MGA Entertainment is giving its Miniverse collectibles line a working screen. The company has launched the Miniverse Real TV Player together with a Video Tapes series that turns licensed film and television moments into tapes small enough to sit on a shelf.
The player is on sale now at shop.mgae.com, and MGA says additional retail availability will follow later this month. Each set includes a miniature retro-style red television, one exclusive videotape and a display case. Collectors insert a tape into the television and press play to watch a 30-second clip from the matching show or film.
More than 30 tapes, drawn from NBCUniversal titles
MGA says there are more than 30 Real TV Video Tapes to discover. The licensed clips come from NBCUniversal properties including Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Back to the Future, Casper, The Good Place, The Office and Saved by the Bell, among others.
Mystery capsules extend the set
As with other Miniverse collections, the system can be expanded with mystery capsules sold separately. Each capsule holds three mini videotapes that fit the player, plus a mini keychain and a case for carrying a favorite tape elsewhere. The line is designed for children aged 8 and up.
Nostalgia paired with real function
Josh Hackbarth, chief marketing officer at MGA Entertainment, framed the product around physical media. He said the screen may be tiny but the idea is anything but, and that the line takes the movies and shows fans love and turns them into a collection they can actually press play on. He added that at a moment when fans are rediscovering the joy of physical media, choosing a tape, inserting it into the television and watching an iconic scene come to life has a particular appeal, describing the blend of nostalgia and real functionality as playful, innovative and unexpected.
The launch extends a Miniverse range built on miniature, collectible versions of everyday and pop-culture objects, with the functioning player positioned as the centerpiece of the new assortment. MGA directs consumers to shop.mgae.com for further information.