History of Real Ghostbusters Toys 

One of my favourite toy lines I ever had as a kid. 1987 Christmas I got all four members and the firehouse

Also an interesting point.. if the string is coming out of the bottom of the proton pack it's an original release. If the string is coming out of the back of the pack it's a later release.. both say 1984 on the figure.

Top shelf video, Tony. Kenner's Real Ghostbusters was THE first action figure toyline I collected as a young child. (Essentially, this was to me what Action Man was for you and what Vintage Kenner Star Wars was for our buddy, Michael French) But as you pointed out in your video, this line was not without it's problems. In addition to the fragile accessories, vehicles that weren't designed to carry all the main characters and a sparse playset, I remember being disappointed by the fact that none of the toys were 100% accurate to their cartoon and movie counterparts. The Kenner toyline seemed to be set in it's own Ghostbusters universe, with all the different iterations of the main heroes and ghosts that never appeared on the show. Even when Ghostbusters II was released in theaters, I was surprised we never got movie toys, based on the animated style... The closest we got was the Ecto-1A, which was just the original Ecto-1 with a different set of sticker decals and the "Ecto Charger Pack" a role playing toy version of the Slime Blower. Speaking of role play toys... From my own personal experience, I definitely remember running around with my cousins, playing Ghostbusters with our Proton Packs, Ghost Traps and other role playing toys than the action figures themselves. I'm almost convinced that's the main reason we have so many Ghostbusters cosplayers running around today. But nevertheless, despite it's many, many flaws, this WAS ground zero for me as a young toy collector and I will always have a place in my heart for Kenner's Real Ghostbusters.

Great review. I really like the fact that you aren't afraid to voice some unpopular opinions and give a real take on these toys, instead of some nostalgia-laden hype piece. As a kid I had Venkman and absolutely loved him, but I always thought it unfortunate that the toys weren't based on the movie.

This is a great video - I hadnt opened up the modern 2020 reissues so wasn't aware that the proton streams were less fragile. Thanks for this bit of info and this video, Tony!

Over 30 years later I still have my stay puff plush from when I was a baby lol

Fearsome Flush was one of my favorite “monsters” of the old toyline as a kid, and I was overjoyed when he got a reissue. He’s just so ridiculous and his action gimmick works great, I love it. Also props to the new movie for including the Bug Eye Ghost in the movie, that was a fun Easter egg.

This was THE most fun toy line as a kid. The creativity of this entire line was so enjoyable. The more ghosts you got, the more work they had to do fighting them. Those who know certainly know.

I wanted the Boogeyman, Grundal, Sandman, Sam Hain, etc.

Maybe it's because I've been a fan of Ghostbusters as long as I can remember, but I feel that the toy line was absolutely great. There was plenty of hours I spent with all my Ghostbusters toys that I had lots of imaginative play with. Sure there weren't a lot of 'extra' things the toys could do, but if you were a fan of the franchise, you were happy to play. But like I said, I have loved GB since I was probably 3.

Excellent overview! You know the one thing I really enjoyed about the Retro Action line with the Mego-like figures was the inclusion of Samhain as a compatible villain to engage our heroes. Of all the villains the classic cartoon had, it perplexes me how Kenner overlooked such a simple, yet iconic looking villain to make into a toy. It would have made perfect sense. On a separate note, I am curious why Walmart abandoned the Ghostbusters product line so quickly. It seem to sell well, then they suddenly discounted them all and the line disappeared, only now to start showing up at Target stores. I wonder what that's all about and whether the Kenner reproduction Ecto will also show up again? It barely saw any self time before it became a scalpers dream on Ebay. That's confusing to me with the movie just two months away.

I loved the stay puff plush doll they had with the glow in the dark eyes. LOVED IT! Took it everywhere!

The smell of the ecto plazm is something that will bring me joy forever.

Loved Real Ghostbusters as a kid. But the problem with the show and the toyline was they never had a nemesis to compete with. He-Man had Skeletor, Lion-O had Mumm-Ra, and GI Joe had Cobra. The Ghostbusters had no one. They should have had a rival company to compete against. That would have worked perfectly.

I sold off most of mine a few years ago (before the big action figure boom, damn!) , I didn't have heaps but I did like the crazy ghost creatures, the old lady and the football player I remember having, and a couple of screaming busters. I still have my staypuft though. I always wanted the proton pack as a kid though!

I’ve never understood why they’ve never made an inflatable Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man. It could be done more to scale while being inexpensive. They sell giant inflatable versions of the Jurassic Park T-Rex, Spidey and Batman for only $5. I was going to get the reissued figures, but then I saw the pics of the new 3 3/4” figures that are coming out later this year, which are based on the actors likeness’, but with a bit of cartoonish flair.

