In some ways, action and adventure toys are timeless. (Who really improved the action figures?) But otherwise, decades have changed the way we think about action and adventure, and those changing attitudes inevitably found their way into our toys. Screened toy book From the archives dating back to 1989, we can easily find examples of the continuation and evolution of action toys. Read on to explore some of the action and adventure toys introduced in 1989 that defined why nostalgia and change are so alluring.
Liquidator (LJN)
The Cleaner is a three-wheeled land vehicle that runs on water. Kids use the included air pump to power the high-compression Liquidators engine, propelling the vehicle hundreds of feet.
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Lin Jiangning
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This archived product page is for reference only. This product previously appeared on the following page toy book and are no longer for commercial sale, but vintage items can be found on the secondary market.
Max FX
These fully articulated action figures transform into a range of terrifying movie monsters, such as Dracula, Frankenstein and Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street.
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matchbox
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This archived product page is for reference only. This product previously appeared on the following page toy book and are no longer for commercial sale, but vintage items can be found on the secondary market.
food warrior
Bergerdier General leads a kitchen commando against refrigerator junk in this line of action figures and accessories that combine food and conflict play.
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Mattel
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This archived product page is for reference only. This product previously appeared on the following page toy book and are no longer for commercial sale, but vintage items can be found on the secondary market.
twin turbine train
Two sleek aerodynamic trains travel in opposite directions or side by side through a giant loop on this 25-foot-long track that combines elements of train games and slot machine racing. Additional kits sold separately.
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Tyco
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This archived product page is for reference only. This product previously appeared on the following page toy book and are no longer for commercial sale, but vintage items can be found on the secondary market.
GTP Nissan
The new Cox .049 GTP Nissan was developed specifically for road RC ovals and road courses, with a fiberglass chassis and nylon rims.
Product Details
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cox hobbies
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This archived product page is for reference only. This product previously appeared on the following page toy book and are no longer for commercial sale, but vintage items can be found on the secondary market.
RoboCop Action Figure
Based on the hit 1987 film RoboCop, each action figure in the series features a unique rapid-repeat fire mechanism that fires one round per second. Vehicles also available (pictured).
Product Details
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Kenner
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This archived product page is for reference only. This product previously appeared on the following page toy book and are no longer for commercial sale, but vintage items can be found on the secondary market.
| A version of this feature was originally published in The Toy Book’s 2024 Action & Adventure Special Issue.click hereRead the full article! Want to receive a printed copy of The Toy Book?click hereSubscription options! |
The article “Flashback: Action Toys in 1989” originally appeared in The Toy Book.
