Top 100 Favorite Figures & Toys from the 1970’s-1990’s

Top 100 Favorite Figures & Toys from the 1970’s-1990’s

Action figures and toys have been a constant throughout my entire life. From playing to collecting, to design and development, to history, packaging, art, and cataloging, I’ve always been fascinated by toys themselves, as well as what they represent. As a child, action figures and toys were something I played with and began to collect. My teenage years and early twenties consisted of nothing but minimal collecting. And adulthood has been filled with active collecting and learning more about the history and industry.
I was in college when the internet became a thing the average person began using, in my late twenties by the time social media hit, and in my thirties when 70’s-90’s nostalgia truly exploded in pop culture. So all the various online and/or nostalgic aspects of collecting I experienced only as an adult. As with almost anything, there are pros and cons to both eras, and I try not to compare the 70’s-90’s era to the 00’s-20’s era. They each have their merits and greatness. But we’re here to discuss 70’s-90’s figures and toys, as that is where my love was born and cemented.

Below is a list of my Top 100 favorite figures and toys. Most are figure/toy lines (i.e. Star Wars, G.I. Joe, etc.), some are broader categories (i.e. remote control vehicles), and a few are toy-specific (i.e. the RadSkate Radio Control). Action figure lines (2”-12”) specifically, account for forty nine of the Top 100. I was fortunate enough to own different toys throughout childhood. And via store shelves, catalogs, TV commercials, and friend’s houses, I was able to see (often play with), a ton of other toys. These are the figures/toys I’ve always dug the most.

This list is solely my personal favorite figures and toys, based on my own personal criteria, tastes and nostalgia. It is not a “Greatest” or “Best” list.
The first fifty are ranked in order from one to fifty. The remaining fifty are simply listed in alphabetical order.  

The figures and toys on this list all come from one of the following:
*Lines/toys I collected
*Lines/toys I owned at least one piece from
*Lines/toys I never owned, but always admired

The figures and toys on this list consist of the following:
*Actions Figures (2”-12”)
*Non-Articulated Plastic 2” Mini-Figures
*Non-Articulated Metal 2” Mini-Figures
*Cars, Trucks & Vehicles
*Skateboarding Toys
*Building Toys
*Happy Meal Toys
*Young Child Toys
*Misc. Toys

This list does not contain any of the following:
*Weapons & Role Play
*Sports Cards & Trading Cards
*Plush Toys
*Card Games | Board Games | Puzzles
*Sports | Live-Play | Outdoor
*Creative / Artistic Toys
*Music or Musical Instrument Toys
I love/loved these categories of toys with the same passion. However, to me, this grouping is a vastly different universe from figures and free-play toys. Thus, I decided to keep the two separate and not include this grouping. Another reason is that the vast majority of the toys in this grouping are one-offs or “no-names”, so a favorites list would be extremely general. There are almost no lines/collections or franchises (licensed or original), unlike the figures and free-play toys list, which is dominated by them.

Top 100 Favorite Figures & Toys from the 1970’s-1990’s

Tied – Favorite (Nostalgia & Collecting)
Star Wars
Kenner | 1978-1985
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)
The action figure line for my favorite movie(s) and franchise. The birth of the 3-3/4” action figure revolution. Unforgettable childhood memories. The beginning of my life-long collection. In the interest of keeping [what could easily be a book] short and sweet, I’ll just leave it at that.

Tied – Favorite (Playability)
G.I. Joe: Real American Hero
Hasbro | 1982-1994
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)
The super-articulated, ultra-durable, go & play everywhere, action figure. The line contained hundreds of characters, the greatest collection of vehicles and playsets in toy history (in my opinion), and amazingly stunning box & packaging art. For me, G.I. Joe figures and vehicles were my all-weather, all-terrain toys. Every room and surface in the house, outside, the woods, the beach, the pool, the snow, in water in the freezer, dirt and mud, streams and creeks, concrete, etc. They could take it like champs! Wash them off, dry the metal piece, let the rest air dry for a day, good as new.

#3
Masters of the Universe: He-Man
Mattel | 1982-1988
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)
I toyed (pun intended), with the notion of a three-way tie for first/favorite, but couldn’t bring myself to do it. Thus, it’s He-Man in third. This franchise, as a whole, was a big part of my earlier childhood. And the action figure line (figures, vehicles, playsets, box/packaging art) was absolutely fantastic.

#4-10
Ranking these seven was tricky. Placing them in my Top 10 was not.

