20 GREATEST Toy Lines of the 80s -- RANKED!

[@jerellewynn2855]

That's a good list. I think everybody's top 3 is transformers Gi Joe and he man. I agree Voltron and l am surprised you didn't mention robotech. Robotech is arguably one of the animation cartoons in that era hands down. The eighties was the best decade for animation 82-85. I was blessed to be alive.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yes, Robotech toys look cool. I think way were hard to get and I only had 2 or 3 figures. The cartoon was amazing

[@jeffreywhitaker6627]

​@@DestroIsMySpiritAnimalRobotech had Many figures from all 3 generations. They had the TV show comics and Books (the books going well beyond and filling the gaps between the 3 Generations).

[@archmage7813]

GI Joe turtles He-Man

[@eriksmith2567]

Leave it to Harmony Gold to leave money on the table. It was also why getting the episodes was easier to pirate than just buy.

[@Joshua-re8gd]

How many Robotech fans bought Jet fire just to have the Valkyrie fighter jet?

[@jeremynorman9863]

Loved the list! Hard disagree about the lack of innovation with Star Wars figures, though. That series created the model for the 3 3/4 inch action figure. Without that size becoming the norm, toy vehicles would have been too large and expensive to produce. Without vehicles, GI Joes wouldn't have become the juggernaut they became.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

I will say, Star Wars was crazy innovative with playsets and vehicles. And you make a good point that they started it all, they just weren't the best made figures

[@andrewrichards312]

Actually that's incorrect. Takara actually started and standardised the 3.75" action figure scale in 1974, with Microman, which MEGO imported and released in 1976 as the Micronauts. In fact there's a strong possibility that it was the Micronauts which influenced Kenner to go with the 3.75" scale for figures, because as Microman had shown, it opened up far more scope for releasing vehicles and playsets to go with them (eg Biotron and Stratastation).. It was also Microman which pioneered the o-ring design. In fact, as I understand it, Microman is the reason why 1980s G.I. JOEs used their iconic o-ring design.

[@jaymorrison8419]

sw has some amazing vehicles (thank the original artists), and some cool playsets, but the figures are basic af and never really tried to evolve the articulation

[@RussianNightmare]

@@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal and yet kids didn't care whatsoever. They made a killing and still do.

[@christophermcnulty8786]

No Voltron(s), no Gobots...dude? loved Sectuars and Mask.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yeah, I can see that. Voltron is on par with Indiana Jones. What hurt Voltron was a lack of villain figures.

[@christophermcnulty8786]

Fair critique, thanks for replying

[@sorenandersen6832]

@@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal I never had Transformers because of the price. I had some Gobots. They were the poor boy's Transformers, so I can understand why they wouldn't make a top 20.

[@jefflehoux9619]

I liked Gobots better than transformers. They had some cool figures like a submarine and tank.

[@siriactuallysara]

I remember Voltron’s being impossible to get all the lions. But the actual toys were awesome large metal toys with great playability. My parents didn’t have a lot of money so go bots were my gobots toy as well as gi joe. How about WWF.

[@denlec_24]

Talk about a massive dose of nostalgia! The 1980s were, without a doubt, the greatest decade to be a kid. So fortunate that I got to grow up then and own/play with these toys. Excellent list! My top 10 would be slightly different, but not by much: 1. GI Joe 2. Star Wars 3. MASK 4. Transformers 5. He-Man 6. Thundercats 7. TMNT 8. DC Comics SuperPowers 9. Ghostbusters 10. COPS (Honorable Mention: WWF Wrestling, Indiana Jones, Rambo, Dino-Riders, SilverHawks and Voltron)

[@LexxAKonn]

I agree with the top two for sure. G.I. Joe was and is still the best toy line.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yup. it is the GOAT

[@craiggibbons8228]

No it's not. Maybe in America. In Europe and Asia and South America. . . . . Basically THE WHOLE WORLD, it was Transformers, Turtles, He man, Thundercats and M.A.S.K. GI JOE was boring and dull.

[@LexxAKonn]

@@craiggibbons8228 I guess but it was and still is popular here. Enough that they have run into many successes the last four years bringing it back.

