This summer, Universal Pictures’ Back to the Future franchise celebrates 35 years of time-traveling fun.
As part of the celebration, the iconic characters from 1985’s Back to the Future are joining the Playmobil collection for the very first time*. Previewed at New York Comic Con (NYCC) last fall, the Playmobil Back to the Future line debuts with two must-have sets that bring the adventure of the films into the toy box with fun details and play features that will be appreciated by kids and grownups alike.
The Playmobil Back to the Future DeLorean Time Machine is a 64-piece set that represents the iconic time-traveling ride as it appeared through much of the original film. After a bit of assembly that might require a bit of grownup assistance — particularly with placement of a few important decals — kids will be ready to send the included figures of Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett Brown (in 1985 outfits) to whatever timeline imagination may dictate. Doc’s loyal dog, Einstein (the world’s very first time traveler, according to the film), is included, so the trusty canine can come along for the ride!
Playmobil tends to knock it out of the park when it comes to accessories, and the DeLorean set is no exception. The set includes a miniature version of Marty’s Valterra skateboard, a pretend version of the JVC video camera that 1955 Doc was obsessed with (“This is truly amazing — a portable television studio!”), and the radiation-proof case and set of three “plutonium cores” that Doc “borrowed” from the Libyans. It even comes with a removable lighting rod accessory that will be needed to harness the 1.1 gigawatts of power needed to send Marty back to the future after he gets stuck in 1955!
The DeLorean takes two AAA batteries (not included) to generate the power needed to illuminate the included LEDs that represent the blue flashes that occur during time travel and the device that makes time travel possible: the Flux Capacitor.
Two figures (or Einstein) can fit in the DeLorean’s cockpit. The car features working gull-wing doors and all the customization that fans remember from the films, including rear exhaust vents, wiring and tubing, the OUTATIME rear license plate, and a port to insert the plutonium cores. As an added bonus, the wheels fold underneath to emulate the hover conversion that Doc reveals to Marty and Jennifer at the end of the original film. The one thing missing is a Mr. Fusion, which could easily be solved by making an additional accessory available down the road. Perhaps with a future set of 2015 look figures?
At launch, Playmobil released a 2-pack featuring Doc and Marty in 1955 outfits. Doc is wearing his brown protective gloves and grey jacket from the end of the film while Marty rocks his grey suit and comes strapped with a red guitar that he can use to wow the crowd with “Johnny B. Goode” at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance.
If the teaser video that Playmobil released alongside these sets is any indication, we may see additional figures of Doc and Marty in their 1885 outfits and alternate 1955 and 2015 looks. Of course, that’s unconfirmed as of this writing.
Overall, the Playmobil Back to the Future range is another great set with a lot of cross-generational appeal that should bring kids and parents together through play. They work well with other Playmobil characters and sets, and are a cool extension of the company’s recent foray into licensed toys including Scooby-Doo, Ghostbusters, DreamWorks Spirit Riding Free, and DreamWorks Dragons.
*Technically, Doc and Marty were made into Playmobil figures once before, but not in the traditional sense. In 2017, Funko partnered with Playmobil for a collector-focused assortment of upscaled, 6-inch figures that included characters from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters, and Back to the Future. They weren’t really toys — these are.
