As announced earlier this week, Mattel will be taking over the coveted Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles toy license from Playmates which previously held it for nearly forty years. Before that, Playmates will still be rolling out some new TMNT products this year before the license ends. Case in point, ahead of Toy Fair this weekend Playmates has unveiled details for a TMNT x G.I. JOE toy line.
The TMNT toys is no stranger to crossovers and mashups over the decades such as Star Trek, Universal Studios Monsters, and even Masters of the Universe. It remains to be seen how Mattel will handle the TMNT license but there’s no denying it’s an end of an era.
Official press release and images below:
Two of the most iconic and powerful properties in 1980’s action figure history are joining forces for the first time. Paramount’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Hasbro’s G.I. JOE, brands that defined a generation of action play, are colliding in an all-new collectible figure mashup that celebrates their shared legacy of heroism, attitude, and larger-than-life adventures! The TMNT x G.I. JOE toy line, including action figures, accessories, and vehicles, will be showcased at Playmates Toys (booth #2303) at the North American International Toy Fair, Javits Center, February 14-17.
G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero was introduced in 1982 following the success of Hasbro’s G.I JOE toy line, and TMNT, the animated TV series premiered in 1987 – both hitting screens during the golden era of after-school TV entertainment. The Turtles brought irreverent humor and brotherly bonds to living rooms everywhere, while G.I. JOE delivered elite military storytelling and battle-ready realism that redefined what action figures could be. This historic mashup pairs mutant mischief with military might to honor the heroism of the 1980’s while delivering a high-impact take on two of the most legendary action brands of all time.
Highlights in the line revealed at Toy Fair include:
Action Figures:
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- The 4.5-5.25” figure assortment features iconic characters from both lines as the G.I. JOE heroes are reimagined as TMNT-inspired figures: Snake Eyes x Leonardo, Roadblock x Raphael, Dial-Tone x Donatello, Shipwreck x Michelangelo, Cobra Commander x Shredder, Destro x Krang, Storm Shadow x Slash, Ripper x Bebop, Buzzer x Rocksteady, and Scarlett x April.
- Figures and window box packaging are inspired by the 1980’s characters and graphics. Each figure is fully articulated and comes with an assortment of accessories. All packages include classified, clip-out character bio or mission files.
Vehicle mashups drawing from iconic TMNT and G.I. JOE designs — the Turtle-Fly Copter and the A.W.E. Shell-Striker:
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- The TMNT x G.I. JOE Mobile Strike Force Assault Copter is based on the Mutant Military’s top-secret weapons system. Features include spinning katana helicopter blades, opening canopy, missile-firing action, working rappel line, and more.
- The TMNT x G.I. JOE All-Weather and Environment Shell-Striker vehicle powers through blinding storms and NYC rush-hour traffic on a scouting mission in search of COBRA strongholds. Features include 4-wheel suspension, missile-firing action, and space for the whole Turtle team. The Shell-Striker includes an exclusive April x Scarlett figure.
