GI JOE: THE STORY of NINJA FORCE

The Story of Ninja Force: GI Joe’s Neon Ninja Era of Madness For many GI Joe fans and collectors, the story of Ninja Force is one of color, chaos, and pure 90s toyline absurdity. When Hasbro was desperately throwing everything at the wall to keep G.I. Joe alive, they landed on the hottest late-night rental trend of the time—ninjas. But not just any ninjas—these were fluorescent, spring-loaded, missile-launching martial arts maniacs like T'JBang, Dojo, Nunchuk, and even a tank-driving Storm Shadow. From “real ninja action” like the Samurai Smash to code names that sound like discontinued energy drinks, Ninja Force was Hasbro’s wild attempt to beat those damn Turtles and Power Rangers at their own game. In this deep-ish dive, I take a fresh look (as someone who never owned these as a kid) at the Joe team’s most outrageous sub-line—examining the figures, filecards, and WTF design decisions that made Ninja Force both ridiculous and unforgettable. 🌀 It’s bright. 💥 It’s loud. It’s G.I. Joe... ninja-fied.

Rebuilding A Megatron

The Transformers Story about the Time-Traveling Tyrant or Just Really Angry Galvatron! Is he Megatron’s unhinged future self, Unicron’s rebelious disciple, or an undead barbarian from Cybertron’s ancient past? Yes. GALVATRON is one of the most chaotic characters in Transformers history—and we love him for it. From his explosive debut in Transformers: The Movie to his unique IDW Comics run as a reanimated warlord who fights Deceptigods and ghosts alike, this video unpacks every wild twist in Galvatron’s timeline(s). Plus, we look at his ever-evolving toy forms—from G1 bricks to modern scream-ready sculpts. If you collect Transformers, read the comics, or just want to know why Galvatron is always yelling, this one's for you.

Ruining A Megatron

The Story about the Rise and Fall of Live Action Movie Megatron: From Menace to Meme In this third part of my Megatron mini-series, I'm going in headfirst into the jagged mess of metal that is the live action movie version of Megatron—yes, the one who went from alien nightmare fuel in 2007 to dollar store villain in The Last Knight. I'm gonna break down how this once-iconic Decepticon leader somehow went from terrifying menace to... negotiating with humans? Whether you're a longtime fan of Transformers, a toy collector, or just love a good robot trainwreck, this one’s for you. So grab your AllSpark, mute Starscream, and join me as I dissect the good, the bad, and the transformium. Don’t forget to check out parts one and two in the description for the full Megatron experience—from origin stories to plastic glory!

Buying A Megatron

The Story about the Evolution of Megatron Toys: From Trigger Crotch to Tank Commander! Megatron has transformed a LOT over the years—sometimes into a gun, sometimes a tank, sometimes… a car? In this second part of my Megatron deep dive, I blast through the many incarnations of Megatron toys from G1 to Masterpiece, from grungy Siege tanks to stylish Alternity Nissans and Nerf blasters in disguise. I’ll share which ones earned a spot on my shelf, which ones got the "hard pass," and which Megs had me questioning my life choices (looking at you, MP-05). Whether you're a GEEWUN purist, a CHUG collector, or just want to hear me rant about trigger crotches and orange barrel tips, this one’s for you!

Making A Megatron

The Story of MEGATRON: The Transformers Miner turned Megalomaniac. Every great hero needs an equally epic villain—and when it comes to Transformers, they don’t get badder (or more misunderstood) than Megatron. In this deep dive, after a lot of dodging, I'll finally tackle the twisted, tragic, and kinda poetic rise of the Decepticon leader—from Cybertronian miner and reluctant gladiator to warlord with a vision (and a fusion cannon). Whether you're into G1 nostalgia, IDW lore, or just love a well-done villain arc, this is the Megatron origin story , straight from The Toyshelf. Just don’t expect a toy rundown…yet. 😏

Snow Your Joe!

