TRON Vintage Toy Review - Tomy 1982 Neca 2002 Action Figures

RetroBlasting goes into the Game Grid to see the toys and action figures made in 1982 by Tomy for the Disney classic, TRON.
#RetroBlasting #TRON #Tomy #NECA

[@KJ-tz7vc]

Sometimes I feel like I was the only person who thought TRON: Legacy was a great movie. I was so disappointed when the sequel to it was announced and then canceled.

[@retroblasting]

+Kevin Guhl interesting how that coincided with them buying Star Wars

[@gregorymoore2877]

Kevin I liked it too.

[@p.mc.4449]

You're not the only one, Kevin. I had a red Ninja motorcycle, a couple of years ago, and often imagined myself riding a light cycle.

[@tmdoray]

I love Tron Legacy and watch it once a year with my kids. Usually on my birthday. The Tron Legacy Lego set is on my desk right next to as I type this.

[@Ads-yw1wr]

Wait...so Disney fucked Star Wars AND Tron in a single move...impressive, very impressive...

[@Finnergans]

Love TRON. END OF LINE

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

Well if I have to... Bend over Tron...

[@wdkaye]

I had the yellow light-cycle in 1983, I must've gotten it for Christmas or my 7th birthday. Thanks for the nostalgia!!

[@Stardustceiling]

I wish Tron had been released in say, 1995 when America was just starting to use home computers for the average person. Then it wouldn't have been compared to Star Wars, and people might have had a chance to understand all the computer terminology it contains. I saw it in the theaters in 1982 and I was literally in a daze afterwards. It is a movie theater experience that smaller screens don't do justice to. It was like being transported to another world that was beautiful, strange, and cruel too. Which made you want the main characters to win and change it. I loved it, and the music by Wendy Carlos, and I loved all the messages in it. It really was great Science Fiction. Because the great ones make you aware of our future and how we need to be thoughtful of where we're going. That technology should serve man not the other way around is still a relevant theme. The movie is even more amazing if you watch the making of on the dvd. You realize that they now have programs to easily do all the tedious work that had to be done by hand then. It makes you appreciate it even more as a pioneering work of art. Those action figures and light cycles are pretty good, since it was considered a flop movie. I like the candy pop ring transparent look. Tonner dolls also put out a Kevin Flynn doll in, I think 2010, for the 28th anniversary of the film. I felt it was about time because I always thought that the look of the film would translate well to doll form. Those costumes blue circuitry details would look neat on dolls if they glowed in the dark or by some internal light source. Thanks for sharing on the movie and the action figures. Just for fun, does anyone remember the truly awful 1983 series obviously inspired by Tron called Automan?

[@Dreaded88]

@Stardustceiling: I dunno, I was using an *Atari 800 XL* since 1981, so... Maybe I was just ahead of the game? - End of Line! - *_:D_*

[@zborgerd]

Love Broken Vader's "noooooooooooo!" at the start of the video. I was too young for Tron, but somehow, Tron "clicked" with me when it was syndicated on UHF/VHF in the 90s. My wife also liked Tron and it drove her siblings nuts. Maybe I'll watch some tron with my son this weekend. Thanks for the idea!

[@YourUncleBenis]

I've literally only seen Tron once in my entire life. I remember the plot, but all I can remember of the quality is it being good.

[@jholdcroft0591]

tron Legacy has the best soundtrack ever

[@user-yv2cz8oj1k]

Well yes, because Disney did what they normally do, they paid for some actual talent from other people. When was the last time they did anything good themselves?

[@redadamearth]

I'm lucky to have a mint set of the 4 figures, complete with the staff and 3 discs, both light cycles and the fantastic Tron video game console from TOMY (something not mentioned here, but that was also uniquely designed, with the housing being transparent to see the inside tech, etc. - the only mini-console with that concept back then). It took me FOREVER to find the figures in un-played with shape and to find that staff. It's always been one of my favorite lines, as they look so beautiful on display. But yeah, one of the fan creators really needs to make the other two ships and a Master Control playset to round it all out. It wouldn't be difficult and I'm sure it would yield a lot of orders. "Tron" was a huge favorite of mine in 1982 and I still think it's a great film, but "E.T." just devoured every other terrific film that year at the box office. There were literally too many great films released that year and especially during the summer. I still contend that there's never been a better year for movies if you were a kid in the '80's. It was astonishing how many incredible, imaginative and brilliant films hit theaters that year.

