Editorial Review

As kids move their Matchbox cars along this circular snowy mountain road, the cars hit the hazards along the way. This playset lets your child control the rescue mission. Easy-to-work knobs operate the motorized lift, which rescues cars that have crashed or sunken into the pool of thin ice in the center of Ice Mountain. An included rescue vehicle assists cars that have been buried under the avalanche on the lower level of the roadway. Kids can use this set on its own or combine it with other Hero City vehicles and play centers to create a bigger city. This set requires three C batteries (not included) to operate. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Reviews (55)

It's great as long as you can keep it working
My 5 year old son received this toy as a gift for his birthday.He had asked for something else (the slimecano), but due to the bad reveiws of that product we purchased this instead.He surprised us all by forgetting all about the slimecano.He loved this toy.He plays with it and the Matchbox Ferris Wheel set (his other favorite) all day long.. atleast he did until this broke.

The Crane mechanism is poorly designed.The gearing inside of it does not handle the stress of being moved manually, or being hung up (as will happen when a car falls under its path of travel - a common occurrance).After 3 weeks of regular play, one of the gears inside the crane broke loose from its anchor (in the side of the crane body), leaving the works a jumbled and broken mess.No more crane.

I was extremely surprised to see this happen so quickly.My son has been playing with the ferris wheel (another motorized matchbox set in the same line) since Christmas, and the rotating wheel has stood up to considerable punishment from him without a problem.It still works after being jammed and turned by hand often.This, however, is not so forgiving.

I contacted Mattel today to see if I could purchase a replacement crane (or body with the proper gear anchor intact, only to find out that they are sold out.I can only imagine, based upon a quick glance at the reviews on this site that their stock was depleated by warantee replacements.For further evidence of this, the Mattel rep did agree to send me a 'voucher' for $23 (the supposed average retail price of the toy - not from where I'm sitting, look at the price on this site!).When I asked her if I could use it to purchase another ice mountain, she said yes, but I might want to consider a different toy, and that I could purchase multiple toys up to the limit of the voucher (I'm not sure, but I think she even suggested a 'hot wheels' car or 2...no promotion for that phone rep!

All in all, he was delighted to receive it and despondent when it broke.Mattel is trying to make good without alot of arguing on my part, so I'm not too unhappy.The only thing they could have done better, in my opinion, was better engineer the toy from the start.

A big hit with our kids!
My husband and I gave this toy to our 6-year-old on his birthday.Since I had read some of the reviews, I expected it to be quite difficult to assemble.My husband was at work so I had to put it together myself while our three kids "helped."There were a lot of steps to assembly (and 29 pieces) but it went together quite well.I wouldn't discourage any parent from purchasing this product.It's worth the money and initial effort!Our kids ages 8, 6, and 3 are enjoying all the different levers, lifts, roads, and great sound effects. It sparks their imaginations.

Bad
I ordered this gift for my son for Christmas.Had the toy all put together less then an hour and it stopped working.Had a replacement sent out and that one didn't work from the start.Was not a happy parent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Die-Cast    3. Play Sets   

Editorial Review

The worlds of toy racetracks and haunted houses have never exactly begged to be placed together but it's an interesting and highly entertaining match in this unique set from Matchbox. Part of the ever-expanding "Hero City" line, the haunted house features various secret traps and tricks such as a skeleton that launches cars with a good shove, a "Bones and Moans Bridge" full of scary sounds, and various other classic spooky bits. One car is included although the two required AA batteries are not. Classic racetrack fans will likely not be overly impressed by this simple and fairly corny setup but it's not really meant for the aficionado, rather for the younger children who love a gentle scare and an unlimited supply of trips through a haunted house. --Charlie Williams ... Read more

Reviews (33)

Favorite Toy
This is one of my 4yr old son's favorite toys.Need I say more?The toy is all one piece that is what mom likes about it:)

Fun except when the Van is Stuck
Like others, I bought this toy b/c it resembles the Mystery Machine and my child loves Scooby & haunted houses. A great design overall with cute action & sounds...BUT almost every time the van goes through one of the turns, it gets lodged inside. You have to get it out with a hand or shake the toy to get it rolling again. If it didn't have the one catching place, it would go smoothly. This had an initial great 'wow' factor and my child was most excited opening it out of all their Christmas gifts, but soon tired of the van constantly getting stuck inside.

