TMNT Playmates 2021 Classic Donatello Brand New Reissue Soft Head Review and Comparison Retro 1988

In this video I review the brand new reissue. I'm sorry if I ramble more than usual here. I shot this review unscripted.

[@EckerKyle]

This is the hardest of the 4 to find, and he's my favorite turtle.

[@mattj809]

Glad to see the comparison between soft and hard head Donatello. I think I had the hard head originals because I got them in a set for Christmas when I was 4 which was in 1991.

[@razrentals8897]

Yeah, the soft heads were only at the beginning. I remember getting my toys in 89 or 90 and I never even knew the soft heads existed.

[@nwobw]

I actually managed to find all 4 of these reissues at my Walmart. I bought 4 of the turtles specifically to leave mint on card. I'm generally an opener when it comes to my toys, but I absolutely love that old package artwork. I definitely want to keep the 4 turtle on the package. I'm glad you took the plunge and reviewed Donnie for me.

[@razrentals8897]

You’re welcome! I wouldn’t mind them releasing a few others with the faithful old cards, but I’d prefer them moving on and making something really neat and new. Congratulations on finding all four!

[@nwobw]

@@razrentals8897 Yeah. I'm generally not a fan rebuying a lot of reissues of vintage toys. Some exceptions of course. That's why I love the Super 7 TMNT. Updated versions of the old toys, but still new at the same time.

[@razrentals8897]

@@nwobw same here

[@dmc2008]

Love the idea for a book of card art. They could juxtapose each page with a write up & photo collage of the figures themselves. Would buy that up in a heartbeat!

[@razrentals8897]

Same here! Playmates must still have a lot of the art since they still use it on their reissues. I need a poster of the technodrome art!

[@victormfuentes3729]

I really like your video. In my case TMNT are always present for me, and yes I had a nostalgia of a Donatello that I had when I was kid, that’s why I decided to buy a Christmas present for myself that’s when I found the TMNT 2021 reissue and I bought a Donatello but before open the box I identified some details that didn’t like it, I didn’t feel excited, kind of disappointed. And I started a search in ebay for the original Donatello (pre-owned) cause I’m not a collector (c’mon am a proud Dad of 2 kids now and I had to pack my couple of toys that were on my shelf) so a decent Donatello for $20 was enough for me. And that’s why I ended looking videos of the original playmates TMNT action figures. Thanks for the review, I can’t wait my delivery 📦 now I’m so excited. The 2021 version I’ll return it.

[@razrentals8897]

Awesome! I’m glad my review helped you out! $20 seems like a good price for an original figure. Did he come with all of his weapons? The fun thing about being a dad is you get to share the old toys you use to love with your kids.

[@EsThirt33n]

I am at that point too at 16:28, having space is very important. I started selling a lot of stuff because of that, and I feel like I can breath again. Also, great review, I had tons of fun as a kid with my Donatello and Raphael, the only 2 I had of the 4 turtles. I noticed the difference in quality myself with these releases, I could nitpick the flaws myself, but I just take it as is since these are different plastics nowadays and I'm sure original molds are aging causing weird things like the smaller foot. I just subscribed bro, keep up the good content!

[@razrentals8897]

Thank you! I think they’ve remade some of the molds for some of their rereleases. I can’t remember what it was but I’m pretty sure I read they had to recreate them because they broke over time.

[@Pokehon]

Sorry I'm late to the party! Thanks for the shout out! I can't wait for the universal monsters turtles.I do hope they come back to their former glory. I keep holding on atleast the van was great and the blimp looks promising. I recently found Donnie to complete the newest Walmart release. I just get nostalgia when I see this stuff on shelves or online I guess I'm sort of a sucker for this type of stuff. I have a few more items id love to get in terms of retro 80s toys but I feel it sort of ran its course for the most part. We will see!

[@razrentals8897]

They should reissue the hard to find figures like Scrath so everyone can have one!

