M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand) toy line was first launch by Kenner in 1985, along with an animated television series to help with merchandising. The toy line ran until 1988, releasing four official series through the years. Each series featured Action Figures & Vehicles with hidden transforming design features. They only produced one playset, but that transforming playset was Pretty Cool !!! Boulder Hill: Boulder Hill Playset debuted in 1985 and retailed for around $42.. It was a Service Station that was transformed into an Armed Bunker and back. It also included Alex Sector &a ..read more

With Halloween right around the corner we wanted to share some of the best Halloween themed toys over the decades. Released in 1964 "Thingmaker" also known as "Creepy Crawlers" was an interactive toy made by Mattel. The toy consisted of a series of die-cast metal molds resembling various bug-like creatures, into which was poured a liquid chemical substance called "Plastigoop", which came in assorted colors. The mold was then heated to about 390°F in an open-face electric hot plate oven. The Plastigoop was cured by the heat, and when cooled formed semi-solid, rubbery replicas of the bug like c ..read more

In September of 1978 Battlestar Galactica debuted on televisions all across the US, becoming an overnight hit. Mattel hoping to match Kenner's success with Star Wars, had already snatched up the licensing rights to the toys. So Mattel got to work designing a series of Battlestar Galactica space ships that fired spring-loaded missiles. The ships flew off the shelves of toy stores all across the country that holiday season. On December 8, 1978 Mattel's troubles with the Battlestar Galactica toys came to light when the Consumer Products Safety Commission announced that there had been 3 formal r ..read more

The 1970s & 80s produced some of the coolest playsets, lets take a trip down memory lane. CASTLE GRAYSKULL Castle Grayskull was introduced by Mattel in 1982 for their Masters of the Universe toy line. The playset was designed to open for play and close for storage. A large skull decorated the front, with a hinged "Jawbridge" allowing access to the interior. The interior had a throne room, elevator, and a trap door. DEATH STAR SPACE STATION The Death Star Play Station was introduced by Kenner in 1978 for their Star Wars toy line. It had a manual elevator that took figures to any of its f ..read more

Two classic motorized toy lines battled it out for the king of 4x4s in the early 1980s, they were known as Stompers and Rough Riders. Stompers toy line debuted in 1980, they were the brainchild of creator A. Eddy Goldfarb and sold by Schaper Toys. In 1981/82 Ljn Toys wanted in on Schaper's success of it's Stompers toy line and released a similar line of 4x4s call Rough Riders. Consequently the battle of the 4x4s had begun, not just on store shelves but also in the court room. Schaper and Goldfarb filed lawsuits against Ljn Toys but in the end settlements were made, and the companies continued ..read more

Released by Kenner in early 1978 as part of the ,Sears "Star Wars ,Cantina Adventure Set" as well as a Sears exclusive mail-in two-pack with ,Greedo, the blue Snaggletooth is one of the rarest Star Wars action figures. The blue Snaggletooth figure was intended to represent the character Zutton, however Kenner designer's only visual reference at the time was a partial black and white photograph of the character. As a result the Blue Snaggletooth figure wore a blue uniform, had long legs, and wore boots and gloves. When Star Wars hit the big screen in 1977, Kenner’s producers saw to their horr ..read more

Lets take a look back to the late 70s and early 80s and ponder what would have been if these unproduced Kenner Star Wars toys would have made it onto store shelves. Hoth Prototype Vehicle This Hoth prototype vehicle was created in the late 70s or early 80s for The Empire Strikes Back line. What's pictured is a toy that was engineered as a vehicle the Rebels could use on the snow planet Hoth, evident from the tank-like treads. The vehicle also had a tow truck crank that could be used to tow a damaged Snowspeeder or other vehicles. Rebel Blockade Runner The Rebel Blockade Runner is one of the ..read more

Released in 1979 by Milton Bradley, Big Trak was a computerized, battery-operated, programmable lunar-inspired sci-fi tank. It happened to be the most advanced toy ever at the time of it's release, and became an instant hit. The original Big Trak was a six-wheeled (two-wheel drive) tank with a front-mounted "photon beam" headlamp, and a keypad on top. It came in two colors, the U.S. version came in gray, and the U.K. version in white. There also was an optional cargo trailer accessory called the Transport, once hooked to the Big Trak this trailer could be programmed to dump its payload. Usi ..read more

With the overwhelming success of their new 3 3/4 inch G.I. Joe action figures in 1982, Hasbro realized that the small scale of their action figures would allowed them to create some of the most iconic playsets and vehicles of the 1980s. Hasbro started it all off in 1985 with their colossal seven foot-long U.S.S. Flagg aircraft carrier with multiple decks, elevators, gun turrets and support vehicles that serve as the headquarters for all your Joes. At the time of its release, the U.S.S. Flag retailed for a whopping $89.99. Despite the high price tag, it was a success for Hasbro. The follow-u ..read more

Would anyone like some toxic fumes, a 600-degree toy oven or radioactive ore? Let's take a walk down memory lane with some of the most dangerous toys ever produced. Creepy Crawlers Mattel released the Creepy Crawlers Thingmaker Toy in 1964. The danger was not only noxious fumes, but an hot plate which heated up to 300 degrees. You were supposed to wait for it to cool off before removing your Creepy Crawlers. Little Lady Stove The Little Lady Stove may be quaint and petite, but it packed a much more powerful punch than the Creepy Crawlers hot plate of the 60s. Officials ban it because it gen ..read more