21 Amazing Action-Figure Playsets From Your Childhood
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Technodrome - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
This gigantic bi-level mobile fortress is one of the most beloved sets of the '90s. It’s an extremely accurate depiction of the show’s Technodrome. The massive play set opened up into two separate rooms full of awesome features.
The set was recently available on eBay for $275.
(Photo: Christopher VanDyke)
Star Wars Rebel Command Center
The 1981 Rebel Command Center might not include a long list of features, but it did put you right in the middle of North Hangar 7 of the Echo Base. The set included a tauntaun, several snowspeeders, X-wing starfighters, Luke Skywalker and R2D2.
The Rebel Command Center was recently listed on eBay for $160.
(Photo: Kenner)
Star Wars Imperial Attack Base
The Star Wars Imperial Attack Base is set on the planet of Hoth, but it does not re-enact any part of the original trilogy. That being said, it’s still a great playset thanks to its exploding ice bridge and command center. It was released in 1981.
The vintage set was recently listed at $100.
(Photo: Kenner)
Castle Grayskull - He-Man
Castle Grayskull is one of the ultimate playsets in the 80s. The fortress is located on the fictional planet of Eternia, and it includes a hinged “jawbridge,” a turret cannon and nine different weapons. It’s the perfect fortress to battle Skeletor, Hordak and Snake Men.
Castley Grayskull was recently listed on eBay for $299.99.
(Photo: Mattel)
Death Star Space Station - Star Wars
The Death Star Space Station —made by Kenner—was the first Star Wars playset released EVER. Standing a towering 22.5 inches tall, this three-story moon playset cost just $18 when it was released.
Although it was just $18, it is now listed on eBay for $139.99.
(Photo: Kenner)
Jurassic Park - Command Compound
The Command Compound from the original Jurassic Park is one of the coolest playsets to date. Not only did it feature a rocket and net launcher, but it also included dinosaurs to attack the base. The Command Compound also included a breakaway perimeter fence that made the base massive.
An original command compound was recently listed for $399.95 on eBay.
(Photo: PanelsOnPages)
Aircraft Carrier USS Flagg - GI Joe
Named after the original commanding officer of the G.I. Joe, the USS Flagg is an impressive 7-feet-6-inches tall. This awesome playset included a public address system, missile launchers and radar.
It cost $109.99 in 1985, but the carrier is now a collector’s item worth around $4,500 if it’s still in its unopened box.
(Photo: Hasbro)
Ghostbusters Firehouse Headquarters
This might not be the exact replica of the Ghostbusters headquarters, but this playset is arguably one of the best ever. The three-story firehouse—designed by Kenner— came fully loaded with its own ghost containment unit. The playset was so big, Rodriguez from PanelsOnPages used it as a bedside table.
The firehouse was recently listed for $174.99 on eBay.
(Photo: PanelsOnPages)
Mumm-Ra’s Tomb Fortress
This elaborate ThunderCats set, based on Mumm-Ra’s Tomb Fortress in the Black Pyramid, had some eye-opening features when it was released. The fortress included glow-in-the-dark teeth and eyes, and it didn’t even need batteries for it to work.
The vintage playset was recently listed for $229.99 on eBay.
(Photo: LJN)
Spider-Man - Daily Bugle
Yes, the Daily Bugle is a massive set that includes trap doors, a removable zip line and a workingelevator. But the coolest feature is the Venom “glob” fountain, aka an almost endless stream of slime.
The 1994 playset is listed for $99.99 on eBay.
(Photo: PanelsOnPages)
Ewok Village - Star Wars
The Ewok Village set—released in 1983—is one of the largest in the history of Star Wars. The village includes three large trees, a secret tree passageway and 20 other accessories.
The vintage set sells for as much as $300 on eBay.
(Photo: Kenner)
GI Joe Headquarters Command Center
The G.I. Joe Headquarters is a sprawling command center with four quadrants—the supply depot, command console, motor pool and helipad. Enemies will have to think twice before attacking the ultimate command center. It originally cost $24.99 when it debuted in 1983.
The complete playset was recently listed for $799.95 on eBay.
(Photo: Hasbro)
Cobra Terrordrome - GI Joe
Released in 1986, the Cobra Terrordrome playset cost a cool $44.99. Terrordome features three vehicle bays and the Firebat mini jet.
The complete Terrordrome set was listed on eBay recently for $809.99.
(Photo: Hasbro)
Boulder Hill - MASK
Released in 1985, the Boulder Hill playset transforms from a nondescript gas station into the secret headquarters of the Mobile Armored Strike Command base. The only downside to this armored base is it isn’t as big as some of the more extravagant playsets.
The complete Boulder Hill set was recently listed for $599.99 on eBay.
(Photo: Kenner)
Defiant - G.I. Joe
Released in the great year of 1987, the Defiant space shuttle—made up of three separate vehicles—is one of the largest in the G.I. Joe set history. At a cost of $129.99, it’s also the most expensive in the Hasbro G.I. Joe line.
The Defiant playset was recently listed on eBay for $549.97.
(Photo: Hasbro)
Fortress of Fangs - Dungeons & Dragons
The Fortress of Fangs is the only playset produced for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons line. Luckily for D&D fans, the 1983-released collectible is a fun playset that includes secret doors, booby traps and treasure chests. The intricate details allow for the Fortress of Fangs to feel even bigger than it truly is.
The rare set was recently sold on eBay for $750.
(Photo: LJN)
Crystal Falls - She-Ra
Most of these playsets might be made primarily for boys, but not this toy. The Crystal Falls set—created by Mattel in 1985—is fairly similar to Castle Grayskull. The castle is the home of She-Ra, and it came fully equipped with a “water wonderland.” Recently, the castle was listed on eBay for $450.
(Photo: Mattel)
Secret Sewer - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
If the Ninja Turtles’ Technodrome isn’t enough for you, there’s always the 1989 Secret Sewer lair. The playset came equipped with a working elevator, a “high-voltage battle swing,” and sewer passageways. The set was recently listed on eBay for $425.
(Photo: Playmates)
Transformers Fortress Maximus
Not many toys on this list have the versatility of the Transformers Fortress Maximus playset. The 1989 set—in the form of Optimus Prime—switches from city mode to vehicle mode to robot mode. The 15-pound playset has been listed on eBay for upwards of $700.
(Photo: BigBadToyStore)
Eternia - He-Man
The He-Man Eternia playset was the largest produced by Mattel in the Masters of the Universe toy line. Created in 1986, the rare set was armed with three towers—the Central, Grayskull and Viper Towers. The extremely scarce collector’s item was recently listed on eBay for $4,000.
(Photo: Mattel)
Cats Lair - Thundercats
The Cats Lair—made by LJN—was the largest playset created in the Thundercats toy line. The rare set, which was equipped with a swiveling cat head, was recently listed on eBay for $1,999.99.
(Photo: LJN)