16bit.com Presents Playmoblog, an Unofficial Playmobil News Bog

US 2010 Release Dates: School, Africa

2010-01-04T21:38:00.000-08:00

Good news, everyone! Playmobil's web site updated with release dates for two major themes this year. The Africa Sets should start showing up in April, while the School theme will be out around August.

Of course, these could show up at a mass market outlet earlier but nobody knows just yet. The pricing was also announced, with most sets being a little pricey side. The school, for example, is $169.99. The ostriches (pictured) will be only a mere $7.99, though, so this line is going to be all over the place in 2010.

2010 Mass Market US Sets Hit eBay Target

2009-12-30T23:30:00.000-08:00

So far, four sets have appeared which mix existing parts into pleasing ways. We have not yet spotted these in the wild, but odds are they're hitting Targets. Here are some links to auctions showing the images which, if you're too far in the future, will be long dead.

5897: Orca Whale Watching - Orca, boat, figure, similar to a set sold about 14 years ago
5898: Alaska Set - SUV, moose. Gotta get a moose.
5884: Deluxe Mermaids Blister Pack - Mermaid (adult), Mermaid (girl), big seahorse, little seahorse, clam, etc.
5888: Deluxe Knights Blister - Horse, weapon rack, knights, weapons, helmets, the works

Happy Hunting, and Happy New Year! UPDATE DECEMBER 31 2009: The large blisters showed up at a Los Angeles-area Target for $5.99. The large moose set was $19.99. No sign of the Orca at press time. UPDATE JANUARY 1 2010: The 5897 Orca set was spotted by us at a Target around Oxnard, CA. $9.99, cheep.

Playmobil Specials Return to Toys "R" Us?

2009-12-27T22:40:00.001-08:00

It seems like the single-boxed figure has returned to Toys "R" Us! We spotted a whole rack of 4685 Zulu Warrior figures at $3.49 a pop. There were no other Specials available, but seeing as US TRU stores haven't had these in some time, this might be a good sign for these guys returning to American big box toy stores. Happy hunting!

New Sets Released in Germany, Unboxed!

2009-12-21T22:18:00.000-08:00

Klickywelt added pages of pics from the new Adventurer/Temple theme whose English name is presently unknown to us. See rock figures which seem like Go-Bots' Rock Lords mixed with Bionicle! Admire giant lizard creatures and new snakes!

These new sets should be out in the USA in 2011-- after all, they're just hitting Germany right now. The USA should be getting the school and Africa in 2010, and they seem pretty promising. Particularly the new animals.

Two New Playmobil Video Games This Week

2009-12-13T20:48:00.001-08:00

For reals! It's been slow on the toy front but a Playmobil Circus game is coming to the Nintendo Wii this week, and a Playmobil Pirates game is coming to the Nintendo DS. It is presently unknown if any cool exclusive figures will be offered as mail-ins or some such, but hey-- heads up, gamers!

And apparently you can gamble with the dead. Truly, the pinnacle of electronic entertainment has arrived.

Rumor Mill: Playmobil's 2011 and 2012 Product Lines

2009-11-10T21:29:00.000-08:00

Over on Playmofriends is an English translation of the German forum Klickywelt concerning possible lines for 2011 (Germany). These include:
- Modern life/subway
- Winter Sports
- Fairy Tale
- Western
- Race Cars

While completely within levels of reason concerning what is (and isn't) on the market, remember, nothing is official until Playmobil says it is, or the right catalog scans hit the web. It sure would be nice to see Western again, wouldn't it?

New 2010 Sets at the DB, New Dragon Knights in DE (not Delaware)

2009-11-01T14:26:00.000-08:00

Looking to see some new sets you can't buy yet, you American scum you?

First up: PlaymoDB.org posted a number of scans from a catalog of 2010 German releases. 27 new planes, Easter Eggs, vacation homes, zoo animals, and other items were added. Of note, we particularly liked the "Ferienhaus" which looks like about 70% of the restaurants in Scottsdale, AZ.

Also new: Playmofriends has a thread with new Dragon Knights from Germany. These are 4 unique figure packs, with 1 or 3 in each. They come in green and red, and should augment the sets which will be coming out in the USA about this time next year. Enjoy waiting! We won't.

Playmobil.com Free Shipping Offer (US)

2009-10-27T20:54:00.000-07:00

Playmobil USA is offering free shipping on orders of $75 or more through October 31, 2009. Unfortunately there aren't many new sets to exploit this, but hey, Egypt. Specials. (But no Africa yet, dagnabbit.)

Target Toys "R" Us Playmobil Sales This Week

2009-10-18T19:53:00.000-07:00

At Target: The Knights 5864 Roleplay Shield is on sale for $20, normally $29.99, through Saturday. In addition to this, almost the entire Playmobil section is also about 10% off. The good news is you can save some scratch on new items, the bad news is that 10% off a $2.99 blister is probably not doing anybody any favors.