[@smotheredchrome]

transformers and gobots were the best toys ever made by far not even close i had every thing in the 80s and a robot that can change into cars, planes trains ext you cant beat that just really think about it when you played with your transformers in the 80s i didnt want to play with joes or sw because transformers took up all my time lol

[@claytonhenry5827]

Like I tell my kids- the 80s was the greatest pop culture era of all time. TV, movies, music, fashion, toys, Nintendo vs Sega, cartoons…everything was hittin’!

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

It's true. Just about everything right now is a rehash of something made in the late 70's or 80s--from horror to toys

[@jaymorrison8419]

Early 90s also great for movies and music

[@ohionative5237]

I was there for the 80's and I agree with you on everything except for the fashion. Lol

[@jerellewynn2855]

The eighties or the early 80's was greatest time. Yeah the 80s was the greatest decade to be alive. Life was simple and peaceful. Easy going and music was everywhere. The cartoons, movies, toys, food was better than today.

[@Rated314]

Was it, or were we just super aggressively marketed to, and fell for it?

[@garybugden8810]

My top 20 includes the GoBots and Robotech

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yeah, I never had many Robotoech, but they look awesome.

[@jnash235]

I agree with your ranking 100% except for one thing… TMNT should have a 5 for lore. The toys don’t really have much of a place in my heart because they were late 80s, and I was a little too old for them at that point, but the storyline has never really hit a lull with the countless ongoing comics and cartoons and movies and video games. Even heavy hitters like Star Wars and Transformers and GI Joe all had relatively long gaps where no new content was being released.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yeah, that's a good point. There are so many incarnations of TMNT it's crazy

[@OrionInception]

Transformers will always be the best hands down. Good list.

[@courtneyscott4397]

The fact he put G.I. Joe over Optimus Prime and Megatron themselves has me confused....

[@EvilSecondTwin]

Great video, man! The 80's were truly magical! Thank you for this video!!

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Thanks!

[@MrTommy0326]

Transformers, Thundercats, He Man, and Gi Joe was my favorite cartoons in the 80s. I loved the Transformers toys as a kid growing up.

[@5150-for-music]

100% agree with #1! Also loved Mask, Star Wars, Rambo, Super Friends & He-Man. Great video!!

[@irahenderson7840]

The classic one that everybody had at one point that often gets overlooked........the tyco race car tracks. Yall remember the smell of the trigger controllers and the spring sound when squeezed?

[@ca9968]

I spent my childhood from age 6 in 1983 in Johannesburg and although we didn`t have much money I always got great toys at Christmas, my favorites were Masters Of The Universe (I had loads of figures and both castles), Thundercats (the Thundertank been by most prized possession for many years), Robotech and G.I Joe... What a great decade to be a kid!

[@JL-st1jf]

Transformers and Voltron were my favorite toys growing up.

[@emiliorebenga443]

💯💯💯

[@craigmahoney4599]

Fun video as always. I definitely would have ranked MOTU higher, and was really surprised not to see Real Ghostbusters, Voltron, or Jace and The Wheel Warriors listed.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Thanks! Yeah, Real Ghostbusters probably could overtake Indiana Jones. Voltron's lack of villain figures hurt it

[@oliverbelmonte7077]

Glad you put in the Coleco Rambo toys sir. Was a favourite of mine along with Motu,Gijoe,,Mask,Super Powers,TMNT and Motu.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yes, The Rambo toys were solid

[@charlesroig3108]

I got big into Sky Commanders for the short time they were around. Constructing all these rope and ribbon tracks was awesome. I never got into Lego back then, but I was also all over Robotix. About the only ones I'd switch in from my personal favorites. I appreciate the Inhumanoids and especially Cops love. Cops was a little bit later, and I was already buying less toys by then, but I loved my Buttons McBoomBoom figure. Wish it had come out when I was younger.

[@stevenlaroche7800]

As a kid, I never got into any other toy line other than GI Joe and Adventure People. GI Joe was awesome and continues to be awesome to this day. No other action figure toy line will ever beat it. Great video!

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Thanks! Agreed

[@oli1682]

The Thundercats cartoon was easily top five. It didn’t have any ridiculous silly episodes. They were good stories at worst, with beautiful animation! I still think it’s underestimated.

[@blackbearish]

i love the Thundercats, got the dvds with all the seasons, and found a 1986 plush snarf too, he's very cute btw.

