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Sold out! Mattel Masters of the Universe Origins "Buzz Saw" Hordak Action Figure is a figure I got at Ross a few years ago. In 2024, it was prime hunting time. This guy had a foreign comic book, a launching buzz saw, and an alternate head. It's pretty good for five bucks. Read on!

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Posted 10 years ago! A cute little guy back when scale was less of the norm, Hasbro Jurassic World Indominus Rex Action Figure was the affordable, baby version of the mutant dinosaur and it sold for a fairly cheap $11. The tail caused the head to move, and it looked a lot like the guy on the big screen. And now Mattel makes these guys, to considerable success. I still like this one. Do read on, and come back tomorrow for a new one!

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Last year's model! The Hasbro Transformers Retro G1 Deluxe Gears is surprisingly brighter and more charming than the Legacy model, thanks to the toy colors and face masked head. You might find this one at TJ Maxx or Walmart if they have any old stock, and I'd say it's worth tracking down. I found I prefer this one. Read on!

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It looks like there are plans for 45 figures over two years, with a mix of repaints and retools. There are troop variants, desert variants, midnight ops variants, commanders for said troops, and so forth - it's imaginative and impressive. Wave 1 is perfectly nice, but starting with Wave 2 they begin to include some pretty wild ideas for "pets" like a pigeon and a raccoon, which squarely target the figures I had as a kid and regret trading away. (Hydro Viper, Croc Master. Spearhead and Max are still here and will be reviewed after I figure out the right o-ring to replace.)

The creator has dozens of videos up showcasing art, photo reference, and tidbits about future repaints and remolds. The entire thing is a big scavenger hunt for information, and I've found it to particularly fascinating to shuffle through for tidbits and details. It's a lot like watching what Scott "ToyGuru" Neitlich did at Mattel for MattyCollector's figures.

There are tons of makers doing 3 3/4-inch o-ring figures these days, and I'll probably give Delta 17 and Skeletron more of a look later on. I've been pulling out some of my favorite old G.I. Joe vehicles that survived as well as newer Super7 O-Ring ReAction+ Figures - which are excellent, too, and you should grab some monsters and Micronauts - and I'm having some fun with my old toys as well as some newer ones.

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Guess who! The Hasbro Kenner The Real Ghostbusters Ecto-Glow Heroes Collector's Set Peter Venkman Action Figure is still available, at a slightly higher price. I'd say it's worth it. $20 is kind of a lot for a redeco of a 1980s Kenner figure, but the original set of four costs more than a HasLab toy - so these are pretty attractive. The detail is not as sharp as the original molds - but once anything is cast in glow plastic, you're going to have a hard time spotting it anyway. I've paid more for glowing indie figures, so I found this set to be worth the asking price.

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Masked! The Playmobil "Fi?ures" Figures Kendo Figure is long gone, but it has a swell set of gloves, and a sword, and a helmet. This is a pretty cool figure - not exactly a perfect replica, but it's Playmobil so it's really quite excellent given the limited new molds created for this guy.

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RIB! Blokees Transformers Defender Version 04 Tyrants Fury Rumble Action Figure has bright cartoon colors and a big head - heck, he looks a lot like Studio Series, minus the tape mode. He has big pile drivers and is well worth picking up. Read on, and come back Monday for more!

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If that weren't enough, the movie is out this weekend and is getting pretty decent reviews. Also kid line Man-At-Arms and a He-Man variant are showing up at Walmart alongside Slime Pit minis at Ross, so this may be one of the best times to go out hunting for He-Man toys in years.

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Former clearance pick-up! Mattel Masters of the Universe Sketch Book Series Spikor Action Figure is a nifty spin on the character who appeared in last weekend's movie, and the toy line from 40 years ago. He has brown spikes, different armor, a nifty club, and a real pig snout. He may as well be a new character - and as such, keep an eye out for him. Read on!

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Posted 10 years ago! From Sub-Ternia, Mattel Masters of the Universe Classics Ceratus got exactly one action figure - and you can get him on eBay. He's not cheap as such, but for a collector figure that's 11 years old? He's affordable. He's from the same species as Whiplash, and there seem to be no shortages of him if you want to pick one up and have the budget. Do read on, and come back tomorrow for a new one!