Wonderful Video, I love the Real Ghostbusters. Glad Hasbo is re-releasing them currently. Greetings from Germany!

I used to play with these all the time back in the mid to late 80s, and I can absolutely corroborate the brittle packs and proton streams breaking. That's where sellotape came in handy! I had no idea they were reissuing a new line. Depending on the price, I'm tempted to buy them again, and keep hold of them should I ever have my own children who can play with them as I did.

Playing our toys like this toyline back then with my friends was really fun.

I had the Proton Pack, Ghost Trap, and PKE-Meter. I remember feeling like a total boss back in the late 80s with all of my ghost-busting equipment! After Ghostbusters 2 came out all of my friends and I role played as the Ghostbusters whenever we went outside to play. So even though the action figure line was sadly lacking, Kenner definitely made up for it in their Role Playing Toys.

Thank you for taking the time to make this awesome video ❤️

My 6 year old just picked up Ray at a collectors convention and he wanted me to let you know he got it. He loves your channel.

Real Ghosbusters and Duplo Blocks were pretty much my only toys for over half a decade. I personally love the alternate costumes and and the vehicles! The VW Beetle, Ecto Flyer and Ecto 2 were featured in the cartoon.

Thank you very much. :^) I loved the Ghostbusters toys back then, they were fantastic.

Thanks Tony. Always love your retrospectives

YESS!! Thank you for doing this!

Great video. I'm from Ireland. These toys weren't available in Ireland for a long time. Lucky for me I had family in England. One Christmas they brought me home the original 4 Ghostbusters,Ecto-1,Sliner,Staypuff and Bugeye. Best Christmas ever. I was similarly disappointed with the size of staypuff. And Slimer. The doors on Ecto-1 broke easily too.

Man, even in the commercial, Winston gets no love.

Great job Tony! Love your history videos!

I think 44 year old me now rewatches Ghostbusters more for Sigourney Weaver🔥🔥🔥

Thanks for a great video Tony 👍🏻

The slimed heroes were my favorite wave. The ghosts could squirt cold water and the guys would look slimed. They're basically an upgrade of the first figures.

As a kid, I playe with my Ghostbuster toys all the time. I didn't have the first Ecto-1 but the one modeled after the second movie but it had the same issue, only the front 2 doors can open. but I did experience all the issues you mentioned in the video.had the proton beam break off which I didn't mind, could put the gun on like the cartoon but over all played with them all the time. In one episode in the cartoon, they did go see Ghost Busters in the movie, and they broke the 4th wall on how they didn't look like them.

Amazing toys, great ecto 1 and love that firehouse :-D awesome video!

Helpful review of Stay Puft, Green Ghost Slimer and the Ghostbusters' Team. I was a small kid back then when I saw the film in theaters, so would've bought the figures if they had them available during the movie. Classic animated show though, and figures. Thanks.

Awesome video! Subscribed! Great information and very interesting

Proton streams and Michelangelo's nunchuck cord are easily the most breakable toys of my childhood lol

I was a major Ghostbusters fan kid and now at 40 i still am! lol I've made sure to pass it down to my daughter and i've just bought the complete animated series for her birthday. She also got a Slimer and Sta puft plush toy with two GB tee shirts. I had some of the toys in this video but the coolest was probably a proton gun i had that projected ghost images on a dark wall. You could change out the slides to project different ghosts and sounds. My mom didn't really believe in a kid having too many toys though so i was always trying to improvise to make my own trap and proton pack. What i want to know is who else around my age did the same thing? Cool video by the way.

Great video!

I was a sucker for these and a little to old to buy them, nut still did. BTW: Ivan is a client and I have performed for him and for his restaurant in Toronto

Great video! 🤗

The best toys/cartoons ever

Awesome review ❤😊

Awesome review!

The Real Ghostbusters were one of my my favourite toy collections. The other was Super Naturals. I think they were made by Tonka.

Great video Tony as always. I am one of those ghostheads who is a completest with the Kenner line and while I do love all the figure variations and vehicles, I won’t deny that the line wasn’t treated as well as the Star Wars line. Imagine how cool it would’ve it had been had we got movie specific figures, vehicles and playsets? And with the toy collecting community being as strong as it is, I’m surprised no one has ever tried giving the ghostbusters fandom manufactured customs we can buy like Stan Solo with Star Wars.

