The 1980s was the glory period for toy companies. The decade had started with Kenner finding massive success thanks to Star Wars. The idea soon grew that toy companies could make a fortune by creating cartoons based on lines and thus enhancing their popularity. That led to such epic hits as Transformers, G.I. Joe, Thundercats, Masters of the Universe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and more.
These toy lines were so popular that they overshadowed other toy lines. Many of those unpopular toys were obvious rip-offs of far more successful lines, but some had original concepts and designs. Bad timing or marketing often led those toys to fail. Given the nostalgia for the 1980s, some of those toy lines have been rediscovered and have been a hit in online catalogs. Sadly, others are still waiting for their moment. Those overlooked toys deserve renewed attention from 80s kids and toy enthusiasts of the present.
Updated on May 3, 2023, by Michael Colwander: The 1980s were underway 40 years ago. 1980s nostalgia has been ramping up thanks to shows like Stranger Things. For those who experienced the 1980s first-hand, these toys should invoke plenty of fond memories.
25 BraveStarr
Filmation had already gained huge fame by creating Masters of the Universe. They tried their hand at a follow-up animated show with a unique space western hybrid. On the planet of New Texas, miners and settlers have to put up with the attacks of the magical bandit Tex Hex. Enter BraveStarr, a marshall with “the strength of a bear, the speed of a cheetah, eyes of a hawk, and ears of a wolf.”
The BraveStarr toy lineup fits right at home alongside modern space western toys. There were vehicles like a floating stagecoach and a nice town set. While BraveStarr was mostly forgotten, it still deserves props for its quality attempt at a space western.
24 SilverHawks
After Thundercats became a monster hit as both a cartoon and toy line, Rankin/Bass and Bandai worked to create a big follow-up. SilverHawks took place in a distant future and focused on a group of armored heroes who could fly through space. They faced the evil Mon*Star, who could transform himself into an even more villainous creature.
The SilverHawks toy line stood out for the metallic armor that was designed to shine, whether it was Quicksilver’s silver armor to Copper Kidd’s golden shine. Also impressive is the Miraj, or Mirage, flying craft for being large enough to house other figures. SilverHawks never approached Thundercats’ success, but this was still a good toy line/cartoon for fans of the time to enjoy.
23 Super Naturals
Long before 3-D tech became commonplace, fans loved seeing odd holograms, which toys took advantage of. Super Naturals was one of the more daring uses of it. During a huge battle, a group of good and evil warriors are sealed inside a tomb. Freed after centuries, these ghosts now clash in battles.
The figures had flattened chests and holographic faces. Fans could snap on head and shoulders attachment that also boasted a holographic face. This led to the figures taking on very spooky appearances that enhanced the ghost theme. Despite its cool premise, Super Naturals didn’t last very long. Yet for the daring use of the holograms, it should be remembered better for its original concept.
22 Starriors
Starriors had a novel concept. When Earth is threatened by solar storms, scientists craft three classes of robots: the Protectors to restore Earth, the Destructors to fight off invasions, and the Guardians to protect humanity when they hibernate to survive the cataclysm. The Destructors decide they don’t want to share the planet with humans and dominate the planet.
Centuries later, a group of robots discover humans in hiding and set off to free them. The Starrior line was good with some uniquely designed robot figures that included snakes, dinosaurs that could turn into buzz saws, and more. Sadly, with Transformers taking off, Starriors suffered a quick demise. Yet Starriors showed there was more than one toy line of robots that deserved attention in the 1980s.
21 Golden Girl And The Guardians Of The Gemstones
Golden Girl and the Guardians of the Gemstones deserve credit for going against the conventional norms of its time by putting the focus on female warriors. These warriors constantly train and compete with each other to stay in shape to fight off enemies.
Each character toy came with a sword and shield with went well with their powerful looks and fashionable style. While She-Ra overtook it in popularity, Golden Girl and the Guardians of the Gemstones should be remembered for also being ahead of its time by presenting “girl power” as a serious fighting force.
20 Rock Lords
GoBots was one of the more obvious Transformers rip-offs only lacking the same size, power, inventiveness, and fun. In a desperate attempt to get attention, they created a spin-off called Rock Lords. In Rock Lords, rocks transform into robots and are divided into heroic cave-type rocks and villainous volcano-type ones.