Destined To Become A Classic
I'm a "Grown-Up" Toy and Game Enthusiast, and I can tell You with much confidence that this Playset is Destined to Become a Classic.It's simple, yet complex enough to keep anybody's attention... both Young and Old.It's made of the durable kind of plastic, not the cheap stuff that tends to crack or break if You sneeze too hard.The sound effects are right on target... not too loud, not too soft, and definitely not distorted.Some assembly is required, but it's very minimal and not a big deal... the only Hard part is unattaching it from the inside of the box... so take Your time with that part, as to not accidentally damage anything.Bottom line, this Playset is definitely worth Your hard earned Pasos. :) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Play Sets   

Editorial Review

Kids always aspire to be just like their heroes and firefighters are a popular favorite. This rescue mission kit with firefighter figures and vehicles lets kids emulate their heroes by pretending to put out a gigantic forest fire. The kit comes with all the components to build any of 50 possible combinations of rescue vehicles. Moving parts include several truck bodies and trailers, a truck cab, regular and all-terrain tires, a ladder, a spotlight, and a mini fire truck--all of which slide together easily via magnets. A button on the roof of the fire truck flashes lights and plays siren sounds for more realistic play. Two action figures make up the firefighting team and a blazing backdrop represents the fire that needs your expertise. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Reviews (3)

bad design
My son received this toy for Christmas. He lost interest in it before I managed to assemble it into the fire truck. Once assembled the front of the truck was too top heavy and kept pulling away from the magnet. The magnets are not strong enough to keep the vehicle together. The door to the launcher will not stay closed. And the pieces keep falling off.Very aggravating. I am looking forward to putting this toy in my spring garage sale.

Awesome
I have been so impressed.I have 4 boys that are 6,5,4,2 and I watch extra 4,3,2 year olds.It is amazing to me to watch the kids all take turns and have a blast with this set.The set is big enough for multiple kids to play and share, and will grow with their skills and creativity!I am an educator and I can see real potential with this system.

Favorite item at Christmas this year
My four-year old got this for Christmas this year and he loves it.He enjoys putting the little car in the launcher and sending it down the ramp (ladder) into the fire to put it out and additionally putting it together differently. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Perfect set of cars!
Ok, so you can't pick out what set you are going to get....BIG DEAL! Most kids do not care what cars they have, they just want them. I ordered one set of Matchbox and one of the Hotwheels and was pleased with both selections I received.
It does say right in the description, items may vary-you just have to read it.
My son loves them and I am very happy too.

Duped
Bought this set for my son from a local retailer and we ended up losing half of it at an SCCA event earlier in the season.Looked everywhere for the set again and could find it nowhere.was thrilled when I found it on amazon and promptly ordered it.what arrived was not the set I had been shown, but what looks like a cross between recent asian concept cars and space shuttles.in fact, the box evidenced a "galaxy" theme.My son and I were both largely disappointed and he has yet to take them out of the box.They've been shoved back in his closet behind old shoe boxes and a single brown recluse.Don't be fooled.

The fine print at the bottom of the page reads,"From the manufacturer:Please note that car types may vary."No joke.

Don't waste your money.You'll get discontinued cars that no one wants. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Die-Cast    3. Cars    4. Preschool   

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Play Sets   

Reviews (1)

Great imaginative play!
Great dress up accessories for little heroes.The handcuffs have actually held up to my 4 and 7 year old boys' activities.The scanner makes a lot of beeping sounds and lights up- we liked it so much we bought one for their cousin. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Play Sets   

Reviews (4)

Great toy!!
We just gave this to my 2 year old for his birthday. What a hit!! Both he and his 6 year old brother love it! It's durable, fun, easy to learn how to use. When the 2 year old heard the siren and watched his car go down the ladder ramp and in to the storage under the hat - he squealed and jumped with delight! Well worth the money!

great truck!
this fire truck is awesome, first of all it is huge!but very easy and light for little kids to steer, the steering works really well.its a great bonus having the storage areas for small cars or anything else.it has lights and a siren noise, also a mans voice says "extend the ladder" and when you push it again it says "great job".its not quiet, but not so loud as to be a bother to parents.but this truck has so many cool features even without the sounds/lights.i'm not sure the age recommendation on this but it would be a GREAT toy for a toddler just walking, since it is safe and durable.also fun for 'bigger' kids, my son is five and likes it.