At Toys "R" Us: Save 20% on select items. Specifically, items from the Nautical Expedition line and the Vet office theme. Good stuff, if you haven't yet got it, we suggest the whale.

Promotional 7969 Ghost Pirate Set: Germany

2009-10-17T01:24:00.000-07:00

Currently a premium set when you order from the direct service department in Germany, this nifty set as scanned to Klickywelt includes an exclusive red three-headed sea serpent, a unique ghost, and several colorful barrels of what we presume is rum. It's a safe bet this is going to be offered in the USA (if it isn't already) but if you haven't seen it, here it is!

The same link also shows a promotional animal set with cheetah cubs (or kitten repaints) plus a baby gorilla in a diaper. Truly, you can't go wrong.

Extensive Drachenritterwelt (Dragon Castle World) Galleries

2009-10-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

The good folks at Klickywelt, a primarily German forum for Playmobil discussion and trading-- you can tell it's German because unlike English ones, there's decent traffic (and it's in German)-- posted a ton of shots of the new Dragon sets, recently released in Germany and expected in the USA in 2010. While some small sets in a similar style have been out and about since last year, these new ones are huge and seem to have more in common with American fantasy-based castle toy lines like Masters of the Universe than most recent Playmobil releases.

Several new dragons and castles are showcased, and unless these show up as part of a mass market line, expect them in your stores about a year from now. If you can't wait, some forerunners of the line are still in some mass-market stores like Toys "R" Us for fairly decent prices-- minus the giant super-fun looking castle things.

New Vikings, Pirates Blisters Found

2009-10-15T21:38:00.001-07:00

USA residents: your local Target stores may have two new sets for you to pick up at a mere $2.99 a hit.

5802 Pirates (seemingly inspired by but different from existing figures)
5848 Viking Warriors (seemingly recycled from existing sets)

Happy hunting!

Playmobil 2010 and 2011 Revealed!

2009-09-28T19:54:00.000-07:00

Fan forum Klickywelt.de has revealed a number of new sets for release in Germany in 2010 and worldwide in 2011, plus the new 2010 specials! Wow! Check out this thread (it's auf Deutsch, English speakers) for some images and links to the new sets. I pulled a couple of links for your perusal:

Family House and Recreation Sets
Includes an adult in a speedo, a woman in a bikini, a new pool, pool toys, a new camper, a new house, and a lot of other sets you may have never seen before.

New Zoo
Meerkats, Lions, Elephants, and Koalas! Some are new, some are old, but it's a good mix of critters.

Larger, better pictures-- including those of a new Spaceman and Mongolian Warrior-- can be found in the thread, so pop in, log in as needed, and check them all out!

Playmobil Divers Sale: 20% Off at Toys "R" Us

2009-09-27T17:50:00.000-07:00

Toys "R" Us stores in the USA-- apparently, one of the few places where something is going on with Playmobil these days-- have the Divers range for 20% off. You can get the whale set for $15.99, the Nautical Expedition Boat for $43.99, and others for less than you deserve to pay for them. Lucky you!

As we've picked up the entire range, we give them all high marks. (Particularly the SCUBA set with the swordfish and the whale.)

Toys "R" Us Sale This Week

2009-09-20T21:47:00.000-07:00

It seems we have a consistent source of goings-on in American Playmobil collecting, don't we?

This week (through Saturday closing), Toys "R" Us stores are selling Playmobil Castle/Knights and Pirates/Ghost Pirates for buy-one-get-one-half-price. As many new sets were recently released, this may be a great opportunity to get some what skeletons and derelict ships. Happy hunting!

Yet More New Sets at Toys "R" US (USA)

2009-09-13T17:39:00.000-07:00

Apparently the reset a few weeks ago with the Egypt series and the Ghost Pirates was just the tip of the iceberg-- more new sets are hitting your local Toys "R" Us stores! Assuming you live in the USA, that is. Here are some of the highlights:

Vet Blister Packs 5821 and 5822 (previously seen on eBay)

Log Cabin 5918 (reissue of 3826, may have slight modifications), $39.99

Fairy Tale Castle 5873, $29.99. A Unicorn Playset ($19.99) and a Carriage ($9.99) were also available.

Other new sets are expected, so happy hunting!

New Playmobil Hits Toys "R" Us... in the USA

2009-08-29T01:31:00.000-07:00

USA fans, check your local Toys "R" Us for some new themes. The holiday reset is starting now with a very healthy selection of Ghost Pirate and Ancient Egypt themed sets. You'll find the Whale Skeleton for about $30, the Pyramid, the Sphinx, and other sets starting at about $10. We're still researching what's out there, so if you're out and about this weekend see what you can find!

New Playmobil Blister Packs Appearing - Vets Galore!

