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

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.

New German Limited Edition Set: Family Van with Boat

2009-06-24T22:55:00.000-07:00

While SUVs are going out of style in the USA as of late, in Germany, there's a new LE Playmobil set that's surprisingly cheap and probably gets good mileage too. 4144 Familyvan mit Bootsanhänger (easy for you to say) includes a set of parents, two kids, a motorboat, a van, a dog, a toy sailboat, and a whole mess of stuff.

At press time there is no known release date in the USA-- or rather, we don't know what it is. It's 19.99 Euro, which is pretty preposterous given how much stuff comes in the box. We'll let you know when or if it shows up in the States, but for now you're going to need to call in some favors to get this one, which is also showing up elsewhere in Europe.

Playmobil Picture Post: Western 3786 Sheriff's Office

2009-06-21T18:53:00.000-07:00

Sold from 1994-2003, give or take a week. This set was taken in my back yard because the power went out and I didn't really have a better idea of what to do as I had some writing to do that couldn't be done.
[ See the gallery on Flickr ]

This set is pretty swell, and is the most recent all-new Sheriff's Office. The break-away wall is one of my favorite action features in any Western-themed set, plus the broom, buckets, spittoons, guns, more guns, and gun rack make for a good time. It cost me $47 at the Hobby Bench a few years ago, when I used to live across the street from a mall in Arizona. Let me tell you, that's good times. If you have the means to pick up the set, it's worth getting the original release due to the nifty accessories and the crook figure which has a black eye.

It was reissued recently as 7378 Sheriff's Office for about $30, but it's missing all the accessories which add to its charm. But if you already have guns, desks, and figures, it's certainly a cheaper way to get the same building.

Too Good To Be True: Custom Western Sets from Germany

2009-06-21T18:43:00.000-07:00

If you've ever spent hours looking up things in a language you don't understand as well as you probably should, having had classes for four years, you may understand why it's frustrating when you see something this awesome which you later realize is a fan-produced customized set.

How depressing.

German eBay sellers are making total conversions of older sets into some pretty amazing sets. Pictured is a Whiskey Distillery, which is made using some custom signs which have been circulating and a number of off-the-shelf kegs, barrels, and other parts and pieces.

Also up for grabs are some Undertaker kits, but those seem to have vanished. The means to make your own signs are still there though.

So enjoy, Klicky fans, these things which you simply will never see produced!

Playmobil Sellers: Toy Crazy in Malibu

2009-06-13T19:16:00.001-07:00

Name: Toy Crazy
Focus: Typical indie toy store-- Breyer horses, plastic dinosaurs, and an extremely limited quantity of normal mass-market toys from Hasbro and Mattel.
Selection: Extremely current Playmobil, few or no retired sets.
Prices: On par with or slightly above Playmobil direct service
Location: 23410 Civic Center Way
Malibu, CA 90265

If you're looking for a nice place close to the beach, they don't come much better than Malibu's Toy Crazy, a boutique with a lot of space, a lot of glass cases, and not much in the Playmobil department. I called them after checking their web site to see if they had a big selection or just a few things, and was told it was a pretty massive selection. It wasn't. Sure, they had a Zoo, a lot of the Nautical Expedition and Dinosaurs sets, and a basked mixed of about 3 specials, but this and a few random sets didn't really impress me in the way some other stores might.

It's well worth a stop if you're in the area, and it's not too far from Puzzle Zoo, which I also visited during this particular toy run.

For the record, I picked up a 4478 One-Man Submarine here for $16, roughly the going rate.

[ Toy Crazy web site ]

German Exclusive: 6103 Maggi Cook!

2009-06-11T23:42:00.001-07:00

One of the real downers about collecting Playmobil is that it's really tough to find solid information on the weird stuff. Exclusives, in particular, because bizarre little figures which are given away or sold cheaply at various German retailers simply do not make their way onto US eBay. This is unfortunate.

