What an incredible year that 2015 was for toys. Today, we look back at our personal favorites of 2015 and look ahead at what 2016 will bring. Everything was considered, but since we can only have so many on a short list, we decided to choose our top 10 from a variety of our favorite toy companies.
SDCC 2015 Exclusive Hasbro Transformers Generations Devastator
Following last years release of Metroplex, Hasbro continues their Titan releases with Devastator. This was available in two different versions in 2015 with a chrome SDCC exclusive, and a retail version. Hasbro’s Combiner Wars line brought back the G1 Gestalts including Superion, Mesasor, among others. Devastator simply towers over the rest and has the ability to break apart into all 6 Constructions in both vehicle and robot modes. This is simply a figure that’s impossible not to love.
DC Collectibles Batman: The Animated Series Batmobile
With the launch of DC Collectibles Batman: The Animated Series action figures based on Bruce Timm’s legendary animated series from the 1990’s, they went above and beyond the call and had offered fans a 6″ scale Batmobile. This features electronic lights and a sliding rooftop that can hold two figures in the seats (Batman and Robin).
NECA’s Home Alone 8″ Retro Style Clothed Figures
Back at San Diego Comic-Con, NECA Toys revealed a new license with three figures based on the holiday classic Home Alone film from 1990. Three figures came out this year including Kevin McCallister, Marv Merchants, and Harry Lime. Kevin and the Wet Bandits are the first and only Home Alone figures that NECA will be producing, and these are also the first-ever Home Alone figures. These figures include accessories and interchangeable head sculpts.
Hasbro Marvel Legends Spider-Man Infinite Series Kraven The Hunter Figure
If there is only one Marvel Legends figure to buy in 2015, it’s Hasbro’s Kraven The Hunter figure. Kraven includes the new Grim Reaper body and features his lion cloth and staff as seen in the comics. The figure is simply fantastic with some of the best tooling we’ve seen in the Marvel Legends line all year. We’re big fans of Spider-Man and his iconic villain roster, and while Rhino also looks great, Kraven simply surpasses him and others this year.
Playmates Toys Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mondo Gecko
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series on Nickelodeon brought back another classic character, Mondo Gecko. With roots back to the original series, Mondo Gecko gets a new look with yellow skin as opposed to green, and the toy itself is one of the best we’ve seen this year by Playmates Toys. In recent years, Playmates have become known to skimp out on some paint apps including this much need for Bebop’s outfit, where he should have had pink trim, and Rocksteady’s pants. Mondo Gecko however features all of the paint apps necessary to pull it off and between the extra deco and letter on the shirt, this is one great figure.
Mezco Toyz Mortal Kombat X Scorpion
Mezzo’s came out with two waves with variants of the Mortal Kombat X line this year, and last we had heard at New York Comic-Con, this is all they are going to do. With the possibility of Goro, offered as the final figure of the line, this is a short lived but a noteworthy line. The Scorpion figure features a brand new concept that was not offered in any previously Scorpion figure, his chains. These are attached to his wrists by removing his hands, and are securely stored by putting the hand back to create some great poses as seen in the video game. This is exactly how previous Scorpion figures should have been made.
Diamond Select Toys Marvel Select Carnage
Just like Venom, Carnage was offered in the Marvel Select line by Diamond Select Toys this year. Spider-Man foes including characters like Doc Oc, Venom, Carnage, Mysterio, and others are on our most wanted list for Marvel Select. While DST Chuck says that Spidey foes are on their radar, it’s taken a long time to get some of these great characters into this line. Carnage is an excellent figure with interchangeable head sculpts, tentacles, and interchangeable hand sculpts.
Mattel’s Masters of the Universe Classics Laser Power He-Man & Laser Light Skeletor
Available for the first-time as an international release, Laser Power He-Man and Laser Light Skeletor wrap up the vintage line as they are offered in the final month of 2015. These are the only figures in the line to offer a light-up feature, and the only vintage action gimmicks to work in Classics as they did in the vintage line. By now, you are able to complete the vintage line with the Classics update. In 2016, characters like Filmation Evil Seed are going to be joining the line, and we simply cannot wait for what’s in store next year.
Diamond Select Toys Universal Monsters Select – Lucy Westenra
An all new original character introduced to Diamond Select Toys Universal Monsters line. We love the background and concept that DST incorporated into her including her apprenticeship with Van Helsing, and joining him in his quest to rid the world of vampires. What’s more interesting is she is a vampire herself, and includes an interchangeable vampire head, and she includes all the weaponry she needs to slay.
DC Collectibles The New Batman Adventures – Bane
One of our personal favorite 6″ figure releases this year from DC Collectibles is Bane. A figure that even his co-creator Graham Nolan thinks looks awesome. Bane is a standard figure, but looks oversized due to his unique look, broad shoulders and chest. Due to his size and height, he truly stands out among other Batman animated figures released this year. In 2016, fans can look forward to more figures from the show, and hopefully DC Collectibles will announce figures based on Superman: The Animated Series also.
That’s our take on our favorites for 2015. While you may have slightly different opinions, make sure to share them in our comments below.