Tmnt, G.I Joe, Transformers toy lines were the top of the heap. I'm trying to think of other cartoon series with toy lines that were huge back in the 80s.
OMG I can't believe I forgot about He-man, that **** was huge!! I'm pretty sure every boy had the figures and playsets. When TMNT came out I could never get them, but the He-man stuff I think I got every toyline that came out.
Transformers. Easy. Those were high quality, and an amazing piece of toy engineering never seen before. They took folding technology to the next level.
Man, I think it's pretty well covered w/ gi joe/transformers/tmnt/he-man Voltron/Thundercats?? I don't recall too well how well they faired vs the ones already listed. Of course not on the list GoBots even though they apparently were released first?? I didn't realize that because I always thought transformers were the original. This thread sucks, it basically reminds me of how much stuff I've lost over the years, hopefully some kid has them and they aren't in the trash/on ebay.
WWF toy line was pretty cool. Edit: I realize I fail at reading since thread title says "cartoon toy line". Carry on.
It's worth the five minute read: https://oldguyswholikeoldcomics.wordpress.com/2018/03/02/remcos-inflatable-hulk-instant-muscles/
OG Star Wars action figures deserve a plug. Not as durable or flexible as GI Joe but you put the figure -in- the Bantha and it had fake ‘legs’ in stirrups to make it look like the figure was really riding. I was big into GI Joe but really, Transformers beats them all. Huge robots that turned into different vehicles or a gun in Megatron’s case. So freaking cool. He-Man was for the white trash kids. They all looked like the same musclebound character with a different head, even Skeletor.
I was just talking about the Megatron toy the other day. Without going into a D&D rabbit hole, can you imagine taking that to elementary school today?
Back in the day, a bunch of us kids would run around the neighborhood with plastic, realistic AKs and M16s and such and play war. It was great fun.
Just waiting to pounce on the first entitled prick on this board that says he had the G.I. Joe aircraft carrier...
Transformers runs away with it AS A TOY. I played with GI Joe more as a kid, however. They were cheaper to buy the guys. The Toys that Made us on Netflix is a must watch for 80s and 90s nostalgia watching.
