It was announced this past week that all of the UK and US locations of the toy store Toys “R” Us would be closing. This brought the end of an era for the toy industry.
For many people Toys “R” Us was a huge part of their childhood. Growing up being a “Toys “R” Us Kid” and experiencing the feeling of walking into this store filled with toys as far as the eye could see. While Toys “R” Us has a huge legacy in is 70 years it also had a big impact on the Power Rangers toys.
Walking into a Toys “R” Us, heading to the Power Rangers aisle and finding loads of the newest Power Rangers toys on the shelves. Every year around Thanksgiving there would be displays for the next season with all new toys, Megazords, figures, battle gear, and more. Of course, there would also be exclusives all over the place.
Ever since the beginning back in 1993 with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, the toys have been sold at Toys “R’ Us. Over the years Toys “R” Us became the exclusive retailer for some Power Rangers toys and for the beginning of the Legacy line.
In the Samurai-Super Ninja Steel phase of Power Rangers many toys were sold exclusively at Toys “R” Us such as figure 6 packs, special hero sets, and big toys like the Lion Fire Fortress Zord. If there was a Power Rangers toy to be found chances are you could find it at your local Toys “R” Us.
Of course, Toys “R” Us also became the exclusive retailer of late 2014, 2015, and 2016 Ranger Key Sets for Super Megaforce featuring the 6th Rangers, Extra Heroes, and many of the females. Dino Charger Special Sets for Dino Charge/Dino Super Charge was also sold exclusively. Toys “R” Us became essential to completing fan collections of these gimmick toys.
One of the fan favorite Power Rangers lines, the Legacy line, also found it starts as Toys R Us exclusives with the MMPR Morpher and Megazord back in 2013. While these toys would eventually be re-released at different stores many of the Legacy line items started at Toys “R” Us. Even other parts of the Legacy line like the Legacy figures for the 2017 Power Rangers Movies were exclusives. The Toys “R” US exclusive logo was all over the Power Rangers toyline in the last few years.
Now that this era is over what will happen to the toys that were usually exclusively for Toys “R” Us? With the recent news of the possible revival of KB Toys maybe they will head there? Time will tell, and between the news of Power Rangers going to Hasbro and the closure of Toys “R” Us things really do seem to be changing for both the future of Power Rangers toys and the entire toy industry.
What were some of your favorite Toys “R” Us memories? What toys did you buy there over the years? Leave a comment down below!
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