Playmates
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Playmates Toys is a Hong Kong-based company responsible for producing children's toys based on various media properties such as Ben 10, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, King Kong, and Godzilla. It also produced the toy line for the 2021 film Godzilla vs. Kong, and continues to produce figures from Legendary Pictures' Monsterverse, currently producing a toyline for the latest film in the series, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.[1]
Kong: The 8th Wonder of the World (2005)
In 2005, Playmates released a line of toys to tie in with Peter Jackson's King Kong. It consisted of several different kinds of figures.
6" figures
The 6-inch figures in the line generally come in sets of one or two, along with several smaller human figures. The King Kong figures each have some sort of gimmick that distinguishes them from the others or allows them to interact with another specific figure. For example, the Kong that comes with the juvenile Vastatosaurus rex has the ability to pull apart the V-Rex's jaws, while the Kong sold with the Piranhadon can hold the Piranhadon in a headlock.
The six-inch scale figure sets are:
- Kong vs Venatosaurus
- Kong vs Juvenile V-Rex (includes Ann Darrow)
- Kong vs Piranhadon
- Kong vs Terapusmordax (includes three Terapusmordax)
- Foetodon (includes five humans)
- Vastatosaurus rex (includes Weta-rex and three humans)
- Creatures of Skull Island (includes three humans)
- Gripping Kong (includes Ann Darrow and Weta-rex)
Kong vs Venatosaurus
Kong vs Piranhadon
Creatures of Skull Island
Gripping Kong
Skull Island playset
The Skull Island playset is designed for use with the 6-inch scale figures. It consists of several pieces, and includes several human figures and a raft.
Skull Island playset
Large-scale figures
There are three larger-scale figures released in the line. These figures are 12 inches tall and can make sounds. Despite being larger in scale, these figures come with the same human figures included with the six-inch figures. The Bull V-Rex figure can actually swallow the human figures whole, which can then be recovered from a hatch on the underside of the figure.
Plushes
There are two different King Kong plushes released as part of the line. The larger plush makes roaring sounds when one pushes down on its chest.
Costumes
There are two separate King Kong costume sets: Electronic Kong Arms and Kong Face & Chains. The Electronic Kong Arms are oversized gloves made to resemble Kong's hands that function in a similar way to the popular "Hulk Hands" gloves, making sounds when they strike an object. The Kong Face & Chains consist of a King Kong mask and breakaway plastic chains.
Electronic Kong Arms
Kong Face & Chains
Kong vs V-Rex Battling Game
A variation of the classic "Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots" game, the Kong vs V-Rex battling game includes a Kong and V-Rex piece, each on a base attached to a control stick. The players use the stick to make the figures punch each other until one collapses.
Godzilla and Kong (2019-2021)
Playmates unveiled figures of a 12-inch Godzilla (2004) and Kong from Kong: Skull Island, along with Godzilla (2016), SpaceGodzilla, and Destoroyah in the 6.5-inch scale, at Brand Licensing Europe 2019. Beginning in December 2019, the company released a Walmart-exclusive line of figures of monsters from both the Godzilla and King Kong series in anticipation of the release of Godzilla vs. Kong. The previously-revealed figures were joined by a 6.5-inch Kong, Gigan (2004), and Godzilla (2004). Reissues of five Bandai America vinyl figures in Playmates packaging also began to appear in 2020: Godzilla (1954), King Ghidorah (2001), Mechagodzilla (1974), Godzilla (1999), and Godzilla (1968). In an interview with Toho Kingdom, Vice President of Marketing John Stelzner revealed that the company would be releasing soft vinyl 6.5-inch figures of Burning Godzilla and Jet Jaguar in spring 2021, followed by "a few new monsters" and another 12-inch Godzilla figure in the fall.[2] The line became available to other retailers, such as Target, in April.[2] In August 2021, Rodan (1956) and Gorosaurus (1968) figures were unveiled on Target's website.[3][4]
12" Godzilla (2004)
12" Godzilla (2004)
12" Godzilla (2004) box back
12" Kong
12" Kong
12" Kong
Godzilla (2016)
SpaceGodzilla
Destoroyah
Gigan (2004)
Gigan (2004)
6.5" Kong
6.5" Kong
6.5" Kong
6.5" Godzilla (2004)
6.5" Godzilla (2004)
King Ghidorah (2001)
Mechagodzilla (1974)
Godzilla (1968)
Godzilla (1954)
Godzilla (1999)
Godzilla (1995)
Jet Jaguar
Rodan (1956)
Rodan (1956)
Gorosaurus (1968)
Gorosaurus (1968)
Gorosaurus (1968)
Godzilla figures
box backGodzilla figures
box backGodzilla figures
box backGodzilla figures
box backPlaymates figures (right) on display at Brand Licensing Europe 2019
Godzilla vs. Kong (2020-2021)
Wave 1
Giant figures
After low-res images of many figures from Playmates' Godzilla vs. Kong toyline leaked online earlier in the year, listings for 11" Godzilla and King Kong figures appeared on Walmart.com on July 16, 2020.[5][6] Though they quickly went out of stock, those who managed to order them received them within days.