#4
LEGO Castle
LEGO | 1970s-1990s
Category: Building Toys

#5
LEGO Pirate
LEGO | 1980s-1990s
Category: Building Toys

#6
Transformers
Hasbro | 1984-1990
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#7
Super Powers Collection
Kenner | 1984-1986
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#8
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Playmates | 1988-1997
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#9
Army Men
[various] | 1970s-1990s
Category: Non-Articulated Plastic 2” Mini-Figures

#10
Cowboys & Indians
[various] | 1970s-1990s
Category: Non-Articulated Plastic 2” Mini-Figures

#11-35
When I made the list, these twenty five were broken up into Top 15, Top 25, and Top 35, and then ranked within each category.
I choose the one hundred toys on this list because they’re all dope in their own way, but to me, the Top 35 are a special and distinct group.

#11
StarCom
Coleco | 1986-1989
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#12
Voltron
Panosh Place | 1984
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#13
Battle Beasts
Hasbro | 1987
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#14
M.A.S.K.
Kenner | 1985-1988
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#15
LEGO Town
LEGO | 1970s-1990s
Category: Building Toys

#16
Batman
ToyBiz | 1989
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#17
Thundercats
LJN Toys | 1985-1987
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#18
Batman
Kenner | 1990-1992
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#19
Matchbox Cars
Matchbox | 1970s-1990s
Category: Cars, Trucks & Vehicles

#20
LEGO Space
LEGO | 1970s-1990s
Category: Building Toys

#21
Micro-Machines
Galoob | 1986-1996
Category: Cars, Trucks & Vehicles

#22
Rambo
Coleco | 1985-1986
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#23
Sectaurs
Coleco | 1985
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#24
Voltron
Matchbox | 1984
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#25
Star Wars
Hasbro | 1995-1999
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#26
M.U.S.C.L.E. Men
Mattel | 1985-1987
Category: Non-Articulated Plastic 2” Mini-Figures

#27
The Karate Kid
Remco | 1986
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#28
Army Ants
Hasbro | 1987
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#29
Wheeled Warriors
Mattel | 1985
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#30
DC Comics Super Heroes
ToyBiz | 1989-1990
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#31-32
My Father worked in Manhattan at the time, and there were always dudes on the subway platforms selling toys from China and Japan. He brought my brother and I home some cool stuff over the years.

#31
Voltron
Bandai | 1984
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#32
Diakron
Takara | 1983
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#33
Go-Bots
Tonka | 1983-1987
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#34
Skateboard Smack-Ups
Playtime Products | 1986
Category: Skateboarding

#35
Chuck Norris Karate Kommandos
Kenner | 1986
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#36-50
The final fifteen of the ranked Top 50.

#36
Fisher Price
Fisher Price | 1970s-1980s
Category: Young Child Toys

#37
Skateboard Finger Boards
[various] | 1980’s
Category: Skateboarding

#38
Happy Meal Toy: California Raisins
McDonald’s | 1980’s
Category: Happy Meal Toys

#39
Robin Hood Prince of Thieves
Kenner | 1991
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#40
Sky Commanders
Hasbro | 1987
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#41
Hot Wheels
Mattel | 1970s-1990s
Category: Cars, Trucks & Vehicles

#42
Starting Lineup
Kenner | 1980-1989
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#43
Super Naturals
Tonka | 1987
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#44
Construx
Fisher Price | 1983-1988
Category: Building Toys

#45
Happy Meal Toy: Muppet Babies
McDonald’s | 1980’s
Category: Happy Meal Toys

#46
Masters of the Universe: She-Ra
Mattel | 1984
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#47
Remote Control Vehicles
[various] | 1980s-1990s
Category: Cars, Trucks & Vehicles

#48
Batman The Animated Series
Kenner | 1992
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#49
Spider-Man
ToyBiz | 1994
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#50
Tech Deck
Spin Master | 1998-1999
Category: Skateboarding

#51-100 in alphabetical order

#51
Astronauts
[various] | 1970’s-1990’s
Category: Non-Articulated Plastic 2” Mini-Figures

#52
Beetlejuice
Kenner | 1989
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#53
Brio Train
Brio | 1970’s-1990’s
Category: Building Toys

#54
Centurions
Kenner | 1986
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#55
Cereal Box Prizes
[various] | 1980’s
Category: Misc. Toys
#56
Civil War
[various] | 1970’s-1990’s
Category: Non-Articulated Plastic 2” Mini-Figures

#57
COPS ‘n Crooks
Hasbro | 1988
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#58
Dick Tracy
Playmates | 1990
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#59
Dinosaurs
[various] | 1970’s-1990’s
Category: Non-Articulated Plastic 2” Mini-Figures

