit I totally forgot to post this episode. All of my reminders and tracking methods failed me. I didn’t even notice until I was adding the episode for tomorrow. Mrs. McFavorite and I have a big date night tonight, so I have to make this quick.

Roll out!

I’m really lucky the big four are pumping some great mass-release toys. I’ve been hot and cold on New Eternia, but loving the Roboto. I missed Cosmos the first time around. I will definitely enjoy opening him at a $25 price point instead of $70-80. Speaking of great, I am so happy to see Shadows of the Empire in the Black Series. We’ve talked about Dial Tone a couple of times now, but the Classified team did not disappoint.

Something that’s definitely manageable for collectors are kid’s meal toys. Looks like Transformers One is not going to disappoint. Classified continues to manage their assets correctly, including the amazing job done on this Dial Tone backpack. The least manageable scale, in my opinion, is 12 inches. But the Jumbo 14.5-inch IG-11 is pretty dope. Since there was no MOTU toy news, we’ll have to settle for the announcement of Camila Mendes as Teela. Let’s hope that Amazon manages to finally get this project out the door.

We had a few instances of this over the last couple of weeks. The Once a Man SDCC Cobra Commander sold out way too fast, twice. Mattel’s new Snake Lair looks like it might be going back to the drawing board. When will these companies learn that we don’t all want $500 toys? The Four Horsemen put out one of their lowest-priced Mythic Legions figures to date, which also turned out to be one of their most popular figures, selling out much faster than most anticipated. The Origins concept figures Lord Gr’Asp and Terroar found a new home at BBTS, but if you didn’t act fast, you probably missed out again.

Now I know, and knowing is half the battle. G.I. Joe!

Since I’m behind on getting these posted, I’m going to skip the insight into my life. That’s usually the first paragraph of each post. However, I will say what my favorite things were from each franchise. While the Rattler is amazing and already backed, my favorite Joe item is a Transformer. I’m very excited to see the crossover line continue with Kup as the Triple T with Slaughter and Leatherneck. For Transformers, Hasbro finally came up with a good reason to combine Dinobots. The Dinoking box set looks like it will be a lot of fun. I missed some reveals from Masters, but of the ones I did see, I think I’m most excited for New Eternia Roboto. Star Wars, as usual, was the least interesting, but minimally we’re finally getting a Blurrg from The Mandalorian.

It’s going to be one of those weeks. So, I’m going to bow out of writing this time around. We have tested our technology for doing the G.I. Joe: The Movie commentary, and we’re going to do it live. Listen to our next show for details.

Indie companies have been flexing their expertise as of late. No longer relegated to just making 3rd party add-ons, these companies are now direct competitors to the big boys. Ramen’s new modular tank is simply amazing. Longtime Transformers 3rd party company Fans Hobby comes in swinging with a new Sky Hawkesque vehicle. Companies are even picking up new licenses like C.O.P.S. n’ Crooks. Some of the best stuff is comimg from forgotten trademarks that have been reimagined.

It was pretty easy to pick the four biggest news stories for each franchise this week. These aren’t always the best or my favorites, but most of the time, they are. The HasLab Cantina is amazing, but is it what people really want? It will probably fund, but definitely not with any unlocked tiers. Classified collectors have spoken, and they want vehicles. I know I really want the Cobra Stinger. However, how many can you have at this scale? Here’s one primarily for me. At the opposite end of the scale, I’m loving these Transformers Blokee deskbots. Lastly, while Scare Mare may be the new hotness, Night Stalker was always my evil steed of choice.

I think toy companies are doing a pretty good job of learning from their past. There are always exceptions, but overall, I feel they’re heading in the right direction. Star Wars has been doing a good job rereleasing in-demand figures. Since Toys are now being collected primarily by adults, nostalgia reigns supreme. Toy companies keep pumping out updated engineering on toys we loved, like Origins Nightstalker and Missing Link Bumblebee and Cliffjumper. Hasbro, in particular, has discovered by just changing the scale you can get everyone to buy figures like the Cobra Trooper again.

It seems impossible. It never is.