kenner

A New Wave of Hasbro/Kenner Ghostbusters Product Hits Shelves

After the ball dropped in Times Square and the ol’ yearly odometer clicked over to 2024, eagle-eye collectors started noticing new Ghostbusters toys hitting shelves, particularly at Target stores. Well, Hasbro has made it official, here’s all the offerings they’re sending to a store near you to coincide with the release of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, including another round of retro-release Real Ghostbusters Fright Features figures!

Ghostbusters Track & Trap Ecto-1

(Ages 4 and Up/ Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/ Available: Now)

The Ghostbusters are back, chasing down ghosts and ghouls through the streets of New York! Re-create favorite scenes from the entertainment with this Ghostbusters Track & Trap Ecto-1 toy car. Swing out the blaster seat and launch a projectile or deploy the rooftop drone trap to imagine chasing spooky specters up into the air. Includes a Fright Features Slimer toy accessory, featuring Ecto-Stretch Tech for rubbery, stretchable ghost play. This vehicle is compatible with the Fright Features 5-inch action figures each sold separately, subject to availability). Available now at participating retailers , including Target, Big Bad Toy Store and more.

Ghostbusters Zap & Blast Proton Blaster

(Ages 5 and Up/ Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/ Available: Now)

Many different ghosts haunt the world and with this Ghostbusters Zap & Blast Proton Blaster, kids can be ready for any unruly apparition! Gear up as an official member of the Ghostbusters with this proton blaster, featuring LED light effects and 20+ sound effects, inspired by the Ghostbusters entertainment. Blast any class apparition in normal mode or use the “Specter Wavelength” button in Ghost Getter mode, pull back on the barrel to charge-and-reveal a color-changing proton stream. Look for more Ghostbusters-inspired toys, including action figures, vehicles, role play toys, and more (each sold separately, subject to availability). Available now at participating retailers, including Target, Big Bad Toy Store and more.

Ghostbusters Squash & Squeeze Slimer

(Ages 4 and Up/ Approx. Retail Price: $29.99/ Available: Now)

Slimer, the mischievous green ghost from the Ghostbusters entertainment is back to haunt collections! This 7-inch Ghostbusters Squash & Squeeze Slimer interactive toy ghost features over 40 spooky sounds to discover with a jiggly, squishy texture that feels icky yet awesome to the touch. Fly, shake, or swing Slimer as he reacts with motion sounds. Press his tongue to hear munching sound effects, ghostly and ghastly burps and more. Look for more Ghostbusters-inspired toys, including action figures, vehicles, role play toys, and more (each sold separately, subject to availability). Available now at participating retailers.

Ghostbusters Fright Features 5-inch Figures

(Ages 4 and Up/ Approx. Retail Price: $9.99/ Available: Now) 

The Ghostbusters are officially back in business, chasing down ghosts and ghouls through the streets of New York! This Fright Features Callie Spengler, Gary Grooberson, Phoebe Spengler, and Trevor Spengler 5-inch figures features entertainment-inspired design and detail, 5 points of articulation, and comes with a Ghostbusters toy Proton Pack with Ghostbusters blaster wand accessory. Also included in this Ghostbusters figure set is a Fright Feature Possessor accessory featuring Ecto-Stretch Tech. This fun, rubbery, ghost easily stretches, so kids and collectors can pull it over the figure and imagine her possessed by a poltergeist. Look for more Ghostbusters-inspired toys, including action figures, vehicles, role play toys, and more (each sold separately, subject to availability). Available now at participating retailers, including Amazon, Big Bad Toy Store and more.

Ghostbusters Kenner Classics The Real Ghostbusters

(Ages 4 and Up/ Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/ Available: Now)

Join The Real Ghostbusters as they rid New York City of pesky poltergeists! Kenner Classics Ghostbusters toys are designed to replicate the original 1980s Ghostbusters figures, based on the animated series The Real Ghostbusters. Fans can relive the nostalgia with collectible packaging that features the original Kenner branding. Look for more Ghostbusters-inspired toys, including action figures, vehicles, role play toys, and more (each sold separately, subject to availability). Available now exclusively in-stores at Target and at other participating retailers beginning in April.