We discovered that something called "Maggi" has an exclusive branded figure featuring an apron and some sort of food packaging. If my German serves me, and it usually doesn't, the figure is a mail-in premium wherein you can choose the toy or some sort of kitchen scissors.

The bad news? The mail-in offer expired in March 2009. So we're basically out of luck here. But if anyone knows where one can find a supply of these, do let us know.

Image "borrowed" from eBay Germany, which you should totally go bid on stuff if you have the regional capability to do so.

New for 2009 (in Germany, 2010 elsewhere)

2009-06-09T00:26:00.000-07:00

A while back, Playmobil Germany updated with a huge Flash file presentation of its 2009 German line. It's sorted by month, so you can get a good look at what we'll be getting in the USA next year. All of the sets, save for the individually packaged Specials figures, trail Deutschland by a year. So what's in store?

July - Specials
Nothing you haven't already seen in the 2009 US catalog. Diver, dudes with swords, etc.

August - Fire Rescue, Elementary School
While the notion of buying your kids a school seems like handing an ex-con a toy prison, this is a fairly well done collection. The big school set [4324] has a science class, a computer lab, tiny chalkboards, all that stuff. What really caught my eye was a shop class [4326, pictured] featuring all sorts of power tools, and a music class [4329] which has a pair of bongos. Bongo Fury. Awwwww bongo fury... boogie. (Ask your parents. They won't get the reference either.) [Images from Playmobil.de]

September - Drachenland (Dragonland) & Advent Calendars
These are similar to the sets Target carried last year, but the Dragon creatures and figures are seemingly new designs. Big castles, dragons with LED (light-emitting diode) mouths, barbarians... the works. It's a new fantastical magical line, which, while nifty, seems more like a traditional boy's toy action line.

The new advent calendars feature a stable (horses, donkeys, etc.) and Dragonland (knights, horses, tiny dragon). In short, a good mix.

October - Puppet Theater
This is their new take-along set. Set #4239 seems to be a greatly expanded concept based on the 4664 Specials set. It must lose something in the cultural translation, but it seems to be a nifty theater with an alligator and people in stupid hats, which seems to be the basis for all good toys.

Before we were interrupted...

2009-06-08T23:55:00.001-07:00

For some reason we've been having an extreme problem updating for many months. Files simply would not go up. And now? Well, it's working. As such, if you're finding us, please take our sincerest apologies for the gap in coverage and expect more news stuffs very shortly.

Since the last time we updated, Toys "R" Us has put the bulk of its Dinosaurs line on clearance, Target has essentially phased out Playmobil almost entirely, Wal-Mart seems to be making up its mind, and Kmart has picked it up and seems to be giving it decent support.

We'll have more fun shortly.

Kmart Gets Playmobil 2-Packs

2008-08-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

While doing a tour of stores around the USA, we just spotted a bunch of new Playmobil sets at a Kmart in Phoenix, AZ. Interestingly, the retail prices are a few dollars cheaper than Los Angeles and they are also carrying a few items we have not seen previously. Pirate set 5826 and Crusaders set 5825 were $3.99 each. We hear the prices are higher at other Kmarts, and are not yet able to confirm Wal-Mart or other store pricing.

Toys "R" Us Gets Lots of New Playmobil (if you're in the USA)

2008-08-24T22:49:00.000-07:00

It seems that all of a sudden, some (but not all) Toys "R" Us stores in the USA are getting a massive push of new product. Some stores have stuff in more than one aisle, with all sorts of sizes and price points to delight and amuse. Even more astonishing, there were loads of sets I haven't seen before, so being my lazy self, I didn't write down all the numbers for your reference. (Sorry.) Here are some of the things we saw in today's runs:

Circus
Small clown, $100 tent, dog act, pony act, tightrope, and what probably amounted to the entire new theme minus one or two sets.

Take Alongs
In addition to the 4774 Barbarian set we reported earlier, a new Knight set (4775) and Pirate set (4776) were available. It didn't seem like there was a spot for a fourth set, so that seems to be that.

Knights
A red dragon-with-barbarian is available for $20. It's the older dragon mold (the one with arms).

