TMNT Retro Storage Shell Turtle Figures From Playmates Toys

[JayC]

Playmates Toys is back with another round of retro re-releases, this time re-releasing their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Retro Storage Shell Turtle figures.

These have been in and out of stock on the Target website and hitting physical Target stores. While Target is the first to have them available they are not exclusives and should be offered elsewhere at a later time. See direct links for them on the Target website. They cost $11.99 each.

- Donatello

- Michelangelo

- Raphael

- Leonardo

[interoceptive]

What an odd choice. I'm not on any TMNT specific boards so I could be wrong but it feels like these will only interest

1. Collectors of rare TMNT stuff who don't care if it's cool or looks good but care more about oddities and rarities... but then they would prefer the real thing since their interest is in the "rarity" of the genuine item

2. Collectors who want a more complete TMNT collection but can't get the rare item so may be happy to have this instead. Although vintage collectors who care about something being "the original" and not just looking like it wont be interested so that's a 70/30 split I think.

3. Collectors who genuinely consider this particular item to be good with or without nostalgia and just like it regardless of whether its the original or re-release. There may be dozens of these people but these particular figures were some of the weaker more gimmicky ones IMO so it's hard to imagine someone right now looking at these and going, you know what there are so many well sculpted fun TMNT figures but these right here are what I really want.

4. At this price-point many may grab one as a curiosity. I have to admit I am a bit smitten by Raphael's packaging with implores the reader to "Shove it in my shell".

[BradDCUGeek]

I had that Donatello way back in the day. I'll be keeping  my eye out for these. 

[Lord_Scareglow]

I almost didn't even remember that Ralph, Leo and Mikey got Storage shell figures, because when I was a kid I remember it was solely Don first and for some time, they then later gave the rest of the turtles the gimmick, I always liked these because they had cool facial expressions and as a Kid was drawn to the fact they had the colored belts, I might just buy these on and keep em on Card for fun, I still have a complete Don though on display, and I still adore that fig.

[MagnaPrime]

Spotted all but Donatello in mid Missouri.  I wish they'd do to turtles what Mattel has done to motu though.

[ucsf]

5 hours ago, BradDCUGeek said:

I had that Donatello way back in the day. I'll be keeping  my eye out for these. 

Same here. This is going to be a hit one. I tend to believe that these figures are fan favourite ones that can be finally re-owned byus, fans. Nice move, Playmates.

[A_Spidey_Fan]

Glad to see Playmates finally re-releasing the original Storage Shell Turtles.  1 of those variants that I think works, especially since it's 1 of those rare ones where they look has their normal look(Instead of stuff like "Outerspace Ralph", or "Punk Rocker Don", or something like that).  Been waiting to see if they would re-release these all the way back at least when Playmates began re-releasing the original figures again back in 2012 or 2013 as part of the 30th Anniversary line, especially after they went past the 1st year/wave of figures. 

 

Always loved the idea that you could store the extra accessories inside their shells.  I'm also glad to see that they are being released as single figures, and not in a Collectors Boxset with 4 x carded figures inside.  I will get Donatello for sure, and most likely Raphael(I got the 2021/2022 re-issue of the 1987 figure of Ralph, but I do still want the Storage Shell version).  I may still try and get a 1987 re-issue Don down the road, just so that I can have all 4 Turtles in their 1987 look. 

 

Don't need Storage Shell Mike or Leo, since I got the 2012/2013 re-release of their 1987 figures, though I have to admit, I do like Leo's Brass Knuckles.  The reason why I want it is way, is so that I can have both Leo and Mike in their 1987 based molds, and Don and Ralph in their Storage Shells as my Main Turtles for my collection, so that at least, there is a sense of something different between 2 of each Turtles.  

 

Just realised though, that Storage Shell Leo has 2 Brass Kunckles for this release instead of 1 like the original, since the original came with a Grapple Hook instead.  Not a big deal, since I think having 2 Brass Knuckles makes more sense than just 1, but something for those who want things to be exact.  Looks like the rest of the Turtles seem to have the exact same accessories.  Here's a link from the Turtles Wiki Page on the original Storage Shell Leo:

 

- https://turtlepedia.fandom.com/wiki/Leonardo_with_Storage_Shell_(1991_action_figure)

 

 

 

[JayC]

Shown below via Preternia is a scan of a magazine advertisement from Playmates Toys showing more TMNT Retro reissues in the works. Coming to Walmart stores will be the 1989 12" Turtle figures as well as re-issues of their Pizza Tossin' Turtles.

I believe these may have or will soon be hitting physical stores but no word on when they will be made available online.

[RoddyDrama]

Umm... the 12inch Turtles are already at Target. Weird thing is they are coming in as cases of 3. Leo, Raph and Donnie. No Mikey. 

[MagnaPrime]

Why is don missing from the pizza launchers?

[toynewman]

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Tossin' Turtles: Pizza Tossin' Raphael, Pizza Tossin' Leonardo and Pizza Tossin' Michelangelo which are exclusive to Walmart are now listed BUT not available yet on Walmart.com! They have also been hitting stores across the US. Be patient and don't feel you have to buy from third party sellers!

[Artoyz]

As a child I never liked the action styled figures. But the nostalgia is awesome.