[proteus]

I personally think its about relevance,GI Joes for example can work as well from an APC or tank as a fixed base of operations,because they are soldiers,soldiers rarely fight siege actions,so they are good to go where ever they are,the same applies to SW figures really,they have a WHOLE galaxy to fight in,however the Turtles DO need a sewer and/or street playset because thats their context,Spidey is the same,he's bound to an urban setting,him swinging tree to tree out in the countryside just doesnt really work. Its a massive shame the TMNT set has been scaled down,BUT i do see why they have done it,it would be a big spend for me to pick one up,and i have no children/serious financial demands,so for parents to buy em i can see it being a struggle,maybe Playmates should have looked into making a series of smaller modular playsets,with interlock abilities,ie:
Turtle lair
street scene
hand dojo
sewer tunnels

The turtle lair,and sewer tunnel would form the bottom level,the street scene and dojo the top level,(the sewer tunnel could be used to "infiltrate" either the dojo or Turtle lair) that would have brought costs down for a slightly more affordable product,and still retained/encouraged the buying of further sections,throw in a limited figure(Casey Jones/Rat King etc) with each section,and bingo!!!(the only downside would be parents would have to fight almost the entire MU App. thread/H.I.S.S tankers,and anyone else who collects 3.75inch figures to even get a look in on them!!!