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Top 10 Retro Toys of 2013!
Originally the plan was for this article to be written before 2014, but with a move and the holidays, it will just have to appear a few days into 2014. (The year is still considered new though, right?) Before I begin, how is everyone? I hope the holidays have treated you all well.
One
of the things I have always enjoyed about a new year is the time to reflect
about all the cool toys that were released throughout the past year. Typically
I enjoy discussing the new items, those cool toys that captivated my interest
throughout the year. However, I am not just a collector of the here and now; I
also actively collect those hidden gems from yesteryear. A great deal of retro
toys enters into my collection every year, so here are my top ten choices
making this random and slightly unnecessary list!
10.
Gen13
2013
was the year that I finally got over my neurotic ways and began purchasing
items in loose condition. It all started with this little find at my local
comic store. Gen13 was a comic series that seemed really cool, but I never
really read it when it was popular in the 90s. I was a fan of the overall look
though, particularly with the Fairchild action figure. ToyFare magazine had
shown some images of this figure which was enough for me to say, “Hmm, I would
totally collect one of those!” She was originally released in 1998 but to have
purchased this item all these years later proved to be wonderful; this toy only
cost two dollars! I’ve always liked the color combination of her orange hair
and green long sleeve body suit, though I can’t help but wonder if her legs
ever get cold. Either way, this was a very fun retro purchase in 2013.
9.
Cadillacs and Dinosaurs
A
few months ago, Brian from Cool and Collected shared with everyone a rather
large assortment of action figures for sale or trade that he had acquired. One
such set of figures was from the Tyco line Cadillacs and Dinosaurs. In his set
was the figure of Hannah Dundee, an item that I had mostly forgotten about. I
remember seeing the male characters in stores, but I had never run across the
Hannah figure. After finding out that the figure was part of the whole set, I
set my eyes on other markets to see what a Hannah Dundee figure was going for
these days. A quick jaunt to eBay and 99 cents later I was the proud owner of a
mint Hannah Dundee. This line had just the right amount of cheese to make it
fun and totally worthwhile.
8.
MoonDreamers
Leave
it to the 80s for a toy line to exist that melded dreams and space into one awesomely
glow in the dark doll line by Hasbro. MoonDreamers was very short lived and
sadly has been waiting patiently for a reboot. Since finding a mint MoonDreamer
for a decent price is next to impossible, I finally jumped in and grabbed this
Bitsy and Roary. Sure Bitsy is missing her shoes, and both were in need of some
sprucing up, but that was part of the fun. I was beginning to really enjoy
loose collecting at about the middle of the year.
7.
Princess Tenko
I’ve
been collecting a very long time. I’d rather not admit how long, but I will say
this much: I don’t remember nor do I own everything ever made. While perusing
the Internet in search for retro treasures, I stumbled upon the line of Mattel
action dolls called Princess Tenko and the Guardians of the Magic. I vaguely
recalled this line; however there was so much I just did not know. I had
stumbled upon a line that was exciting and different, with familiar shades to
other action doll lines.
This
is Jana, the villain of the line and distant relative to Castaspella.
Seriously, squint both eyes; that is PoP’s Castaspella. Anyways, over the
summer I had a blast trying to find good deals on Princess Tenko items. Luckily
there was not much of a demand for this line as I was fortunate enough to pick
up a few items for a very little bit.
6.
Shimmers
One
of my most favorite toy lines growing up, Shimmers was like an early sparkly
introduction to Greek Mythology. Or something. As with my other high
maintenance tastes in collecting, Shimmers (released by Kenner) tends to be
very rare, and very expensive. Not so with loose Shimmers. This toy was in very
good condition, the coloring being the big selling point. I thoroughly enjoy
the shimmery paint fading from yellow to hot pink.
5.
Rose Petal Place
I
know what you must be thinking at this point, “Miss M, another girl toy on this
list?” I can’t help it. 2013 was a banner year for items from the pink aisle.
Take for instance this doll from Rose Petal Place. Orchid is named after the
flower. Like the other dolls, each character from Rose Petal Place had a scent
and over all look that was associated with their corresponding flower. With a
nostalgic nod to my past, this loose Orchid helped me remember why I enjoyed
this line in the first place. (If I could, I’d totally rock this jump suit in
real life.)
4.
My Little Pony
My
Little Pony had long captured my heart way before there was friendship and
magic. The original Ponies were far more simple and ‘one note.’ Yet this
simplicity had me intrigued. I really enjoyed collecting these and after
finding these two at my comic store, I couldn’t resist. (I also was pleasantly surprised
to find vintage Ponies at my comic store!) The green/teal pony is Medley and is
the pre-cursor for Lyra Heartstrings from the newest Pony incarnation. The pink
Pony is Heart Throb.
3.
Pound Puppies
This
item was a total shock. I’ll just be honest. Nose Marie was my favorite Pound
Puppy and I had been on a lengthy search for this very miniature figure, and as
luck would have it I found one! I would have been happy with a loose or new
version, however, I was just happy to finally have found one! If you are a fan
of Pound Puppy miniatures, scoop them up whenever you find them. They are
extremely hard to come by in decent condition.
2.
Princess of Power
It
is often assumed that I own every She-Ra item made. While I do own a great
deal, I am far from owning every single item. With my love for loose items
running rampant in 2013, it was only a matter of time before a She-Ra related
item made it to my home. Angella, mother to Glimmer, was one such figure I
missed out on when I was younger so adding a loose one to my collection was a
nice surprise for 2013. Of course, her wings are missing, but the overall look
of the action doll is still in very nice condition.
1. Golden
Girl
I
went and did it. For years I had such a snobbish attitude regarding Golden
Girl, the action doll line that competed with She-Ra in the mid 80’s by Galoob,
but in 2013 I finally took the plunge and purchased some Golden Girl items! I’ve
learned from the error of my ways and these action dolls are worth every penny.
(By the by, get while the getting is good. These items can sometimes be found
for very little still.) Wild One has the blond hair while also sporting some
wild facial and body art. Moth Lady (my favorite) has crimped purple hair and
insect wings! Needless to say, these two items have been my most favorite
purchases of 2013. I have found a way to right my judgments on this line and I
am looking forward to maybe adding a few more items to my collection
eventually. They actually work rather well with the vintage Masters of the
Universe toys in that they really capture that whole ‘warrior’ look as opposed
to the fantasy elements of She-Ra. Both are entirely fun though and should be
added to everyone’s collections!
A
great deal of events occurred in 2013, including the world of collecting. I
overcame my own neurosis about collecting loose items and am the better for it.
I have found that loose collecting can be more affordable than mint, and in
some cases the items are practically in new condition. I look forward to what I
find in the New Year. Please share some of the retro finds you scored over
2013! I always enjoy reading what other people are interested in or collecting.
Happy New Year everyone.
Benjanime Posted on Aug 16, 2019 at 06:55 AM
my older sister only ever bought the plush pound puppies, had no idea there were mini plastic pound puppies figures.
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