Mar 7, 2024

Revising the theoretical TMNT playset idea

 I lost my inspiration on a theoretical TMNT playset when Ramen dropped their sewer playset, aka the MUSK (not related to Elon or the animal stench). Well now I'm back and the idea is to take it ABOVE ground and make it for TMNT Ultimates but allowing options to make it usable with non-TMNT stuff. The idea is to release throughout the years 3 sets that combine to create a street that can fit lots of figures and about 4 vehicles in the 1:10 to 1:12 scale (ie Party Wagon by Super7 and The Slambulance and 2 Slam Mobiles by Mattel). If you buy multiples you could make a longer street and even have a corner to turn.

Despite aiming for a lower price than the regular Super7 playsets, this would have to be crowfunded and it would have Tiered rewards. The following are the Tiered rewards for the first set:
Tier 1: 
-Alternate Signage without TMNT References. Instead of Ninja Pizza, you get a normal Pizzeria or a Diner sign. The droppable StockGen signs are replaced with generic signs, etc.
-Alternate Sewer covers. Instead of the standard closed sewer lids you get 2 alternate slightly opened lids where you can barely see a bit of a Turtle or a Foot Soldier peeking out the manhole to see if the coast is clear.

Tier 2:
-Exclusive Civilian Figure. Inspired by the infamous Skateboarder girl from TMNT Arcade game, but not the actual character. The girl should be wearing an orange Mummy Boy shirt, a black leather jacket, cargo pants, and Chuck Taylor-esque shoes with a black and orange 80s Nickelodeon logo Skateboard. Standard hands normal and screaming head. Best part is that while TMNT inspired, she can work with other ultimates lines as a random civilian in danger. (MMPR/GI Joe)
-TMNT Weapon effects
Slash effects for Leonardo's swords, hands with twirling effect sais for Raphael, twirling nunchaku for Michelangelo, and twirling staff for Donatello.

Tier 3:
-Roadkill Rodney trio. 3 Roadkill Rodneys with the drilling out the ground effect, laser blast effeft, and whip arm accessories.
-Transport module (elevator style) drill tip popping out effect.
For the moment a full Transport Module (elevator style) is not on the books but having the drill tip and breaking ground effects can spice up the display.
- Civilian child figure. Yes, he's supposed to be Chet Manley aka the kid who dropped the turtles. Just a kid in a hoodie and jeans. For accessories an extra set of hands (aside the c-grips) a fishbowl with 4 turtles.

Now if not all tiers get made, for example, this playset only reaches Tier 1, the next playset's tier 1 will be the previous Tier 2 and so forth. Of course, this shouldn't be revealed to customers.

But I haven't talked about the playset itself:
Each set should be roughly 48 inches long. 
Since each set is  "modular" you could have it as short as 34 inches or much longer depending on the configuration. The tallest point of the playset would be about 30 inches (In set 1, the top of the rooftop access to April's apartment) 
Set 1: Pizza at April's

April's Apartment/2nd time around building would be roughly 20 inches long. Ninja Pizza would be about half of that. What would Ninja Pizza offer in play value? 
Ninja Pizza sign atop the Ninja Pizza building has a collapsible feature that allows the plastic sign to be knocked off the building as a nod to the beat-em up games.
The front of the Ninja Pizza building has a functional door. Next to the door an interchangeable glass window (breakable and non breakable)
 Inside you have a small table and chair, a counter with spring-loaded pizza oven that shoots pizzas (through the glass of the building)
Also a falling fluorescent strip light fixture.

The 2nd Time Around building is a two storey building with a rooftop fire access. The top floor is heavily inspired by the arcade game. A ball can be dropped from the fire escape as a nod to the rolling balls from the game. Removable fire effects can be put on the inside display as a nod to the game. The window on April's apartment can be popped off as a nod to the game. Optionally, if you don't want to use that window, a falling StockGen sign can be used.

The first floor is an antique shop. The idea is to have random items to use as weapons/props like the 1990 movie did

That's pretty much set 1 in a halfshell. But i mentioned 3 sets:

Set 2: Purple Dragon Turf.
This would be a pair of buildings. Both about two storeys high. One of the buildings is a Pub where the Purple Dragons hang out. It comes with a functioning pool table, cue sticks, a bar with couple of alcohol bottles (intact and broken) jar of pickeld eggs, collapsible TV.
On the floor above the pub, there's a functional window with working fire escape ladder that descends to the first floor on the outside. A piece of floor that acts as a "breakaway trapdoor" causing a figure to fall into the Pub. Breakaway crates and additional random gang styled weapons would be included. The rooftop has an access door that can have a wire from building 1 to building 2 for figures to cross. Optionally it could connect to set 1's Ninja pizza and be used as a zip line.

Building 2 
The second floor has a collapsible fire escape that drops a character on a dumpster (can be filled with slime if you're into that.) 
The second floor is Casey's Apartment. 
Sofa bed couch, TV, Punching bag, extra sports equipment for Casey.

The first Floor is the lobby. It has a soda firing vending machine with various soda cans, Mouser breakaway holes. The lobby also has another feature. You know how if you step on some planks in the pirate ship level of TMNT TIT the planks hit you? Well, that.

Now assuming all Previous Tier rewards were hit, Here's the Tiers for Set 2:

Tier 1:
Casey and Shadow Jones:
-This is a "new" Casey figure (new parts being Torso without his shoulder padand unmasked head)
-Shadow would be Thunderkitten sized
I'd base her look on the punk kid look from Mirage and an alternate blonde head.

Tier 2:
Street Additional deco pack:
-80s Phonebooth big enough to fit a MOTUC
-Subway entrance
-collapsible trashcans
-Alternate Non-TMNT Signage.
-Newspaper vending Machine

Tier 3:
- Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird figures.
80s Playmates inspired style versions of Estman and Laird for Ultimates. Can be used as random civilians on other displays and the Ultimate Easter egg for TMNT displays. 


Set 3: Warehouse showdown:
This one is a single building. It will be mostly hollow depending on I-Beams and rafters for support and to have ninjas sneak into a warehouse or chop shop. The building should be close to 2 stories high and big enough to house the Party Wagon and have some additional display space. Using WWE Wrekkin vehicles you could make a chop shop as an alternative display. A few breakaway crates and some mechanic's tool carts maybe a modular pulley system and various oil drums

Tier 1:
Chop shop expansion:
-hydraulic lift
-random spare car parts
-engine block to be used with the pulley system (and function as a wrecking ball)

Tier 2:
Warehouse expansion:
-More crates with crowbars to open them.
-breakaway antiques.
-smuggled weapons, furs, ivory, and other restricted items  (Not drugs)
-Mystic artifacts from various TMNT Sources


Tier 3:
-Mr. Null.
Whether it's a warehouse or a chop shop, Null profits from the evil-doing happening there.


Eventually I'd like to tackle things like Channel 6, TCRI building, etc. 

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