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All parties involved did a good job taking a 44-year-old action figure line and making a modern movie out of it, with a lot of good sets and a few that looked like they were out of the digital era. You can't win 'em all, but you can get a pretty good live-action superhero cartoon out of it. As plot goes there are no big twists or surprise reveals, but you've got a few mid-credits and a post-credit scene to ensure your regret of ordering the big drink at the concession stand.

Skeletor was seemingly a completely covered creation, without any of Jared Leto peering out. His name was pretty far down in the credits, too, which makes sense as it was a pretty small part. Most of the focus was on Adam, Duncan, Teela, and the heroes. Goat Man, Trap Jaw, and a lot of the other characters got a lot of screen time, so it's not really a surprise that so many lesser characters got action figures. I was surprised Fisto was given so much to do and say given how few figures he got for this movie. Maybe he's secretly incredibly popular?

It's PG-13 with PG-13 jokes, but also plenty of pratfalls, gags, and reminders of the terror that is being stuck on Earth and having your boss monitor your eBay activities. It's extremely difficult for a big blockbuster movie - one bankrolled by Amazon, no less - to attempt to be anything but a four-quadrant crowd-pleaser with a healthy merchandising plan. It's clear that they had plans for future films - if those will happen after opening at #2 is anybody's guess - but at least it's a good time and a pretty decent way to spend a couple of hours. Check it out if you're curious, the theaters may not be crowded but at least people seemed to be having a great time.

Go see it on a big screen. The trailer looked strange on my computer, but for whatever reason it clicked when it was huge.

--AP

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If you've got a dollar a month to share, please Visit the Galactic Hunter Patreon and help cover our server costs. I'll still put in hours of work, writing, photography, and research - I just need some help making sure that the site costs me only time, and hopefully not money. Thanks for your support!

--AP

Reshelled! The Hasbro Transformers Studio Series 86 Voyager Shockwave Action Figure is basically the Siege mold, with new smooth purple armor more like the cartoon, plus a mini version of himself you can hand other figures as a blaster. This is the most useful of the Shockwaves, although I do have a soft spot for comic deco. I'm pretty happy with this one, although he's a hair short for cartoon scale. Read on!

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Ross season! The Hasbro G.I. Joe Classified Series Cobra Commander Action Figure is still available, maybe, at a Ross near you. I found it for $10, I've seen later shipments marked $15, and it can be had at or under $25 at online sellers. It's the classic blue bad guy, in cartoon colors, with a blaster and a knife and lots of extra hands. Those looking for cool armaments won't find excess accessories, but is a nicely jointed figure with a mirrored mask and tons of personality from his appendages. If you're the kind of person that will pose your figures for wacky pictures, this is a fun buy and a cheap thrill.

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Also, Super7 Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, and The Mummy ReAction+ Figure pre-orders are live. These are o-ring figures, like 1980s G.I. Joe toys.

Flowery! The Playmobil 70733 "Fi?ures" Figures Bali Dress is most likely not in a store near you, but this blind bag figure comes in q unique dress. She also has a nose ring, but no nose, so figure that one out.

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You can play in-window, or grab a ROM. When you hold down the fire button, the stream continues until the ghost is weakened and the trap goes out. Along the way you can pick up radar, food, power-ups of sorts, and chase a high score. It could use some challenges beyond empty rooms to keep things moving, but it's actually pretty engaging for 1970s hardware and feels a fair bit more accessible than some licensed titles of that era. If you're old, give it a try. And I hope they do a poster or a shirt of the box art.

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Go ape! Blokees Transformers Defender Version 06 Brutal Fang Optimus Primal Action Figure is a Battle Beasts-sized robot that doesn't transform, but does have a lot of articulation like swivel wrists and ball-jointed ankles. He even has little shoulder cannons! For a non-chase figure, it's rather nice - get one if you can find it. Read on, and come back Monday for more!

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They also list some DSP1 and MSU1 stuff, and some other goodies. But maybe wait and see if the next version goes up before you get the Mac one. I liked the previous version just fine.

