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

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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.)

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The Mini-Puft Invasion Has Begun

We all woke up to a changed world yesterday.

Early on Wednesday morning, Jason Reitman and the official Ghostbusters social media channels surprised us all with a film clip from the upcoming Ghostbusters: Afterlife. The clip, featuring Paul Rudd’s character “Mr. Grooberson” wandering the dessert aisles at Wal-Mart when he hears a scream and goes to investigate. But what he finds ends up being a lot cuter and/or malicious than he may have been expecting.

The short and fun clip is a great example of what’s in store, as nostalgia bones are tickled while the lines between comedy and horror are straddled much like the original Ghostbusters film did. And it’s safe to say that the chaos in that Wal-Mart store is probably just beginning. The clip is also abridged for marketing purposes with several cuts that make it apparent it falls into a larger sequence to be revealed when we’re seeing the film for the first time on the big screen this November.

And the clip is well-timed to start the engine revving of the merchandise powerhouse to come with the film’s release. This morning, Hasbro unveiled what is probably just the tip of the iceberg on their upcoming Afterlife (and Mini-Puft) related merchandise: a blind bag set of Mini-Pufts in various poses.

The bags will be available this Fall, just in time for the holiday season. Here is all the information fit to print from Hasbro:

GHOSTBUSTERS MINI-PUFT SURPRISE 

(Ages 4 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $5.39 / Available: Fall 2021)

Choose the smallest, most collectible method of your destruction with the GHOSTBUSTERS Mini-Pufts Surprise figures from Hasbro. Detailed to look like characters from the 2021 Ghostbusters: Afterlife film, each series of 1.5-inch Mini-Puft figures is inspired by the original Stay Puft Marshmallow Man but comes equipped with new mischievous personalities from the movie. Kids and collectors alike can open the Stay Puft Marshmallow can and dig into the goopy marshmallow-like compound to see which Mini-Puft figure is inside. 

With multiple blind waves and six unique figures per wave for the GHOSTBUSTERS Mini-Pufts Surprise figures, boys and girls can collect them all! Available at most major retailers nationwide.GHOSTBUSTERS MINI-PUFT SURPRISE

(Ages 4 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $5.39 / Available: Fall 2021)

Choose the smallest, most collectible method of your destruction with the GHOSTBUSTERS Mini-Pufts Surprise figures from Hasbro. Detailed to look like characters from the 2021 Ghostbusters: Afterlife film, each series of 1.5-inch Mini-Puft figures is inspired by the original Stay Puft Marshmallow Man but comes equipped with new mischievous personalities from the movie. Kids and collectors alike can open the Stay Puft Marshmallow can and dig into the goopy marshmallow-like compound to see which Mini-Puft figure is inside.

With multiple blind waves and six unique figures per wave for the GHOSTBUSTERS Mini-Pufts Surprise figures, boys and girls can collect them all! Available at most major retailers nationwide.

Hands-On with Hasbro's Latest Offerings

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.

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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.

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.

Get Ready for PulseCon 2020 - Hasbro's First Livestream Virtual Event

Hasbro has announced a live virtual event on September 25th and 26th where announcements across all its product lines, including Ghostbusters, will be made. The event follows in the footsteps of DC’s Fandome event providing targeted and focused convention experiences to a larger audience.

At the same time as the event, the exclusive “Tully’s Terrible Night” Plasma Series set will go on sale in the US & Canada via the Hasbro Pulse site.

More information on programming and when the Ghostbusters section of the virtual convention are to come, but until then here is the full press release from Hasbro:

HASBRO ANNOUNCES 2-DAY VIRTUAL EVENT “HASBRO PULSECON”

– THE ULTIMATE POP CULTURE CELEBRATION FOR FANS

Hasbro PulseCon Promises Front Row Access via Livestream to Hasbro’s Iconic Fan Brands, Music and Entertainment September 25-26, 2020; Only on the Hasbro Pulse YouTube Channel

