The Classic 80s and 90s Toy Line MICRO MACHINES Is Making a Comeback!
I don’t know about you, but when I was growing up I loved playing with Micro Machines! If you did as well, I’m sure you have a lot of fond memories of stepping on them on the floor. They hurt just as bad as Legos! Seriously though, I had a good amount of Micro Machines, and they are making another comeback in 2020 thanks to Hasbro!
Micro Machines were originally released way back in 1987 by Galoob. Micro Machines were tiny scale component style "playsets" and vehicles. The early Micro Machines commercials were famous for featuring actor John Moschitta Jr., who was (at the time) listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's fastest talker. I loved those commercials!
Many different styles of Micro Machines were made, including all the popular cars and trucks of the time. There were also trains, emergency vehicles, tanks, boats, airplanes, helicopters, and motorcycles. There was a Tuff Trax series that featured many of the popular TNT Motorsports Monster Trucks, including the influential Grave Digger truck. Star Trek and Star Wars models were also made, as were models from other science fiction franchises including Babylon 5, Power Rangers, and MIB. James Bond and Indiana Jones themed toys were also released. After Hasbro picked up the property, Winner's Circle NASCAR and G.I. Joe themed cars and playsets were added.
Galoob was eventually purchased by Hasbro in 1998, and Micro Machines pretty much disappeared. There was an attempt to resurrect Micro Machines in 2015, but that didn’t last very long.
According to Gizmodo, “Hasbro is working with Wicked Cool Toys (who was recently acquired by Jazwares) to revive the brand.” We don’t have any images to share with you of the new Micro Machines vehicles, but they did reveal one of the new Micro Machines playsets that will be available later in the fall.
Fans of the original toy line will undoubtedly be familiar with the original Micro Machines Super Van City which featured an entire miniature metropolis that could be folded up and hidden inside a larger Airstream-inspired motorhome. It was toy engineering at its finest, complete with a classic ‘90s commercial featuring a hard rock soundtrack.
Super Van City will sell for $50 when it becomes available later this year. It will also come with three exclusive Micro Machines vehicles. Stay tuned for more details.
What are some of your memories of Micro Machines? What do you think about them being revived?