The History of Micro Machines: Fast Talking, Teeny Tiny Vehicles of the 80's & 90's

[@paulp6672]

Also highly effective against burglars when your family leaves you home alone when they go on a trip to Paris

[@RatelHBadger]

To this day I make sure the floor is clear at the bottom of the stairs from Micro Machines, don't want to slip on any and lose my gold tooth.

[@JLvatron]

@@RatelHBadger TeeHee-ous!!

[@mitchellpotts1180]

Paul P clever

[@ShevetteJackson]

Lol

[@Busto]

But, is that more effective than the, possibly lethal, swinging paint can? We may never know

[@WeHaveExplosive]

I'll never forget (seemingly overnight) Micro Machines becoming the toy you had to carry around in your pockets at school. All of mine were military vehicles; I remember having a bunch of WW2 planes, tanks and the aircraft carrier.

[@NobodyUR]

Don’t remember bringing to school that wasn’t a thing in school for me people brought in sports cards and tiger electronics games but toys were never something anyone would bring in. Pretty much I assume they must have just took them if we brought them so might be why. But back on topic I can remember almost anytime I’d play with toys an empty wrapping paper roll and micro machines always came in at some point

[@augustf5439]

my parents got me into them and now i have like 50 cars, planes, boats and tanks and the aircraft carrier.

[@BenjaminHeyman]

I think I had all the space themed ones, which are somehow worth a fortune these days

[@Dorelaxen]

John Moschitta was absolutely brilliant in this role. I didn't even like toy cars, but I wanted Micro Machines just because of those commercials.

[@RonJomero]

Same. I wasn't into toy matchbox and the like. But I did own Micro Machines. Their marketing was a powerhouse that burrowed its way into every kids' souls. I still miss my Lamborghini Countach Micro Machine.

[@User0000000000000004]

Somewhere, an advertising executive just came in his jeans because you wrote that.

[@PhantomLover007]

Can you imagine how fast the kid will talk if John Moschitta and the fast rapper from JJ fad had a baby? Probably name him Aaron Blurr

[@ryansargent661]

I still have many of these including many Star Trek and Star Wars sets, I loved these tiny things.

[@rellh8866]

Me2

[@scifiguy26]

And the detail was pretty good on those little ships👍🏾

[@LeeroyPorkins]

I had cars, army, Star Trek, Star Wars, and the National Geographic Dinosaurs

[@ericjenness2337]

Being born in 1981, I'm super familiar with micro machines! They were my favorite!

[@SixshotRevan]

The Star Wars Action Fleet was the greatest series of Star Wars toys I ever played with.

[@RetroActionUK]

Incredible line and series of vehicles they covered. Action Fleet was highly detailed with fantastic features, and had much more vehicles than Kenner or Hasbro ever covered by the time it ended in 2003. The vehicle based concept worked phenomenally.

[@84gssteve]

Loved my Micro Machines! My daughters thought their Polly Pockets were so unique, they were surprised they could make such small toys back in the stone-age!

[@CitizenKang]

I was sad when MicroMachines stopped making their vehicles with doors, hoods, and trunks that could open.

[@malbey3898]

Why

[@ScarecrOmega]

I had the original, deluxe and white version of the Countach, the original was the best.

[@nitrokat7597]

Hot wheels collectors: first time?

[@okamijubei]

Sounds complicated to do so with toys that tiny. One have to have a skills of a surgeon to make such a thing.

[@JamesBrophy]

I treasured the back to the future Micro Machines, they were my first. I still have all my B5 and Star Trek ones. Fantastic models.

[@UmmYeahOk]

BTTF? I swore they were funrise.

[@maxhammer4067]

Jada has just released bttf and batman 66 89 micros

[@vincentheslin9636]

Cleverly designed mini snap together playsets. Creating a modular town and adding the larger city playsets made for an epic afternoon of play. The micro machine man is a 90s icon as far as I'm concerned.

[@JerryD9000]

Mega force was hands down one of my all time favorite toy lines. I had a ton, they lasted me years, and were ideal for a small scale military force for my Alien queen to go full kaiju on.

