In 1984, the world was first introduced to two teams of heroes, both based out of New York City, and each comprised of four members with a distinct set of talents. Operating in two different dimensions (and under different rights holders), the odds of the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES working alongside the GHOSTBUSTERS seemed unlikely. Defying the odds, that’s exactly what happened back in 2014, when IDW Publishing brought the whole crew together for an interdimensional adventure in comic book form, released as a 30th anniversary celebration for the two franchises. Now, in 2017, they’ve come back together for a comic book sequel, and for the first time ever… toys. From Playmates Toys comes NINJA GHOSTBUSTERS, a collection action figures that features the Turtles as their Ghostbusters counterparts! Sent to us for review, NINJA GHOSTBUSTERS land not only in my annual Halloween countdown, but also on the 2017 Holiday Wish Guide™!
These Ninja Ghostbusters are a little bigger than the standard TMNT collection, and they’re priced at a premium – $19.99 as a Target Exclusive. Each 6″ figure has a bulk to it – a heft that the basic figures don’t. The accessories are impressive, and all four members of the team come with their own Proton Pack complete with a “spectral blaster” (aka the Neutrino Wand), a PKE Meter, Ghost Trap, and a unique ghost based on one from the 1984 film.
We have Donatello as Egon Spengler, Leonardo as Ray Stanz, Michelangelo as Peter Venkman and Raphael as Winston Zeddemore – each taking on the visual traits of their human equivalent (Raph’s mustache is fantastic). While these are no doubt marketed more toward the grownup “collector,” they’re great for the kids, and mine (and their friends) have been having a great time with these, and will no doubt continue to play with them for a very long time to come.
The articulation on each figure is nice, as is the detail on the accessories. On the Proton Pack, there is a clip that can easily hold the PKE Meter, Ghost Trap or Wand. One thing that should be noted is that the wands have a permanently attached Proton stream (in the color for its turtle) that can be spun around via a little wheel on each one. It would be cool if these were removable to place the wand in its familiar position on the pack, but we’ve just been pointing them upward with the stream attached. That’s just a small point of criticism for what are undoubtedly my favorite TMNT figures of the year!
I have to say, I was so excited when these arrived at The Toy Testing Facility at Rock Father HQ, I had to break into my reserves for a can of Ecto Cooler. Indeed, the Coca-Cola Company retired the Hi-C Ecto Cooler at the end of 2016, placing it back into the vault after a temporary resurrection to coincide with Paul Feig’s Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, but I saved a few cans. They may be outdated, but they’re okay…
Photo Props Featured in the Review: ReadySetz Urban Playset; Ghostbusters Ecto-1 by PLAYMOBIL; NECA Stay Puft Marshmallow Man (2004 release).
