[RETRO] Grapplers & Gimmicks by Hasttel Toy

[drnickriviera995]

Oct 2, 2024 16:04:32 GMT -5 AttitudeLegendCollector said:

Oct 2, 2024 14:01:31 GMT -5 walter7paisley said:

Mattel don't really have a clue what they're doing when it comes to retros.

Agreed, they’re the worst by far and I stopped getting them a few series ago. It feels like they’re stuck between making an actual kids toy but with adult collectors licences. I think they look awful on the whole.

Yeah, I'm no longer excited much by them, I'll still collect since unfortunately they've got so many names that are locked up and we can't get them for the foreseeable future from Mitch or the other companies. But, I'm not out buying on day one like I had been years ago. I still need the past 2 waves, waiting til black Friday, hope something is on sale.

[@Chair.Shot]

Mattel Retros are something I will continue to support and buy every one they release…but I do agree that the magic has faded. Steve was absolutely amazing a few weeks ago when he did the rounds with all those podcasts and he was really able to shed some light on why things are the way they are, some of the challenges the line faces, and he instilled some missing optimism for the future of the line. Given the limited budget they have to work with, I think they are doing a lot of things right. If I were to have an open and honest conversation with the MDT about the line, I would ask “what can be done to improve the look and feel of the heads?”

The second thing that I would want to discuss are the future lineups. They have a game plan in place and seem to be sticking to it. Understandable. They see the sales numbers and we don’t. We are a small but vocal crowd. But I would like to know what kind of options are on the table to pivot towards regaining some of that lost enthusiasm. If the numbers show that we are wrong and the line is steady or growing, then there would be little more to discuss. They would have done their jobs effectively and to the satisfaction of management.

[drnickriviera995]

Oct 2, 2024 22:45:39 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

Mattel Retros are something I will continue to support and buy every one they release…but I do agree that the magic has faded. Steve was absolutely amazing a few weeks ago when he did the rounds with all those podcasts and he was really able to shed some light on why things are the way they are, some of the challenges the line faces, and he instilled some missing optimism for the future of the line. Given the limited budget they have to work with, I think they are doing a lot of things right. If I were to have an open and honest conversation with the MDT about the line, I would ask “what can be done to improve the look and feel of the heads?”

The second thing that I would want to discuss are the future lineups. They have a game plan in place and seem to be sticking to it. Understandable. They see the sales numbers and we don’t. We are a small but vocal crowd. But I would like to know what kind of options are on the table to pivot towards regaining some of that lost enthusiasm. If the numbers show that we are wrong and the line is steady or growing, then there would be little more to discuss. They would have done their jobs effectively and to the satisfaction of management.

Interesting insights, I do hope things could get more exciting for the line, but I'm not holding my breath.

I'd fully be willing to pay the prices I'm paying Mitch and other companies for Mattels if they would bring the molding and detail up to that level. They don't even need the actions IMO, just make them look like proper Hasbros and I'll pay a premium price. There is so much potential for great things given the names they have available, but the stuff they've put out at the current price point is not on that level. Not too many of them that I'd have happily displayed alongside my Hasbros, there are a few good ones, but not many.

[MKSavage]

Oct 3, 2024 7:02:02 GMT -5 drnickriviera995 said:

Oct 2, 2024 22:45:39 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

Mattel Retros are something I will continue to support and buy every one they release…but I do agree that the magic has faded. Steve was absolutely amazing a few weeks ago when he did the rounds with all those podcasts and he was really able to shed some light on why things are the way they are, some of the challenges the line faces, and he instilled some missing optimism for the future of the line. Given the limited budget they have to work with, I think they are doing a lot of things right. If I were to have an open and honest conversation with the MDT about the line, I would ask “what can be done to improve the look and feel of the heads?”

The second thing that I would want to discuss are the future lineups. They have a game plan in place and seem to be sticking to it. Understandable. They see the sales numbers and we don’t. We are a small but vocal crowd. But I would like to know what kind of options are on the table to pivot towards regaining some of that lost enthusiasm. If the numbers show that we are wrong and the line is steady or growing, then there would be little more to discuss. They would have done their jobs effectively and to the satisfaction of management.

Interesting insights, I do hope things could get more exciting for the line, but I'm not holding my breath.