[@eaksgeeks8674]

Your reviews are so good dude I always look forward to your tmnt videos

[@razrentals8897]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@merso10]

Great review! I've had this reissue Donnie in mind for months, with the intention of getting one (maybe two?) if I ever came across it in person (I haven't). The original Don was the very first TMNT figure I got, back when I didn't know much about TMNT, had no grasp of their personalities or even their names - so I chose Donatello solely on his design and color combination. Now, seeing this detailed review I have to say I'm a bit bummed, specially because of that oversized head. It's funny that Playmates Toys has been reissuing these figures multiple times in the past decades, yet I always found the notion a bit ridiculous. Why pay retail price for a lesser reproduction of a toy that you (for the most part) could get for cheaper in good condition at the flea market/thrift store, even Ebay? But now things are different, the past couple of years has seen an absurd increase in price in all "vintage" collectibles, plus (and more importantly), the plastic used on the old toys is slowly starting to give in. My Donatello is sticky to the touch, as are a bunch of other characters, which is a bummer. So at this point, straight reissues make a lot of sense. I share your thoughts about a TMNT art book (I've been whishing for something like that for about 15 years), as well an an extension of the original line. Not just new mutants, but characters that were never done in toy form. Movie Shredder for example! At this point though, I'd prefer something like what MOTU Origins is doing, sans the brighter colors. It would also be an opportunity to fix issues from the original figures, like pre-posed legs and scale.

[@razrentals8897]

Yeah the oversized heads make them look a little goofy. From what I saw Mikey looked the worst. Some of my turtle toys have become sticky. Most of the sports turtles and a few other guys. All of my soft head figures have spots in the plastic. Playmates should definitely steal Motuo’s idea and start making these guys again with better articulation, but I don’t think they want to spend the money developing that. I think they’d rather phone it in and just get what money they can. They use to be the best toy company back in the day but they’re riding on fumes now. I just looked up sold listings of old Donatello figures and they’re roughly $20-$30 so it probably would be better for people just to spend the difference to get the originals. It does make me happy that these guys are still $14.99. I hate how everything has been leaning towards the $20 + mark.

[@merso10]

@@razrentals8897 Yeah Playmates is on autopilot, basically waiting until the next TMNT iteration

[@joeesoko]

Don't know if you heard, but there's a NECA sale tomorrow at 11am Eastern time. Two packs of Ground Chuck and Dirt Bag, and Wing Nut and Screw Loose. Great review, like always!

[@razrentals8897]

Thank you and thanks for the heads up! I’ll definitely try to get both two packs!

[@dzkmeister]

New vintage-style figures would be the cherry on top, after all the great stuff we've been getting lately! Varner Studios have been up to something with Super7, but it probably has something to do with ultimates. Here's hoping though! Love your reviews, as a fellow turtle connoisseur I really dig the in-depth talk!

[@razrentals8897]

I’ll have to look up Varner studios. I’m glad you liked the video!

[@justinmohan7103]

I don't think we will ever find out what Super7 is doing with Varner Studios. Its been just over a year since the infomration leaked, but we have not seen anything yet.

[@AP798D]

I think the size differences were made to keep people from reselling them online as 1980’s originals. Collectors would know but the everyday Joe may make a mistake. I got these reprints for my son and being able to see him play with the turtles like I did in the early 90’s is the best feeling

[@razrentals8897]

That’s awesome! My son has a ton of TMNT toys too, but they’re mostly from the 2012 cartoon and a few of my doubles.

[@211inprogress]

Hello, I Got Donatello today awesome figure for the wall. All the best. 🇬🇧👍

[@sirjorroc8967]

I just ordered Leo and Raph from my local comic store and hoping to get Donnie and Mikey next month. I just really want these in my collection, I been wanting them from a young age. I think I lost the originals a long.. long time ago, didn't have all of them either. I'm just super excited for these figures.

[@jubbeisamuro]

Love all your reviews and surprised to agree with everything you say! Hope we get these in Canada one day.

[@justinmohan7103]

I saw them at EB Games today and picked this guy up. Now I am thinking of returning him.

[@jubbeisamuro]

@@justinmohan7103 Thank you friend. Something wrong with this release?

[@justinmohan7103]

@@jubbeisamuro The review didn't sell me on him.

[@ovekmybalz6111]

I finally found all 4 and I picked up an extra factory error that has Raphael on a Michaelangelo card.

