What Would Your Favorite 1980s Toys Have Cost You in Today’s Dollars?
Photo by Patrick Stutz
Ah, the 1980s! It was a time when Saturday morning cartoons reigned supreme and toy commercials were the highlights of every kid's TV-watching experience. Whether you were defending Earth from the evil forces of Cobra, protecting Eternia with He-Man, or battling Decepticons with Optimus Prime, the 80s were a golden era for toys. But how much would those beloved figures and playsets cost in today's dollars? Let’s take a nostalgic journey through some popular toylines and their inflation-adjusted prices, and see how much they sell for on the secondary collecting market today.
Note: We use varied 2023-2024 estimates for adjusted inflation based on the multi-year life of the toy line, rounding up or down when needed.
1. Star Wars
Star Wars toys, produced by Kenner, became a cultural phenomenon following the release of the first film in 1977. The line included action figures, vehicles, and playsets that recreated the epic battles of a galaxy far, far away.
Average Star Wars Action Figure
Original Price (1978): $2.49
Adjusted for Inflation: $12.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $50 - $300 (depending on condition and accessories)
Average Toy Vehicle
Original Price (1978-1989): $10.00 - $30.00
Adjusted for Inflation: $40.00 - $90.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $150 - $500 (depending on condition and completeness)
Popular Playset: Death Star Space Station
Original Price (1978): $29.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $145.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $700 - $1,500 (complete with all parts, and higher prices for original packaging)
The Death Star Space Station was a multi-level playset that included trap doors, trash compactors, and more.
2. G.I. Joe
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, was originally introduced in the 1960s as a 12-inch figure accessorized with different military outfits. In the 1980s, Hasbro re-envisioned the line after the success of the Star Wars toyline.
Read More: A Look Back at the Iconic 1980s G.I. Joe Toyline
The new G.I. Joe line was accompanied by a hit animated TV series and equally successful comic books, making it a staple in many 80s-era households.
Average G.I. Joe Action Figure
Original Price (1982): $2.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $10.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $25 - $100 (depending on condition and rarity)
Average G.I. Joe Vehicle
Original Price (1982-1989): $10.00 - $20.00
Adjusted for Inflation: $30.00 - $55.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $50 - $200 (depending on condition and completeness)
Popular Playset: USS Flagg Aircraft Carrier
Original Price (1985): $109.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $295.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $1,200 - $2,500 (complete with all parts, and higher prices for original packaging)
The USS Flagg was the crown jewel of G.I. Joe collections. At over 7 feet long, it was an absolute beast of a playset.
3. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe was introduced by Mattel in 1981. He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe, battled the evil Skeletor for control of Eternia. The toyline was hugely popular, boosted by the hit animated series and comic books.
Action He-Man Action Figure
Original Price (1982): $4.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $15.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $40 - $150 (depending on condition and accessories)
Average Vehicle
Original Price (1982-1989): $10.00 - $20.00
Adjusted for Inflation: $30.00 - $55.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $50 - $200 (depending on condition and completeness)
Popular Playset: Castle Grayskull
Original Price (1982): $29.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $90.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $300 - $800 (complete with all parts, and higher prices for original packaging)
Castle Grayskull was the centerpiece of the He-Man universe, providing a fortress for He-Man and his allies.
CLICK HERE to buy Castle Grayskull at the Toys of Our Lives online store or stop by the store to check it out in person!
4. Transformers
Transformers, launched in 1984, featured robots that could transform into vehicles, animals, and other objects. Created by Hasbro and Takara, the line included the heroic Autobots and the villainous Decepticons, accompanied by a cartoon series that became an instant hit.
Read More: A Brief History of Hasbro’s Transformers Toy Line
Average Transformer
Original Price (1984): $5.99 - $9.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $16.50 - $27.50
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $40 - $150 (depending on condition and completeness)
Popular Playset: Autobot City (Metroplex)
Original Price (1986): $26.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $70.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $300 - $700 (complete with all parts, and higher prices for original packaging)
Metroplex was a transforming Autobot city, adding a new dimension to the Transformers play experience.