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Clearanced but not forgotten! Mattel Masters of the Universe Sketch Book Series He-Man Action Figure was down pretty cheaply a few months ago, which is a mixed bag - I hate not supporting lines, but I hate seeing things marked down that I paid more than necessary. It's a nice figure, with two heads and decent gear. It's been a really neat series of concept figures, I just hope they're selling well enough so we can get to a Skeletor at some point. Read on!

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Posted 10 years ago! A lower-run exclusive, Hasbro Transformers Generations Platinum Edition Bumblebee & Grimlock Action Figures brought a decent redeco of Bumblebee and a Japan retool of Grimlock (with different colors) to the masses for a then-decent (and now, ridiculously good) price of $59.99. Platinum sets were fancier deco releases of (more of then than not) main characters for a second or third go-round. Robots in Disguise figures seem to be in increasing demand, and the last one of these on eBay sold for $200. Hopefully Hasbro will revisit these guys some day, they were decent molds for the asking price. Do read on, and come back tomorrow for a new one!

--AP

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If you've got a dollar a month to share, please Visit the Galactic Hunter Patreon and help cover our server costs. I'll still put in hours of work, writing, photography, and research - I just need some help making sure that the site costs me only time, and hopefully not money. Thanks for your support!

--AP

Combiner in the making! The Hasbro Transformers Age of the Primes Voyager The Thirteen Nexus Prime can combine with a Superion frame and various deluxe toys, and should have his own upgrade parts coming soon. Probably. Read on!

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A classic! The Kenner Batman: The Animated Series The Joker Action Figure is from over 30 years ago, and has aged well. It closely matches the cartoon, it's sturdy, and all the parts fit.

--AP

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Also, The Loyal Subjects Palworld plush and action figures are now available for pre-order. These monsters are from the PC game and are ready to fight.

Seall of approval! The Playmobil "Fi?ures" Figures Marine Biologist Figure is off the market, but if you find an ol dbox you've got a chance to get a seal trainer in a nifty costume with a small baby seal pup. For a couple of bucks, it's a decent deal.

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Given that it's a crowdfund, it might be a while for these 3 3/4-inch figures to make the market. But if you like retro space guys, these do look particularly awesome. Click here for the Kickstarter page, and if other recent 3 3/4-inch lines are any indication it might be a while before they land.

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An actual cartridge and final game ROM are due later this year, if you're inclined to give it a go.

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Also new, Super7 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ReAction+ Figures are live. These o-ring figures let Raph and Don fight against Shredder and the Foot!

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Newish! Blokees Transformers Defender Version 06 Brutal Fang Astrotrain Action Figure looks like you remember, but it isn't a perfect match for the toys or TV. Purple helmet, gray body, purple wings, it's everybody favorite space choo-choo complete with blaster and loads more articulation than the 1980s toy. I like it. Read on, and come back Monday for more!

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Double your mutants! Mattel Turtles of Grayskull 2-Bopsteady Action Figure was a 2024 Target exclusive and it was a good one. They're loaded with swappable Metal-Boto parts, plus a gold sword and a spiked ball for their own use. Even if you don't plan to build the build-a-figure, the included accessories are enough to give you more reasons to play with this and your other figures. And it's still pretty affordable, at or under $25 delivered on eBay. Read on!

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Posted 10 years ago! A quick sell-through, Onell Design Outer Space Men Orbitron Diversus was the kind of thing you want more of. Onell Design continues to make amazing creatures, monsters, and travelers, but this Orbitron redeco lighted me to no end. The brain folds have red panel lines, the highlights are - in general - just amazing. The thick color paint makes the claws pop nicely, and every bit of the Four Horsemen sculpt is enhanced through the smart deployment of color in all the right places. And yes, the gray accessories are a little bland, but the figure deco more than makes up for it. I like this one a lot, and I really hope to see more recolors of this mold someday. Just not too many. Do read on, and come back tomorrow for a new one!

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I assume this is all part of the publicity train running up to JoeFest, as it appears there will be a lot of Joe-adjacent fun coming.