[@pikapal91]

Find it funny that you said in 1982 Disney was trying to find their Star Wars, and now over 30 years later Disney has their Star Wars with the actual Star Wars series.

[@retroblasting]

+Tony Stark and they canceled Tron 3 as soon as they got Star Wars. Coincidence?

[@pikapal91]

Wouldn't surprise me..

[@art-n-filmsam3844]

+RetroBlasting They were making a Tron 3? Huh.....kinda sucks it didn't get made. I think it also had something to do with the general dislike of Tron legacy

[@pferreira1983]

(sarcasm mode initiated) And they've been doing a bang up job.

[@HyperDrive_TV]

Super Super Hero and they gave up on tron: uprising, which was pretty good

[@jamesbielby3491]

What gets me about live-action Disney films is no one has done a figure of the Vermithrax dragon from DragonSlayer. Its widely regarded as the greatest movie dragon and is freely acknowledged as the biggest influence on the creature design in franchises such as Game Of Thrones and The Hobbit. I'm amazed that Mcfarlane Movie Maniacs never did it. The only replica of it currently available is a kit by Pegasus Hobbies. It would be a perfect choice for a large, highly articulated figure with a film related display-base.

[@bgddyphil]

bowling for Vader.... love it

[@yukimaruzam]

I was ten, and my mom was a computer scientist in the 80s. She sat next to me during the movie and told me what it was all about. It was amazing, and it changed my life.

[@ScottCanoni]

What a wonderful memory

[@pspboy7]

Tron is still one of my most watched movies.

[@JohnPMitchell]

"Do you think we can merge with this Memory, Bit?"

[@Commander_Raveth]

I never have seen the original TRON. Legacy and Uprising are all i have seen. But the original deserves all the love from me!

[@SupesMe]

The TRON Soundtrack is amazing too

[@ericp8256]

D&D and Tron back to back! Awesome! I have fond memories of racing the light cycle on my kitchen floor...lol

[@jamessingletn8196]

One of my favorite movies and arcade game when I was a kid simpler times

[@markgreenwood5604]

TRON was and still is awesome. I still have my yellow Tomy edition Light Cycle. It was one of my favorite toys as a kid and it is still played with by my kids.

[@daschyt2225]

Classic movie - classic toys! Excellent video once again guys!!! Thank you

[@retroblasting]

+daschy t You're welcome!

[@daschyt2225]

+RetroBlasting You guys are the best team on the www! Your time and efforts are always appreciated!

[@darrellwallace4182]

After all these years I must admit I've never seen the movie Tron. After watching this I have a real need to see it. FANTASTIC review!

[@gusbaker4u]

I remember as a kid being fascinated by the TRON arcade game at my local grocery store. Then I saw the movie on VHS and my reaction was basically "oh, yeah I guess that was kinda neat..."

[@gaspargh]

"Tron" is a classic in every sense, thank you guys for bringing back one great treasure from the 80's.

[@willierants5880]

Well that was truly a footnote in toy making history. I for one enjoyed the movie immensely during it's original airing, but I was a bit old to be playing with such toys. My interests were bikes, skateboards, girls and trouble making.

[@alainabeyta]

The comments section on Retroblasting KZbin videos are always a breath of fresh air amidst the storm of sputtering and verbal flatulence you find on other channels. Everyone always seems to keep it positive and no one acts like a dick (except for maybe the one guy who disliked this video... you know who you are). It's a welcome vacation from what you see elsewhere on KZbin :)

[@retroblasting]

+Alain Abeyta (wonka11aa4) totally agree. Thanks for being part of this great community

[@retroblasting]

+Alain Abeyta (wonka11aa4) totally agree. Thanks for being part of this great community

[@squigburger]

I always wanted the Tron figures...remember looking at them in Kmart as a kid...

[@KornerGFX]

I literally live for the Retro Blasting theme song

[@Rushabh154Shah]

Agree... awesome theme

[@Menleah]

+Irvin Harvey III It signifies good times to be had are up ahead

[@KornerGFX]

+Colt Hangen absolutely!!