[@redboone1509]

I had the General Lee with The Dukes of Hazzard figure set when I was a kid. I loved that set as a kid and it doesnt get near enough love or appreciation

[@KevinHenderson-o9z]

Not judgmental at all great list me personally would’ve snuck wwf Ljn figures in… considered dog toys to many, but were definitely playable for any wrestling fan growing up in the era of Early Hulkamania

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yeah, you are right. That one slipped by for some reason. I was a huge WWF fan back then, and I loved those figures

[@emiliorebenga443]

💯💯💯

[@Cage820]

Great list, I think I would tinker with some of the order a bit. The only swap I'd make is personally I didn't know anything about Eagle Force and would swap that with Kenner's Real Ghostbusters.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yeah, I can see that. Real Ghostbusters was fun

[@razumtazum3246]

Dic also did "The Real Ghostbusters", which was really good. So they didn't quite suck at everything.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Oh right. Yeah, that was good. I feel like they made a cpuple of good things

[@tylerdurdentyler]

U just brought my childhood back !! Excellent video and great choices, can't argue with your top picks. U Clearly played with these toys and remember how much fun they were. Thx

[@garethpothin1498]

I 100% agree with you 😊80's as a kid was awesome, I was living in Seychelles, every early morning my ritual was going in sea on a windsurfing board for hours before ever eating breakfast. My aunt visiting us from the US would look for me and would explain Oh my Gosh, Gary has disappeared in the ocean again 😂

[@keetmadu1054]

Great list. Man, I loved these toys from 20 to 1. He-man would have been #2 for me.

[@AFCManUk]

Not having a lot of money in the 80's, I mostly had to make do with the cheaper toy lines, but even some of them were brilliant and most kids had a few of them. In no particular order, my favourites from the 80's were: Transformers, Go-Bots, MASK, Starcom, Battle Beasts and M.U.S.C.L.E :)

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Oh yeah, M.U.S.C.L.E could have been on the list

[@AFCManUk]

@@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal M.U.S.C.L.E, Monster in my Pocket ... I could only afford the cheaper stuff. We got lucky where I am, in that we had a big discount shop that sold all kinds of tatt, but for a while they did have the 8-packs of Battle Beasts, at a really cheap price!

[@kratoscraken5614]

Daaaaaayum! This is a total memory slide thanka bro 👍

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Any time!

[@Win1forQuinn]

I had that Cops figure at 16:20. I remember thinking it was cool as a kid but I wasn’t familiar with the line of toys so it was a bit obscure in my collection. Would have never thought of it again had I not watched this video. Thanks for the nostalgia!

[@rodneylove8027]

Joes lore is deep but pales next to Star Wars. Can't dispute joes being on top though for most of the reasons you listed. I would drop a few from that list in favor of: Captain Power, StarCom (pretty cool cartoon as well), and the criminally ignored Robotech. Bravo for including Visionaries and Inhumanoids. Jem suffered from the same issues as She-Ra despite the fact that after Inhumanoids many of us were still in front of the TV watching her cartoon. Awesome vid!

[@realKratos667]

I'm 50, and I remember the Centurions. I had a couple of those figures. They were actually pretty cool.

[@misguidedangel6550]

Eating out of dumpsters was awesome as a kid. We used to wait for the grocery store to throw out all the old donuts every friday morning

[@jasonknight8581]

As a kid born in the mid 70s, I was the prime age to enjoy 80s toys and thanks to two loving parents, I had them all. My top 20? 1. GI Joe 2. Transformers 3. Masters of the Universe 4. Star Wars 5. The Real Ghostbusters 6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 7. Super Powers 8. Voltron 9. M.A.S.K. 10. Thundercats 11. Captain Power 12. Visionaries 13. C.O.P.S. 14. Silverhawks 15. Inhumaniods 16. Bravestarr 17. Go-bots 18. Sectaurs 19. Dungeons and Dragons 20. Starriors Honorable mentions: Madballs, Battle Beasts, M.U.S.C.L.E, and Army Ants

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Oh yeah, those are some good ones I missed

[@HoonAgain]

Your list is great! Your honorable mention list is absolute gold. I had and played with those honorable mention toys the most when not playing with MASK, He Man, GI Joe, Voltron, Transformers, Go Bots, Star Wars, Thundercats and Sectaurs. I definitely would include your honorable mention toys in my top 20. Maybe even higher.

