MGA Entertainment is adding a working miniature television set to its Miniverse collectible range. The Miniverse Real TV Player and Video Tapes line is available now through shop.mgae.com, with additional retail availability scheduled for later this month. The product pairs a tiny screen device with miniature videotapes carrying clips from popular films and television series.
The entry point is the Miniverse Real TV Player, which bundles a small retro-style red television, one exclusive videotape and a display case for the tape. To use it, a collector inserts a videotape into the TV, presses play and watches a 30-second clip from the show or film on that tape. MGA describes the screen as fully functional, positioning the set as a collectible that also performs a simple task rather than a display-only miniature.
More than 30 tapes to collect
MGA says more than 30 Miniverse Real TV Video Tapes are available to discover. Each tape carries a short clip rather than a full episode or film. The assortment draws on NBCUniversal properties, including:
- Shrek
- Kung Fu Panda
- Back to the Future
- Casper
- The Good Place
- The Office
- Saved by the Bell
The company says the lineup extends beyond the titles it named.
Mystery capsules extend the set
Owners can expand their miniature entertainment system through mystery capsules sold separately, following the format used in other Miniverse collections. Each capsule contains three miniature videotapes sized to fit the TV, plus a mini keychain and a case for carrying a favorite tape. Because the tapes arrive in capsule form, buyers do not choose specific titles in advance.
Company ties appeal to physical media
Josh Hackbarth, chief marketing officer at MGA Entertainment, said the tiny screen carries a large idea. He described Miniverse Real TV as a way to turn familiar movies and shows into a collection that owners can actually play, and linked its appeal to consumers' renewed interest in physical media — selecting a tape, inserting it and watching a recognizable scene. Hackbarth called the blend of nostalgia and working function playful, innovative and unexpected, in line with what the brand sets out to do.
Miniverse has built its following on miniature versions of everyday and pop-culture objects, and the Real TV Player moves that approach from static replicas to a device with a playback function. The starter tape is exclusive to the player set, while the wider tape range and the capsules add titles over time. The line is designed for children ages 8 and up, and MGA directs consumers to shop.mgae.com for details; the announcement did not include pricing.