The Snow Must Go On: A Chilly Look at GI Joe's Arctic Specialists ❄️ Ever wonder why GI Joe had so many snow troopers when half the world barely even sees frost? As a lifelong fan from the sunny, snowless Philippines, I’ve always had a frosty fascination with the coolest Joes on the team—guys like Snow Job, Iceberg, Frostbite, Blizzard, and Sub-Zero. In this episode, i'll slide into nostalgia and dig through the snowdrifts of toy history to uncover who these winter warriors were, what gear they packed, and how their stories played out across figures, comics, and cartoons. From Olympic biathletes and tundra rangers to machete-wielding ski instructors and snow ninjas (yes, really), these characters prove that cold just means an excuse to look extra badass. So grab your snowshoes and let’s chill with some real American (arctic) heroes!

Alternate Bounty Hunter

The story of the Transformers ultimate hunter, Lockdown! Lockdown isn’t just any shady and creepy character — he’s THE bounty hunter of the Transformers universe, a ruthless tracker with no allegiance except to the highest bidder. From his debut in Transformers Animated to his big-screen showdown in Age of Extinction, Lockdown has cemented himself as one of the most unique and feared characters in the franchise. Whether he’s stealing Ratchet’s EMP, training with Cyber Ninjas, or product placing for Lamborghini, he’s always a step ahead. But is he the ultimate bounty hunter in Transformers history? Let’s break down his legacy and find out!

Can You Smell What The Block Is Cooking?

The Story about ROADBLOCK — The GI Joe Legend with a Machine Gun and a Frying Pan What do Magic Johnson, a tooth fairy, and a giant machine gun have in common? They all somehow connect to Roadblock—the rhyming, righteously cool heavy machine gunner of GI Joe! In this episode of Stories from the Toyshelf, I take a hilariously honest (and slightly awkward) walk down memory lane as I recount how childhood fears and Filipino family quirks somehow made Roadblock one of my all-time favorite Joes. From his animated heroics in The Revenge of Cobra, to comic book patriotism and neon space suits, to that time The Rock tried to ninja-fy him (sigh), we cover it all! Whether you're a vintage toy collector, comic book fan, or just here for a nostalgic ride, this one's packed with rhymes, rifles, and ridiculous 80s action. So hit that like button, subscribe, and let’s fire up the grill—because Roadblock’s serving up some Joe history you won’t want to miss!

Hairy Scary Crazy Jarhead!

The Story about Gung Ho, the swamp-brawling, vest-rocking, chest tattooed Marine! 🐊💪🔫 From the Louisiana swamps to the frontlines of G.I. Joe, Gung Ho has brawled, battled, and bare-chested his way into Joe history! But what’s the deal with his powder blue uniform, mysterious hometown, and ever-changing tattoo? From his famous gumbo in the cartoons to his comic book beatdowns (including a couple of unfortunate run-ins with Storm Shadow’s sword!), we’re breaking down the legend of Ettienne R. LaFitte—aka the hairiest, scariest, and most grenade-launching Marine to ever rock a vest that may or may not be a repurposed tablecloth. Whether you grew up with the ‘83 original or the Mega Marine madness, there's a Gung Ho for every Joe fans! Yo Joe! 🇺🇸🔥

The Great Pretender

The Story of Bludgeon: The Decepticon Samurai Who Conquered Comics and beyond! So let's dive into the twisted, sword-swinging history of Bludgeon, the Decepticon Pretender who went from obscure toy to comic book legend. From his unforgettable samurai skeleton look to his brutal rise to Decepticon leadership under the pen of Simon Furman, Bludgeon’s journey is nothing short of epic! Plus, I’ll go over some of his coolest toys and ecplain why I think that he’s a standout among Decepticons. Grab your Energo-Swords and prepare to unleash the Metalikato madness!

Bat Out Of Hell

The Story about the often most overlooked minion of Soundwave, the Transformers Ratbat He's the most unexpected Decepticon boss you've probably never taken seriously — Ratbat! From his awkward debut as a "rat-looking bat" cassette to his wild ride as a cold and calculating leader and sinister mastermind in the Marvel comics, this little bat sure packed a punch. And that's not it! I'm also taking a look at the different Ratbat toys, including that masterpiece knockoff I ended up getting...shhhhhh. And of course, the animated keytar version—because why not? Join me as we spread our wings and soar through the twisted tale of Ratbat!