[@jasonknight8581]

@@HoonAgain Thanks! My honorable mentions were basically what I got with my allowance and mowing money while I was waiting for the new waves of Joe, Formers, and MOTU to hit. I fondly remember loving to play with Battle Beasts and M.U.S.C.L.E.

[@jaymorrison8419]

aside from tf and joe, i knew there were japanese toys that were next-level. i managed to get that red countach diakron and that made me aware of the dianaut pilots. i would also see amazing-looking godaikin at fancy shops. if we had the full original lines of diaclone, machine robo, chogokin, etc. it would have blown my kid mind

[@jasonknight8581]

@@jaymorrison8419 Agree 100% There was just something about the Japanese robot toys.

[@arthurfonzarelli9331]

I would add: 1. Marvel Secret Wars 2. Dungeons and Dragons 3. Blackstar. 4.The A Team 5. SGT Rock 6. Chuck Norris 7.TV shows. ( I remember having CHIPS, Dukes of Hazzard, V, Fall Guy, Disney Zorro, Mork and Mindy) Even the knockoff stuff was awesome.

[@nathanarbuckle3180]

I'm 48 and I own a mint condition Secret Wars Lunchbox with thermos just hanging out in a closet at my Ma's house. Its the only thing I didn't beat the crap out of as an 80's kid

[@GiggaVega]

Man this was a great video, I've watched a few of yours before, subbing now. Sectaurs was one of my favorite toys, I had the blond guy & my favorite was Pinsor 18:12 Regarding the Shira toys, heck yeah all straight boys loved them & Gem, I loved Gem as well they were all so hot lol. My all time favorite toys we Thundercats. I've always thought about rebuilding my collection. Great video bro.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Thanks. Yeah I love Sectaurs. I still have mine somewhere, need to find them and break them out

[@GiggaVega]

@@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal if you do open them, make a video.

[@jonnyt16]

I still, to this day, will not admit that I watched Shira and Gem.

[@TheOneAdamTwelve]

Awesome list. I haven’t thought about Eagle Force in 40 years!!😂 like you I had examples of everything on this list. I had same frustration with paint chipping on Silverhawks. Just subbed to your channel.

[@chrisharper2317]

i agree with you awesome list i'm mostly working on my he-man figures collection but i got gi joe, transformers, ninja, turtles, thundercats, super friends and wrestling

[@nike80nl]

Hey man, its your list, and i respect that. Great video 😎

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Thanks!

[@allgoodwoods219]

I’m 45 years old, so I remember all of these and I had a lot of these toys. Great, great memories!

[@Vintagetoysandcollectables]

As a vintage TMNT collector myself I feel they could easy feature in both 80s and 90s greatest toylines. I am glad you included them in your list as they did release them in 88 and most the iconic characters where released in the late 80s

[@greninjatron5227]

My personal top 5 in no particular order would be transformers,gi joe,he man,tmnt and power rangers( not from the 80s but to me just as iconic and popular)

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yeah, I'm too old to not hate Power Rangers, but I get it, I would have been sucked in if I was a kid

[@Raddadinkoreagaming]

Love you for this, man! Best fuxkin time ever! Ohh to go back and grab tons of that stuff!

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Thanks!

[@stevenjohansen3827]

Some honorable mentions. Secret Wars, Battle Beasts, Gobots, Wheeled Warriors, Dungeons & Dragons, Ghostbusters, Dino Riders, Bionic Six, Commando. There are a ton more that could be dug out of my head or looked up. I can't argue with who's on your top seven; though, I did blank on Mask until you mentioned them. 1 Joe, 2 Transformers, 3 Star Wars, 4 He-man, 5 TNMT, 6 Thundercats, 7 Mask.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Oh yeah. Commando. yet another ultra violent 80's action flick that had action figures

[@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812]

BATTLE BEASTS!!! D&D had a cool cartoon and a few awesome figures.

[@Goon-2020]

Dino Riders was a sick toy line! Plagued my parents for months to get me the T Rex. Can’t remember if there was a cartoon series but I remember the feature length one.

