The 1980s was a golden era for action figures and toys, with many iconic lines becoming staples of children’s toy collections across Britain. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and explore the action figure toy lines that defined the 80s.
- Action Force Launched in 1982 as the British equivalent to G.I. Joe, Action Force was an instant hit with children, offering a range of military-themed action figures and vehicles. The toys were created by Palitoy in response to the falling sales of Action Man and the recent success of the smaller Star Wars figures .
- Transformers Introduced in 1984, Transformers quickly became a phenomenon, capturing the imagination of children with their robots that could transform into vehicles, animals, and other objects. The Transformers line was accompanied by an animated television show and comic books, which helped to grow the brand into a multi-billion-dollar franchise.
- He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Mattel’s He-Man and the Masters of the Universe line debuted in 1982, featuring muscle-bound heroes and villains from the mystical world of Eternia. The accompanying animated television series helped to popularise the toys and make He-Man a household name.
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles The TMNT figures burst onto the scene in 1988. The line featured the four pizza-loving ninja turtles, their allies, and a host of unique villains. The toys gained widespread popularity after the launch of the animated television show in 1987.
- M.A.S.K. Short for Mobile Armored Strike Kommand, M.A.S.K. was a toy line introduced in 1985 by Kenner. The line featured action figures and transforming vehicles that combined elements from both G.I. Joe and Transformers. The M.A.S.K. toys were supported by a short-lived animated television series.
- ThunderCats Based on the animated television series, the ThunderCats toy line was released in 1985. These action figures, which represented anthropomorphic cats with various weapons and abilities, quickly became a favourite among children, making them one of the most memorable toy lines of the 80s.
- Star Wars Although the original Star Wars toys debuted in the late 70s, their popularity continued to soar throughout the 80s. The figures, vehicles, and playsets based on the Star Wars trilogy were highly sought after by children and collectors alike, and they remain iconic and collectable to this day.
- Ghostbusters Inspired by the 1984 movie, the Ghostbusters toy line by Kenner featured action figures, vehicles, and playsets based on the film’s characters. The toys gained even more popularity with the release of the animated television series, “The Real Ghostbusters,” in 1986.
- Wrestling Superstars Released in the mid-80s, Wrestling Superstars was the first action figure line dedicated to professional wrestlers. Produced by LJN, the line featured rubber action figures of popular wrestling stars such as Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and Randy Savage. The toy line’s success coincided with the wrestling boom of the 80s.
- Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light Visionaries was a short-lived toy line produced by Hasbro in 1987. The line featured action figures of knights who wielded magical powers through holographic stickers on their chest and staffs. Despite the support of an animated television series, Visionaries failed to gain traction and was discontinued after only one year.
These action figures are only a small glimpse into the vast and diverse world of 80s toys. The decade was filled with imaginative and groundbreaking toy lines, many of which continue to inspire new generations of children and collectors today. Whether it’s the heroes, villains, or creatures that captured our imaginations, the 80s will always be remembered as the golden age for toys.