Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles set to retake the toy aisle!

Even as the BBQ’s were heating up this July 4th, collectors across the country were reporting findings of Playmates’ new line of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle figures. Announced at Toy Fair, and with a new animated series debuting this fall on Nickelodeon (be sure to follow the news out of Comic-con), the Turtles are set to come back big. Playmates Toys have sent out descriptions and images of everything that’s due to hit – so you should keep reading and be ready to welcome in another age of ‘Turtle Power!’

It’s totally epic!  Playmates Toys has unveiled a new line of action figures, playsets, vehicles, and role play  inspired by Nickelodeon’s all-new CG-animated  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  The series has been in production at the Nickelodeon Animation Studio in Burbank, Calif., and is set to premiere in Fall 2012.
Overview:

Considered one of the most popular kids’ entertainment brands  of the 1980s, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has become an enduring global phenomenon.  The new series will be funnier and feature more Ninjutsu than ever before.  It  explores the camaraderie of four teenage brothers learning to rely on one another as they unravel the mystery of their existence and train to become the heroes in a half shell they’re destined to be, while battling their nemesis Shredder and The Kraang.

Leonardo, considered to be the leader of the Turtles, aspires to be the perfect hero around his three smart-aleck brothers. Raphael is the biggest and toughest of the brothers, and has little patience for stealth operations, hiding in the shadows or keeping his voice down.    Donatello is the reclusive, yet utterly brilliant team inventor who is able to cobble together fantastic weapons and techy accessories  from things scavenged from  any city dumpster.  And Michelangelo is enthusiastic, easily distracted, loves pop culture and is always trying to get in on the latest fads.

Playmates Toys has been the mastermind responsible for the successful toy line over the last two decades, and this year’s lineup includes an assortment of action figures, as well as vehicles, role play gear and playsets.

The 2012 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles line from Playmates Toys includes:
•  Action Figures
o  Basic, Deluxe Power Sound FX, Classic Collection and Battle Shell Action
Figures
•  Turtle Vehicles
o  Sewer Spinnin’ Skateboard, Rippin’ Rider, Ninja Stealth Bike, Dragon Chopper
and Shellraiser
•  Role Play Gear
o  Ninja Combat Gear and Leonardo’s Stealth Sword
•  Secret Sewer Lair Playset

ACTION FIGURES

Basic Action  Figures:  With more than 12 points of  articulation, these action figures are the most highly detailed and articulated Turtle  figures ever made!    Each turtle figure is uniquely sculpted, with heights ranging from 4.25 inches  to 4.75 inches,  to capture the individual personalities of the characters from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles TV show. The line includes the four main turtles,  Leonardo,  Raphael,  Donatello  and Michelangelo, as well as  their sensei, Splinter, and April O’ Neil, their human connection to the surface.  Each  Turtle  is wearing his  signature bandana and comes packed with their two core Ninja weapons for hours of Ninja playing  excitement.  A  bonus weapons accessory rack  is also included.  The Basic Figure line also  features  characters from The Evil Foot Clan, including Shredder, The Kraang and a Foot Soldier.  Each figure  is compatible with the entire Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles  line of vehicles and playsets. (Ages 4+, $7.99 – $8.99 each, August 2012)

Deluxe Power Sound FX Figures:  Able to deliver battle phrases with awesome sound effects, the  Power Sound FX Figures  come  to life  like never before!   Each of the figures stands 5.5 inches  tall and features proprietary wire coil activation in the arms and legs that  triggers  heroic battle phrases.  Kids simply pull back and hold the activation limb to hear reverberated  phrases  such as  “I’m invincible!” and “Hiiiiiiii-yaa!”  Each figure  comes with different battle  phrases  and sound effects, as well as their core Ninja  weapons.   The Power Sound FX Figures collection includes  Leonardo,  Raphael,  Donatello, Michelangelo  and  Shredder. (Ages 4+, $12.99 each, August 2012)

Classis Collection Action Figures: The Classic Collection Action Figures reflect the look of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles from the 80’s TV show. Each Turtle stands 6 inches tall, features more than 30 points of articulation and is authentically detailed to appeal to the true action figure collector. Each Turtle will come with its core Ninja  weapons and a personalized sewer  lid cover name base.  The  ClassicCollection Action Figures collection includes  Leonardo,  Raphael,  Donatello  and Michelangelo. (Ages 4+, $14.99 each, August 2012)

“Battle Shell” Figures:  Available exclusively at Toys“R”Us,  these oversized figured  vary in heights from 10.5 inches to 11.5 inches tall.  Each Turtle is fully articulated and comes with their core Ninja weapons that store either on their belt or their back holster, as well as secondary
weapon accessories, which can be stored in the Turtles’ opening back shells.  The “Battle Shell” Figures collection includes  Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello  and Michelangelo  (Ages 4+, $29.99 each or all 4 for $100, August 2012, Toys“R”Us exclusive)

VEHICLES

Sewer  Spinnin’  Skateboard:   Compatible with all the  Basic  Turtle Action Figures, the Sewer Spinnin’ Skateboard comes ready to Shred!  The skateboard looks just like the skateboard featured in the TV show and includes Ninja Battle Boost technology  that allows it to perform up to 10 different skateboard tricks.  Kids simply position their favorite Turtle in various configurations on the board, rev it up, release and watch their hero perform cool tricks!  Includes a  stunt ramp for high flying  action! (Ages 4+, $10.99, August 2012)

