My Top 10 Fast Food Toys

Recently I have been thinking about all my favorite fast food toys from the past.  Here are my personal top 10 favorites:

10.  Hardee's Halloween Smooshies

Hardee's had some real winners!  I still have all the Halloween Smooshies, but all the bases the little plushies came in are now all long since lost.  The Surfing Pizza has a nice review HERE.

9. Hardee's California Raisins Series 1-5

My Dad collected a ton of these and I remember playing with them all the time.  Hardee's released 5 sets, including a set of plush raisins!  They were a perfect tie-in with their cinnamon raisin biscuits, and the commercial if perfect!

8. Wendy's Playskool Definitely Dinosaurs

Almost everyone had these kicking around the house, even if you don't remember where they came from. I still have quite a few and they have held up after all these years and my kids play with them today. Check out Katrina's Toy Blog for more info on the definitely Dinosaurs toy line.  I can't believe how many color variants Wendy's released!

7. McDonald's Batman The Animated Series and Batman Returns

Finally, McDonald's  made the list (it's really unavoidable) I'm clumping these 2 batman themes together because the awesome little cars go together so perfectly. 

6. McDonald's Fast Macs & Mickey's Birthday Land Racers

These are just classic!  Like number 7 on the list, these are actually 2 toy lines, but they together perfectly.  I played with these little cars for hours.  Maybe my Dad should've kept them locked up in a case like the dad in the commercial, because us kids eventual wore them out.

5. McDonald's Super Mario 3

Nintendo & McDonald's go together like fries and and a shake!

4. Jack-in-the-Box & Burger King Universal Monsters

These were almost on par with toys you could find at the toy store! I didn't even know about the Jack-in-the-Box Monsters until I saw the fun little video below

3. McDonald's McDino & McRobot Changeables

These are at the top of the list for most fast food toy fans, and I can see why.  I still have some of the Dinos kicking around.  I love that the McRobot commercial used hand-drawn animation, perfectly knocking off the Transformers.

2. SubwayABC's Bump in The Night

Who'd a thunk Subway of all places would make the list!  No offense to anyone that likes Subway's current "toys", but I think it's all pretty lame now.  I loved the claymation Bump in the Night cartoon series, but somehow I missed out on these.  Probably because Subway wasn't really known for kids meal toys.  Maybe some day I will buy these.  Then Bumpy, Squishington, Molly, and Destructo too, can have wonderful adventures while I'm away.

Source

1. Burger King & KFC Micro Machines Z-Bots

It's no secret that I love Z-Bots, and when I found out Burger King had Z-Bots, well, The Burger King Kids Club was the clear winner of the kids meal wars in my eyes.  I found out several years later KFC also had Z-Bots Linkbots, so I thought I'd throw that in.  The KFC Linkbots are pretty ugly, but they're Z-Bots and pretty rare, so I want them too!

What are your favorite fast food toys?  Did they make my personal favorites list?  Am I missing out on an amazing fast food toy premium?  Tell me in the comments below!

Ghosthunters

Before the Ghostbusters reboot we can watch this lovely little British knockoff, Ghosthunters! Again, this is another film that I just sort of stumbled upon recently. Will this be an amazing 5 star movie? No. Do I want to see it regardless? Yes! If they release toys based on the movie will I even want them? YES!! Slimer knockoff!!!

Tonight's Features: Ghostbusters

                               Ghostbusters II

Rubber Halloween Specimens

Over the past couple of months I have found some awesome rubber monster toys at the DI.  Let's talk about that.

BATS

I love these little guys!  They don't make Halloween bats like this anymore, with the exception of bats that are purposely made with a "vintage style".  I'm pretty sure these are both vintage bats, probably in the 70's-80's range.

A "HONG KONG" marking is the best indication that you have a vintage piece.

Also, vintage rubber critters tend to have a mouth that is connected to the hollow stomach.  Be careful, they have a mean bite!

THE RAT

This was another cheap DI find.  I honestly don't know if it is a vintage rat, or if it is one of those "vintage style" reproductions.  I have seen these retail recently.  Either way though she's a fun classic toy with nice squeak action.

I love those whiskers!

"CHINA"

THE SALAMANDER

This Salamander was a must have! When I was a kid we would catch salamanders by the lake at by Grandparent's home and keep them as pets.  He looks pretty real for a rubber toy!

"MADE IN CHINA, SALAMANDER, © 1998"

Can I just say I love when toys actually have dates on them!  It would make things so much easier if everything had a date stamped on it.  I almost didn't get this because it's not an 80's toy, but I did spend a good portion of my childhood in the 90's too, so I got him anyway.

SPIDERS

You can never have too many spiders for Halloween.  I have to hide these away because my poor wife has an irrational fear of these cute eight-legged creatures.  

My pet tarantula

"MADE IN CHINA"

Creepy Long-Legs

"CHINA"

Bootleg Terrorantula from Rocks and Bugs and Things!

I could get lost in those googly eyes of his all day!

"MADE IN CHINA"

Terrorantula used to have a squeaky play feature, but the squeaker is broken.  Still an amazing find!

Rubber Halloween Critters
Total Cost: 50¢-$1

What's your favorite Halloween vermin?  Do you still have any rubber specimens from Halloweens past?

Zurchers Halloween Trinkets and Prehistoric Bootlegs

Recently I browsed through my local Zurcher's party store to see what Halloween odds n' ends I could find.  Here are the highlights:

Wacky JOL Stickers

I love the look of these guys!  They look just like those wacky pumpkins from the 80's.

I have never seen Skeleton Paratroppers before!  Why has this never been done before?  If it has, how did I miss it!?

Vampire & Witch Fingers, a Halloween staple.

"Bendables" I have the vendo counterparts to these weirdos.