[@Tre_Ason_Number7]

Ditto

[@nezumi6554]

Radical!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Atomykpimp]

I saw Tron in the theatre, but I appreciated it more years later as an Adult.

[@bryanmiller6110]

Like you, i saw Tron as a kid but didnt grasp it fully until years later. Amazing film from soundtrack to storyline to effects. Hard to think of any movie that far ahead of its time.

[@stevenmabee3232]

3:10 oh man, I thought nobody else saw Condorman! everyone I bring that movie up to looks at me like I'm crazy.

[@stevenmabee3232]

+Jason McMahan I had some very religious friends growing up and I used to tease them about this movie in their collection...said it was the Christian Batman ;p

[@stevenmabee3232]

+Jason McMahan dang..now this video made me go and bid on some vintage Tron figures....thanks guys ;p

[@bobastu]

TRON and TRON: Legacy are intellectual movies. I was 10 when TRON came out and I spent hours in the public library searching about TRON, computers, etc. We had Apple IIc and Apple IIe computers at school, I had a Commodore 64 at home and my best friend had an Atari 600 or 800 home computer. I would spend about $20-$40 a day on Star Wars and TRON when we went to the Catskills during the winters of early 1980s. I had the toys and loved them. I eyeballed the NECA ones at Suncoast but my wife and I had a very sick infant and it was not a priority. Now the only action figures made for kids are Imaginext and the like. Great review!

[@sfkeepay]

I loved my Tron car…it had fantastic speed, durability, and distance. And for whatever reason, mine always ran straight and fast, and never broke. No idea why.

[@MoteofLobross]

God I loved Tron when I was little. I had all the toys except for the red light cycle. I used to buy Adventure People X-Ray Man and X-Ray woman figures (that were on clearance for a dollar apiece at Circus World at the time) to integrate into my play as fellow programs. Never had the problem with the light cycles you did. Usually the gyroscopic motion the back wheel generated kept the vehicle upight when in motion.

[@hitachicordoba]

I need to see Tron asap- luckily I have a used book/video store nearby

[@PenguinMaster2371]

Greetings Programs. I absolutely loved Tron I was mesmerised by the whole film. The effects and story everything worked. Must have watched It at least 200 times.

[@ReallyCoolSite]

TRON was my movie when I was 11 or 12. I watched it at least once a day for months on VHS. It was just so awesome. Alas, I never saw the toys anywhere. :(

[@JomasterTheSecond]

I wondered when you'd get around to TRON figures! I love TRON -also Legacy but people don't tend to like that one- so it's great to see some vintage figures from that line.

[@gregorymoore2877]

I saw Tron Legacy in the theater and I for one enjoyed it. Especially the light cycle battle. I was a little disappointed at how little Tron was actually in it and how for most of the movie he was corrupted (infected by malware I guess you could say?😉)

[@gigashock237wilde3]

Nice opening skit there. 😆🤣 Had me chuckling.

[@Sharksleep]

That opening with DV was fantastic, good stuff!

[@black2much]

I always wanna MCP Tank. Still one of my all time favorite designs.

[@bluescat581]

I felt that tron was even longer than the standard 2 hour length and there was more to this epic movie of getting zapped into an electronic world of peril. I wish there was a new 1992 tron line with more POA than the tomy ones and closer movie-accurate appearances. Granted the transparent figures look awesome

[@bkdmode]

I did have Flynn and Tron figures; they were cheaper than the Star Wars figures, about same size and the translucence made them look cooler to me. But my favorite Tron toy was my 10-speed that I pretended was a light-cycle; I loved imagining the streets where a game grid for me to maneuver around.

[@nvmbrsdoom5]

So happy to see this toy line get some recognition and respect. I loved the film as a kid and had the toys. I bought the NECA remakes in '02 as well, they even did a short-packed Warrior figure in a vintage cardback package. Thanks for another great video!

[@desertmav8632]

LOVED my Tron toys!

