G1-G3 Dude 3-Packs (2001-2008)

3-Packs

The First G1 3-Packs- (2001)

These packs were all plug-feet packs and featured only dudes from Crew 1-3, which were the only dudes released at the time. These variants are pretty difficult to find and were the last plug-feet G1 dudes since G1 would revamp with the Magna Series in 2002. 

Note: Most of the dudes in this series have misleading paint representations on the card back, which led to many questions in collecting. With that in mind, I can confirm that the dudes pictured are the correct dudes, as I have seen each pack sealed. Some of the most misleading dudes include Nick, Sumo San, Tank, Crash, and Zobo. I was sure I didn't have this variant of Crash for the longest time until I realized he was identical to the one released in the Magna series. Peculiar. 

The Second G1 3-Packs (2001)

This is the first set of magnetic packs (it features dudes from Magnetic (manga) crews 4-6). 

The Third G1 3-Packs (2002)

The Fourth G1 3-Packs (2002)

The Fifth & Final G1 3-Packs (2002) 

Note: While the card backs remained the same, the middle dudes in all 6 of these 3-packs would be released in smaller shipments with "Hot Feet" color variants and the brand's trademark light-up Hot Feet boards with red lights. 

Hot Feet 3-Pack variants

The Unreleased Final Set of G1 3-Packs (2003)

Hey, what're these dudes underneath the third and fourth 3-Packs? 

Why do most of them look like unrelated variants from Crews 13-15?

That's right, folks, the final dudes sitting on shelves were Crews 13-15 (15 hit shelves in Jan 2003, the only G1 Crew with a 2003 TM on the back). These Crews almost entirely have 1 variant; that's it.

Most of them, along with some of the earlier Crew Dudes and Dudettes, would have been released in the unreleased packs below: 

These came from the 2003 X-Concepts Toy Catalog, but these designs never went into production:

G2 Hot Feet 3-Packs (2003)

The first G2 3-Packs were the colorful Hot Feet series. Much like the final G1 packs you saw above, these dudes had 1 Hot Feet board and 2 regular boards. 

G2 Final 3-Packs (2004)

We are unsure if the second and final G2 3-Packs were regular or Hot Feet branded. For years, we thought these variants were rarer Evolution Crew single pack variants, but turns out they were 3-Packs. 

G3 Deal 3-Packs (2004-2005) 

In 2004, X-Concepts would package the secondary color variants of dudes in Evolution Crew 3, 4, and 5. These variants were available in single packs, but parents could get their kids a 3-pack and save a little more than buying 3 single packs. 

These 3-packs (unlike the ones above & below) aren't exclusive variants, just a way to save money.
 

This next set of 3-packs changed the packaging format. They're now packaged vertically. This pack was released in 2005 with repackaged figures.

These repackaged Evolution Crew single-pack dudes gave the buyer more dudes for their buck. 
Also, notice how the one below is the same as the Timbo and Slam pack above, but it comes with the newer Crew 4 Cosmo rather than Crew 3 Jimmy. 

 

G3 Evolution 3-Packs (2006):

Some Dudes from Evolution Series 7-9 were released in 3-packs, with the only exceptions being Sturgeon (from Clash Crew1) and Rod (from Zoods Series 1). 

What's cool about these packs is that they are ALL exclusive color variants once again. This is the first time we got exclusives in 3-packs in 3 years (The G2 3-Packs).

The card back for the 2006 3-packs

G3 Evolution 3-pack dudes (in their packaging).
Some of these variants would be recycled in 2007/2008 Toys R Us 6-packs and in G4 singles.

Magnetic Action 3-Packs (2006): 

The Evolution Dudes were not the only dudes to get new 3-Pack Variants in 2006. The Magnetic Action Dudes also got new variants in packs the same year! 

Ridiculously Awesome 3-Packs (2008):

In 2008, the final G3 magnetic feet Dudes were released in the Ridiculously Awesome rebranding, spread across two waves of Ridiculously Awesome single packs, three different 6-packs, and six different 3-packs. For some reason, only the single packs had magnetic feet AND plugs in their backs.  From then on, in 2008-2009, all single-pack G4 dudes had plugs in their backs but also had plug-feet and plug boards instead of magnets.

Here are the six 3-packs released in 2008 in the new orange/yellow branded packaging that was only used for these 2008 packs and a set of three different G4 plug-dude 6-packs in early 2009 (which were the last packs ever released).

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These packs feature reprints of older G3 figures, with slightly different paint shades/detail changes (i.e, this Moto now has white gloves instead of grey, Dave's skin in this variant is a slightly lighter grey than an older version from 2005, etc.)

The only exceptions here are a new Dr. Digit P.I. with golden hair and Mikey's new black/white/red with blue jeans variant.