Bouncy Heart Ball, perfect for my oddball collection display case.  I will be showing off the oddballs display tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Glow-In-The-Dark anything is good.

Very strange Faux Pinecone Spider...

And the star of the show are these beauties!  Annoyingly packaged with a cruddy Prehistoric Party Pack.  At least I was able to nab 2 of each of these!

These are bootlegs of the Knights Dragons & Horses / Monsters put out by Imperial in the 80's and 90's.  They produced both the large version and the mini version.  You can check them out at Fantasy Toy Soldiers and Little Weirdos.  

Have you come across any little Halloween gems this year? What do you think of the "Prehistoric Creatures"? Let me know in the comments below!

The Magical World of The Predasaurs - The Commercials

So recently I made a trip to the good old Family Dollar. You never know what weird crap you might find there and when I paid a visit the other day something magical happened.  I found these:

As I did some research on these strange toys I found something I have really missed, super cheesy toy commercials!  Predasaurs has loads of great classic style toy commercials, enjoy!

This commercial has several different language versions. This is the English version and it is amazing!

  
 Here's a slightly different version with emphasis on the glow-in-the-dark feature.

A cancelled cartoon trailer? When lava and crystals containing different dinosaur DNA combine the Predasaurs were born! As they find random giant weapons scattered across prehistoric earth, they battle for supremacy!  Watch as their teeth grow to Jurassic proportions!

Apparently Simba created a giant battle arena for the Predasaurs.

I love the 2-headed dragosaurs! 

Mr. Ashens was not impressed with the crappier blind bag version of these

Add your own announcer!  If I had video aditing skills I would totally cut my voice into this commercial! I do have a decent announcer voice.

This commercial features a catapult! Sweet!

Tune in next time and we'll take a closer look at Predasaurs: Aqua Attack.

Summerween Treats IN SPACE! from Toyriffic's Eric Stettmeier

As part of a trade Eric Stettmeier, of Toyriffic fame, sent me an amazing package full of sci-fi goodies that I am absolutely thrilled to own! Be sure to check out Toyriffic, it's awesome!

LEGO Lunar Rover 6463

                             The helmet is so shiny! Seriously though, this is an awesome set! 

I recently picked up the polybag Space Utility Vehicle 30315. It's interesting to see the little differences.  Honestly, I like the Lunar Rover a little better, and it's a '99 model. It just seems a bit flashier and the wheels are bigger, which makes sense with a rover. 

I think as far as the space suits go the Land Rover wins out overall as well.  The helmet of the Space Utility Driver is stationary and not as shiny.  You can even see the back of his head through a hole in the helmet.  That can't be good for space walks!  The Lunar Rover Spaceman has a better face, I think, with the inclusion of the mic. They both have nice prints, and the SUD Spaceman does have a back print, which is a plus.  Even though they have their differences they will still make a good team as they explore for extraterrestrial life amongst the stars.

Tim Mee Galaxy Lazer Team 2012 & 2013 Reissues

I've had my eye on these for a long time.  These are just so awesome and I love the very obvious knockoffs!

Eric didn't just send me a handful, he sent me an entire set!

 Let's take a closer look at these individually.

Space Baron

The Space Baron is one tough aristocrat, or "astro"crat.  He may be a little stuck up and corrupted with all those space credits, but you gotta respect that baton! Of course, he does have legions of bodyguards with blasters at his disposal, so he doesn't have to do any of the dirty work.

Space Yeti

 The Space Yeti is far more advanced than your standard earthly yeti. He's packing heat and even has the decency to throw on a pair of pants.  You'll also notice the Space Yeti has developed extra-sensory antennae, used in telekinesis and telepathy.

RU-R2, Wild Space Automaton 

Robots left over from some unknown race, the RU-R2 is capable of reproduction by simply building other RU-R2 units.  Prone to follow and serve/annoy organic life forms, the RU-R2 is easily domesticated.

Space Turtles

 Scientists actually don't know much about these mysterious Space Turtles other than they can "swim" through outer space for centuries before landing on a planet for air.  It is believed they are capable of bending space and time in order to make this possible.

Blue Collar Space Workers

 Mostly hired as astroid miners, these lovable guys are essential to a healthy intergalactic economy.  Their left hands carry their lunch boxes and right hands are perfect for high-fives and holding drinks.  Currently the space mining industry is dominated by men.  The Space Board For Equal Rights, or SBER, is currently fighting to correct this injustice.

Space Firemen

It's a tough job, but someone needs to safely extinguish super novae.  Some would argue that super novae are a natural part of the space environment and that extinguishing them is only worsening galactic climate change; but a Space Fireman doesn't think about that, he's just doing his job.   Currently the Spaceship Space Firemen industry is dominated by men.  The Space Board For Equal Rights, or SBER, is currently fighting to correct this injustice. 

Space Rogue

Actually the rebellious nephew of the Space Baron! He hates authority, but loves to shot things, even endangered species.  He's comfortable making out with any species in the known, and unknown, universe.

Spaceship Mechanics

Not just a pretty face, these lovely ladies are mechanically inclined and can fix anything!  Currently the Spaceship Mechanic industry is dominated by women.  The Space Board For Equal Rights, or SBER, is currently fighting to correct this injustice.

TMNT Space Yosaki Yojimbo

Last but not least, the space version of Yosaki Yojimbo!  It's interesting to note that this wasn't a one time thing in order to create one new action figure, there was an actual comic book serious known as Space Usagi! It really makes you wonder, could there have been an unreleased 4th TMNT movie called Turtles in Space?  It would have been the perfect way to introduce Space Yosaki into the TMNT movie universe.  I really wish Yosagi had made it into TMNT III.  Oh well.

Now a valuable member of the United Animals Federation