View Full Version : Hasbro Dungeons and Dragons Classics?
Hasbro Dungeons and Dragons Classics
I think it has a nice ring to it. After yesterday's news about TMNT Classics, I've been thinking about all of the toy lines that are due for a revival, and this is one that I'd love for them to try out. As far as I can tell, Hasbro has the rights to the entire property (it's owned by subsidiary Wizards of the Coast). It just seems like a great nostalgia line for them in light of the TMNT Classics, Bandai's Thundercats and MOTU Classics. They could update figures from the LJN line and finally bring us figures from the cartoon. Both of these, I think, would appeal to those who play the game and the adult collector seeking out updated 80s properties.
The LJN toy line:
http://www.toyarchive.com/Dungeons&Dragons/Figures/FigureLineUpBackOfCard1a.jpg
The cartoon:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/74/Dungeons_and_Dragons.jpg
The potential is there for basic figures (Warduke, The Cavalier, etc.), deluxe figures (Venger and Shadow Demon, Bobby and Uni, Strongheart and his horse, Destrier), medium (Hooked Horror) and large (Tiamat!) beasts/dragons, and play sets (castles? the roller coaster!), as well as a cartoon to support the property, something along the lines of the original 80s 'toon with the requisite darker edge: Bobby the Barbarian is a skate rat, etc.
So what do you guys think? Can it be done? Would you want it to be done? What scale? Who would be included? Similar discussions have occurred around the web, maybe even here before, but I just wanted to run a poll and check out current support for a major attempt on this property.
Voice your support!
TheRealDubya
02-02-2012, 06:36 PM
I think that could be a great line. Good idea. There's not a really great "sword and sorcery" line out right now. Hasbro could hammer something like that out of the park.
Barefoot Jedi
02-02-2012, 06:40 PM
Would love this, would love it if they were based on the cartoon with the teenagers with the weapons fighting Venger.
That's a story that'd make an awesome modern reboot like Thundercats. Lots of potential there, especially if they made it one season with a finite beginning and ending/resolution to the story.
Irid70
02-02-2012, 06:53 PM
The D&D cartoon sucked. But I'd be all over a Hasbro revival of the LJN Dungeons and Dragons figures, yes. ALL OVER.
RolandofGilead
02-02-2012, 06:53 PM
I'm behind that! Get it started now and they'll be sword & sorcery figure line on the shelves right when the Hobbit has hit theaters and people are looking for such a thing.
Irid70
02-02-2012, 06:53 PM
I'm behind that! Get it started now and they'll be sword & sorcery figure line on the shelves right when the Hobbit has hit theaters and people are looking for such a thing.
Well, there'll be a Hobbit line too, but I'm not optimistic that "Bridge Direct" can pull it off.
RolandofGilead
02-02-2012, 06:55 PM
When I was a kid, I picked up D&D figures because I loved the Hobbit so much.
Samantha! I thought you were a huge 80s mark! I'm surprised by your vote! :D
The D&D cartoon sucked. But I'd be all over a Hasbro revival of the LJN Dungeons and Dragons figures, yes. ALL OVER.
There is a faction of D&D fans that doesn't like the cartoon, but that's where I think the gap can be bridged. There was enough cross over between the LJN line and cameos in the cartoon that both sides could be made happy.
Although you're crazy for not liking the cartoon!
GI Joseph too! The betrayal! All my 80s pals who vote no on this public poll, I'm calling you out! :D
SDawg
02-02-2012, 07:59 PM
Id go for the cartoon 200%
Nice memories when i was little watchin it on tv in the 80ies and they never made toys for it.
Jmacq1
02-02-2012, 08:13 PM
I'd love to see modern versions of some of the old LJN characters, but sadly Dungeons and Dragons is such a niche market now that the brand itself, while having some name recognition, is not too healthy, and has virtually NO traction at all with kids. Even less than G.I. Joe. It was a minor phenomenon in the late 70's and early 80's (which was what led to the cartoon and toy line), and back then you could hardly throw a rock without hitting someone that had at least tried D&D once. Now? Not so much. Heck, it's gotten so bad that D&D isn't even the undisputed king of the tabletop Role-Playing Game market for the first time in history.
