Since their debut in Mirage comic books in 1984, and more-so their debut on TV with the 1987 TV, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been one of the most recognizable franchises in Pop Culture history, right up there with heavyweights like Transformers, Masters of the Universe, and more as best known properties in existence. Created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, these anthropomorphic humanoid martial artists have been made into just about every type of medium available, especially toys. In 1988, thanks to a deal with Playmates Toys, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles exploded onto toy shelves worldwide to a wave of success that no other franchise has had then, or even now. While going through many different designs and releases in the 34 since, the original Playmates line remains as the most collectable series ever, with figures ranging from cheap loose figures to take-out-a-home-loan levels with mint on card figures.
I've covered some of the past figures in our previous Toys on a Tuesday series (See Series 1 here and Series 2 here) where I've been able to learn so much about variants of figures and that people are still finding out new things about that toy series right up to this day.
Luckily, for those people who cannot afford to spend hundreds of dollars to begin their collections, leaving many figures for their own "Toy's I'd kill to own" lists, there is an alternative. Thanks to the sale of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle franchise from Eastman and Laird to Nickelodeon, including the rights to the Playmates toy lines, we have a sudden wave of reissued Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures for both general toy enthusiasts (or kids) and collectors alike: the Retrocast reissue series: A bunch of special boxed sets featuring different lines from over the decades of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys.
So let's take a look at what is available in the collectors boxes, what you get for the price, and if you should be investing in these sets at all.
I've covered some of the past figures in our previous Toys on a Tuesday series (See Series 1 here and Series 2 here) where I've been able to learn so much about variants of figures and that people are still finding out new things about that toy series right up to this day.
Luckily, for those people who cannot afford to spend hundreds of dollars to begin their collections, leaving many figures for their own "Toy's I'd kill to own" lists, there is an alternative. Thanks to the sale of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle franchise from Eastman and Laird to Nickelodeon, including the rights to the Playmates toy lines, we have a sudden wave of reissued Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures for both general toy enthusiasts (or kids) and collectors alike: the Retrocast reissue series: A bunch of special boxed sets featuring different lines from over the decades of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toys.
So let's take a look at what is available in the collectors boxes, what you get for the price, and if you should be investing in these sets at all.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Retrocast Action Figure 6-Pack (Turtle Van)
This set, featuring all 4 Turtles hanging out driving the Turtle Van, started out as a Previews FX/SDCC exclusive set before getting a general release internationally. This set is the base from which all sets going forward would revolve around: Donatello, Raphael, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Splinter, and Shredder are the figures that you would find contained within this special box. The figures themselves are not all that much to be phoning home about, mostly because they are based on the 2013 Classic Collection versions of the figures, packaging and all. A real shame since the original 1988 figure cards had a lot more personality to them, as the 2013 releases are just generic. Another problem I have with this set is that Shredder is the 2013 reissue instead of the 2009 25th Anniversary version... A tiny Krang (included with the 2009 version) makes all the difference.
This set, featuring all 4 Turtles hanging out driving the Turtle Van, started out as a Previews FX/SDCC exclusive set before getting a general release internationally. This set is the base from which all sets going forward would revolve around: Donatello, Raphael, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Splinter, and Shredder are the figures that you would find contained within this special box. The figures themselves are not all that much to be phoning home about, mostly because they are based on the 2013 Classic Collection versions of the figures, packaging and all. A real shame since the original 1988 figure cards had a lot more personality to them, as the 2013 releases are just generic. Another problem I have with this set is that Shredder is the 2013 reissue instead of the 2009 25th Anniversary version... A tiny Krang (included with the 2009 version) makes all the difference.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Retrocast Action Figure 6-Pack (Retro Van)
The second set in the series, this version has the same base set of figures (Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Splinter, and Shredder) but done in colorized versions of the characters they appeared as Eastman and Laird's original Mirage comic book series that they self-published back in 1984 (The original comics started out in black and white, but got reissued in color years later). The other difference here is the weapons are done in colors that would be more accurate to the material they were made in: Swords were grey for metal, and brown (both light and dark) for wooden weapons, something that no other set appears to do at all. The packaging is different too, being more in line with the Mirage comic book styling, same with the Van itself, being more like a proper 1964 Volkswagen Type 2 (Transporter, Kombi or Microbus) Bus that April would drive in the comics (and 1990 movie), which they made sure to include in this box as April is the one driving even though her figure does not appear in this line at all (A shame).
This is one of the harder editions to find as it was a Walmart only release at a time when not too many people knew about these sets, so there aren't that many floating around for sale through other retailers, and there is no international release of this set either, meaning your only way of getting this set at this time is to pay eBay prices.
The second set in the series, this version has the same base set of figures (Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Splinter, and Shredder) but done in colorized versions of the characters they appeared as Eastman and Laird's original Mirage comic book series that they self-published back in 1984 (The original comics started out in black and white, but got reissued in color years later). The other difference here is the weapons are done in colors that would be more accurate to the material they were made in: Swords were grey for metal, and brown (both light and dark) for wooden weapons, something that no other set appears to do at all. The packaging is different too, being more in line with the Mirage comic book styling, same with the Van itself, being more like a proper 1964 Volkswagen Type 2 (Transporter, Kombi or Microbus) Bus that April would drive in the comics (and 1990 movie), which they made sure to include in this box as April is the one driving even though her figure does not appear in this line at all (A shame).
