Classic HeroesThe classic heroes line, which debuted in 1987, is arguably the most popular line from the series. It features the four heroes in their cartoon inspired uniforms with very accurate sculpts. The heroes each came with a unique companion ghost to bust as well as a proton pack. The stream emanating from the neutrona wand is uniquely colored for each Real Ghostbuster.
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About the line
The heroes took on the likenesses of their cartoon counterparts. Each came with a companion ghost and a proton pack. Egon Spengler was packaged with Gulper Ghost and his proton pack had a red stream. Peter Venkman came with Grabber Ghost and his pack featured a green stream. Ray Stantz was featured with the Wrapper Ghost and his neutrino wand shot out an orange stream. Winston Zeddmore came with the Chomper Ghost and his blaster had a yellow stream.
The 4 HeroesKenner released the first line of Real Ghostbusters figures in 1986, two years after the first movie. The heroes took on the likenesses of their cartoon counterparts. Each came with a companion ghost and a proton pack.
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Variant Proton PacksThe iconic proton packs came in two varieties. The first wave of proton packs connected the neutrino wand to the bottom of the pack as shown on the left. Later, when the second and third waves of figures were released, the wands were connected to the bumper of the pack as shown on the right.
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Proton Pack ActionThe proton pack had a curvy plastic beam coming out of the business end of the neutrino wand. On the other end was a handle that a child could use to make the beam spin. This beam is the most fragile part of the entire figure, and an undamaged proton pack is likely to fetch a decent price.
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Backpack DesignThe toys were developed alongside the cartoon. This is subtly hinted in the produced designs of the figures' proton packs. In 2008, TimeLife released the entire set of Real Ghostbusters cartoons on DVDs. Included in this set was the unaired pilot episode. Careful inspection shows many similarities between the toy and the original design.
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Neutrino Wand DesignThe wand slid onto the figure's arm via 2 clips. These clips were also used to hold the wand to the backpack for storage. Given that the beam was most likely to break at the hands of a 6 year old, the clips were the next to go.
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First Wave Card FrontThe classic line was released in three waves as indicated by the cards they were attached. The first wave had a solid purple background with the hero's name written in white text. Note that the wand is connected to the proton pack on the bottom.
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First Wave Card BackThe back of the first wave was very minimal, featuring the four heroes, Stay Puft, the Green Ghost, and a light projector gun called the GhostZapper. As mentioned earlier, the toys closely followed the series pilot. This is why the ghost we have all come to call "Slimer" is known as "The Green Ghost." In the pilot, he is shown to be a gluttonous villain and not the lovable ball of goo the show developed him to be.
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Second Wave Card FrontThe second wave had a fairly significant design change. The space on the card occupied by the figure and his accessories was a lighter shade of purple. The name of the figure was still printed in white text.
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Third Wave Card FrontThe third wave kept the design of the second wave with one exception; the name of the figure was printed in yellow text. This format was used consistently throughout most of the Real Ghostbusters line of toys.
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Second/Third Wave Card BackThe back of the second and third wave cards added several new ghosts, the Ecto-1 vehicle, a new role playing accessory and the Ecto Plazm slime.
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