[@JRaymisfitartisticmystic]

That commercial seriously just took me back to my childhood for a moment. Wish i still had my old collection... So many star wars MMs!!!

[@andrewtaylor940]

I never understood why Hasbro didn't set this one as an Evergreen product line and just keep pumping out sets. It's something that is not real effected by market forces or IP tie ins. Just nice good quality little cars and little plastic playsets to go with them. Other brands are trying to fill that niche now, but none have done it so well.

[@kurisu7885]

Especially with the licensing potential of some recent media like The Fast and The Furious. Lego is getting in on that action with their Technic line.

[@Gift0r]

"There is no kid on earth who likes tiny cars and planes and themed playsets that connect to form a bigger playset." -hasbro product research, probably

[@andrewtaylor940]

@@Gift0r And apparently they showed off a new MicroMachines lineup at New York Toy Fair today. Looks very classic.

[@ingreaterdetail]

Well since MM were selling so well, Hasbro was probably feeling the pain ($$) and their ego took a bruising, so they bought em out just to shut them down. That’s my guess

[@ROMANTIKILLER2]

"Good quality" is not something I immediately associate with Hasbro, whose credo seems to be "maximum profit with minimum effort". They are not even able (aka willing) to print decent Magic cards that don't curl like Pringles and those are just pieces of printed cardboards from a production perspective, so I suppose it is wishful thinking having them produce detailed high quality plastic and metal miniatures.

[@digitalon01]

My dad used to buy me Zbots as gifts when I was a kid. I'm proud to say that I still have a good number of them. I now keep them in a toy box at my place for my nephews to play with when they visit.

[@NotBoringFilms]

i remember that i used to have some of the micromachines that would light up when you pushed down on them, and i thought they were the most fun thing ever.

[@ph4110u7]

Mega Force, Z-bots, and Action Fleet in a Micro Machine episode?! I was unaware the toy lines I loved the most as a kid were so connected.

[@jeremycaylor9151]

I used to collect and play with Micro Machines a lot when I was a kid, I loved them. Every time I watch Home Alone I get reminded of them.

[@Randomark3087]

I'm so glad you mentioned Z-Bots. Thatwas my favorite toyline next to TMNT. God I miss the 90s!

[@adammackanin1109]

Z-Bots are still my jam. Galoob was so awesome.

[@Marc_Araujo]

Galoob gave us Micro Machines and the Game Genie...simply legendary!!

[@Johurph86]

That commitment to the opening bit... *chef's kiss*

[@danielmarchant6772]

I just broke out my Star Wars micro machines sets from when I was a kid for my son - he's loved them. I wish they'd make stuff this awesome again!

[@itsagundam79]

Freaking Mega Force was awesome! To this day I love them and would love a see a video of just them. The VTOL jets were my fave but I loved the missile launching stuff too.

[@wharfrat74]

I had some of these. My fav was a 1954 silver Mercedes 300SL w/ gullwing doors. Tho I gotta say, Penny Racers were REALLY where it was @!

[@drozwalker9]

I loved Micro Machines and those commercials. I still remember having a few Penny Racers in my mixed mini car fleet.

[@bluetopguitar1104]

I love these things. They look great on my N scale railroad. I find a few every now and then at hobby Shops and used toy stores.

[@lylearoyii]

I had a ton of Z-bots and Voids, but I forgot they were micro machines! They rivaled my transformers collection. I miss those little buggers.

[@joecarroll3371]

I just started collecting the Micro Machines revival line last year & I'm happy I've continued to collect them. Now all I need is more of the awesome playsets.

[@adamaldabbagh8396]

That opening was the best explanation of sensors and how they work that I have heard.