[@zachmocquot9685]

I remember decompose actually really weirded me out as a kid . It was the one episode of that show I caught and it stuck with me forever

[@glennscotti8891]

I loved battle beasts.

[@StarJoes]

I loved Eagle Force. I had the Eagle Lair also. Much like you, I was all for trying new toy lines when I was a kid. I got deep into Star Wars, Transformers, and G.I. Joe, but I also got into Battle Beasts, Starcom, and Starriors.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yeah, it was a great time. New stuff seemed to come out every week with some sort of innovation

[@colinatagi]

You know the 80s pumped out toys when we can think of so many others that didn't make this list. Gobots, Voltron, Robotech and Ghostbusters are big ones. And maybe even Wheeled Warriors to an extent. Then you got Dungeons and Dragons, Dino Riders, Super Naturals, Bionic Six, Starriors, Battle Beast, Starcom, Air Raiders, Sky Commandos, Captain Power, Power Lords, Spiral Zone, Secret Wars and Muscle Things.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yeah, I am considering redoing this video and upping it to 30. I missed too many big ones

[@Evom777]

M.U.S.C.L.E., Battle Beasts and Secret Wars for sure.

[@Brickerbrack]

GI Joe are great, but I never actually collected them. Transformers have _always_ been my #1; I've literally been collecting them non-stop since 1984 (I'd put the Lore score at a 5 for them, too; with all the TV shows and comics they've had over the years). Other favourites: Masters of the Universe MASK GoBots Centurions ...and missing from the list, StarCom. I didn't get into these till a little later when I discovered a bunch of them at a local cash & carry store, but they were _fantastic,_ and I wish I knew what happened to mine (probably lost in a move somewhere). The figures were about comparable to MASK, a little smaller but similar articulation, with guns, and importantly, magnets in their feet. These let them stick to various metal plates on the vehicles, but also in some cases activated special features, like motorised cannons, or the ingenious airlock on one of the playsets. One of my favourite features was that a lot of the smaller vehicles folded up into a cargo pod format that allowed them to be carried by the bigger vehicles. There was also a cartoon that was very short-lived, but really high quality...

[@TEGVB-]

Totally agree about Starcom. I didn’t have many of them, but I distinctly remember those Shadow Parasite and Starwolf vehicles. Very memorable toys and for some reason, that line felt more “space-y” than any of the others. Don’t really know why but they nailed the theming. Thanks for the reminder

[@Brickerbrack]

@@TEGVB- I think I know what you mean; it felt a lot more realistic; they had a somewhat authentic military-style structure, they weren't overly flashy with the colours (a lot of blacks, whites and dark greys). In a lot of ways, it felt more like a combination of Trek and Wars, but with an even more grounded version of both, like they really were a near-future version of the US Military/NASA. I didn't have many of the toys either, but I loved the ones I had. There was a Shadowbat (but no Parasites for the wings), and a motorised Invader that fit in the cargo bay; I also had a Starwing Six Shooter, and a couple of the small Astro Marines ground vehicles... I have a special appreciation for the way they folded into little cargo pods for storage... 😁

[@jimmyjohnson6287]

I'm right there with you. I have the same top 4. Joe's were great because of their articulation and the scope of the world. Lot's of fun!

[@RandyBandana]

I'm an 80s kid, DUDE...I had ALLLL that stuff and MORE!! The figures, the vehicles, the castles, the play sets, the mail aways EVERYTHING!! 🤘🔥💯 I agree C.O.P.S was pretty awesome and underrated! You're list is pretty good 👍 and reminded me of things I TOTALLY FORGOT about like Visionary, Skyhawk, The Monster things, YEAH MAN 80s TOYS RULED!! 🤘🔥💯👍

[@drumnbassdan]

im 41 and i loved collecting action figures and i still do now for nostalgia, it was the best time to grow up for sure.

[@brentgraham2481]

Transformers, Star Wars , G.I.Joe, Superpowers, He-man master of universe, Go Bots, Thunder Cats, Marvel super heroes sercet Wars, Rambo, The A Team, WWF wrestling figures and Voltron Lions 🦁 and Cars 🚗 version

[@mikebayonito5495]

How about another list? Maybe the next 20? Including Dino-Riders, Sky Commanders, Marvel Secret Wars, the WWF toyline, Spiral Zone, Captain Power, Air Raiders, Captain Power, Dino Saucers, Dungeons & Dragons, thr Real Ghostbusters, Voltron and the Go-bots and many others to complete the next list. Thank you so much for a wonderful video! Keep making more. New subscriber here!

