Checkout the latest images of the Comic Con Exclusive Hot Wheels 3-pack that will be sold for $30.

Checkout the latest images of the Comic Con Exclusive Hot Wheels 3-pack that will be sold for $30 at the Mattel booth at SDCC08

The movie version Mach 5 is a little more "real" than it's predecessor. I don't see why they couldn't have just used the original design, but it's close enough.

The movie version Mach 5 is a little more "real" than it's predecessor. I don't see why they couldn't have just used the original design, but it's close enough.

In the movie Speed Racer, the Mach 5 is Speed's brother Rex's car. Unfortunately Rex dies in an accident, so the Mach 5 Becomes Speed Racer's car. The Mach 5 is an all purpose vehicle, being both street legal, and equipped to race on tracks. It is not until the Speed enters the Mach 5 into a Road Rally that the Mach 5 is outfitted with all the gimmicks that we know and love.

Unfortunately, like Jada Toys' Mach 5, this version has none of those gimmicks. The only thing you get here is opening doors, rubber tires that turn together, and diecast construction.

Mattel owns the Hot Wheels brand, so you know they know how to make a toy car, and the Mach 5 is no exception. The toy has quality construction and is in the same scale as the Jada Toys Mach 5.

Both are worth getting, and although the Mattel version is a bit more expensive, it is still a great piece.

Collector Favorite Gets A Heroic Upgrade

Not The Same Bat: RLC™ 1966 TV Series BATMOBILE™!
Collector Favorite Gets A Heroic Upgrade

Released as a Hot Wheels® 2007 New Models edition, the 1966 TV Series Batmobile™ was an instant sensation with collectors -- but harder to find than the elusive Batcave™. We got the message like a Bat Signal™ on a dark night… and POW! BAM! WHOMP! Here’s a special Red Line Club™ edition of the Dynamic Duo’s heroic ride!

The one-week Priority Window for RLC™ members only begins Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 9:00 AM PT and will end at 11:00 AM PT on Monday, May 19. Note that this edition will be made to order, meaning if you want one, this is the bat time – the only bat time – you’ll be able to order one.

This edition appears as it would have if we’d manufactured it back in 1968 with the original batch of Hot Wheels cars. It features a Spectraflame® finish, Neo-Classics™ Redline® wheels, and a full-metal chassis -- all for the first time on this casting! This is just the vehicle you need when you’re running down all the criminals in Gotham City™, and you still want to do it in high style:

• Spectraflame® true black finish
• Red pinstripes and Batman™ logo tampo
• Neo-Classics™ Redline® wheels
• Full-metal chassis
• Clear windshield
• Black interior
  

Each package features brand new artwork of the car by Otto Kuhni, an individually numbered holographic sticker and ships in a Hot Wheels® Kar Keepers® case. Priced at $14.99 each plus S&P, the RLC™ 1966 TV Series Batmobile™ will be produced ONLY in the quantity of the orders we receive during the one-week Priority Window.

Don’t forget: Club members earn an RLC™ Rewards Point for each car purchased (purchase limit of four per membership).

Additional details of a Red Line Club membership can be found here:

http://www.hotwheelsshop.com/store/hwprodc.php?p_page_id=122313&p_display_group_id=494You

Offer opens to RLC™ members only for a one-week Priority Window: 5/13/08, 9:00 AM PT

Another classic, beloved Shogun Warriors toy. Raydeen evoked fond memories in me when I first saw him again as an adult, but once I discovered the original, it lost it's appeal for me.

Two years after Popy released their Raideen Jumbo Machinder, the toy would be imported into North America and Europe as part of Mattel's Shogun Warriors line-up. Mattel labeled the toy as "Raydeen" on the packaging. Depending on who's doing the writing, you'll see it listed sometimes as "Raideen" or "Reideen". There are three versions of this Mattel release. I won't focus on those differences since that's already been done here. What I will touch on is the difference between the Mattel and Popy versions. The Mattel version I have is version 2.

