Who said that nostalgia doesn’t sell? Certainly not the collectors, who have turned into true treasure hunters in recent years. Good deals abound, and all it takes is a dusty old toy found deep in a attic to attract enthusiasts.
It’s not the current store-bought ones that are fetching a fortune, but rather the old models from the 1980s. For example, licenses like My Little Pony, Transformers, or Pokémon are still hugely popular and are being snapped up on resale sites or at auctions. Even more iconic, a real star for a whole generation of children, teenagers, and even adults, this character is now enjoying the same fate.
How to determine the value of a toy from the 1980s?
This character, as explained by our colleagues at actu.fr, can be worth quite a lot. So much so that it recently appeared at the heart of an extraordinary auction. Its name? Goldorak. The same title as the Japanese anime series aired in France since 1978, which made a lasting impact on an entire generation. One of the reasons why these toys and licensed products are highly sought after.
Are you convinced that you once had a version of this toy in your hands? Do you think you can find it again? It’s necessary to estimate its value. Indeed, you can’t sell any model for any sum. In the market for collectible items, there are rules to follow and researching before selling is part of it. And since it’s precisely the first versions released in the 1980s that are highly sought after, the creation date of your toy is the first thing to check when you find it.
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A very sought-after, the 1980s version of this toy can fetch up to 4000 euros
Once you’ve ensured that your toy is indeed a Goldorak, authentic, and one of the early versions released, observe its condition. Toys from that era were often roughed up by children, so examples in good condition are rare and therefore highly sought after. If the original box is with the figurine, you can fetch a good price.
Among the models that can fetch a small fortune are the Popy/Bandai metal toys (die-cast), known for their durability and unmatched realism for the time. Thus, it’s understandable that the Jumbo Machinder (from the Mattel brand), with its impressive size (60 cm), has become a legendary piece. The Goldorak Jumbo Machinder (Shogun Warriors, Mattel, 1978-79), highly coveted and often incomplete due to missing accessories, can fetch between 2800 and 2500 euros depending on the condition.
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The prestige of manufacturers, a key element to consider
The Goldorak DX Popy GA-37 toy (1978, Japan) can fetch between 1500 and 4000 euros depending on the box. Meanwhile, the Goldorak Popy GA-50 (with Spazer, 1979) can reach up to 5000 euros for a new model in blister packaging. The Gokin version (Die-cast, metal, Popy/Bandai), on the other hand, can reach 1500 euros.
The prestige of manufacturers also plays a role in the value of the toy. Popy (a subsidiary of Bandai), for example, was a leader in die-cast toys in Japan, known for its exceptional quality. Mattel, on the other hand, produced solid, detailed, and well-designed toys that have become iconic. It’s especially their Shogun Warriors range that introduced the famous Jumbo Machinder to the Western market, contributing to making the license iconic among European fans.