PAWTUCKET, RI – August 31st, 2020 – Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) today announced the first-ever Hasbro PulseCon, a 2-day virtual event that gives fans unprecedented access to their favorite Hasbro brands, music & entertainment. Taking place on September 25-26, 2020 exclusively on the Hasbro Pulse YouTube Channel and hosted by SYFY Wire on-air correspondent, writer, and producer, Jackie Jennings, Hasbro PulseCon promises fans in the US and Canada a front row seat to panels, talent appearances, brand reveals, product giveaways and more; connecting consumers to their favorite brands in an immersive, one-of-a-kind setting that, along with the eOne portfolio, will bring fans the best in entertainment, music, and toys. Announcements for new innovations and product reveals will take place for brands including Dungeons & Dragons, G.I. Joe, Magic: The Gathering, Power Rangers, Transformers as well as premiere partner brands Marvel, Star Wars™, Ghostbusters, and more.

PulseCon delivers the experience and connection of conventions for free and right from the comforts of fans’ homes. Highlights from the virtual event will consist of live unboxings, over 50 new product reveals and pre-orders, coveted Hasbro PulseCon exclusive merchandise, livestream panels featuring celebrities and audience Q&A, and surprise experiHasbro ences. “To be a part of this new virtual experience that celebrates fan culture and incorporates so many different iconic entertainment properties is truly a thrilling opportunity and I can’t wait for fans to check it out,” says Jackie Jennings, Hasbro PulseCon host.

“We are constantly impressed by our fan community and their unwavering passion for Hasbro brands. The Hasbro Pulse community was built with them in mind, and we’re excited to take fan-first engagement with our Pulse platform even deeper,” says Eric Nyman, Chief Consumer Officer, Hasbro. “We’re looking forward to celebrating the fans, providing community connection at a time where everyone needs it most, and ultimately delivering a peek behind the curtain on their favorite brands in a way only Hasbro can.”

Fans will also be able to get their hands on Hasbro PulseCon exclusive items, available only at Hasbro PulseCon in the US & Canada, including:

·        Ghostbusters Plasma Series Tully’s Terrible Night (Ages 4 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $49.99 / Available: September 2020)

·        G.I. Joe Classified Series Snake Supreme Cobra Commander Action Figure (Ages 4 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $29.99 / Available: September 2020)

·        Power Rangers Lightning Collection Mighty Morphin Lord Drakkon Evo III Figure (Ages 4 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $49.99 / Available: September 2020)

·        Transformers: Generations War for Cybertron Trilogy: Quintesson Pit of Judgement 5-Pack (Ages 8 and Up / Approx. Retail Price: $69.99 / Available: September 2020)

·        Marvel Legends Series 6-Inch Hellfire Club Collection

(Ages 4 years and up / Approx. Retail Price: $79.99 / Available: September 2020)

·        Marvel Legends Series 6-Inch X-Men Marvel’s Logan & Charles Xavier Figure 2-Pack

(Ages 14 years and up / Approx. Retail Price: $49.99 / Available: September 2020)

·        Star Wars: The Vintage Collection Star Wars: The Clone Wars 501st Legion ARC Troopers Figure 3-Pack (Ages 4 years and up / Approx. Retail Price: $49.99 / Available: September 2020)

·        Star Wars: The Black Series Heroes of Endor Figure Set

(Ages 4 years and up / Approx. Retail Price: $109.99 / Available: September 2020)

·        Star Wars: The Black Series 6-Inch-Scale Hoth Wampa Figure

(Ages 4 years and up / Approx. Retail Price: $29.99 / Available: September 2020)

Additional details and scheduling will be announced soon. To stay up to date, fans can follow @HasbroPulse on Instagram and visit HasbroPulseCon.com for more details.

Crossrip Episode #309 - Talking with the Playmobil Creative Team!

This week on the show, we talk with the German team behind the Playmobil toys and trailers! Joining us around the 30 minute-mark are Alex Ruff (Licensing and Marketing, Product Management at Playmobil), Peter Ohegyi (Project Management, Animated Shorts and Games Apps at Playmobil), and Regina Welker (Creative Director at Woodblock) to talk about the upcoming line-up, the functionality and design of the toys, the future, and a little behind the scenes on the amazing four "reveal trailers" the team created to announce the toy line. But first, some quick news including Saturn Award nominations, Ghostheads out doing good deeds, and more!

Listen here now!