12 Iconic Toys from the 1980s That Failed to Make an Impact

For many who grew up during the 1980s, the decade is often celebrated as a golden era for toys. However, certain action figures failed to connect with audiences at the time. Today, some of these once-rejected toys from the '80s have become highly prized by collectors.

1. Food Fighters (Mattel, 1988-89)

The bizarre and often-overlooked Food Fighters action figures have a backstory that mirrors every classic '80s toy franchise: The heroes, known as the "Kitchen Commandos," battle the villains, the "Refrigerator Rejects," for dominance over... your fridge? Each faction in the Food Fighters line—whether good or evil—represents the most indulgent forms of American junk food: The heroes include Burgerdier General (a hamburger with ketchup), Lieutenant Legg (a fried chicken leg), Major Munch (a chocolate doughnut), Private Pizza (a slice of pepperoni and mushroom pizza), and Sergeant Scoop (a two-scoop ice cream cone). The villains feature Mean Weener (a hot dog with mustard), Chip-the-Ripper (a chocolate chip cookie), Fat Frenchy (a pack of crinkle-cut fries), Short Stack (a stack of pancakes with syrup and butter), and Taco Terror (a hard-shell taco).

Mattel’s decision to avoid health-food themes for the heroes was logical, as kids likely wouldn’t connect with such choices. However, the existing lineup didn’t fare well either. These air-filled, poseable "squeaky-toy" action figures were discontinued after just one production series.

Today, the Food Fighters have seen a resurgence in popularity on the secondary market, with their unique vehicles driving demand: the Kitchen Commandos’ Combat Carton (an egg carton turned armored vehicle), the Fry Chopper (a frying pan transformed into a helicopter with spatula blades), and the Refrigerator Rejects’ BBQ Bomber (a barbecue grill converted into an assault vehicle). Even the figures themselves fetch high prices, especially when still in their original packaging.

2. Barnyard Commandos (Playmates, 1989)

Playmates introduced the Barnyard Commandos in 1988, a line of non-poseable, squeaky-toy pigs and sheep equipped with military gear. These anthropomorphic animals were the outcome of a covert military experiment hidden on their farm. As described on the packaging: "After consuming contaminated grain, the Pigs and Sheep began behaving oddly. Some drove tractors like tanks, while others dug trenches. Before long, a full-scale war broke out among the Barnyard Commandos!"

The conflict between the two factions of Barnyard Commandos was encapsulated by their acronyms: the R.A.M.S. (Rebel Army of Military Sheep) battled the P.O.R.K.S. (Platoon of Rebel Killer Swine). Each figure came with a “Secret Code Book” that taught buyers how to communicate in Pig Latin, adding a playful twist to the toy line.

The lack of poseability likely hurt the toys’ sales, as children preferred more flexible options available at the time. Despite poor performance in stores, the Barnyard Commandos have become a nostalgic favorite among collectors and remain affordable on the secondary market. Urchasepay omesay Arnyardbay Ommandoscay odaytay!

3. Army Ants (Hasbro, 1987)

In 1987, Hasbro aimed to revolutionize the classic “green plastic army men” idea with the launch of their Army Ants toy line. Marketed as a more detailed collectible with a narrative, the packaging stated: "The Army Ants battle to dominate the expansive terrain of your backyard. Two rival forces clash in fierce combat to secure vital resources." However, these peculiar figures became known as “peg warmers,” remaining unsold on store shelves as children showed little interest.

Despite this, Hasbro divided the Army Ants into two opposing factions of anthropomorphic insects: the Blue Army, led by General Mc-Anther, and the Orange Army, commanded by General Patant. The toys were sold in five distinct blister card sets, each containing either three or eight Army Ant figures, with a total of 20 soldiers per side.

For enthusiasts of action figures and rubber collectibles like M.U.S.C.L.E. and Monster in My Pocket, the 40-piece Army Ants line offered an engaging and appealing collection. However, completing the set proved difficult, as each figure featured a rare removable accessory, a detachable soft abdomen, and a unique mold, making it a challenging pursuit for collectors.

4. Sectaurs, Warriors of Symbion (Coleco, 1984-85)

The Sectaurs universe, a clever twist on the word “insect,” is set on the planet Symbion, where experiments have caused insects to grow to enormous sizes. Sectaur soldiers, humanoid beings with insect and arachnid traits, form telepathic bonds with their insect partners through “binary-bonding,” a symbiotic relationship that enhances their combat abilities.