[@razrentals8897]

I didn’t know those existed! That’s awesome. I think I see Raph the most and I’ve never seen Mikey but I bought him on the Walmart site.

[@JO-iv7tl]

I finally found one at Walmart today. Only leonardo but I was gonna only get one anyway. I did get the last one. The last reissue I got was in 2002 at a declining kay bee. Its very interesting to see the original size of these toys in stores again as comparison. I don't know toys just are getting massive in size as figures. Anyway I hope other people are happy with theirs as well.

[@razrentals8897]

Awesome! I bought a bunch of the reissues during the 25th anniversary, but I ended up selling all of them. I like the card art for these new releases so I'll probably hang on to them.

[@yehah]

Like everything, the original stuff cannot be replaced; but as you said they can be used to display in their cards or even have a double of opened and in car figures. Still they seem decent. Splinter, Metalhead, Leatherhead, and a few of the wacky turtles have disappeared as well as the turtle blimp. WOuld be good to get reissues of these too.

[@razrentals8897]

Leatherhead was just in a box set with a foot soldier, Wingnut/Screwloose and mutagen man. Mutagen man was missing some parts, but the box set is on amazon. I skipped it, but they may be a nice way to display them on your shelf. I didn’t check so I don’t know if they have their original cards or something new.

[@mitchfletcher2386]

I found some reissued Mikey and Leos at my local Wal-Mart!

[@Lastluke]

I just picked up some ninja Turtles from a yard sale, and they look like my old ones except on the back it says ‘China’ under the playmates trademark.

[@arkhamjaden2177]

I would love to see the Leonardo review

[@razrentals8897]

If I find a double I’ll try to make one.

[@JetteroHeller83]

Awesome collection. I only have the two six pack 1988 playmates reissues and the four SH Figuarts turtle figures. I am lucky they don't sell NECA toys in Toronto, Canada. Like you I would have bought them all.

[@razrentals8897]

Haha you’re lucky. There’s too many awesome toys at the moment and I have to practice self control. At least you have someone doing that for you. I can’t believe they don’t sell NECA toys in Canada. That’s a bummer.

[@tinlunlau1]

Uh...GameStop sells neca figures in Toronto. Silver Snail stocks up alot of neca stuff too

[@dferrari3215]

Who makes good stands in plexiglass cases for loose figures?

[@RickyCespedes]

I'm gonna get me one soon. Jist don't know which one yet. But I want one for display and one to open fir sure.

[@razrentals8897]

They keep popping up on Walmart.com every now and then for the regular price.

[@TUM_Toons]

I got Leo, Raph and Donnie figures. All I need a Michaelangelo

[@razrentals8897]

Good luck! Hopefully you run across one soon.

[@therealivydawg]

The soft heads were the very first figures released. Then they went to hard. My Ralph and Mikey have soft heads from the 80's

[@gerarquitec6933]

En mi caso colecciono super 7 y la reedicion de playmates, pero no se cuantas figuras vayan a lanzar

[@Symphonia30]

While the ultimate super seven Donatello is still in development. But if you ask me I think they should have released all four turtles first as a set, it just feel so incomplete, but I digress. In the meantime did you see the new Raphaël ultimate Super Seven figure. The one in the trench coat. It looks so badass, and might think about getting it even if I wasn’t a fan of the ninja turtles in alternate outfits like that?

[@razrentals8897]

Thanks for telling me! I preordered after I saw this message a few days ago. I like variant turtles so I’ll pick him up. I wonder if undercover don will have all of the same accessories. You’ll also get a set of fists you can use with regular Raph.

[@Symphonia30]

@@razrentals8897 what was the original variant outfit for Donatello, same as Raph? Funny, I thought you would have yourself on email at BBTS to get notified on new turtle figures.

[@realninjawatcher]

Can anyone verify that the new Backing Cards are the same size as the Original cards? As well as the thickness of the plastic front container?

[@noahwayne1207]

Not the same size card. It’s smaller. Plastic feels the same to me though.

[@kevthegamingdude]

As of today, are they still in Walmart?

[@elijahthekid_]

I know we don't need it, and I know he doesn't need it, but I would love to see him do a video on the rerelease of the other three turtles.