6" figures
After finding the Giant figures, fans rapidly discovered Walmart.com listings for 6" figures, starting with one of Kong holding an axe.[7] They began appearing in stores shortly thereafter.
6" Kong with Battle-Axe
6" Kong with Battle-Axe
6" Kong with Battle-Axe
6" Godzilla with Heat Ray
6" Godzilla with Heat Ray
6" Godzilla with Heat Ray
6" Godzilla with Heat Ray
6" Godzilla with Radio Tower
6" Godzilla with Radio Tower
6" Godzilla with Radio Tower
6" Godzilla with Radio Tower
Skullcrawler with HEAV
Skullcrawler with HEAV
Skullcrawler with HEAV
Skullcrawler with HEAV
Wave 2
Mega figures
Images for two new 13" figures, Mega Heat-Ray Godzilla and Mega Punching Kong were found online. The figures feature light and sound gimmicks.
13" Mega Punching Kong
13" Mega Punching Kong
13" Mega Punching Kong
13" Mega Punching Kong
13" Mega Heat-Ray Godzilla
13" Mega Heat-Ray Godzilla
13" Mega Heat-Ray Godzilla
13" Mega Heat-Ray Godzilla
Unreleased armored Mega Godzilla
Prototype Mega Kong and armored Mega Godzilla packaging
Unreleased Mega Mechagodzilla
Unreleased Mega Mechagodzilla
Giant figure
Walmart first stocked the 11" Mechagodzilla figure in March 2021.
11" Giant Mechagodzilla
11" Giant Mechagodzilla
6" figures
Playmates released the second wave of Godzilla vs. Kong figures in early 2021.[8] The Kong and Warbat figures, which were revealed on the back of Wave 1 packaging, became available in the United Kingdom and several other countries in January. They came to Walmarts in the United States in early March, along with Mechagodzilla and the Hong Kong Battle repaints.
Warbat with Osprey
Warbat with Osprey
Warbat with Osprey
Kong with Fighter Jet
Kong with Fighter Jet
Kong with Fighter Jet
Kong with Fighter Jet
Mechagodzilla with HEAV
Mechagodzilla with HEAV
Mechagodzilla with HEAV
Hong Kong Battle Godzilla
Hong Kong Battle Godzilla
Hong Kong Battle Kong
Hong Kong Battle Kong
Supercharged Godzilla with Fighter Jet
Supercharged Godzilla with Fighter Jet
Early name for Supercharged Godzilla
Prototype Mechagodzilla figure
Battle Roar figures
Two 6" figures with sound gimmicks labeled "Battle Roar Godzilla" and "Battle Roar Kong" were first sighted in China in early 2021.[9] They were released in North America later that same year.
Battle Roar Godzilla
Battle Roar Godzilla
Battle Roar Kong
Battle Roar Kong
Wave 3
Repaints of the 6" Kong with Fighter Jet and Mechagodzilla figures were stocked in Walmarts beginning in August 2021. Mechagodzilla's Proton Scream accessory is a repaint of Godzilla's heat ray.
Antarctic Kong with Osprey
Antarctic Kong with Osprey
Battle Mechagodzilla with Proton Scream
Battle Mechagodzilla with Proton Scream
Miniature figures
An eBay seller from Hong Kong listed various small 2" Godzilla vs. Kong figures at the end of January 2021. Other eBayers in Hong Kong and Taiwan have since offered them as well. Playmates stated that it did not have "any plans" to make them available in the United States at the time,[10] although they were sighted at a Toys 'R' Us in Canada in July.[11] The figures finally began to be sold at Target in the United States in April of 2022, combined together in a six-pack.
Godzilla
Kong
Warbat
Skullcrawler
Collectable Figures pack
Back of the packaging
Plushes
Godzilla and Kong plushes were revealed in early March 2021.