This is one of the harder editions to find as it was a Walmart only release at a time when not too many people knew about these sets, so there aren't that many floating around for sale through other retailers, and there is no international release of this set either, meaning your only way of getting this set at this time is to pay eBay prices.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Retrocast Action Figure 6-Pack (1991 Movie)
Another set that follows the baseline of the first one. You do get five out of the same six figures (Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Splinter), instead of getting a standard Shredder, you get Super Shredder, the more buffed up version of Shredder seen in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (played by former professional wrestler and Magic Mike star Kevin Nash). All the figures in this set are based around the 1992 Movie Star series set for the four Turtles, Super Shredder is from the 1991 Movie Star series, and Splinter is a mix of the 1993 Movie III series coloring but using the 1988 series figure mold. The packaging is a cleaned up version of the 1992 Movie Star series with a completely new back card design to be more generic than the individual versions that were originally used. Instead of using a Turtle Van variant, this set takes one of the subway cars that the Turtles relocated into during Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze and was used as their base for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III and Ninja Turtles: Next Mutation.
This set started out as a Target exclusive, but has since been available internationally, and through many more online retailers making it easier to find and add to your collection.
Another set that follows the baseline of the first one. You do get five out of the same six figures (Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Splinter), instead of getting a standard Shredder, you get Super Shredder, the more buffed up version of Shredder seen in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (played by former professional wrestler and Magic Mike star Kevin Nash). All the figures in this set are based around the 1992 Movie Star series set for the four Turtles, Super Shredder is from the 1991 Movie Star series, and Splinter is a mix of the 1993 Movie III series coloring but using the 1988 series figure mold. The packaging is a cleaned up version of the 1992 Movie Star series with a completely new back card design to be more generic than the individual versions that were originally used. Instead of using a Turtle Van variant, this set takes one of the subway cars that the Turtles relocated into during Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze and was used as their base for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III and Ninja Turtles: Next Mutation.
This set started out as a Target exclusive, but has since been available internationally, and through many more online retailers making it easier to find and add to your collection.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Retrocast Action Figure 6-Pack (Villains)
The first wholely unique set on this list, following up the success of the 1988 Turtle Van set, it was decided to give the villains a chance to shine too. Featuring the Mutant Modual as the box for this collection, giving this box a one of a kind look, the villain set contains fan favorites Bebop, Rocksteady, Baxter Stockman (First reissue since 1995), Krang in his walker, Slash and a Foot Solder. The packaging for these characters is the same as the 2013 reissues for the characters (Except Baxter Stockman and Slash, who get this design for the first time), but again modified to fit the set collection. I'm not too sure if its my memory or eyes, but the Bebop in this set looks to have darker arms and missing paint apps on the wrists while having a much lighter pink face than other reissues that I've seen and owned. Unless you are a hardcore collector, you can buy this set and one of the other Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sets in the Turtle Van or Sewer Lair version and just be happy with your 12 figure collection which looks great on a shelf.
The first wholely unique set on this list, following up the success of the 1988 Turtle Van set, it was decided to give the villains a chance to shine too. Featuring the Mutant Modual as the box for this collection, giving this box a one of a kind look, the villain set contains fan favorites Bebop, Rocksteady, Baxter Stockman (First reissue since 1995), Krang in his walker, Slash and a Foot Solder. The packaging for these characters is the same as the 2013 reissues for the characters (Except Baxter Stockman and Slash, who get this design for the first time), but again modified to fit the set collection. I'm not too sure if its my memory or eyes, but the Bebop in this set looks to have darker arms and missing paint apps on the wrists while having a much lighter pink face than other reissues that I've seen and owned. Unless you are a hardcore collector, you can buy this set and one of the other Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sets in the Turtle Van or Sewer Lair version and just be happy with your 12 figure collection which looks great on a shelf.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Retrocast Action Figure 6-Pack (Sewer Lair)
Talk about cheap. This set is the same 6-figure set that was originally released in the Turtle Van edition, just with the Sewer Lair play-set used as the box. This was a more common release, seen quickly in international markets once the popularity of these sets became apparent to Nickelodeon. This set uses the exact same figure packaging as the previous set, aka the 2013 reissues, with nothing changed or different at all. I'd only recommend buying this one if you do not own the Turtle Van version, or you're a hardcore collector who must have all the versions of each set that comes out.