Might be a good project for a subscription or retailer-exclusive style line, though.
samantha
02-02-2012, 08:20 PM
[QUOTE=ero;3286372]Samantha! I thought you were a huge 80s mark! I'm surprised by your vote! :D
I really enjoyed playing D&D with my friends but I never got into the figures. D&D was all about paper and well painted miniatures, I never got into the whole toy line thing. Sure the toy line in the 80's was cool but with every toy line out there I did have to pass on something. I know, I know, silly but true. A D&D line now would fail miserably. Today's children have no connection to the days when adventure was not found on a screen but in the mind and the roll of a dice was all that stood before you and death.
D&D for me was the smooth talking thief who just stole the dragons most prized goblet and now your party had to fight their way to the exit. No toy could ever live up to the vision in my mind of those great times filled with pizza, mountain dew and pringles. :D
Taterbot
02-02-2012, 08:30 PM
I think what there doing now with releasing pre-painted mini is cool. I've bought several. And they work with the game too. A 3 3/4" scale would be very hard to sell just like Samantha has said. If they did, geared only to collectors, it may sell well like MOTU Classics. Still, I would love to see it come true.
samantha
02-02-2012, 08:44 PM
I think what there doing now with releasing pre-painted mini is cool. I've bought several. And they work with the game too. A 3 3/4" scale would be very hard to sell just like Samantha has said. If they did, geared only to collectors, it may sell well like MOTU Classics. Still, I would love to see it come true.
I remember back when Shadow Run Figures where made in the late 90's. The figures where also made for playing a table top game, guess what, they sold poorly. The figures looked great but people would rather play on their computers in Everquest, than play a game of imagination on their dining room table. It is sad but the facts are the facts. Gone are the days where imagination is treasured over electronic pigs being killed by angry birds. The 80's toy world where fueled by the TV shows that advertised they toy lines. Today the only thing driving the 80's toy line revolution and reintroduction are the few of us who still cling to those days we felt safe in our imaginary world. The sad truth is D&D has no place in our computer driven, text sending, blog writing world.
Ok, now I feel sad. :(
Viper6
02-02-2012, 08:49 PM
sure it has relevance.... my crew games, rare we all get together cause of geographic differences now, but RPG is king, i dont even own a modern gaming console and dont want one, throw the dice any day! what can a limited AI engine possibly compare with unlimited imagination. ill never get it and yes ive played a few of these world of warcrafts and such, eh....not my thing. id rather paint a minifig all day and writer up a book of a character sheet. order the pizza, beer and into the goblins lair!
samantha
02-02-2012, 08:52 PM
sure it has relevance.... my crew games, rare we all get together cause of geographic differences now, but RPG is king, i dont even own a modern gaming console and dont want one, throw the dice any day! what can a limited AI engine possibly compare with unlimited imagination. ill never get it and yes ive played a few of these world of warcrafts and such, eh....not my thing. id rather paint a minifig all day and writer up a book of a character sheet. order the pizza, beer and into the goblins lair!
The Beer still flows at my Bi-weekly D&D game. Pizza Huts $10.00 anyway pizza deal rules.
Beckley
02-02-2012, 08:57 PM
I LOVED the Orcs of Broken Bone, I still have them!
If they did do a revival, they had better be in scale with MOTUC so people could do crossovers.
Viper6
02-02-2012, 08:58 PM
The Beer still flows at my Bi-weekly D&D game. Pizza Huts $10.00 anyway pizza deal rules.
anychance youre in MD? its been difficult since relocating here.
Kolschey
02-02-2012, 11:25 PM
If they tried this, it would end badly. Without a major media tie-in, the line would never gain any attention, outside of a small subset of adult collectors. Even with modern sculpts, you would have a toy with a high price point and low recognition. You would practically have to throw them at children to catch and keep their attention, particularly in competition with Clone Wars, Ben 10, Bakugan, Power Rangers, Ninja Turtles, Transformers, and an entire aisle of DC and Marvel heroes. To compound this, there would be the same issues of distribution and case assortment follies we see in every other line that make scalpers very happy, and make dedicated collectors scream. Invariably, you would see folks bitching that "The only two figures I could find were six of @#%$* Zarak, and a single Strongheart with the package torn open and the accessories missing". The result would be a line that would be dead within three months of hitting the shelves.
