REVIEW: Are Playmates' New Star Trek Toys As Good As They Were 30 Years Ago?
Wave 1 of Playmates' new STAR TREK line. Images: T. Rick Jones / NASA.
OCTOBER 5, 2022 - Playmates dove into the production of Star Trek toys 30 years ago, with the release of a line of Star Trek: The Next Generation action figures, accompanied by a shuttlecraft, an Enterprise-D model, and a couple of role-play (what we would today call cosplay) accessories: a type-2 phaser and a communicator. The toys were released at the height of TNG’s popularity, at the beginning of their sixth season, and their success prompted Playmates to expand their line, adding more TNG action figures, plus some Original Series products, as well.
When JJ Abrams’ Star Trek (2009) film debuted, Playmates also acquired the rights to that film series, but disappointing sales led to the cancellation of the second wave of that line. Now, after more than a decade, Playmates has begun creating toys for Trekkies once more. We got our hands on them, and have some thoughts.
Ready For Action
The first wave of the new Playmates line of Star Trek toys includes eight action figures from three franchise properties: Admiral James T. Kirk, Captain Spock, and Khan Noonien Singh from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan; Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Commander William Riker, and Lieutenant Commander Data from Star Tek: The Next Generation; and Commander Saru and Science Officer Michael Burnham from Star Trek: Discovery.
Q code. Image: T. Rick Jones.
Each figure comes in what the Playmates website refers to as “retro packaging,” a replica of the packaging for the 1990s line of action figures. They each also include a display stand and a multitude of character-specific accessories.
The blister packaging will definitely induce nostalgia in Star Trek fans of a certain age. Memories of wandering down the aisles of the late lamented Toys “R” Us and gazing at the multitude of Trek figures, all of which we would add to our collection if only we had the finances, come flooding back as if it were only yesterday. On the back are short biographies of each character and a Q code (notice the name change from “QR”) for parents to scan to see various videos.
Retro packaging. Image: T. Rick Jones.
The accessories are familiar, too, with Picard, Riker, and Data sporting phasers with bright orange beams emanating from them and almost all the other accessories colored a drab grey. Another reminder of ‘90s toys is the way the accessories fit into the figures’ hands. Which is to say, they don’t; at least, not very well. But it’s nice to have them, even if Kirk’s wrist communicator is so large compared to the figure’s wrist that it’s almost comical. Our favorite accessory was Spock’s radiation gloves, white with grey stripes, with a slit down the middle to easily get the Vulcan ready to sacrifice himself for the ship. Not only do they look cool, but they fit…well, like a glove.
The character sculpts are what one would expect from an action figure of this type. We’re not talking EXO-6 museum quality here, but the likenesses are passable, and the 14 points of articulation certainly allow plenty of pose and play options.
It’s likely that there will be one of two types of customers for this line: kids who want to play with the action figures after ripping open the packaging, or collectors who will display the figures in the nostalgic packaging, never to be opened. At a retail price of $15.99, these action figures aren’t much more expensive than the ones available 30 years ago, and they are currently 19% off on Amazon. Toy collector or kid looking to go on your own Star Trek adventure, you can’t really go wrong with these.
A Stunning Accessory
Action figures aren’t the only Trek-themed products Playmates has released. As they did with their first-wave TNG products in 1992, they’ve released a phaser replica, this time from the Original Series.
At 10 X 7 X 2.5 inches, the phaser fits comfortably in one’s hand, coming in at 9.9 ounces. While we imagine an actual 23rd-century phaser would be a bit heavier, the lightweight design is appreciated. The product is again presented in “retro packaging,” although this time they say it’s “inspired by the Original Star Trek series.” The package includes two AA batteries, already installed in the phaser, to make the beam emitter light up when you’re firing. As a bonus, you can set the phaser to stun, kill, or our favorite, overload. Just make sure you toss it into the disposal chute before it explodes!
Managing Editor T. Rick Jones is ready for action. Image: T. Rick Jones.
Again, children wanting to pretend they are Captain Kirk or, for some reason, a red-shirted security officer will enjoying leaping around the house vaporizing Klingons. However, we think a large part of the target audience for this will be convention-going cosplayers who want an affordable phaser prop to compliment their lovingly-handmade TOS costume. At a retail price of $29.99, it is definitely that. This one’s currently 17% off on Amazon.
Warp Factor Fun
Cheesy subheading aside, Playmates’ U.S.S. Enterprise NCC 1701 toy is our favorite, which is why we saved it until the end. At 21”, it’s the largest of the line, and it is lovingly crafted to be a faithful recreation of the Original Series ship.
Again, the product is presented in “retro packaging,” and there is some assembly required, as the warp nacelles are packaged separately from the ship’s main sections. There are 3 AA batteries included, as well, giving the ship’s bridge and warp and impulse engines the ability to light up. A series of buttons on the saucer section allows you to play iconic warp and bridge sounds or orders from Captain Kirk himself. One cautionary tale: our left warp nacelle didn’t quite connect properly with the contacts on the main section, and consequently the nacelle’s lights occasionally flicker when it is touched. Admittedly, this is probably due to operator error, rather than a defect in the product, but just be cautious when you put the toy together.
Playtime! Images: T. Rick Jones.
Included with the toy is an articulated display stand, allowing collectors to set a course in any direction to show off their newest acquisition. The stand fits snugly in the bottom of the ship and once in, isn’t easy to remove, so we recommend deciding whether you want the toy for play or display before you attach the stand.
If you’re a kid who wants a toy to take you on your own trek to the stars, Playmates’ Enterprise will delight you. If you’re a collector who wants a detailed, screen-accurate model of the Enterprise, you probably want to look elsewhere. However, for toy collectors or someone who simply wants to display a reasonable simulacrum of the starship, this is a good bet. and at a retail price of $39.99, it’s an affordable one, too.
Playmates’ new line of Star Trek toys is not only affordable but made with care. They clearly took the time to research the characters, prop, and vessel that they chose to release in their first wave, and it makes us excited to see what’s next for them in their licensing partnership with our favorite franchise.
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T is the Managing Editor for Daily Star Trek News and a contributing writer for Sherlock Holmes Magazine. He may have been the last professional Stage Manager to work with Leonard Nimoy, has worked Off-Broadway and regionally, and is currently the union Stage Manager for Legacy Theatre, where he is currently working with Julie Andrews.
