Castle Grayskull Playset Review | Masters of the Universe Origins 

I just got mine today (Austria) and I have to say, I'm really happy with it. I never owned the original castle, since my parents didn't have the money, so now as an adult, with the Origins line I am finally able to fulfill my childhood dream of owning all the figures, vehicles and playsets I couldn't have back then. Mattel really does a fantastic job of invoking the retro feel with this line, while making some updates in engineering and design. It's my favorite toyline at the moment for nostalgia alone.

The artwork is so good I wish there a poster for it.

If you think about it, this casle greyskull looks more FILMATION than any other castle we've gotten. As a kid that's what i wanted!!

Best playset ever!!! I still remember the original from when I was a kid... :D great memories... I got it on christmas 1989..

they better not cut this line short! i want snake mountain to come out also

Plastic these days is just different from decades ago, Star Wars vehicles feel very lightweight today compared to the vintage ones. Good review, I cannot wait to get this playset and “play” with it. The Classics one was more of a showpiece.

It’s interesting how the new one takes design cues from both the classics version and the vintage version

Man, poor Skeletor. He falls through the trap door and just looks dead. Lying facedown just waiting for it all to end.

I’m so pumped to get this thing, even though I initially planned on passing. The MOTUC version is a masterpiece, but this is Great looking Toy!

I am going to be honest. The old castle looks really bad in comparison. The paintjob makes the original look like burned down and the sculpt is quite… sloppy. I think the new one is how it always should look. Big upgrade.

I prefer the symmetry of this version because it's more like the Filmation castle. The interiors are a big improvement with the extended platforms and wider ladder. I don't know if it's worth $75 to me, but it is a great Castle Grayskull.

Fun fact: you can re-attach the banners in other places. There's multiple clips for them on both floors.

I'm 52 and my son has just ordered me one, I'm sooo excited. My brother had one when we were kids and I was kind of jealous. Now I have my own.

When I was a kid I use to hang the figures from the trap door.

It’s the thing collectors and scalpers are fighting over... Castle Grayskull!

Perhaps they’ll release the space suit as a figure with a Marlena Glenn head swap. The castle does give me Filmation vibes. I like it a whole lot more than I thought I would! Like the Sorceress figure: “He-Maaaaan come to Grayskuuuuuuullll”...

I like that this one has an actual bar-style hinge with a metal rod that keeps the 2 halves together. The vintage castle was just some molded plastic hinges that clipped in place and would come apart all the time when you tried to fold it up.

i will buy it. and pixel dan's book, too.

This Castle Grayskull is pretty AWESOME! What a great blend between the original and the Classics. The only thing that sucks is the timing. If I wasn't trying to go all in with Thundercats Classics I would be all over this. I am fortunate enough to have the Classics Castle Grayskull. Enjoy collectors. This thig is pretty amazing. I do have to say it really was fantastic to go to my local Walmart and see Masters of the Universe Origins figures on the pegs in the toy section. These toys have so much presences. Enjoy everyone. If you missed out before, now is your chance because it looks like Mattel is really committed to this Origins line. Again, thanks for the review.

Awesome review Dan and seeing them side by side the Origins Castle gives off that filmation Castle Grayskull and our vintage one is more like the mini comics feel

Just found this video. Thanks for comparing all 4 versions of the Castle. I had the original as a kid, then 200X ( never took it out of the package). Unfortunately I had to sell them both several years ago, but I am glad that kids and Collectors have a new one to look forward to.

The CASTLE looks great. I love the SORCERESS-figure.

Outstanding video! Thank you for being so thorough and descriptive. I've got mine pre-ordered through ebay. My family of figures are looking forward to their new (old) home!

Great review, Dan. Thank you! I'll definitely be picking this up for my kids, if/when I see it in stores.

Great video review 👏😎 this was such an excellent side by side comparison. Definitely wanting to pick this new playset up. Thanks for the walkthrough 👍

Great review, and I just pre-ordered your book can't wait to check that out

Enjoyed it, Dan! I think your excitement for the brand really comes through the screen. We’ll keep watching! Cheers!

I just happened to hop the Walmart site this morning and was able to order one, I'm so excited!

I just got mine today, but sadly just started collecting and missed the Power Con exclusive set that had the space suit figure. No way I am paying hundreds for that so hopefully they'll release it again without all the Power Con stuff. Until then I got a reprint of the stickers and just re-created the cardboard one for now.