Monsterverse (2022-)
A 2021 press release from Playmates mentioned plans to release toys for the "broader MonsterVerse" in 2022.[12] The first such figure, a Battle Roar Mechagodzilla, was found in China in January 2022.[13] Other figures in this line, as revealed in leaked photos from Toy Fair 2022 in London, include a figure of Godzilla from 2014's Godzilla,[14] new figures of Godzilla and Kong from during the Tasman Sea battle from Godzilla vs. Kong,[14] a figure of Kong that includes his makeshift flail from Kong: Skull Island, and King Ghidorah, along with re-releases of Battle Mechagodzilla, Hong Kong Battle Godzilla, Supercharged Godzilla, Hong Kong Battle Kong, and Antarctic Kong. According to Playmates, these figures will no longer be sold exclusively at Walmart, but at "all mass retailers."[15]
Wave 1
The first wave of Playmates' new MonsterVerse line was announced for release beginning in spring 2022. It consists of Battle Roar Mechagodzilla, City Destruction Godzilla, Ferocious Kong, and re-releases of Kong with Battle-Axe, Supercharged Godzilla, Antarctic Kong, Battle Mechagodzilla, Battle Roar Godzilla, and Battle Roar Kong. On March 13, 2022, a two-pack set of "City Battle" Godzilla and Kong figures was found in Target.[16] A three-piece diorama of a destroyed Hong Kong was included, along with previously released accessories of a HEAV and fighter jet.
Battle Roar Mechagodzilla
Battle Roar Mechagodzilla
City Destruction Godzilla with Tank
City Destruction Godzilla with Tank
Ferocious Kong with Helicopter and Chain Propeller
Ferocious Kong with Helicopter and Chain Propeller
City Battle Figures & Diorama Set
City Battle Figures & Diorama Set
Wave 2
Photos of two "Titan Tech" Godzilla and Kong figures were first taken in China and posted on June 18, 2022.[17] The figures feature a transforming gimmick, which covers them in armor. The Titan Tech Godzilla figure resembles the leaked scrapped version of the Mega Godzilla figure from the Godzilla vs. Kong toy line, which featured red battle armor, while the Titan Tech Godzilla features blue armor. A King Ghidorah figure was soon listed on Smyths Toys' official website, with a release date of July 2022.[18] The figure sports a removable chest piece, which reveals battle damage underneath.
Titan Tech Godzilla
Titan Tech Godzilla (transformed)
Titan Tech Kong
Titan Tech Kong (transformed)
Ultimate Titan King Ghidorah
Ultimate Titan King Ghidorah
Ultimate Titan King Ghidorah
Wave 3
On July 19, 2023, the official Playmates YouTube channel revealed a Titan Tech Rodan figure.[19] On October 8, a 5-piece Hollow Earth diorama set including variants of Godzilla and Kong figures from Godzilla vs. Kong was revealed. The Kong figure's color scheme represents the character's appearance during the battle axe charging scene in the film, whereas the Godzilla figure's coloration matches the Hollow Earth's environment.
Titan Tech Rodan
Titan Tech Rodan (transformed)
Hollow Earth Figures & Diorama Set
Hollow Earth Figures & Diorama Set
3" figures
Five Below began selling exclusive 3" figures of Godzilla, Kong, and Mechagodzilla beginning in 2022. The figures retail for $5 apiece.
Godzilla
Godzilla
Kong
Kong
Mechagodzilla
Mechagodzilla
Toho Series (2022-2023)
A new line of figures based on films and media produced specifically by Toho was revealed through leaked photographs of a display at Toy Fair 2022 in London. Figures in this line include completely new sculpts of Godzilla 2016 and Godzilla Terrestris, along with re-releases of both the 12" and 6" Godzilla 2004, Gigan 2004, Kong, SpaceGodzilla, Destoroyah, Burning Godzilla, Gorosaurus, and Rodan 1956.
Wave 1
The first wave of Playmates' Toho Series was announced for release in spring 2022. It includes Godzilla 2016, Godzilla Terrestris, Godzilla Ultima, and re-releases of both the 6" and 12" Godzilla 2004, Rodan 1956, and Gorosaurus.
Godzilla Terrestris
Godzilla (2016)
Godzilla Ultima
12" Godzilla (2004)
6" Godzilla (2004)
Wave 2
Images of an 11" Godzilla 1954 figure leaked online in July 2022,[20] and the figure was released that September. Photos of a Baragon figure from Frankenstein vs. Baragon were uploaded online on January 5, 2023.[21] Playmates announced that this figure would become available in Target and through online retailers later that month.[22] Playmates announced an end to new Toho Series figures on June 20.[23]
Baragon (1965)
Baragon (1965)
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2023-)
Playmates announced its Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire toyline on June 20, 2023, but did not officially reveal the first wave of figures prior to their appearance in Walmart stores in late December. This wave notably gave fans their first clear look at Shimo's design, as the Titan had yet to appear in any posters or trailers for the film.
Wave 1
Giant figures
Giant Kong with B.E.A.S.T. Glove
Giant Godzilla Evolved
6" figures
Each figure comes with at least one accessory, while Suko is a two-pack.
