Animated toy talk: Is bigger better?

[JustJack]

As I walk down the toy isle's now adays..you'll notice a big change. Or should I say small change? perhaps both?

For a long time, 5-7" action figures use to be the big thing. It was rare to see anything above or below 5-7 inches. With the exception of GI Joes..of course.

Now adays, everything seems to be either downsized, or upsized.

The famous Jurassic Park toy line was downsized to the popular 3 3/4 size, made popular by the Star Wars line. While some fans were upset, many prefered a smaller figure, which allowed for more weapons, & bigger, better dinosaurs to be included. You'll also notice that many companies are producing more & more "GI Joe rip-offs" of small 3-4" GI-like toys. only with different names, using terms like "comando's". And must I mention the famous Star Wars line? POTJ? You got the picture...

At the same time, you'll notice bigger, badder toys ruling much more shelf space.

GI Joe, Action Man, Max Steel, even Power Rangers!! 12" is a popular size now adays. Foot-long is the way to be. I was at Wal-Mart today, and noticed that the 2001 Range of Action Man figures were out. While Dr. X, & a Mountain Climber were carded, on the rails, there were 4 BIG boxes filled with high-tech goodies. I am an Action Man fan, & I thought the 2000 U.S releases kinda sucked. This year he's fully loaded with all sorts of gadgets. It seemed every figure came with a very nice, slick new vehicle. This took up much space on the shelf(it also took a big chunk on my shelf at home!:D ). Max steel has a nice large clutter on the shelf, ranging from boxed-cards, to just big boxes. GI Joe is scattered across the area, Everything from classic-style, to the "New Millenium" versions, to the simple current, and beautiful releases. I also saw a big stack of 12" Power Rangers. Fully suited in real-spandex suits, and removable helmets. If that's a sign of anything, it definitly that 12" is here to stay? And must I also mention the many, super-cool 12" Star Wars figures. Ooooo.

But 12" isn't just it. 8"-10" is becoming a popular catagory. While the Samurai Jack line is being led by the big, super articulated 12" figure, the rest of the line is a super-sized fun 8"!

So..what's better? Bigger? Or smaller?

Let's just say I can fit my Jurassic Park 3 toys on one shelf, but all of my 12inchers need much much more space...

[BourgeoisBuffoon]

I say the Jack figures at 8'' are the best.

I never liked the size of either those foot-long or tiny G.I. Joe figures. Forr me, as a kid, the tiny figures would get lost, and yes, there were more accesories, but the fgures were so small the accesories would not fit onto them....seriously! Also, the detail on the figure can be sadly lacking...

But I was never into big figures either. Too unweldy, too much space, and a smaller toy could provide all the action. Besides, I like playing with my toys EVERYWHERE as a kid, and a small figure meant nearly anywhere could become a good play 'set' area...

I speak as someone who played with action figures a long time ago as a kid, and not as a serious collector like you, JustJack. But this thread was too interesting too pass up a comment on.

[Bird Boy]

As a avid toy collector, I'm partial to the regular sizes. I do like it when they are bigger, mainly because more detail can be put in (McFarlane anyone? :) ).

Man..I can't wait for Spawn Classic Series 2..mahwahwhawha

-BB

[batboy2001]

Hate the 12" love the 3 3/4 REAL G.I. Joes. I am a member of another board were the guys are 30 years old and still play with the 3 3/4 Joes.

[Trent Lane]

I've got figures of all sizes, from the SW 3-3/4" to the Silent Bob 8" figure to the humungous Taun-Taun (sp?) that came with the 12" Han Solo fgure. Don't discriminate against the various sizes, man:p

[batboy2001]

I've got figures of all sizes, from the SW 3-3/4" to the Silent Bob 8" figure to the humungous Taun-Taun (sp?) that came with the 12" Han Solo fgure. Don't discriminate against the various sizes, man I meant for me personally I like the 3 3/4 if you like others fine.