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yeah, I did miss a few. I probably could have done a top 30

[@mikebayonito5495]

@@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal I love your videos. Thank you for replying.

[@arssome1452]

No secret wars no gobots, I'm leavin'

[@ToyKennections]

Fantastic list and a fun watch! I was waiting to see where MASK would show up 😎.

[@halmartin7417]

The colorful language is pretty strong. And I like it! Subbed!

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Thanks!

[@jessechannon7297]

Transformers was number one without question. I also liked MASK, GI Joe, Masters of the Universe and the Centurions were pretty cool

[@archmage7813]

Transformers are not number one. GI Joe was clearly number one and if you count into the 90s turtles have been a close number two

[@movieforge01]

It was all articulation for me as a kid. My epic slow motion battles.!!! Making figures hit the ground and scorpion then tumble slo mo. Taking shots. Had to be Joes. I just got Bravestarr from ebay. My favorite articulated big figure probably but I was Yo Joe all day. Emptying my pocket full of Joes before bed like I do now with my wallet and keys after work.

[@savejets]

Great video and a great list. I would’ve made room for Air Raiders.

[@toothpastehombre]

A guy with an eye patch using binoculars is hilarious

[@modernretrorenaissance2520]

I was born in ‘80, my brother 5 years earlier in ‘75. Safe to say, I was rocking some ‘80s toys. GI Joe and Transformers were my top two, as were most. A few of the lesser known I loved were Sectaurs, Wheeled Warriors, Sky Commanders, Robo Strux and the little pink M.U.S.C.L.E. Men.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

A MUSCLE. I loved those. I dont remember ROBO Strux. I'll have to look that up

[@jaymorrison8419]

robo strux! i just started buying vintage zoids kits again

[@RidingandFlying]

I had a mom and pop video store that didn't care about renting R rated movies to kids only a bike ride away from my house. I remember renting all those movies. Robocop, Rambo, Toxic Avenger. It was a great time.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Ha. Thank god for adults with no boundaries

[@nathanarbuckle3180]

I had a similar childhood where renting movies was concerned but only certain employees who would look the other way but even then you could get movies that had no rating on the VHS box. LOOPHOLE!!!!.

[@danielmcgovern115]

Great video! It's time to bring back MASK. I may have to pick up one of those COPS figures someday. I never had any, but they look fun. My top 20 would definitely include Tron. Small line but the light cycles were awesome and translucent figures are always cool.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Thanks!. Yeah, MASK is due for a comeback. Tron was also great. They mixed in nicely with Star Wars figures and I love the movie

[@anthonyamoroso7132]

One thing I would’ve loved to have seen were the Dinoriders. Fun trip down memory lane though!

[@AutoCosmeticaCarCare-wl3dd]

Top 5 1 transformers 2 He man 3 gi Joe 4 voltron 5 thundercats

[@mccallosone4903]

appreciate the love for eagle force, you never hear about that one on these retro channels. my buddy and i had a character each and were sad when gijoe killed the line

[@HeresyProducktionz]

Great video there are some that I have never heard of but was surprised that Micronauts did not make the cut. At the time I think the innovation with changeable vehicles and beings using magnets etc and motorized movement was very innovative. It also seems to be fairly collectable today. Maybe I am dating myself and they were a 70’s thing. The box art visuals were pretty amazing to me. Oh and great articulation on the figures.

[@tsnod77]

LIFE WAS GOOD!! Take me back! 😢

[@D.Driller]

The single best Christmas of all was the year I got the USS Flagg GI Joe aircraft carrier. Not only did I love that toy, it made me the envy of almost all my friends who didn’t get it but wanted it. 😂

[@GeoffNelson]

Honorable mention: Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Oh yeah, I did love those

[@sorenandersen6832]

My friend had several of those. It was a bold move to compete with Rambo and the A-Team. Sly Stallone movies did better than Chuck Norris at the box office, and the A Team was staple TV for adolescent boys in the 80s.