[@TheKryptic_artist]

This was the first retroblasting vid I watched

[@omega311888]

i STILL have Flynn and my red light cycle!and my best friend and i TOTALLY understood the film. i guess we were ahead of our time as well :P

[@dlsmithy]

Thank you so much for doing this review on Tron. Great review of the toys! Thank you so much for the information. I think I’m going to pursue this toy line. I always loved the movie. I also love the Tron Legacy movie.👍

[@dasheight]

Great show. :-) I had them all in 1982 and recently got a Tron, two guards, a Sark (all missing discs, of course) and the "red" light cycle - with the rip cord. The heartbreak, though, is that when I tried the rip cord, I had *forgotten* that you don't put the light cycle on the ground when you pull the cord - and the cord, brittle with age, snapped in half. Yeah. Luckily, enough was left of the cord to pull the wheel at half speed at least, so the effect is still there. Love having the figures again. I loved them as a kid - they just had a unique feeling to them after Star Wars and unlike a lot of friends of mine at the time, I was a huge fan of "Tron". Just a great - but as you say so yourself, unfortunately small - line of toys. The basic durability of the light cycles alone was just a masterstroke.

[@stevenmabee3232]

This was one of my favorite shows you have done In a while :) Translucent figures are awesome!

[@michaelolmsted2897]

I had a Tron light cycle game in the 80s. It was large as hand held arcade games back then. It was kinda boxey in shape, dark plastic, the main part of it was probably about 5" high with a panel in front for the controls. It was very basic. Up, down, left, right for your light cycle. I wished I'd kept it!

[@andreworillion5970]

I had some of these growing up. I had Flynn, Sark and the yellow light cycle. Flynn got lost along the way but I still have the other two.

[@artpercy5944]

Another great video!!! Thank you!!!

[@JD_Colton]

Excellent writing! The dialogue flowed masterfully.

[@retroblasting]

+Joseph Colton Thanks man!

[@frankycheese]

I remember when the movie came out there was allot of hype and the arcade game showed up at my locale arcade seemed so futuristic!

[@419Films]

I was always surprised _Tron_ didn't do better in the theatres. I was 12 when it came out, and a year later, some of the kids I grew up with and I were still saying, "Greetings, programs!" Maybe we were just ahead of our time. Or weird. Yeah, I think I'll go with weird.

[@williamstone1536]

I had no idea these were made until fairly recently. I don't believe these toys made it to Canada back in the day, and that's a pity as I would have went nutso for them! I loved the movie and the game! Great memories!

[@goldleader3028]

I would pay good money for a Tron tank toy. Those tanks were slick!

[@netherfreakultima4498]

Holy shit...there were ACTUAL Tron toys from the 1982 film?!!!

[@gregn8206]

It’s funny how you mention about the movie and video games being beyond you, when they first came out. By my guess, we’re about the same age and I distinctly remember having to have my dad help me when playing Discs of Tron. We’d cram into the cabinet console together and he would aim and I would shoot, good times.

[@p.mc.4449]

Thanks Retoblasting. Now, I want to look for the Neca reissues. Love the light cycles. Tron and Tron: Legacy.

[@darthsimmons6957]

I learned how to play the arcade game, by watching the older kids. I memorized their patterns & tricks. Unfortunately they wouldn't make it, past the 3rd level. Now I can get to about the 5th level, but, that far into the game, when you run out of "lives" you don't get the countdown from 9, 8, 7, 6, to put in more credits to continue where you were. You just lose, & haf2 start over again. That's pretty frustrating, after working up a sweat, to get that far. I bought a full size upright version. It's got to be the most aesthetically pleasing arcade game of the 80's. With the black light that makes your white t-shirt glow or if you're wearing anything "Day Glow"/"Neon"/ "Florescent" or "Fosforescent" (fogetaboutit) A beautiful piece of my collection. I also have a small "hand held" version of TRON by TOMYtronics. It's primitive but fun. Those TOMY toy lightcycles are awesome. I got the Red one. I played with it in the street & everywhere. Cement is the best surface for it. Your floor is too slick. It just "peels out" & falls over. Yes, it goes till it hits something, to stop it. I suggest a basketball court. Aim for the grass. Don't be modest about pulling that "ripcord" either. I always pulled mine, as hard as I could. I could feel the Gyroscope effect which helps you understand how it balances so long. Then, give it a shove, so it doesn't "peel out" It should go 30ft MINIMUM ! I still have mine. It never broke. It's well made. The figures weren't though. They broke right away at the pelvis. That's what I get, for trying to force Tron into the lightcycle in the screen accurate position. Instead of the sitting position. How bout TOMY's "Air jammer" line. Including TOMY "Space Pets"?