New Ghostbusters: Afterlife Hasbro Reveals

Hot on the heels of today’s new trailer for Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Hasbro has announced more products for fans of the series both young and old.

The new reveals today include:

  • The Plasma Series Afterlife Figures

  • The Fright Features line of products

  • Clue: Ghostbusters Edition

  • The Ghostbusters Mini-Puft Popper

  • The RC RTV Ghost Trap

Here’s all of the information fit to print. As well as a gallery of all the images of the new announcements but be warned, some might consider a few of the elements within the photos spoilers as they haven’t been seen on-screen or in the trailer yet.

GHOSTBUSTERS MINI-PUFT POPPER

(Ages 8 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $20.99 / Available: Fall 2021)

Mini-Puft popping action is back with the GHOSTBUSTERS Mini-Puft Popper from Hasbro and NERF! Inspired by the upcoming Ghostbusters: Afterlife film, kids can imagine themselves as part of the Ghostbusters team undergoing eerie encounters with this must-have roleplay gear. The GHOSTBUSTERS Mini-Puft Popper comes with three soft foam Puft Popper projectiles inspired by the mischievous Mini-Puft characters from the 2021 film for ghost-poppin’ action and adventure. Product will be available at Walmart, Target, and Amazon.

GHOSTBUSTERS PLASMA SERIES GHOSTBUSTERS AFTERLIFE FIGURES

(Ages 4 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $24.99/ Available: Fall 2021)

The premium, collectible Ghostbusters figures that fans love is back in time for the new Ghostbusters: Afterlife film with the first wave of the GHOSTBUSTERS Plasma Series Afterlife Figures from Hasbro! Inspired by the latest film coming to theaters in November 2021, this highly poseable collection of action figures features premium design, detailing, and articulation that embody the quality and realism Ghostbusters fans expect with Hasbro’s Plasma Series. Each 6-inch scale action figure comes with film-inspired accessories, including new ‘Build-A-Ghost’ pieces for select figures that form a Sentinel Terror Dog figure.

The GHOSTBUSTERS Plasma Series Afterlife Figures features characters from the 2021 film, including Trevor, Lucky, Podcast, Peter, Winston, and Ray, along with the Sentinel Terror Dog build-a-ghost pieces Available at HasbroPulse.com and most major retailers nationwide.

CLUE: GHOSTBUSTERS EDITION GAME

(Ages 8 and up / Approx. Retail Price: $20.99 / Available: Fall 2021)

A team of paranormal eliminators will be racing to a mysterious farmhouse in the Ecto-1 to roast some ghosts and solve mysteries in the new Clue: Ghostbusters Edition Game. Inspired by the new Ghostbusters: Afterlife film, players will experience a suspenseful game of "whodunit" with artwork and characters inspired by the iconic Ghostbusters franchise. By moving from location to location, narrowing down the possibilities, and through the process of elimination, players will figure out who the leader is, how to trap it, and where it will appear. Paranormal cards add teamwork to the game, letting players team up to battle a ghost or get closer to the truth. Once an accusation is made, players must check the Tobin's Spirit Guide card sleeve to see if they are right, with the correct accusation winning the game. Available at HasbroPulse.com and most major retailers nationwide.

GHOSTBUSTERS RC RTV GHOST TRAP

(Ages 6 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $41.99 / Available: Fall 2021)

The ghost trap has been reinvented! Inspired by the new Ghostbusters: Afterlife movie, kids can now imagine hunting and grabbing spooky ghosts on the run as part of the Ghostbusters team with the GHOSTBUSTERS RC RTV Ghost Trap toy from Hasbro! The remote control allows the RTV Ghost Trap toy to drive forwards, backward, and perform smooth j-hook turns. When moving in reverse, the trap will open, and a Muncher ghost figure will pop out and try to escape!