Creator Carson Mataxis went on the "Destro Is My Spirit Animal" YouTube channel to go over the extensive backstory of the line, going on about the comics, the figures, and future figures at length. You can get a look at future samurai women troopers, shark deep sea divers, medics, pyromaniacs, and just a whole heck of a lot of stuff. The first 20ish figures are "year one" and will run through summer of 2027 or a bit later. The "year two" guys I don't think have been explicitly dated yet, but you can get a look at a lot of what they're working on here.

It's long. I would recommend watching it and skipping ahead with the arrow key until something you want to see/hear grabs you, because it's very informative and a pretty nifty fly-on-the-wall look at the development of comics and toys in an era where those things are a much tougher sell. It seems like the fun pets are mostly in year one (unless they're being held back), but there are plenty of new and generally original concepts on the way. And with over 45 figures on deck, it's probably good to see what's up in case you want to hold off on collecting them all. (But at 3,000-4,000 units, I'm in for the first two waves at least.)

I might be putting together some kind of checklist or info dump just to keep track of all the various figures in production.

--AP

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If you've got a dollar a month to share, please Visit the Galactic Hunter Patreon and help cover our server costs. I'll still put in hours of work, writing, photography, and research - I just need some help making sure that the site costs me only time, and hopefully not money. Thanks for your support!

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New mold! The Hasbro Transformers Age of the Primes Voyager Sideways Action Figure is similar to the 2002 Deluxe Armada Sideways, but with more articulation and fewer mechanisms. You can also swap the head Mini-Cons. There are things I like more about the old one, and there are things I like more about the new one. It's amazing that today's Voyagers are comparable in size to a $10 Deluxe from 24 years ago, but here we are. Collectors are snapping this one up, and other than the fact you can't have a factionless chest? It's pretty good. Read on!

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Mark those calendars for August 7 in the USA. Theaters will be empty because of the lack of marketing, or it'll make all the money because indie horror is Hollywood's latest "it girl." Empty rooms and cursed wishes are doing great business, surely murderous stars of television will get a few butts in the seats.

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Operation: Recall is kind of similar, except the creators are being very up-front with their plans. This page shows everything from December 2025 through Summer 2027, for a grand total of about 21 figures. At $25 each, over 18-20 months, that's not a massive expense.

I've been perusing their YouTube channel and other reveals, and so far I've spotted at least 49 total figures. This includes numerous shared tooling figures like five Midnight Ops figures, five Desert Ops figures, three "pie in the sky" repaints, and a few other trooper/commander variants. Only one of the figures - a mail-in redemption - might qualify as "just different enough to make you mad," while the others seem to be pretty significant color or head changes.

It's been a while since I had a chance to actually jot down what's coming and ask the big questions like "so what will it cost to keep going?", and I'm hoping to get a list with links to pictures or videos together to share shortly. It's rare to get any sort of roadmap for an indie toy line, particularly one that seems like it might be through 2028 or 2029. If the cadence keeps nicely spaced out, I don't think anyone's going to get burned out for a while.

I'm finishing up the first review of these guys, and he'll go up Wednesday. I wouldn't say it's anything life-changing, but if you haven't had enough of this kind of retro figure in your life? It's fun enough to get you to pull some old toys out and give them a whirl with these new ones.

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Indie o-ring figures from old-school G.I. Joe talent! The Locomotion Media Group Operation: Recall Mzimu Corps (Pecan) Action Figure is still available, and it's a lot like the figures from the 1980s - but shinier, and with wrist joints. Wave two is due to ship in July, I picked these up last month and am pretty pleased with my purchase. Except it's made me want more o-ring figures, which is going to cost me.

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An "all-in" pledge for the first 24 hours nets you the games, posters, blind boxes, and everything else for $486. Given that it includes 18 action figures, assuming all stretch goals get met, that's not a bad discount. Individual figures are $30, which is about on par with the current $25-$30 o-ring figures from the likes of Super7 and indie makers.

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Wikipedia says its working title was "Tears and Rain," a reference you undoubtedly immediately get. And for you soundtrack collectors, Michael Giacchino is doing this one.

Also announced, We're Wolves, a sequel to the movie What We do in the Shadows. Also from Waititi, it follows around the werewolves from the movie (which inspired the FX TV series) and you should absolutely go watch right now.