[@markmartinez2933]

I have always thought of those toys as before their time and never really having a place among their peers. As a child I struggled to understand certain aspects of the movie but I was still impressed with this new world and possibilities that were presented. To this day I joke that the soundtrack was very avant guard and the current Daft Punk track doesn't hold a candle to it. I suppose the fear of dust and dirt held me back from pursuing this line and its predecessor. Solid toys and Legacy is still a guilty pleasure to watch, the majesty of tron.

[@joshphillips1526]

Oh man disc tron the arcade game I played that so much at command center (local arcade) so many good memories

[@gregboyington4896]

I had Flynn and Tron as a kid but could never find a light cycle. I'd love to pick up some Neca recasts or some original Tomys

[@darthsimmons6957]

I love TRON! In 1982 I was 8 years old & understood it fine. I rented it, a lot! In the early 80's you couldn't buy them yet the price was between $65-$130 which is how much the video store would charge you, if you lost it. You could probably buy it on "Lazer Disc" but who could afford the player? One time as the credits rolled on my rental, I pressed "stop" on my VCR, the TV would automatically switch back to regular TV. On this occasion the credits for TRON were still rolling on regular TV! I had just watched the VHS tape at the same time as it was being broadcasted on the CBS Saturday night movie, or cable. I can't remember which. But the trippy thing is, they were synchronized. I didn't know, It was being broadcasted that night. If I did, I could've saved money on that rental. Weird.

[@DoomsToys]

Just discovered your channel and its freakin awesome! I subbed!!

[@retroblasting]

Thanks so much!

[@FischerFilmStudio]

I absolutely love the TRON series. It’s so underrated.

[@KevyNova]

I was 9 when TRON was released. I didn’t understand it but I loved it! I spent so much time playing the arcade game at the local record store. I also had the orange Light Cycle and it was one of my favorite toys. To this day, I have a glow in the dark TRON T-shirt and I listen to the movie soundtrack by Wendy Carlos. The sequel, however, was a HUGE disappointment.

[@maxbrandt6]

Neat, my cousin Randy had the red light cycle and the one of the figures waaay back in the day and that was the first and very last time I ever saw any Tron toys. Shame Tomy couldn't have produced one of those tanks as well. Nice review!

[@aerixx4970]

Remember the hand-held video game? That was pretty cool.

[@g1toys2014]

I have voiced the same thing you have in your video for what now is decades. Tron is the BEST Disney movie I have seen and I own every Tomy figure complete with light cycle. I almost like it this way because I am in a toy and movie cult affair with this film. ;) Great review sir!

[@retroblasting]

+g1toys Thanks!

[@jykvox869]

One of my handles when I was in the Air Rangers was "Beefy Ripcord".

[@BrainPollution]

Great video. I didn't know much about the TRON toys, so this was very educational.

[@Geek_Chorus]

I freakin' LOVE Broken Vader!!!!!

[@kevinnelson66]

If only Kenner had been able to keep their Turbo Tower of Power(TTP) line going a few more years longer. Would have been great to have the Tron lightcycles with those awesome tower pumps. The TTP line ran from 1973 to 1978, BTW.

[@Fauntleroy.]

Neat toys! Never knew about these. Thanks for great output as always!

[@TheDarkly81]

I had Sark and Warrior that I got from a flea market when i was 10 and painted both of them with a permanent marker before they disappeared.

[@jaywu_chakra9919]

I had 1 of these light cycle toys as a kid.

[@STB-jh7od]

I saw Tron in theaters for my 11th birthday.

[@franciscovalle8075]

I wanted those toys so bad when I was a kid! Lol

[@TOKYOTOYBANZAI]

I've got all of the NECA figures. An investment that is much easier on the wallet and nearly identical (loose). Now I don't feel the need to track down the vintage version.. but if I happened upon one of the vintage TOMY figures carded for a reasonable price, I would definitely snatch it up.