Talk about cheap. This set is the same 6-figure set that was originally released in the Turtle Van edition, just with the Sewer Lair play-set used as the box. This was a more common release, seen quickly in international markets once the popularity of these sets became apparent to Nickelodeon. This set uses the exact same figure packaging as the previous set, aka the 2013 reissues, with nothing changed or different at all. I'd only recommend buying this one if you do not own the Turtle Van version, or you're a hardcore collector who must have all the versions of each set that comes out.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Retrocast Action Figure 6-Pack (Sports Bus)
One of the more unique sets available in this line, the Sports series only has four figures in the box (Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo), with Splinter and Shredder not being included. This is also the first "gimmick" line in the series with all four Turtles being based around some sort of sport. While all four figures come from the same 1991 release period, only three out of the four are from the same release sub-series: T.D. Tossin' Leo, Slam Dunkin' Don, and Shell Kickin' Raph are from the Sewer Sport All-Stars sub-series, but instead of Shell Slammin' Mike from that line, we get Skateboardin' Mike from the random 1991 releases. It is unclear for the change, maybe due to there being a cross-over series between Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and WWE in 2016 and something to do with contracts (Good old Vince McMahon would put a lock on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles releasing anything wrestling related after that line for a few years), or Nickelodeon not thinking wrestling is a good fit for a sports figure line, we will never know. All four figures feature the same packaging, based around the Sewer Sports All-Stars packaging, but modifying the back of the card to fit the new line up. The outer packaging is a slimline Tour Bus design to fit the smaller amount of figures as well as keep with the sports theme of the set.
This set is one of the harder ones to find at the moment due to issues in production of this set making less available at time of writing. However, there is word that there should be plenty more available in late 2022, with this set being available at most toy and collectable retailers worldwide.
One of the more unique sets available in this line, the Sports series only has four figures in the box (Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michelangelo), with Splinter and Shredder not being included. This is also the first "gimmick" line in the series with all four Turtles being based around some sort of sport. While all four figures come from the same 1991 release period, only three out of the four are from the same release sub-series: T.D. Tossin' Leo, Slam Dunkin' Don, and Shell Kickin' Raph are from the Sewer Sport All-Stars sub-series, but instead of Shell Slammin' Mike from that line, we get Skateboardin' Mike from the random 1991 releases. It is unclear for the change, maybe due to there being a cross-over series between Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and WWE in 2016 and something to do with contracts (Good old Vince McMahon would put a lock on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles releasing anything wrestling related after that line for a few years), or Nickelodeon not thinking wrestling is a good fit for a sports figure line, we will never know. All four figures feature the same packaging, based around the Sewer Sports All-Stars packaging, but modifying the back of the card to fit the new line up. The outer packaging is a slimline Tour Bus design to fit the smaller amount of figures as well as keep with the sports theme of the set.
This set is one of the harder ones to find at the moment due to issues in production of this set making less available at time of writing. However, there is word that there should be plenty more available in late 2022, with this set being available at most toy and collectable retailers worldwide.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Retrocast Action Figure 6-Pack (2012 Shellraiser)
The most recent set to be released in this line, this is the same basic 6-pack line of Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello, Leonardo, Splinter, and Shredder that just about every other set has done, with the main difference is that this set is based around the 2012 figure line (based on the TV show of the same era). This is a complete reissue of the figures with no changes at all since this was the first time that Nickelodeon was in charge of the franchise. The only addition is that the box that contains all the figures is the newer version of the Turtle's main transport, this time called the Shellraiser as the Turtle Van was a completely different vehicle that didn't show up till later in the show and was based more around the 2004 TMNT movie version of the Turtle Van which Michelangelo used to do a "Party Turtle" business.
The most recent set to be released in this line, this is the same basic 6-pack line of Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello, Leonardo, Splinter, and Shredder that just about every other set has done, with the main difference is that this set is based around the 2012 figure line (based on the TV show of the same era). This is a complete reissue of the figures with no changes at all since this was the first time that Nickelodeon was in charge of the franchise. The only addition is that the box that contains all the figures is the newer version of the Turtle's main transport, this time called the Shellraiser as the Turtle Van was a completely different vehicle that didn't show up till later in the show and was based more around the 2004 TMNT movie version of the Turtle Van which Michelangelo used to do a "Party Turtle" business.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1986 Action Figure Reissues (2021)
While this is the last entry on this list, it was also the first line to be released. First releasing in 2019 as a Walmart exclusive, this set of the four Turtles has become one of the most accurate and most common ones on the market. Featuring a complete recreation of the original 1988 packaging (though with a modified back that took the original line up of 10 figures down to 4) this is the best version of the figures to be released... Expect that the Raphael is done in a very pale green for some reason instead of the bright light green of other releases. Internationally, you can find these in just about every toy shop and big-box retail store with the lowest price points out there. If you are just wanting the original four Turtles, then this is the set to go for since they are the same molds as all the others listed here and are unrecognizable in an originals collection.
While this is the last entry on this list, it was also the first line to be released. First releasing in 2019 as a Walmart exclusive, this set of the four Turtles has become one of the most accurate and most common ones on the market. Featuring a complete recreation of the original 1988 packaging (though with a modified back that took the original line up of 10 figures down to 4) this is the best version of the figures to be released... Expect that the Raphael is done in a very pale green for some reason instead of the bright light green of other releases. Internationally, you can find these in just about every toy shop and big-box retail store with the lowest price points out there. If you are just wanting the original four Turtles, then this is the set to go for since they are the same molds as all the others listed here and are unrecognizable in an originals collection.