#60
Fantasy Warriors vs. Creatures
[various] | 1970’s-1990’s
Category: Non-Articulated Plastic 2” Mini-Figures

#61
Gremlins
LJN Toys | 1984
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#62
Happy Meal Toys: McDonald’s Characters
McDonald’s | 1980’s
Category: Happy Meal Toys

#63
Happy Meal Toys: Star Wars
McDonald’s | 1990’s
Category: Happy Meal Toys

#64
Kids Meal Toys: Star Wars
Burger King | 1990’s
Category: Happy Meal Toys

#65
Happy Meal Toys: Star Wars
Taco Bell + Pizza Hut + KFC | 1990’s
Category: Happy Meal Toys

#66
Happy Meal Toys: various
McDonald’s | 1980’s
Category: Happy Meal Toys

#67
Indiana Jones
Kenner | 1982-1983
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#68
Kids Meal Toys: various
Burger King | 1980’s
Category: Happy Meal Toys

#69
Kids Meal Toys: various
Hardy’s | 1980’s
Category: Happy Meal Toys

#70
Knight Rider
Kenner | 1983
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#71
LEGO
LEGO | 1970’s-1990’s
Category: Building Toys

#72
LEGO Ninja
LEGO | 1990’s
Category: Building Toys

#73
Lincoln Logs
Basic Fun | 1980’s
Category: Building Toys

#74
Madballs
AmToy | 1980’s
Category: Misc. Toys

#75
Marvel Secret Wars
Mattel | 1984-1985
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#76
Marvel Superheroes
ToyBiz | 1990
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#77
Masters of the Universe: Meteorbs
Mattel | 1985
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#78
Medieval Knights
[various] | 1970’s-1990’s
Category: Non-Articulated Plastic 2” Mini-Figures

#79
Medieval Knights
[various] | 1970’s-1990’s
Category: Non-Articulated Metal 2” Mini-Figures

#80
Metal Soldiers
[various] | 1970’s-1990’s
Category: Non-Articulated Metal 2” Mini-Figures

#81
Play-Doh
Hasbro | 1980’s
Category: Misc. Toys

#82
Playmobil
Playmobil | 1970’s-1990’s
Category: Young Child Toys

#83
Race Tracks & Sets
[various] | 1980’s-1990’s
Category: Cars, Trucks & Vehicles

#84
RadSkate Radio Control
Matchbox | 1987
Category: Skateboarding

#85
Silly Putty
Crayola | 1980’s
Category: Misc. Toys

#86
Space Men vs. Aliens
[various] | 1970’s-1990’s
Category: Non-Articulated Plastic 2” Mini-Figures

#87
The A-Team
Galoob | 1984
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#88
The Dukes of Hazzard
Mego | 1981
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#89
The Lone Ranger
Gabriel | 1982
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#90
The Real Ghostbusters
Kenner | 1986-1991
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#91
The Simpsons
Mattel | 1990
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#92
Tonka Trucks
Tonka | 1980’s
Category: Cars, Trucks & Vehicles

#93
Various / “No Name” Action Figures
[various] | 1980’s
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#94
Various / “No Name” Toys
[various] | 1980’s
Category: Misc. Toys

#95
Various / “No Name” Cars, Trucks & Vehicles
[various] | 1980’s
Category: Cars, Trucks & Vehicles

#96
Various / “No Name” Mini-Figures
[various] | 1980’s-1990’s
Category: Non-Articulated Plastic 2” Mini-Figures

#97
Various Toys: Gift Shops (Museum | Zoo | Tourist)
[various] | 1980’s
Category: Misc. Toys

#98
Various Toys: Parades | Fairs | Events
[various] | 1980’s
Category: Misc. Toys

#99
Visionaries
Hasbro | 1987
Category: Action Figures (2”-12”)

#100
Zoo | Farm | Wild Animals
[various] | 1980’s-1990’s
Category: Non-Articulated Plastic 2” Mini-Figures



The Breakdown

64 of 100 = Companies with Two or More on the List
13 Kenner
  9 Hasbro
  8 Mattel
  6 LEGO
  5 McDonald’s
  4 ToyBiz
  3 Coleco
  3 Matchbox
  3 Tonka
  2 Burger King
  2 Fisher Price
  2 Galoob
  2 LJN Toys
  2 Playmates

15 of 100 = Companies with a Single Appearance on the List
AmToy
Bandai
Basic Fun
Brio
Crayola
Gabriel
Hardy's
Mego
Panosh Place
Playmobil
Playtime Products
Remco
Spin Master
Taco Bell | Pizza Hut | KFC
Takara

21 of 100 = Generic or Non-Licensed Toys Produced by Multiple Companies