[@emiliorebenga443]

1. Transformers 2. Voltron 3. G.I. Joe 4. Thundercats 5. MOTU 6. MASK 7. Jace & The Wheeled Warriors 8. Bionic 6 9. WWF Superstars 10. The Real Ghostbusters

[@2001mark]

1978 GenX here, & yes, we won the galactic powerball lottery of existence - for youth at least. 80's economy & culture was geared towards making us happy whilst letting us go anywhere on our BMX bikes we wanted so long as home for dinner at sundown. I had a Cobra B.A.T. trooper which I see MIB is $20,000 lols... but I had fun in the yard playing with it.

[@jasonchislett3282]

Awesome list. Spot on as usual. I was pretty fond of Starriors, they were cool toys and the Marvel comic was pretty dark.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Thanks. I forgot about Starriors until someone else here reminded me of it,

[@shanebrooks402]

Great list. I'd have star wars lower but loved most of those toys. Never had cops though.

[@Barada73]

I mostly alternated between Star Wars, GI Joe, and Transformers when I was a kid. Ultimately, the lore of Star Wars is what has kept me coming back to the line over and over again throughout my lifetime (but I only accept 1977-1985 Star Wars as true Star Wars). The stiff poses and lack of articulation of the Kenner Star Wars figures doesn't really bother me and I think it makes them feel more iconic. Also, I didn't have to worry about snapped rubber bands, broken crotches, or cracked thumbs with Star Wars figures. Still, snapped rubber bands, broken crotches, and cracked thumbs aside, I absolutely loved GI Joe as a kid and my dad was actually a fan of the line as well. He was a Vietnam vet who really appreciated the unapologetic patriotism of the ARAH line and the grounded realism of those first few years. In fact, the one and only time during my childhood that my dad took me and my brother to a store specifically to buy us toys was to get us some GI Joe figures. By 1986, however, I was not a fan at all of the introduction of Serpentor and the first time I saw the Cobra-La 3-pack, at a Kaybee Toys in 1987, I said "Nope. I'm out." I walked away from GI Joe and never really looked back until the 25th anniversary collection, in 2009. (Oddly enough, I loved aliens in Star Wars, but I refused to accept the introduction of alien-like creatures into GI Joe.) Transformers were amazing, but generally pretty expensive unless you only bought the mini-vehicles. We weren't really a well off family, so all of my favorite characters from the cartoon were out of the question. As a result, most of my childhood memories of Transformers come from visiting friends' houses and playing with their toys. I remember also really getting into Robotech when most of those toys were going on clearance. However, since Hasbro had bought the rights to the Veritech Fighter, and released it as Jetfire, that toy line really suffered by not being able to have a transforming toy of its signature vehicle. By the time the TMNT figure started hitting toy shelves, I was already in high school, so I was getting to the point where it was becoming socially unacceptable to still be buying toys. I still wanted a Michelangelo figure, since he was my favorite from the cartoon, but I never could find any of the main Turtles in stores until after I had graduated and moved out on my own.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

It is a good point, the broken thumbs/ crotches thing was a problem. Yeah, I loved them all

[@Phonesavanh-dd7oh]

My top toys in 80’s growing up .. He-Man, Voltron , Transformers, Go-Bots, GI Joe. Late 80’s Silver Hawk, Robotech , Thunder Cats, Mask, centurion

[@Rescoase]

really liking your videos very cool

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Thanks!

[@SigmaSal9]

GI Joe and MOTU were the toy lines I got almost exclusively but I watched the hell out of every cartoon mentioned here.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

It was a great era for cartoons. Sunbow killed it.

[@mandofoe7447]

My kids will never understand the freedom we had as kids in the 70’s and 80’s. We had the best toys, music, tv shows and movies as well. And yes two of my friends didn’t make it. A strange and magical time.

[@MaverickX36]

Agree. I am one of the lucky ones and can confirm the 80s were the greatest age to be a kid ❤

[@elonmusksellssnakeoil1744]

Visionaries was such an underrated show. The writing is actually quite good! I recommend giving it a (re)watch.

[@iananthonyasilo5255]

Dino Riders deserve a spot on this list

[@johnmccrea3421]

Great video as always, good honest insight too into a lot of lines I never had as a kid - but where is Starcom!!! :) Keep up the fab content

[@Brickerbrack]

Where indeed?