Rippin’ Rider:  With the Rippin’ Rider, the Turtles can hit the road ready for battle!  Compatible with all the Basic Turtle Action Figures, the
Rippin’  Rider  comes complete with classic Turtle details and textures, including chopper front forks, quadruple rear exhaust and  a  T-shaped
headlight to sniff out The Foot wherever they are hiding.  To fight against Shredder and the evil Foot Clan, the Rippin’ Rider also includes“Finger Flick Missiles” that will destroy the  enemies  on impact!  (Ages 4+, $10.99, August 2012)

VEHICLES WITH FIGURE

Ninja  Stealth Bike:  A true Ninja needs a stealthy ride with  awesome looks and details, and the Ninja Stealth Bike more than delivers!  As seen
in the TV show and compatible with all the Basic Turtle Action Figures, the Ninja Stealth Bike allows the Turtles to travel the streets hunting down The Kraang, without being seen!  The vehicle features a textured turtle shell that covers the turtle from head to toe, and to on-lookers from above, makes it look just like the street.  But with Ninja Battle Boost technology and the flip of a button, the shell opens, revealing a Ninja Turtle ready for battle!  The cycle comes with an exclusive Raphael action figure decked out in his slick helmet and gloves. (Ages 4+, $19.99, August 2012)

Dragon  Chopper:   A bad enemy like  The Foot and the dreaded Foot Soldiers need a bad ride, and the Dragon Chopper is a really, really BAD RIDE!   As seen in the TV show and compatible with Shredder, the Foot Soldiers and the four Basic Turtle Action Figures, the Dragon Chopper has a look and style like no other.  It includes Ninja Battle Boost technology, allowing kids to secure their figure on the seat. When ready for battle, kids
simply push the activation button and watch as the action figure performs a 360 degree flip over the handle bars and lands on its feet,  ready for
battle!  The Dragon Chopper comes with an exclusive Foot Soldier action figure, wearing his red Ninja outfit and a removable dragon helmet. (Ages
4+, $19.99, August 2012)

DELUXE VEHICLES

Shellraiser:  When the Turtles need to hit the road and take command and control with them, they all pile into the Shellraiser. Built to run either on the subway rails or on the busy streets of New York City, the Shellraiser delivers all the fire power needed for the Turtles to travel together to take down Shredder and the Foot Clan!  With entrances on the top, in the front and on the side of the car, up to eight Basic Action Figures can fit inside.  The Shellraiser  really packs a punch with Ninja Battle Boost  technology, including a spring loaded cannon on the top of the car and a side door that automatically opens with the touch of a button, sending kids’ favorite hero in a half shell flying out the side with 360 degree Ninja flip-kicking action, to wage battle on anything standing in its way!  (Ages 4+, $29.99, August 2012)

ROLE PLAY

Ninja  Combat  Gear:   Do you have what  it takes to become a Ninja Turtle?  Kids can Turtle up in their favorite Ninja gear to find out! Each set includes the Turtle’s authentic noise-making ninja weapon, signature bandana and two throwing stars that will help transform kids into their very own  hero in a half shell!  The Leonardo  set  comes with  a Katana Sword, the Raphael set includes two Sais, the Donatello set includes a Bo Staff, and  the Michelangelo  set features  Nunchucks.  (Ages 4+, $12.99 each, August 2012)

Leonardo’s Stealth Sword:   Ever wonder what it would be like to be Leonardo and battle with his fierce Katana Sword?  Now you can with Leo’s  Stealth Sword!   The fierce Katana Sword looks just like the one from the TV show and delivers the same power, and then some! Includes two modes of play: Training mode  lets kids  swing away, while hearing Leo’s voice and watching as the sword lights up with an awesome display; Battle mode let’s Leo give instructions as kids battle against evil mutants.   The longer kids  swing, the more awesome the light up effects  become until they eventually defeat the enemy mutants! (Ages 4+, $19.99, August 2012)

PLAYSETS

Secret  Sewer  Lair Playset:   The ultimate playset for  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fans, the  Secret  Sewer  Lair  playset is  BIG, and  ready for Ninja battle action!  This playset will have kids creating their own Lair of excitement  as they become the leader of the pack, swinging into action, training the Turtles and defeating Shredder once and for all! Standing 42 inches tall and resembling the Sewer Lair that is home to the Turtles in the TV show, the Secret Sewer Lair includes more than 20 different exciting Ninja  features,  such as:  telescoping periscopes  so the Turtles can keep track of what’s going on in the city;  ropeswing  and swing-down ladders for joining a battle at a moment’s notice; lines that can be connected to objects  in a kid’s room,  allowing the Turtles to rappel into battle;  an elevator in the back of the set for easy transition from floor to floor;  a Shredder statue so  the Turtles can practice their Ninja skills; a computer lab for Donatello to master his latest invention; doors that open and close easily and floors that fall  out, just in the nick of time;  an ooze drain  to douse the enemies  trying to break in; and much, much more!   (Ages 4+, $119.99, August 2012)

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