Dinosaurs
Seemingly the entire line is being sold at Toys "R" Us for roughly the same prices Playmobil sold it for directly in January. Even the boring little quad is there.

Romans
There's a Roman camp, 5838 Gladiators with tiger, and some larger sets you have no doubt seen elsewhere.

Christmas
The return of the Nativity Scene, and a new advent calendar packed with little woodland creatures. In other words, zzzzz.

Now if I wasn't so cheap to not have a camera phone, I could probably share pictures. Since so many new items were there today, it seems unlikely there would be too much more-- but it's nice to see the biggest toy retailer in the US picking up some serious slack for the brand. It's as close as we've ever seen to a full year's line outside of a specialty toy retailer.

Sadly, there were no new Specials (or Pals) to be seen, and there were no sign of the new blister packs we're told are being sold at select larger Wal-Mart stores. There were, however, a large number of older sets which have been at the stores for ages or have been restocked.

More New Playmobil Castle (or Knights) at Target

2008-08-20T22:54:00.000-07:00

Tonight's journeys yielded not one, but two new Playmobil sets with knights in them. As part of the new (and seemingly US exclusive) winged knights and dragons theme, this new assortment was spotted at Target for $9.99 a pop.

5836 Green Knight and Cannon
5832 Dragon Wing Knight and Fire Catapult

The Green Knight and Cannon looks more or less like a standard entry in any of the swords-and-sorcery sets. The Dragon Wing Knight is uniquely new, and it has a really slick catapult that, as you may have guessed, launches little plastic balls of fire. I think these are new to this set. Each has a couple of figures and a smattering of accessories, making it a fairly decent deal for the price. They certainly aren't stunning values or what we'd consider a must-buy set, but you're likely to get your fun out of them.

2009 Playmobil Catalog: See It Today!

2008-08-10T23:49:00.000-07:00

Want to see a digital version of all the goodies coming to Germany in the next few months? Well, you're in luck! Just Go here (assuming you have the right plug-ins for your browser) and see this new bad boy with 56 pages of new and new-ish sets.

Highlights include:
- New Specials
- Egyptians
- Family home
- Underwater Expedition (awesome)
- Merpeople
- Ghost Pirates
- Church/Wedding sets

I suppose the church theme is to appeal mostly to that little girl fantasy play, much like a doll house. As such, I'm glad to see them appeal to boys with ghost pirates, but some toy stores, comic shops, and muscle cars would be nice too. (And more dinosaurs. And a mammoth. Can't go wrong with those.)

New Playmobil Specials/Mass Market Twin Packs at USA Wal-Mart

2008-08-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

Over on Playmoboard is a thread showcasing four new twin packs of Playmobil figures which, it seems, are showing up at Wal-Mart. As the first products to hit the mega retailer in years (or possibly ever), it's pretty big news.

The sets are:
5825 Crusaders
5826 Pirates
5827 Romans
5828 Knights

All seem to be previously released figures with minimal changes. Happy hunting!

New Mass Market Playmobil Sets Arriving

2008-08-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

We're spotting numerous new sets around town these days, and here are two new releases you can watch out for.

4774 Take-Along Barbarians Fort
Includes two figures, some accessories, and a small take-along fort that folds up to store parts and pieces. This is part of a new line, and other themes will have similar sets released in the near future. It's $9.99.

5837 Roman Arena
A much smaller version of the set sold a couple of years back with fewer parts. If anything, it may work as an expansion to the large set. It's $39.99.

Playmobil 5840 Flying Knights, Dragon Released

2008-08-03T18:23:00.000-07:00

As revealed many moons ago, the "flying knight" or "flying dragon knight" is finally making an appearance in what appears to be another mass-market exclusive set. The 5840 Dragon Rock does indeed include a dragon and a rock, but also has a catapult, a flying knight, and other tidbits. The new dragon is certainly different from previous releases, and we'd also like to point out the helmet on one of the knights on the packaging. It's turned around like 90 degrees so he's looking out the side. Not so hot.