There are only so many ways to make toy rocks stand out and even attempts to build on it, like a two-headed figure, didn’t move the needle. To little surprise, Rock Lords faded fast. As underwhelming as GoBots were, the attempted spin-off series fared far worse.
19 Air Raiders
Air Raiders may be one of the best toy lines that never got a cartoon or comic spin-off. On the distant planet of Airlanda, an ecological disaster has rendered much of the planet inhospitable. The ruthless Tyrants of Wind seized control of the remaining fresh air supply and use it to control the populace. A band of Air Raiders carry out attacks to steal as much of that air as they can.
The Air Raiders line boasted some very cool vehicles meant to enhance the Raiders' aerial combat. Sadly, the lack of exposure from a cartoon led to the Air Raiders line dying out, which is a shame given how cool the vehicles looked.
18 Bionic Six
Bionic Six was an underrated cartoon that inspired a fun action figure line. A family that includes adopted children uses bionics to become superheroes. The characters boasted good looks and fun attachments, like Sport-1 having a baseball glove. Also among the Bionic Six is the strange F.L.U.F.F.I., the gorilla-like robot helper who stood out from the pack.
Opposing the Bionic Six is the twisted Dr. Scarab and his mutated band of helpers. The Bionic Six cartoon used funny writing and a cool theme song, but its action figure line wasn’t as well known. Still, it’s worth tracking down to show the nice symmetry that made the cartoon and toy industry of the 1980s work well.
17 Captain Power
Unlike so many children show's at the time, Captain Power was incredibly dark, set in a future where machines have conquered the world and a band of armored humans resists them. This live-action show had shockingly adult themes and moments. It also used CGI animation that was still very new in the 1980s.
The Captain Power action figures were pretty standard, which include a flying craft with a blaster attached. Watching a special video, kids could use the fighter to “blast” the screen and an interactive aspect not seen back then. In many ways, both the Captain Power show and its toy line were ahead of their time.
16 Jayce And The Wheeled Warriors
Vehicle toy lines are nothing new for Mattel, but Jayce and the Wheeled Warriors were one of their more fanciful. In Wheeled Warriors, Jayce was a young prince out to find his missing father and unite their halves of a mystical medallion in pursuit of peace. Jayce led the Lightning League, a quirky group that drove unique vehicles. Opposing them were Saw Boss and his Monster Minds, plant-like creatures who actually transformed into their own vehicles.
The Wheeled Warriors toy line had some fun designs that could appeal to the Mad Max fans of today. The Lightning League's vehicles were pure metal, while the Monster Minds' were more organic and dark. The Wheeled Warriors cartoon itself is mostly forgotten, but the vehicles stood out for their time, which helped develop a fandom.
15 Visionaries
Visionaries was a unique Hasbro toy line that took place in the scientifically advanced world of Prysmos. With no warning, all science fails leaving the world is forced to go back to ancient magic. The wizard Merklynn organizes a competition that divides a great power between the noble Spectral Knights and the Evil Darkling Lords.
Each warrior has a chest plate boasting a holographic creature that can transform into a solid and combative animal. While this setup didn't translate as well in action figure form, the holograms still looked cool and the armor designs helped them stand out. Sadly, the Visionaries series was canceled before a second wave of figures could be released.
14 Ring Raiders
Ring Raiders was a jet-themed toy line based around the Skull Squadron, using their elite planes to try to take over the world. Opposing them are the Ring Raiders, who use an aircraft carrier to go back in time and train with the greatest pilots in history.
Each jet was attached to a ring that the players put on their fingers, so they could "fly" the jets or even launch them in the air. Ring Raiders could have been a great idea, but a cartoon series struggled to build a fanbase. Not to mention, the Ring Raiders' toys proved fragile and broke easily. Thus, Ring Raiders failed to take off nearly as well as their creators had hoped.
13 Power Lords
Power Lords may have some shades of Masters of the Universe, but the expressive designs of its toy line helped it stand out in 1983. Adam Power was a human astronaut who crashed into a distant alien world. He was given a magical gem that could transform his body and defend the galaxy against the evil Arkus. With a click, Power’s body transformed from a human to a blue-skinned warrior.