5. M.A.S.K. (Mobile Armored Strike Kommand)
M.A.S.K., launched by Kenner in 1985, featured a task force that used transforming vehicles and specialized masks to combat the criminal organization V.E.N.O.M. The toyline had an animated series that grew its popularity.
Average M.A.S.K. Vehicle and Figure (Figures Weren’t Sold Separately)
Original Price (1985): $12.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $35.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $50 - $150 (depending on condition and completeness)
Popular Playset: Boulder Hill
Original Price (1985): $34.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $95.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $300 - $600 (complete with all parts, and higher prices for original packaging)
Boulder Hill, the headquarters of M.A.S.K., transformed from a gas station into a fortified defense base.
6. Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry Shortcake, originally introduced as a line of greeting cards, was expanded into a toyline by Kenner in 1979. The sweet-smelling dolls and their berry-themed world captured the hearts of children everywhere.
Average Strawberry Shortcake Doll
Original Price (1980): $9.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $35.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $40 - $100 (depending on condition and accessories)
CLICK HERE to See Our Expansive Strawberry Shortcake Collection for Sale at the Toys of Our Lives online store or stop by the store to check it out in person!
Popular Playset: Berry Happy Home
Original Price (1983): $79.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $225.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $300 - $700 (complete with all parts, and higher prices for original packaging)
The Berry Happy Home was a dream house for Strawberry Shortcake and her friends, complete with furniture and accessories.
7. My Little Pony
My Little Pony, introduced by Hasbro in 1983, featured colorful ponies with brushable manes and tails. Each pony had a unique symbol on its flank, and the toyline was complemented by a successful TV series and movies.
Average My Little Pony
Original Price (1983): $4.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $15.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $20 - $80 (depending on condition and rarity)
Popular Playset: Dream Castle
Original Price (1983): $39.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $115.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $200 - $500 (complete with all parts, and higher prices for original packaging)
Dream Castle was a magical home for the ponies, featuring a working drawbridge and various accessories.
8. Barbie
Barbie, created by Mattel in 1959, continued to be a top-selling toy throughout the 1980s. Barbie dolls represented various careers, fashion trends, and lifestyles, making them a versatile and enduring toyline.
Average Barbie Doll
Original Price (1984): $10.00
Adjusted for Inflation: $27.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $30 - $150 (depending on condition and edition)
Popular Playset: Barbie Dream House
Original Price (1984): $89.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $250.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $400 - $1,000 (complete with all parts, and higher prices for original packaging)
The Barbie Dream House was the ultimate playset for Barbie enthusiasts, with three stories and a working elevator.
9. Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters toys, produced by Kenner, followed the success of the 1984 movie and subsequent animated series. The line included figures of the ghostbusting team and various ghosts, along with their iconic vehicle, the Ecto-1.
Action Ghostbuster Figure
Original Price (1986): $4.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $12.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $20 - $80 (depending on condition and accessories)
Average Toy Vehicle
Original Price (1986-1989): $10.00 - $20.00
Adjusted for Inflation: $25.00 - $50.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $50 - $200 (depending on condition and completeness)
Popular Playset: Firehouse Headquarters
Original Price (1987): $29.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $75.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $200 - $600 (complete with all parts, and higher prices for original packaging)
The Firehouse Headquarters was the central hub for the Ghostbusters, complete with a containment unit for captured ghosts.
10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, launched by Playmates in 1988, featured four anthropomorphic turtles trained in ninjitsu. The toyline was immensely popular, supported by a cartoon series and comic books.
Average TMNT Figure
Original Price (1988): $3.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $10.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $30 - $100 (depending on condition and accessories)
Popular Playset: Technodrome
Original Price (1989): $49.99
Adjusted for Inflation: $115.00
Average Going Price for Vintage Collectors: $300 - $900 (complete with all parts, and higher prices for original packaging)
The Technodrome was the evil lair of Shredder and the Foot Clan, featuring various traps and vehicles.
Collecting these iconic 80s toys today can be a pricey endeavor, especially if you're looking for mint-condition sets. However, understanding their value both historically, and in today’s collecting world, adds an extra layer of appreciation and knowledge for these beloved nostalgic treasures.
