We recently saw a commercial for a new line of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys – the Ninja Action line. They looked cooler than cool with each of the four Turtles being able to kick down doors. Oh yeah baby. This was something my 6 year old son needed. Badly. We found them at Target and after spending a good fifteen minutes poring over each one he settled on Donatello. I can’t tell you why the kid chose Donatello over Raphael, Michaelangelo or Leonardo but he did. Personally I wanted him to choose Michaelangelo because he came with a gate / tree house looking deal. But what do I know? I’m a girl and an adult. Two strikes and I’m out. If a third was needed, it would be that I don’t think Yu-Gi-Oh! makes the world go ‘round.

More about this action figure

The Ninja Action action figures are based on the television cartoon series (see it on Cartoon Network and Fox). What is supposed to be totally "kick-butt" about these figures (their words, not mine) is that they have, what else but Ninja Action. Ninja Action apparently means being able to do a cartwheel in the minds of the toy makers at Playmates.

Each figure in this series comes with a break away wall (or gate, or something) for the Ninja Action Ninja Turtle to kick down. Each Turtle also comes with its own set of weapons. Our figure, Ninja Action Donatello who stands less than 4 ½ inches tall, comes with his usual weapon of choice - Bo Staffs. He has two permanently stuck to his back which add stability for doing cartwheels. He also has two separate Bo Staffs which can be placed in his hands as well as two Sai blades.

Ninja Action Donatello also comes with is an Asian temple stand up wall/frame which has a break away door. In theory Donatello will kick down the door (and part of the wall), leaving the frame standing. We paid $8.99 for our Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Donatello Ninja Action Figure…..

We should have bought the cheaper one

Seriously, I’m kicking myself. We should have bought one of the $6.99 Ninja Turtle action figures. Those are the ones that don't have any special features but are just plain old action figures. Let me tell you - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Donatello Ninja Action Figure is actually rather ridiculous. I mean, ok, it is kind of cool to see him flip cartwheels and forever land firmly on his feet. But after so many times who really cares? This isn't like watching humans perform at the Olympics. It's but a silly toy that can't give anything but a perfect "10" each and every time.

Now, shall we discuss this Ninja Action? In order to get Donatello to do his thing you first must made sure the tiny yellow lines on his arms are lined up. Then you firmly hold him by the shoulders and press gently down and to his right (your left). He then clicks into ninja action mode and within seconds springs up and does a cartwheel. Are you thrilled? I’m not. In the short time we’ve owned this toy (a week) it has become more and more difficult to push Donatello into Ninja Action mode. I’ll only be surprised if it still works a month from now.

Moving right along…. as far as Donatello being able to kick down a door. Ha. The thought makes me laugh - or would if my kid wasn’t so disappointed. We have yet to get him to kick down the door without the entire frame work also falling down. Sure, the door becomes unhooked, but who cares when the whole things falls flat. That’s just not cool or fun even for a 6 year old boy.

Playmates did do something right – at least the Bo Staffs and Sai Blades snap into Donatello’s hands and will pretty much remain there until snapped out. Donatello’s arms and head are slightly moveable, but not enough to really count.

Final Thoughts and Recommendation

Apparently this toy was made to perform cartwheels and nothing else. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Donatello Ninja Action Figure was not made to really be played with as one would an action figure which is evidenced by how totally unmovable he is.

This isn’t a terrible toy, it looks very cool and has some nice detailing. However, it is nothing like my child and I expected. Had we known that it wasn’t moveable and wouldn’t even be able to kick down the door without also making the temple frame fall we would have passed on this and all the Ninja Action Ninja Turtles Figures. The kiddo still likes this toy, or at least tries to like it, but it’s obvious he’s disappointed. It really isn’t very fun and it’s near impossible to have any kind of imaginative play with a figure that just stands there in-between cartwheels.

I only recommend you purchase Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Donatello Ninja Action Figure if the person it's intended for doesn't care about really being able to play with the figure. Oh, and so long as they won't be too disappointed that it can't really kick out the door.



Thanks for reading!

~ Melissa :o)








Recommended: No

Amount Paid (US$): 8.99
Type of Toy: Action Figure
Age Range of Child: 6 to 8 Years