2009-08-13T23:07:00.000-07:00

While previously the domain of 2-figure sets, new blisters are appearing on eBay. 5821 Vet with Dog features... a male vet with a dog. 5822 Vet with Cats includes a lady vet with a bunch of cats on some sort of cat condo thing.

These have not shown up yet but we're expecting them at US big box retailers-- specifically Target, Wal-Mart, and Toys "R" Us. We'll let you know when they show up!

New Playmobil Sets Revealed in New Catalog

2009-07-30T23:22:00.000-07:00

Playmodb has a pretty awesome list of new 2010 sets revealed in a new catalog. A new bikini figure body is pictured, as is a new ancient temple theme, new trucks, what seems to be a space ship of some sort, and new blister packs. Wow!

Thanks @playmodb!

Toys "R" Us has 25% Off Playmobil This Week

2009-07-19T11:07:00.000-07:00

Hey kids! Toys "R" Us stores in the USA have 25% off their existing Playmobil stock. Sounds like a great time to get something if you've been holding off.

Unintentionally Freaky Figure: Clown from 3553 Circus Arena

2009-07-07T22:49:00.000-07:00

One of the fun things about toy collecting-- or being a packrat-- is seeing old stuff in a new light when sorting through figures. I kept my "vintage" Playmobil-- the pre-1990 stuff from when I was a kid-- separate from the "modern" stuff, or "what I've bought since college." (There was a big gap in there.)

From the Red Circus Arena, the clown (pictured) is surprisingly freaky. The set is fairly standard fare-- a ring, a band, some nifty vac-metal instruments-- but holy crap, look at this thing. In a post-Dark Knight world the various lines and red markings are just a little more creepy, but here's where it gets really good. Those red lines on his face are not merely painted-- they're carved in. Not content to merely paint the face, Playmobil went the extra mile to really engrave the look on his face.

This sort of attention to detail-- molding elements versus painting them-- is something we'll look at a little more in the future. But for now, I gave the closest thing I've seen to a Playmobil slasher star one of my spare knives so he can HAUNT ALL YOUR DREAMS. Enjoy.

Playmobil Figure-Inspired Office Chair Design

2009-07-04T17:02:00.000-07:00

While not something you can readily buy, designer Rafael Morgan came up with the pictured chair as a design project. From his site, "The legs piece of the chair is the Playmobil King´s crown, turned upside down." Indeed!

Click the picture for more images and information, including angles which make the Playmobil figure's head a little more obvious.

Playmobil Sellers: Small Wonders

2009-07-04T02:29:00.000-07:00

Name: Small Wonders
Focus: Lots of plush, a little bit of LEGO, dolls, BRIO, etc.
Selection: Lots of specials, numerous retired sets dating back to as far as 1995. Massive wall of product will require you to be tall or be driven by someone who is.
Prices: On par with or slightly above Playmobil direct service
Location: 550 Deep Valley Drive, Suite 135
Promenade on the Peninsula
Rolling Hills Estates, California 90274

I haven't seen a store that had Playmobil sets with the "RETIRED" sticker slapped on them in ages, so seeing tons of them in Small Wonders really made my day. Not only is there a pretty great selection of new and recent sets, but the wall o' product has so much blue it'll make you tickled pink. Sorry, that sucked. There's a small amount of pink boxes there too, for those who like the dollhouse line.

I was particularly pleased to see tons of very large sets in addition to a vast quantity of specials and single-figure packs. 2002 sets were present, namely the zoo, and a ton of animal packs were also up for grabs. This is easily one of the best selections I've seen here in Southern California in a while, excepting Puzzle Zoo, particularly because the prices weren't terrible either.

For the record, I picked up a 4667 Magician Special set. Which ain't bad if you decide you need something with a rabbit, top hat, and a magic wand.

[ Small Wonders web site ]

In Case You Missed It (30 Years Ago): Vintage Bank Director

2009-06-26T01:01:00.000-07:00

Playmobil is older than I am, so I get a kick out of seeing a toy line that has basically outlived nearly every other toy figure ever produced without significant retooling. It's a real treat to go back and see what has come before... and that the developers always had a strong sense of humor.

This Bank Director was found on eBay Germany-- of course-- and has to be a report card gift if you weren't a quick study. The line included native Americans, cowboys, Knights... and a banker. This sealed, 1976 toy speaks volumes. It's rare a kid can't be bothered to play with a toy, and while the old-timey desk and bag are kinda neat, I can almost hear the crying children that received this one 33 years ago.

Custom Watch: Playmobil Elvis!

2009-06-25T00:10:00.000-07:00

Oh, those crafty Germans. A new find called "King of Rock 'n Roll" is another unofficial figure produced mostly with off-the-shelf parts. While we're not sure which Elvis this is supposed to be, the idea is solid.

Obviously, we won't be seeing Elvis in a Playmobil figure until long after he's entered the public domain, if ever, and we'll all be dead by then. So with that in mind, enjoy this item, presently for sale on German eBay by cubbuc2003.