6" Shimo with Frost Bite Blast
Shimo figure concept, using Jared Krichevsky's maquette[24]
6" Godzilla with Heat Ray
6" Godzilla Evolved
6" Kong with B.E.A.S.T. Glove
6" Skar King with Whipslash
3.25” Suko with Titanus Doug
![Shimo figure concept, using Jared Krichevsky's maquette[24]](https://wikizilla.org/w/images/b/b8/Shimo_toy_concept.png)
Versus 2-Pack
Playmates produced two Godzilla x Kong diorama sets, continuing a subline established in their Monsterverse line. The Godzilla vs. Shimo set includes breath weapon effects pieces for both Titans, a two-piece blue Hollow Earth Crystal Diorama, and a two-piece Bone Cage Diorama, while the Kong vs. Skar King set comes with a removable Whipslash, a HEAV, a two-piece purple Hollow Earth Crystal Diorama, and a two-piece Lava Falls Diorama. The figures in these packs are all repaints of figures from the 6" inch lines.
Kong vs. Skar King
Godzilla vs. Shimo
Battle Roar figures
Introduced in Playmates' Godzilla vs. Kong line, Battle Roar figures have sound gimmicks activated by pressing a button on the back of the figure. A Shimo figure was revealed at Spring Fling 2024.[25]
Brazilian ad
Battle Roar Kong
Battle Roar Godzilla Evolved
Battle Roar Skar King
Battle Roar Shimo
Titan Roar Masks
When the mouth of a Titan Roar Mask is opened, it makes sounds, similar to the Godzilla mask produced by Jakks Pacific as part of its Godzilla: King of the Monsters toyline.
Godzilla Titan Roar Mask
Kong Titan Roar Mask
Hollow Earth Crystals with Surprise Monsters
This blind-box set includes:
While there is no connection between the color of a crystal and the Titan inside, the shape of the "bubble" containing each Titan varies in shape and can be glimpsed through the transparent crystals, allowing them to be identified before purchase.[26]
Minifigures
The Godzilla Evolved, Kong with B.E.A.S.T. Glove, Skar King, and Shimo figures are identical to those in the Hollow Earth Crystals with Surprise Monsters subline.
Shimo
Skar King
Kong with B.E.A.S.T. Glove
Godzilla Evolved
Titanus Doug
Suko
Kong
Godzilla
Titan Evolution
On December 24, Playmates released a instructional video for a Titan Evolution Godzilla.
Titan Evolution Godzilla
3" minifigures
3" Kong with B.E.A.S.T. Glove minifigure
3" Skar King
3" Shimo
3" Godzilla Evolved
Bucket of Mini Monsters
A Bucket of Mini Monsters was revealed at London Toy Fair in January 2024. Its contents are unknown.
Bucket of Mini Monsters
Wave 2
6" figures
On May 15, a Kong with Battle Axe figure was revealed on the Smyth's Toys website. On May 21, a Tiamat figure with submarine accessory was also revealed, followed by a Mothra with a mini Jia one day later. On July 21, a figure based on Godzilla's energized form was found at a Walmart. Figures of One-Eye and Drownviper were first posted online on November 20. The back of the Drownviper box included images of a "Real Feel" Kong and Godzilla, which have yet to be found in stores.
6" Kong with Battle Axe
Kong with Battle Axe promo image with inaccurate colors
6" Tiamat with Submarine
6" Godzilla Energized
6" One-Eye
6" Drownviper
Giant figures
As part of wave 2, giant figures of Shimo and Mothra were released.
Giant Shimo
Giant Mothra
13" Mega Figures
Another large Godzilla Evolved figure was revealed at London Toy Fair, appearing to feature light and water mist effects similar to that of Jada Toys' Heat Ray Breath Godzilla R/C figure. A Mega Kong was revealed at Spring Fling 2024, with a similar gimmick to the 2021 release.[25]
Mega Heat Ray Godzilla
Mega Punching Kong
Titan Size figures
Titan Size figures of Godzilla Evolved and Kong with the B.E.A.S.T. Glove and the Battle-Axe were revealed at London Toy Fair in January 2024. Both figures stand at 24 inches tall.
Titan Size Godzilla
Titan Size Kong
Ultimate Titan Battle Pack
A battle pack representing the final battle was found at a Target. Its contents are the following:
- Supercharged Godzilla Evolved
- Mothra
- Kong with B.E.A.S.T. Glove
- Skar King
- Shimo
Videos
Commercials
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Instructional videos
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Retail videos
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Other
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Trivia
- In Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, two figures from Playmates' Godzilla vs. Kong toyline appear in Bernie Hayes' recording room.
External links
- Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire toyline on the official Playmates site
- Monsterverse toyline on the official Playmates site (archived)
- Godzilla vs. Kong toyline on the official Playmates site (archived)
- Toho Series Classic Godzilla and Kong toyline on the official Playmates site (archived)
- Playmates Godzilla vs. Kong YouTube channel
- Monsterverse toyline on Planet Fun
References
This is a list of references for Playmates. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: [1]
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