Coleco released just one series, featuring eight action figures and a single playset. Each figure, regardless of price, was packed with an array of weapons and accessories, including bandoliers, belts, pistols, rifles, swords, and shields, as well as a distinctive insect companion with its own action feature.

Coleco also offered premium deluxe action figure sets. These four larger sets included a humanoid Sectaurs figure paired with an oversized insect companion designed as a hand-puppet. Children could attach the humanoid figure to a saddle on the insect, then insert their hand into the puppet to control its legs and appendages. Some sets even featured insects with delicate, battery-powered, translucent wings that flapped when activated, showcasing impressive toy engineering.

In addition to the eight action figures, Coleco produced the highly sought-after Hyve action playset. The Hyve, Forbidden Fortress, complete with two “Hands-In” monsters, is a prized item among collectors. Due to its massive size and numerous fragile components, surviving examples from the 1980s are rarely intact, making it a rare and expensive find on the collector’s market.

5. Rock Lords (Tonka, 1986-1987)

Tonka’s Rock Lords action figures intrigued kids with their innovative design: rather than transforming into vehicles, these intricately designed characters morphed into… vibrant rocks. The toy line featured two opposing factions across three series: the Good Rock Lords, including Boulder (tungsten), Nuggit (gold), Granite (granite), Marbles (cristobalite), Crackpot (azurite), and Pulver Eyes (Dolomite). The Bad Rock Lords consisted of Magmar (Igneous), Tombstone (quartz), Sticks ‘N Stones (a two-headed figure with anthracite and magnetite), Stoneheart (slate), Brimstone (brimstone), Slimestone (silver), and the menacing Sabrestone and Spearhead (with unknown rock types).

In addition to the initial “Good vs. Evil” series, Tonka introduced furry companions called “Narlies” and dinosaur allies known as Rockasaurs, including Terra Rock and Spike Stone. The highlight of the line was the Jewel Lords, with only three released—Solitaire, Flamestone, and Sunstone—which are now highly sought-after collectibles, even in loose condition. The collection also included sub-lines like the Shock Rocks, which featured action features like rolling, shooting, or throwing rocks.

6. Computer Warriors (Mattel, 1989)

“A mishap in a classified government computer unleashes swarms of malicious Virus troops upon an unsuspecting world. Their mission: global domination by seizing control of all computers—even yours! To combat this threat, the computer creates valiant micro-soldiers—COMPUTER WARRIORS—tasked with defeating the Virus troops and ensuring computers serve humanity’s greater good!”

This is the premise behind the 2-inch-tall Computer Warriors. What child wouldn’t be captivated by action figures and playsets that morph from a soccer trophy into a “radar rover,” a flashlight into a “flash craft,” a Pepsi can into a “hyper hover jet,” or a PC board into an “aerial assault bomber”? Surprisingly, most kids weren’t interested.

While assembling a full collection is challenging due to the rarity of high-value pieces, acquiring individual figures like the heroic Debugg and Romm or the villainous Asynk and Megahert is relatively easy on the secondary market.

7. The Saga of Crystar, Crystal Warrior (1982)

Inspired by an 11-issue Marvel Comics series from 1983, The Saga of Crystar, Crystal Warrior led to a line of uniquely designed action figures by Remco, a company known for its affordable, low-quality yet endearing toys in the 1980s. The toy line’s story mirrored the comic’s plot: the “Forces of Order,” featuring the blue translucent Crystar, Warbow, and the wizard Ogeode, battled the “Forces of Chaos,” including solid red Moltar, red-robed Zardeth, and the red plastic Magma Men. Remco released seven figures, four small playsets with figures, two large dragons with figures, two rare catapults, and a highly fragile Crystal Castle playset.

While The Saga of Crystar line initially saw success, its popularity declined rapidly. Like many failed '80s toy lines, surviving pieces often bear price tags indicating deep discounts. Common figures such as Zardeth and Ogeode are frequently found in '80s toy collections.

8. Inhumanoids (Hasbro, 1986)

Hasbro’s Inhumanoids, with the tagline “The Evil That Lies Within,” has a dedicated following among collectors. The toys’ eerie design—many featured glowing eyes that activated in sunlight—and a richly detailed backstory, explored in a 13-episode TV series, contribute to their enduring appeal.

