So how long do I have to wait before Armada becomes the new G1 and the toys start actually being worth something again?
They aren't bad looking figures at all. Somewhat underrated. I think they could definately be worth more. The problem is is that most people have forgotten about them, thus the low demand, thus the low value. They came out after Beast Machines, which wasn't the most followed and probably left a few let down, so many probably didn't jump on board. I don't know. That's my theory anyway.
Other then some initial spikes in values, has ANY non-G1 line really gained in value? Sure a few figures in a line are worth $$ but not many.
It's going to be a long time. The reason G1 has gone up in value is because there werent many adult collectors back then keeping it in perfect condition. Good condition G1 stuff is somewhat hard to come by. Armada though? Lots of adult collectors were around for that, and so there's no shortage of good condition Armada toys out there, so the prices stay pretty sane.
Add to this the MASS production today's toys have compared to 25 years ago. Armada stuff, except for maybe a few key figures, just won't be worth a whole lot for a long long time. If your in this hobby to Make money, I suggest getting out. You really would have better luck playing the lotto.
Actually, the overall action figure market was a lot bigger back in the 80s, especially for hit lines like GI Joe and even Transformers. Comparatively, those older lines were produced in UNGODLY numbers (some estimates place the average GI Joe figure circa 1985 as being produced in the MILLIONS). But that goes back to what Valkysas said: there weren't collectors keeping stuff in pristine shape, so it was all bought by kids who likely didn't take care of their stuff so mint specimens are rare
I agree completely. I await for the day that a Masterpiece version of this guy brings out his animation model's awesomeness in a way the original deluxe never could, just like G1's Ironhide/Ratchet. No... I'm kidding. We're never going back to the dark ages thankfully. The best thing to come out of Armada was Peter Cullen's Voice Over for its commercial.
In my mind, armada is an underrated line... but its likely never going to be worth much down the road.
I went back and fiddled with a few of my Armada figures while I was home for the holidays...I was even contemplating an Armada Starscream and Universe Ramjet to go along with my Armada Skywarp and Thundercracker...but then I started tinkering and remembered how utterly useless the figures were. Pretty much zero poseability in anything above a deluxe, and the deluxe figures themselves were mostly crap. Megatron/Galvatron was above and beyond the highlight of the line, along with Unicron...though even he had his faults.
I'd pay a pretty penny for Prime, Jetfire, and Overload or Magnus. And Sideways. And Tidal Wave. Hell, a few figures. Its all about finding the right people. And I will wait for the day Hasbro and 3rd parties start making stuff from the trilogy.
Can't believe it's already the 10th anniversary of Armada, though I was raised on G1 I did get most of the toys for my nephew, very durable and fun with the minicons. Here's a group shot of Autobots on one of my shelves (of course Hotshot, Red Alert and Sideswipe are later toys but better than the originals IMHO)
It says a lot about the line when "Supercon" (modern Deluxe) Optimus Prime was the most exciting figure of its time. How far we've come. Also I remember how excited people were for Armada Unicron... so excited that the many differences between that design and the G1 design were largely overlooked for years until the new-head / G1 paint job appeared a few years back. Now Armada Unicron is kinda hard to look at.
I'd bet almost in complete certainty that the "value" of G1 will never be duplicated again. In other words, good luck selling an AFA graded sample of an Armada figure that was on Wal-Mart toy shelves.