There's my 2 pence.
I'd love to see modern versions of some of the old LJN characters, but sadly Dungeons and Dragons is such a niche market now that the brand itself, while having some name recognition, is not too healthy, and has virtually NO traction at all with kids. Even less than G.I. Joe. It was a minor phenomenon in the late 70's and early 80's (which was what led to the cartoon and toy line), and back then you could hardly throw a rock without hitting someone that had at least tried D&D once. Now? Not so much. Heck, it's gotten so bad that D&D isn't even the undisputed king of the tabletop Role-Playing Game market for the first time in history.
Might be a good project for a subscription or retailer-exclusive style line, though.
Yeah, maybe. Although I don't think there was a whole lot going on with Thundercats before this recent revival. I think any pre-existing property stands a decent chance of a reboot if done right.
Samantha! I thought you were a huge 80s mark! I'm surprised by your vote! :D
I really enjoyed playing D&D with my friends but I never got into the figures. D&D was all about paper and well painted miniatures, I never got into the whole toy line thing. Sure the toy line in the 80's was cool but with every toy line out there I did have to pass on something. I know, I know, silly but true. A D&D line now would fail miserably. Today's children have no connection to the days when adventure was not found on a screen but in the mind and the roll of a dice was all that stood before you and death.
D&D for me was the smooth talking thief who just stole the dragons most prized goblet and now your party had to fight their way to the exit. No toy could ever live up to the vision in my mind of those great times filled with pizza, mountain dew and pringles. :D
Alright. Forgiven. :)
I will say, it's interesting that so many folks associate it so closely with the game. I mean, obviously, the toyline and cartoon came from the game, but I remember playing with Warduke and Strongheart and never once even seeing cards for the game. To be they were very separate things: toys and RPG. I never even though people who played the game knew about the toys -- the naivete of an 8 year old, I guess.
Shogi
02-03-2012, 08:41 AM
Would love new D&D figures from both the original toy line and the cartoon. But I need them in 3 3/4" scale.
Think of it Toy Makers (Mattel stay away from this) You could have a line to compete with He-Man and the possible upcoming Hobbit toy lines, but have them be the size and affordability of 3 3/4" making it more worthwhile to parents on a budget and collectors with little room to buy them all!
I will of course want the monsters too and they will have to be comparable to the figure size. Horses = Alpha vehicle size, Dragons = Bravo vehicle size
Troynos
02-03-2012, 08:45 AM
I have wanted and asked for a 3 3/4" D&D line for awhile now.
THIS MUST HAPPEN!!
The opinion with a line like this is that there's so many universes to choose from.
I think if they do it, they start with one of the D&D realms, I'd say Forgotten Realms so can get Drizzt Do'Urden, Elminster and other names. Then can start drawing in from the other realms and do a classic line.
Jmacq1
02-03-2012, 09:01 AM
Yeah, maybe. Although I don't think there was a whole lot going on with Thundercats before this recent revival. I think any pre-existing property stands a decent chance of a reboot if done right.
True, but the difference between Thundercats and D&D is this:
Thundercats was popular as a toy and a cartoon back in the 80's, and maintained a pretty vocal cult following in the years since.
D&D was popular as a role-playing game, but the toys and cartoon were not particularly successful.
azoric
02-03-2012, 09:39 AM
IT was like 5 years ago I tink Fox was re-running that cartoon on saturday mornings.
I remember the cartoon from when I was a kid (longer than 5 years ago) but never saw the toys.
ceraurus
02-03-2012, 09:47 AM
I had completely forgotten about those toys--thanks for the memory jolt! I loved the Fortress of Fangs. If a new line came out, I'd probably get pretty nostalgic over it, but I doubt I would buy it--not the same pull that joes have. Although I do have a problem checking "I have no interest," because there'd be some temptation to get it for my kids.
AMERICAN_Hero7
02-03-2012, 10:00 AM
I'm really excited for the TMNT classics but I never got into D&D...now if Hasbro could update SilverHawks that's another story...