Nice video. It's good to see all the new features. I definitely like it having foot pegs, as figures falling over is such a pain! I too am looking forward to seeing the space suit as a figure & you can bet it'll be labelled as "deluxe" with an extra head. Glad to see the vintage weapon's rack I sent you getting some screen time. Take care!

Man I love the art that’s what always got me as kid even with Transformers and GI Joe they use to the box art so well

Finally tracked one down at a good price, arriving in the mail today. So excited!!

Tremendous review! Thanks, Dan!

I just got this today merry Christmas pixel Dan

I just recently put a pre order in for this. I can't wait!

I jst stumbled across this video and it brought back so many memories! I used to have the original when I was a kid

Just opened the box today I bought it 3 weeks ago I spend an hour playing with the features I never saw the original version. A friend of mine bought it for 75$ a year ago when it came out I got mine for 53$ in a clearance store (Saw battle cat and armor he man pack for 28$ there) and other Motu stuff In all its a very nice playset love the features in it all I need now is room to put it and more figs to put around. Very interesting video you did love the comparison you did with the other castles it sure gave me more knowledge about what they did for the castle.

Such an iconic playset, very glad to add this to my collection under 70€ shipped

Got This on preorder. Great memories

Awesome review Dan as always

I just bought this and It is the best thing in my collection. I've been wanting this when I first saw he man back in 2005.

Wasn’t sure if I wanted this, but man. It would look great in a display with all the figures and vehicles coming

Finally got mine, after a very long wait.

thank you for your review. I recently got 1 for myself (living in Canada apparently has an advantage in this), and havent opened it yet. Will be my first, since I never owned the original castle. Looking forward to showcasing it on my shelve with the different figures.

Great indepth review. This is a must!

This is what a review should look like!

Pixel dan the legend is back

great vid like always dude!! the shape of the plastic around the dungeon grate looks like they could make a future add on of a 3d grate with all the monsters to place on top of the sticker one.

PowerCon 2021...Your Space Suit is COMING!!!

Just preordered mine from BBTS. OMG that box art is delicious.

good job PDanny! I have my original, the 200x, the classics castle and am still excited for this new origins for what it is to it's own line ( i dig the door on this a lot). I will be running a very basic grey/black wash over the outside and completing the brown wood accents to match the back of this box as exact as I can, without going in any extreme direction. Looking for the length and width of that dungeon sticker space, working on a 3D sculpt of it for myself and friends that will actually fit in that small space.

Nice review Pixel Dan. I used to have the original castle, but I don't remember the cardboard robot. Maybe my brother gave it to the dog. Aside from that, this really brought back memories. I can't wait to display mine.

Great review, thanks!

Got one at the Mattel Toy Store in El Segundo California by accident! Went there to buy my girls barbies and at the cashier I saw this huge box! I thought I was mistaken but it was the Castle Grayskull! Bought it and wow it feels like the 80’s again lol! Any Dads out there that grew up in the 80’s this is a must have! Awesome flashbacks! 👍👍👍 Great vid!

Love the art on the front.

Awwww 4:15, looks like your Swiftwind and Stridor are in love. So adorable :-)

Perfect as usual !!! Cheers from France

I should get mine next month..I'm gonna order another one as well an your book to

This Sorceress Action figure looks like the 1987 movie Sorceress.

Wow, its been awhile since i've seen you dude. I guess RU-vid buried you at the bottom of my subscriptions, but hey now I know your still here and rocking an awesome beard. Keep it up Dan!

Ohhh I used to have these ! Nostalgic 🤘

Best collectors toyline by far , 1, the in shop prices are excellent . 2,the very fact that you can find figures and vehicles in plenty of toy shops. 3,the packaging artwork and styling of the figures appeals to those of us who were around when he-man first aired ,and young kids of today ,are the reasons this line is so popular , I had a few he-man figures in the 80s and loved them ,but star war WAS my thing , I recently stopped collecting modern star wars , a few weeks ago I saw the he man figures in Smyth's toys ,the price ranged from £11:99 to 14:99 for figures , I now own skeletor, He-man, jitsu, buzz off, the sorcerer ,faker, fisto,evil Lyn, I intend to get up to date with everything released to retail and I'll continue to buy what ever Mattel release in the origins line.

I love it 😍 it’s soooo cool 😎 I think it’s fantastic that Mattel have decided to release this , And I absolutely love what they’ve done with the origin toyline 👏👏👏 … and Dan , you make me feel much better about being a grown man collecting toys 😂🤭

I definitely got to get my hands on this

I like it, it's totally cool! Great review!

