Toy Crossovers You Never Knew Existed
From the 1980s to present day, many awesome toy lines released including G.I Joe, Transformers, He Man MOTU, Star Wars, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and so many others. These all feature some of the most recognizable and most loved characters from the past 40+ years. Children all over the world would search for these toys, watch the corresponding television series or movies, and play with their toys to recreate their favorite scenes or make up their own. You can imagine, or maybe remember yourself, a time where these characters crossed over through play. As these toys released, children played with the toys and maybe created storylines where characters such as Michelangelo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fought against Skeletor from He Man Masters of the Universe because that was what the child had to play with.
Although the 1980s included when many of these toys used for crossovers first released, many toy crossovers actually didn't begin until the 1990s. These included fans' favorite characters merging with others and toy companies releasing molds of their figures with the appearance of characters from other toy lines and brands. These crossover toys made so many more play opportunities for children and also act as more rare toys today in the vintage toy market. Since many of these crossover toys released only for a short time, they often remain difficult to find today. Follow along with us through our blog to see toy crossovers you never knew existed.
Join Us in Seeing Crossovers You Never Knew Existed
Follow along in our blog with us as we will dive into many of the epic toy crossovers you never knew. We will begin in the 1980s, travel to the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and conclude with toy crossovers from more recent years. Read through, compare, and explore the many awesome toy crossovers we will mention throughout the decades of this blog.
Toy Crossovers in the 1980s
Many of the toy crossovers we see today and throughout the past few decades came from these popular toys in the 1980s. Because of this, there weren't really any toy crossovers between the toy brands and toy lines in the 80s. There were, however, a lot of "crossovers" from American brands searching out many Japanese toys that they then rebranded into a lot of the popular American toy brands we know of today. This includes Japanese toys such as Diaclone, Sekiguchi Corporation, Chogokin and others inspired many toy lines in America that sky rocketed in popularity. If this didn't happen, Transformers would never be what it is today along with many other toys.
Toy Crossovers in the 1990s
Quite a few toy crossovers began in the 90s, with many of these from Hasbro and Playmates toy companies. These crossovers in the 1990s started a trend of many more toy crossovers throughout the years up until present day. These brought characters from one universe over to another and created the most unique yet amazing play opportunities for kids. Continue following along in our blog as we mention some of the epic crossovers throughout the 1990s.
Street Fighter II and G.I. Joe
One of the awesome toy crossovers of the 90s includes Street Fighter II and G.I. Joe. Street Fighter II, the epic competitive arcade fighting game released in 1991 and collaborated in toy form with G.I. Joe's awesome American military Sci-fi film series and toys in 1993 for this awesome crossover. This crossover took the very popular characters from the Street Fighter II game by Capcom and brought them to the classic G.I. Joe action figure size and appearance. These figures came on cardboard backs in bubble packaging, appearing identical to the G.I. Joe action figures packaging. These figures also include spring action and blaster shooting features to showcase these fighting characters' best moves. These popular fighter figures included the characters Sagat, Balrog, Vega, Zangief, Dhalsim, Edmond Honda, M. Bison, Blanka, Chun Li, Guile, Ken Masters, and Ryu. Hasbro released these 3.75 inch figures from 1993 to 1994.
Also, just like the G.I. Joe toy line, this crossover also included vehicles and playsets. The vehicles featured within the toy line include the Sonic Book Tank and the Beast Blaster. The playset included in this toy line, titled the Dragon Fortress, allows these figures to fight on platforms with traps and weapons in order to defeat their enemies. It features bright green and blue plastic to stand out from the figures with the fun attachments and weapons.
Robotech and Exo Squad
Next up, the Robotech and Exo Squad crossover featured three different sizes within the toy line. These include the 3 inch figures, 7 inch figures, and large scale figures. The 3 inch and 7 inch figures came in bubble packaging with cardboard backs while the larger scale figures come in boxes. This toy crossover allowed fans of both franchises to play with and interact with these awesome new figures and vehicles. Eight figures released for the 3 inch series. This included Spartan Civil Defense, Spartan Tactical Corps, Raidar X Civil Defense, Raidar X Tactical Corps, Gladiator Tactical Corps, Gladiator Civil Defense, Excaliber Civil Defense, and Excaliber Tactical Corps.
Also, eight figures released for the 7 inch series. These included Zentraedi Power Armor-Quadrono, Zentraedi Power Armor-Botoru, Spartan, Raidar X, Invid Shock Trooper, Invid Scout Ship, Gladiator, Excaliber, and Bioroid Invid Fighter. Then, for the large scale figures, four of these released. This series of toys included Veritech Fighter, Zentraedi Tactical Battlepod, Veritech Hover Tank, and the Zentraedi Officers Pod. Robotech figures were re-releases of the 1980s Matchbox toys and, with this Exo Squad toy line, the colors and decals all updated, giving them a fresh new look.
