Toys Archives : Page 5 of 9 : The Retro Network

The Big Fun That Came From the Little GUTS Action Figures

Toy soldiers have allowed kids all over the world to be the generals of their own armies for many decades. These enduringly popular toys have seen many variations from the basic green plastic soldiers that

M.U.S.C.L.E: The Pink Wrestler Army That Took Over the 80s

The Retro Network

You thought the WWF had some bizarre characters? Please. Anybody who wanted to see some real oddball wrestling action in the mid-80s took a visit down to the M.U.S.C.L.E. arena. Those brawny battlers on television may have

Super Looney Tunes Return!

Adam Pope

In 1991, I was 9 years old and the novelty of Happy Meal toys at McDonald’s was starting to wear thin. We had gone from Changeables and Super Mario Bros to Barbie, Hot Wheels and

10 Best Vintage Masters of the Universe Action Figures

Adam Pope

Vintage Masters of the Universe figures weren’t just toys. They were bold, colorful heroes that turned bedroom floors into battlefields and gave an entire generation its first taste of epic, imagination‑powered adventure.

A Brief History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

Brian Cave

I cannot think of a better example of the quintessential Saturday morning cartoon than He-man and the Masters of the Universe. It had everything a kid could ask for as part of their weekend plans:

Big Trak: The Programmable Tank That Drove Our Childhoods

Mickey Yarber

November of 1979 was the moment the future finally arrived in the American living room. When the holidays arrived a month later, many American children (mostly boys) were treated to the toy of their dreams,

Toys

Looking Back at the Dick Tracy Toy Line

Jeff Sheldon

Take a trip back to 1990 when Dick Tracy ruled the movie theaters, and the Dick Tracy toy line tried to rule the store shelves.

Toy Stories: The Skip-It

Jeff Sheldon

One toy that any kid from the 90s is likely to remember is the Skip it! Don’t remember it? Well, I’m sure you’ll remember the catchy theme song from the commercials that repeatedly played while

WWE Memorable Moments – Series 1 (Figure 4 of 4)

Chad Droze

Hello TRN Readers! Today I’ll be rounding out my WWE Memorable Moments Series of Posts that I started last year. It’s been fun thinking of different ideas for Wrestling Figurines, and today, we go even

Toy Spotlight: Raspberry Tart and Rhubarb Monkey

Karen Flieger

One day when I got off the bus in kindergarten, my mom was waiting for me in the car with my brother strapped into his car seat. It was March of 1983 and we had

Retro Commercials: Dunkin’ Donuts ‘Time to Make the Donuts’

OldSchool80s

I don’t know about you, but commercials can often take me back to my formative years as quickly as any song or movie can. That is why we will continue this semi-regular feature on ’80s commercials

Toys That Had the Best Gimmicks

Brian Cave

Toy manufacturers have been able to squeeze in all sorts of features into our GI Joe, Transformers, and He-Man figures throughout the years. Spring-loaded missiles, lights and sounds, chips, battle-damage armor are just a few

TRN Toy Box: Holiday Optimus Prime

Ken Spaulding

Today I’ll be reviewing the Hasbro Pulse exclusive Transformers Holiday Optimus Prime! Figure Descriptions • ROLLING THROUGH A WINTER WONDERLAND: Santa looks a little different this year! Naughty or nice, Optimus Prime is delivering holiday

Time Capsule: 1987 Toys ‘R’ Us Circular

Mickey Yarber

In this time capsule, we’re taking you back to 1987 with a 16-page sale paper from Toys ‘R’ Us. We’ll let you salivate over all of the incredible toys found inside that will surely invoke

How Monopoly Helped Free POWs in World War II

Mickey Yarber

Park Place, Boardwalk, and a hidden map with a secret escape route? For Allied POWs during World War II, Monopoly games came equipped with real-life “get out of jail free” cards. During World War II,

Time Capsule: 1990 Gamepro Handheld Holiday Guide

Mickey Yarber

Back in 1990, handheld gaming systems were the new hotness, and Gamepro provided a handy guide to all of the games that were currently available for both Gameboy and Lynx for the holidays. This way,

TRN Toy Box: Transformers: The Movie Retro Figures

Ken Spaulding

Due out in mid-January from HasbroPulse.com (currently sold out) and Walmart.com, Hot Rod and Starscream are also due to hit Walmart stores in January. Priced at 33.99, these retro-inspired G1 figures from the 1986 animated