Power Lords was designed by popular fantasy artist Wayne Barlowe who crafted some truly alien creatures unlike anything else on the toy shelves of the time. The Power Lord toy itself was the standout while Arkus oozes menace and inhuman evil. It’s surprising Power Lords faded into obscuity, since it was one of the better Masters of the Universe knock-offs.
12 Sky Commanders
Sky Commanders was a 1987 toy line that requires a bit more effort to assemble, and a larger room, than typical toys. Based on an animated series that lasted just 13 episodes, Sky Commanders is about a volcanic eruption that created a new continent in the Pacific Ocean. It houses a rare element that, if harnessed properly, allows the owner to rule the world.
An international group of Sky Commanders defends the region from the Raiders who want it for themselves. In order to get around environmental obstacles, the Commanders use cables to rappel around the region. This carried over to the toy line as the figures need to be placed with ropes around the room and then sent flying around.
11 Battle Beasts
What made Battle Beasts so unique in the 1980s was its mix of animalistic designs with a fun battle concept. It was clear that Takara was having an absolute blast creating weird hybrids of creatures in a fantasy setting. Notable animals from across the animal kingdom were represented with each one looking imposing in their armor.
Each Beast had a label on their chest that, when rubbed, showed a symbol of water, fire, or wood. The “battles” were similar to "Rock Paper Scissors." In Japan, Battle Beasts were actually tied to the Transformers franchise and predated Beast Wars, which inspired the upcoming Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. However, the two were separated out west.
10 Sectaurs
Some may find giant bugs a bit creepy, but that concept is what Sectaurs was based around. On the planet Symbion, a genetic experiment gets out of control. The planet is soon transformed into a world with gigantic spiders with the inhabitants taking on insectoid appearances. Prince Dargon, the ruler of the peaceful Shining Realm of Prosperon, led his team against the forces of Empress Devora, ruler of the Dark Domain of Synax.
The figures were unique with their insect-like appearances and the massive flying spiders they rode were a cool accessory. The villains were imposing, and the Hyve was one of the bigger playsets of the 1980s, which included a hand puppet of a huge spider to attack other figures.
9 Eagle Force
In 1977, Mego made the massive mistake of turning down the chance to make toys based on this little upcoming movie called Star Wars. Mego eventually jumped onto the G.I. Joe bandwagon with their own military-themed toy line. Eagle Force was notable for how the figures were small but made of metal, and each boasted some sort of golden limb.
Eagle Force has a basic premise of a U.S. unit facing R.I.O.T. (Roving International Organization of Tyranny), which is out for world domination. Eagle Force did little to stand out compared to G.I. Joe or Star Wars and combined with heavy stereotyping and underwhelming vehicles, it’s no surprise it's faded fast from memory.
8 Barnyard Commandos
Battle Beasts weren't the only warrior animals. Unlike Battle Beasts, Barnyard Commandos is on a much smaller scale as inhabitants of a farm eat radioactive waste from a secret military base and transform into talking militaristic animals. The R.A.M.S. (Rebel Army of Military Sheep) and the P.O.R.K.S. (Platoon of Rebel Killer Swine) waged a slapstick war.
The Problem with Barnyard Commandos was it was limited to sheep and pigs. No cows or chickens. While names like Wooly Pullover or Missiles Muttonchop are funny, it just makes the wasted potential that much more disappointing.
7 Mad Balls
There was a push in the mid-1980s for “gross-out” humor in toys. That led to such lines as the Garbage Pail Kids and the strange rubber ball known as Mad Balls. Each ball was designed like a distorted and monstrous head. Its rubber build made it nice to toss around. There are other variations, including a wind-up one and one that can squirt water.
Mad Balls had a cult following for some time, complete with a comic book and animated series. There was even a revival in the 2010s with some new versions, yet the classics were an overlooked gem of the times.
6 Food Fighters
Apparently, everything needed to be a military force, even food. In Food Fighters, the Kitchen Commandos faced off against the Refrigerator Rejects. Each group comprised different foods with a face, arms, and legs. Their hands can also hold weapons.
Like Barnyard Commandos, Food Fighters had fun names like Burgerdier General and Big Dumb Mis-Steak. It's an interesting concept on paper, but in practice came off as too bizarre. Food Fighters was quickly discontinued, but stands out as one of the weirder attempts at a military toy line.