RETRO COLLECTION
Launched by Hasbro in 2019, the Retro Collection is a nostalgic toy line designed in the spirit and aesthetic of classic 1970s and 1980s action figures. Initially paying tribute to original 3.75-inch Kenner Star Wars figures, the brand features vintage sculpting, 5 points of articulation, and retro packaging, later expanding across major franchises including Marvel, G.I. Joe, and Transformers.
Cronologia
Panoramica
Produced by Hasbro, the Retro Collection debuted in 2019 as a nostalgic toy line crafted in the spirit and aesthetic of classic 1970s and 1980s action figures. The brand originally launched as the Star Wars Retro Collection, paying direct homage to the iconic 3.75-inch Kenner action figures of the late 1970s.
Designed for collectors and fan-channel positioning, figures in the line feature classic sculpting proportions, minimal character accessories, traditional 5 points of articulation (5POA), and vintage-style cardback packaging. Early releases featured simulated shelf wear and distressing, which Hasbro later transitioned to unblemished cardbacks following collector feedback.
Following its success with Star Wars, Hasbro expanded the Retro brand philosophy across its other core IP portfolios: Marvel Legends Retro (including both 6-inch ToyBiz-style cardbacks and 3.75-inch Kenner-style figures), G.I. Joe Retro Collection (3.75-inch O-ring/modern and 6-inch Classified Series figures in 1982-style cardbacks), and Transformers Retro (direct reissues of Generation 1 1980s molds in vintage window box packaging).
Storia
The Retro Collection made its debut at the New York Toy Fair in 2019, launching as a Target-exclusive timed release with a reissue wave based on Star Wars: A New Hope alongside a packaged Grand Moff Tarkin board game figure. That same year at SDCC 2019, Hasbro introduced single-carded multi-colored plastic "Prototype Edition" figures starting with Darth Vader.
In 2020 and 2021, the line evolved to include anniversary waves—such as The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary—and contemporary media from Disney+ like The Mandalorian. During this period, Hasbro expanded the Retro ethos into sister lines, launching Marvel Legends Retro 375 as an alternate-universe line imagining Kenner Marvel figures in the early 1980s, alongside the G.I. Joe Retro Collection.
Between 2022 and 2024, the line expanded further into Disney+ series including Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka, The Book of Boba Fett, and The Acolyte, while introducing prequel trilogy collector sets. By 2025 and 2026, Hasbro shifted focus toward 6-figure collector multipacks for fan-channel and convention releases, culminating in the "Lost Kenner Wave" dedicated entirely to characters from A New Hope that never received figures during the original 1978–1985 Kenner run.
I PEZZI DI RETRO COLLECTION
Caratteristiche
* Traditional 5 points of articulation (5POA) on standard 3.75-inch action figures. * Scale: Primarily 3.75-inch scale, with expanded sister lines offering 6-inch formats (Marvel Legends Retro and G.I. Joe Classified Retro). * Vintage sculpting proportions faithful to 1970s and 1980s Kenner and Hasbro designs. * Minimalist, screen-accurate character accessories styled after original retro releases.
* Vintage cardback packaging originally designed with simulated shelf wear and distressing, later updated to unblemished cardbacks per fan feedback. * Single-carded multi-colored plastic "Prototype Edition" releases inspired by factory test shots. * Special 6-figure collector boxed sets and retailer-exclusive multipacks for convention and fan-channel distribution. * Reissued original 1980s Generation 1 molds in vintage window packaging for Transformers Retro releases.
Wave & Serie
* 2017: Marvel Legends Retro Collection (6-inch ToyBiz-style carded figures debut). * 2019: Star Wars Retro Collection Wave 1 — A New Hope Reissue (Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Stormtrooper, and Escape from Death Star board game pack-in Grand Moff Tarkin). * 2019: Star Wars Prototype Edition Darth Vader (SDCC Exclusive multi-colored plastic figure). * 2020: Star Wars Wave 2 — The Empire Strikes Back 40th Anniversary (Boba Fett, Han Solo Hoth, Leia Organa Hoth, Luke Skywalker Bespin, Lando Calrissian, Yoda). * 2020: Star Wars Wave 3 — The Mandalorian Season 1 (The Mandalorian, Grogu / The Child, Cara Dune, Greef Karga, Kuiil, IG-11, Moff Gideon). * 2020: Marvel Legends Retro 375 Line Debut (3.75-inch Kenner-style 5POA figures). * 2020: G.I. Joe Retro Collection Debut (3.75-inch figures/vehicles and 6-inch Classified Series figures in 1982-style packaging). * 2022: Star Wars Wave 4 — The Mandalorian Season 2 (Beskar Mandalorian, Bo-Katan Kryze, The Armorer, Ahsoka Tano, Boba Fett Morak, Death Trooper).
