Hot Wheels - 2022 Mystery Models Series 2: #01 '91 GMC Syclone (super chase)

I missed my opportunity to look for any of the chase vehicles from Series 1 of the new Mystery Models, but I happened to find several boxes the other day at my local Walmart that appeared to be full. Like with previous years, the partially-blind bag packaging features a small transparent circle in the lower right corner that allows you to get a peak at the vehicle inside. While the car assortment images aren't printed on the back of the bag, you can see the whole mix featured on the side of the gravity feeder box. Series two features 3 chase vehicles with #01 in the set being a surprise.

While I wasn't sure what type of truck #01 was in the set, I knew it was one that I wanted to find. The more I looked at the silhouette on the side of the gravity feeder box I started to wonder if it might be the GMC Syclone...and I was right! Good luck finding this one as it's packaged once in every two boxes.

The overall deco on this truck is beautiful. First off, the shiny black finish is fantastic. Throw in the multi-colored pin stripes on the hood and sides of the truck and you've got yourself a slammer of a vehicle. The matching black interior just helps this truck "bleed" cool. The chromed teal pinstripe on the black wheels is the cherry on top. It would have been really nice to have some painted details on the front and back of the truck, but I can forgive this omission just based on the overall deco.

Hot Wheels - 2022 Mystery Models Series 2: #02 '68 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S (chase)

I missed my opportunity to look for any of the chase vehicles from Series 1 of the new Mystery Models, but I happened to find several boxes the other day at my local Walmart that appeared to be full. Like with previous years, the partially-blind bag packaging features a small transparent circle in the lower right corner that allows you to get a peak at the vehicle inside. While the car assortment images aren't printed on the back of the bag, you can see the whole mix featured on the side of the gravity feeder box. Series two features 3 chase vehicles with #01 in the set being a surprise.

Vehicle #02 in the set is a '69 Plymouth Barracuda Formula S. The body of the car is white with blue flames. Both the front and rear bumpers are chromed and features a tan interior with translucent blue tinted windows. The wheels are your standard chrome 5 spokes with the rear wheels being slightly larger than the front.

This one seems popular with many collectors so you may have a harder time finding this one unless you happen to come across a fresh gravity feeder box on the shelves. Mystery Models are exclusive to Walmart stores and retail for about 10 cents more (give or take) versus your regular Hot Wheels vehicle.

Hot Wheels - 2022 Mystery Models Series 2: #03 '10 Camaro SS (chase)

I missed my opportunity to look for any of the chase vehicles from Series 1 of the new Mystery Models, but I happened to find several boxes the other day at my local Walmart that appeared to be full. Like with previous years, the partially-blind bag packaging features a small transparent circle in the lower right corner that allows you to get a peak at the vehicle inside. While the car assortment images aren't printed on the back of the bag, you can see the whole mix featured on the side of the gravity feeder box. Series two features 3 chase vehicles with #01 in the set being a surprise.

#03 in the set is a '10 Camaro SS done in a metallic garnet color and has a Beach Patrol theme. The white pin stripes on the hood and side of car have thin yellow trim/design. The windshields are cast in a transparent light blue, along with the light bar featured on top of the car. The rollbar on the front is part of the plastic undercarriage. The interior is the same shade of gray plastic that is used on the front rollbar. Finally the black 5 spoke wheels feature a thin yellow trim along the face of the tires.

Mystery Models are exclusive to Walmart stores and retail for about 10 cents more (give or take) than your traditional Hot Wheels vehicle.

Micro Machines Blind Packs

 

As part of the re-launch of the Micro Machines brand, Jazwares released small blind bags to retail stores. While I never saw them until they were on clearance, I did manage to pick up a few bags from Series 1 and 3. I believe the last series issued was series 4, which included several licensed vehicles.

Like with the previously released 5 packs, chase vehicles are randomly packaged in two different tiers - rare chromed silver and ultra rate chromed gold. 

#161 Front End Loader

#148 Quetzal

#009 Hognose

#006 Morab

As a kid growing up in the 80's I loved Micro Machines...but these just don't have the same feel. I like the idea of blind packaged vehicles and at $1.99 retail it makes for a good impulse purchase. I have picked up a few of the new 5 packs lately and now that they are starting to use real, licensed vehicles the appeal is starting to be there. Good luck if you are still looking for these as it seems Target is the only retail store (at least in my area) that is carrying the miniature brand.

Masters of the Universe: Eternia Minis (Wave 1)

 Another 80's toy staple is making it way back to retail toy shelves in 2020, but these are of a smaller scale. Masters of the Universe Eternia Minis are small, super stylized versions of classic MOTU characters. Each figure measures just over two inches tall. Wave 1 come blind packaged in these awesome Castle Grayskull boxes, while wave 2 will come in Snake Mountain blind packaging.

Retailing for approximately $5 each and exclusive to Walmart stores, wave 1 contains 8 characters for you to chase. However if you only want a certain character(s) you are in luck as there are letters printed on the bottom of each package. Look for the letter that corresponds to each character and you're ready to go.

A = He-Man  B = Skeletor  C = Man-At-Arms  D = Trap Jaw  E = Ram Man  F = Jitsu  G = Buzz-Off  H = Horde Zombie He-Man (chase figure)

For blind packaging I have to hand it to Mattel as the level of detail on Castle Grayskull is amazing. I really don't need 8 of these, but they are so cool that it's making it hard for me to toss them!

The two halves of the packaging attach via hinges on each side. This also allows multiples to be attached to one another.

Crack open the packaging and you have the figure on one side and a mini catalog with the figure's accessory/weapon on the other side.

The included catalog features the entire wave 1 line with some great artwork. These are the same across all the figures.

All of the figures feature a similar body build. There are 5 points of articulation - head, arms and legs. I wish He-Man came with his shield (or battle axe), but I assume the figure will receive a redeco in a future wave so maybe the additional accessory is coming.

Man-At-Arms looks great, his orange armor featuring all the detail that it should. His face sculpt is a little odd and I miss the mustache.

I never was a big fan of Buzz-Off and unfortunately this figure doesn't help. I don't care for the head sculpt, even though it's pretty accurate to the original toy. At least his wings are cast in a nice yellow translucent plastic that shows off the sculpted detail.

Ram Man is perhaps my favorite of Eternia's heroes. Always like the character and this new stylized design looks great.

Skeletor looks fantastic, but I kinda wish his mouth was sculpted open more like the classic figure.

Trap Jaw looks very menacing. His claw can be removed from his right arm. Here's hope we get different accessories in future waves. I would say he's my favorite character from Skeletor's side.

I'll be honest - I don't know a lot about the character Jitsu. I know his arch nemesis is Fisto, but that's about all I know. He's well sculpted and the included orange sword makes him look like someone I wouldn't want to cross paths with.

Horde Zombie He-Man is the chase figure of the wave and I believe falls roughly one per retail display box. I just happened to luck out to find the entire wave the first time I found them locally.

At $5 each and with a way of determining which character you are buying, these are an easy purchase for even the casual MOTU fan. I'm very please with the first wave and anxiously await the Snake Mountain wave.