GHOSTBUSTERS FRIGHT FEATURE FIGURES

(Ages 4 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $10.99 / Available: Fall 2021)

Fright Features are back and better than ever with the GHOSTBUSTERS Fright Feature Figures from Hasbro! With the ghastliest ghouls now, even more spooky, these 5-inch scale figures are accompanied by an interactive ‘Ghost’ figure with fright features, along with proton pack and proton blaster accessories. Once activated, ghosts stretch, spook, and cause a fright! Kids can imagine the spine-tingling frights faced by Ghostbusters, old and new!

Wave 1 includes the four original Ghostbusters, including Peter, Ray, Egon, and Winston. Wave 2 includes four human characters – Lucky, Trevor, Phoebe, and Podcast - from the 2021 Ghostbusters movie Ghostbusters: Afterlife (each sold separately). Available at most major retailers nationwide. (Each sold separately. Subject to availability.)

Hasbro Continues Their Retro Kenner Real Ghostbusters Line

F1180_F2702_F2703_PROD_GHB_Kenner_BANNER_5370x4200.jpg

Walmart.com as part of their new Virtual Con 2021 revealed that they will have three new Real Ghostbusters retro exclusives from Hasbro available on March 15th at 1pm Eastern. Among them are the iconic Fearsome Flush, Bug-Eye Ghost, and the biggest offering is a reissue of the Ecto-1!

For more, watch or listen to this Monday’s episode of the Ghostbusters Interdimensional Crossrip podcast, but in the meantime, here’s more information from Hasbro:

GHOSTBUSTERS KENNER CLASSICS ECTO-1

(Ages 4 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $49.99/ Available: April 2021)

It's a (proton) blast from the past with the GHOSTBUSTERS Kenner Classics Ecto-1 from Hasbro! Inspired by The Real Ghostbusters cartoon, with design and deco influenced by the toys from the 80s, the Kenner Classics Ecto-1 toy features moving wheels, an opening tailgate, a roof-mounted swivel blaster seat, and a deployable ghost claw so kids can imagine bustin’ and capturing ghosts with the included ghost figure.

The Kenner Classics Ecto-1 is perfect for those wanting to relive the glory days of Saturday morning cartoons and ghostly green juice boxes or those who want to introduce a new generation of fans to the Ghostbusters. Available exclusively at Walmart.

GHOSTBUSTERS KENNER CLASSICS THE REAL GHOSTBUSTERS GHOSTS

(Ages 4 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $14.99/ Available: April 2021)

It's a (proton) blast from the past with The Real Ghostbusters ghosts from Hasbro’s GHOSTBUSTERS Kenner Classics line! Inspired by The Real Ghostbusters cartoon, the packaging features design and deco influenced by the toys from the 80s. Kids can imagine eerie encounters with The Real Ghostbusters ghosts toys as it showcases fun action features, including cyclops eye-popping action from Bug-Eye and rolling action to reveal a fearsome ghost inside from Fearsome Flush.

The Real Ghostbusters Bug-Eye and Fearsome Flush toys from Hasbro’s GHOSTBUSTERS Kenner Classics line are perfect for those wanting to relive the glory days of Saturday morning cartoons and ghostly green juice boxes or those who want to introduce a new generation of fans to the Ghostbusters. Available exclusively at Walmart.

Hands-On with Hasbro's Latest Offerings

Etajj2mUUAEtEir.jpg

Our friends at Hasbro were kind enough to send along three items from their latest wave of 2021 offerings: the Kenner Retro Ghostpopper, Playskool Heroes Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man, and the revised edition of the Transformers mash-up Ectotron! All three are fantastic items for kids and collectors alike. Below are a few of our thoughts, and make sure to tune into this week’s episode of The Crossrip where Troy and Chris will chat through their thoughts in video and audio podcasting form!