Very Cute!!
This fire truck is sooo cute and my son loves it!It is very large and has lots of storage in the back and under the hat.
The truck even stears back and forth with a handle bar on the back of the ladder.I also like that there is a switch to turn of the sounds. A little pricey but it seems to be well built.
... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Die-Cast    3. Construction Vehicles   

Reviews (2)

Broken Immediately
We just opened the package, used it once, and it broke.The wheels are locked so it's not even good for rolling around.

Not very durable
My son received this toy as a birthday present. It was broken before the guests left the party. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Die-Cast   

Reviews (4)

Nice collectible, but...
The Superfast cars are a very nice collectible.They are painted to specifications of the actual car manufacturers and have very nice detail.Unfortunately, despite the fact that the description (at the time of this review) says, "This is a one time opportunity to get a case of "IRREGULAR" run colors of the Honda Element."You WILL NOT get a case of the cars.You will get ONLY ONE.I was not disappointed by the car... just what I received.

Such a deal!!
You won't want to wait to spring for $25.00 for this one car!Normally you would expect to pay $25.00 for a whole case of these cars, but you get a "special" deal here.Imagine only having to pay $14 plus dollars to get this one car in a very sturdy 11 pound box.Huury and get yours today before they run out!

Best Value for 1/4 C-Note!
Wow!!What a deal!For $25 you can get this vehicle that EVERY Honda fan wants!!And it does not weigh 12 pounds at all!!
And it even fits in the oversized box! ... Read more

Editorial Review

Chase down criminals as a heroic police officer or battle blazes as a daring firefighter. Turn your siren on and watch traffic pull aside as you speed through Matchbox County. Watch for shortcuts as you complete 24 different missions to become the fire or police chief. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Just like the toys, Great!
My litte brother can sitt for hourers with this title, it is hit best birthdaygift ever hi says.

Good luck with Emergency Patrol. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Video Games    2. Nintendo Game Boy (Gameboy)    3. Action   

Editorial Review

Really, can you have enough Matchbox cars? I mean, think about all the places in your life that could be livened up with a few of these fit-in-your-fist wonders. If you're a kid, they can be raced down driveways, around bathtubs, across kitchen floors, or along hastily constructed ramps. Grownups will find that when placed on almost any desk, countertop, or in a coat pocket, they make life younger and more fun. This 20-car set contains five cars each from four randomly selected themed boxes. Themes include: 5 Alarms, Cars Cars Cars, Dude Ranch, Car Wash, Sea Explorer, Emergency Rescue, Canyon Base, and Wilderness Road Trip. Most have some variety of vehicles in them and include non-car vehicles like trucks, ATVs, and jeeps. Except for the Cars Cars Cars set. That one is all cars. --Charlie Williams ... Read more

Reviews (3)

This is a wonderful toy!
We bought this Car Wash for our little boy to go along with the Matchbox hero city playset.He got it for his 4th birthday and out of all the gifts he got for his birthday- the matchbox hero city car wash and the rest of the set is what he spends most of his time playing with out of everything else.We finally have a use for all the cars he has- he loves taking the cars through the wash and up the elevator to get dried off!I highly recommend the Matchbox hero city playset and the car wash by its self is a great product!I am so happy that Matchbox has came out with the awesome sets that you don't have to put together and they can be moved without pieces falling off of them.Its great to be able to use all those little matchbox and hot wheels cars we had stored in their box.Now they get played with daily and it keeps my little boy occupied on those rainy days!

My kids all love this toy.
This set was the first of 4 Matchbox playsets that my son received for Christmas. He received it at a pre-Christmas gift exchange and all my kids (age 2, 3 1/2 and 5 1/2) had such a fabulous time playing with it that we got him 2 more for Christmas and he bought one himself with a gift card.
The car wash is a pretty simple playset, but all the kids love it. So I bought one for my nephew's birthday and he's having a blast with it as well.
You can put water in it to really "wash" the cars, but I left it dry to avoid any messes.They haven't seemed to mind at all.
I love that there aren't a bunch of small pieces to fall off and get lost.It's definitely been a hit at our house.
We also have the Police Station (similar size) and the larger Haunted House and Buried Treasure sets. They are all wonderful.

My two year old loves this toy!!
This is a great toy, especially for the price.Ther are no stickers to apply. Nothing to put together. Just open and start playing.My son(2 1/2) loves to wash his cars and then spin the fan to "dry" them. I recommend this for any car loving little boy or bigger boy. My 5 year old nephew also loves to play with this toy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vehicles    2. Play Sets