I'm posting this stuff for my friends, so when they later go "I don't remember hearing about all of this" I can go "so you aren't reading 16bit.com?"

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Shiny! The Playmobil 70733 "Fi?ures" Figures Fairy wasn't a pull I was excited to make, but I was impressed by the drawn details on the dress and the metallic hair. The jeweled wand is a nice touch. What am I going to do with this figure? I have no idea, that's why I wrote a review about it so at least I can say it was for something.

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Clear! Blokees Transformers Defender Version 05 Traitor to Tyranny Brilliant-Optimus Prime Action Figure is a surprisingly bright red and blue plastic wonder. I don't normally go for transparent stuff, but this one is impressive - and he has an axe accessory in bright orange. Give this one a look. Read on, and come back Monday for more!

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Having been at this for almost three decades, these are not upstarts or young, hungry people looking to break in to the world of entertainment - which is actually said as text in the movie itself. It's still kind of inspiring to see a crew of people who are friendly enough to grit their teeth and put on what seems to be a mostly handmade, if underwritten, slice of entertainment. There are old homemade camcorder shots, there are scenes deemed inappropriate for release in previous outings, and there are things no person should ever have to endure. But it's showbiz, and hopefully someone else out there gets inspired to pick up their phones and try their hands at some low-budget form of entertainment that hopefully does not require the use of their family's medical insurance. Having not seen the previous films, I can honestly say I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

I'm not saying you should drop everything you're doing to see it, but if you too find yourself with a pass to see multiple movies a week, it will likely be one of the most visceral experiences of your cinematic year.

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Eye see you! Mattel He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Cartoon Collection Mantenna Action Figure has two arms, four fully jointed legs, and bug-out eyes. It should not surprise you that there was no budget for gear - but that's OK, it's a pretty great monster figure as it is. Read on!

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Posted 10 years ago! Once upon a time, Jakks Pacific World of Nintendo Samus Action Figure was the kind of thing could find in stores around the country, maybe, if you were lucky. Five bucks for a tiny Samus seems outright miraculous in 2026, although you may still be able to find tiny Mario figures in a Walmart near you. Do read on, and come back tomorrow for a new one!

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Super7 also had the first official reveal of their Ninja Force Cobra Commander & Snake Eyes, plus Target's incoming Tiger Force Wild Bill. I assume that'll show up around the August toy aisle reset, or when Snake Eyes sells through.

As compatible 3 3/4-inch goes, it looks like Delta 17 revealed some arctic troops with big fuzzy hats and a desert trooper with an ornate surf board and a cute bulldog. I'm scrounging around for other indie o-ring announcements and haven't yet found many.

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It sounds like the freight hits the port this week, which means it's just a few weeks away from shipping out to pre-sales. This wave includes Bengal, Retelo, Sol Eagle, and Bear Claw. That's two animal buddies and three animal-themed costumes an/or accessories for those keeping track at home.

It's 15 minutes, and you get a pretty good look at these guys. They seem to be super shiny, and I was surprised to see Retelo's quad copter drone to have a bird heat motif.

--AP

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If you've got a dollar a month to share, please Visit the Galactic Hunter Patreon and help cover our server costs. I'll still put in hours of work, writing, photography, and research - I just need some help making sure that the site costs me only time, and hopefully not money. Thanks for your support!

--AP

New, for kids! The Hasbro Transformers Cyberworld Energon Surge Cyber Changers Scourge reimagines the Decepticon as a pirate ship, complete with portals and eyepatch. You're going to want to see this one. Read on!

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They're $75 per 3-pack, which is about on par with current o-ring offerings from just about everybody. This isn't an ad, but more of a warning since I ordered a set and am excited to see them up close.

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I was surprised that advertiser and ecom behemoth Amazon has a pre-order up for a physical version (which we get a cut of if you click and buy) for $39.99. I was genuinely expecting to have to wait a few years for a limited run partner to make it - so this is nice to see. Xbox and PS5 are dated for October 15, while Switch is December 31. (A placeholder, most likely.)

It has been a very long time since we got a new Castlevania, 2D or otherwise, on a home console. This is pretty exciting stuff, even if it's middling I'm glad Konami remembered there's a built-in audience for vampire hunting.

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