Ghostpopper

A blast from the past as one of the few Real Ghostbusters Kenner items that I had as a kid (I had the proton pack, trap, Ghostpopper, and Ghost-Zappers to call my Ghostbusting arsenal back in the day). Currently a Wal-Mart exclusive, this reissued popper is almost identical to the one offered in the late 1980’s with a few key differences. Immediately noticeable is the blue coloration of the body of the thrower. While not entirely out of the ordinary for the Kenner line (most if not all of the throwers and weapons were the same distinctive blue), the original Ghostpopper had a black matte body. Most likely this change had to be made due to new restrictions on toy companies not being able to make weapons a color that could be mistaken for real. Also a change due to the times, lots and lots of warnings and advisories printed on the bottom of the body of the thrower. The packaging is a near one-to-one replica of the original box, again with more safety messaging (and the child model is now sporting safety glasses). I seem to remember the original Kenner box having three targets, where the reissue only has Stay-Puft and Slimer cardboard cutouts. Aside from that, it is 100% the exact toy that you may have had as a kid and perfect for the next generation of Ghostbuster to begin their journey as well.

Playskool Heroes Stay-Puft

More for the younger set, but an outstanding sculpt and a great likeness of Puft - which for some reason is always tough to nail down. Being Playskool, nice to have a toy for those aged 3-and-up but with my little one found that the button on the top was just a little too difficult for a three-year-old’s finger to chunk down and change the face. But, ever-resourceful, she quickly figured out she could just spin the face and that was a whole lot easier and just as much fun.

IMG_9189.jpeg
IMG_9190.jpeg

Articulation at the hip of Puft gives him a bit of a wobble that simulates walking and kind of turns him in to a bobblehead/hula doll, which is a fun touch as well. In fact, there’s a surprising amount of articulation on the figure, including arms and hands that allow a wide variety of poses.

Transformers Ectotron (Ghostbusters Afterlife Edition)

If you weren’t fortunate to pick up the original issue of the Ecto-1 Transformer in 2019, now is your chance to pick up the figure on a blister cardback with a few differences that make it Ghostbusters Afterlife specific. A Target exclusive, Ectotron is pretty much the same with a few rust details and slightly modified Ecto-Goggles, a translucent Muncher figure is now included along side the Slimer figure that was originally offered. And, still in the package the item is a great display piece just as its predecessor.

Check out a hands-on of all-three on this week’s Crossrip by hitting the link here or watching the video below!

Our thanks again to Hasbro for providing these for review, here’s more information on each of the three items, all available for purchase now!

Transformers: Generations – Transformers Collaborative: Ghostbusters: Afterlife Ecto-1 Ectotron

(Ages 8 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $59.99 / Available: January 1, 2021)

Worlds collide in this TRANSFORMERS-Ghostbusters mash-up as the iconic Ecto-1 Cadillac from the Ghostbusters: Afterlife movie converts to a TRANSFORMERS robot – the ECTO-1 ECTOTRON! He ain’t afraid of no ghosts. ECTOTRON stands at 7 inches tall, converts between Ecto-1 and robot mode in 22 steps, comes with a Proton Pack, blaster accessories, the classic 1984 Slimer ghost figure, the new Ghostbusters: Afterlife Muncher ghost figure, and an issue number 1 of the Transformers/Ghostbusters Ghosts of Cybertron comic book from IDW Publishing, featuring an exclusive cover. The figure also features an updated head sculpt, including updated Ecto-Goggles, inspired by Ghostbusters: Afterlife and afterlife Tech Specs showing the capabilities of ECTOTRON, including strength, speed, and bust-abilty.

TRANSFORMERS robots have always been MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE, but now, through the TRANSFORMERS Collaborative, fans can experience these larger than life characters as they team-up, mash-up, and meet up with other characters, teams and people who share this same special quality. Available exclusively at Target.

