[Joe Moore]

Starcom



Mattel's Starcom line ran from 1987 through the early 1990's. The line featured tiny figures to go along with a variety of unique and awesome vehicles and play sets. The little figures featured magnets that allowed them to lock into their vehicles. These magnets also activated automatic play features in the vehicles. To go along with the toys, there was a single season cartoon. In the U.S., neither the toys or the cartoons did especially well. however, the toys seemed to do better overseas and have since garnered a very loyal following.

Centurions



The Centurions toy line was a fairly short lived one. However, the lien featured some fantastic ideas and very unique toys. Each figure featured numerous peg holes throughout their body. This allowed for "Power Packs", weapons and accessories to be attached to the figures. There were seven figures, power packs and some vehicles released by Kenner in 1986. The cartoon for the toys proved to be a bit more popular and ran from 1985 - 1987.

[proteus]

Ooooooo this is a toughie!!! Didnt see any of the Starcom cartoon,but religiously watched Centurions....so thats where my vote goes!!! Loved the Wild Weasel motorcycle unit!!!

[ludovicotek]

I had a few Starcom toys and the magnetic features blew me away when I was a kid. So cool. But I had to go with Centurions this round. The figures were so awesome.

[MegaPrime33]

You know I don't think I ever had either as a toy when I was a kid or even really remember each's show. I guess I will make my vote based on the pictures above and which one I think looks cooler. Tough one.

[BigHanksCustoms]

Centurions for me baby!!

[trebleshot]

Never owned anything from either line, but played with my friends' toys. Gotta go with Centurions, as I liked the variable armory play pattern better. Starcom was pretty cool, though.

[tlasjr]

I always liked StarCom, I found it interesting that one of the guy ships looked pretty close to the F-117 stealth fighter that was just revealed, much closer that GI Joe, Testors, Micro machines or even Tom Clancy.

[itMFtis]

These face off posts would be sooo much better if you attached some sort of image to represent each line.

[ludovicotek]

Quote:

Originally Posted by itMFtis

These face off posts would be sooo much better if you attached some sort of image to represent each line.

There are images in the first post of the thread.

[nomad1632]

I loved my starcom bomber actually found it in storage and everything still worked the toyline was so ahead of its time

[itMFtis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ludovicotek

There are images in the first post of the thread.

Huh, I don't see them. I'll take another look when I get home. Thanks for the heads up!

[bmorr]

since i only remember the centurions cartoon, i gets my vote.

[MegsTriggerMan]

I really need to dig through my storage unit and find my box of Centurians ... I voted for Starcom however because 2 of my close friends collected it and I always loved playing with it.

[Lody666]

Touch choice but I liked the Centurions toys

[Shin Densetsu]

Geez Joe this is going to be hard! I only had 1 Centurions toy but wanted toys from BOTH! Starcom was BAD ASS and holy crap I forgot about the Starfighter! Crap...

Dunno which to vote for..

[hrothgars]

I had a few Centurions. Both were pretty lame, IMO.

[Runamuck]

Never had either line when I was a kid, so I can't make an educated decision. I didn't vote, but from the pictures, Starcom looks like a better line.

[Flatliner]

I miss Centurions, I loved that show and always wanted a Wild Weasel.

[Crazy Jetty]

I normally won't vote in a match if I don't know either of the toylines.
But in this case, the play pattern for the Centurions seriously impresses me. That gets my vote.

It wouldn't win, but I think Starcom would have been a much better first round match for Star Wars, IMO. It seems to not only target the same audience, but blows Star Wars out of the water for play factor/gimmick.

[notpicard]

I have both full toylines, minus one or two Centurions pieces. And if this vote was just Centurions vs the starbase airlock, I would still be voting Starbase HQ airlock. StarCom is just a much better toyline in terms of compatibility with itself. They don't just have a gimmick....it is a gimmick that opens new possibilities for play.

StarCom is hands down the most under-appreciated toyline of the 1980s.

[Boba Fettuccini]

I sold a Starcom Laser RAT on ebay last week, and I just found a buttload of assorted Centurions pieces at a thrift store. I'd never seen either until then.

[tgbobafett]

I don't remember Starcom too well, so I'm voting for Centurions!!!