NECA Konami Turtles!

I may be a little late to the game on this one, but NECA will be releasing 2 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles boxed sets based on the classic 1989 Konami arcade game! I must have these! Unfortunately, they will only be released as exclusives at this year's San Diego Comic Con. So this means that I, or the average Turtle fan will have to pay a premium to scalpers on ebay if we want the chance to own these beautiful figures.

One figure 4-pack will include the 4 Turtles, while the other includes 3 Foot Soldiers (Purple: Generic Foot, White: Knife/Sword Foot & Orange: Shuriken/Machine Gun Foot) and Shredder in all his 16-bit glory! Here is the description of the figures from NECA:

 "Cowabunga, dude! This SDCC-exclusive box set is based on the classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4-player co-op arcade game and features brand new figure sculpts and deluxe packaging. Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo and Raphael stand approximately 6” tall and feature over 30 points of articulation, including double knee joints to fully showcase their mastery of the martial arts. Special paint deco reflects the Turtles’ in-game appearance. The box set is packed with accessories, including signature weapons, interchangeable hands, pizza power-up and more. The set comes in gorgeous, display-friendly 5th panel window box packaging that re-creates the look of the actual arcade cabinet!"

Seeing these made the memories flood back. Not to brag but, me and my brother beat the entire game at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant. The whole time we were freaking the Foot and mangling Mousers on our way to save April, kids were watching and waiting to see what would happen on the next cut scene. It was so satisfying to see the Technodrome totaled at the end. We felt like super stars that evening. I don't believe that these toys will ever make it to retail shelves, but I will hold out hope. For more info, pics and a video visit the NECA website by clicking HERE.

Second Hand Score: Ninja Turtle Loot Bags

Found these vintage sealed  gems at a local thrift store yesterday. Couldn't pass them up for only $0.49! 8 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Loot Bags manufactured by unique in 1989.

I know we all have seen this classic Turtles artwork before on everything from Valentine's cards to stickers, but anything that I can find in it's original package featuring the Green Teens is worth a pickup. I will continue to post my finds as they come in over the Summer. Now I just need to throw a party?

Ninja Turtles Squeeze Pop

With all the hype around products from our youth coming back to your local grocery store shelves, I feel one amazing product has been overlooked. Yes, I absolutely love that Ecto Cooler is coming back. It's crazy that Crystal Pepsi may be returning this summer and we all freaked out when Fruity Yummy Mummy and Frute Brute joined their buddies in the cereal aisle. But, the one thing I miss that I wish would come back is....

the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Squeeze Lollipop! These came out around the same time as the movie The Secret of the Ooze (1991) and they were amazing! I remember buying these at the local KB Toys and treating them like it was the last thing I had to eat. Little by little I would squeeze just enough Ooze out to get my sugar fix, but leave enough so I could enjoy it for weeks. The only problem was that if you didn't eat it fast enough and left the cap on for a few days, the Ooze under the cap would get crusty and almost glue the top on. The taste was amazing and only referred to as "Fruit" on the packaging. Since it was green, gooey and gross, it was the perfect candy for a 10 year old boy.

The only place I could find any info/pics of this product was on the great site The Sewer Den. I can't believe with all the retro blogs out there, not more people are reminiscing about this unusual but tasty Ninja Turtle licensed candy? I have been trying to track down a tube of this stuff, but they are hard to find. If you're lucky, one will pop up on ebay. The only problem is they cost about 100 times their value. The last one I saw was listed at the bargain basement price of $59.99! You can view the listing HERE.

I have found a similar product in the form of the "Hubba Bubba Watermelon Squeeze Pop". But, just like the Ecto Cooler/Shoutin' Orange Tangergreen debate, it's just not the same without the beloved characters on the package. With Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Out of the Shadows coming to theaters, this would be the perfect time to reintroduce this product. Unfortunately, I feel this is another memorable food that is lost forever :(