Review: Ghostbusters Plasma Series 'Slimed' Glow-in-the-Dark Ghostbusters wave
- Mephitsu
- Oct 31
- 7 min read
"He slimed me"
The Hasbro Ghostbusters Plasma Series of 6-inch collector figures launched in 2020 with a wave of figures from the original 1984 movie that included the original Ghostbusters team. Only one further wave would make it into production in 2021 from Ghostbusters: Afterlife, but the line did not completely disappear through limited sales, with Hasbro re-using the original four Ghostbusters to create a special wave of ‘Slimed’ Glow-in-the-Dark figures, released in the autumn of 2021. Variant figures in a Ghostbusters line are nothing new, with Diamond Select also releasing slimed versions and glow in the dark versions in their run.
The ‘Slimed’ wave utilised the same packaging dimensions and base design as the core figures, with a beige backdrop and name plate for the figure, both in line and paying homage to the Ghostbusters uniform. The figure is displayed in a large window that wraps the right-hand side and the upper flap, with the ‘No Ghost’ logo predominantly positioned in the bottom left corner. Over all of his is applied some ‘slimed’ decor effects and in the top left corner, a circular callout with a picture of Slimer confirms that the set includes a glow-in-the-dark feature.
The left hand panel continues to feature stylised head profiles of each of the four Ghostbusters, again now with a slimed and green overlay. The back of the box follows the same principles as the main release, but with the green hue applied. This means the No Ghost logo is green rather than red, and the Slimer ‘glow-in-the-dark’ feature panel is repeated.
Each Ghostbuster is pictured on the reverse, with the character actually included slightly increased in size, and the text box is then turned over to a very quick overview of the character. Behind the figures, each held in an inner tray, is the backing card for the box, which is again a green hued version of the original cardback featuring blueprint style imagery of the Proton Packs and ECTO-1. Overall, the boxes are virtually identical for each figure, with the only changes being the front name plate and the rear bio segment.
Each figure shares the same base body, and it is the same figures released on 2021 as part of the 1984 Ghostbusters Wave. The main suit is cast in beige, with sculpted zip and pocket detail as well as the name plate on the left hand side of the chest. A softer plastic belt is added over the top in off-white with black clips, components, and a holster for a walkie-talkie, which is sadly sculpted and not removable and usable as an accessory. A yellow hose connects the belt to the top of the left thigh and is flexible enough to move with the figure as it's posed.
The gloves are longer sleeves painted in gloss black, and the boots across Winston, Egon, and Ray sitting just above ankle height with the suit pants tucked in, painted again in gloss black. The Peter figure is a slight variance with different lower legs to represent his on-screen look with his trousers not tucked in; therefore, the boots are only seen at the foot section coming out of the lower hem of the trousers. The nameplate itself is painted with the character's name, and the only other decor is the Ghostbusters logo on the right shoulder applied as a decal.
The heads are all good representations of the four key characters with sculpted detail, then enhanced with facial print technology. This includes sculpted glasses for Egon that are part of the head sculpt and therefore do not look oversized and out of place, as we often get with glasses accessories. The trade-off is an odd look from the side profile, where the glasses' sides connect directly into the face rather than there being a gap. The ‘slimed’ effect is all paint application, with no added sculpting. This is varied on each figure but applied across the head, torso, arms, and legs in patches as though splashed around.
In terms of comparison with the 2020 wave from the 1984 movie and outside of the slimed effect itself, the suits on these newer releases are darker and arguably more accurate. I also think the facial printing on most figures is improved and gives a better look overall. Ray is significantly improved, with Egon also looking more like Harold Ramis than the earlier release. Peter and Winston remain broadly similar.
Each figure is included a Proton Pack with attached Neurtrono Wand. This is made up of a black cast Proton Pack and a green cast frame with shoulder straps. The two are attached with plug-in fixings. The entire pack features decor around the core components, including silver, grey, red, and blue across the rear parts including the main data cable, the wiring, and the nuclear accelerator segment. Over this, we also have another layer of slime decor.
The pack unclips at the left hand side to allow the right hand loop to go over the right arm and head, reconnecting to secure the pack and hold it in place. This positioning is supported by a large rear socket and a plug on the pack that centralises it on the figure.
The Neutrono Wand uses the same black plastic and is permanently connected to the pack by way of a partly flexible black cable. The only decor on the wand is a silver emitter and some silver components under the main body. You can display the Wand slung by way of a shaped lug that slots into a socket on the Proton Pack. This fit is not completely secure, and while it holds in place, it can slip and move as the figure is handed. The connecting cable between pack and wand can also pose an issue, as it lacks true flexibility and while it bends, it still holds some resistance, and that can pull the wand out of the Proton holster.
Each figure can grip the wand in one or two hands, putting it into a firing position. You can simulate this firing with the included proton stream, a part only included with Winston in the original run. To tie in with the glow-in-the-dark theme, these are now recoloured, cast with a central translucent orange core and a surrounding array of pale yellow translucent energy effects. The piece connects to the Neutrono Wand by way of a tube at the start of the effect, wrapping over the emitter. The length of the effect can cause the beam to bend slightly, but overall, there is stability across the wand, effect, and from the figure that provides the base for the entire piece. While the streams should be uniform in their colour, it is worth noting that when we unpacked our four figures, the stream with Winston was lighter than the others. This may have been from a different batch.
Articulation is pinned, and there are 21 points in total. The legs include double-joint knees to allow the figure to sit, crouch and kneel. The arms start off with butterfly shoulders and then include double-joint elbows, which all tie in with the ability to wield the proton stream while also allowing the figure a level of character through posed gestures. The bicep swivel and thigh swivel are a little ugly in terms of how they cut across the sculpt and sit out of line when moved, but otherwise, there is plenty of range in the figure whilst not sacrificing any of the overall looks.
So what about that key selling point of the glow-in-the-dark effect? Well, we can confirm it works, but it does require ‘charging’ under sunlight or a light source first - the stronger the charge, the clearer the glow. The front paintwork is the most visible in darkness, less so on the back of the figure, simply down to lesser paint application in this area. The proton streams also glow to a similar luminescence.
As a gimmick release, the ‘slimed’ figures are a relatively simple variant for Hasbro, even though they are technically not screen accurate outside of Pete,r who was ‘slimed’ in the first film. In fact, the more accurate variation may have been to release these as 'Marshmallowed' figures as seen in the 1984 finale, but to do that properly would have meant sculptural changes, not just paint additions to the existing figure.
The promo images for the figures did not do the wave justice, with digital images circulated in the main and still in use today, where the figures remain on sale. In hand, they are very impressive and probably edge the original figures in terms of the accuracy of the uniform colour and the facial print tech. What they do lack is the additional accessories seen on the first wave like the PKE meter, Ghost Trap, and Ecto-Goggles, and while giving each of them a proton stream, changing the colour is marginally frustrating when we really needed the original colouring to fill the gaps left in the Wave 1 releases. It seems there are better figures incoming by way of the Rooftop set in early 2026, and for now, the earlier figures are reasonably easy to obtain on the secondary market - although for a cheaper set for display, these glow-in-the-dark variants do a pretty good job.
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...
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