[@miragexl007]

My daughter and I met John Moschitta at botcon in Chicago a couple years ago. I don't get into waiting to see anyone at these conventions most the time but He was on the floor just walking round/looking around and was very nice when I looked at him, in awe, and asked if he was He. I, all excited, looked at my 10 year old and said this is the Micro Machine guy....and he went right into a little bit for her. Great moment. Thanks John

[@plumbingstuffinoregon2471]

I didn't live through the Micro Machines era, but I've been collecting these things since I was in fifth grade. I'd watch the old commercials and they'd fool me into buying off of eBay. I'm almost 19 now and still love them. I think they were really at their peak in the 80s and early 90s, and those are the ones I collect along with the semi truck series. You can notice a distinct drop in quality of the cars from about 1994 to their fall when sold to Hasbro. The bodies of the cars were made thinner and they were all given the same smaller wheels which didn't always roll very well.

[@tobiasvosh3878]

Dan, you guys NEVER disappoint! I was never into micro machines, but I was entertained and informed. Keep up the amazing work and as always look forward to the next video.

[@wanaan]

I do miss some old commercials. They were pretty fun.

[@paulwilliams1045]

Great episode. I loved playing with these as a kid, and now my eldest plays with them whenever he visits my parents.

[@brandonpage7087]

My childhood!! I had TONS of micro machines!! Sadly, all of them have been lost, over the years. I also remember those awesome ads with John Moschitta. To me, he's always been the Micro Machines man!

[@FredzDimension]

Star Wars Micro Machines were my childhood! It is great to see a video about their history and delighted to see they are coming back.

[@danandkiko]

Loved these as a kid.

[@jamesmorgan3212]

Man I loved micro machines! I still have a few from my childhood. Sadly I lost a good deal through the years due to moving , Divorce and just life. But I think I’d like to start picking a few up .

[@ismaelhernandez4945]

Had so many of these. Loved the Star Wars and Star Trek lines.

[@Chill1332]

You know...I was never into toy vehicles. But I couldn't pass up Micro Machines. I loved those tiny little cars. I don't really even know why. Something about them was irresistible. I even still have some.

[@ShinobiShowdown]

I loved these back in the day.

[@jamese3169]

Great video. Man that takes me back and seeing that Black Star commercial. Forgotten childhood memories. Thanks

[@monroetoolman]

@5:46 MEGA FORCE! Thank you! I have some of those and have been trying to remember the name for years!

[@arceyes]

So many good memories, thanks guys. Big love from South Africa.

[@hasbook7156]

I still have my power rangers box set I got while on holiday in the UK. We traveled a lot as a kid so I loved everything micro. Loved my mini WWf Hasbros too!

[@recon3113]

Love micro machine’s. 😃. After Transformers and GI Joe my fav toys growing up. They were the first licensing giant toy company. Love Toy Galaxy channel.

[@yoyodynetoys]

watching this at 1.5 speed for that vintage, authentic feel :)

[@dinomonzon7493]

John Moschitta, who promoted the Micro Machines was cited in Guinness World Records as the Fastest Talking Man, & he voiced Blurr in the 1986 animated Transformers Movie.

[@LeeroyPorkins]

And I think he reprised Blur in Transformers Animated

[@ORLY911]

I had the white van playset as a kid, I still have it! Used it for my micromachines and my Godzilla toys, haha. So many memories.

[@Green_Tea_Coffee]

Glad to know I wasn't the only kid who realized that Micro Machines and a Godzilla figure were perfectly scaled for each other.

[@thearmyflyer4905]

Micro machines ruled!

[@DragonballZDeep215]

When i was little my grandma got me the micro machines van that folds out into a city for christmas haha. It was dope.

[@corylee1737]

i had a whole collection of these i played with my sister then my mother gave them away to a neighborhood kid when i got older. man do i miss them. been trying to build up the collection again anytime i see them at an antique store ect...

[@jacktherripper]

Does anyone remember the monster micro machines? They would battle. There was a foot on wheels and what looked like a bobsledder with wheels in his hands?

[@greenisnotacreativecolour]

I was just the right age for the launch of these. I was so excited when the ones with opening doors and bonnets came out, I distinctly remember them blowing my young mind... I still have them all somewhere!

[@removedbyutube]

Thank you for bringing back some great memories! The Micro machines game is one of those obscure memories I have that I will never forget. I wish they would make more games inspired by it.

