If you woke up in a Toy Store in the 1980s...

[DPrime]

Sorry guys I changed the topic title to make it appealing to everyone even those who didn't grow up around TRU...

 

For some reason I didn't put "Toy Store" at first but I thought about it!

 

Ah, now see that's why I specifically said I'd snag some Night Force stuff.

 

Seeing as how I'm Canadian and have fond memories of Consumers Distributing stores, I'd pick the all-black Cobra MOBAT. I'd also take a trip to Sears and get as many MSVs as I could!

[Devilbat]

Hmm...it would have to be a toss-up between the Flagg and the Defiant for me. Probably the Flagg...

[Cmdr_Y]

I actually had a dream where I walked in my local TRU and it was closing down so they brought out all the old returns from the past several decades. In my dreamland apparently they just kept it all in the store. Most of it was unopened - I guess lots of stuff just returned no because of any defect. Anyway - they had huge bins full of loose figures, accessories, and vehicles. It was amazing. I remember feeling so anxious in the dream because I had to go back for a cart and knew that there were other collectors in the store. Of course, it became a nightmare when I got to the check out and didn't have my wallet.

 

 

That said - I'd currently go for the shuttle complex as I'm fortunate enough to have a flagg and a terror drome. But if I didn't have any of them - and wasn't just trying to make the most on resale, I'd probably go for the Terror Drome. I think it'd have the most play value and ease of storing.

[BrotherShane]

Barbie Dreamhouse! Ah... did I just type that. @smilepunch@

 

Probably the Cobra Viper Glider, I had it as a kid and will probably never own one again.

[ARROW]

Seeing as how I'm Canadian and have fond memories of Consumers Distributing stores, I'd pick the all-black Cobra MOBAT. I'd also take a trip to Sears and get as many MSVs as I could!

 

I liked Consumers Distributing catalogues, but their one store in BC was abysmal. I got better mileage out of Toys and Wheels and a clearance outlet called Toy Traders.

 

The latter had Defiant Complexes for $75.00 and I was all ready to buy one of the damn things--but the only vehicle I had access to was my buddies Jetta--and it was too small to haul the box!

 

Another deal I had to pass on was a USS Flagg, in a Rexall drugstore that was closing--$49.99 and I was there on the last day. I was transit-dependant at the time and had no way to get it home.

Phooey.

 

I agree with some of the voices here about Child's World store.

There was one in Bellingham Washington and it was an excellent store--always some neat GIJOE stuff. TRU's stateside were always better for hunting toys in too.

[FUGAYZIE]

for me it would have to be an 1985 MOC Tomax & Xamont 2 pack. they have always been my absolute fav joe's and ripping them open as soon as my mom and i got in the car from the toy store was probably my best joe memory.

[Stygian]

This reminds me of a sweepstakes that I remember vividly from when I was a kid, which involved a shopping spree at a TRU store. I remember daydreaming about all of the stuff I would grab in that cart were I the one given the chance at said spree.

 

The above not withstanding, if I had to pick one item it would actually be quite easy for me to decide. My GI Joe Skystriker with pilot Ace was a cherished item from my youth. I actually received it as an X-mas present, but if I were dropped back into a 1980's TRU, I'd have to go with the good ol' Skystriker.

 

As an aside; ironically enough, although Ace was a favorite figure of mine in the 1980's, the 25th version is sadly lacking. Honestly I hope they re-do this figure at some point and give him more natural looking eyes. Mine currently has eyes that look like Orphan Annie pin holes! ;-)

[Card]

Glad you changed the title, as I grew up with Lionel’s play world, I didn’t see a TRU until I was done with toys as a kid.

Now if I woke up as I am today, an adult. My pick would definitely be a Defiant. I’ve been searching for a MIB Defiant for years now, it always seems to escape me, but someday I will get one.

If I woke up as a kid again, the Flagg would be my top pick. Oh I own one now, I even got it MIB, but to have been able to play with that as a kid, man I wanted one so bad when I was 11. I remember putting up pictures from a sears catalog on my parent’s pillows, funny stuff. But they always said it was too big, so no Flagg. None of the kids in my neighborhood ever had one either, so the closest I ever got was that too cool for words display Lionel’s had. I remember all of the huge play sets displayed up near the top of the racks, I wish I had pictures. Now I was lucky and I did have a terrordome as a kid, so it wasn’t all bad.

[CapnJeffro]

Glad you changed the title, as I grew up with Lionel’s play world, I didn’t see a TRU until I was done with toys as a kid.

 

Same here. Lionel Playworld (Turn that frown upside down!) was a haven for all things Joe. They had an aisle that was stocked full and I remember seeing older items years after they were released (of course my memories might be a bit embellished..) But If I could pick one and only one item it would either be a Stinger or a Rattler. Always wanted an original of both or either.