GHOSTBUSTERS KENNER CLASSICS GHOSTPOPPER

(Ages 8 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $19.99 / Available: January 1, 2021)

Poltergeist popping action is back with the GHOSTBUSTERS Kenner Classics Ghostpopper from Hasbro! Inspired by the classic blaster from Kenner, this retro Ghostpopper is a must have for any Ghostbusters fan and features original Kenner deco and package art inspired by the iconic look from the 80s. Comes with six soft foam Ghostpops and three cut-out ghost targets. Available exclusively at Walmart.

GHOSTBUSTERS PSA STAY PUFT MARSHMALLOW MAN

(Ages 3 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $14.99 / Available: January 1, 2021)

Inspired by the Ghostbusters entertainment franchise, this GHOSTBUSTERS Stay Puft Marshmallow Man figure brings mega fun to exciting adventures! Sized right for small hands, this bulky 10.7-inch figure features articulation and multiple preschool-perfect facial expressions. Kids can press the button on Stay Puft’s head to change his expression and imagine fun stories! Available at most major retailers nationwide.

Hasbro PulseCon Unveils Two New Toy Products

This past weekend was Hasbro’s big virtual PulseCon toy event, a two-day livestream extravaganza that included their biggest brands and some rocking performances, particularly from Jack Black and Kyle Gass and the rest of Tenacious D.

Amid the festivities were two big product reveals. Both of which went up for pre-order on Saturday 9/26 (and in the case of the Ecto, sold out almost immediately).

Here’s all the info on the new products!

GHOSTBUSTERS KENNER CLASSICS GHOSTPOPPER

(Ages 8 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $19.99 / Available: January 1, 2021)

Poltergeist popping action is back with the GHOSTBUSTERS Kenner Classics Ghostpopper from Hasbro! Inspired by the classic blaster from Kenner, this retro Ghostpopper is a must have for any Ghostbusters fan and features original Kenner deco and package art inspired by the iconic look from the 80s. Comes with six soft foam Ghostpops and three cut-out Ghost Targets. Available exclusively at Walmart.

GHOSTBUSTERS PLASMA SERIES ECTO-1

(Ages 14 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $49.99 / Available: January 1, 2021)

Commemorate the next chapter in the Ghostbusters story, GHOSTBUSTERS: Afterlife, with the GHOSTBUSTERS PLASMA SERIES ECTO-1 1/18th-scale collectible of the iconic Ecto-1 vehicle from Hasbro. Featured in the all-new GHOSTBUSTERS: Afterlife movie, this collectible features premium deco with incredible detailing inspired by the updated look of the new Ecto-1 as seen in the 2021 movie. The GHOSTBUSTERS PLASMA SERIES ECTO-1 collectible also features opening doors, movable pieces, and more features inspired by the movie. Available exclusively at Target.

As for the PulseCon event itself, you can hear Troy’s thoughts on this week’s episode of the Crossrip podcast, but here’s how the run of the show ended up going.

Part 1: Classic Ghostbusters

Panelists: Ernie Hudson, Hasbro Ghostbusters Brand Team

We’ll begin by celebrating the iconic 1984 film. Tune in for ghostly surprises, classic toy news, and a visit from a very special guest: Ernie Hudson, otherwise known as Winston Zeddemore from Ghostbusters! Get ready to hear him answer your fan questions!

Part 2: The Making of Kenner The Real Ghostbusters Toys

Panelists: Mark Boudreaux, Hasbro Ghostbusters Brand Team

We’ll continue our journey through the 80’s with an inside look at the making of the Real Ghostbusters toys from original Kenner toy designer, Mark Boudreaux. Next, you’ll see behind the scenes of sculpting with Dave. Finally, meet the Hasbro team that relaunched the Kenner Real Ghostbusters toys in 2020. Hear about how they answered the call to bring this beloved toy line back for the fans and be the first to see the next Kenner Real Ghostbusters toy to hit shelves!

