Playmates best line?

[ToTheNines]

I’m sure the ‘88 line will win this poll, but I hold the contrarian take that Playmates was at their best with the 2k3 line. I felt that was a quality line and all the figures were way more show-accurate than some of their others. They also didn’t have characters I thought were wrongly skipped, other than the Notes From The Underground mutant situation, but 20 years later they’re pretty forgettable characters.

Their biggest disappointment was the 2012 Nick line. Those toys came out during a time in my life where I had just started to have disposable income and was still single. I was so hyped for that show and would have loved to collect that whole line, but their turtles/Splinter were hideous and not very show-accurate. A lot of the other sculpts and paint jobs looked cheap. At least NECA is gonna take a proper crack at it, 15 years later.

I’m not going to include these on the poll, but shout out to the 1984 B&W comic book line. The Shredder and Splinter are hideous, but those turtles are cool as hell.

[mikey0]

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

I’m sure the ‘88 line will win this poll, but I hold the contrarian take that Playmates was at their best with the 2k3 line. I felt that was a quality line and all the figures were way more show-accurate than some of their others. They also didn’t have characters I thought were wrongly skipped, other than the Notes From The Underground mutant situation, but 20 years later they’re pretty forgettable characters.

Their biggest disappointment was the 2012 Nick line. Those toys came out a time in my life where I had just started to have disposable income and was still single. I was so hyped for that show and would have loved to collect that whole line, but their turtles/Splinter were hideous and not very show-accurate. A lot of the other sculpts and paint jobs looked cheap. At least NECA is gonna take a proper crack at it, 15 years later.

I’m not going to include these on the poll, but shout out to the 1984 B&E comic book line. The Shredder and Splinter are hideous, but those turtles are cool as hell.

It’s the ‘88 line for me. All of the variants (soft head turtles, hard head turtles, Genghis Frog with gold belt, and Slash with bright yellow belly) make them fun to collect. I love how the colors pop (Krang’s hot pink, Slash’s teal skin, and Groundchuck’s red fur). There’s a lot of detail that went into making them (see Pizzaface, Rappin’ Mike, and Hothead).Their size (4.5 inches) makes them perfect collectibles.

The articulation used for the turtles was up there with the 3 3/4 inch GI Joes. Plus, there were sets that other collectors could enjoy (Star Trek turtles, Universal Monsters turtles, and Apollo 13 turtles). Without the ‘88 line, you would never have 2k3 Mutations, Ninja Action, or Giant-size TMNT. Playmates never forgot that we wanted the turtles and Shredder in different iterations (Dino turtles, Shogun turtles, and Toon turtles).

The only downside to the ‘88 line was Turtlemania 1990. After the first movie came out, toy scalpers were buying up everything left and right. Then, the Sewer Sports All Stars, Mutant Military, and Rock N Rollin’ turtles came out and it was extremely difficult to find the basic assortment figures. Playmates stock fell in late ‘91.

You have to love how they shrunk Krang in 1994. You did not even need to purchase the Turtle Party Wagon. Get Road Ready Splinter instead. The Sewer Playset was nothing like Castle Grayskull. You could make a DIY Sewer Playset with two shoeboxes, toilet paper roll, yarn, bamboo sticks, and a piece of cardboard. The repaints were cool too (Warrior Metalhead Michelangelo, white jersey Slam Dunkin’ Don, and Toon Shredder).

My only gripe was when they excluded a turtle or two from different sets (Smash ‘Em Bash ‘Em, Kung Fu Tournament Fighters, Universal Studios series 2). The Movie Star turtles are the best ever movie action figures. The real feel skin was a nice touch. The ‘88 line deserves to win this poll. Very underrated toyline.

[Wildcat]

I think the ot line mostly because of how much there was. Sooooo many variants, characters, vehicles and other things.

4kids and MM have been good too but they’re not the scope of Turtlemania.

[IMJ]

I hate to say this but as far as Playmates is concerned their is a helluva case to be made that the '03 line was their best TMNT line......

[Digital Ghost]

While I have such love and nostalgia for the '88 series and all of the original designs, the action figures didn't age as well for me. I collect several action figure lines and appreciate the advancements that have been made in the design/manufacturing. the 2003 line and 2012 are my personal favorites due to their more accurately resembling the animated characters they're based on.

I really want Playmates Toys to re-release the Fast Forward TMNT as well. Not so much the side characters as those weren't the best imo, but definitely the four brothers.

Edit: Looking at my TMNT collection, one would think that the original line is my favorite. I absolutely love how Super 7 took those designs and added articulation and additional paint apps.

[I Crave Pizza No More]

For you lovers of the '03 line (those figures are very well done, generally, though I prefer the original series and some of its zaniness), I have literally the entire collection, including vehicles, MOC/MIB. The only exception are the European only figures. If anyone is in the market, feel free to reach out.

Anyway, growing up my two all-time favorite figures were Classic Rocker Leo and Lt. Leo. Also loved Shogun Triceraton, Ray Fillet, Slash, and the movie star turtles. Handful of wonderful vehicles, too. Original line will always be my first love.

[Antoniocafe]

I voted for the 2003 4Kids line. Though I would like to mention that the Next Mutant line was surprisingly decent. The show might not have been the best, but the figures were pretty cool.

[IMJ]

It's almost like:

2012 Nicktoons - Greatest character accuracy across the line
2003 4Kids - Greatest balance of accuracy, sculpt and articulation
FW - Most classic and expansive

[Dask]

03 is the only line that can hold its own (as far aesthetics) even against modern figures with modern molding processes. The only thing going against it is the subpar articulation.

07 line has the greatest fidelity to the source material.

[Original TMNT Cartoon Fan]

I only hade figures from the 1988 line.

[mikey0]

The ‘88 figures are the ones everyone knows. They were the best selling toys of the 1990 holiday season. ‘03 does not top ‘88.

[Dask]

Originally Posted by mikey0

The ‘88 figures are the ones everyone knows. They were the best selling toys of the 1990 holiday season. ‘03 does not top ‘88.

Not in terms of popularity.

[IMJ]

Originally Posted by Dask

07 line has the greatest fidelity to the source material.

Ohhhh yeah....
Good call. I literally forgot all about that line.

[ToTheNines]

Yeah, I forgot it when I made the poll. It was very short lived and small.

[terrorblade]

In terms of quality, I guess it's the 2003 line. I just like the overall feel of the figures, and the painted weapons are definitely a plus.

But the OG line had way more interesting characters. I guess Playmates had the right idea by creating dozens of mutants.

[mikey0]

Originally Posted by Optimus Primer

OG line is also legendary and has the best sculpts overall IMO.

Slash, Pizzaface, Scumbug, Sgt. Bananas…the list goes on. I think Mondo is doing a good job on the supporting characters like Baxter Stockman.

[IMJ]

I would think the original line had the most creative sculpts - not the best sculpts - not by any measure to be honest.

The original line has the honor of not only being the first to do it, but the only line not deeply beholden to a cartoon - because it was the other way around at that time.

But basically every iteration after that has been a toyline supporting a show rather than a show that supports a toyline.

So 80's/90's Playmates most creative? Sure because literally everything they churned out was generally new. Best sculpts? Eh when your entire toyline is comprised of "squat characters" who have physical attributes normally attributed to neurodivergence then I dunno that anyone can say "best sculpts".