From what I can tell, Series 1 was a success. At least 4/5 themes were. The Aliens theme (green capsule) would sell out quickly. The Dinos, Monsters, and Insects would sell decently. The reason I can tell that TRU keeps getting new stock frequently, is because pack after pack of Sea Life keeps accumulating. As you might expect, no one wants the ridiculous-looking Sea Life.
I think they succeeded as impulse toys, not as collectibles. Just something quick and cheap to buy your whining kid. The single capsules were $1 at TRU and Target and sold out quickest of all (except for the Sea Life ones), even though the cost per figure was even less than $1 in the larger packs. You could tell that the blind capsules were restocked frequently because the example figure is different each time they put out a new box.
The two playsets also sold quickly once they hit first level (30%) clearance.
Here is the status of the cheap collectible toys at my local TRU:
Except for some playsets, Trash Pack is gone. Mutant Mania is gone. Crashlings are gone except for Sea Life. Bungess are warming the pegs -- but these are not blind-packs. Kre-o blind-bags are long gone. There are no blind-packs currently stocked whatsoever. We never got Atomicron, Kobots, Zomlings, Zombie Zity or anything like that at all. This section of the aisle is basically empty. Some SickBricks have moved in -- again; not blind-bags.
Plenty of room is ready and waiting for Ugglys Pet Shop, and apparently more Crashlings. Since we never get the cool European lines, I guess we have to settle for more silly Crashlings.
Crashlings Series 2 screams Pokemon -- which probably is in their favor. I suspect Bots will do very well. Beasts and Dragons will do well. Explorers -- I guess these are like Pokemon looking astronauts or something? -- will do poorly. Ninjas from space (?) sound to me like they will do horribly -- but who knows. I don't think kids crying for a toy really care about logic or backstory or anything besides getting a toy in their hands right now.
The number one thing Series 2 has going for it is those translucent chase figures. Translucent plastic is way nicer than the poor quality metallic paint they used in Series 1.
Edited by steverotters, 18 March 2015 - 10:24 AM.