Transformers at TRU in 1985

April 25, 1985. This ad block comes from Salinas, California, The Californian newspaper and features Windcharger — my first Transformers toy when I was a kid! — as well as the Constructicons and Insecticons, making this one hell of a fun ride for all of us who were collecting the toys when this ad was new.

The listed prices aren’t special or out-of-line with what we’ve seen in other ads from the time, but that doesn’t stop any of us from looking at the ad and thinking “why aren’t toys this cheap today?”

Don’t forget about inflation, gang! That $2.97 price tag on Windcharger is the equivalent of $6.99 today. The toys weren’t quite as inexpensive as you may be thinking; it’s just that everything has climbed in price over the last three decades.