Troynos
02-03-2012, 10:07 AM
I'm really excited for the TMNT classics but I never got into D&D...now if Hasbro could update SilverHawks that's another story...
Galaxy Rangers first.
Then Silverhawks.
AMERICAN_Hero7
02-03-2012, 11:16 AM
Galaxy Rangers first.
Then Silverhawks.
Then Centurions
I needed my memory jogged on the D&D cartoon and toys, but the second I saw this guy:
http://0.tqn.com/d/actionfigures/1/0/x/5/-/-/DD_Warduke_1.jpg
It all came back. I think he was probably the most recognizable. Him and Strongheart.
True, but the difference between Thundercats and D&D is this:
Thundercats was popular as a toy and a cartoon back in the 80's, and maintained a pretty vocal cult following in the years since.
D&D was popular as a role-playing game, but the toys and cartoon were not particularly successful.
The cartoon did pretty well. It was a Saturday morning staple. It just didn't get enough episodes to make syndication. No surprise -- it really wasn't intended to support the toyline.
Ah, nuts. This got moved to non-Joe? Nobody's gonna see it if it's not in the ticker! :)
samantha
02-03-2012, 03:24 PM
anychance youre in MD? its been difficult since relocating here.
No sorry, I am in Ohio. :(
samantha
02-03-2012, 03:33 PM
Yeah, maybe. Although I don't think there was a whole lot going on with Thundercats before this recent revival. I think any pre-existing property stands a decent chance of a reboot if done right.
Alright. Forgiven. :)
I will say, it's interesting that so many folks associate it so closely with the game. I mean, obviously, the toyline and cartoon came from the game, but I remember playing with Warduke and Strongheart and never once even seeing cards for the game. To be they were very separate things: toys and RPG. I never even though people who played the game knew about the toys -- the naivete of an 8 year old, I guess.
You know what is interesting. Roleplaying in a table top format with Character sheets and rule books have always excited my imagination. I grew up with them, I was talking to my two little buds,(my nephews) and they couldn't grasp why we needed to have books to explain the rules of a card game. They didn't even know that before Magic the Gathering and Pokemon there was a time when you purchased volumes of books to role play. I guess I never thought to much about that. I invited them to one of our D&D games and they loved it. Now they want to join the game. I guess you can always find ways to teach others about things they never knew.
samantha
02-03-2012, 03:34 PM
I'm really excited for the TMNT classics but I never got into D&D...now if Hasbro could update SilverHawks that's another story...
I could get behind a Silver Hawks toy line.
You know what is interesting. Roleplaying in a table top format with Character sheets and rule books have always excited my imagination. I grew up with them, I was talking to my two little buds,(my nephews) and they couldn't grasp why we needed to have books to explain the rules of a card game. They didn't even know that before Magic the Gathering and Pokemon there was a time when you purchased volumes of books to role play. I guess I never thought to much about that. I invited them to one of our D&D games and they loved it. Now they want to join the game. I guess you can always find ways to teach others about things they never knew.
Ha! I didn't know you needed books to play those games. :)
Jmacq1
02-03-2012, 11:11 PM
You know what is interesting. Roleplaying in a table top format with Character sheets and rule books have always excited my imagination. I grew up with them, I was talking to my two little buds,(my nephews) and they couldn't grasp why we needed to have books to explain the rules of a card game. They didn't even know that before Magic the Gathering and Pokemon there was a time when you purchased volumes of books to role play. I guess I never thought to much about that. I invited them to one of our D&D games and they loved it. Now they want to join the game. I guess you can always find ways to teach others about things they never knew.
Ironically it's been collectible card games that have kept most local "game shops" alive the past 10 years or so.
I have a HUGE collection of role-playing game books. I've even managed to play -most- of the games I own at least once or twice, and still regularly buy new stuff (though I ditched D&D 4th Edition in favor of Pathfinder, which is AWESOME).
Troynos
02-04-2012, 12:36 AM
I've always wanted to do PnP role playing. Never anyone around when I was growing up to play.
samantha
02-04-2012, 03:43 AM
Ironically it's been collectible card games that have kept most local "game shops" alive the past 10 years or so.
I have a HUGE collection of role-playing game books. I've even managed to play -most- of the games I own at least once or twice, and still regularly buy new stuff (though I ditched D&D 4th Edition in favor of Pathfinder, which is AWESOME).