Toy Crossovers in the 2000s
Like the 1990s, the early 2000s featured many other toy crossovers that mostly came from those same popular toys of the 1980s. Many different epic crossovers released, giving so many children many opportunities for awesome play and super cool crossover teams within their already cool action figure collections. With this, it also rekindled nostalgia for many people with the characters they loved growing up releasing as a crossover with other characters they loved growing up. It also grows more of a fanbase for both of the franchises which promotes the brand even more.
Star Wars and Transformers
First up for the 2000s toy crossovers you never knew existed, we have the Star wars and Transformer crossover. Many of the crossovers throughout the years include the Transformers toy line or toy lines similar. Transforming toys are such a creative way to make crossovers since they basically include two different toys in one. Also, since Transformers have shown so much popularity since they first released, these toy crossovers with Transformers spark the popularity for Transformers but also for the other toy lines. This first one, the Star Wars and Transformers crossover, released many toys. Some of these released in the 2000s while others released in the 2010s. The ones mentioned here include the releases from 2005 to 2008.
Though the toys released from 2005-2008, there were seven total waves within these years as well as larger scale releases and two Walmart exclusives. A total of twenty-four figures released throughout these years with two to four figures in each wave. The larger toys released include Han Solo and Chewbacca which transform into the Millennium Falcon as well as Darth Vader which turns into the Death Star. Then, the Walmart exclusive featured the Star Wars character Darth Vader that transforms into TIE Advanced. Also in the same set, Obi-Wan Kenobi turns into Jedi Starfighter.
Marvel and Transformers
Next up, we will mention the Marvel and Transformers toy crossover. This includes the popular Transformers toys turned into these awesome transforming toys for popular Marvel characters. Many different transformative figures and vehicles released for this crossover. This includes the figures including the Mech Machines such as Captain America which turns into an Assault Carrier, Iron Man to an Arc Racer, and Thor to a Thunder Bomber. Along with these, an Iron Man car, Iron Man Humvee, Iron Man Jet, and Iron Man War Machine all released for this crossover. Carnage, Ghost Rider, Hulk, Human Torch, Spider Man, Venom, and Wolverine are all featured within this toy line. Like the Iron Man vehicle versions, many of these characters also have other versions of the vehicles such as cars and motorcycles. These give many options for children to play with and transform into super cool characters or vehicles.
G.I. Joe and Transformers
This next toy crossover with Transformers includes G.I. Joe. Although many of the crossover toys released in the 2010s and will be mentioned later on in this blog, one did release in 2008. Both of these toy franchises released by Hasbro and grew into incredible popularity of large fanbases with multiple television shows, movies, action figures, and vehicles released on both sides. These franchises showed love by so many people and, when the two collided, it created so many more epic play possibilities and crossed over two of the most awesome characters and vehicles of the 80s. Back in the 80s, in fact, Marvel published a comic crossover series that inspired these toy crossovers. The toy that released in 2008 for this crossover toy line, the SDCC exclusive: Cobra Commander with Megatron Pistol, included the classic Megatron gun with the all-popular Cobra Commander character. Although the toy itself didn't transform, the action figure carried Megatron's pistol, giving fans a subtle nod to the super cool crossover.
Toy Crossovers in the 2010s
Similar to the 2000s, the 2010s mostly consisted of the Transformers crossover toy lines extended from the previous years. Most of these toy lines released in the 2010s, giving fans multiple different options for collecting or playing. Also, especially early on in the decade, some of these crossovers were announced at events, creating anticipation for them from fans and even more popularity. These rare and limited edition crossover items most of the time showed popularity at their release. Today, these items can be sought out by toy collectors although most of the time the original 80s characters sell for much more. Continue following along with us through this next portion of our blog to see more toy crossovers you never knew existed.
