Photo: Mattel
I've been playing video games since circa 1994. That's 30 years of watching a screen and abusing a keyboard and mouse for entertainment. Video games have brought plenty of joy, and I've also learned many things from them.
In recent years, it has felt like the industry has gone down a path I cannot follow. Either I haven't found the right games, or producers aren't trying as hard. Legacy of Kain was so good it deserves a movie of its own, and I'm still hoping a second Warcraft film will come out someday. I've mostly resorted to playing racing titles, but most have been just as disappointing.
But nostalgia is driving my hopes high in expectation of the upcoming Monster Jam release. I'll be happy if it can provide at least half the fun Monster Truck Madness did back in the day. Strangely, I've never seen a Monster Truck in action before. And I'm sure seeing them on TV doesn't even start to describe the excitement. I keep getting signs that I need to do something about it, and Mattel's latest release just adds to the torment.
In my recent toy store visits, I haven't found a single Hot Wheels item I wanted for my collection. So, the Monster Truck section is starting to look increasingly exciting. There are even Treasure Hunt versions of these collectibles; you can imagine how that made enthusiasts feel. The only reason I haven't bought any HW Monster Trucks so far is because I'm afraid. "Afraid of what, Dragos?" you may ask.
Well, starting a new collection is pretty much a slippery slope. Once you've got one item on display, you'll want a second, third, and fourth. I've identified at least ten Monster Trucks I like in Mattel's portfolio, and I'm certain the list will rapidly grow once I start digging more. That's why I haven't done a deep dive into the topic yet.
The diecast manufacturer's "incentive" program is highly effective, and you'll see it in various forms across different chain stores. If you visit Meijer shops this time of year, you're in luck. Spending $15 or more on Hot Wheels products qualifies you for an exclusive version of a Monster Truck casting. Genre enthusiasts are likely aware of Mega-Wrex's existence.
After all, we've seen 16 iterations of Bryan Benedict's casting since 2018. And there are more from previous editions. The Golden Edition Mega-Wrex Promo vehicle is a limited-edition model you can get in stores for another week or so starting now. Of course, there's no gold besides the color, as that would have made it prohibitively expensive.
You can always search for the model on the open market if you don't have a Meijer store in your area. I've seen plenty of listings for it, with prices ranging from $10 to $25. Happy hunting, everyone!
But nostalgia is driving my hopes high in expectation of the upcoming Monster Jam release. I'll be happy if it can provide at least half the fun Monster Truck Madness did back in the day. Strangely, I've never seen a Monster Truck in action before. And I'm sure seeing them on TV doesn't even start to describe the excitement. I keep getting signs that I need to do something about it, and Mattel's latest release just adds to the torment.
In my recent toy store visits, I haven't found a single Hot Wheels item I wanted for my collection. So, the Monster Truck section is starting to look increasingly exciting. There are even Treasure Hunt versions of these collectibles; you can imagine how that made enthusiasts feel. The only reason I haven't bought any HW Monster Trucks so far is because I'm afraid. "Afraid of what, Dragos?" you may ask.
Well, starting a new collection is pretty much a slippery slope. Once you've got one item on display, you'll want a second, third, and fourth. I've identified at least ten Monster Trucks I like in Mattel's portfolio, and I'm certain the list will rapidly grow once I start digging more. That's why I haven't done a deep dive into the topic yet.
The diecast manufacturer's "incentive" program is highly effective, and you'll see it in various forms across different chain stores. If you visit Meijer shops this time of year, you're in luck. Spending $15 or more on Hot Wheels products qualifies you for an exclusive version of a Monster Truck casting. Genre enthusiasts are likely aware of Mega-Wrex's existence.
After all, we've seen 16 iterations of Bryan Benedict's casting since 2018. And there are more from previous editions. The Golden Edition Mega-Wrex Promo vehicle is a limited-edition model you can get in stores for another week or so starting now. Of course, there's no gold besides the color, as that would have made it prohibitively expensive.
You can always search for the model on the open market if you don't have a Meijer store in your area. I've seen plenty of listings for it, with prices ranging from $10 to $25. Happy hunting, everyone!
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