Great video! But I wish I never watched it as it was the tipping point for me buying the retro figures and the original firehouse HQ today. 😂🙈 Just waiting for the retro ecto-1 now to complete the look.

the only other must have vehicle is ecto 2 the gyrocopter, might not be seen in every episode but it was used quite a lot if it requies air support, fright feature jeannene is a must if you need the snarky receptionist, not if their other figures of her in the line

Born in the late 70s, I grew up in order of Duplo, Lego, Playmobil, A-Team, Master of the Universe, Transformers, G.I.Joe, M.A.S.K., ThunderCats, Dino Riders, StarCom... All amazing toylines. The Real Ghostbusters came next and was huge for me (TMNT was the #1 biggest childhood toyline for me after the #2 RGB). I had many of the RGB toys and many fond memories. They were my 1st toy collector dream as a kid also to one day own all 1st series carded. I can't say the proton packs were fragile and brittle, never saw any break between me and my friends. The Schaper/Tyco Filmation Ghostbusters toys were however always very fragile with many broken pieces. I believe the Real Ghostbusters proton packs became brittle over time with the plasticizer drying out. They were fun, sturdy toys. That's how I experienced growing up with the toys. I loved the small pack-in ecto-plasma ghost pack-ins as well. The slime itself didn't last as long due to drying out, becoming dirty etc. There were very few of the toyline figures in the show, I do remember Granny Gross from the Fright Feature neighbors being in the show. A buddy had a large plush Stay Puft Marshmallow Man that he used with the figures.

1984 was my favourite year for toy collecting it was the year the roboskull came out went to see ghostbusters in the cinema twice and temple of doom was out the same year it’s a shame that no merchandise from the film was available still have the movie magazine poster from the film though

Have just picked up the first wave of the Hasbro reissues, the four Ghostbusters and Stay Puft and Slimer. They weren't cheap but I'm looking forward to adding them to my collection. After seeing this video i just had to have them. Thanks to you Tony i have also bought the entire line (so far) of MOTU Origins. I can hear my bank account screaming every time I watch one of your videos dude 😅

I think there was Super Fright Features figures in the line too. Great video!

I really wanted slim back in the day, but my parents wouldn't ever get me any. Walmart used to sell small cans of different colored slim that felt and acted like that 80's slim. It was cheap at $1 a can. I loaded up on green slim and also got some black slim.

Great summary! I loved this toy line as a kid but even I thought at the time it got pretty ridiculous with all the bright colors and spacey outfits.

Great review, Tony, as usual. I was getting out of toys by the time these hit the shelf, but still were not in my 3¾" scale requirement for purchase. I was a 3¾" snob when it came to getting toys. Well...8" and 12" were ok too.

I always liked that the fire house was just a normal looking building with nothing too over the top. I would use it for Spider-man, Robocop and all sorts of different franchises when playing. As a villain hide out or city backdrop. I had two I got from a car boot sale in the 90s for about 50p each.

The real ghostbusters cartoon often had some creepy moments. Its a shame kenner never made a boogeyman figure.

Great video as usual. Even though I agree with you on every flaw you mentioned about the toys you showed, I loved the animated show so for me these toys have a charm. Personally, I would add the Ecto 2, the Gooper Ghosts and the Slimed Heroes figures to a list of must-have in a RGB collection (perhaps even some of the Monsters figures like The Mummy).

Fantastic video - I was a huge fan of the cartoon as a child and had many of the figures. Very surprised to learn of the modern re-issues; it surprises me there's still sufficient interest in the toy line, although maybe it's specifically targeting collectors?

The boogie man episode was scary , never had the toys growing up but have the retro figures , hoping to get the retro ecto 1. Great video Tony.

Who you gonna call? 👻

Great job on the video Tony! 👻🚫

Great vid. As usual. You could add Ecto-02 the helicopter to complete the original set. I still have collection from back then. I am older than most collectors of Ghost Busters. It was a great line based on a great cartoon.

I had the Ghostbusters fire station hq, a few figures and the stay puff.. I loved that shit

In the UK Ghostbusters comics there was a group of villains called the Frightful Four. A Vampire, Mummy, Werewolf and Frankensteins monster that were sent to bust the Ghostbusters. So I liked that the Kenner line released toys of those monsters.

I swear even as a kid I thought my firehouse was only half the toy. The car didn't fit, the spinner refused to spin free and there was nowhere to actually play except on the roof!

i had the ghost poppeer, proton pack pke meter, slimer, and the jump suite

I think stay puft is the best figure. He is small but I think he’s cuter smaller. I’m glad that he is that size

As a kid I was always disappointed by the lack of articulation on Kenners offerings. Don't gt me wrong, I had tons of Star Wars, Ghost Busters, MASK and others but nothing beat the articulation on my G.I Joe figures!

Sweet!

I hope Hasbro releases modernized versions of the Real Ghostbusters. Something along the lines of their recently released Plasma figures. They'd probably blow the Diamond Select figures out of the water.