[@figuredepot]

I had several. Still have a couple. They were lots of fun. I even had a blue Camaro with white stripes and my name printed on the rear fender on each side

[@Mindblazter80]

I loved micro machines!! What a great toy in my childhood :)

[@billpagan3070]

Dan and Greg, I so love Toy History segments!👍😁 I had so many Micro Machines growing up!😁 This one brings back so many good times. Thanks for sharing

[@carlb5558]

Nice Firebird shirt, btw. Burt would be proud. RIP

[@rorymonkey]

Mega Force!!!! I had some of those as a kid and I have been trying to remember what they are called. Thank you so much!

[@ApolloMcrib]

Giving a like for that Firebird shirt. My favorite car of all time!

[@FenrirFire18]

Didn't have too many as a kid, but I loved them regardless. Always loved it when a friend had the one city, or the big conversion bus! 🤙

[@everetth-top4760]

Mega Force! I forgot all about those toys. They were frickin' awesome! Who else agrees?

[@nurgle333]

I never saw them back in the day, but the commercial in this vid made me want them bad lol

[@daviddaskalnojokeradio]

This was my favorite childhood toy. I had wondered what happened to them. Hasbro killed the dream. Thanks for doing this, Dan!

[@gmoney1664]

Oh, the Micro Machines video game was amazing! Two player fun for you and a mate for hours and the tracks were a near perfect balance of fun vs challenging

[@d3vin301]

I still have a memory from elementary school, we were playing with micro machines in class and the teacher took them away into the "june drawer" you get your items back after the end of school year. hot wheels were fun during recess making mud tracks and tunnels, but the micro machines had to be nice and clean to be able to race on desk tops (hence micro machines video game) I still have that imagination and this video brought back all of the memories

[@JTKirk]

Action Fleet did not end in '97, it not only enjoyed a ToyFare magazine exclusive Dagobah X-wing set in '98, and the line ran through The Phantom Menace's run, enjoying a brief return in the '00s before being turned into Titanium Series.

[@RetroActionUK]

That’s correct it originally lasted until 2000 and then came back in 2002-2003.

[@MJFallout]

MicroMachines 1&2 on NES and SNES respectively were good. Wish I had had them in their original releases back in the day.

[@Del129]

I wish there was an Action Fleet type toy still, I loved the scale and details on the ships. I still have my Millennium Falcon from back in the day.

[@KK4CNM]

I loved these things, I wish they would bring them back.

[@joshuaH75]

NICE SHIRT! The Pontiac Firebird!!

[@mercurysorbit5138]

We really enjoyed the the play sets that would combine to make a mini city. I remember having the hospital and a house.

[@sicksixgamer2694]

One of my happiest dad moments is seeing how crazy my son went when I presented him my micro machines collection.

[@aaronmnowak]

I loved these and look for them all the time at my vintage toy stores but they never have any of the original cars or sets. If these come back I will be investing heavily into them.

[@azraelcales]

I still have a bunch of vehicles and the battery playset. And still love them!

[@barryvercueil2346]

Thank you for finally making this episode. Including the games was a nice addition.

[@CoolsBreeze]

This was why the 80s and 90s were the golden age of toys. Companies actually tried hard to make toys fun and good.

[@KEVMAN7987]

I used to have a bunch of these. Some still remain. I have a whole bunch of the Star Trek & Star Wars ones.

[@sohchx]

I have been a collector of these since 1987 and never stopped. Hopefully the new line won't be a failure this time around like last time in the late 90's, all thanks to Hasbro. There is a whole lot more untold history to the line than what is being spoken on here. Hopefully that information will be brought to the masses by fellow collectors in the future.

[@mrlurchAU]

The Micro Machines games are awesome. Definitely worth checking out.

[@popculturehero]

So many fantastic tiny Galoob toys I was a big fan of being mentioned here. Z bots, and Star wars Action fleet. I even fondly remember megaforce. I had all of the millitary micro machines playsets. Since they were fun to battle it out and explore their gimmicks. Your own micro fortress to defend. One of the few micro machines city sets I liked was spikes wrecker yard, since you could simulate crushing the cars into cubes. They were a great value. Legendary little toys.