The first thing that jumps out at you is that the left fist has been changed. Instead of having the original bow-fist, Mattel attached a launching "Iron Cutter" fist that was originally a part of Popy's line of Jumbo accessory fists, designated XX-13. It's nice that they wanted you to have another launching fist, but it really throws off the symmetry of the toy, with one hand now hanging lower than the other.

If you stand the Popy and Mattel versions side by sie, you'd notice that the Mattel one is actually taller. On the 2nd version, this can partly be attributed to the different wheel housing on the feet, but more significant is the fact that the legs have been elongated at the knees. In the picture below, notice that the Mattel version (on the left) has a lot more blue plastic above the screw before you get to the white upper leg. You'll also see that the Popy version comes with stickers on the side of the leg, while the Mattel (2nd version at least) did not.

I have no idea why this extra material was added, but personally, I prefer the stockier look of the original toy better. One thing is sure though, while replacing the Iron Cutter with a bow-fist will make your Shogun Warrior Raydeen look better, it's still noticeably different from the Popy version.

Other than those things, it's basically the same as the Popy toy (with the other differences detailed in the link above notwithstanding.) As with most of the Shogun Warrior Jumbos, it's very, very common on ebay. Boxed examples generally run between $100-200 dollars, on average.

BIG, BAD VAMPIRE BAT!!

Gre-Gory is a pretty famous toy among monster collectors. Fans of Halloween and cheesy black and white monster movies tend to have a soft spot for the classic rubber bat and this one is a winner. Released in the late 1970s, Gre-Gory comes with feature unique to himself in the rubber bat world. His chest has been hollowed out and a clear plastic stomach has been inserted. Within this is some "blood" that actually flows when you press his back! Unfortunately, many remaining specimens, including my own, no longer function because the blood has dried up over the years. Finding one with working blood isn't easy.

Much like any other rubber bat, his wings flap when you shake him. Also, the feet have holes in them through which you can run a string or rope and hang him upside down.

But for my money, the best part about having this is the box. The colorful, blood-drenched artwork on the cover alone makes this one worth picking up. Of course, getting the box is harder than finding a loose specimen, but it's worth waiting to find one.

This is very likely the easiest to acquire Jumbo out there. But it's a classic and should be in your collection....

Leading the charge for Mattel's Shogun Warrior invasion in the late 1970s was Great Mazinger (called Great Mazinga on the box). This is probably the most easily recognizable Jumbo out there. Not only was it released in great numbers, it also had several different versions produced from Matttel alone. (For more on the variations between releases, check out this site.) Additionally, it was also released in such places as, of course, Japan, but also Hong Kong, Spain and Venezuela. Various different forms to be sure, but quite obviously the same basic toy.

The version I have is the third version with the cheaper sticker on the chest. Now, most people think I'm a bit nuts for wanting to get this one instead of the more elaborate and eye-pleasing first version, but I have a solid reason for that. I simply wanted the one that was most different from the Unifive version that I already had when I bought this. Naturally, I'd love to have every Jumbo ever released at some point in my life, but until then, variety is the way to go for me. Some might suggest just getting all three Mattel versions, but frankly, I just wanted one of each character and then move on. I can also get the other versions later if desired.

If you've clicked the links above, you'll see that about the only other significant thing that sets this toys apart from the previously reviewed versions is that it has a normal right hand and a rocket launcher for a left hand, instead of a matching pair of either. Furthermore, this toy comes with only 3 missiles on each leg instead of the usual 5. Recently, someone was actually able to recognize that my tattoos were from this toy!

You SHOULD own all the Jumbo Shogun Warriors. This is a fact. But if you want only one of each character, you're probably better off getting one of the earlier versions of Great Mazinga, unless you already have the Popy/U5 version and think the same way I do. This version is not as nice, but is cheaper. I paid just over $100, I think, for mine. And they are all over Ebay.

Ok, sorry if this review stunk and that I made you look at my hairy leg. But let's face, this is basically the 5th time I've had to review essentially the same toy so forgive me if it becomes progressively harder to keep it interesting! Maybe this appearance of the toy in the 1982 made for TV movie "Don't Go To Sleep" will add some spice.