UPDATE: We have since found the set in a Los Angeles-area Target for $19.99. Happy hunting, Playmobil fans!

2009/2010 Playmobil Themes Revealed

2008-08-03T18:09:00.000-07:00

Over on the various Playmobil forums, a number of new sets and themes are being shown. I'd like to point you to Playmoboard, as accounts are free and it, like this blog, are in English.

New themes include Ghost Pirates and Merpeople, or Mermaid stuff. The Merfolk line seems like a follow-up to the fairies, only now it's under the sea. Highlights include seahorses galore and new fishy kids. There's also an evil sea witch.

Knights continues, this time with loads of wolves and a lot of gold elements. Truth be told, I have a hard time discerning this as new, and the sets seem mostly to be on the small side. Aside from some catapults, it's a very redeco-oriented line.

The Ghost Pirates are pretty stunning, if you like such things. A giant glow-in-the-dark whale skeleton (unfortunately cast in green), huge clams, a giant manta ray, killer crabs, and a three-headed sea serpent make this a really cool, really supernatural line. A haunted ghost ship rounds things out, complete with tattered sails and a crew of the dead. This seems to build on existing themes, plus brings the giant sea life we've all come to know and love from LEGO's ill-fated Aquaraiders line. I must say, these look like a lot of fun.

The new Specials, sadly, are not so special. It appears we're getting a new Mongolian warrior (nice!), but we're getting yet another orange-clad sanitation worker, more kids-with-gifts, and some lady on a floaty pool thing. Where are the crazy awesome ninjas, monsters, and literary figures we used to get? Oh well. Check 'em all out!

Toys "R" Us Gets Playmobil Dinosaurs

2008-07-07T21:36:00.000-07:00

In the USA, national toy store chain Toys "R" Us is starting to receive the Dinosaur sets. Specifically, 4170 Triceratops with Volcano. It's apparently in the same box as the international/specialty release, and costs $49.99. If for some reason you didn't already buy it direct or at a Playmobil-specific venue, now's your chance!

Playmobil Pals Clearance at Target

2008-07-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

Some-- but not all-- Target stores are running clearances right now. These vary widely by location, with some stores marking things down slightly and others not at all. With that in mind, a local Los Angeles Target has the latest batch of Pals/Specials on clearance for $0.98 each, down from $1.99. These include:
4637 Surfer
4645 Unicorn Princess
4646 Knight
4650 Ghost
4653 Gladiator
4654 Angry Pirate

Happy hunting!

Playmobil July Web Special

2008-07-02T19:59:00.000-07:00

You know you're in a rut when this is the most newsworthy thing in almost a month-- but hey, it is news! The 3128 Fire Rescue Boat with Pump is 25% off, knocking it down to a mere $22.49.

Click here to see this pick of the month. It's a boat, but hey, it floats! Pool fun for all who have pools.

New/Old 3094 Moon Rover

2008-06-18T00:38:00.000-07:00

Playmobil's direct show has a quantity of the 3094 Moon Rover available for just $7.99. This is notable because the set has been off the market since 2002, and comes with some pretty snazzy parts. (If we place an order for stuff soon we're totally going to get one.)

3611 Submarine Hits USA

2008-06-04T00:48:00.000-07:00

I keep forgetting to post this.

The fancy yellow submarine (which, presumably, we all live in) has hit stores. Toys "R" Us has it for about $19.99, and specialty stores have it as well-- although we didn't write down the price. Happy hunting!

US Spring Line 2008 Available

2008-06-01T23:12:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't see them-- we certainly didn't-- the new-for-USA 2008 sets for Spring are hitting. If you haven't already seen them, you will now find the Water Zoo sets at a store near... someone. Also, six new specials have hit, including new versions of the police officer with the radar device, yet another ghost pirate, and a few other releases.

Take note that these are not the mass-market sets you'll see at Target or Toys "R" Us, but rather the speciality market stuff that hit Germany about a year ago (or in the case of the specials, just recently.) Happy hunting!