[@gezi5927]

I’ve always liked miniature stuff, pretty cool

[@Wimmle]

Thomas the tank engine minis are fantastic miniatures really high quality

[@Randomark3087]

Me too. Micro Machines, Mighty Max, etc.

[@lonesquiff6551]

I used to have these as a kid. I still have my Star Wars ones from the 90's. Back then I also had a board game called Crash Canyon that featured micro machine knockoffs. When I found that off brand one day at a Walmart I was so excited to play with them on the 3D board.

[@chadharris6912]

All your videos are so good!! I love your writing and how articulate and well spoken you are about all this fun toy history!! I appreciate your videos and passion!

[@Clay3613]

Hasbro is worse than Disney when it comes to owning nearly an entire industry!

[@deeknoll7864]

I'd have to disagree, the fans are also at fault

[@johnl6803]

Mattel are the same 😂

[@OtakuUnitedStudio]

Til All Are One!

[@tombakabones274]

Love the firebird shirt and I still have some of my original micro machines from the 80s

[@acousticpsychosis]

I remember getting the color changing sets back in the day, it was just like Cannonball Run 3, but micro! Many pruned fingers...good times. I still have that carrying case 1:22 Forgot about the ones with lights too, and ones with even smaller cars inside them...man I had a ton of these things...

[@darthpaul99]

I still have all of my original Star Wars and Star Trek ones and they’re in very good condition.

[@ironrex6979]

Fascinating video! I’m loving this channel. Learning about the history of so many toy lines the successful ones, the ones that didn’t make it big or simply didn’t make it) is addicting. When I saw the micro machine Star Wars vehicle segment my heart jumped. It brought back what felt to be millions of good memories.

[@automotiverenderings]

Been waiting on this one. I still have all my MM... three tackle boxes plus a ton of those connecting pocket sets. One of my favorite toy lines!

[@RID01S]

I used to have lots of these especially the ones for Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and Terminator 2

[@travistomblin2144]

Everyone had a handful of these. Ever thought about doing a history of Stompers? I loved those things as a kid. Cheers!

[@jfridy]

Good memories. Also there was a game in the 80s called Car Wars, and though it came with paper counters for cars, it was the same scale as Micro Machines, so everyone preferred using them for counters.

[@Mercury_Beetle]

I had a few of these back in the day. My son would love them. Looking forward to their return in 2020. I also remember the zbots. Good ol days.

[@TheSandwhichman108]

I love the idea of the playsets that fold up into realistic looking car parts and tools like the car battery and gas canister. How cool would a car engine unfolding into a city playset be?

[@matarenatus]

I still have some and my son plays with them now.

[@manoman0]

Uhm, sir, I think you mean to say your son still has some and you play with them.

[@lukedodson3267]

Yes! Pocket toys were my jam when I was a kid and micromachines were the gold standard.

[@beltfed4624]

Yep, because EVERYWHERE was a place to play with MICRO MACHINES. They were one of my absolute favorites ever. I had the fold out gas can with the elevator, from a birthday trip to Toys'R'Us in like 1990.

[@Renkencen]

7:51 Oh S---I I remember those! I even had that black big head clow looking feature at 7:52 and the purple one at 8:01!

[@Summertimeblues28]

I dug Micro Machines. When they came out with the sets that folded up for easy travel it was a game changer in the 80’s. SW Micro Machines we’re also the first new SW toys since ‘85 when they came out back in the 90’s prior to Kenner’s 90’s relaunch line

[@raven4152001]

- my brother and I had a bunch of these. He even had a little aircraft carrier that would hold several micromachine jets. Their aircraft carrier was a bit more manageable than the USS Flagg. 😆😆

[@raven4152001]

@@BennyLlama39 - 😆👍🤪

[@Atlas018]

I had the M1 Abrams Tank. Somewhat manageable....

[@MrColinWarde]

I love that aircraft carrier.

[@wharfrat74]

USS Flagg was an absolute BEAST

[@Jimalcoatl]

Was that the carrier that transformed into an army canteen? There was a whole set that transformed from army gear to army playset. They were super popular with my friends growing up as an army brat.