I'd fully be willing to pay the prices I'm paying Mitch and other companies for Mattels if they would bring the molding and detail up to that level. They don't even need the actions IMO, just make them look like proper Hasbros and I'll pay a premium price. There is so much potential for great things given the names they have available, but the stuff they've put out at the current price point is not on that level. Not too many of them that I'd have happily displayed alongside my Hasbros, there are a few good ones, but not many.

Agreed. If they would just make new molds that look like the Hasbro-style, I'd gladly pay a higher price for them. The ones they have now look bloated and amateurish compared to the original Hasbro's and some of the ones we get from smaller companies. The Anvil, the Ultimate Warrior, Lex Luger, and John Cena should not all have the same torso. I guess if I had to ask a question to MDT it would be "what would the price of these be if each figure came with a distinct mold like the original Hasbro's did (first 5 series)?" Would it be similar to the smaller companies, $30-40 per figure, higher? 

[AttitudeLegendCollector]

Oct 3, 2024 7:02:02 GMT -5 drnickriviera995 said:

Oct 2, 2024 22:45:39 GMT -5 @Chair.Shot said:

Mattel Retros are something I will continue to support and buy every one they release…but I do agree that the magic has faded. Steve was absolutely amazing a few weeks ago when he did the rounds with all those podcasts and he was really able to shed some light on why things are the way they are, some of the challenges the line faces, and he instilled some missing optimism for the future of the line. Given the limited budget they have to work with, I think they are doing a lot of things right. If I were to have an open and honest conversation with the MDT about the line, I would ask “what can be done to improve the look and feel of the heads?”

The second thing that I would want to discuss are the future lineups. They have a game plan in place and seem to be sticking to it. Understandable. They see the sales numbers and we don’t. We are a small but vocal crowd. But I would like to know what kind of options are on the table to pivot towards regaining some of that lost enthusiasm. If the numbers show that we are wrong and the line is steady or growing, then there would be little more to discuss. They would have done their jobs effectively and to the satisfaction of management.

Interesting insights, I do hope things could get more exciting for the line, but I'm not holding my breath.

I'd fully be willing to pay the prices I'm paying Mitch and other companies for Mattels if they would bring the molding and detail up to that level. They don't even need the actions IMO, just make them look like proper Hasbros and I'll pay a premium price. There is so much potential for great things given the names they have available, but the stuff they've put out at the current price point is not on that level. Not too many of them that I'd have happily displayed alongside my Hasbros, there are a few good ones, but not many.

The heads are definitely weird, they’re clearly using the elite heads in some form and I know budget is a thing but that’s not my job to worry about, I want retro style, Hasbro style figures that can fit into a retro style collection - I’d rather pay more and get that product than pay less and not be able to collect because of the shitty style and cost cutting.

We don’t need working actions for a start, save money there and work on getting them to look better. The bodies are even weirder, tiny legs, weird shapes and sizes. I want Hasbro gap fillers or conceivable continuations…Mitch should not be producing Bulldogs that are a million times better than what Mattel is putting out but the reality he is.

I’m getting ahead here but I’m glad Mitch has Jake over Mattel as I think he’ll do a much better job (hopefully) and I’d bet Epic’s upcoming Vader will ruin Mattel’s version.

[AttitudeLegendCollector]

I noticed Mitch sending emails about KoKo and Macho stating last chance to grab pre-order pricing - do we know what the prices go up to?

Generally, I understand offering an incentive to pre-order but whilst he’s definitely had more successes recently like Mero, I’m still not sure he’s got the consistency that makes this a fair process for collectors. I think his consistency needs to come up a little more before we should feel 100% confident to pre order without being punished price wise.

[kojikanemoto]

Oct 3, 2024 15:18:49 GMT -5 AttitudeLegendCollector said:

I noticed Mitch sending emails about KoKo and Macho stating last chance to grab pre-order pricing - do we know what the prices go up to?

Generally, I understand offering an incentive to pre-order but whilst he’s definitely had more successes recently like Mero, I’m still not sure he’s got the consistency that makes this a fair process for collectors. I think his consistency needs to come up a little more before we should feel 100% confident to pre order without being punished price wise.

If you’re a bit apprehensive, I don’t think the savings is enough honestly. It’s been like $5-10 more when “in stock”

[walter7paisley]

Bulldog '96 is up on Rock and Roll Collectables. Says £38 but when you click it it's £42. Doesn't look like the waist issue has been sorted, but that doesn't really bother me too much. It's a nice looking figure and a great look represented.