And naturally, the old commercials are always fun, too.

As you can see in the pics, I'm missing the sticker for one of the knees. If you've got one, let me know. I've got an extra sticker from the pelvis I could swap for it.

Let’s face it – this toy is UGLY. I mean it is one of the ugliest toys I own. There is almost nothing to like about the design. The thing is though – as ugly as it is, it is a LOT of fun.

We are all familiar with the classic Rock'em Sock'em Robots game from the 60s where you have 2 robots in a yellow ring that fight each other. Each person controlled the fists of a robot, and when you hit the head, it would shoot up with a fast spring loaded action.

In 2001, Mattel tried to cash in on the brand name of Rock'em Sock'em Robots by creating a line of action figures. The only thing it had in common with the game was the name.

Each Rock'em Sock'em Robots toy was composed of multiple removable parts that you could re-assemble with the aid of a metal tool. The toys had a fairly simply internal skeleton that acts as a base for all the bits of armor.

Let’s face it – this toy is UGLY. I mean it is one of the ugliest toys I own. There is almost nothing to like about the design.

The thing is though – as ugly as it is, it is a LOT of fun. Each connector has a certain type of connection and you have to use the correct part of the tool to engage it. The parts are solid and the fit is awesome. If you had more than one figure, you can mix and match parts to create your own robot designs.

Unfortunately, I think the poor design killed the line. The play value just does not show through the packaging. If they had better designs for the robots, I think this could have been a killer toy line.

Why should you care about Hot Wheels? Well how about Hot Wheels that transform into robots? How about Hot Wheels that transform into robots and were designed by PLEX?

There's not a lot of info out there about Mattel's short lived Robo Wheels line. The toy line hit the shelves during the 2002-2003 season, but they seemed to go as soon as they came. Most Robo Wheels ended up on the pegs at clearance prices at discount stores like KB toys.

Why should you care about Hot Wheels? Well how about Hot Wheels that transform into robots? How about Hot Wheels that transform into robots and were designed by PLEX?

Yep - these little guys were designed by the same folk that designed all of the Sentai and Power Ranger toys. Bandai and Mattel entered an agreement in 1999 to make the most of their management resources, products and marketing, and maximize global reach and revenues. In Japan Bandai would market and sell Mattel products under the Bandai brand, and in Latin America Mattel will market and sell Bandai products under both Mattel and Bandai brand names. In addition the two companies teamed up to launch the Bandai-developed Robowheels toys that transform from vehicles to robots by Mattel as a new type of Hot Wheels brand mini-car.

"In 2001, PLEX designed a new transforming robot, later marketed by america's Mattel as Robo Wheels. This transforming robot was marketed under Mattel's famous miniature car series, Hot Wheels. Having a car that transforms into a robot was old news. Robo Wheels, was streets apart. The chassis of the car remaind in place like a skateboard and the body made up the torso of the robot. This enabled transformation to a humanoid while in motion and allowed the transforming robots to move as if riding atop a skateboard." - exerpt from "Let's Draw Manga: Transforming Robots by Yasuhiro Nitta"

Robo Wheels ( ロボウィール) are Hot Wheels sized cars that transform into robots. The bottom deck is diecast metal, the rest is plastic. The body of the robots make up the engine and the body parts of the cars attach to the arms or legs. The legs are secured to the plank by connection points, enabling the robots to look like they are surfing on the boards.

Each Robo Wheels toy had a few weapons that frankly got in the way in car mode. There just didn't seem to be any place to put them. The sculpt was nice, but some of the toys ended up being a bit fragile. The heads of the robots often were homages to other robot series that PLEX had a hand in designing, most notably from the show Bismark.

As an added play value, some of the toys had heat sensitive paint jobs. Holding them under a hot lamp or just holding them would cause the bodies to change color.

Robo Wheels were an interesting idea, but it failed to catch on with either the car collectors or the robot collectors.