[@razrentals8897]

I picked up Mikey, Raph and Leo moc, but not loose.

[@samhain8220]

Grabbed 2 of each except Don, can’t find him anywhere and out of stock online, so the hunt continues

[@razrentals8897]

Good luck! Keep checking Walmart’s site everyday. I know Mikey kept going in and out of stock, but I’m not sure about the others.

[@himgod6495]

I have all the 1/4 neca tmnt....beautiful

[@razrentals8897]

That’s awesome! I would love to have them but I don’t have the room or money haha. The 1/4 movie figures tempt me everytime I see them back in stock at any online store.

[@jaxdashbolt9062]

Great job on the turtles as usual bud.

[@razrentals8897]

Thank you!

[@jaxdashbolt9062]

@@razrentals8897 I know you’re not into them but dollar tree just started a new line of figures called final faction and they are very cool. Would be awesome to see your review of those toys.

[@razrentals8897]

@@jaxdashbolt9062 I never heard of them before, but they look like awesome toys!

[@Mancave1985]

why is there coming no other of this toyline?.... only the 4 Turtles... really sad 😕

[@jlionmenelik77]

I just got donatello and Michanglo

[@justinmohan7103]

I bought this guy now I might return him.

[@briom1425]

Which TMNT one is better : 2013 reissue classic edition 2008 25th anniversary

[@razrentals8897]

I had all of the 2008 reissues at some point, but I got rid of them a long time ago. I would probably say the 2008 figures are probably better. The heads are hard heads so they aren’t overly big like these new fake soft heads. The colors are closer to the colors they’re supposed to be. The new Raph especially has the wrong shade of green. The biggest problem I remember from the 2008 versions is Michelangelo had way to big of a grip. Like they drilled pencil size hole in his hand. None of the other turtles were like that. You had to either angle his hand a little to have him hold his nunchuck right or have him hold it with two hands and use the force of the chuck trying to straighten itself out to keep it in place. I only got rid of them because I was trying to make room in my office and I thought having the original 88 figures sufficient. Not because their quality was low.

[@briom1425]

@@razrentals8897 okay thank you for replying 🙏

[@privateprivate31337]

Just when you think these were good... they're actually not after watching another review by Raz Rentals. They're also next to impossible to find in my area, have yet to see a single figure.

[@razrentals8897]

I've seen Raph the most.

[@californiaw6286]

I got lucky My local Walmart has them all.

[@markheadley125]

Cool toys 😎

[@redroversk]

They can never make enough reissues, can they?

[@razrentals8897]

As long as they can make money, they’ll keep rereleasing and rereleasing them.

[@srienasparklebronytv]

He is not a soft head because i own it and I unboxed it.

[@Ghostly1989]

Playmates is trying to hammer there coffins or something :/

[@razrentals8897]

Haha pretty much

[@MrJimmy527]

My Eighteen Favorite Classic Toys of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 1. April O'Neil (1988) 2. Party Wagon (1989) 3. Footcruiser (1989) 4. April O'Neil (1990) 5. Panda Khan (1990) 6. Ray Fillet (1990) 7. Groundchuck (1991) 8. Dirtbag (1991) 9. Mona Lisa (1992) 10. April (1992) 11. April the Ninja Newscaster (1992) 12. April the Ravishing Reporter (1992) 13. Channel 6 News Van (1992) 14. April O'Neil (1992) 15. Mutatin' April (1993) 16. Hot Spot (1993) 17. Shogun April (1994) 18. Bride of Frankenstein April (1994)

[@razrentals8897]

Awesome! I really wish I would have bought all of the universal monster turtle toys when they were cheaper.

[@MrJimmy527]

@@razrentals8897 Me too.

[@MrJimmy527]

@@razrentals8897 I heard you the first time.

[@razrentals8897]

@@MrJimmy527 haha sorry about that. I don’t know what I did...

[@MrJimmy527]

@@razrentals8897 I'm glad to hear that.

[@aliciacornish6926]

First

[@razrentals8897]

You win!

[@aliciacornish6926]

The best turtles

[@dferrari3215]

Who makes good stands in plexiglass cases for loose figures?