Star Wars and Transformers
A total of sixteen Star Wars and Transformer crossover toys released in the 2010s, creating many fun options for fans of both series to get their hands on. These toys were divided into three classes. Additionally, two items released in 2018 as part of a crossover release by TakaraTomy. Class 1 of toys included three separate waves of releases as well as a canceled toy, Darth Maul transforming into Sith Infiltrator. Waves 1 and 2 released in 2011, while Wave 3 released in 2012. Wave 1 of Class 1 items included Anakin Skywalker transforming into Jedi Starfighter, Obi-Wan Kenobi into Jedi Starfighter, and General Grievous into Grievous Starfighter. Then, Wave 2 of Class 1 items included Clone Trooper Pilot to Y-wing, Saesee Tiin into Jedi Starfighter, and Darth Vader into Sith Starfighter. Lastly, Wave 3 of Class 1 items included Anakin Skywalker transforming into Jedi Starfighter, Obi-Wan Kenobi into Jedi Starfighter, and Anakin Skywalker into Y-wing Fighter.
Then, Class 2 of the crossover toys released in 2012 and included a Wave 1 that sold under the Crossovers banner. Wave 2 of Class 2, however, included Battle Droid transforming into At-At, Darth Maul into Sith Infiltrator, and Darth Vader into TIE Advanced X1 Starfighter. Class 3 items came in a larger scale than the other items previously released and included one toy, the Darth Vader to Star Destroyer then into the Anakin Skywalker to Jedi Cruiser characters and vehicles. Lastly, the 2018 releases included TIE Advanced X1 into Darth Vader and the Millennium Falcon into both Han Solo and Chewbacca characters.
G.I. Joe and Transformers
Just like the Star Wars and Transformers crossover toys, the G.I. Joe x Transformers also seeped into the 2010s. A total of four crossover items for these two franchises together released throughout this decade. These released from 2011 to 2016. First, the SDCC Exclusive: Starscream Skystriker with Cobra Commander released in 2011. This item featured a G.I. Joe jet that resembled Starscream. Along with this, the Cobra Commander came with as a pilot as he soars through the air. Then, the Shockwave H.I.S.S. tank released in 2012. Featured here, the tank got repainted purple with character Destro and a B.A.T. inspired by Soundwave. The SDCC Exclusive: Jetfire Skystriker with Hound V.A.M.P. Jeep released in 2013. This red, white, and blue Skystriker jet comes with Baroness and Bludgeon with fun unique character styles. Lastly, the Bumblebee A.W.E. Striker released in 2016. It featured a yellow dune buggy with Bumblebee adjustments and a Skywalker figure. These SDCC Exclusive items typically sell for high prices today, especially in mint or really good condition. Since these toys are so rare, they are difficult to find and often very valuable.
Toy Crossovers in Recent Years
Since 2020, many more toy crossovers released from many different toy companies. These toy crossovers often take a modern approach to classic action figures and vehicles. One of these, Universal Monsters and TMNT created a crossover that released beginning in 2022. It showcased key TMNT characters such as Raphael and Michelangelo and turned them into characters such as Frankenstein's Monster and The Mummy. Then, the Star Wars and Transformers crossover of 2024 released a Mandalorian N-1 Starfighter. This epic toy crossover not only includes Transformers but also a recent addition to the Star Wars franchise. Mandalorian remains very popular within the franchise and makes this crossover one that people can tie into the past Star Wars x Transformer crossovers, yet with a modern twist on this popular television show. Also in 2024, a TMNT and MOTU crossover toy line released. The Masters of the Universe Origins: Turtles of Grayskull figures all released in the original 5 inch scale. Mattel and Paramount mashed these loved characters into one new toy line, giving them a fierce modern twist yet keeping their signature character appearance.
TMNT also crossed over with Godzilla in 2025 by Playmates Toys. Also, a comic book series crossover between the two franchises releases to go along with the action figures. These figures bring a character from each franchise and make them into new awesome, mutated new characters. Lastly, the new G.I. Joe and Transformers crossover toys began releasing in 2022 and still continue to release. A Bumblebee A.W.E Striker released in 2022, an Autobot Kup Triple T with Sgt. Slaughter and Leatherneck released in 2024, and more anticipated items may release in 2026.
Final Thoughts
Throughout the last few decades, many super cool toy crossovers took place in which many of them you probably never knew existed. These awesome crossovers brought two awesome franchises together to release items. This caused excitement and anticipation from many fans of both franchises. It also brought new fans to both as people got immersed into one or both from these crossovers. Although these crossovers didn't really launch until the 1990s, they brought forth a trend that continued for decades and still remains today with even more toy crossovers releasing. Along with these toy crossovers, LEGO has released so many crossover items throughout the years that are more popularized and well known. Likewise, toy companies such as Funko Pops release crossover items that appear in the same format, just with the popular character twist from many different toys, television shows, and movies.
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Chris is the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab Pop Culture and Toy Shop. His vision has always been to reconnect collectors with the toys and pop culture that shaped their childhoods—sparking memories, nostalgia, and imagination along the way.
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