I wait soooo much for this review, I'm waiting my castle in Brazil, I understand that love for original but I love the new one much more

I do really like the origins castle.Really like the paint job and overall item,what's included etc. Even as a kid the original vintage castle did used to niggle me with its lots of black paint around the eye sockets and nose socket area on the front of the castle.Way too much I thought. Nice to see this rectified on the newer origins castle.Will be very excited to get the origins castle soon. :-) AWESOME REVIEW DUDE AS ALWAYS,YOU ARE SO VERY THOROUGH. ;-) ALWAYS A REAL HELP.

Got my new Castle Grayskul today l happy love Dwight Jr 😊

You're totally right. The original castle looks thousands of years old, slumped and decaying. The Origins castle looks like it was just built. But I do like that they got the black paint in the skull cavities, not just all over the place. If it was me, I'd give the whole thing a serious dressing down and make it look decrepit and derelict.

I'm definitely repainting mine once I receive it soon.

In my humble opinion I'll say that I prefer the original Castle Grayskull because it is just better looking and more true to a mysterious stone Castle that became a fortress of magic, mystery and power! 👍 Plus He Man, even atop Battlecat still fits through the castle entrance.

hey Dan. I've been a Masters Fan since 84. I was so happy to find a Castle Grayskull today here in Germany, in store. Here's the bummer...my Sorceres figure came with only 1 arm. no left arm at all in the box. :( i dont really want to return my castle, but thats a real no go. it was the only one there,so im tempted to just keep it. still,that really sucks.

Ordered 3...one for me. One for each of my nephew's. Very excited

Nice review Pixel Dan. I have one pre ordered from Walmart that will hopefully arrive soon! I like the darker paint on the original better but this version is still way cool!! 😎 Two thumbs up! 👍👍

Cant wait to get my castle from the supplier tomorrow!!!

Cool review dan

The box art looks like the original castle - as in the actual shell we all had more than the new one

Fun Fact: Castle Grayskull has a 'skull' appearing somewhere on its facade. Can YOU find it?

That classic gray skull is beautiful. First time I've seen it.

The Mega Construx figures is perfectly to scale to the castle

Outstanding

I love this so much. I only have two complaints tbh, which are the lack of the space suit (which I'm betting is a future figure since there's a foot peg there, which makes me wonder if they might also release a Castle Grayskull Man and advertise it as being able to stand there as well, since I know that's how some people displayed the Classics one) and more importantly, the lack of a white Zoar, who we probably will never see get a single release (tbh I'd be surprised if they release regular Zoar as a single carded figure instead of as an accessory or something).

The biggest issue I had with the OG play set was the eyes. I hated the paint job they did on the eyes. This new one is perfect.

Stridor's corral Snaps onto it

I just ordered mine.

I love the new wooden plank floors

Thanks for this, I want one also!

The Skeletons have got shields similar to Battle Armir Skeletor.

Can’t wait to put in a Diorama set up

I wish they put the hold for the sword to the side like with the expensive version so He-Man can open the door and it flops open with He-Man standing there.

Mattel Customer service is great so if anyone rips a sticker call them. I called them for a ripped sticker for my Grayskull Mania set and they took awesome care of me. Actually shipped me a whole new set since they didn't have the sticker in stock at the time. You're totally talking to someone in India though lol.

Oh man i love this collection from he man i have the first castle of grayskull 1983 love heman thundercats rambo galaxy rangers dinosaucers and many cartoons from 1980 i am brazilian from salvador thank you very much man

great video. I do think that robot/space suit will get a figure as there does seem to be a figure peg just at the right location behind the trap door for it. I do also hope that if and when they get to do a Snake mountain that they upscale it a bit so at least the walkways are proper usable by the figures :)

Cant wait! 🥳

I've seen this in store a few times but held off buying it. So glad I did as on my weekly toy hunt I found one on sale for $79 Au or $50 usd pretty much at half price for here in Australia .

I hope they make a second new version. With the robot suit. Plus 2 golden skulls that could also be used as regular figure heads. And perhaps even a battle station similar to that from the 200x series. Oh, and a dungeon wall.

Please note the unused notches in the floor where that missing space suit might end up filling. (: Love this set. I appreciate its design sensibilities and overall improvements from the original. Definitely a must-have in any He-Man collection.

I can't wait! I have everyone but zodac, merman,roboto, and clamp champ

Very nice!

I want that second weapons rack IRL as a book shelf.