[@scottamann2445]

I loved this! I’m definitely blessed to be an 80s kid. We truly had an unmatched childhood. I’m a Transformers guy first and foremost, but I loved GI Joe as well. When are we finally going up get a truly great crossover?

[@frankschipani7682]

My top ten would be 1. GI Joe, 2. Star Wars, 3. He-Man, 4. Transformers, 5. Thundercats, 6. Super Powers, 7. COPS, 8. Silverhawks, 9. Visionaries, 10. Spiral Zone

[@sazaria80]

i used to remember Starcom, not sure if its within the same timeline, but boy their toys are ahead of their time, magnets & spring actuated movement

[@JohnUssher-jk2qo]

Solid list, especially the top 5. It's so personal though. MASK is a very close 2nd to GI Joe for me. The top three as a whole were the right ones though. Stoked to see the inclusion of COPS. Those toys were seriously well made. For me ones that I loved, that would've been cool to see were .... . Battle Beasts (had an army of those guys, cool lore with the Transformers tie in as well) . WWF Rubber figures (no articulation, but displayed awesome, and you could beat the crap out of them) . Real Ghostbusters . Dino Riders . Sky Commanders (Soooo much fun building crazy zip lines etc with them) . Ring Raiders (short lived, but I built an entire air force in that time. Really swappable as well) . Micro Machines . Mad Balls head poppers . Voltron . Entertech motorised water guns (the colourful ones. Not action figures, but every kid I knew wanted them. Mine lasted for about 20 years as well) Man we had it so good.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Yes, agree this is really personal. I'll also admit to missing a few. Probably should have put Real Ghostbusters, WWF figures, Voltron and Robotech on the list

[@antonharmacinski276]

I remember the Visionaries. The cartoon was on Saturday morning at 6:30 am. I had to set an alarm so I could get up and see it.

[@mamatoucan9993]

Micro Machines? Go-Bots? WWF wrestlers? Mad Balls? So many great ones overlooked

[@blueluny]

Although I'm a transformers fan I have to agree witj your top choice.. Here in the UK gi Joe (or action force) was never a favourite but when I first saw their articulation I was blown away. Such great play value

[@gst4637]

I'm with you on Inhumanoids. Really underdid

[@RLDenham]

Star Wars should be in the top 3 for sure & the fact that robotech & Voltron were left out for obscure toy lines that didn't even have a cartoon is a travesty.

[@chris82079]

you're right. I still to this day talk about wanting the aircraft carrier!

[@davidr8389]

Great list.

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Thanks!

[@thebowtiechaplain3399]

I remember in the 80s that going to Toys R Us was like going to heaven. Man. I miss the 80s so much!!

[@GeoffNelson]

Great video. Well made and good pacing. Of course Inhumanoids goes on this list!

[@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal]

Thanks. Yes, I need to get a couple of the big inhumanoids.

[@GeoffNelson]

@@DestroIsMySpiritAnimal I had them. They were so weird

[@vincecramer7950]

Snake eyes and timber I remember that character it took me about a year to find it I was living in Wilmington California at the time back in 1986 I had to take a bus to Carson I got off the bus went into Toys r Us in the Mall I was looking through I was looking through they just replenish stock it was the third one on the first rack on the first pag that I went through man I was going fat chick crazy man I was like oh he ll yeah I got it that was the most awesome toy I ever seen for I like snake eyes and I love wolfs so 🤘 thank you for the memories my friend

[@jaymorrison8419]

it truly is in the upper ranks of action figures firefly was another that made my brain bubble

[@dc110770]

Star Wars was just massive! Yes Thundercats, Mask and Transformers but they couldn’t scratch the surface of Star Wars.

[@jeremyjames105]

Solid list , I think there’s 2 I would probably have in my list though ….Ghostbusters & WWF Wrestlers , with an honourable mention to Marvel Secret Wars line

[@troyhaidle7322]

Your top 7 are solid. Your 8 - 20 could have some other lines for sure. Such as Legos, Jayce and the wheeled warriors, ZOIDS, GOBOTS, VOLTRON, Secret wars. The 1980's were the best to be a kid for sure though. Lots of great things to choose from.

[@pierrecz4766]

Starcom toys were amazing too, the small figurine were simple but equipped with magnetic feet and working with astonishing spaceships