Hasbro were confirmed as the new licensee for Ghostbusters in 2019, and would be the fourth major figure company to cover the line after NECA, Mattel and Diamond Select. The first wave of the Plasma Series was announced as the four Ghostbusters and figures of Dana Barrett and Gozer.
Packaging 3/5
The Hasbro Ghostbusters are presented in a square box format with a spine down the left and the base of the window and the window then wrapping the top of the box and the right hand side. The design is that of the Ghostbusters uniform, both in colour but also with details like a zip visible and the name of the figure in the same style as the name tags of the Ghostbusters uniform.
The left hand spine uses a generic, stylised, image of our four Ghostbusters against a red backdrop. There is no specific art for the figure in the box as we have seen on other lines like Marvel & Star Wars.
The back of the box moves to a black finish with some hatching around the top. We have a short piece of background text under the character name.
"The voice of reason: Winston's the one you want in your corner when times get tough"
Beneath this is a checklist of the figures in the wave and a picture of the Build-A-Ghost, Vinz Clortho, and confirmation of what parts come with which figure.
It is noticeable that the window for the figure is quite loose and not tight fitting to the box. You can almost push your fingers in the sides and round the back. The reason for this is apparent when you open the figure and find the figure tray and the window are not attached to the box and slide out as one piece. Behind them is a very nice red and black card back featuring blue prints of the Ghostbusters Proton Packs and ECTO-1.
Paint & Sculpt 3/5
Winston is sculpted in a slightly odd half smiling face sculpt, but it is a good likeness to Ernie Hudson and this is enhanced by the face print tech used to add realism to the eyes and appropriate shading around the eyes, nose and mouth - as well as adding more natural facial hair than the usual hand painted efforts.
The Ghostbusters uniform is cast in a single cream colour and is unpainted apart from the boots, gloves, elbow pads and the name plate which has been pretty neatly painted to read Zeddemore. A Ghostbusters decal has been neatly added to the right shoulder. The sculpt of the uniform is well done, with the appropriate pockets and pouches - but is far too clean.
The real look of the Ghostbusters is wearing their Proton Packs, and there has been a good level of colour added to the packs. The strap is in a green colour and wraps the arms and waist. The pack itself is cast in black with red, blue and silver added to the various wiring and parts.
The second belt, permanently attached to the figure, is an individual piece that will slide with some poses as needed. It is cast in an off white with painted black attachments. A yellow and a black pipe snake from the belt to plug into the legs.
As the body, belt and Proton Pack look to be the same on all four Ghostbusters you are left with a round hole slot on the right side of the belt which is of no use for Winston as he comes with no accessory to attach there. Equipment from the other GB's, like Egon's PKE meter, will fit in this slot if you want to mix and match.
We have had other Winston Ghostbuster figures before from both Mattel and Diamond Select. Comparisons to both can be seen below. The Hasbro head sculpt and likeness trumps both of them and the body shape is certainly more natural on the Hasbro version. Diamond still has better paint apps with the dirty uniform look.
Accessories 4/5
Jumping back a little to the Proton Pack, this is an accessory as such as it arrives separate to the figure and can be taken on and off. There are no instructions included, but with some tinkering you find the strap at the bottom of the left hand side can be unclipped. The pack can then be strapped around the figure and the clasp slotted back into place.
The Plasma Beam thrower is permanently attached to the back pack via a flexible tube. This feels quite robust and not like the Diamond ones which snapped far too easily. You might find rather than snap that the lead pops out from the base of the Proton Back. The Beam Thrower slots into the hands with a bit of tweaking to stretch out the fingers a little and can be held one or two handed. When not in use there is a notch and socket function to slot the Beam Thrower into the side of the backpack. Again, this works much better than Diamond and does not stick out as much as the Mattel one that seemed to connect at an angle.
Winston also comes with a Proton Stream that is cast in a an orange translucent plastic, wrapped with blue translucent lightning type effects. At the base of the stress is a hollow tube that slots over the Beam Thrower to create the firing effect.
The look is pretty impressive, although it might have benefitted from being a bit longer. It is light enough so not to overbalance the figure. And by wrapping the end of the Beam Thrower, and not slotting into it, it remains straight.
Articulation 4/5
Winston has a total of 20 points of articulation, mirroring more or less the joints we get on Marvel Legends, and the newer Star Wars Black Series figures.
Head : ball joint neck
Body : ball joint waist
Arms : ball joint shoulder, butterfly shoulder, bicep swivel, double joint elbows, wrist pivot
Legs : ball joint hips, thigh swivel, double joint knees, ankle rocker
The inclusion of the butterfly shoulder while subtle, adds a wider range of movement for posing with the equipment - supported by double joint elbows. The bicep swivel does have to be engaged with some poses and that will throw the cut of the sleeve.
The waist ball joint is not as mobile a it could be, but allows you to lean Winston's torso back or forth as the pose requires.
The legs will kneel, just about, and crouch and can also take wider stances for firing and action posing. All the joints are secure and tightly ratcheted and Winston stands fine on his own.
Summary
I think out of all the Winston figures I've owned from Mattel and Diamond, Hasbro probably beats them on most counts. The head is a better likeness and the photo real printing enhances that fully. The body is shared with the other GB's, but that happened with Mattel and Diamond two and the only criticism of the body is a lack of wash or detailing to bring out more depth.
Articulation is sufficient to do the posing you would want to do, and all the joints are tight and secure. The accessories are well designed and I do like the Proton Stream effects - and it is the inclusion of that piece that splits the difference for me on scoring and I would score Winston a 4 out of 5.
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...
action figures, reviews, review, articulation, hasbro, ghostbusters, plasma, series, winston zeddemore