Part 3: Ghostbusters Afterlife

Panelists: Jason Reitman, Hasbro Ghostbusters Brand Team

We’ll end our celebration with a nod to the future… the new Ghostbusters Afterlife feature film, coming to theaters in March 2021. Academy Award-nominated, Golden Globe-winning filmmaker Jason Reitman, director of Ghostbusters Afterlife, will take you on a tour of the Ecto-1 that was used in the new film. He’ll end his tour with an exciting reveal! You’ll then hear from the Hasbro team about the next toy inspired by the Ghostbusters Afterlife film to hit shelves!

A fun event to reach out to the fans during this stay at home pandemic to be sure. Safe to assume this is only the beginning of awesome merch to come from Hasbro given all that was seen at the New York International Toy Fair, and all that’s still to be revealed when Ghostbusters Afterlife hits theaters in 2021!

,

Ghostbusters Toys Are Coming Home to Hasbro

,
Hasbro_4c_no_R.png

Just in time for Jason Reitman’s new Ghostbusters film in 2020, Hasbro will be returning to the property that found Kenner Products success during the time of The Real Ghostbusters in the late 1980’s and will be the global master toy licensee for Ghostbusters moving forward. From 1986 to 1991, the Kenner Real Ghostbusters line was a best seller for the company. Kenner was purchased by Hasbro in 1991, around the same time the toy line came to a close.

Additionally, Hasbro has announced an ambitious and praise-worthy initiative to eliminate plastics from their packaging beginning in 2020 to assist in global efforts of conservation and sustainability.

The full press-release from Hasbro is below:

SONY PICTURES CONSUMER PRODUCTS TAPS HASBRO AS GLOBAL MASTER TOY LICENSEE FOR GHOSTBUSTERS™

New Product Line Launches in 2020

PAWTUCKET, R.I. AND LOS ANGELES – AUG. 21, 2019 – Today, Sony Pictures Consumer Products announced that Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS), a global play and entertainment company, has been named the master toy licensee for Ghostbusters worldwide. Under the terms of the agreement, Hasbro will create a wide variety of toys inspired by the franchise and its entertainment properties globally designed to appeal to both fans of the original franchise, and a new generation of Ghostbusters around the world. Hasbro’s Ghostbusters line will be available in 2020, aligning with the promotion of the highly anticipated new Ghostbusters movie that is slated for Summer 2020 in the U.S.

The upcoming product line marks a return to the Ghostbusters franchise by Hasbro. From 1986 to 1991, Kenner, which is now part of Hasbro, created and marketed The Real Ghostbusters toy line, with many of the original developers from Kenner still working with Hasbro. More recently, Hasbro collaborated with Sony Pictures to create the Transformers Generations Collaborative: Ghostbusters Mash-Up Ecto-1 Ectotron which is currently available for pre-order exclusively at GameStop and HasbroPulse.com. Additionally, a Transformers / Ghostbusters crossover comic series is now available from IDW. These collaborations honor both brands’ 35th anniversaries this year.

“Ghostbusters is an iconic and beloved franchise and we are excited and honored to return to the brand as the global master toy licensee and bring new product to the next generation of fans,” said Tom Warner, Senior Vice President, Hasbro. “Drawing on Hasbro’s proprietary insights and culture of innovation, we are working closely with Sony Pictures Consumer Products to create a dynamic new toy line that we can’t wait to share with fans around the world.”

“As we build up to release our new Ghostbusters film next year, it was a natural choice to work with Hasbro to develop an all-new line of toys that not only celebrates the new film but also brings us back to the roots of the original film and toy line,” said Jamie Stevens, Executive Vice President, Sony Pictures Consumer Products. “Hasbro has a proven track record of working with well-known IP to make a variety of high-quality toys and figures that appeal to people of all ages and we are excited to leverage this expertise to bring new product experiences to Ghostbusters fans around the world.”

FOLLOW GHOSTBUSTERS HQ ON THE SOCIAL NETWORKS