Thanks to Matt from Beantown Toys for the Robo Wheels

This is a great toy, but tough to find in excellent condition.

I didn’t have a lot of the Shogun Action Vehicles when I was growing up. I had plenty of the smaller robots, and a few jumbos, but for some reason I never got the small action vehicles. I did however drool over the images on the back of the packages I did have.

One of the cool designs that caught my eye was the Sky Jet. I noticed how similar it looked to the Grand Car, and I was enamored with these weird smiley faces on the front of the vehicles.

I know now that these Shogun Action vehicles were repackaged toys from Popy’s Popynica series of chogokin vehicles. Mattel got the licenses and sold them in the United States in the late 70s.

This particular vehicle, the Sky Jet, was one of two vehicles that came from the Tokuatsu TV show Kyodain. Each vehicle featured Skyzel and Granzel in one of their alternate forms.

Sky Jet features a diecast top ship and a plastic launching missile. The Top ship is almost entirely metal. The nose is made out of rubber so as to meet safety standards. The back features 2 missile launchers and another button that launches the missile below.

The missile actually has wheels of its own. When launched, the missile will roll away across the floor. The black sections of the missile are made out of rubber, but do not turn.

This is a great toy, but tough to find in excellent condition. The eyes and mouths of each vehicle are just stickers, and often fall off over time you will notice that on my specimen, the eyes are painted on the missile. This was done by the previous owner, not the factory.

Also, the latch that holds the missile in is fragile, and can break. This results in the missile not locking in. My Sky Jet has a broken clip, so the missile does not go in all the way.

Sky Jet is a very cool, very funky old toy.

Robo Wheels were an interesting idea, but it failed to catch on with either the car collectors or the robot collectors.

There's not a lot of info out there about Mattel's short lived Robo Wheels line. The toy line hit the shelves during the 2002-2003 season, but they seemed to go as soon as they came. Most Robo Wheels ended up on the pegs at clearance prices at discount stores like KB toys.

Why should you care about Hot Wheels? Well how about Hot Wheels that transform into robots? How about Hot Wheels that transform into robots and were designed by PLEX?

Yep - these little guys were designed by the same folk that designed all of the Sentai and Power Ranger toys. Bandai and Mattel entered an agreement in 1999 to make the most of their management resources, products and marketing, and maximize global reach and revenues. In Japan Bandai would market and sell Mattel products under the Bandai brand, and in Latin America Mattel will market and sell Bandai products under both Mattel and Bandai brand names. In addition the two companies teamed up to launch the Bandai-developed Robowheels toys that transform from vehicles to robots by Mattel as a new type of Hot Wheels brand mini-car.

"In 2001, PLEX designed a new transforming robot, later marketed by america's Mattel as Robo Wheels. This transforming robot was marketed under Mattel's famous miniature car series, Hot Wheels. Having a car that transforms into a robot was old news. Robo Wheels, was streets apart. The chassis of the car remaind in place like a skateboard and the body made up the torso of the robot. This enabled transformation to a humanoid while in motion and allowed the transforming robots to move as if riding atop a skateboard." - exerpt from "Let's Draw Manga: Transforming Robots by Yasuhiro Nitta"

Robo Wheels ( ロボウィール) are Hot Wheels sized cars that transform into robots. The bottom deck is diecast metal, the rest is plastic. The body of the robots make up the engine and the body parts of the cars attach to the arms or legs. The legs atr secured to the plank by connection points, enabling the robots to look like they are surfing on the boards.

Each Robo Wheels toy had a few weapons that frankly got in the way in car mode. There just didn't seem to be any place to put them. The sculpt was nice, but some of the toys ended up being a bit fragile. The heads of the robots often were homages to other robot series that PLEX had a hand in designing, most notably from the show Bismark.

As an added play value, some of the toys had heat sensitive paint jobs. Holding them under a hot lamp or just holding them would cause the bodies to change color.

Robo Wheels were an interesting idea, but it failed to catch on with either the car collectors or the robot collectors.

Thanks to Matt from Beantown Toys for the Robo Wheels