The classic Playmates Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line is full of surprises. When I saw this Slice 'N Dice Shredder on eBay, I was intrigued that it has a comparatively accurate color scheme (unlike the original Shredder). Sure, it has a goofy play feature, but even classic TMNT figures with play features often have a certain charm, like Pizza Tossin' Leo. The concept of a metallic Shredder was too enticing... this was a figure that I just had to check out. So let's see how old Shred-head fares!
Stats
Year Stamped: 1990
Company: Playmates
Size: 4"
Price: $7 MOC from eBay (but can be regularly bought for $10 or less carded)
Packaging: Carded
Looks:
Man, I wished I looked at this figure a bit harder beforehand. Despite the relatively accurate color scheme, there's nothing particularly good-looking about this figure. The sculpt is sloppy and cheap, with none of the crazy details that make the classic TMNT toyline so fun. And what is the deal with the helmet? The sides poof out too far and the helmet "fins" point upwards, making him look less like Shredder and more like Captain Pitchfork.
Paint apps are likewise sloppy, with eyes that just scream "dollar store toy". And the skin is somewhat gray, giving Shredder an undead appearance (which is difficult to see in the pics). I'm not sure if that's because the plastic is aging or what, but he looks like he came straight from the grave.
Attaching the slice and spin blades just makes the figure worse. The axles for the blades come straight out of the Shredder's naked arm. What is he, a robot now? Utter nonsense.
Articulation:
Unfortunately, many of Shredder's 7 points of articulation (swivel neck, shoulders, wrists, and hips) are effectively destroyed by the action feature. In particular, the hips are swivel instead of the usual ball-socket to provide room for the wind-up mechanism. And the left arm is frustratingly hindered by the wind-up tab. The wrists work well, and without them the figure would be virtually immobile. But you're not going to get much fun out of a figure that can only move its wrists.
Accessories:
Shredder comes with a straight sword, a curved sword, and 6 blades. The curved sword is pretty sweet, but the other accessories look shoddy and doofy. At first I thought that other figures might be able to use the smaller spinning blades as throwing stars, but the annoying axles on the blades effectively destroys that idea.
Value:
For many vintage TMNT figures, a $7 price tag is a great deal, especially for a carded figure. But this figure is such a piece of crap that even $7 seems like a rip-off.
Coolness:
With a phoned-in sculpt, paint apps with dollar store quality control, and doofy spinning blades protruding inexplicably from Shredder's flesh, there's nothing cool about Slice 'N Dice Shredder. Nothing. Don's expression above perfectly illustrates my feeling for this figure.
Overall:
What a FAIL of a figure. In fact, this piece of garbage beats out Playmates 2009 Kirk as the worst figure in my collection. This is a toy that will go straight into the junk box, and this is a lesson well-learned: research before you buy.
5 out of 5 - Simply incredible!
4 out of 5 - Pretty awesome!
3 out of 5 - Cool enough, I suppose.
2 out of 5 - Not quite good enough.
1 out of 5 - Pretty horrific!
0 out of 5 - No redeeming quality at all.
7 comments:
Haha! Love your last pic. I completely stayed away from the action feature series that came out back then. I recall looking at the backer cards many times, as I was fascinated with how Playmates had the entire line neatly displayed on the back for your shopping pleasure. I used to love to look at the action figures, as I believe they were arrayed at the top of the card, but always remember thinking that I couldn't play with these with my other figures. Thus didn't get or ask for them. Usually our Turtle hunts were left completely up to chance of to what looked the coolest at the store. We tried our best to avoid goofy character rehashes with gimmicks, and pick out the awesome bad guys, and occasional non turtle hero.
As a child I really wanted a super shredder form the second movie, but never got one. Instead I ended up with this figure. I remember him being my favorite shredder toy, but looking at the pictures I can't believe it. One of the things that always impressed me about tmnt toys was the quality sculpts, so how could I have forgiven this guy, even at a young age?
My guess is that it had something to do with this figure being a gift. I never got the super shredder, but my mom still tried to make me happy and bought this guy not knowing the difference. Even at the age of 9, if a toy was a gift, even if I didn't like the figure all that much I made sure to play with it, otherwise I'd feel guilty.
Considering how terrible the original Shredder figure was, this one had some areas that were better. Between this figure and the original, you could cobble together a decent Shred-head back in the day.
Sadly, I never did.
25 years later and we STILL haven't gotten a good Shredder figure.
Clark, if you want this Shredder, you're welcome to have him! Just shoot me an email and he's yours!
I'd argue that we've gotten a couple of notable Shredder figures. Super Shredder was pretty cool (although not up to snuff with the other Movie Star figures), and Toon Shredder was all kinds of awesome. Since then, we haven't gotten any decent Shredders (although 2005's Feudal Shredder is tempting). Hopefully with the new live action movie we'll also get an updated Shredder!
Well, for a good while there, we didn't see any real shredder figures after the animated and Slice 'N Dice. But toward the mid 90's, there were more popping up. Most sucked anus of course, as they were transforming turtles or what have you.
But there were 2 late series called the Shoguns and the SuperMutants which had some non gimmick Shredders. I never owned either of them, but I did have at least one of the other characters from the sets. They were probably a few of the last Turtle figs I ever bought.
The SuperMutants were more of a action figure style, and a little taste of Turtles from Japan, as I believe there was a short manga with these character designs. Can't fully recall. So these guys are taller than your average turtles, and feature a more useful leg articulation.
The Shoguns were pretty nifty, more a rip from the third movie figs. But had nothing to do with that series. I only ever had Shoate from that series...Sooo I highly recommend him as I loved that figure, and he has some BADarse weapons with great designs. I actually chose him over the Triceraton in the store because Shoate had cooler weapons. I think you will be happy with both, as they are both up your ally, and really cool figs. The only down side is Shiny armor can be brittle if dropped.. but your an adult and I imagine they would be safe on your shelf. :) I think my shoate's shoulder armor broke off, but I was a not so nice with him all the time.
http://www.tmnttoys.com/95figures/supermutes/supermutant.html
http://www.tmnttoys.com/94figures/shoguns/shoguns.html
The TMNT line had so many fun figures that I could give you my personal suggestions all day, but part of the fun is discovering them.
I never had this figure, never had any of the more gimmicky TMNT figures. I think a friend of mine had Slice 'N Dice Shredder tho, I remember it being a piece of crap. I think if it didn't have the action features and was just a straight figure it would have been a little better at least.
Amazing review, utterly miserable figure! Wow, I'm just thankful that I never had this one. Maybe this is the least of this guy's worries, but man, his biceps look strikingly silly! This one would have to be in the conversation of Bottom 10 Worst TMNT figures, right?
Post a Comment
Having trouble using the comment form below? Try the Full Page Form.