[dollyjargon]

Oct 4, 2024 8:26:59 GMT -5 walter7paisley said:

Bulldog '96 is up on Rock and Roll Collectables. Says £38 but when you click it it's £42. Doesn't look like the waist issue has been sorted, but that doesn't really bother me too much. It's a nice looking figure and a great look represented.

I quite like the waist on the Bulldog 95/96 figures - Davey was bulging out of his gear even after his physique peaked in the early 90’s.

[walter7paisley]

Oct 4, 2024 10:41:30 GMT -5 dollyjargon said:

Oct 4, 2024 8:26:59 GMT -5 walter7paisley said:

Bulldog '96 is up on Rock and Roll Collectables. Says £38 but when you click it it's £42. Doesn't look like the waist issue has been sorted, but that doesn't really bother me too much. It's a nice looking figure and a great look represented.

I quite like the waist on the Bulldog 95/96 figures - Davey was bulging out of his gear even after his physique peaked in the early 90’s.

Yeah it wouldn't stop me from buying them. They look great.

Anyone know if these are ready to ship?

[drnickriviera995]

Ordered the CC Bulldog, looks good. Anyone know for sure, is this the last Bulldog we know of atm? Or there more coming?

[MKSavage]

Oct 4, 2024 21:02:41 GMT -5 drnickriviera995 said:

Ordered the CC Bulldog, looks good. Anyone know for sure, is this the last Bulldog we know of atm? Or there more coming?

I thought he was doing one more 1997 Hart Foundation version. Different design on trunks & kneepads, and with gold tassels instead of white. 



I passed on the 1995 version. But I wouldn't mind if he did a 1994 version: 


I also wouldn't mind a 1991 version:

 

[walter7paisley]

Oct 4, 2024 21:50:57 GMT -5 MKSavage said:

Oct 4, 2024 21:02:41 GMT -5 drnickriviera995 said:

Ordered the CC Bulldog, looks good. Anyone know for sure, is this the last Bulldog we know of atm? Or there more coming?

I thought he was doing one more 1997 Hart Foundation version. Different design on trunks & kneepads, and with gold tassels instead of white. 



I passed on the 1995 version. But I wouldn't mind if he did a 1994 version: 


I also wouldn't mind a 1991 version:

 

I think the gold tassels version is a limited exclusive, not sure how limited.

[walter7paisley]

Oct 4, 2024 21:02:41 GMT -5 drnickriviera995 said:

Ordered the CC Bulldog, looks good. Anyone know for sure, is this the last Bulldog we know of atm? Or there more coming?

I'm not certain, but I hope there's more. I'm waiting to see if anyone does a Galoob style Bulldog, which is a dream of mine as far as wrestling figures go.

[drnickriviera995]

Oct 5, 2024 1:01:03 GMT -5 walter7paisley said:

Oct 4, 2024 21:50:57 GMT -5 MKSavage said:

I thought he was doing one more 1997 Hart Foundation version. Different design on trunks & kneepads, and with gold tassels instead of white. 



I passed on the 1995 version. But I wouldn't mind if he did a 1994 version: 


I also wouldn't mind a 1991 version:

 

I think the gold tassels version is a limited exclusive, not sure how limited.

Forgot he wore long tights with the unbraided hair. I'd love to see that one made too. Pretty much the Bend'Em' attire.

[kiphouse]

Im hoping he surprises us with the red tights gold letters gear

[Scotty Flamingo]

It really seems like all of his looks have been covered by now in some way by now except for his 99 return in the jeans. It is time to start focusing on trying to get some new talent out in the line we don’t have.

[kojikanemoto]

I opened my 95 Bulldog, the waist overhang isn’t too bad, it doesn’t really bother me. I would have preferred if it fit together a little better since they were all being designed and produced at the same time but it’s ok.

I’m not even that big of a Bulldog fan and I’ve ordered the 95, 96 special and the Diana 2-pack. And I want the gold tassels 97. Keep up the great work Mitch!

[brad]

Very excited to see Jake… hope it involves black tights w flames and a Cobra… (how in the world has Mattel not made this?)

[Bandalero]

grateful for his restock inventory. Was bummed I missed the Bulldog/Diana 2-pack because I think that Bulldog is so dang accurate and closest to Hasbros I've ever seen and a rare instance where it's better than the Hasbro-version, but I was able to snag it just now.