* 2022: Star Wars Wave 5 — Obi-Wan Kenobi Series (Obi-Wan Kenobi Wandering Jedi, Darth Vader, Reva Third Sister, Fifth Brother, Ned-B, Grand Inquisitor). * 2022: Star Wars Amazon Exclusive Bounty Hunter 2-Packs (Boba Fett & Bossk, Dengar & IG-88). * 2023: Star Wars Wave 6 & 7 — Ahsoka & The Book of Boba Fett Series Waves. * 2023: Star Wars Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary 6-Pack Set (Mon Mothma, Yak Face, Admiral Ackbar, Wicket W. Warrick, Gamorrean Guard, Emperor's Royal Guard). * 2024: Star Wars Prequel Trilogy 6-Pack (Mace Windu, Jango Fett, Padmé Amidala, Anakin Skywalker, General Grievous, Phase II Clone Trooper). * 2024: Star Wars The Acolyte Wave (Mae Aniseya, Master Sol, Jecki Lon, Yord Fandar, Osha Aniseya, Qimir / The Stranger). * 2025: Star Wars A New Hope Multipack Wave #1 (Dr. Evazan, Walrus Man / Ponda Baba, Luke Skywalker Yavin, Han Solo Stormtrooper Outfit, Rebel Fleet Trooper, Sandtrooper). * 2025: Star Wars Return of the Jedi Multipack Reissue (Fan-channel re-release). * 2025/2026: Star Wars A New Hope "Lost Kenner Wave" 6-Pack (Princess Leia Organa Yavin Ceremony, Wedge Antilles, Captain Raymus Antilles, Garindan, CZ-3, R4-M9).
Pezzi Iconici
* Grand Moff Tarkin (2019): Exclusive pack-in figure released solely alongside the updated vintage 1977 Escape from Death Star board game during Wave 1. * Prototype Edition Darth Vader (2019): SDCC-exclusive single-carded release molded in vibrant multi-colored plastic to replicate factory test shots.
* Return of the Jedi 40th Anniversary 6-Pack (2023): SDCC-announced collector set featuring iconic vintage characters Mon Mothma, Yak Face, Admiral Ackbar, Wicket W. Warrick, Gamorrean Guard, and Emperor's Royal Guard. * A New Hope "Lost Kenner Wave" 6-Pack (2025/2026): Unique collector multipack giving classic 1970s Kenner figure treatments to original film characters who never received figures between 1978 and 1985. * Bounty Hunter Amazon 2-Packs (2022): Exclusive classic pairs featuring vintage-styled cards for Boba Fett & Bossk and Dengar & IG-88.
Collezionismo
The Hasbro Retro Collection holds a distinct appeal for action figure collectors by bridging 1970s nostalgic design with both original trilogy heritage and modern screen media. For vintage Kenner completionists, the line offers long-awaited additions through concepts like the "Lost Kenner Wave," which fills historical gaps with characters omitted during the 1978–1985 Kenner era such as Wedge Antilles and Captain Antilles.
Simultaneously, it allows fans to collect modern Disney+ characters—including Din Djarin, Ahsoka Tano, and Reva—in classic 5POA vintage form. Value trends show strong secondary market demand for convention exclusives like the SDCC 2019 Prototype Edition Darth Vader, retailer-exclusive multipacks, and original board-game exclusives like Grand Moff Tarkin. Packaging condition is paramount to value in this line: early cardbacks featuring simulated wear were replaced by clean unblemished cardbacks after fan feedback, making pristine early variants and unpunched convention exclusives highly sought-after display pieces for mint-on-card (MOC) collectors.
Curiosità
* The original 2019 Star Wars Retro Collection cardbacks included simulated shelf wear and distressing, which Hasbro removed from subsequent releases based on collector feedback.
* The Marvel Legends Retro 375 line was created around a "What If?" concept, imagining what Kenner Marvel action figures would have looked like if produced in the early 1980s. * At SDCC 2019, Hasbro released a "Prototype Edition" Darth Vader rendered in bright multi-colored plastic to mimic vintage factory test-shot figures. * The "Lost Kenner Wave" gives official 1970s-style Kenner figures to characters like Wedge Antilles, Garindan, and CZ-3 who never received action figures in the original 1978–1985 line.