Unfortunately, the Kenner RGB toyline were the earliest toys I at age 4! Man were those series one toys brittle. The guns were a letdown as they didn't look anything like the ones from the show. I remember my mom buying several multiples of the Peter variant which had a gun and trap that looked more like the ones from the tv series. In defense of the RGBs having no nemesis, they already defeated their main enemy in the first film, and the series having an enemy of the week made it more like a sandbox. I.e., it has potential for a child to roleplay as as a ghost bounty hunter and empowers them to not be afraid of things that go bump in the night. Hence, those roleplay toys came in handy.

Really wanted the yellow bug to be reissued

Wow, I didn't know the Hasbro's version, the proton stream were flexible... Ever since I got the Hasbro reissues, when I opened them, I handle them very carefully, I was afraid it may snapped like the original kenner version... Good to know, thx for the review....

4:24 Luke looks like Owen Wilson.

weird idea but they could’ve used a similar mechanism to the lightsabers on the starwars figures for the proton streams would’ve been short streams but could’ve help keep down on broken streams

I thought the creature action features were the best part. So many unique character designs and transformations. As far as the humans they didn’t need so many (and I only had the originals and the scared ones). But they weren’t as pointless as the Batman toys.

I had a lot of these toys. Gave the lot away to younger cousins, who then must have gone on to throw it all out! Gutted.

I deliberately cut the proton streams off mine as a kid as I hated how they got in the way.

I was 6 when I got the Kenner toys. Even at that age, I was disappointed that the tech on the roof of the Ecto 1 was just all white plastic. Like, they didn't even give me any decals! Always thought it made the car look aniemic. I also never liked the plastic proton stream. It just got in the way, like 'It's ok guys, I can use my imaginaton for that part'

Kenner later re-used parts of the firehouse for their Police Academy playset which had more gimmicks. I think some fans have customized that one into a more entertaining firehouse.

The pink goop had the strangest smell that I can almost remember

Ghostbusters were the greatest. Right after Transformers GI Joe Thundercats and Silverhawks and right before Ninja Turtles. I just wanted screen accurate figures, thank God for the cartoon. Worshipped these guys. 👻🚫

*I would've loved to see The Boogeyman or The Sandman in the toyline, but at least we got Samhain in the Extreme Ghostbusters toyline some years later*

The RGB had so many good villains but none of them made it into toy form. Where's the Boggieman? The Grundel? SamHain? The Sandman? Hell, even the green dopplegangers of the original team from the episode Citizen Ghost would have been a cheap recolor of a preexisting mold. We did get something like that from the diamond select line a year or two ago, but not back when the cartoon was relevant.

Great video. Always preferred the 1984 & 1989 Ghostbusters films, and The Real Ghostbusters cartoon, it was far better than Filmation’s live action & animated series.

I got the reissues ghostbusters and the Plasma release wave 1. only with hasbro world have released the firehouse or an improved firehouse like Playmobil did.

I've got some still in packaging

I cut that foolish proton stream off the second I got the figure

I dont know how I missed the 4 retro figures I never seen them in stores but I have the ecto 1 pre ordered and paid for ready to go and if they do the fire house which is what I'm hoping for I'll be all over that provided Hasbro doesn't bitch up and do it as a $400 plus haslab exclusive... I'd be pissed!

You should do one for the extreme Ghostbusters toys

I have that Mego style Venkman. What a mess

Did you know the original kenner rgb figures were a choking hazard?

Bugeye appeared in pink once

What about the twinkie?

I did get the Plasma Collection set from 2019 (?) and they are “ok”. Given they’re based on the movie and what we have now with modern face printing/etc, the likeness was a bit…. average. Funnily enough, I actually have the four 2020 reissues (slowly) making their way to me as I type this. I didn’t know about the Mego style ones tho. They look kinda cool (as a bit of a Mego fan).

Might be sacrilege to say this, but I've always preferred Kenner's later toy lines like RGB, Centurions, Sky Commanders, MASK, etc than SW.

Never understood why they never made a Gozer figure with this line.

I would use the slime grates lol and my mom hated it lol my brother and I would slime our ghostbusters and even other toys lol like G.I. Joe’s and then once we had no more no plasma we would simply just buy the slime out a little gumball machines for like .25¢ or .50¢ or whatever the price was and I remember it making a mess and if we would move on to something else am would forget to put the slime back up it would me a mess to clean it off our toys uggg good times and I miss you brother 😞 we definitely had good times together with these toys and all the other great toys from the 80s and early 90s RIP Rob I miss you buddy

Exactly, variants of the same figures killed the line. Like powerturtlebusters said the only variants should of been the guys in their civilian clothes.