[@darrenrenna]

Never knew there were Tron toys!

[@retrogaminghippie3720]

Retro gaming hippie approves! Your opening description of the movie tron is spot on! Great video!

[@chrisgillespie1611]

I liked this review so much, I soaked in it.

[@Truthseeker1515]

I was 9 when Tron came out, sadly missed it in cinema. Only captured on a lazy weekend TV watch and later on VHS rentals in iconic, Disney white plastic shells. Tron competed with ET (which parents preferred) in summer 1982, it had no chance. Irrespective of story weakness. I did not even know there had been any action figures/vehicles released, same with Raiders, cannot remember any of them in UK stores, unlike SW.

[@Ed-Irvin]

the Tron: Uprising cartoon was crazy good...so much better than Legacy it prequels. I woulda bought all the Uprising toys had they made them. (the Legacy pinball table, however, is pretty damn good)

[@EPS5000]

I think this is might be the first time you showed a toy that I didn't even know existed. I was aware of the movie in the 80s, but never seen these advertised anywhere.

[@80s_Kid_and_Collectibles]

Great intro skit and I love the theme song. Always look forward to the videos!

[@retroblasting]

+Gav3eb 2016 Much appreciated

[@treyjohnson82]

I've always liked the translucent Tron toys, light cycles.. love to see a review of the crystar series

[@JinzoCrash]

I hadn't seen the movie as a kid, but i had seen the videogame and the toys... And like, i KEPT LOOKING for a blue cycle, and there never was one! It baffled me. The blue bike stood out so strong in art and promos and such... but there was only ugly yellow and orange? The hell? All too often too, the paint apps on the figures in the package were scratching off already. Sad, sad, SAD. It could've been a great line.

[@jonfyall8205]

I always loved this movie & the toys. It's such a shame that NECA didn't expand on the toy line. They should have definitely made figures of Dumont, Yori, Ram, Clu, Sark's Lt. & even a red Flynn & an orange light cycle that was originally driven by Tron in the film. They could've even made a tank & or a Recognizer ship that could double as a carry case to store the figures. Hopefully someone ( NECA ) will read my comment & go ahead & make these toys for TRON's next anniversary.

[@petesolo70]

Tron was ahead of its time, but the summer it came out it had to compete with movies like Star Trek II, Bladerunner, Poltergeist, Rocky 3, Conan, The Road Warrior, Fast Times at Ridgemont Highand ET dominated the box office. that summer.

[@scottreacher]

I really love the look of these figures, I have an idea for a light up display case for them to give them that Tron G L O W.

[@Plokman040]

Tron, Reboot, and Mega Man Battle Network they are my Cyberspace go to. Funny enough Reboot was ahead of its time and beat Toy Story to the goal post of first CGI long animations.

[@toddblackwood129]

Tron blew my mind in theaters as a kid, I never understood why it wasn’t a bigger hit, particularly including the lack of toys. I will say this tho, at the time I only saw the toys in a store once, and it was in some cheap drugstore, and the clear plastic design made an impression I never forgot. Sadly, I didn’t have any money and when I went back the figures were gone and I never quite got over it. I grew up and became a comic book artist tho, and my Instagram handle @candycolorsuperheroes is a direct reference to the candy-like sucker pop appearance of those Tron toys, although I only just now made the connection after watching your video! Cheers! :)

[@robertsherman5485]

That was AWESOME, bud! Tightly edited and hilarious!

[@retroblasting]

+Robert Sherman Thanks man.

[@thealphaflight2121]

Great review AAA+++thank you for your videos and time. God bless.

[@ranwolf76]

That's some Carlos Hathcock-level aiming

[@pferreira1983]

Tron is one of the most important films about computers that's ever been released, such a shame it's ignored. You'd think Disney would keep pumping these movies out but no they have their cash cows to think about, i.e. Star Wars and Marvel.

[@andreerodriguez4343]

Muy buena revisión de una de las películas menos reconocidas de Disney, la verdad no sabia que tuvieran una linea de juguetes, muy buen video.

[@WilsTube]

Without Tron, there wouldn’t be Toy Story. Let alone, a theatrical prominence in computer animation for feature entertainment.