I have not seen the Pathfinder Line. I will have to check it out.
samantha
02-04-2012, 03:46 AM
I've always wanted to do PnP role playing. Never anyone around when I was growing up to play.
I had a small group of friends who played. It was very fun. I can still remember eating dinner with the gang and playing all night only to turn around and do breakfast in the morning. :D Those where the days of 10 hour game sessions.
JokerFC
02-04-2012, 11:04 AM
if its gets me a Venger figure then hell yes,.
Venger would be amazing.
I know people say, "Mattel, stay away," but I think they do a pretty good job, and the thought of seeing what the 4H could do on a line like this is very exciting.
But alas, it's a Hasbro property. I would worry it would be in the vein of Marvel Universe, which would make it lower quality. But I'd take it any way I could get it.
JokerFC
02-04-2012, 08:56 PM
I could get behind a Silver Hawks toy line.
same here but isnt that ball in Bandais court?
now I might be wrong but with the sharks and Monstarr(very briefly) being in the new Cats toon maybe Bandai would have the rights to the whole family of characters.
samantha
02-04-2012, 09:20 PM
same here but isnt that ball in Bandais court?
now I might be wrong but with the sharks and Monstarr(very briefly) being in the new Cats toon maybe Bandai would have the rights to the whole family of characters.
You may be right. Bandai may own the rights. Either way I don't care who owns the rights I just want them to make the toys. :D
boff123
02-05-2012, 11:35 AM
give me the monsters. would love a new hydra, chimera, hook monster, and many other characters from the cartoon series.
JokerFC
02-05-2012, 02:54 PM
You may be right. Bandai may own the rights. Either way I don't care who owns the rights I just want them to make the toys. :D
yeah same here!!
RuckusJr
02-05-2012, 03:07 PM
Dorks.
Serpymatt
02-05-2012, 03:26 PM
All I want (for starters) is a Warduke figure and maybe some super badass Gnoll figure! Gnolls are the best fantasy creature ever! :)
All I want (for starters) is a Warduke figure and maybe some super badass Gnoll figure! Gnolls are the best fantasy creature ever! :)
Warduke and Strongheart would be very nice, but I gotta say, I REALLY want the kids from the cartoon. That they never made it into action figure form is a bummer.
RolandofGilead
02-06-2012, 05:41 PM
I can't even remember what happened to all my AD&D figures. I had a handful and my friend had more (including the dragon cave playset) but I don't recall selling or giving them away.
Black Swan
02-06-2012, 06:32 PM
Give me a Tiamat and some dwarves...and I'm good.
Abra kazam
Abra kathump
Give this AD&D thread
A bump!
RolandofGilead
04-25-2012, 07:37 PM
Get Hasbro to make new toys and this place will be hopping.
I play D nad D and pathfinder with my bro and we have a gaming group.I think a D&D figure line would be sweet.If they were done right.Not sure about the scale though.
A lot of the guys around here say 4", which I'd be cool with, so long as the quality was Joe quality and not Marvel Universe. But I'd take it anyway I could get it.
cobralalalala!
04-25-2012, 08:01 PM
I would prefer a line based on the characters from the cartoon.
I had Bronzedragon & Strongheart, and Nightmare & Warduke back when I was a kid, so I wouldn't mind seeing those made as well. I think an AD&D line would need to be in the 6" scale, to properly capture the epic nature of the theme.
Troynos
04-26-2012, 07:55 AM
I want this to happen. I'm looking forward to the Hobbit line. 3 3/4" fantasy figures? Yes please.
dolf334
04-28-2012, 04:00 AM
I don't know much about D&D, but I did like the Community episode that parodied the game. Annie FTW!!
I would prefer a line based on the characters from the cartoon.
Me too. Amazingly, a lot of the LJN figures/characters appeared in the cartoon, just not the kids, Dungeon Master and Venger.
I want this to happen. I'm looking forward to the Hobbit line. 3 3/4" fantasy figures? Yes please.
I so wish it would. I question the quality of Marvel Universe, but undoubtedly, Hasbro knows the scale and has good experience with the elements such a line would require.
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