The Earth Corps, a team of government-backed geological scientists, confronts three terrifying underground monsters known as the Inhumanoids: Tendril, a beast capable of regenerating its limbs; D’Compose, a flesh-decaying vampire with a rib cage used to trap foes; and their leader, Metlar, ruler of the fiery Infernac. With the help of the benevolent Mutores, a race of powerful underground beings, the Earth Corps manages to defeat these malevolent creatures.

A major letdown of the line was the design of the Earth Corps action figures. With only five points of articulation, they lacked poseability and appeared awkward on display. Despite features like “Interchangeable Arm Implements” and “Glow-in-the-Light” helmets, these couldn’t compensate for the limited movement, especially compared to Hasbro’s highly articulated 3 ¾-inch G.I. Joe figures.

The toy line lasted just one year due to poor sales, but its eerie aesthetic and accompanying animated series left a lasting impression on many '80s kids.

9. Super Naturals (Tonka, 1987)

While holograms are now commonplace, appearing on IDs and official documents, they were a novelty in the 1980s. Tonka’s Super Naturals capitalized on this fascination by replacing traditional 3D molded faces with flattened surfaces adorned with holographic stickers, captivating children at the time.

The slogan “Release their hologram powers!” adorned every toy package, highlighting the holograms that shifted between images on both the figures and their shields. Despite being limited to a single series, the Super Naturals line saw significant production. The six large, standard-sized action figures were the most popular, each including a holographic shield, a glow-in-the-dark weapon, and a mini-comic detailing the characters’ origins. These figures also featured removable chest pieces that concealed a two-phase hologram sticker, adding an element of surprise to the toy’s design.

For budget-conscious buyers, Tonka offered smaller-scale figures called Ghostlings. These eight figures came with removable cloaks, a glow-in-the-dark sword, and a mini-comic, providing a more affordable option compared to the larger figures.

10. Air Raiders (Hasbro, 1987)

In the late 1980s, the concept of purified air becoming a valuable commodity, shaping an entire world’s economy and social hierarchy, was a far-fetched idea. Yet, this was the premise behind Hasbro’s Air Raiders toy line. Despite its innovative design—each vehicle featured air-powered functions like firing missiles, racing, or opening panels—the gimmick failed to captivate children.

Lacking a movie or cartoon to boost its appeal, Air Raiders struggled on store shelves. Many sealed items available today bear the scars of this failure, with original prices heavily discounted.

Now, Air Raiders have found a niche among dedicated collectors. Rare pieces like the Man-O-War and the mail-order “Air Raider Survival Kit” featuring Emperor Aerozar and Baron Jolt can fetch over $500 when sealed.

11. Chuck Norris & Karate Kommandos (Kenner, 1986)

In 1986, Ruby-Spears created a poorly received five-episode animated series featuring U.S. operative Chuck Norris (voiced by the actor) and his martial arts team battling VULTURE, a sinister ninja organization led by Claw. While attempting to ride the 1980s ninja trend, Chuck Norris and the Karate Kommandos is now remembered more for its unintentional humor than its action.

Following the trend of the era, Kenner Toys released nine Karate Kommandos action figures alongside the cartoon: Chuck Norris (in three outfits), Kimo (the team’s samurai), Reed Smith (Chuck’s apprentice), Ninja Serpent, Ninja Warrior, Super Ninja (Claw’s lieutenant), Tabe (a sumo wrestler), and the Karate Corvette vehicle. Notably, no Claw figure was produced, possibly reserved for a second series that never materialized.

12. Police Academy (Kenner Toys, 1989-1990)

Despite mixed reviews, the Police Academy franchise earned nearly $250 million at the box office. The 1988 animated series, spanning 65 episodes, adapted the film’s characters, many of which were later turned into action figures by Kenner.

Kenner’s Police Academy toy line featured key characters like Sgt. Carey Mahoney, the charismatic leader; Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry, the weapons enthusiast; Captain Thaddeus Harris, the strict antagonist; Sgt. Moses Hightower, the strong and silent type; Officer Thomas “House” Conklin, the towering officer; reformed troublemaker Zed McGlunk; his partner, the gentle Officer Carl Sweetchuck; and Sgt. Larvell Jones, known for his sound effects and martial arts skills.

Mark Bellomo, author of Totally Tubular '80s Toys, owns 45,000 action figures, all removed from their packaging. The images in this article are from his personal collection.

This article, originally published in 2012, has been updated for 2022.